Regions of Enelis
The God-Pharaoh’s Empire of Arathkelsara
Ancient Desert Empire Led by an Immortal Pharaoh
Banner: Azurite flag with the Eye of Thorus in the center, with anhk, scarab, shem, and ouroboros in the corners.
Capital: Mekphatis (92,780)
Notable Settlements: Natrun (20,430), Napata (15,340), Tanis (8,230), Helwan (5,230).
Rulers: Pharaoh Thorukhamun III (monarch/living god)
Government: Monarchy / Theocracy (Thorus)
Military: Very Strong. Holds 95 defensive fortifications. Very strong navy.
Languages: Arathian, Common (Noman)
Religion: Devotees of the Immortal Thorus (Church of Thorus)
Primary Exports: Grain, spices, metals (gold, silver), fruits and nuts, quarried stone, ancient artifacts (illegally)
History
The ancient Empire of Arathkelsara has been around in some form for millennia. The first Arathian culture dates back to over 4000 years ago when the first pharaoh, Thorus is believed to have magically transported the Arathdrie people to the new lands along the Typhen river. The First Dynasty of Thorus’s reportedly immortal offspring expanded from one end of the Typhen River to the other, pushing out the existing Thieth (lizardfolk) and Nerie (gnoll) tribes that previously dwelt in the region.
It wasn’t until the Third Dynasty (around -3300 GR) that the Arathian Empire expanded northward to the Demater River and began enslaving the Nerie (gnoll) and Unorka (goblinoid) tribes. The Arathians slowly expanded into modern Korenell, founding the port city of Tethis (Korenhold is built on the ruins of Tethis).
In -2460 G.R., Korrat the Lawbringer is believed to have appeared on Montsiris and given his disciples the Scrolls of the Divine Laws to the Arathians living near Montsiris and the village of Tallus. A new religion dedicated to this divine law was formed that challenged the rule of the divine pharaoh and Thorus’s offspring. For over a thousand years, the Empire managed to contain its power, even as growing rebellions (primarily Korrat worshippers) grew within its depths.
In the year -1100 GR, the Noman Empire of the east made first official contact with the isolated Arathian Empire. Trade agreements were established and the grand Magna Pontis bridge was errected over the Myrillian River to connect the Empires overland. Shortly afterwards, the grand statue of Korrat the Lawbringer is erected on Montsiris and the Arathian religious cults spread to the eastern Noman Empire.
In the year -1050 GR, war broke out between the two empires. The Noman Empire wanted the rich fertile lands of Korenell, while the Arathian Empire’s new Fourth Dynasty had a distaste for outsiders. The new pharaoh commanded his priests and military to gather all non-Arathdrie as slaves. By -850 GR, the Noman Empire had the advantage, they pushed the Arathians out of Korenell, past the Demater River. They seized the city of Tethis and renamed it Augustandria after the conquering general.
By -583 GR, the war had greatly cooled and the Arathians ended the war with the Noman Empire, who was dealing with its own internal conflicts. The Arathian Empire was beset by the growing might of the goblins of the Kelsus Mountains. By -500 GR, the Arathian Empire found itself split in half by two leaders who both claimed to be the reincarnation of the God-Pharaoh Thorus. The upper (western) empire was at war with the lower (eastern) empire. This civil war caused the Arathians to fully abandon the Korenell region and recovering Tethis (Augustandria). In -200 GR, the Lower Arathian Empire held back the goblins of the mountains, allowing the city of Korratus to grow with many followers of the primary religious cults (Korrat, Sol, Demu, etc.).
In 24 GR, the First Crusades was a near failure, but they recovered the old city of Augustandria. By 96 GR, the Lower Kingdom conquered the Upper Kingdom and the Arathian Empire was united again under the Fifth Dynasty. In 122 GR, the Fourth Crusades successfully captured the city of Korratus. The next year, known as the Year of the Trinity, The Empire of Arathkelsara seized the city of Korratus and martyred Aedin of Nombria, crucifying him upon the outstretched arms of the statue of Korrat the Lawbringer. Aedin would eventually become the savior of a new religion dedicated to the Trinity and St. Aedin.
