polemos:4th_age:factions:zulithan

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polemos:4th_age:factions:zulithan [2023/08/09 00:53] – Blake Andertonpolemos:4th_age:factions:zulithan [2025/12/02 18:32] (current) – Blake Anderton
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 <WRAP column 70%> <WRAP column 70%>
 ====== Zulithan ====== ====== Zulithan ======
-//The midnight desert//+//The Midnight Desert//
  
 Zulithan is a land of mystery and romance. Zulithan is a land of mystery and romance.
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 ===== Geography ===== ===== Geography =====
 +
 +==== Akhetzul Thunderwall ====
 +The result of a failed attempt to stop the ash clouds of the [[..:locations:dusk_mountains|Dusk Mountains]] from destroying [[polemos:2nd_age:factions:orises|Old Orises]], the Akhetzul Thunderwall is a series of magic towers built in intervals to corral and dissipate the ash clouds descending from higher elevations. 
 +The line was built downstream of [[..:locations:khemetu_arher|Khemetu-Arher]], which was already considered lost, and was never completed, but the towers that were built span over a hundred miles.
 +Though not able to prevent the unending darkness of the Midnight Desert, the towers do have a limited effect to gather and reduce the ash clouds, but with results its creators likely did not intend.
 +The constant swirling collection of ash leads to regular waves of "ash rain," but also to high levels of static electricity that cause near continuous storms of dry lightning.
 +These lightning strikes have damaged some, but not most, of the towers, but make for perilous travel to the upper reaches of the Rahiel.
 +
 +==== Khemotaph Vale ====
 +The Khemotaph Vale, or "Valley of the Dead" was originally an eastern section of the Rahiel delta, and housed some of the most fertile and productive lands of [[polemos:2nd_age:factions:orises|Orises]].
 +Now it is a barren place where the tombs of those who perished after the [[..:locations:maelstorm|Maelstorm]]'s creation lie among a sprawling broken necropolis.
 +In the aftermath of the cataclysm, the delta between the major eastern branches of the Rahiel were filled in, reclaiming land in order to build millions of graves and other monuments to the fallen, large and small.
 +These were soon buried under the ash-dunes wrought from the [[..:locations:dusk_mountains|Dusk Mountains]], and further earthquakes and tidal waves heaved white limestone shards into the sky and flooded many of the ruins left beneath them.
 +The region was completely abandoned, leaving the ghosts of the dead to roam alone among the miles of cracked tombs, wind-blasted gravestones, and flooded crypts.
 +
 +The vale culminates in the ruins of [[..:locations:Rebkhemez]]  in the south, the "Red King's Rest," which reach to the shores of the Rahiel and was the ancient capital of the 1st Age "[[polemos:1st_age:factions:orises|Lower Kingdom]]" of Orises.
 +On the eastern side of the ruins lie the largest site for the fabled pyramids of Zulithan.
 +Five major pyramids are built mostly in a line of unknown significance, and are encased in pure limestone and capped with gold.
 +The largest, called Rehuirtu's Pyramid, uses a crystal capstone that glows bright blue, while the 3rd largest, called Hedjteb's Pyramid, has an crystalline artificial eight pointed star stood upon the golden capstone that glows and twinkles pure white.
 +
 +==== Mheqsoris Starcreche ====
 +Another attempt by early Zulithan to overcome the eternal ash clouds sent by the [[..:locations:dusk_mountains|Dusk Mountains]].
 +A sect of [[..:religions:yahnvaism|Yahnvaists]], conducting experiments on the nature of the Fostep in the deep desert to avoid zealot interference, sought to improve their light to better manage the effects of the Midnight Desert.
