Nomes

## Introduction

The Sphingians divide the world in a set of autonomous regions known as nomes. Their borders are not set in accordance with history and geography but through determined through magical scrying and divine command. Every Nomos has atleast one Tomb-Sanctuary and a Sphingian ruler that is bestowed with political and clerical authority.

## List of Nomes

The following list contains an estimate of the Nomos Sphingian population aswell as a rating of its power. A 3 stands for dominating influence within the nomos, a 2 for playing a significant in local politics, a 1 for a small influence that is at best strong enough defend itself and a 0 for being to small to fill all necessairy positions.

1. **Lower Egypt (3)-** Ruled by the ***Lich Queen Nitokris**,* the First Nomos is the heart of Sphingian power and culture. Its main Tomb-Sanctuary is located under the depts of the ancient city of **Memphis,** and there exist lesser ones in the ruins of every major city. It contains atleast 900 Sphingians, although that number is skewed by the countless sleeping elders in undiscovered tombs.
2. **Upper Egypt (3)-** Ruled by **Supreme Vizir Amonhotep, Tyrant of the Golden Dunes**, the Second Nomos contains not only as many important ruins but an even greater number of Sphingian elders that have stayed active across the ages than the first. Its main Tomb-Sanctury lies under the inner ruins of ***Luxor***, for centuries being the main base of the clan; although they have countless more across the entire Nomos. It contains atleast It contains atleast 1200 Sphingians, although that number is skewed by the countless sleeping elders in undiscovered tombs.
3. **Kush (3)-** Ruled by the ***Grand Lecture-King Kashta the Wise***, the third Nomos is mostly inhabited by (...). In the most recent times they have begun to reconsile their relations to the main Clan, yet they are not openly serving ***Nitokris*** as of yet. Its main Tomb-Sanctuary lies under the ancient ruins of **Meroe**, although most cities in the region have very large and active lesser Sanctuaries. It contains roughly 600 Sphingians if (...) can be counted as such.
4. **Aksum (1)-** Since the kingdom of Aksum was founded Sphingian influence in the fourth nomos has been constantly receeding. Even after the *Reawakening* the Zemedi halt der expansion into the african horn. They are allowed to keep their oldest Tomb-Sanctuary in the ruins of Axum, but in the rest of the region the Sphingians are forced to work from the shadows. These efforts are coordinated by the **Divine Vizir Menekhem the Third.** There exist no internal records of the exact number of Sphingians that are active in the region, a number that is probably constantly changing.
5. **Kanem (2)-** Since its founding the Sphingians have been a dominant force in the Kanem Empire, always holding good relations with their cousins. In the recent years the Ghouls of Kanem have requested their support against the Covenant and the Sphingians most happily obliged. They rule the 5th Nomos from the ruins of ***Njimi,*** lead by ***Khaleen the Divine Justicar.*** Roughly 50 Sphingians are currently active in the 5th Nomos.
6. **Lower Arabia (1)-** Ruled from the city of ***Damascus*** from a well hidden Tomb-Sanctuary under the ruins of the ***Temple of Jupiter***, ***Ifrit of Ash and Fire*** is oldest supreme Hierophant to govern outside of ancient egypt. His bloody war against the Zalim has been so brutal Ifrit entered into islamic folklore as a dreaded demon.
7. **Upper Arabia (3)-** Lower Arabia is wild mix of Revenants and Ghouls that dwell within its ancient sands, long taken from the controll of the Zalim. In recent years the Sphingians have gained massive influence in the seventh Nomos, growing powerful enough to rival the Orcus. They rule from the ancient city of ***Sanaa.*** Its Tomb-Sanctuary strechtes acrosss most of the old town, being anchored in one of the deepest layers of Umbra, only accessable through a set of hidden portals in the cities old walls. It is ruled by ***High Hierophant Khaba the Terrible***. The seventh Nomos contains roughly 80 Sphingians, many of which are still from the ancient times.
8. **Upper India (1)-** Ruled by ***High Samrat Mundanesh, Chosen of the Gods***, the fourth Nomos never was under strong Sphingian influence. During the ancient times the Sphingian and Vetala empire had good relations as they where allowed to establish many Tomb-Sancturies under Indias most important cities. In the Victorian age many of these have been destroyed or lost to time, altough they are likely to still contain some sleeping elders. Its main Tomb-Sanctuary lies in old ruins outside the cits of ***Madurai***, which was the only one to remain active across its entire history. In modern times the Sphingians have returned to india and reestablished almost all Tomb-Sanctuaries they where still aware of. Form the shadows they aid their old Vetala allies and fight against the Covenant. It contains about 100 Sphingians, although most of them are fairly young.
