Kush

[Supplement Four]

I'm reading A Snout in the Dark, and I'm trying to get my head around Kush. I don't quite have the flavor in my head.

Does Kush correspond with a real world period in our history? It doesn't seem to quite be Egypt, the way Stygia is. Is it a hyborian nation? I used to think so, but, in reading the story, it seems not. It seems much more related to Stygia.

Are Stygia and Kush similar in atmosphere the way Nemedia and Aquilonia are (Roman-esque)? Or, Corinthia and Argos (Greek-esque)?

 

[zozotroll]

I believe you are confusing Kush and Koth. For me Kush is either more Stygia or more black kingdom. I dont believe the Hyborians ever got that far south.

 

[zozotroll]

Just rechecked ROK to make sure I am not whacked. Koth is the oldest Hyborian kingdom. Kush is the Black Kingdom most visited by Northerners.

 

[LucaCherstich]

I'm reading A Snout in the Dark, and I'm trying to get my head around Kush. I don't quite have the flavor in my head.

Does Kush correspond with a real world period in our history? It doesn't seem to quite be Egypt, the way Stygia is. Is it a hyborian nation? I used to think so, but, in reading the story, it seems not. It seems much more related to Stygia.

Are Stygia and Kush similar in atmosphere the way Nemedia and Aquilonia are (Roman-esque)? Or, Corinthia and Argos (Greek-esque)?

The ruling Chaga have Stygian blood in their veins and have Stygian elements in their culture.
The lower classes, the Gallah, are more African, sub-saharians in their culture.
I suspect that REH had the old Nubia in his mind when he thought about Kush.
"Kush" is also the name used by ancient Egyptians (and the Bible if I'm not wrong...) to call Nubia.
"Nubia" looks more like a latin-like name that (I suspect) we started using after the Roman Period
Nubia (actual Sudan) in Antiquity had Egyptian-like elements in their culture, some of their nobles used small piramyd-like tombs and at some point they even invaded Egypt and one or two Egyptian late dynasties was made by Black Kushite Pharaoh from Kush (Nubia).
So, if you want an inspiration for Kush, please check the old Nubia.
Check this link on historical Kush:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Kush

 

[VincentDarlage]

LucaCherstich is correct. Kush is a Hyborian age version of Nubia. It lies south of Stygia. It is not a Hyborian nation, but one of the Black Kingdoms.

 

[Supplement Four]

So, really, it's more Howard-ized Egypt, like Stygia.

Kush - Stygia.

Aquilonia - Nemedia

Argos - Corinthia

Matches like those.

 

[kintire]

I think Kush is mostly based on... well... Kush

http://en.allexperts.com/e/k/ku/kush.htm

 

[VincentDarlage]

I think Kush is mostly based on... well... Kush

http://en.allexperts.com/e/k/ku/kush.htm

Which, as stated, is the Egyptian name for Nubia.

 

[zozotroll]

While Stygia is under discussion, Vincent, do you have one of your excellent maps that covers Stygia? I think most of it is covered in peices by others, but there does not seem to be one just for it.

 

[VincentDarlage]

Yes. Unfortunately, thulsa doesn't seem to have it on his site. Send me a PM with your email address and I will send it to you - or just email me at vincent@tls.net

Also, at this site, you can get some of the maps I made of the capital of Kush (Shumballah) and of several Stygian cities.

 

[zozotroll]

Many thanks, although my players may not be happy to go there.

 

[Hervé]

Return to the Road of Kings adds more than 80 pages of new material to the first Road of Kings book.

Most of them on the Black Kingdoms.

Written by Vincent.

What are waiting for? Get that book you guys!