Tigris

Below is lore from a book of Tigris bought by the Verifoss Mercenaries who first visited.

## Overview

The island of Tigris lies east of Solace, seven days by sea. It is a large island nation dominated by beaches in the eastern coast, a large mountain range, Enki, to its north, long swaths of fertile plains to the west, giant quarry hills to the south, and at its heart is a great plain where three large plateaus dominate. Here, the kingdom of Sammu-marat is based.

It was founded on the martial and arcane powers of the royal line, House Aydin. The family cycles through particular elemental powers which determines the fate of the kingdom. Absolute cognatic primogeniture has been the succession since the first Ascended, Samu-la-El. It has been a prosperous line ever since with military technology from the South, arcane innovation from the North, food and wine from the bountiful West, and flourishing international trade from the harbours of the East.

They are a polytheistic nation, whose worship centers primarily around the patrons from the four regions: Ataruk, god of war and strategy; Halide, goddess of magic and inspiration, Marduk, god of nature and harvest, and Ninurta, goddess of the sea and storm. Throughout the kingdom you will find temples dedicated to all four gods though only the capital of each region has the Dedicated Temple for their respective patron god.

## Baskent Alan

The capital region is Shamash, found at the very heart of Sammu-Marat and where Samu-la-El was born. This region is known for its plateaus and great waterfalls that feed the winding rivers and plains which surround them. The Royal Palace, the Divine Throne, and Appointed Council are all found on top of the largest of the three plateaus known as Ahura, which is the capital of the kingdom. These cities are built with soaring walls where the high altitude and massive waterfalls provide a natural defence from invasion. This is where the royal line lives, where the Ascended and the Bahir, consort of the Ascended, rule the kingdom.

The other two plateau cities are Lagash, which is the stronghold of House Taif, and Rapiqum, where House Sader is based. Both houses have followed the royal line since the formation of Sammu-Marat. Lagash is a city known for its control of various guilds, such as the Kurye Loca and Casus Loca, which were established during the Conquering. House Taif has controlled both for over a millennia. Rapiqum is known for their devotion to medicine and religion, a safeguard for all during conflict with House Sader acclaimed throughout to be generous and open to receive all.

## Önemli Alan and the Ūstün Kral

There are four cardinal regions placed under the protection of the Üstün Kral, the four great noble houses recognised since the Conquering as the pillars of the kingdom.

### Kish and House Kassid

Kassid rules the southern region of Kish and are known as the Protector of Sammu-marat since its founding. Legend has it that when Samu-la-El conquered Tigris with the aid of Behman, he offered their ancestor to be co-rulers but Behnam willingly bent the knee. As a sign of thanks and favour, House Kassid has enjoyed being the premier house but this is done in place of being the war machine. From their numerous stone quarries and enormous forges, the Savas Gelgit is trained and armed. Known for being a great house of knights, clerics, and paladins, the Kassid line have defended and expanded the kingdom’s boundaries for centuries. Current scion is Firuz Kassid, War Chancellor.

### Ozturk and House Girsu

The people of Ozturk have lived in Tigris even before Sammu-marat was created. Their kingdoms were built into the peaks of the mountain range, Enki. They were the one region which was not won by conquest but with diplomacy. Legend says this was because no city was in the same place twice and that the magic which runs in its people’s blood was blessed to them by Halide herself. During the Conquering, Samu-la-El and Behnam had difficulty pinning these fierce city states down and were gradually impressed by the cleverness and spirit of the people. Popular ballads sing of how Behnam went to Ea, the Voice of Ozturk, without weapon or shield. He passionately argued for a day and night with no rest or food that they were not invaders. He and his liege did not want to see the Ozturk people degraded in defeat but rather uplifted by Samu-la-El’s rule. Ea was moved by the young general and agreed. The treaty was finalised with a daughter of Ozturk marrying Behnam. Since then, Ozturk would marry one of their noble daughters to House Kassid. The Voice of Ozturk has always descended from the House of Girsu. The current Voice is the brother of Ziba, wife of Firuz Kassid. His birth name is kept in secret by the family. When he rose to the mantle, like all others before him, he donned the name Ea.

### Eridu and House Ekmekci

House Ekmekci are the stewards of all food and wine of Tigris. The western region of Eridu enjoys temperate climate all year round and have leapfrogged innovation in agriculture, husbandry, and botany. They created aqueducts and baths, their cities are known for their beautiful cobbstelone lanes, lined with blooming flora of every colour. The fields stretch as far as the eye can see with wheat, barley, oat, rice, maize, and many more. Due to the monopoly of food, they are known as the Granary of Tigris. It was the first region burned to the ground during the Conquering to pave the way of Samu-la-El. Ekmekci are a political and financial powerhouse but rely on the other houses for defence and magic in their everyday life. The current leader of the family is Dilshad Ekmekci, now also the State Treasurer.

### Eastern Harbours and House Yilmaz

The lineage of Yilmaz controls all the Eastern Harbuors, which are the only means of trade for Tigris to the larger world. The bustling harbour cities dot across the sandy coast. Each port city was given a nickname due to the color of sand on its beaches. For example, Eshnunna is known as the “Pink Harbour” since its shores are a soft, pearlescent pink. It is in this region where travellers will see the most diverse populations as this is where other cultures and races not in service settle down to make their lives within Sammu-marat. They were the last to be defeated in conquest by Samu-la-El and Behnam, with aid of Ozturk, Kish, and Eridu behind them. Gazsi Yilmaz is the current Harbourmaster of all Tigris.

#### The Harbour Cities

Along the eastern coast of Tigris, four long beaches stretch across the landscape, each a unique color of sand. From these four, the great harbour cities stand, ruled by the House of Yilmaz.

#### Eshnunna

Known as the "Pink Harbour" for the pink sands that color its beaches, Eshnunna is a flourishing trade city. It is the primary port of entry for all foreign ships which engage in mercantile and diplomatic relations with Tigris. This city is where embassies of other nations are established and the only place where foreign-owned interests may build.

#### Agrab

The infamous "Black Harbour" is where the mighty Oniks Kalyon (Onyx Galleons in Common) embark to carry out the orders of the Ascended. The black sands disguise the treads of many armoured feet as they board the giant vessels for war. The port of exit for the Savas Gelgit, this city’s main business is warfare. Within the city are the First Division’s Headquarters, additional training facilities for infantry, the shipyards, barracks, and one of the major bases for the Kurye Loca.

#### Ellasar

The "White Harbour" is the foundation of House Yilmaz’s rule. In a country known for its beautiful sights, it stands above the rest. Soft white sands and crystal clear waters, Ellasar is the city of leisure and culture of the Eastern Harbours. This is also where the Ebedi Muzole stands, a soaring monument where the Royal Family of Aydin have come to rest since Samu-la-El.

#### Urhai

This port is the first sight for soldiers returning from war and its red sands remind them of the blood they’ve shed in defense of their kingdom. The "Red Harbour" is a welcome sight for these armies as they know they are back on their native land. This is where the headquarters of the Second Division stand and House Sader maintains hospitals for veterans and active servicemen.