 +The results of their experiments, and why they stopped, is not known, but desert travelers eventually discovered the region by its wandering wisps of light.
 +Though they are often bigger and much brighter than Fostep, and readily found resting on the dunes and being carried by the wind like tumbleweed, the lights of the starcreche are immaterial and cannot be gathered.
 +The area also became known for strange events and mysterious disappearances, though most consider these to be the work of tribal bandits who take advantage of the vulnerability the extra light gives travelers.
 +After its discovery claims were made that the region was growing and would someday end the eternal midnight, but over the centuries this has proven false, or at least has not continued past a certain point.
 +
 +==== Osatayneh ====
 +An fortress-dam built along a line of fortifications that extend miles into the desert, like much of Zulithan the Osatayneh dates deep into history.
 +Legend says it was originally built as a way for the High Kingdom to make a clear statement to the elites downstream - remain loyal or have the life-giving Rahiel blocked.
 +With the coming and going of eons the fortifications were expanded and improved by each successive dynasty.
 +
 +In the 4th Age the region is used as informal up-river boundary upon which the wildest Zulit tribes both trade with, and avoid the control of, the Middle Kingdom.
 +The fortress is traditionally ruled by the Iyaret'hu, one of two titular heads of the Phayrux caste.
 +
 +==== Rahiel Delta ====
 +Once one the most fertile stretch of land in the world, the Rahiel delta was once the breadbasket that fed the whole of the [[..:..:2nd_age:factions:romalia|Romalian Empire]].
 +With the coming of the perpetual ash clouds the floodplains of the delta would have been made even more fertile, except the descent into eternal night meant the delta could no longer produce grain, regardless of the rich soil.
 +Over the centuries much effort was made by the Middle Kingdom to restart the productivity of the delta, but the artificial light used has had only limited success.
 +Still, the delta is the most populous province of Zulithan, and the prosperous outside the capital of [[..:locations:khemetu_tawi|Khemetu-Tawi]].
 +Food is now mostly shipped up-river instead of abroad, but the region is also the most outward facing and cosmopolitan.
 +The provincial capital of [[..:locations:Oriwynn]], the "Slumbering Haven," is the only deep harbor suitable for trade with the outside world, its approach lit by the remains of the fallen Colossus.
 +
 +==== Rahiel Floodplains ====
 +The corridor of land around the Rahiel, like the delta at its mouth, is fed by predictable seasonal flooding.
 +Though relatively narrow, this narrow strip has produced grain surpluses since the dawn of man.
 +With the cataclysm of the [[..:..:3rd_age:events:elesh_rebellion|Great War]] the light of the sun was forever blocked, and the fertility of the floodplains collapsed along with the delta.
 +With the loss of the sun and millions dead, a small mercy was discovered.
 +Fostep - small glassy beads that glow with a light able to grow plants - were soon found flowing down the Rahiel in small but regular amounts.
 +These were collected into large containers so they could be concentrated to light limited, but extremely productive, crop fields. 
 +Luminescent algae was also cultivated, leading to the Rahiel Floodplains becoming a narrow strip of both life and light in the eternal midnight.
 +
 +==== Rhabotem Void ====
 +To the west of [[..:locations:khemetu_tawi|Khemetu-Tawi]] the ash dunes lies the Rhabotem Void, where nothing but silence and darkness is found.
 +The area is given a wide berth by all, even the wildest Zulit tribes, except as an occasional method for capital punishment or dangerous mystical journey.
 +The few that survive entering return forever changed, and speak of the void as living, or at least aware, in some way.
  
