Khitai was a realm of the Far East of Hyboria.[6]
Its civilization, people and culture were originated in the Pre-Cataclysmic Age. Khitai itself became synonymous with ancient knowledge and lore.[1]
The Khitans themselves were convinced of their cultural superiority and attempted to isolate themselves from the western "barbarians," by which they meant any foreigner. The terrain of their area favored them, as to the west of Khitai lay the vast Wuhuan Desert. Few travelers would risk crossing the desert and facing its nomadic tribes. Still the Khitans constructed a Great Wall as further protection from potential invaders.[1][verification needed]
History
Origins in the Pre-Cataclysmic Age[]
The people,[7][8] traditions and civilization of Khitai came from the Pre-Cataclysmic times.[1]
Hyborian Age[]
Great War with Khitai[]
Khitai entered at some point a conflict known in Turan as the "Great War with Khitai". Little is known of the conflict, apart that Amir of Khawarizm participated on the Turanian side, and that he hinted that the conflict caused massive casualties to the Khitans.[9]
Legacy[]
Khitai apparently became known as China,[10] and Paikang is accepted as occupying the site of modern Peking (though the description of the vegetation open that assertion to doubt).[11]
Facts[]
Geography[]
The area within the wall was vast and diverse. Urbanized areas, fertile plains, bamboo jungles, and taiga forests were all part of Khitai.[1][verification needed]
The land included also great deserts, volcanoes,[2] and "Lava Hills".[12]
There were many city-states, though Paikang reigned supreme among them, earning it the position of capital. It benefited from its location at the far end of a major trade route and was a center of industry and commerce. The marketplaces of the city offered drugs, silks, spices, gold, silver, jade, jewelry, artwork, and magical equipment.[1][verification needed]
The far south of Khitai comprised the so-called Lost Jungle, and was once inhabited by the alien Yag-Kosha and his followers.[1][verification needed]
Flora and Fauna[]
The Lost Jungle was home to the poisonous Black Lotus and to a species of Gray Apes.[1][verification needed][13] Silver Apes also roamed the bamboo forest of the south.[14]
Red Apes inhabited the Lava Hills of Khitai.[12]
The Skirri had their hive-cities in the great deserts and volcanoes.[2]
Religion[]
There was no real state religion. Many gods and demons have their own worshipers.[1][verification needed] There were allegedly a thousand[15] or nine thousand gods, including Cheng-Ho, goddess of the moon[16] and Yun[17] (who was worshiped by prayers and incense).[18]
Some practice rituals of human sacrifice, though it is not a universal practice.[1][verification needed]
The alien Yag-Kosha was worshiped in the Lost Jungle until he was taken away.[19]
Armory[]
Among the weapons originated from Khitai were the Khitan throwing stars (used notably by the assassin cultists of the Brotherhood of Sahb Delanzar.[20] The Khitans also used bows, notably powerful composite bow made of wood, split horn, and dried animal sinews,[6] and double-curved bows.[1]Points of Interest
- Great Wall - Western border[21]
- Lost Jungle - South western[22]
- Wan Tengri - Westernmost city
- Northern Khitai
- Western Khitai
- Kusan - minor kingdom, satellite kingdom of Khitai
- Kusan - Capital of Kusan
- Kathai - City-state[23]
- Mountains of Night
- Kusan - minor kingdom, satellite kingdom of Khitai
- Hive-cities of the Skirri in the great deserts and volcanoes
Residents
- The Skirri
Notes
- Robert E. Howard conceived Khitai as a Hyborian analogue to China.[24] The name was possibly inspired from "Cathay", another name for China.
- In Conan the Barbarian #206, Khitai was stated to be set in "southeast Asia".
- In Marvel Comics, "Cathay" was used to name Khitai at least once.[2] "Kathai" was the name of an original Khitan city-state.[23]
See Also
- 29 appearance(s) of Khitai
- 1 appearance(s) in handbook(s) of Khitai
- 1 minor appearance(s) of Khitai
- 100 mention(s) of Khitai
- 1 mention(s) in handbook(s) of Khitai
- 1 invocation(s) of Khitai
- 3 image(s) of Khitai
- 12 article(s) related to Khitai
- 15 citizen(s) of Khitai
Links and References
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Handbook of the Conan Universe #1 ; Khitai's profile
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Conan Saga #97 ; Bestiarie of Thoth-Amon: the Skirri
- ↑ Conan the Barbarian #57
- ↑ Conan Saga #96 ; A Red Sonja Comics Chronology: It's Never Too Late...?
- ↑ Savage Sword of Conan #95 ; Contents
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Handbook of the Conan Universe #1 ; Arms and Armors
- ↑ Savage Sword of Conan #35 ; A Gazetteer of the Hyborian Age, Part IV, Khitai's entry
- ↑ Handbook of the Conan Universe #1 ; Khitai's profile
- ↑ Conan the Barbarian #29 ; Two Against Turan!
- ↑ Blockbusters of the Marvel Universe #1 ; Great Cataclysm's profile
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Savage Sword of Conan #38 ; A Gazetteer of the Hyborian Age, Part VI: Paikang's profile
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 King Conan (Vol. 2) #1
- ↑ Savage Sword of Conan #36 ; A Gazetteer of the Hyborian Age, Part V: Lost Jungle's profile
- ↑ Conan the Barbarian (Vol. 3) #19
- ↑ Conan the Barbarian #35
- ↑ Conan the Barbarian #32
- ↑ Conan the Barbarian #34
- ↑ Handbook of the Conan Universe #1 ; Gods and Worship
- ↑ Conan the Barbarian #4
- ↑ Savage Sword of Conan #125 ; At the Altar of the Goat God
- ↑ Conan the Barbarian #13 ; Map
- ↑ Handbook of the Conan Universe #1 ; Map
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Savage Sword of Conan #95 ; Night of the Rat!
- ↑ Marvel Art of Conan the Barbarian #1