Stygia
The desert kingdom of Stygia, possibly the most infamous nation in the Hyborian mainland, is the birthplace, home, and wellspring of the Priesthood of Set—serpent god of darkness.
Stygia
The desert kingdom of Stygia, possibly the most infamous nation in the Hyborian mainland, is the birthplace, home, and wellspring of the Priesthood of Set—serpent god of darkness. The entire kingdom is ruled by the clergy, with the closest devotee or disciple of Set having the single most influential hand throughout the Stygian territory. From the coast of the Western Sea to the shores of the River Styx, the power of Set’s snake-worshipping acolytes is supreme.
Although bordered by the dark-skinned Kushites, the cannibal Darfari to the south, and to the north by the influential merchant-traders of Shem-Stygia does not show fear of its neighbors. So ironclad is their belief in Set that they look upon all outsiders as infidel lower creatures who have not yet discovered the truth in Set's darkness. Outsiders are less than they are, and only a shackle's clasp away from being a slave.
As with any desert land, Stygia is a dry and desolate place that has claimed many unprepared travelers who have gone into the desert without enough food or water. Culled from this world by scorpions, serpents, raiders and the very sand itself, few survive without native assistance-which is difficult to receive, as few trust or are allowed to give aid to those not of Stygian blood. Where this discrimination can be detrimental to trade and commerce elsewhere, it is simply noted as fact here. As far as the theocracy and aristocracy of Stygia is concerned, they do not need the outsiders' trade.
Why do these outsiders continue to brave this prejudice and risk choking on sand or the thrust of an assassin's blade? Stygia is a rich land filled with treasure hidden away in tombs and catacombs all across its expanse, much of which lies in wait for a brave soul willing to risk the dark god's eye by robbing graves and unearthing secrets. It is well known across all of Hyboria that magic is strong in Stygia, with promises of sorcery and witchcraft calling scholars and dabbling would-be warlocks from the far reaches-if only to discover a single spell or ritual under the sand and stone.
A dark shadow has been cast across Stygia for centuries, taking many shapes as time progresses. Rulers, warlords, beasts and demons have risen up between the dunes to make Stygia their rightful home. While the faithful control and master where the walls built by slaves will keep the wilderness at bay, there are countless stretching miles of sandy wastes that give Stygia a thousand and one places to hide treachery, death, and-for the bravest of souls-adventure!
