SUMMARY

[Fox]

  The Kingdom of the Qalasian Fennecs is an independent city-state in the southwest deserts of Egypt; their nearest neighbor is Nubia and Kush to the south-east, Egypt to the north and north-east, and the Saharan deserts of ancient Libya to the west. The climate is arid, temperatures range from 1°C in January to 46°C in June. There are three distinct seasons, Akhet from June to September (summer), Peret from October to February (spring), and Shemu from March to May (autumn).

  Their capital is the city of Kun Qalasi, the "city of the sun". The vast majority of the population is composed of fennecs, with little variation from the standard shades of beige, but exotic fur types do exist. Due to increased trade and access, other species can be seen more frequently. Racial discrimination is less common than gender inequality. Theirs is a patriarchal society where males are favored, with a few rare exceptions where females have important roles and independence as well.

  The foremost export of Kun Qalasi are slaves, a trade supported by their cultural tendency to breed into overpopulation and by intense demand from other societies. That is followed by articles of gold, given its abundance in their lands, and spices and rare items that make their way to their trading hubs from exotic locations. Vegetable crops include figs, grapes, and dates. Bugs are farmed for food, foremost among those being the scarab/beetle and grasshoppers such as the desert locust.

  Qalasian fennecs are capable of wielding magic, but rarely possess the mana necessary for it, so they must use external sources. Due to their relative proximity to the Ancestral Ramanuan Bunkers, they have acquired a great deal of knowledge in rare magic, most notably their ability to conjure portals capable of reaching destinations beyond most known methods of travel.

  They are ruled by a king, supposedly a direct son of their sun-god, a local variation of the Egyptian sun-god Ra. The king is easily recognizable because his eyes glow a golden color. Succession doesn't happen through family lineages, the next fennec with glowing golden eyes might be born to anyone! In the event of the current king's death without a successor, the vizier assumes stewardship of the kingdom until the rightful successor becomes available.

  The fennecs for the most part worship direct or regional variations of ancient Egyptian gods, most prominent being the sun-god Ra, the Great Ennead (Ra in all of his variations, Shu, Tefnut, Geb, Nut, Osiris, Isis, Seth, and Nephthys), Horus, Hathor, Anubis, Sekhmet, and various minor deities. Their worship however is centered around their king, and while there may be personal chapels or shrines to the other gods and certain festivities are observed, no great temples or religious functions are officially sanctioned. They are tolerant of other religious practices so long as they do not interfere with the temporal trappings of their lives.

 

[Ashtyn]

  The Kingdom of Kun Qalasi is located in the deserts of northeast Africa, in a southwest corner of modern-day Egypt. The climate is arid, with barely any precipitation. It rains at most twice a year. The landscape is mostly sand dunes, with rock formations and rocks of all sizes and shapes. Rock types readily available are limestone, sandstone, granite, and basalt.

  Minerals available in the area include gold, turquoise, lapis lazuli, copper, quartz, amethyst, malachite, carnelian, and iron. There are underground salt mines which are zealously guarded due to the extreme value of this resource in desert life (and the ancient world in general) as a food preservative and essential nutritional element.

  Vegetation is sparse, with few desert grasses and palm trees, except for areas where moisture seems to be abundant enough for plants to grow. While widescale agriculture is impossible, small cultivation can be done and this includes figs, grapes, mangoes imported from India, and dates. Insects, most notoriously scarab/beetles and grasshoppers such as the desert locust are raised for food. There are no large trees, all wood is therefore imported.

  The city of Kun Qalasi is built atop of a rock formation known as a butte. The Qalasian butte is made of brown granite, rising as much as 16 meters above the desert ground. A single ramp, carved in a semi-spiral and roughly paved, provides access to the city at the top of the butte.

  There are natural springs that flow atop of the butte, making it a great spot for a civilization to settle, providing them with lifegiving water and defensive features.

[Ashtyn]

  The city of Kun Qalasi and its society and culture were at the time of King Senusnet at least 600 years old.

  Their origins go back to nomad tribes that inhabited the deserts. Those tribes were brought together by the first Golden Eyed Fennec, Son of the Sun God, King Zerda. This first king united the tribes and established a settlement atop of the butte where the current capital city can be found. King Zerda ruled for 80 years, and during his time basic defensive infrastructure was built, permanent housing for the now united peoples was built, infrastructure to support this now sedentary population was established, trade routes, and the elimination of rival tribes that did not unite under his rule.

  King Zerda was the first to put forth the claim of being a direct son of the Sun God, and his powers and abilities certainly must have worked to prove such claim. By the end of his reign another golden-eyed fennec was born, and he was made crown prince and heir to the throne. At the passing of King Zerda, this new fennec was crowned King Yamu I, and he introduced the practice of the Conversion, a ritual upon which the remains of a dead person were turned into pure tass after their spirit had departed to an afterlife much alike the Egyptian one, the key distinction being that the Qalasians did not concern themselves with preserving the bodies of the dead, they turned them into tass, which could be either kept, or used to power their magic.

