Khemit
The Triple Kingdom of Khemit is one of the oldest human countries, having been in continuous existence for over 5,000 years. It lies in the northeastern corner of the southern half of the continent of Libynos, where the two parts of the continent meet, with the Ruby Sea to the east and the Kingdom of Guurzan to its west. The majority of the country is desert, with ranges of hills and a central river (the Stygian) that waters a large part of the country in its annual floods. Khemit considers itself to be three kingdoms joined together; hence the term triple kingdom. Upper Khemit, which is farthest upstream on the Stygian River, is in the south; its capital is Elephantine. The Middle Kingdom (or Middle Khemit) is the central portion of the country and has its capital at Thybos, which is also the current royal capital. Lower Khemit (or the Lower Kingdom) is the farthest north, in the area where the Stygian fans out into a delta and then flows into the Sea of Baal. Its capital is at Menefet, one of the largest cities in the world.
History and People
The history of Khemit begins more than 8,000 years ago during a time when the nomadic tribes of the region first began settling into small agricultural communities on the banks of the Stygian River. Over time, those communities grew, and by about 6,800 years ago, petty kingdoms had formed throughout the area, engaging in trade, conflict, and colonization. More than 5,000 years ago (1,500 years before the birth of the Hyperborean Imperial Record), Narmer — the first pharaoh — united many of the small kingdoms into what became known as the Conjoined Double Kingdom of Khemit. This was the time of the building of the great pyramids, symbols of ancient Khemit to this day.
Over the centuries, different families founded dynasties, and times of trouble came and went. During the 10th Dynasty, most of the southern land of Nubara was added to what then became the Triple Kingdom of Khemit. The 13th Dynasty, under Menkamin I, followed a troubled period, and as a result the Triple Kingdom was unable to resist the conquest of the Hyperborean Empire in 4 I.R. Khemit ultimately became the cornerstone of Hyperborean power in Libynos, and the pharaohs were able to govern their people under Hyperborean leadership. The Canal of the Pharaohs was constructed in the 15th dynasty with the assistance of Hyperborean engineers. More land was even added in the 17th Dynasty, as the eastern peninsula called Peleshtia was brought into the kingdom and renamed . However, no country cares to be controlled by another forever, and when the weakened Hyperboreans finally withdrew from Libynos in 2632 I.R., Pharoah Amyrtalos V declared a new start to a modern Khemitian calendar with that year becoming year 1.
In 328 New Khemit Reckoning (2960 I.R.), a great fleet of ships from Akados came to the Canal of the Pharaohs and sought passage to the east in a crusade to liberate their Sacred Table and the holy city of Tircople from the Huun. After lengthy debate among his advisers, some of whom were concerned about antagonizing the Huun, the pharaoh eventually permitted the flotilla to pass. The delay, however, angered the Foere leaders, and when a second crusade was launched 10 years later, the Akadians landed in Khemit, intent on using the nation as a staging ground for their forces. Although the Triple Kingdom was much stronger than it had been in the past, it was not strong enough to resist the Foerdewaith. The harbor of Pyrameses was taken by the overwhelming force of the crusader navy and, after a massacre in the city, it was used as the major supply hub for the entire army on its march to the east. The invaders occupied the metropolis of Menefet and much of Lower Khemit for about six years. The pharaoh, then ruling from Elephantine, was never threatened by the invaders, but the incident remains a point of resentment among the Khemitites to this day. Though now more than 500 years in the past, the occupation is a frequent topic of stories, and foreigners who seem to be from Akados may face hostility as a consequence. The Huun are also a target of anger, however, as they endangered Khemit by using the area to spy on and plot against the western invaders. As a result, any suspected Huun are likely to be seized and taken to the authorities at once.
Khemit is a productive country with many large urban populations. The cities are supported by the annual inundation by the Stygian River, which provides the fertile soil and water needed for thriving agriculture. The vast majority of the population lives on or near the river, with some cities along the Ruby Sea or one of the lakes in the northwest, and the few remaining located at oases, on trade routes. Khemit has a structured, highly-organized society where people know their places and most agree on the importance of working for the good of society as a whole. Army units are a reassuring presence in every city but are especially important for those on The Frontier.