9. **Britannia (1)-** The British Isles had long been under the Sphingian gaze but it was only in the Victorian Age that they managed to establish Tomb-Sanctuaries on them. The main Sanctuary is located in secret tunnels under *Southwark* in the city they ardently call ***Londinium***, ruled by the ***Supreme Hierophant Neferi**,* Leader of the *Mythical Order of the Red Dawn*. They have also established smaller Tomb-Sanctuaries in *Glasgow*, *Liverpool* and *Belfast.* Britannia contains roughly 50 Sphingians, most of them located in ***London***.
10. **Lower India (1)-** Ruled by the ***Black Caliph Sethramen,*** the tenth Nomos has long been under the influence of Sphingian Mystery Cults. In the recent years their teachings have blended with islamic ideas from the west, leading to a combined faith that is constantly spreading in the last decades. The Sphingians coordinate their efforts from the city of Calcutta, having build an umbral Tomb-Sanctuary only accessable through hidden gates in the cities countless temples.
11. **Aegia (1)-** Altough modern greece and anatolia stand most divided, to the Sphingians they are supposed to be one.
12. **Rome (1)-** Ruled by the ***Divine Augur Isphet the Pale*** from their main Tomb-Sanctuary located in the catacombs of the city of ***Rome***. Sphingians and Lemurians had mixed relations, yet they always shared a strong connection. Since its oldest days Sphingian Cults have existed in italy and their modern Mystery Cults carry on this tradition, being among the most powerful across the entire globe. It contains roughly 80 Sphingians.
13. **Germania (1)-** Germania has a long history with the Sphingians through the roman conquests. In modern times they are no longer enemies however, but instead victims of Sphingian Mystery Cults. The largest of these, known as the ***Cult of the Black Sun***, lead by the ***Grand Theosoph Alaric Varus.*** After their old sanctuaries in the roman ruins where destroyed the cult resettled and establisehd a Tomb-Sanctuary in the depts of the *St. Ursula Church* in ***Cologne***. Germania contaigns roughly 20 Sphingians, although their numbers are constantly growing in the last years.
14. **Scania (0)-** Although the awoken Sphingians rapidly expand across the globe, none of them have made it to Scania yet.
15. **Scythia??**
16. **Bactria (1)-**
17. **Upper Cathay (1)-** The Yunsong Empire always had relations with the Sphingians, yet they where very hesitant to allow the establishment of embassies or Tomb-Sacnturies, only opening a few coastal cities. After the Sphingians reawoke a large number of them flooded to the east, seeking to gain influence among the empire of their ancient rivals. They rule from the city of ***Canton*** in the depts of the ***Red Temple***, through the authority of ***Seer-Priest Menkhet the Fourth***.
18. **Tibet (0)-** The mountainous lands of Tibet has always been a location of great interested for the Sphingians but they always lacked the means to establish themselves there. In recent times a small group of Lector-Priests have made there way into a forgotten temple in the Himalayas. From there they seek ways to learn the lands secrets and further their influence, but they still lack the means to fully establish themselves in the area. The three Sphingians of the 18th Nomos are lead by the ***Supreme Diviner Xerxes the Lightbringer.***
19. **Lower Cathay (0)-** Although the awoken Sphingians rapidly expand across the globe, none of them have made it to Lower Cathay yet.
20. **Great Zimbabwe (3)-**
21. **(...)**
22. **(...)**
23. **Yoruban Coast?**
24. **Manden (2)-**
25. **(???)**
26. **Nindim (0)-** Any attempt of establishing a Tomb-Sanctuary or claiming territory in the 26th Nomos has been foiled by the aggressive Krasue. The Sphingians attempts of expansion quickly made them enemies and they already loose enough unlifes when restocking their supplies in Singapur on the way to the far east.
27. **Nippon (0)-** Although the awoken Sphingians rapidly expand across the globe, none of them have made it to Nippon yet.
28. **Quebec (1)-** French Canadia always proved much harder to influence than the United States due to the Covenant. However in recent years their eastern coastal cities have become subjected to the influence of their Mystery Cults. The largest of these is *Montreal Theosophic Soceity* ruled by the ***Supreme Lecturer Hieronymus Toussaint.***