  Golden-eyed fennecs were born not necessarily directly to the ruling king - and let it be noted that the term golden-eyed applies to fennecs with eyes that glow with golden light, not that are merely of a golden/honey/yellow color - so Yamu I saw a need to ensure a fitting successor would be available by the time of his passing, so he introduced the custom of breeding as much as possible among his people! This led to overpopulation, which was dealt with by selling some newborns, to travelers and merchants who visited the city.

  Yamu I was succeeded by Yamu II, who enhanced the city's defensive structures, and took a commercialized approach to their need to part with their surplus population, founding the predecessor institution to the Guild of Slavers. Given the traditions of the peoples who were purchasing these surplus fennecs, it was known they were more likely than not to be made into servants. The original role of the Guild was to provide initial care and raising for the young fennecs, while training them for common required tasks a servant might encounter. The line between 'slave' and 'servant' could be very tenuous in the ancient world. The surprisingly high demand for fennec servants caused the Guild to expand beyond merely waiting for people to have a child they couldn't afford to raise, they started breeding programs of their own to satisfy the high demand.

  The fourth Golden-Eyed fennec was born to a breeding female working for the Guild, which was seen as validation of their initiative and methods. This fourth fennec would become King Amsu. He expanded the trading routes and built the first palace atop of the city, known as a parwar (after the Egyptian word for 'big house' which would eventually morph into 'pharaoh'). The contact with new cultures introduced the Qalasians to the Greek and Roman concepts of slavery, which they found to be highly inefficient, unsophisticated, and wasteful! Their servants (slaves) were prized, valuable possessions; the Mediterranean cultures seemed to regards slaves almost as disposable tools. By this time the Guild had worked out breeding schedules and sophisticated training, and in order to protect the value of their product they branched out, forming the official Slavers' Guild, which regulated slave trade and practices and tried to bring order to what they saw as a terribly chaotic practice in these distant lands.

[ and I'd like to make a pause here to make sure it's absolutely clear that real slavery is a horrible thing and we don't condone it in any way whatsoever, so keep in mind this here is fiction, it's not real, it's just a plot device for a roleplay game! ]

  King Amsu had not one but two Golden-Eyed fennec princes during his reign, Prince Sabra and Prince Asemu. The latter would become king; the princes coming to an agreement that the eldest one should rule first. King Asemu's reign was notoriously uneventful, merely maintaining the achievements of his predecessors. The most noteworthy achievement of  king Asemu was that he reportedly had bedded every female in the kingdom at least once. When he died, Prince Sabra became king, but he only ruled for 90 days before passing on himself. On that same night, a Golden-Eyed Fennec was born. Legend has it that because King Sabra barely got to rule, he reincarnated right away so he would have a shot at it. The baby was named Sabra II, and the vizier Hasani served as regent until the prince came of age and was fit to rule.

  King Sabra II was the first to explore the Ancestral Ramanuan Bunkers, from where many Ramanuan artifacts and remains were recovered. However, much of the Ramau knowledge would remain a mystery, only much later on the fennecs would be able to translate the ancient languages of the Ramaus. One thing they were able to figure out was the portal gateway, which gave them access to destinations which would have required days, weeks, even months of travel! That allowed them to expand their trade routes! But it wouldn't last. The portals required large amounts of mana to work, and the fennecs possessing none of their own, at first resorted to using their Converted Dead tass crystals to power the portal. When they ran out of those or were unwilling to part with what was left, King Sabra II started raiding desert bandit camps and declared war on a nearby kingdom in order to pillage their resources, and their people were deliberately sacrificed to produce tass to power the portals which had become so vital for their trade.

  King Saaset succeeded King Sabra II. He was unsuccessful to address the tass shortage (Sabra II's methods were unsustainable), and usage of the portals had to cease, now relegated only to very important occasions. He had to deal with rival tribes and proto-kingdoms that had been angered by Sabra II's wars, so during his reign the great fortified wall of Kun Qalasi was built, together with a fortification enclosing the caravanserai at the foot of the butte. Raids to caravans were a regular occurrence during his reign and he fought vengeful tribes all the way to the end. King Saaset greatly enhanced the Qalasians' combat capabilities importing craftsmen who were capable of working with iron, giving them superior weapons and armor. He invested their scarce magical resources into developing the Cult of the Geomancers, a select group of fennecs capable of manipulating the element of Earth. During his reign two Golden-Eyed Fennecs were born, Prince Shu and Prince Zaim.