Religion
Khemit follows its own complex religion, where good and evil deities are worshipped in their proper spheres and the pharaoh is considered to be nigh unto a god himself. Temples and shrines are found almost everywhere, with only the most prominent being listed here. People tend to be suspicious of those who worship foreign gods, but as long as they do not disrespect the pharaoh, the Khemitites are likely to just mind their own business.
Trade and Commerce
Trade is an essential activity of the Triple Kingdom as it is the crossroads of Libynos. Khemit has an avenue to the east coast of Libynos through the Ruby Sea, while the Sea of Baal gives access to the entire western side of the continent as well as the cities of Akados. Caravans can enter Khemit by land from the west, south, or northeast, and leave in any of those directions or deliver goods to a ship for ocean transport. Traders of other countries haul their goods through the kingdom, and merchants of Khemit do brisk business in imports and exports themselves. Nearly any type of good available in Libynos can probably be found for sale in Khemit, especially in the markets of Menefet. Khemit’s suns-and-sheaves currency is used by several countries along the Sea of Baal and is generally accepted throughout Libynos.
Loyalties and Diplomacy
Khemit has good diplomatic relations with most countries in Libynos and a few in Akados. Representatives are usually not available in countries that were part of the Hyperborean Monarchy of the Foerdewaith, although sometimes particular merchants may be able to facilitate communications with the Khemitian government.
Government
The Triple Kingdom is a monarchy governed by Pharaoh Tuthmosis IX. He is the third ruler of the 39th (Wahibren) Dynasty, following his father Wahibre III and his brother Rameses XVIII to the throne. The monarchy is supported by the able efforts of thousands of government bureaucrats, who see to all the details that keep the kingdom functioning.
Military
The navy of Khemit has two primary bases in the Sea of Baal. One is on the Island of Karpathos] (location:0bd9f4e3-1195-4b06-8349-39f84bd8ff0a), about 20 miles northwest of [Rashad. The other is at Pharos where the navy makes use of the excellent berthing and repair facilities originally constructed for the Hyperborean navy. In the Ruby Sea, Ipret-Isus is the home port of a significant fleet that patrols not just inside the Ruby Sea but up and down the coast outside the mouth of the sea. The army has units stationed in Thybos near the pharaoh and in other major cities, but much of the military is scattered among the towns and oases of Khemit to provide protection against bandits and nomadic tribes.
Major Threats
The country of Numeda is usually considered the greatest threat to Khemit. Its navy, though mostly just privateers, often threatens trade in Khemit by attacking merchant shipping. A ground attack by the Numedan military is less of a concern, but forces stay alert in Ascalon and other cities of near the border with Numeda. To the southwest and west, nomadic tribespeople of the Maighib Desert sometimes attack caravans or even villages. However, attackers just fade back into the deep desert so unless troops are stationed in the locations that come under attack, it is very difficult to pinpoint the culprits and exact justice.
Region
Khemit, Triple Kingdom of
Controlled Territories
- Aartuat
- Abydos
- Adun-Hastur
- Ahur-Ptah
- Akhetaten
- Amut
- Anubis
- Ascalon
- Aten-Seyal
- Azul-Septe
- Baqi
- Bastus
- Buhen
- Buto
- Dahra
- Dakla-Amun
- Dasat
- Djanet
- Dunqar
- Edefu
- Elephantine
- Farnoc
- Garzul
- Geara
- Gebit
- Gethe
- Ghizeh
- Haath-Genurit
- Hami
- Heliopolis
- Hermopolis
- Ikkor
- Inhy
- Ipret-Isus
- Ishantar
- Karpathos
- Kerenus
- Keruma
- Kharkha
- Kurkar
- Kurnek
- Luqsor
- Menefet
- Mersa Gawasis
- Nampata
- Naqt
- Nekheb
- Nekheft
- Nhut
- Ona
- Permejhed
- Pharos
- Pyrameses
- Raffe
- Rashad
- Salis
- Selleh-Fashar
- Sheirbah
- Sinworhet
- Suleb
- Talam-Qedish
- Tani-Teru
- Tet
- Thany
- Thybos
- Um
- Wadi Mafket
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