Ahnatep
From Mizahar Lore
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This article is about a location with its own forum to roleplay in. You can find it here. |
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| Region | Eyktol | ||||||
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| Notability | Famed | ||||||
| Leader | Pressorah (Queen) Bashti | ||||||
| Races |
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| Languages | Common, Dhani, Arumenic | ||||||
Contents |
The City
A testimony to old glories and rising powers, Ahnatep glitters in southern Eyktol, surrounded by sand, springs and sea. It is the home of the Eypharians and serves as a reflection of their culture and mores.
The city thrives due to the ambition of its citizens. Eypharians revel in beauty and power and compete to possess either. Fame, wealth and strength can be obtained and wielded in Ahnatep, and there is more to living than quietly surviving. The city, boasts amphitheaters, temples, a Librum, floating palaces, and gardens of concubines.
Ahnatep also holds those who have fallen into the mire of indulgence without means: Dusk eaters, slaves, larks of the evening. They malinger as a warning to those who would compete without the ability to win.
Withstanding the centuries, Ahnatep is a city both beautiful and merciless. She woos adorers, choosing from them who she will bless or devour.
Weather
Due to Ahnatep's coastal location and estuary, its weather is milder than the rest of Eyktol. Days are bright and sunny and evenings are invariably cool. There are three seasons of weather, none especially distinct. The subtle differences are daily temperatures, seasonal winds and sporadic rain. "Winters" are pleasant, save the occasional bout of hale. Snow is incredibly rare, but not unheard of. For the most, the evenings are damp and cold and the days temperate. With "spring" comes the hot dusty winds, usually kept at bay by the city's walls. With spring also comes the rainfall. Rain is still rare, but more common here in the northern part of Eyktol than the rest of the region. Summer and autumn blend together in a string of hot cloudless days and brisk nights.
History
Before the Valterrian, four Eypharian dominated cities were in the region: Ahnatep, Menehat, Naphu and Bisret. The area’s annexation by the Alahean Empire was a peaceful one and its ruling figures were allowed to keep their ceremonial titles. They served the cities as governors and protectors.
Ahnatep was the seat of governance in the summer, home to the Pressor’s floating palace, an escape from the oppressive heat of Menehat, the primary city of the Eypharians.
Built along the deltas of the region’s rivers, boasting dozens of waterways and a vast estuary extending to the sea, Ahnatep was a commercial center for the inland regions. It specialized in agriculture, trading food and linens for industrial products.
While not as glorious as Menehat, Ahnatep was a wealthy region, able to support the building of schools and temples. It was not militarily strong, compared to the other cities, but the network of rivers surrounding it proved protection enough against attacks from the land.
The Valterrian shifted the size and climate of Ahnatep. All but one of the nearest springs dried up, and the riverbeds filled with sand. At least a third of the city collapsed and was buried under sand.
Ahnatep now sits on the coast. A single spring pours from above the city into a moderate river that flows into the greatly diminished estuary before reach the sea.
Despite enormous changes to the scale and pomp of the city, its people view Ahnatep’s survival as a miracle. It still stood when the desert devoured all others, and it was still a sight to behold on the gold horizon.
Slowly, the destroyed parts of the city are being unearthed and rebuilt. Each Pressor or Pressorah striving to outdo their predecessor’s work.
Politics
Ahnatep is the only region of Mizahar that boasts a kind of nobility and a centralized ruling figure, known as a Pressor (m) or Pressorah (f). Noble status is both attained and maintained, nothing comes free. Old blood, new ambition and control over limited resources allows several families and lines to fix themselves in a position of dominance. While ranks shift within the hierarchy, and houses vie against one another, the noble class itself is intractable.
Ahantep is a city that lives and dies by rank, following a very precise order of importance. Citizens can sometimes rise and always fall in status. The hierarchy is as follows from most important to least.
1. The Pressorah Bashti
2. Sun Bearers or Inkara: The Pressorah's family, including only those with royal blood.
3. Jibade: Non-royal family members. A form of nobility, despite not being tied to any of the Four Winds. Their "House" is considered to be the Pressorah's. Jibade roles tend to be ceremonial.
4. Scepters: The Pressorah's most trusted. Overseers of particular areas. Commonly drawn from either the Four Winds or the Gilded.
5. Hawks: Martial Leaders moving in ranks from 1st (highest) to 3rd (lowest).
And The Houses of the Four Winds: the noble houses divided by North, South, East and West, defined by their relation to the original grantees of the first Pressor's blessing. Each have their own guard and enough means to pose threats to one another.
6. Gilded: the wealthy and clever who populate the Pressorah's court and feasts, but lack a title from the Four Corners. The pool from which she draws those fit for higher purposes.
7. Jackals: member of the guard, divided into various ranks.
8. Servants to the city.
9. Palace concubines.
10. Foxes: general foot soldiers in training who have not yet attained the rank of Jackal.
11. All other Eypharians and Dhani.
12. Humanoid races.
13. Monstrous races.
Economy
Unlike the rest of the desert, Ahnatep frequently trades with outsiders. The area is still rich with resources and hungry to solidify its image as a Queen among cities. It is also a rare purveyor and purchaser of luxury goods. While most people are fighting to survive, Ahnatep endeavors to showcase the finer things in life.
Industry
The most prominent industries in Ahnatep are governed by either the Pressorah or a noble house, securing their political position through tactile means. However, niche luxury industries tend to sprout from smaller entities. Perfumeries, dye makers and weavers are invariably small, family run businesses each with heir own reputation and style.
The largest industries are wadj production, beer brewing, mirage (a powerful opiate), mining marble and salt, and sailing.
The city's position on the coast is capitalized. Boats are constantly in and out of the ports carrying visitors and cargo to far off places. An orderly system of docks, piers and merchant stations allows for faster trade and larger cargos. This system is overseen by the Souths (The House of the Southwinds), though it benefits more than their own interests.
Boats come in all shapes and sizes, from personal pleasure vessels to broad sailed cargo ships. However, a common theme of Eypharian vessels, the most common here, is speed and maneuverability. Heavier cargo, such as marble, tends to be transported by caravan across land.
Ahnatep deals in mizas or gems, as they are constantly dealing with buyers and seller from abroad. A local currency would hinder their expansion. In turn, other local currencies are not accepted. Bartering is less common, but will sometimes suffice.
Notable Exports
The most common export from Ahnatep is wadj, a sturdy paper used throughout the empire. An exceptional barley beer is a close second in popularity. Marble and salt are also sent abroad from nearby mines. As for more luxury goods, Ahnatep exports linen in deep colors, perfumes, oils and makeup. An enticing mystique is commonly associated with beauty goods from Ahnatep, especially perfumes. While Eypharians naturally produce an attracting pheromone, it is rumored they have learned to reproduce the effects in their perfumes.
Culture
Architecture
Cuisine
Holidays
The Eypharians will seize on any opportunity to throw lavish and decadent parties. Holidays tend to be less religious or historical and more an occasion for elaborate celebration, and Eypharians spare no expense.
Spring
The Festival of Makutsi, held at the Garden of Concubines
Summer
The Festival of Syna, held at the Garden of Concubines
Fall
The Festival of Bala, held at the Garden of Concubines
Winter
The Festival of Dira, held at the Garden of Concubines.
Locations of interest
Listed below are some of Ahnatep's important locations.
People of Ahnatep
Please see Eypharians and Dhani. The former are much more abundant than the latter.