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Khoraja was a small but important kingdom set southeast of Koth. Formerly a part of Shem and/or of Southern Koth, it was taken over by Kothic adventurer, and later made into a small independent nations, among many others along the eastern Kothian frontier.

History

Shem and independent nation[]

Khoraja was once part of Shem,[1][2] and/or of Southern Koth.[3]

As a strategic position, it was seized by Kothian adventurers, who made it an independent nation along the eastern Kothian frontier, among many other small nations.[2] The same breed of adventures also established the kingdom of Khauran, and Castle Crimson, who was seemingly more or less part Khoraja.[4]

The royal family ruled from then,[1] but the masters of Castle Crimson didn't care more for their orders than for Koth's, Hyrkanians', nor desert-dwellers', and it was eventually captured and held by Shemites for two decades,[4] into the Age of Conan=== Khoraja was one of the many nations, alongside Koth, Khauran, and Turan, to be plundered by the Abode of the Damned.[5]

Khossus' and Yasmela's rules[]

After the events involving the Skull of Set, Conan thought to Khoraja,[6] though it is unknown if he did.

King Amalrus[3] of Ophir had the rightful king held captive, and hesitated between restoring him in exchange for a royal ransom, or turn him over to his enemy, the King of Koth, for Koth offered an advantageous treaty in its design to annex Khoraja. The king's sister, Princess Yasmela ruled in his stead, assisted by Count Thespides, Chancellor Taurus, and Lord General Malthom,[1] a mercenary from Nemedia.[4]


Katuman, a prince of Stygia who had sided with Natohk but was wounded by Conan during the battle the Khorajan Host waged over Natohk. Taken captive by the Khorajans, Katuman took an oath of allegiance to the Khorajan crown. Though involved with Conan, Yasmela grew closer to Katuman and consented to marry him, stating that his royal blood would enrich the Khorajan line.[3]

Conan rested for two fortnights of drinks and wenches before leaving, accompanied by Hobb of Anuphar, a Corinthian with gambling debts.[7]

The Shemites holding Crimson Castle eventually exchanged it to the Khorajans against needed food supplies. Yasmela and her brother then gave it to Malthom, as a gift for services rendered, but mostly as they needed to form a souther bulwark for Khoraja against the nomads, and because he was from Nemedia, as the desert men had insisted that the commander of the fortress should no be Khorajan.[4]

Midea and the cult of Z'un Tha[]

The crown prince of Khoraja was later abducted by a cult seeking the return of their god Z'un Tha, which Midea, warrior-princess of Khoraja, was part, intending to gain power from the grateful god she would release. Conan was employed as a mercenary to retrieve the prince, in exchange for sixty gold coins, accompanied by Midea and three nobles, including Lord Achillius. Those became Mida's thralls as they were tricked into making blood vows on her enchanted knife. The cultists were about to begin the ceremony of possession, in which the prince was splayed on the altar and about to be sacrificed. Conan attempted a rescue, but upon their capture, Midea stabbed the prince to claim her destiny, causing the prince's soul to immolate and allowing Z'un Tha to return. The god accepted to empower Midea, and decided to possess Conan's body to rule upon Earth. As Conan managed to grab the princess' enchanted knife, Midea and the nobles were pulled into Z'un Tha's Spirit Realm.[8]

Facts[]

Geography[]

The kingdom laid southeast of Koth. It was bordered at south[2] and east[9][10] by the Kothian Escarpment, which was pierced only by the Shamla Pass.[2] The Shemite city of Akbitana was set south of Khoraja.[11]

The capital was the walled city of Khoraja,[2] while dozens other cities existed,[1] two of them on the map, including one at the north, and Meshken at south,[9] thirty miles west of Khoraja, and another at north.[12] Hillmen lived in the low hills west of the capital.[1]

Criminality[]

Khoraja was one of the many nations, along Koth, Khauran and Turan, to be plundered by the men of the Abode of the Damned.[5]

Fauna[]

The black scorpion was the deadliest creature of the desert.

