¶ Meru
It is a vast intermontane basin containing a brackish lake, Sumeru Tso, on the shores of which stood the Seven Sacred Cities. Its capital is Shamballah, the City of Skulls.
Meru is warmed by volcanic activity far below the surface. Thus, despite its isolation in the barren mountains, it maintains a tropical climate. Many of the plants and animals of the Black Kingdoms thrive in Meru's clime.
A god-king or rimpoche rules Meru. Known as Jalung Thongpa, Terror of Men and Shadow of Heaven, the ever-reincarnating son of Yama; when Jalung Thongpa died, the priests scoured Meru for the child born at the time of the previous Rimpoche's death; this child, no matter how deformed or unfit, was declared Jalung Thongpa's reincarnated form.
Meru has little contact with the outside world. A few Hyrkanian tribes trade for gold and jade, but most Hyrkanians leave the Meruvians alone.
Legend says that if the people defy the rule of the shamans, Meru would rise to the height of the mountains, becoming a cold wasteland.
References: City of Skulls, Conan the Buccaneer, Conan of the Isles.
- Population: 760,000
- Capital: Shamballah (pop. 160,000)
- Ruler: Jalung Thongpa (the ever-reincarnating son of Yama)
- Major cities: Throana, Paliana, Issedon, Auzakia, Thogara, Shondakor
- Resources: Gold, jade
- Imports:
- Allies:
- Enemies: Turan
- Tech level: Oriental
- Religion: Yama, Hina