City Overview And Link Map

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The Crown and Scepter of the Desert In the gold and white city, the inhabitants live and die by ritual and rank. At the center of the hierarchy is the Queen or Pressorah Bashti, who has managed to persevere in the game of nobles. The people are inspired by her and the changes she has brought to Ahnatep. Please look to the Ahnatep entry in the wiki for a detailed description. Showing knowledge of the city will generally earn you brownie points. The People Ahnatep is inhabited mostly by Eypharians with the occasional viper Dhani. Other races dwell here, but Eypharians view the city as belonging to them. The Eypharians are a multi-armed race, having four or six arms. Their fair to olive skin is lightly gilded and their natural hair colors tend to be blacks and browns. Eye color varies widely. However, Eypharians commonly dye their hair with henna to a reddish tint. Very elaborate makeup is widespread on women and men even line their eyes in kohl or use gold dust. It is a common joke Eypharian women are born with such designs on their skin. Hair is sometimes painted and adorned with fine chains of precious metal. If an Eypharian woman is not in the habit of painting her hair, she will keep it especially long. Either sex wears jewelry as a display of power and rank. Racial Tensions Eypharians have open scorn for other races. More animalistic races are treated like pets they must tolerate or dangerous criminals. Dhani are the one exception due to their years of collaboration with the Eypharians. Humanoid races are largely regarded with politeness, save Myrians and Benshiras. Eypharians have an active dislike for Myrians, considering them a primitive and ignorant race that would not know order or beauty if it bit them. Benshiras, however, were once slaves to the Eypharians, so there is often a condescending tinge to interactions. Non-Eypharian inhabitants have risen in the city's rank either by sheer skill or a thorough embrace of Eypharian lifestyle. Heirarchy From Top to Bottom 1. The Pressorah 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 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. Links Entrance The Gates of Ahnatep: Where all must enter and show their homage to the lady of Ahnatep. Food and Lodging The Emerald Peacock: A favored place for luxurious rooms and meals. The Lady's Lap: The more "colorful" place for lodging, largely avoided by any person of means. Arishke the Brew Merchant: A beer and Mirage merchant in the Pillars of Dust. The Scorched Skull: A particularly unsavoury tavern in the Pillars of Dust where the beer is bad and the company is worse. Leisure and Recreation The Perfumed Cloisters: A private spa and baths located in The Red Corridor. The Amphitheater of the North Winds: An outdoor stage built and maintained by the House of the North Winds. The House of Precious Gems: An exquisite house where slaves entertain their clientele both publicly and privately. Markets The Pavilion: The city's largest open air market. The Serpent's Elixir: A tent in the pavilion where a broad swath of Ahnatep's people can mingle and drink potent tonics. The Slave Market: Your best bet for your next living purchase. The Street of Emeralds: The local jewelry district where all that glisters is gold. The Red Corridor: Ahnatep's famed Beauty District, known for its gifted beauticians and gossips. The Pillars of Dust: Where the poor and nefarious gather. Training and Knowledge The Garden of Concubines: A place where slaves and concubines are trained to please and made beautiful. The Courtyard of Jackals: The training school for the royal guards and those willing to pay, it is also the location of the city's dungeons. Halls of Peret: A public campus for various lessons, a bazaar of knowledge. The Scholar's Sanctum: A small, yet elegant, public library. Librum of Ahnatep: The famed school for Ano cultist and all those who seek Gnora's favor. Religious and Historical The Eye of Syna: The great oasis that dominates the center of the city. Dira's Chapel: An homage to the goddess of Death located over the city's marble catacombs. The Temple of Syna: A glorious dedication to one of the city's patron goddesses on the edges of the Eye of Syna. The Golden Watchtower: One of the great gates of Mizahar and timekeepers. Royalty and Nobility The Pressorah's Palace: Home of the Pressorah and Inkaras, the seat of governance and pinnacle of Eypharian luxury. The Dwelling of the North Winds The Bay of the South Winds The Palace of the East Winds The Villa of the West Winds Misc The Golden Hills: Where the Eypharians raise wheat and barley. The Coast of Ahnatep The Farthest West: A local tannery and dye seller. The Laughing Dovecote: An inconspicuous shelter for laughing doves and peacocks, which doubles as a shop. Professions In Ahnatep Listed below are notable, organized professions in Ahnatep that a player may try to become a part of. The Concubines The Gardeners The Sowers The Undertakers The Jackals Assistants to Jewelers Various Other Guard Positions: * For the Houses of the Four Winds * For the slave market Farming Rented Land Paper Faces: The selective troupe of performers employed by the North Winds for their amphitheater.