  Prince Shu would die in battle, making the matter of succession a non-issue. Prince Zaim succeeded King Saaset while the latter was planning a campaign into Nubia on the 20th year of his reign.

  King Zaim made peace agreements and would marry Nubian princesses and establish stronger trade routes and agreements with them. But he did not stop fighting the now displaced and marauding tribes spurred into action by King Sabra II. During his reign the Qalasians would further develop their warring capabilities, aided by their new alliance with Nubia and the legendary Medjay warriors. However, King Zaim feared falling in battle without a Golden-Eyed Fennec heir, so he ordered that all females in the kingdom must be made pregnant to increase the odds of a new heir to be born. Within a year of his decree, Prince Amen was born. And as if having foreseen his fate, King Zaim fell in battle a few years later. The vizier Ashmu ruled as regent until King Amen was of age.

  King Amen's first act as ruler was to send the Medjay warriors imported from Nubia to destroy the remaining warring tribes and avenge King Zaim. This strained relationships with the Nubians, as the bodies of their dead were not returned to them, and instead were Converted into tass according to the Qalasian rituals, and many of the alliance agreements were dissolved, the relationship between the two kingdoms toned down to an uneasy friendship. During the later years of the reign of King Amen, Prince Senusnet was born.

  At same time Prince Senusnet was born in Kun Qalasi, another Golden-Eyed Fennec, Vepar, was born to a Qalasian family currently then in Nubia. Fearing for the safety of the baby, and the potential succession issues that could arise should the Nubians get a hold of one of their divine sons of the Sun, Vepar's parents enlisted the help of powerful magic to disguise the divine glow of his eyes. That allowed them to return to Kun Qalasi safely, where they approached King Amen about their divine child. Because of the uneasy relationship with Nubia, Vepar's divinity was kept secret. He was made aware of it once he reached an age where he could understand such things, and he made the conscious decision to keep his nature hidden, to avoid any possible conflicts or issues that might arise. Vepar and Prince Senusnet grew up together and were good friends, but only later would it be revealed to the prince that his childhood friend was also a divine son of the Sun. Only a handful of people actually know that, and Vepar had chosen to keep it that way.

  Thus King Senusnet ascended the throne upon the death of King Amen. He inherited a strong but slightly uneasy kingdom. His childhood friend Vepar having proven his worth was given the role of vizier, which he excelled at. Vepar's dedication to the kingdom's more gritty matters and great competence in dealing with them allowed King Senusnet to explore and invest in more lofty aspirations. He sent out an exploratory trade caravan to the Lismorean Empire of which he had heard about, and that opened up trade for tass in quantities the Qalasians had never imagined possible. They were able to bring back the use of the miraculous portals and re-open long-closed trade routes. Thanks to the cooperation of the Lismorean Ramaus, the Qalasian fennecs were able to finally learn the Ramanuan language, and even that of the Ramaus ancestral world of Amoria, which enabled them to work on artifacts that had long been deemed useless because their mechanisms could not be understood.

  King Senusnet was able to breed Ramaus and the incredibly rare variety of Rousseau Blush fennecs thus producing a line of Blush Ramaus, that were kept as pampered pets and used for their extreme magic aptitude to further the fennecs' goals.



.........and we find ourselves in the present time!


  A huge public works project realized during King Senusnet was the construction of an oasis at the caravanserai. Water to replenish the lake in the oasis was imported from the Nile through portals opened regularly to bring in fresh new water. That also provided the Qalasians with fresh fish caught locally for the first time in their history, adding that to their diets.

  After many, many years without signs of a new crown prince to succeed Senusnet, a golden-eyed fennec was born to a family from the Qalasian underground areas. The baby was named Zerda II by Senusnet, who generously rewarded the boy's family as custom, and took upon himself (and tutors and servants and guards) to raise prince Zerda II.

[Ashtyn]

  Qalasian society is predominantly composed of fennec foxes, most of the standard beige variety, although exotic fur colors are sometimes seen. Due to their far-reaching trade routes, other species are found in the city and the caravans that come to the area. While the Qalasian fennecs are notorious for not having strong racial discrimination biases, they tend not to interbreed with other species, however as with most any large sample of population, there are exceptions to those norms.

  Social trends can change with time and circumstances, but general collective behavior and ideas can be used to form an image of a peoples' society.

  Fennecs are notoriously noisy creatures, and Qalasian fennecs are no exception. They don't hesitate to raise their voice or outright shout, either from joy or anger or sadness, or mere boredom. When peace and quiet is required, they can oblige, but it's not uncommon for the streets, specially the market, to be a disorienting cacophony of shouting! Specially if something exciting is going on!

