Babilim

> *"Babilim, the exalted kingdom, the kingdom of plenty. At the entrance of the gates I see massive bulls and fearsome dragons. Its foundation lies in the heart of the earth, its summit as high as a mountain."* - Queen Amytis, once ruler of Babilim, writing about her kingdom.
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The Kingdom of Babilim is nicknamed the 'jewel of the Red Land' - and not without reason. It is a major Carrion Kingdom that rules over an overwhelming majority of the Fertile Crescent, a province of rich savannah and fertile grassland. The kingdom as a whole and the capital city of Karduniash, in particular, is a wealthy place known for its military might as well as its contributions to science and the arts.

Babilim has had a fractured history, broken up by a prolonged period of rule by the (at the time) new Ashuri State. However, even during its period of outside occupation, the lands of Babilim were known for their prosperity and its cities considered cultural centres. In modernity, this continues. Babilim is a major scientific contributor, especially in the field of zoology. Indeed, its cataloguing of its unique species has majorly contributed to advances in understanding animal behaviour, and the Babilim conservation program is considered ahead of its time.

Should they desire it, it would not be unreasonable to say that Babilim could conquer and stabilise all of the Red Land - and perhaps lands beyond. As of yet, however, they have taken no obvious steps to do so. But history is rarely ever predictable and, as with many things, we can only speculate as to where Babilim's future lies.

## **History**

Much of Babilim's history is detailed in clay tablets and, in modern times, biographical literature. In particular, writings from the Ashuri occupation period are plentiful and kept in the Royal Library of Bilgames (located in Ansar) today.

Like so many Carrion Kingdoms, the Kingdom of Babilim was formed out of the collapse of Ozmesses' empire. Even in its earliest independent histories, Babilim was a hotspot for culture and academia. However, where Babilim chose to focus on the development of its infrastructure, its culture, and other such public works, its neighbours did not. The Ashuri State, in particular, focused on military conquest and its leader, Bilgames, oversaw a swift invasion that eventually absorbed all of the Red Land under his rule - Babilim included.

Even under Ashuri rule, however, Babilim thrived. Karduniash benefited from continued development and its population boomed. By the time the Ashuri State shrank and the occupation ended, the newly independent Kingdom of Babilim was even more prosperous than it had been before. This prosperity has continued into the modern day, with the kingdom being well revered for its economic prosperity and cultural dominance. Nevertheless, it only takes one mistake for a house of cards to fall - and we live in increasingly turbulent times. The rulers will Babilim will need to remain vigilant and make the right choices, lest their kingdom lose their sovereignty once again.

## **Geography**

Babilim controls an overwhelming majority of the Fertile Crescent province, with the exception of a few pockets as well as the large island controlled by Citium. This is a tremendous boon to the Kingdom of Babilim, for the Fertile Crescent is believed to be one of if not the most naturally prosperous province in the entire Dead Sands, and is one of the few provinces that is not entirely desert. Babilim's capital city, Karduniash, is easily the centre of the kingdom and is perhaps one of the most important cities in all the Carrion Kingdoms, as a centre of culture and science. Nevertheless, there are still many villages and towns that dot Babilim's frontier, more so than most other Carrion Kingdoms.

Like all Carrion Kingdoms, Babilim has sizable populations of Carrionites, Gnolls, and Humans. However, the kingdom's reputation as a cultural and scientific centre has attracted members from a large variety of races.

## **Politics**

Babilim is an absolute monarchy, just like a majority of Carrion Kingdoms. For the most part, the monarch is blamed for all governmental decisions that happen within the kingdom. If times are good, they are celebrated. If times are bad, they are blamed. Below the immediate authority of the monarch, various officials are elected for management of specific areas and institutions. This includes city governors, chief treasurers, head judges, and military commanders. The monarch is responsible for the election and removal of these officials, and have the additional power to overrule the decisions of their officials.

Babilim is a kingdom that relies on a strict, fundamental code of law. Many of these laws focus on the punishing of perpetrators rather than the compensation of the victim, a system that differs from the more compassionate system of law in Hattusa, for example. However, it also emphasises the presumption of innocence. Unless an accused criminal is proven to be guilty they are presumed to be innocent, which acts to counter excessive and misguided punishments. In many ways, the code of law is considered culturally important to the Babilimians and a major component of their wider society. Various monuments and art pieces have been constructed that reflect this, most notably the Law Stele in Karduniash.

Being such a prosperous and resource-rich nation, Babilim has thriving trade relationships with many states. In its immediate vicinity, Babilim enjoys trade with Hattusa, Ashur, and Citium. Nevertheless, many Babilimians still remember that Ashur once occupied their lands, and so many consider them to be Babilim's most important rivals. Internationally, countries like the Eleven Dragon Dominion and the Empire of Man covet many of the luxuries that Babilim provides, such as ivory. This has proven to be a huge economic boon for the kingdom.

## **Economy**

With such a resource-rich area under their control, Babilim is an economic powerhouse in both the Red Land provinces and the Dead Sands as a whole. The kingdom is nicknamed 'the jewel of the Red Land' for its prosperity. As a result of its resource variety, there isn't really one particular industry that Babilim focuses on. Instead, it takes a more 'jack of all trades' approach, by attempting to incorporate all of its various industries into its economic policy.

Ultimately, a majority of Babilim's resources come from two primary sources: the land and the wildlife. From the land, Babilimians extract precious stones from mines, with lapis lazuli and turquoise being particularly common. Many of these precious stones are used in the creation of fine jewellery and other goods, but it is just as common for just the stones themselves to be sold and traded. Vast quantities of salt are also extracted from the eastern salt pan, just before the Great Escarpment. Babilim is also one of the few kingdoms that have a thriving agriculture sector, with the land allowing for the growing of various grains and grasses.

From the wildlife, Babilimians rear sheep and goats for wool and textiles. Hunting is also a common trade - though this is kept in check by government policies. Ivory, taken from elephants and rhinos, is considered particularly precious - for there are only a few places in the world to obtain it. This ivory is often turned into fancy art pieces which sell for small fortunes.

## **Culture**

The Kingdom of Babilim is seen by many as a major contributor to science and the arts, with the capital of Karduniash being a cultural centre and academic city. More specifically, Babilim's contributions to the fields of zoology and astronomy are considered particularly important - with their conservation programs being ahead of their time.

Ever since the nomadic age, Carrionites have had a particular fixation with the celestial bodies. It is even theorised that it was ancient Carrionite astronomy that formed the foundation for the Elves' own astronomical studies. But in the modern day, it is Babilim that is the regional centre of astronomy. Babilimian astronomers have made strides in tracking celestial bodies - from the stars, the moons, and even other planets. They have also dabbled in various experiments that attempt find a more reliable way to measure time by using the stars.

Babilim has also contributed to architecture and the arts. Stone-carving, gem-cutting, and metalworking are all mastered skills by Babilimian artisans. Government buildings and noble houses are decorated with intricate carvings and patterns, sometimes even incorporating plates made from precious metals.

## **Trivia**

* Babilim is (as the name might suggest) based on the ancient Mesopotamian civilisation of Babylonia, also known simply as Babylon. Babylonia influenced much about Babilim. This includes its occupation by the Assyria-inspired Ashur, for the Babylonians experienced a similar period of Assyrian rule before they reformed into what would become known as the Neo-Babylonian Empire.