A few years later, the Kingdom of Korenell was founded, forever restricting the Arathians from northward expansion. In 148 GR, the Church of the Trinity is formed and the worship of Trinity (Korrond, Solarus, Demater) and his prophet Saint Aedin spreads throughout Korenell. In 295 GR, the prophet Methusuphis shares the teachings of Korrat in Korratus, gaining much popularity. In 314 GR, the prophet is crucified by the Arathian priests for questioning the divine rule of the pharaoh. The Keepers of the Scrolls and the Blades of Law form soon after, to share Methusuphis’s teachings. The Blades of Law are quite militant and try to push out the Trinity-worshippers from Korratus.
In 362 GR, a great army of the Azahk-Khanate come over the western mountains and strike the Arathian Empire. The Empire is barely victorious and decides to greatly expand their military again.
567 G.R. – The Blades of Law violently pushed out non-arathians from Korratus and proclaimed command over the holy city. The refugees gathered around the fortress of Arthune, forming a makeshift town outside its walls.
584 G.R. – The Fifth Crusade began to reclaim Korratus and the Holy Land for the Church of the Trinity. The crusaders charged into Korratus and were able to retake the city, pushing out many Arathians. The Blades of Law retreated and beseeched the Pharaoh of Arathkelsara for aid, appealing to their common heritage rather than their religious differences.
585 G.R. – The armies of the Arathkelsarian Empire sieged the city of Korratus. The siege lasted many years as both sides controlled the city at various times. Armies began to clash in the fields around the mountains.
587 G.R. – The fanatic knightly order called the High Templars of the Trinity took control of the fortress-town of Arthune, bringing strict discipline and order to the border town. The high walls of Arthune were built to protect the growing town from the Arathkelsarian armies and to serve as a strong border against any invading forces.
595 G.R. – The Massacre of Titus. The largest battle of the war was fought in the land between the Kelsus and Sanctus mountains. The armies of Korenell, led by the crusader Arunus Titus, were slaughtered by the Arathkelsarian Empire in the biggest defeat in the war. The land between the mountains was filled with so many dead corpses that the area was henceforth referred to as the Fields of Blood.
598 G.R. – The fortress-town of Arthune was besieged by the Arathkelsarian armies. The people of the fortress outlasted the siege for ten years, using their inner-wall fields to keep their soldiers from starving. The Korenellian military and monarchy was seen to fail the people of Arthune and the High Templars of the Trinity were praised for their defense of the fortress. The Arathkelsarian were forced to leave the fortress unconquered.
603 G.R. – The Year of the Peace. Pharaoh Onnos Mirira III of Arathkelsara and King Sventus Kassintius of Korenell reached a peace deal to end the war. The war had greatly reduced the trade routes into both their nations from the eastern coasts. Neither leader wanted to see the loss of wealth caused by the war. Both the Blades of Law and the High Templars of the Trinity opposed the peace deal. The city of Korratus was divided and control over the Holy Land was shared between the two governments. Armies of both sides guard their respective portion of the holy city.
610 G.R.– The war over the Holy Land had gone under cover as a war of intrigue, assassinations, and blackmail as both sides tried to control Korratus. Korratus became a juxtaposition of religious pilgrims seeking moral enlightenment with religious zealots who sought to control and tame the city for their own.
670 G.R.– A great sandstorm blew through the Kelsarian Deserts, unearthing numerous ancient ruins and pyramids from the old dynasties of Arathkelsara. The ruling pharaoh saw this as an opportunity to recover ancient relics and offered much wealth in exchange for any artifacts recovered. This event brought many eastern aristocrats to send teams of explorers to Arathkelsara to bring back riches and lost treasures.
689 G.R. – Tensions between Korenell and the Empire of Arathkelsara grew as numerous eastern outsiders entered the Kelsarian deserts to explore and plunder the newly unearthed ancient Arathian ruins and pyramids. Goblins began to increase their presence and attacked the farmlands around the Golbez Mountains. Many felt a war with the Goblinoids of Dragmore was brewing.
689 G.R.– The Pharaoh of Arathkelsara ceased trading wealth for artifacts, finding many outsiders opting to illegally keep the ancient Arathian artifacts instead. It was decreed that only chartered exploration groups could explore the ruins, and all artifacts must be given to the pharaoh. This act only increased the amount of illegal looting, as many saw an opportunity for wealth. This caused much tension between Arathkelsara and Korenell.