 ===== History ===== ===== History =====
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 The Old Kingdom had faded in the 2nd Age and was a nominal vassal of the [[polemos:2nd_age:factions:romalia|Romalian Empire]], but was still considered a center of culture and magic. The Old Kingdom had faded in the 2nd Age and was a nominal vassal of the [[polemos:2nd_age:factions:romalia|Romalian Empire]], but was still considered a center of culture and magic.
 This period is often called the 'High Kingdom' by the Zulithan, for its capital [[polemos:2nd_age:locations:Khemetu]] was seated far upstream on the Rahiel. This period is often called the 'High Kingdom' by the Zulithan, for its capital [[polemos:2nd_age:locations:Khemetu]] was seated far upstream on the Rahiel.
 +The modern ruins of [[..:locations:khemetu_arher|Khemetu-Arher]] are all that remain of the old capital.
  
 Like other parts of the Romalian Empire the High Kingdom suffered greatly during the [[polemos:3rd_age:events:elesh_rebellion|Great War]], but was utterly destroyed by the [[polemos:4th_age:locations:maelstorm|Maelstorm]]. Like other parts of the Romalian Empire the High Kingdom suffered greatly during the [[polemos:3rd_age:events:elesh_rebellion|Great War]], but was utterly destroyed by the [[polemos:4th_age:locations:maelstorm|Maelstorm]].
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 ===== Government ===== ===== Government =====
-The "Middle Kingdom" is theoretically ruled by an absolute king (or //Parhrow//) from [[..:locations:khemetu_tawi|Khemetu-Tawi]], but the practical realities of the midnight dunes mean that the position is purely ceremonial and holds no real authority.+The "Middle Kingdom" is theoretically ruled by an absolute king (or //Parhru//) from [[..:locations:khemetu_tawi|Khemetu-Tawi]], but the practical realities of the midnight dunes mean that the position is mostly ceremonial and often holds no real authority.
 Most [[polemos:4th_age:religions:zulit|Zulit]] tribes owe yearly labor to a local [[..:religions:yahnvaism|Yahnvaist]] temple, who coordinate limited national efforts within the elite priesthood. Most [[polemos:4th_age:religions:zulit|Zulit]] tribes owe yearly labor to a local [[..:religions:yahnvaism|Yahnvaist]] temple, who coordinate limited national efforts within the elite priesthood.
 +The system of aristocratic Yahnvaist clergy is established through a mixture of shifting tribal patronage, manipulation of Zulit teachings towards syncretism, and the Phayrux, a Dragoon slave class that acts as a martial caste to enforce order.
 +
 +  - Parhru - Royal Household
 +    - Phayrux
 +      - Aphayr'hu - Head of Household Guard, headquartered in Khemetu-Tawi
 +      - Iyaret'hu - Head of River Watch, headquartered in Osatayneh
 +    - Dretnes'hu - Chief Minister
 +    - Hoteph'hu - Chief Priest
 +  - Oriswenhu - Priesthood
 +  - Phayrux - Dragoon Warrior-slaves
 +  - Zulit
 +    - Ape - Chieftans
 +    - Zukhul - Monastic Zulithan Priesthood
 +    - Merehit - Levy Militia
  
 ==== Parties, Ideology, and Politics ==== ==== Parties, Ideology, and Politics ====
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 <WRAP column quarter> <WRAP column quarter>
 ^  Zulithan  ^^ ^  Zulithan  ^^
-|  Flag  ||+|  //No National Flag//  ||
 |  Map  || |  Map  ||
 |Capital|None (No Central Authority)| |Capital|None (No Central Authority)|
 |Largest City|[[..:locations:khemetu_tawi|Khemetu-Tawi]]  | |Largest City|[[..:locations:khemetu_tawi|Khemetu-Tawi]]  |
-|Official Languages|[[..:Languages:Zulithan]]| +|Official Languages|[[..:languages:orisec#lower_orisec|Lower Orisec]]| 
-|National Languages|[[..:Languages:Zulithan]], [[..:Languages:Halser]]|+|National Languages|[[..:languages:orisec#upper_orisec|Upper Orisec]], [[..:languages:orisec#lower_orisec|Lower Orisec]], [[..:languages:Malian]], [[..:languages:Halser]], |
 |Races|68% Human \\ 18% Syphkolk\\ 10% Dragoon\\ 2% Shapeshifter\\ 2% Anthegal| |Races|68% Human \\ 18% Syphkolk\\ 10% Dragoon\\ 2% Shapeshifter\\ 2% Anthegal|
 |Demonym|Zulithan  | |Demonym|Zulithan  |
  • polemos/4th_age/factions/zulithan.1691542430.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2023/08/09 00:53
  • by Blake Anderton