Just what is it about ERB's Pellucidar series that I love so much ? I think the Ace covers by Roy Krenkel, Jr. and Frank Frazetta had something to do with it. In particular, the cover art for At the Earth's Core and Tanar of Pellucidar seems to invite the reader into it. I remember looking at those covers and wishing I was there. More importantly (and more germaine to this article), I wondered what was just around the corner, down the jungle trail, beyond those low hills, etc. It is the geography of the Inner World that captivates me so. Whether it is in small doses, as I mentioned concerning specific scenes, or virtually world encompassing, like where is the farther shore of the Lural, Bandar, Sojar Az?

To start with, my first Pellucidar book was Tarzan at the Earth's Core. Therefore I was handicapped in trying to understand the plot and the exact whereabouts (geography) of everyone in this story that moved from locality to locality in swift fashion. When I first read of Sari, I did not know it was the capital of the Empire of Pellucidar. Yet, it rang sweetly in my mind. What is Sari really like, I wondered. I found out when I finally purchased At the Earth's Core and Pellucidar. ERB does not give an in depth view of Sari, but I got the gist. It was part cave dwellings and part city, due to David Innes and Abner Perry. An added bonus was the map included in Pellucidar.It shows a portion of David Innes' empire. The northernmost kingdoms of Kali and Suvi are not included, yet it did show where most of the action in the initial duology takes place.

Now, having previously read Tarzan at the Earth's Core, I was desperate to see a map which showed Korsar, the Ice Girt Sea, the Rela Am, Korsar Az, Zoram, Pheli, etc. I do believe I read some sort of David Innes comic that included a partial map of Pellucidar that did show the Great Penninsula of the Empire, The Korsar Az, and Korsar itself. It was not in detail, but at least it gave me an idea of how Pellucidar was laid out.

The next two books I read were Back to the Stone Age and Land of Terror, as I could not locate Tanar of Pellucidar and Savage Pellucidar was yet to see print. I was totally perplexed as to where Basti, Ja-ru, Lo-har, Azar, Oog, and The Valley of the Jukans were. I spent much time making up my own maps showing these localities, but never felt satisfied. At about this time I began my initial subscription to ERBANIA (I have since renewed it, thankfully). Also, and more important to this article. I subscribed to ERB-dom. In one of the latter issues (before closing shop, temporarily), I saw a list of back issues with brief descriptions of articles therein. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that ERB-dom # 15 had a map of the known areas of Pellucidar included. I ordered and received it shortly. Here was my dream come true! Virtually every place mentioned in the Pellucidar series was included. I now a point of reference as I read along. This was designed by Bob Barrett and Reed Crandall.

I was able to have my local library order Tanar of Pellucidar for me to borrow and Savage Pellucidar became available finally. It was with great relish that I could envision the islands of Amiocap, Hime, and Tandar in the Korsar Az. It was with amazement that I saw how the Terrible Mountains tied in many aspects of Inner World geography, that had eluded my imagination. Namely the exact location of Suvi and The Great Peak. It became obvious to me that this massive mountain range effectively cut off the western side of the Great Penninsula from the Empire of Pellucidar.

Of course traveling across The Nameless Strait made me wonder what was further south beyond the Xexot cities of Tanga-tanga and Lolo-lolo. I'll never know, but I can imagine (you see, I have ideas, but no skill to transform them into quality stories).

After joining the ERB lists of Jim Thompson and Bruce Bozarth I came into contact with numerous Burroughs fans, one of which, George McWhorter, supplied me with an alternate map of the explored areas of Pellucidar. Among the differences from my previous map was the concept of several lands being on the far side of the Polar Opening. In particular: The Mountains of the Thipdars and the villages therein, Pheli, The Gyor Cors, The Rela Am, and perhaps Basti. I think this map ties in the locales of Tarzan at the Earth's Core and Back to the Stone Age in a more satisfactory manner. Also the adventures of David Innes in Land of Terror are more geographically compatible to the Great Peninsula with this map. Personally, I feel a combination of the two would be the best and most informative map.

Lastly, it should be noted that Abner Perry was able to peruse a Mahar map of the entire Inner World of Pellucidar. It showed that the continents and oceans of the outer world are basically inversed. How the Mahars came about such a map is beyond me. Despite their advanced state, they only occupied a small portion of the Great Peninsula. How would they have geographic knowledge of the vast areas not originally lorded over by them? Well, they did and I have included a map (thank you Laurence G. Dunn and Frank J. Brueckel) portraying such a scheme. I find it fascinating.

The one last area not to be mapped is the Pendent World. While one or two pastiches have been written that concern it, ERB never developed the incredible possibilities. Oh he teased us with David Innes sightings of oceans and jungles. This is a land just begging to be mapped, but alas, never will be. Mayhap it is best that some things are left to one's imagination.

Steve Servello
November 1998

P.S. I wonder why the Unfriendly Islands were never incorporated into the Empire?

The following codes are used:

• EC = At the Earth's Core
• P = Pellucidar
• TOP = Tanar of Pellucidar
• TEC = Tarzan at the Earth's Core
• BSA = Back to the Stone Age
• LOT = Land of Terror
• SP = Savage Pellucidar

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