Amarna

Amarna is a country. It shares a northern land border with Exekia. It is a feudalistic monarchy.

Since the fall of the Exekian Empire, the region has been almost exclusively populated by humans, who refer to themselves as Amarnans. The origin of the name Amarna is unknown, although it may be a corrupted version of the Old Exekian word *epicari*, meaning "to wrestle free". Along with Zantium, Amarna is considered one of the "Slave Kingdoms" due to its first official ruler having been a slave.

## History

The Exekians once controlled the entire continent, along with Skadi, northern Dardanos, and Zantium. Their powerful empire, built on the labor of enslaved humans, collapsed following a massive slave rebellion. Human slaves in a copper mine were given gunpowder to use in explosives; when they realized they could use it to create powerful firearms, they revolted and, over the source of a decade, manufactured enough weapons to arm a substantial portion of the slave population. In the ensuing uprising, the slaves took bloody revenge on their former masters, conquering cities and massacring any Exekians who didn't flee to the northern wastes.

Letholdus Stirling I, a former slave, is considered the first king of Amarna. He founded the Stirling dynasty, which have ruled the kingdom for almost two centuries. At the time of Letholdus' reign, his country only stretched between the cities of Carthmere and Bodai. Over the next fifty years, the territory expanded rapidly under the warlike rule of his son Cassius Stirling, encompassing most of the island.

The laws of the land were not officially established until the reign of King Letholdus II, who also created the Temple as an institution which would manage religious affairs.

## Ethnicities

The typical native Amarnan is light-skinned, with hair colors ranging from blonde to red and dark brown and hair textures being usually wavy or curly. Blue, green, hazel, gray, and brown eye colors can be found among the general population. High cheekbones and small, thin-lipped mouths are considered the hallmarks of an Amarnan face.

Aside from the natives, there are also high immigrant populations from Dardanos, Iskirra, Eltenia and Zantium found in different regions, with Dardani being most common in the south, Iskirrans in the west, and Zantines in the south and east.

## Geography

Economically, Amarna can be divided into three regions: the Industrial North, the Agricultural South, and the Eastern Traders.

The North is populated exclusively by humans, mostly in small self-contained villages/mining towns, or in the only major city, Zemar. The region is humid, almost tropical, and the further north you go the more swampy it becomes. "Rusty" is a common slur against northerners, referring to the heavy industry Zemar is known for.

Dividing the north from the south is the vast Kuhlimani mountain range, which is filled with small hamlets and villages but no major cities.

The South is predominantly rural/agricultural, and includes Bodai, the oldest city in the kingdom. The island of Kataru is sometimes included in the South. The people in this region are considered provincial, uneducated, and old-fashioned.

The East is focused on trade through seafaring, using the Antrea River to move goods throughout the area. Tyr and Hiberia are the two major port cities. The climate is more temperate; it is considered a moderate zone.

### Language

The language of the Exekians is considered obscene, with some areas forbidding its use by law. Amarnan as a language is a mixture of tongues spoken by the slave caste amongst themselves, with elements borrowed from Eltenian and Iskirran.

## Culture and Customs

Amarnan culture is a mixture of customs carried over from the Empire mixed with elements borrowed from other nearby nations.

The Temple is the most prominent religious institution and the one with the most power, exercised through its hierarchical clergy. Historically, the Temple tended to side with the monarch in disputes with the nobles, a habit which allowed them to enjoy a firm grasp on power.

Racism against Exekians is common, fueled by constant warfare, propaganda, and historical precedent.

Free public schooling has recently become available (within the last sixty years) for children, although depending on the region, the literacy rates vary. For instance, many southerners drop out of primary schooling before they receive their diploma, as children and teenagers are required to work on their families' farms. Those who seek a better education may be inclined to transfer to seminary school, but transferal is a risky business as it is aimed at one day making such students into clergymen. Dropping out of seminary school without becoming a member of the clergy can be considered shameful and may impact their ability to get a job.

Traditionally, only legitimate male offspring could inherit wealth and property, although this practice is being phased out in favor of allowing female offspring to inherit. It would be considered scandalous for an illegitimate child to be named heir to a noble's fortune, but it is no longer illegal.

Marriage ceremonies and traditions differ depending on the economic status of the couple. The basis of the ceremony regardless of wealth is the ritual of hand-fasting, wherein the couple's joined hands are covered in a sticky golden liquid similar to honey, which is derived from the nectar of the hadzic flower. Rings made out of gold or silver are then exchanged, which mark the couple as wedded. While wealthy women may purchase a dowry consisting of various objects associated with the household and family, poor women have no choice but to make their own dowry, weaving blankets and making tools themselves.

## Cities

Bodai

Carthmere (capital)

Hiberia

Kataru

Tyr

Zemar

## Territories/Municipalities

### Palaces, Castles, and Historic Landmarks

Arza Vist

Casca Dun

Castle Vallon

Isidore

### Villages

Audel

Esset

Farthum

Gylvia

Prynne

## People and Society

* **Races (Numbers)**: Mostly Amarnan, with the largest minorities being Zantine and Dardani. Smaller immigrant populations include Eltenian, Iskirran, and Norevi. The government denies legal entry to anyone who is not human.
* **Languages Spoken**: Amarnan, Zantine, Dardani
* **Autonomy**:

### Religion

The Temple is the primary religious group in Amarna. Their power is just beginning to wane. Agnosticism and atheism are steadily increasing but remain uncommon. Zantine Akhenism has increased in recent years due to the influx of Zantine refugees.

### Magic

Magic is technically permitted in Amarna, although the Temple preaches against it. Some cities, such as Bodai and Tyr, have outlawed magic, but this legislation is difficult to enforce. Most areas neither persecute nor offer special protections to magic practitioners. If you use magic to commit a crime, you will be persecuted just the same as if you had done it without magic.

### Ethics

* Gender Equality/Roles: Women are allowed to participate in politics and education, but they are banned from serving in the military.
* **Familial Units:**
* **Social Rituals:**
* **Fashion and Dress:**
* **Cuisine:**
* **Entertainment/Games/Sports:**
* **Art and Other Great Works:**
* **Notable Subcultures:**
## Government

* Government type: Feudalistic monarchy
* Nobility and Privilege
* Capitol City: Carthmere
* Taxation: Medium
### Economy

* Natural Resources
* Taxation
* Trade, Guilds and Market
* Technology and Medicine
* Transportation and Communication
* Farming
* Export/Import

Other Significant events

**Politics**

* **Government**
* **Laws**
* **Military**
* **Foreign Relations**

**Territories/Subdivisions**

* **Internal Relations**

**Geography and Ecology**

* **Notable Natural Landmarks**
* **Notable Flora/Fauna**

**History**

**Key People**

* **Current**
* **Historical**