Anubis and Bastet

The **Anubis** and **Bastet** are a pair of species that are native to the planet Thebado.

## Physical Description

They are a humanoid species with similar physical characteristics. Their
 skin is an orange-brownish tan colour, and their hair colour can vary
between dark brown to jet black. Their most distinguishing feature is
their ears. The Anubis and Bastet shared a common genetic ancestor in
the past, but at some point it seems they took slightly different
evolutionary paths.

The Anubis have ears which are longer and point upwards like a jackal,
whilst the Bastet have more catlike triangular ears. It is observed that
 the Anubis have a tendency to display behaviour normally associated
with canines such as unwavering loyalty and devotion. Bastet are on
average more whimsical like a feline.

## Technology

Their technology is roughly equivalent to Iron Age Egypt in 2000-1500
BC. It has been observed that they have knowledge of iron tools, and
regularly make use of the material. They display a level of technology
where they are able to manipulate their local environment and materials.
 In particular they display a masterful ability to work with stone, and
giant stone monuments, and building complexes stand testimony to their
ingenuity. Alchemy and astrology is know to them at a basic level.
Treatment of injury and diseases is unfortunately at a basic medical
level, with diseases generally not being well understood, and the
effectiveness of cures and treatments, ranging between effective and
absolute nonsense.

They know how to make paper from a plant known as papyrus, and their
governing system has a significantly level of bureaucracy and record
keeping. Significantly sized city habitats dot the land near the great
river. The craftsman caste are known to have a good grasp of
mathematics, and it can be seen with their architecture. There are large
 temple complexes, sandstone pyramids, and monoliths all around the
desert landscape built to precise measurements. Perhaps the most
impressive feat is that the natives of Thebado have built a series of
canals running off from the sides of the river Thebes. These serve as
waterways to farms as well as dock areas.

They have the technology to build primitive water going vessels, but
these are generally small local fishing boats and river crossing boats
which are not able to withstand deep ocean waters. On either side of the
 river Thebado basin, there is an impenetrable sand desert wasteland
meaning that they are technologically restricted from expanding far
beyond the river. The wheel is known, however the only docile pack
animal large to pull large carriages, is a species resembling a large
slow oxen.

## Society

The Anubis and Bastet live side by side and display a high level of
urbanisation and culture roughly analogous to that of ancient Egypt on
old Earth during the middle kingdom period. There is a very clear
hierarchy and caste system ranging from the pharaoh at the top to
nobles, to priests, to soldiers, to craftsmen and farmers, to finally
slaves. The Anubis centres of population are further inland, the Bastet
are concentrated closer to the coast, and there is an increasing mix of
the two nearer the middle. Altogether it is estimated that their
population is roughly 100 million strong, a high number with their
technology level. Literacy is low, and organised education is mainly the
 preserve of the nobility, religious caste and craftsmen castes. The
nobility and priestly caste have the money to educate their children,
and the government funds the education of children from the craftsman
caste because of the obvious necessity.

Unsurprisingly given their level of technology, the average life
expectancy for the Anubis and Bastet is low at 40 years. There are very
few older Anubis and Bastet, and those that are older generally come
from the upper castes. It is known for Anubis and Bastet to reach ages
of over 60, but it is currently not known how long they can potentially
live with the aid of modern medicine. What is known compares
unfavourably with humans, that have an average life expectancy over 100.

*Revel in pleasure while your life endures

And deck your head with myrrh. Be richly clad

In white and perfumed linen; like the gods

Anointed be; and never weary grow

In eager quest of what your heart desires

Do as it prompts you - until that sad day

Of lamentation comes, when hearts at rest

Hear not the cry of mourners at the tomb,

Which have no meaning to the silent dead.

Then celebrate this festal time, nor pause

For no man takes his riches to the grave;

Yea, none returns again when he goes hence.

...Song from the Tomb of King Intef, c. 2000 BCE*

With low life expectancy the inhabitants of Thebado are generally in a
hurry. Anubis and Bastet are expected to grow up fast, marry early
(common to many ancient societies, they have no legal minimum age of
marriage or consent) and try to have many children before death takes
them not long in the future. Cultural attitudes towards sexuality and
marriage is very liberal and open, untainted by guilt, or considered
taboo. For the Anubis and Bastet, love is an important part of life. To
them the most revered women and men are the fertile ones who bear, or
father many children. To have children is seen as being blessed by the
gods.

Marriage is not as the human nations understand it, and equates to
cohabitation. When a couple decide to 'marry', it basically consists of
the man or woman moving into their partner's home. Sometimes there may
be a small ceremony between family, friends and neighbours, but there is
 generally no legal paperwork. As unstable as it may appear to human
standards, it works for the Anubis and Bastet because marriage is
culturally considered to be a sacred union blessed by the gods.
Generally once they decide on a permanent partner, they stick with them
till death do them part.

## Warfare

The forces of the people of Thebado is very much in line with that of
other iron age societies known throughout human history. The warrior
caste form the backbone of the Pharaoh's armies. The typical melee
soldier is armed typically with a khopesh style iron sword, wooden
shield, spear, and protected by a scale mail shirt and iron open faced
helmet. Archers were armed with basic shortbows, a dagger, and protected
 by leather armour. As Thebado has no suitable domesticated animal to
serve as mounts of war, cavalry is unknown to them.

As the people of Thebado is currently unified under a single dynasty,
the army is more or less a peacekeeping force, making sure the citizens
tow the line and stamping out signs of rebellion to the Pharaoh's rule.

## Clothing

The traditional dress of the Anubis and Bastet has been dictated by the
forces of climate, technology, culture, and available materials.
Thebado’s hot summers and mild winters favour light clothing, and their
culture does not consider it taboo to show skin. The main material
observed is a linen-like fibre made from local plants, and much rarer
translucent silk almost exclusively worn only by nobility and the
priestly caste. With the hot desert environment being harsh to plant
life, most of the arable land is given to vital staple crops, and not
the linen plant. fabric is relatively expensive to produce and acquire,
so their culture is geared to wear as little as possible.

Clothes are generally simple. Most men wear a type of loincloth or kilt,
 and most women wear a sheet of cloth loosely wrapped around the body
like a bathrobe, which might be fastened by leather straps or a belt.
Temple priestesses wear what are effectively micro bikinis. Servant
girls wear nothing more than skimpy panties and jewellery, though one
can assume that this state of dress is not for lack of funds.
Whilst linen is in short supply, gold and precious gems are not.
Decorative golden jewellery of many types is commonly seen from the
craftsmen caste and upwards. The more important the person, the more
jewellery they will often have.

## Religion

Religion is polytheistic with the worship of many gods. It is a
decentralised affair controlled by a loose collective of different
cults, each of whom may have different rituals for their chosen god.
Gods come and go with popularity, but they have a large pantheon of long
 established gods. Some of the most important ones of the pantheon is
Amun Ra the Sun god. Osiris the god of death and resurrection. Hathor
the goddess of love and motherhood, Nut the sky goddess, Geb the earth
god. and Montu the god and bravery.

Death is a very prevalent part of their lives, and the Anubis and Bastet
 dedicate a large amount of time and money mulling over thoughts of
religion and the afterlife. The priestly caste wields enormous power and
 influence, and elaborate rituals are prepared to send the deceased to
the afterlife. or to guide them in everyday life. The most notable thing
 is that the Anubis and Bastet practice mummification, a ritual where
the deceased is wrapped, preserved then buried in richly decorated
coffins, sarcophagi and underground tomb complexes.