Pharaohhood of Amonkhet

The **Pharaohhood of Amonkhet**, also known by its more common name, **Amonkhet**, is a nation located in western Bardish. First founded in the early Second Era by aarakocra, the state has enjoyed a storied yet stable history owing to its powerful natural resources. Highly theocratic and highly caste-based, the nation enforces strict cultural customs.

## Geography

Amonkhet is primarily situated in a massive desert, scattered with small oasises. The heat in this desert is immense and in certain parts it feels as if it stretches on forever, earning the desert the nickname of the Infinite Desert. Adding to this, the vast majority of Amonkhet is relatively flat, only sand dunes regularly breaking up the horizon. The only mountains in Amonkhet are situated to the south, near the coastline. These peaks, though small, are rich in gold and silver, providing the nation with a great amount of riches. The coastlines of the nation are covered in tropical rainforests, with towering trees spiraling into the sky and vines falling from their canopies down to the earth.

Lakes and oasises scatter the nation of Amonkhet, each connected by a massive underground aquifer. These lakes are the primary source of freshwater for Amonkhet, and most farms are built nearby them, with canals leading out to expand the farmland. These lakes are also home to fish, which make up a massive part of Amonkhet cuisine.

## Government

The government of Amonkhet is lead by a Pharaoh - the God-Emperor of their nation. They rule as an absolute monarch, as well as hold a unique position of being a spiritual leader of the nation. The Pharaoh is worshipped as an incarnation of the nation's first leader, Nekhthotep, with each Pharaoh changing their name to that of the first. The Pharaoh is able to call forth the spirits of those departed Nekhthoteps, primarily due to the belief and worship from their viziers - the clergy-nobles of Amonkhet.

The viziers of Amonkhet perform tasks both as clergy and administrators of local regions. Viziers perform sacrifices on chosen individuals, in order to use their Focus to power the ability of the Pharaoh. On top of this, they worship the God-Emperor and ensure that their population is as well. Perhaps most importantly, viziers are delegated the task of overseeing local regions under their control, in order for the Pharaoh to direct their interests to other tasks of their importance.

## Trade

Amonkhet regularly imports slaves from other nations in order to complement their ever-dwindling supply. As well, due to their desert environment, growing herbs took a backseat to growing food - as such, they often import herbs and alchemical supplies in order to produce medications, and sometimes import fully brewed potions. However, these imports are nothing compared to the exports of the nation. Their mines are able to pour out tons and tons of gold and silver, which they use to craft beautiful golden statues and goods to trade to nearby nations.

## Culture

### Aversion to Technology and Arcane Tradition

Much of Amonkhet is largely opposed to the adoption of new technologies. Their people are one of tradition, and are extremely set in their ways. Technology - whether it be the magic devices of artificers or the hyperil-powered machines of the Malkenian Imperium - are looked down upon. An interesting side-effect of this, however, is the vast amount of mages the nation employs to solve problems that artificers would. Over generations, this has lead to an impressive arcane tradition, with mages riding thousands of years of expertise and magical development. As a result of this, many other nations covet Amonkhet mages and their skills.

### Social Castes

Amonkhet is split into various social castes that one is born into, and cannot advance or lower from. These castes are strictly enforced, and the higher the caste the more important one is in Amonkhet society. Each caste and their rights and responsibilities are as follows:

#### Slaves

Slaves are the lowest social caste in Amonkhet society. Often the conquests of wars against their neighbor, the Al Qostabata Emirates, or imported from other nations in Bardish, slaves are used for menial labor and entertainment by the nobility and clergy of Amonkhet.

#### Workers

The worker caste encompasses all of the basic peasants, woodworkers, blacksmiths, farmers and other necessary workers in Amonkhet society. While they are important to the infrastructure of Amonkhet, they are typically treated poorly by richer castes and live in their own segregated villages and towns. They are denied access to gaining higher educations through libraries, and even shooed out of temples. As well, their movement is restricted - a worker attempting to leave Amonkhet who is caught will often be harshly punished or even put to death.

#### Sacrifices

The only form of "class advancement" in Amonkhet society, sacrifices are workers who have been chosen by the viziers to be sacrificed in the name of the God-Emperor Pharaoh, Nekhthotep. Their lives are often fast, short and painful as they meet their violent ends at the tip of a ritual blade.

#### Warriors

The warrior caste of Amonkhet is made up mostly of khenra twins. The warrior caste of Amonkhet society consists of the most skilled soldiers who are trained from birth, rather than peasant levies and militias that are raised from the local populace. Warriors are extremely skilled in combat and fighting, and often serve most of their life until they reach retirement age. Upon retiring, they are given access to libraries, temples, and other places that are considered to be higher class.

#### Viziers

Viziers are the clergy of the God-Emperor. They are entirely made up of aarakocra, and other races are barred from this caste. They viziers worship the Pharaoh of Amonkhet and perform the necessary sacrifices they require. They also function as the realm's nobles, each vizier and their family overseeing large swaths of territory granted to them.

#### Pharaoh

The Pharaoh of Amonkhet is the leader of the nation, and acts as the embodiment of the God-Emperor. Each Pharaoh will change their name to Nekhthotep, the name of the first Pharaoh, as they are intended to embody them. Viziers and their sacrifices lead to the Pharaoh able to summon forth the incarnation of previous Nekhthoteps for counsel or even for combat.