ALIGNMENT
Lawful Evil
CAPITAL
Tanupadet
RULER
Maatrho Hetanmun II
GOVERNMENT
Theocratic Monarchy
LANGUAGES
Tawrish, Equarish
ADJECTIVE
Tawran
KEY EXPORTS
Cotton, Sugar, Grain, Incense, Wine, Ivory, Dye, Textiles
RELIGIONS
Tawrish Pantheon and worship of the Maatrho as Tawr’s god king.
Eight hundred years ago Horemheb I ascended into the heavens to take his place in the court of Dhahit, lord of the heavens and creator of all life. So it is written. With Horemheb I’s passing his son took up the mantle as Maatrho of Tawr, and his son after him, and so forth. For generations the lineage of Horemheb has ruled as the living god kings - Maatrho’s - of Tawr. If the gods will it this blessed bloodline will continue to do so, and any who defy their lordship is defying the will of the gods themselves. And those who defy the gods must be destroyed.
SHORT HISTORYThe rise of Horemheb I of the divine ruling house of Tawr is as much mysticism and legend as truth. Stories tell of four water plane Ayiralites who approached a small town and used their power to illicit both awe and fear unto the locals bringing them to their knees. These people would become the first soldiers, advisors, and slaves of what would become the great divine kingdom of Tawr. These four jinnbloods journeyed from one town to the next, the numbers at their backs growing by the hundreds as scores of humans knelt before these powerful beings.
Soon the four had thousands at their back, calling them scions of the gods and that to rule over man was their destiny. The stories then tell of the youngest of the four killing the three elders - though how is a matter of much argument - and proclaiming himself Horemheb the First, Maatrho of Tawr and bringer of the gods’ will on the earth.
Centuries later this kingdom ruled by Ayiralites endures. Thousands pay homage to the Maatrho’s and the other gods, asking them for their blessing in life and deed alike. The Maatrho’s armies are seemingly boundless, his soldiers go into battle knowing that every enemy they fell is an obstacle they have removed in seeing the gods’ will done that the enlightenment known unto Tawr will spread across the lands. If they fall, it will be an honorable death as they served Maatrho bravely and their life ended with purpose.
This fanatic devotion is instilled at a young age as boys and girls are taught that their king is a god and that their life is to be lived in glorification and service to him. Any who defy the law or disrupt the daily lives of the people of Tawr are disrupting the balance and unity set by the Maatrho and therefore is a blasphemer. Those who shirk their societal duties and show slothfulness are also blasphemers, their souls to be judged harshly in the after life. This customary evocation of divine mandate in all things of life has proven a fine method of maintaining total control.
Over the centuries Tawr has waxed and waned somewhat in regards to power and advancement alike. Despite their many successful conquests in the early years Tawrish expansion has stagnated in the past few centuries. Multiple wars with the younger Esaad have all ended with little gain and much humiliation for the instigating Maatrho’s. To the south and southeast Dahard and Baneghora both have proven frustrating opponents as well. To the east lie vast deserts with little to be seized and to the north are the vassal tribes of Tawr, those who have sworn fealty to the Maatrho and trade with his people.
That said Tawr is far from a failing kingdom. It’s people are obedient and unwavering in their duties - even if one can say ignorant and misguided - and while not the innovative or cultural marvel of it’s neighbors Tawr does have marvelous pension for it’s mastery of the arcane. This of course ties back to the kingdoms’ ruling class of Ayiralites and their many mage retainers. With an unrivaled grandeur of magical prowess and refined elite one can say in it’s own way Tawr is gem on the desert sands.