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Dominated by a ruthless theocracy dedicated to the worship of the serpent-god Set, the Stygians are masters of occult secrets and diabolic lore. The scholarship is legendary and their mastery of the magical arts is without equal anywhere in the known world. Unlike the northern Hyborian kingdoms the Stygians care little for what goes on beyond their borders; while the Aquilonians and the Nemedians measure their worth in castles and glittering armies, the scholar-priests of Stygia care nothing for such trifles. They learned long ago that true power lies in knowledge and in pacts with dark powers older than the cosmos itself.
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Stygian society is divided into three rigid hereditary castes: the nobility, the aristocracy or middle caste, and the peasant caste.
- The noble caste is much diminished in the modern age. Unlike the lower castes, whose blood has been increasingly intermingled with Kothian, Shemite and Kushite stock, the Stygian noble caste is tall and dark-haired, with fair, ivory-colored skin. They are rarely seen even in the largest Stygian cities, and are never known to travel abroad, preferring to spend lives of indolence and contemplation in their lotus-perfumed estates.
- The middle caste comprises the Stygian aristocracy, and is the true ruling power of the realm. Tall but dusky-skinned, black-haired and hawk-nosed, the aristocracy provides the scholars and priests that run the kingdom’s many temples and maintain its fabled libraries. Beneath their heel lies the peasant caste, marked by their shorter stature, swarthier skin and heavier build. The aristocrats rule the peasant caste with an iron grip, steeping them in a culture of absolute subservience and fear.
- The peasant caste exist to serve the aristocracy and to feed the appetites of their god Set, and even the merest hint of disobedience is enough to merit an agonizing death in the torture chambers of the city temples.
Stygians as a people favor cunning, intelligence and agility over brute strength. Swords and axes are the hallmarks of a barbarian, not a civilized person. For this reason, most Stygians found outside the borders of their kingdom are typically scholars or seekers of knowledge. This quest for knowledge can come in many forms, whether through the practice of sorcery, the study of the body and the healing arts, or the stealthy practice of assassination or thievery. Each pursuit is equally valid in a Stygian’s eyes, because they require intellect, education and discipline; qualities they believe to be lacking in the lesser kingdoms of the age.
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Worship of the evil serpent-god Set dominates the ancient kingdom of Stygia. There, no other religion is accepted (though the worship of Derketo is grudgingly tolerated). Praying to a god other than these is considered a serious crime, punishable by death!
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Stygians have a deep affinity for ancient and evil magics, and their prowess has led them to become the only race able to unlock the secrets of the Mage archetype. Stygian Mages can become Necromancers, Heralds of Xotli and Demonologists. Those who follow a Priestly calling become Tempests of Set, and rogue-like individuals may become master Assassins and Rangers. Their superiority in magic has its price, however, as Stygians can never become Soldiers.
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The desert kingdom of Stygia, probably the most infamous nation of all Hyboria, is the home to the priesthood of the evil god Set — "the Great Serpent". The entire Kingdom is controlled by the clergy, and the highest disciples of Set have the most power and control in Stygian society. From the coast of the Western Ocean to the banks of the northern river Styx, the power of Set reigns supreme.
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Players in Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures will find that the Stygians can be a joy to role-play. Their mysterious and magically aligned nature makes them perfect for those who want to play an intelligent and wise mage character who holds great power behind his or her dark eyes, yet they might also choose to play the role of a Stygian rogue whose main goal is to grab the riches that might be found in the estates of those in the upper castes. The Stygians are a diverse people who follow many paths of life, and players will find a wealth of opportunities if they choose to enter Hyboria as one of them.
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