Khorajan magpies were mentioned,[13] though it could simply a expression.

Horses and camels were used, though it is unknown if they were native of Khoraja.[1]

Politics[]

Khoraja was presumably among the satellite nations of Koth,[14] which Koth wished to annex.[1]

Education[]

Women of any rank, even those in the throne succession line, weren't taught to read.[3]

Economy[]

Khoraja used Khorajan Minars as currency. It was stated that those were lesser in value than the Kothian Minars.[15] They also used gold coins,[8] thought it is unknown what relative value those have to each other.

The Shamla Pass, the only point of passage in the southern border of Khoraja, the Kothian Escarpment, was part of the main caravan route going the Hyborian Kingdoms and into the East and South.[2] Because of its control over those paths of trade, Khoraja was of great importance to the Kothic Empire (as was Khauran, [14] where another pass existed.[10]

Among the goods produced in Khoraja were the Khorajan lacquer, seemingly an expensive product.[16]

Food[]

Khorajan food included the Khorajan Apples.[17]

Religion[]

The early Khorajans, while under the yoke of Koth, abandoned the worship of Mitra in favor of Ishtar,[1] as did Koth and her other satellites.[14]

The Palace Shrine of Mitra in the city of Khoraja was kept mainly for the benefit of the Hyborian visitors to the court.[1]

A cult living in the hills seeked the return of their god Z'un Tha. Midea, warrior-princess of Khoraja, was part of that cult, intending to gain power from the grateful god she would release.[8]

Legends[]

The fabled Labyrinth of Khoraja were sometimes referenced while commenting on mazes and tunnels.[18][19]

Points of Interest

  • Khoraja - Capital, southeast of the kingdom
  • Meshken - to the south, thirty miles west of Khoraja
  • On-the-map city or town to the north
  • Khanyria - Town or city, home of Pelias
  • Kothian Escarpment - Southern and eastern border
    • Shamla Pass, only point of passage, part of the main caravan route going the Hyborian Kingdoms and into the East and South
  • Castle Crimson
  • Labyrinth of Khoraja

Residents

  • Court of Khoraja
  • Midea, warrior-princess of Khoraja
  • Pelias

Notes

See Also

Links and References

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Savage Sword of Conan #2 ; Black Colossus
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Savage Sword of Conan #35 ; A Gazetteer of the Hyborian Age, Part IV: Khoraja's entry
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Savage Sword of Conan #3 ; At the Mountains of the Moon-God
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Savage Sword of Conan #12 ; The Haunters of Castle Crimson
  5. 5.0 5.1 Savage Sword of Conan #11 ; The Abode Of The Damned
  6. Marvel Graphic Novel #53 ; The Skull of Set
  7. Conan the Barbarian #252
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Savage Sword of Conan #181 ; The Rescue
  9. 9.0 9.1 Handbook of the Conan Universe #1 ; Map
  10. 10.0 10.1 Savage Sword of Conan #35 ; A Gazetteer of the Hyborian Age, Part IV: Kothian Escarpment's entry
  11. Savage Sword of Conan #30 ; A Gazetteer of the Hyborian Age, Part I: Akbitana's entry
  12. Savage Sword of Conan #70 ; The Dweller in the Depths
  13. Savage Sword of Conan #98 ; Blood Ruby of Death!
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Handbook of the Conan Universe #1 ; Koth's entry
  15. Savage Sword of Conan #230 ; The Ring of Ikribu Part 1
  16. Savage Sword of Conan #103 ; The White Tiger of Vendhya!
  17. Savage Sword of Conan #73 ; The Changeling Quest
  18. Conan the Barbarian #26
  19. Conan the Barbarian #33
  20. Savage Sword of Conan #35 ; A Gazetteer of the Hyborian Age, Part IV: Khoraja's entry
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