The Fortress-State of the Sun Phoenix
Located on the western bank of the northern end of the Jade Asp River Sea, the slowly rising fortress city of the Sun Phoenix shines with the sun's favor. Special sandstone blocks, found with golden flecks serve as the walls of the fortress. The white stone temple-palace of the Sun rises even about the walls, as a beacon to all travelers. Warriors with golden shields and golden swords protect stand on the walls, ready to defend the city. This is a city desperately attempting to defend against the phantom of a threat.
The city is organized. Every block planned out, the length of every street and alley, planned exactly. The shape of every structure, designed and approved, in order to fit the proper parameters. The main street is wide enough for multiple carts to pass each other, and it leads directly to the Temple Palace of the Pharaohess, the Thrice Born Daughter of the Sun, Norah-Bennu.
Here the streets are busy with work. People training, smiths working hard at their forges, supplies being moved into storehouses. The streets are filled with humans, heru (humaniod avians that once served the fallen god Horus), and the largest population of halflings still living.
The Fortress-State is one of the few places with there is an organized faith. Worship of the Sun Phoenix, as embodied by Norah-Bennu, is the religion of the land. Priestess attend the needs of the people, and holy warriors defend the nation against threats. Here, faith comes first, the other magics take a secondary role.
That being said, there is no better place to study the element of fire. Flames are everywhere. Lanterns that never dim, braziers that fill the air with sweet wood smells, forge works, and even decorative artworks encompassing flame can be found through out the city.
The Fortress City originally was established as a bastion by the joint Fallen Gods consisting of Horus, Bennu, Isis, Bast, and Sekhmet. Through the course of the Travails, the Gods diminished. Isis battled her rival Set, who fled to the east. She pursued, and neither have been seen again, their final fates unknown. Bast and Sekhmet got into a five day squabble over leadership of their joint followers. The two of them, despite protests from Horus and Bennu, walked into the desert to finish their argument. Neither returned. Leadership fell to Horus and his sister-wife Bennu.
During the battles of the great beasts, the fledgling settlement was dangerously close to one of the numerous conflicts between the great desert beast, Garisik the Thrice Stinger, and the dark beast from the stars called Yhintholril the Endless Tendrils. In an effort to protect the people, both Horus, Bennu, and their champions and children Atenconin and Norah strode out to attempt something to distract the massive beasts. The powers unleashed were without measure. The valor, dedication, and devotion has seen no equal. Even the combined might of fallen gods and the loyalty of their children were no match for forces of nature, incarnate.
Atenconin fell first, protecting his mother. Then fell Horus to one of the great stingers. As Bennu quickly gathered her husband and son, Norah stood to defend them, while her mother wove the magics to preserve them, and potentially allow their resurrection. Norah, though, was batted back, like a gnat, and she was thrown into the magics her mother was weaving. Suddenly there was an eruption of fire, scarring both of the titanic beasts. The blast caused the two titans to scatter away, and continue their battles elsewhere.
When the flames and dust settled, only Norah remained. Stunned, unsure of what happened. Even the bodies of her parents and brother were gone. It is unknown what truly occurred on the field of battle that day. Norah returned to the fortress, but refused to be called a hero. She also announced a change of her name from Norah to Norah-Bennu, and declared herself the Pharaohess, and Defender of the people.
Since that day, she has been a stern, but fair commander. The once skilled, but impish young woman has given way to a focused military ruler. Every person is the city is part of the city's defense. No one, save the elderly and crippled, is given free pass. If you can labor, then you labor. If you can swing a sword, you are taught to swing it better.
Crime is punished. There is no rehabilitation. Either you learn your lesson the first time, often with a branding or loss of a limb, or you are slain or exiled. There is no third chance.
The Fortress City boasts one of the largest military forces, and despite some occasional crusades against it's necromantic neighbors to the south, there have been no attempts at expending the nation's borders.
That being said, the occasional paladin, priest, or other holy warrior is sent out into the wider world. Some are sent out just to see what is out there. There are rumors, though, that the Pharaohess sends some adventurers out to find a means to return her sibling and parents to the lands of the living.
Atenconin fell first, protecting his mother. Then fell Horus to one of the great stingers. As Bennu quickly gathered her husband and son, Norah stood to defend them, while her mother wove the magics to preserve them, and potentially allow their resurrection. Norah, though, was batted back, like a gnat, and she was thrown into the magics her mother was weaving. Suddenly there was an eruption of fire, scarring both of the titanic beasts. The blast caused the two titans to scatter away, and continue their battles elsewhere.
When the flames and dust settled, only Norah remained. Stunned, unsure of what happened. Even the bodies of her parents and brother were gone. It is unknown what truly occurred on the field of battle that day. Norah returned to the fortress, but refused to be called a hero. She also announced a change of her name from Norah to Norah-Bennu, and declared herself the Pharaohess, and Defender of the people.
Since that day, she has been a stern, but fair commander. The once skilled, but impish young woman has given way to a focused military ruler. Every person is the city is part of the city's defense. No one, save the elderly and crippled, is given free pass. If you can labor, then you labor. If you can swing a sword, you are taught to swing it better.
Crime is punished. There is no rehabilitation. Either you learn your lesson the first time, often with a branding or loss of a limb, or you are slain or exiled. There is no third chance.
The Fortress City boasts one of the largest military forces, and despite some occasional crusades against it's necromantic neighbors to the south, there have been no attempts at expending the nation's borders.
That being said, the occasional paladin, priest, or other holy warrior is sent out into the wider world. Some are sent out just to see what is out there. There are rumors, though, that the Pharaohess sends some adventurers out to find a means to return her sibling and parents to the lands of the living.
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