Syene, Land of the Pharaohs

Treaty Status: None

Inhabitants: Human

Technology: Late Iron Age, pre-Medieval. Syene culture and technology is highly conservative.

Magic: Magic is concentrated in the hands of the Gods, and their chosen priesthood. The priests derive their mana from the Gods, and apparently use magic on behalf and as conduits for the Gods.

Higher Powers: Pattern works here, although until recently it was barred as a means of entry into Syene. Logrus (although Sand and Delwin are unfamiliar with the term) apparently works as well, as witness the troubles Syene faced during Patternfall. The efficacy of other powers is unclear.

Culture and Government: Theocratic Dual Monarchy, ruled by the Shay and the Djehuty, Sand and Delwin respectively. There are appointed Emirs (governors) for the cities, and a Nomadic council of Sheikhs (chieftains).

Biome: Desert, with arable land surrounding the great river which bisects the land, with a significant river delta at the mouth. The land gently slopes upwards towards ever denser mountains to the south.

Shadow Paths:None officially exist, although the sea to the north of the landmass could connect to other oceans in the Golden Circle. Similarily, blocked paths exist in the eastern and western deserts, and the river's passage through the mountains to the South.

Import/Exports: None as of yet. Although it is likely the Gods import items for their populace, Syene is very much self-contained and self-sufficient. The country does produce a potential export of grain, as well as stone working, gemstones, and precious minerals.

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In Syene, the Gods are real.

Since the beginning of the universe, as the inhabitants are concerned, so has been the Land, and its Gods. Grandchildren of the Mother Goddess, and children of Lora, 'She who went beyond the boundaries of the Land', Sand and Delwin are the current embodiment of power and authority in Syene. Sand is the major acknowledged and seen of the two, Delwin is a far more mysterious figure to Syene.

In many respects, Ancient Egypt on Earth is a reflection of Syene. The geography is very much the same, and a person transplanted from one to another would not have much difficulty in assimilating themselves. The ethnic variation among the inhabitants of Syene ranges from Semitic to East African in terms of skin tone and features.

The cultural and political center of the Land lies a half day's trip down the River from the delta. Here one can find the Three Great Pyramids, the Palace, and the Tower of the Djehuty. From here, the Land is watched over, governed and taken care of by its custodians.

Although the technology is relatively backward compared to many of its putative neighboring shadows, life in Syene is rich within its simplicity. Since a large proportion of the population is illiterate, plays, dramatizations and story-telling form the major facets and focus of culture in Syene. Many of these stories revolve around the family of Gods, of course. The yearly flood of the river, carefully watched over by the custodians of the Land, ensure that the farmlands surrounding the river are rich and plentiful.

Ritual, too, is important to the inhabitants. Ceremonies to celebrate the Sunrise and the Sunset are important and taken seriously. Would be attendants of the Gods, called Devotees, mortify themselves so that they might be chosen as attendants to the Gods.

The Delegation

Delwin and Sand would like to introduce the members of the Syene Delegation to Amber:

• Ela - The Shay's High Priestess. Ela is in charge of the other priestesses and is charged with keeping her Shay aware of time so that the sun may be called to rise. Ela has far outlived her expected lifespan, as is typical of those closest to the Gods.
• Ptahhotep - The Djehuty's High Priest. Ptahhotep has charge of the delegation at large, in addition to his duties in keeping his Djehuty's schedule. Ptahhotep rose to his position at an unusually young age due to the deaths associated with and his service during the invasion of the Hyskos.
• Netikerty (Neti) - A gifted young student of Kysen, Neti speaks Thari eerily close to perfect. Just reaching her majority, Neti has spent most of her life cloistered in study and under the care of priestesses. Neti comes to Amber to serve as an interpreter, when needed.
• Kysen - A scholar studying the language of the gods, Kysen tutors Netikerty. His understanding of Thari is impressive when considered in reference to his distance from its source, but his intuitive grasp of the language is lacking. He considers Neti his ward and treats her like a daughter, despite the interference of the priestesses. His role in the delegation is to act as interpreter as needed, expand his knowledge, and guide Neti as she requires.
• Hepenma'a - Priestess of the Shay, she is the head mother of the Temple on the Delta. Hepenma'a is nominally in charge of Netikerty, who was dedicated to her order as a child. A good-natured guardian, Hepenma'a struggles playfully with Kysen over Neti's upbringing and tries to lessen the pressures Kysen applies to his star student. Her role in the delegation is to help keep Neti out of harm's way while helping her and Kysen gather as much knowledge as possible.
• Hebony - The former Tepey Sefet of Syene, Hebony has given up his command of the armies of Syene and his titles and rights to accompany the Gods as head of the Honor Guard. He is a veteran of the war against the Hyskos. Hebony has been the acting bodyguard to the Shay and the Djehuty since the war.
• Mehturt - Keeper of the beasts. Her main responsibility once on shore in Amber will be the care and keeping of the serpents. While shipboard she is in charge of making sure all the animals are seen to. She is a junior priestess and is likely to be required to participate in the Shay's ceremonies once the delegation is in Amber.
• Bokkhorus -- Giftbearer. He is in charge of the giftbearers and the gifts for the King of Amber, as well as all the other belongings of the delegation. A priest in service for years, he was chosen because he is levelheaded, reliable, and resourceful.