29. **Meso-America (1)-** Rivaling the (...), the Sphingians recently made their way into the 33th Nomos, seeking the ancient knowledge this land offeres. They have build a great Tomb-Sanctuary in the debts of ***Mexico City***, only accessable through the many Aztec ruins spread across the city. The Nomos is goverened by ***Grand Hierophant Khemphet the Sunbringer.***
30. **Lower America (2)-** Altough the Sphingians arrived late in America their Mystery Cults quickly gained influence among its developing cities. Their main Tomb-Sanctuary lies in the city of ***New York***, hidden inside the *Edward Mooney House* that puplicly constantly shifts diguises; functioning as a brothel, an opium club, a bar or a casino from one month to the next. It is the secret seat of the *Pythian Lodge*, a Mystery Cult founded and ruled by the ***Royal Priestess Sekhphet the Noble.*** The 30th Nomos contains roughly 100 Sphingians, most of which are barely 100 years old.
31. **Upper America (1)-** The center of Sphingian power in the heart of america lies in the city of ***New Orleans***. Their Tomb-Sanctuary is hidden inside the *House of the Rising Sun*, ruled by ***Madame LeSoleil Levant***. Although the Sphingians have a long history of conflict with the Aloka, in the Victorian age these Revenants make up the majority of their Cult members alongside wealthy americans.
32. **Southern Sasar (1)-** The Sphingians arrived fairly late in South Africa, only establishing their first Tomb-Sanctuaries after the colonisers had already overtaken it. Due to the Covenants influence they struggle to gain influence in the region, only being able to fully maintain one Tomb-Sanctuary in the *House of Mysteries* in ***Cape Town***. Its run by the ***Golden Temptress Ankha the Third,*** leading roughly 10 Sphingians.
33. **Caribbea (2)-** Sphingian power across the islands is spread as they are caught in countless internal conflicts. Their official ruler is the ***Grey Bishop Felipe Khones***, governing the isles from a Tomb-Sanctuary deep unter the ruins of the ***Monastery of San Francisco***. It is also the base for a folk-catholic Mystery Cult known the *Voces Divinas.* The Caribbeans ilses contain roughly 40 Sphingians, most of which are very young.
34. **Lower Gondwania (1)-** The Sphingians are yet to learn the secrets of South America. They arguably small influence only stretches across the colonial cities, having established a Tomb-Sanctuary in the old town of ***Salvador***. It hides behind a seemingly innocent apartment block in the *Rio Carlos Gomes*, lead by ***Supreme Hierophant Zacharias the Annointed.***
35. **Upper Gondwania (0)-** Although the awoken Sphingians rapidly expand across the globe, none of them have made it to Upper Gondwania yet.
36. **Andes (0)-** The desolate Andes are so far away from any Sphingian influence the majority of the Clan considers it a dead-zone. In recent years an eccentric Visir made the long journey to the ruins of ***Machu Pichu*** and claimed the 36th Nomos as his domain. He now calls himself ***Supreme Visir Baris the Great,*** being the only Sphingian there.
37. **Australis (2)-** While the Austrialian continent holds little relevance to most Afflicted, it attracted Sphingians like a fresh cadaver would attract a pack of jackals after the *Reawakening*. Together with small groups of south-eastern Revenants the Sphingians where the only ones to sense that this newly discovered continent turned into a new necromantic locus. Most of them have taken into its red deserts, yet along austrialias shores the Clan is constantly active to corrupt its Covenant leaders to their ways. The center of these efforts lies in Sydney, in a Tomb-Sanctuary cleverly disguised as an extic goods trader known as the ***Yellow Orient Club***. It is governed by the ***Red Hierophant Martin Khaleesh*.**
38. **Lower Varangia (1)-** It was until very recently that the first Sphingians arrived at the russian border which they refer to as Varangia.
39. **Upper Varangia (0)-** (...). They established a Tomb-Sanctuary in Odessa and prepared to expand across the entire Nomos to capitalise on its weakened Veil. They made the mistake to anger the local Kolduns however. During a misty night a group of shapeshifters broke into their Sanctuary to slay their divine priests and kill those that fled with powerful curses, leading to the 39th Nomos being unclaimed again.
40. **Oceania (0)-** To the Sphingians the oceanic ilses are an alien place, filled with strange customs, sorcery and aggressive undead. Most visit the 40th Nomos only to resupply when traveling to Australia. Over the last few years

## See also

* Sphingians
* Sphingians (Overview)
* Gnomes