STYGIA
STYGIA (Large Kingdom) -- Slumbering in her desert retreats, protected behind
the
mighty and brooding Styx river, lies Stygia. The Stygian army is never
without the backing of wizards well versed in black battle magics, most
often of the priesthood of Set. The ancient culture of Stygia is in
decline, revolving in malignance about itself but it is also the source
of a
great and evil sorcerous knowledge which may yet gain mastery over
the western world.
NATIONAL HISTORY
Know, my Lord, of the beginning of time and of Stygia. Once long ago,
our forbears lived far to the east on the shores of the Eastern
Ocean, a people ancienta nd wise even then in the youth of this age.
These, our fathers, ruled an empire beyond measure, taking as their
servants uncounted numbers of Lemurians. The Lemurians were a homeless
race, smashed by the Great Cataclysm which had brought low many of the
mighty in their era, and seemed well suited to their servitude.
Lo, on one bitter day these Lemurians turned mad and began slaying
their masters across the length and breadth of the land. One legion
alone of our elders' brightly shining armies survived the onslaught,
and with these brave warriors our direct forefathers traveled the
entire length on the continent until at last they came to the great
river Styx. Here they found the land to be good, and our people began
to claim it for their own.
Some of our kin migrated farther north, to the empire of Acheron, whose
evil power was to dominate the northwestern world for thousands of
years. Thy Stygian people crossed the river Styx and began to contest
for the land which we now call home with a pre-human race - - a race of
man and snake. These snake men were great warriors and held much
ancient knowledge. The battle for the land was long and hard until we
finally prevailed. In the aftermath of war, our fathers began to
rebuild the cities they had torn down and to delve deeply into the
black secrets which the ancient race had left behind. When at last out
people began to worship the very god upon whom our snakelike foes had
called in vain, the deeper mysteries of the Black Ring were
revealed and great power became ours. Praise be to Set!
During all this time our kindred, Acheron, had grown strong in the
north and then their power waned as wild Hyborian tribes crashed upon
her northern borders. For a thousand years Acheron's power slowly
weakened under the hammer blows of the Hyborian hordes. As Acheron
weakened, Stygia expanded, taking up the void of lands vacated by
Acheron' armies as they were called up to fight in the north. This we
came to rule an empire which encompassed all of Shem, eastern Koth,
Zamboula, and much of the eastern desert.
Sister Acheron was broken at last. The Hyborian tribes utterly consumed
her in fire and sword. In time our fathers were forced to retreat back
behind the brooding Styx river that today forms our northern border.
In the thousands of years in which we have dwelt in this land we have
adventured much and taken many slaves in raids upon the black kingdoms.
Never have our people been plentiful and always has ur land been
parched. Our strength lies in Set, with whose power we are invincible.
Lo, we have gathered our strength through the generations, holding our
silent counsel even when the upstart Turanians separated Zamboula from
our power. The time of empire is nearly upon us (once more) as indeed
the entire world is torn by war and visions of imperial ambition. May
Set grant that we are equal to the tasks ahead! Heed well now my words,
Great One, and I will report to thee of the length and breadth of thy
new kingdom.