[Nations] The Egyptian Theocracy

Post Reply
User avatar
Czernobog
Posts: 1315
Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 9:27 am
Location: Holy Terra

[Nations] The Egyptian Theocracy

Post by Czernobog »

THE EGYPTIAN THEOCRACY

HISTORY

The Egyptian Theocracy, successor to the ancient time of the Pharoahs, can trace its history back to 1271, when the Egytian people threw off the crusaders that had dominated Egypt for almost a century. Egypt has always been a conquered land; the Hyksos, the Persians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Muslims, and finally the Crusaders have reigned over its natives, yet time and time again they have thrown off their shackles and liberated themselves, only to be conquered again by a new oppressor. Whether the Theocracy has truly broken the cycle remains to be seen, yet its people hope against hope that that is the case.

The Theocracy's history begins in the time of anarchy and chaos as the crusaders fled the country from the ports, a lowly shepherd heralding himself as the prophet of Atum-Ra. Gaining a substantial following, he and his army marched against the undead hordes of Stygius, which threatened to conquer the whole of Egypt. The battle lasted long, the dark magi of Stygius summoning black clouds to preserve the undead they had created, but upon the twelth hour, a stray wind blew the cloud away, and the undead crumbled to dust in the bright desert sun, blown away on the wind as nothing more than ash.

The prophet, whose true name is lost to history, declared the beginning of the Egyptian Theocracy from Cairo's walls. The populace, disillusioned with both Islam and Christianity during the reign of the crusaders, worshipped him as the Herald of Atum-Ra, and he became the first of the Priest-Kings of Egypt. The Empire soon expanded, reigning over the Sahara and reaching deep into Ethiopia and western Africa, a period of prosperity that allowed it to face the European powers on an equal footing. In these days of rapid industrialisation, the Theocracy has delved deep into mystical lore to defend against the enemies it constantly faces and face them on the equal footing that it faced the European powers on in the Middle Ages.

NEW MEMPHIS

Cairo, renamed New Memphis, stands high to the proof that Egypt is sophisticated. It is a city of magic and wonder, an exotic place of great beauty. Floating palaces fly high above the sands, while the vast Temple of the Gods is the realm of the Priest-King and his most favoured acolytes. New Memphis is a truly cosmopolitan city, full to bursting with traders and merchants, entire artificial islands devoted to buying and selling. In its Grand Bazaar you can find goods from across the world, ranging from the common to the scarcest possible. One can find goods aplenty in its bounteous markets, while from its docklands ships ply the seven seas to every part of the world.

Yet despite this, the poor live in immense squalor, worse even than in London's deepest, dankest slums and alleyways. Most citizens of its population of 10 million live on a single Dinar a day, barely enough to buy a loaf of bread. As a result, crime and thievery are common, and the so-called 'street rats' are a gigantic problem that the city's rulers fail to see. Such is the other side of New Memphis - a dark mirror of its easily-scratched surface.

MILITARY

The military of the Egyptian Theocracy has not been neglected, and it is clear to see that its forces are the best in the world at desert warfare and skirmishing. They are also adept at guerilla warfare and hit-and-run tactics. Yet it is when they mass in force that they are the most powerful. Supernatural desert creatures, the centipede-like samakhar and the serpentine ressisepti are often called by Egypt's sorcerers prior to the battle, and make for a threatening force for any attacker to face. The soldiers of Egypt also utilise their extensive training in guerrila warfare to strike the enemy with unorthodox tactics, including mine-laying, flank marches, strategic redeployment and surgical strikes aimed at enemy commanders. Mages also utilise complex enchantments that confuse and devastate the enemy, creating sandstorms, floods and mirages in addition to unleashing highly destructive magic.
You have ruled this galaxy for ten thousand years.
You have little of account to show for your efforts.
Order. Unity. Obedience.
We taught the galaxy these things.

And we shall do so again.
Post Reply