God Name: Nex
Title: God of the Ambition and Power
Gender: Male
Alignment: Neutral Evil
God Appearance:
Personality: Nex is cruel, violent, and ambitious. He prefers brute force, confrontation, intimidation, and violence in order to get what he wants. This is not to say that he is a mere brute. No. He is quite cunning and is known for his trickery and malice. However, his tricks are usually brutal and far beyond such notions as "civility" or "honor". Nex believes in doing whatever it takes to win and dominate those around him, though he does have a few rules not even he would cross such as pretending to be an ally in order to stab the other in the back. Nex despises those who would strike from the shadows, but would not fight in open battle.
Nex has few allies among the other deities and fewer still that he would call a "friend". However, he maintains a certain fondness for a few of them, some of whom he considers his enemies. Though he would deny it, Nex wouldn't know what to do without an enemy and, in the deepest part of his heart of hearts, he doesn't truly desire to kill any of his fellow gods. Conquer and enslave, yes, but never kill.
Opinion of mortals: "These mortals... So fragile and arrogant. I can crush any of them with my own fist should I choose, but there is potential."
God’s Domain: Nex's domain is that of a desert given that is where his people live in the mortal realm. There are shifting sands and animals such as jackals and other wild beasts that are the only ones that may survive in the desert. However, if you gain his favor or are strong enough to navigate the treacherous desert, you may arrive an oasis. It is the biggest oasis you would ever see with flowing, fresh water, figs and other fruits growing on trees, and plentiful vegetation. In the midst of this rises a gigantic palace that made of marble and sandstone decorated with silks and fabrics, mostly reds and golds, and surrounded with grand walls. Here lives Nex, in his own paradise. Within the Oasis and a few scattered throughout the desert here and there live the followers who have gained his favor and have proven resilient enough to cross the desert of his realm. For a desert dwelling people, the Oasis and Nex's palace is true paradise. And, in the midst of the desert, there is always war games for Nex's followers to participate in to hone their skills in combat as he never wants them to forget for an instant that they are a warrior people.
Avatar Name: Cain
Avatar Appearance:
Personality: Cain possesses a personality very similar to his deity. He desires riches, comfort, and power and is not afraid of using violence to get them. In his former life, he was a desert bandit who preyed on the weak and whatever other traveler he found. Now, he is a war leader and an immortal chieftain who will exorcise his violent tendencies and his greed in the service of his god.
Magic Abilities: Cain's swordsmanship and archery are superb and improves as he gains more experience. He is also a master at horsemanship as he knows well how to coax a horse for extra speed or endurance and how to fight upon horseback as well as or better than on foot. Within the desert, he has control of the sands and the winds and in battle, he has great endurance.
Hero(es): (One name and personality per hero; may be left blank initially as your Avatar builds a civilization;)
Rank/Reason:
Personality:
Terrain Preference: Desert. Nex has no need for water in order to survive, but he does have a fondness for oasises. The largest settlements of his followers too are often found near oasises, or the River Iteru, which is the lifeblood of the Kingdom of Quarth.
Name of Kingdom/Empire: Empire of Qarth.
Capital: Iteru- The largest city in the Empire, Iteru is named for the great river that it is built beside. In its worse parts, it is crowded and dirty, but in its more luxurious sections, it contains the gold-encrusted Temple of Nex, Cain's Palace, the Tower of Alchemy, and the Tower of Magi among other grand buildings. Outside the walls, along the river, there is fertile farmland.
Major Cities:
Nekhen- A city near the middle of the Shifting Desert, it is not as large as Quarth but the oasis it is built around along with its deep wells make it a stopping point for trade caravans wishing to stop for refreshment. It also maintains a sizable garrison as it is where soldiers go to train.
Desouk- The City of the Dead, Desouk is a sacred place amidst the shifting sands of the Shifting Desert. It is here that the dead are buried in tombs, their detail and elaboration depending on the wealth or importance of the individual. It is here that the Alcoytes of Set reside, guarding the tombs and their construction, practicing combat, and spending time in contemplation of Nex's teachings.
Qus- A mining city near the mountains bordering the Shifting Desert, it is here that gold, silver, copper, iron, and other metals and mined and either shipped elsewhere or refined and used for goods.
Society:
[People]
The Qarthians are a harsh people, as befits a mortal race that chooses to dwell in the desert and follow the God of Ambition and Power. Greatness is everything in this society and it is believed that it is the destiny of the strong to rule and the weak to bow down or be destroyed. What this will mean if the Qarthians are ever conquered is unknown. The Qarthians do believe, however, that conflict is what allows a society to evolve and adapt in order to grow stronger. War is inevitable and only the weak would fear it in their view. As such, their culture is very much dominated by a militaristic tradition. There are view other kingdoms/empires that they view as allies and none that they do not view with suspicion. However, they are willing to raid or conquer a foreign kingdom if they believe they could gain something from it. Slavery is also common in Qarth with their capital, Iteru, being a center in the slave trade. Despite their aggressive tendencies, however, they have some redeeming qualities. Qarthians rarely swear an oath, but should they be made to swear an oath by Nex, their tribe, and their kingdom, they will not go back on it, though some are more tricky than others in their oaths. They are also very loyal to their own people and tribe as well as their god and are known for being generous hosts. They take hospitality seriously and a host harming or killing his or her own guests once they have taken them under their own protection is beyond contempt in their view. To honor Nex and themselves, the Qarthians often build great monuments and tombs. Their dead are mummified with even the poorest family attempting to preserve their loved ones the best they can.
The Qarthians can be divided into three groups depending on where they live and what their occupation is. Only a third of them live in their cities with the rest making their living either as farmers or, as their people were originally, desert nomads, herding sheep, cows, goats, and especially horses. There are five principle tribes determined by ancestry and it is the nomadic tribes that have a reputation as the best horsement... and raiders.
[Economy]
The economy in the Qarthian Empire is a stable one. Finished goods are produced in their cities as their mines and farms produced surplus metals and food for export. The Qarthians are most famous for their horses, however. Originally a nomadic people, the horse, camel, and other steeds are valued by their society, though not to the extent they once were. The Shifting Desert is the center of a trade route that connects many different peoples from the Tenma Empire to the Avuvians along the Sea. Thus, the Empire of Qarth grows rich from trade along with exacting tolls and offering "protection" to trade caravans. However, there are other, more illicit means funding the economy. Plunder and slaves flood the Empire as many Qarthians have taken to making a living off plundering other peoples and abducting men, women, and children to serve as slaves, selling whoever is not brought in Qarth to other countries with the government denying involvement which is a partial truth. However, the government does not forbid it and grows rich taxing the sale of slaves and plundered goods. Entertainment is also a rich avenue in the economy from chariot races to gladiator fights to performing arts.
[Politics]
The Qarthian Empire is an absolute monarchy with the Avatar of Nex ruling by divine right. Moreover, they believe that Cain is partially divine and regard his every word as divine law, second to only Nex's. From their nomadic days, however, the Qarth still retain tribal divisions with each chieftain serving to advise the Avatar and make decisions regarding the appointment of government officials and laws in Cain's absence. They also retain the right to govern their own tribes in regard to internal disputes or lawbreaking.