697 G.R. – The Azandrie people of the Azanghys Khanate arrived in the Freewind Savannah from over the western mountains. They temporarily settle into the region, threatening their neighbors with their sizable armies. Many expect raids and war to ensure in Korenell and Arathkelsara.
Government
Rule of the Holy Empire of the God-Pharaoh’s Kingdom has always rested with the theocratic monarch, the God-Pharaoh. The ruler of the Arathian Empire has always claimed to be the reincarnation of the original God-Pharaoh Thorus. Thorus is said to have saved the Arathdrie people from certain death on another world. He reportedly magically transported the Arathdrie people to the land of the Typhen River four millennia ago and has ruled over his people ever since.
The Arathian Empire is a bureaucratic theocracy with the priests of Thorus serving as the primary bureaucrats. The God-Pharaoh’s decrees are written as divine law by the priests who then execute these orders through vast bureaucratic agencies, offices, and direct military intervention. By law, all Arathdrie are the divine people of Thorus and are considered citizens of the Empire. All non-Arathdrie are considered inferior and do not have any tangible rights within the territories of the Empire. For the sake of trade, the Arathian government avoids angering their trade partners. But this philosophy explains their acceptance and full endorsement of slavery.
The Pharaoh’s top advisors are known as the Tjati or Viziers. Below them are the numerous regional Nomarchs that control various cities and regions of the Empire. Below the Nomarchs are countless Pashi [Pasha] (high-ranking officials), Kazi [Kaza] (judges and mediators), and Katidi [Katid] (clerks, scribes, and secretaries).
Military
The military of the Arathian Empire is quite large and strong. The Priests of Thorus also serve as commanders of the army and navy, with special branches of the priesthood taking this role. The Arathian military is known for its quantity rather than is quality. Their leaders seem to care little for the number of lives lost in conflict, making them very dangerous enemies. The soldiers themselves are typically poorly equipped, but they are often fanatically devoted to their God-Pharaoh’s causes. The military often employs squads of slaves as shock troops during land attacks, expecting the moral hesitancy of their enemies to weaken their defense. The navy of the Arathians is quite extensive, with ships serving as both military and trade vessels. The strength of the Arathian navy and their reputation for vigorous retaliation keeps most pirates from daring to attack their vessels.
Economy
The backbone of the Arathian Empire’s economy is based on a continuous supply of Selicean slaves brought in by the Arathian navy vessels that raid the Selicean islands. These slaves are forced to work the fields along the Typhen River, or worse, are sent to the many mines in the nearby mountains. Few slaves survive the mines. While the Arathians do see non-Arathdrie as fellow humans, they consider them spiritually inferior. Outsiders are not divinely destined for the eternal afterlife promised to them by Thorus.
The traders of Mekphatis welcome outsiders to the foreign district of the city to trade their goods, but the rest of the realm is largely considered off-limits to outsiders. The threat of being captured and turned into a slave keeps many outsiders obeying these restrictions.
The Empire exports large amounts of grain, feeding most of the Eastern colonies in the Inner Sea. They export large amounts of worked metal from their numerous mines. They also export various exotic spices and large amounts of dried fruits and nuts from their orchards along the Typhen river delta. The Empire imports large amount of lumber from afar along with cloth and hides.
Culture
Arathians are primarily known as a people of great faith, seemingly treating the afterlife and the world beyond Enelis with utmost importance. Some willingly let their physical bodies be toiled by labor for decades in faith to their pharaoh, believing that in their next life, they shall be blessed with spiritual enlightenment as was promised to them. Once’s life is meant to serve the Pharaoh, so that he will usher your soul to the immortal lands beyond. Since the teachings of Korrat teach a divine law and ethics that is greater than the word of the pharaoh, worship of Korrat is strictly forbidden in the Empire.
Arathians are not known to be very pragmatic, they tend to care more about faith and belief than the material world. They are known to be quite insular and untrusting of other peoples. Since this physical world matters little to them, they often see all things as a commodity, even other people.
Adventure
Arathkelsara is ripe for adventures, although one must be careful not to get caught by the Arathian government. The endless sands of the Kelsarian Desert hides numerous ancient ruins and pyramids from the First Dynasty. The mountains surrounding the desert contain many forgotten ruins of the ancient Thieth, Nerie, and Unorca people that dwelt in the region before the Arathians arrived.