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The Royal Family "There have been wiser Pressorahs in this throne, but never one that loved her people better." Pressorah Bashti: The reigning queen who has given the inhabitants of Ahnatep a renewed pride in their city and history. She uses ritual and pomp to maintain respect and a deep understanding of human behavior to maintain order. Strong willed yet feminine, she has wooed an entire people to adoration. "They tell me to behave, but oh how envious they look when I defy them." Inkara Iris is Bashti's younger sister. While she is able to court the affection of the masses with her beauty and lavish feasts, she has turned nobles against her with her acid tongue and lack of propriety. Queen Mother Halima Once a concubine to Pressor Teremun, Halima has become a vague figure in the palace. She prefers quiet hours and gentle hobbies like gardening and painting. In her youth she was a wild rose in the garden of concubines, but a tumultuous life has turned her mild. Jibade Osahar The Pressorah's young uncle, around 30 years of age. Handsome and full of good humor, he is a favorite of the Eypharians, though rarely in the palace. He prefers wide-open spaces and the challenges it brings. Bashti occasionally consults him in an informal fashion. Scepter Jibade Anhur Cousin to the Pressorah and her advisor regarding the needs of the common people. Like many of the Jibade, he spent more of his life as a nomad in the family business of rearing and trading horses. He represents a dose of common sense and is the first to note the absurdity of court. The Pressorah regards him like an older brother though he is near her age. Jibade Nephina Wife to Anhur, she is known for her devotion to family and love of laughter. She avoids court like the plague. Jibades Rafal and Ramsel Twin brothers and cousins to the Pressorah, the duo and their youngest brother Sabola are notorious for lavish escapades and general mischief. Rafal is the embodiment of all a spoiled noble should be: charming, daring and generous with wealth. Everyday is greeted with zeal, as each hour is a new opportunity to pursue his frenetic scenarios of fun. Few can keep pace with him for long, so his company is often changing. Ramsel tends to be the constraining force, tagging along mostly to make sure his brothers don't bite off more than they can chew. However, he rises to the challenge of a good scheme. Since he never sacrifices his brothers to save himself from blame, he has mistakenly been branded just as wild as his brothers though his temperament is truly more scholastic. Jibade Sabola Younger cousin to the Pressorah, he is often waist deep in escapades. Where Rafal is the idea, Sabola is the follow through. If one can dream it, the other will scheme it. A bit more sharp-tongued than Rafal, he provides the often overlooked wit. It is said he worships the god Eywaat. Family Trees KEY Black dots separate sibling groups Purple text means royal blood Red dots or vertical proximity of two varying colored names signify marriage. Violet dots indicate a relationship, but no marriage Red text indicates a member of the House of the East Winds Dark blue text indicates a member of the House of the North Winds Teal text indicates a member of the House of the South Winds Brown text indicates a member of the House of the West Winds Orange text indicates a commoner. ~*~ An Abbreviated Royal Family Tree Pressorah Bashti's Lineage

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Other Notable Figures Select Four Winds NPC’s Name Postion Skills Personality Permission Required? Sadiki Head of the North Winds, Advisor to Bashti Leadership, Rhetoric, Investigation, Gardening A wise older man who is beginning to see the folly of life. Yes Rumati Famous Semhu performer (NW) Singing, Dance, Rhetoric, Persuasion, Seduction Charming, dramatic and a tigress. Yes Known Jackals Name Postion Skills Personality Permission Required? Naret Head Jackal for royal security Investigation, Interrogation, Dual Wield in Dagger, Whip A vigilant and perceptive figure. Enforcing the rank and rule of Ahnatep is his primary purpose. An extraordinary cleverness makes him especially formidable. Yes Jet'a Dira Jackal, Courtyard's Dual Wield Instructor Investigation, Teaching, Leadership, Dual Wield in dagger and khopesh One of the less imposing Jackal figures. Middle-aged and good natured. His advanced rank has made him more of a ceremonial figure, but he craves the activity of being an active guard. Yes TBC

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Common Words and Phrases Titles Hejdi: (Heh-di) Common term for woman of higher social class. Comparable to 'mistress' or 'Mrs' Hejdw: (Heh-dou) Common term for men of higher social class. Comparable to 'master' or 'mister' Hej: (Heh) A term for unmarried women at any age. Tira: (Tear-rah) A term for a young, unmarried women. More complimentary than Hej. Ibwrt: (Ee-mb-our-tsh) Literally 'heartbeat', endearing term used for love interests, spouses, or anyone very close to the user. Not normally used for children. Kuseret: (KOO-sar-etsh) Literally 'honey', endearing term for children. Sabine: (Sa-been) Term used for especially beautiful woman of the upper class, almost never used for anyone lower than concubine status. Bine: (BY-neh) Simply 'pretty'. Normally used for anyone under concubine or anyone who isn't full Eypharian. Eysh-na: (ISH-nah) Means 'lesser arms'. A special term reserved for half-Eypharians. Can be derogatory or endearing, depending on the way it is used. Dwsa: (Dou-za) Derogatory term for monstrous races. Awtol Shyke: (Ah-ou-toll Shyke) Meaning 'Pillar Shyke', used as a general term for people who dwell in the Pillars of Dust. Muna: (Moo-nah) 'Mommy', normally used by children, but is sometimes used by adults who are close to their mother. Duna: (Doo-nah) 'Daddy', normally used by children, but is sometimes used by adults who are close to their father. Minre: (Min-ray) 'Mother' Dunre: (Dun-ray) 'Father' Sicpw: (Sis-pou) 'Sister', used for sisters by blood, marriage, blood-sisters, or close friends. Dricw: (Driss-ou) 'Brother', used for brothers by blood, marriage, blood-brothers, or close friends. (Above titles courtesy of Chimera) Sprisen: The highest class of slave. Dear as a brother or sister. For more detail, see the wiki. Shajeb: a slave bound to the family it serves. Phet: A usually comely household slave used for all indoor purposes. Kefasha: The typical slave, used for anything. Greetings Awioth-eniya: A common formal greeting that roughly means "May you be able to balance glory". If one is being especially polite, the lower hands make an upward crescent shape.