Kushite

Starting Languages

When a player selects a culture, they automatically gain ability in the primary language associated with that culture. This language represents the common tongue or dominant language spoken in that cultural region. Each culture provides a pool of additional languages that players can choose from. This pool should include languages associated with neighboring regions, historical influences, or significant trade partners of that culture. The number of additional languages in the pool can vary based on the diversity and historical context of the culture. For example, a culture with extensive trade routes or a history of conquest might have a larger pool. You may select an additional language from this pool for each point of edge you have in Intellect, and another for each additional point you gain as you level up in your adventures.

Starting Arms & Armor

Players are afforded their starting weapons, clothing, & tool proficiencies by the age associated with their homeland. So Stone Age cultures and Dark Age cultures might both grant ability with a mace for example, but only the Dark Age culture would grant ability with guns, for example. Over the course of your adventures you may choose to use your progression to gain proficiency in a different age's tools.

The Black Kingdoms of Kush

Shumballa, also known as Meroe, the capital of Kush, stands in the midst of a great plain of rolling savannas which stretch towards the horizon, broken only by occasional low hills. A narrow deep river, meandering across the savanna, touches the straggling edges of the city. A vast flat grassland stretches across Kush to the east, hosting grazing herds of zebra, antelope, buffalo, and lions where an occasional dwarf tree rises above the plains.
Northernmost and best known of the black kingdoms, the nation of Kush has given its name to the entire southern portion of the continent, most likely because the Kushites were the first black men with whom the Hyborians made contact when the Barachan pirates began to raid and trade along the Black Coast in the Western Ocean. This trade soon grew into a major source of materials for the Kushites who eagerly exchanged gold, silver, ivory, silks, sugar, and much more.
To the east, nomadic hunters and herders drift through the thick grass of the savanna. To the west, along the ocean shore, dwell several slaver tribes that raid inland to sell their native captives to offshore merchant ships. Much of this land, though, is dotted with green stone ruins of ancient cities of a precursor race, not human as we would know them, and all Kushites — nomads and city dwellers alike — know to stay away from them, for some of these places are yet still inhabited by these strange people and their gods, or were settled later by others who fell to madness and depravity.

Culture

There are two distinct cultural frameworks within the Kushite Kingdoms. The Southern Kushite culture is tribal in nature, akin to renowned African tribes like the Zulus and the Bantu. These tribes often embrace nudity but may adorn themselves with rings crafted from ivory or precious metals, which they wear in their noses, ears, or lips. Notable among the southern kingdoms are the Amazon and Atlaians, along with tribes such as the Suba of the Black Coast, the Bakalah located southeast of Kush, and the Bamulas and Jihiji, neighboring the Bakalah. Although situated in the northern regions, Darfar shares cultural similarities with the tribes residing south of the River Zarkheba. 'Soldiers' in the Black Kingdoms are often spearmen equipped with ox-hide shields. Ritualistic displays of aggression are commonly employed as intimidation tactics to deter all-out warfare, given the smaller size of most tribes, making heavy casualties unsustainable. However, conflicts do arise occasionally, resulting in bloody skirmishes when they do.
On the other hand, the northern Black Kingdoms, including Kush, Keshan, Punt, and Zembabwei, exhibit cultural resemblances to North African states like Mali and Ethiopia. These nations also house sub-tribes within their territories. Culturally, the Darfari are considered a southern nation, while the Ghanata and Tibu tribes situated in the desert south of Darfar and Kush adhere to a more northern cultural ethos.

Names

Names from Kush and the northern Black Kingdoms tend to be North African in nature, particularly Abyssinian.

• Keshan: Examples: (male) Gorulga, Gwarunga; (female) Yelaya. Suggestions: (male) Naeem, Tabari; (female) Latifa, Tapanga.

• Kush: Examples: (male) Afari, Agerra, Ajaga, Amboola, Shubba, Shukeli; (female) Tananda.

• Punt: There are no examples by Howard of specifically Puntish names. Ethiopian names have been used here. Suggestions: (male) Bogale, Brehanu, Workne; (female) Kebedech, Lakech, Melke.

• Zembabwei: Zembabwean names are also something of a mystery, with no examples given in the stories. It is assumed here that they are similar to modern Zimbabwean names. Suggestions: (male) Kaseko, Mthakathi, Ngone, Tuli, Zenzo; (female) Amadika, Nyasha, Sekai.

• Southern Kush: The southern Black Kingdoms tend toward African names, particularly Zulu. Examples: (male) Aja, Ajonga, Amra, Askia, Bajujh, N’Gora, N’Yaga, Sakumbe, Yasunga. Suggestions: (male) Nkosi, Sabelo, Sipho; (female) Khanyisa, Lukanyo, Nande, Serigne, Thula.

Religion

The tribes of the Black Kingdoms worship mighty local gods and devils, such as Ollam-onga and Thog. The presence of creatures from the Outer Dark in many ancient lost cities and places like the Vale of Lost Women suggests that these creatures may be worshipped as local deities too. The Suba people worship Ajujo, the Dark One.

• Keshan: Keshan has a number of bestial gods, although Gwahlur, the King of Darkness, is the only one known to the Hyborians.

• Kush: The Shemite Derketo has been adopted by Kush as a result of contact with the north, though she is worshipped as Derketa, Queen of the Dead. The ruling class of Kush worships Set, while the common masses worship Jullah in opposition to Set.

• Punt: The Ivory Goddess, possibly a variant of Ishtar, is worshipped in Punt.

• Zembabwei: Dagon and Derketo (interestingly under her Shemite name) are worshipped in Zembabwei.

Related Organizations

• Bastard’s Army

Playing a Kushite Adventurer

Starting Arms & Armor: Bronze Ages
Automatic Languages: Kushite or Keshani, Darfari, Puntan or Zembabwean as appropriate to background, Trade Tongue
Favoured Tropes: Barbarian, Shaman
Bonus Languages: Stygian, Shemitish, Darfari, Puntan, Zembabwean, Old Stygian, Keshani, Iranistani, Black Coast