  Qalasians are notorious for their regard for females: Women are almost invariably all but in name the property or responsibility of a male. Theirs is a patriarchal society, where with few rare exceptions, males occupy all important positions. Truly independent females only exist when they possess some outstanding characteristic that earns them the respect or favor of the male population, and even they ultimately are subject to the rule of their king, who is invariably male. The Qalasians do not possess a proper 'queen', although the High Priestess of the Sun tends to wield significant influence due to her proximity to the king, and some daughters of the king might come to be seen as powerful or influential, for the same reason.

  Despite that, Qalasian males consider their females 'precious', an integral, fundamental part of life and society that must be prized and protected, and because of that often only when a matter must be settled will the females subservience to males come up: A male's word and choice will outweigh that of a female. ...with some rare exceptions.


  The hierarchy of Qalasian society goes as follows:

• The King is an absolute monarch. He's believed to be divine, a direct son of the Sun God, he always possesses magic that assures such godly connection. His word is the law. He is worshiped and venerated as the utmost protector and guide of his people.
   
• The Vizier serves the king directly, usually charged with the more hands-on parts of administration: The king issues orders, the vizier makes them happen. The vizier is given a great degree of autonomy to ensure the continuation, prosperity, and well-being of society.
   
• The High Priest(ess) of the Sun occupies a similar role as the vizier, but in regards to the spiritual and religious aspects of life. While they can command a great deal of power, their autonomy is not supposed to contradict or overlap with that of the vizier and only supersedes that of the vizier in matters directly related to religion/cults, unless otherwise decreed by the king.
   
• The Captain of the Qalasian Guard is in charge of the defensive and offensive forces of the kingdom, whether be it the guards protecting the king or the vizier, the ones that patrol the city, or the warriors sent out in battle. It's a role that can be further delegated to men specifically appointed to command troops in combat, and they all report directly to the vizier or the king. They are usually given autonomy to pass judgment on the spot whether to enact any punishment upon a perpetrator or to defer to later judgment by their superiors.
   
• Guards/Warriors are the Qalasian defensive and offensive forces. For the most part they are referred to simply as The Guard, and are in charge of maintaining the order in the kingdom. Guards are given a certain degree of autonomy for on-the-spot judgment on matters of physical conflict, but are encouraged to use lethal force only when deemed truly necessary. There are subcategories of guards (hierarchical order):
  
  • Royal Guards - in charge of the protection of the king and important dignitaries. They rank the highest among the guards and are usually elite warriors with the highest level of training and abilities.
  • City Guards - in charge of maintaining the peace and order within city walls. May include Geomancers.
  • Desert Guards - in charge of protection outside the city walls, usually found at the caravanserai and paroling not too far from the city. Most are Geomancers.
  • Personal Guards - people assigned with the role of protecting someone or something, whether they are or not part of the official Qalasian Guard. They are outranked by all other guards.
     
    
• Craftsmen and Scholars develop and manufacture goods and conduct research on matters that might interest the Qalasians. They are regarded particularly high in society because their talents enable the Qalasians to thrive in the rather hostile environment they live on.
   
• Breeders are freemen or women of particular good stock, recognized by their contribution of consistently producing individuals of good health and desirable qualities. They may work autonomously or under contract with the Slavers' Guild, however breeders to be recognized as such must operate within the guidelines set forth by the Slavers' Guild.
   
• Farmers have to bend themselves backwards to grow crops in the desert, but they manage to do it through patience and dedication.
   
• Slavers are trained specifically for the job of breeding, raising, training, and trading slaves, according to the guidelines set forth by the Slavers' Guild. They occupy a hierarchical role on par with farmers.
   
• Merchants occupy a similar role to that of farmers.
   
• Slaves and servants (the difference is only semantics) tend to be valued as assets therefore they are cared for, but fall under pretty much everybody's boot.
   
• Foreigners without a specific duty or role - ie. tourists - are appreciated when they are spending their money but not when they are being stereotypical tourists and causing trouble. Specific alliances grant certain visitors a degree of protection under Qalasian law.
   
• Dissociated females are women that for some reason or another have fallen out of favor with society and will have practically no chance of improving their lives. This usually happens to barren, unskilled and uneducated females that can't ascend to any other role.
   
• Criminals have absolutely no rights and are under the mercy of the Qalasian Guard.
   
• Enemies get no lenience from the Qalasians, who are encouraged to attack and dispatch them on sight! Someone branded as an enemy of Kun Qalasi is unwelcome and to be neutralized or eliminated ASAP!
   

  Priests of the Sun are usually females, trained by the High Priestess, but until one is chosen to succeed the High Priestess, they are hierarchically classified under whatever role they have in society (Craftsmen, Breeders, Farmers, etc), however, their close association with the High Priestess can grant them a perceived higher status.

  It is not uncommon for multi-generation families to live in the same home, where usually the eldest male or patriarch or merely legal owner of the house is the utmost authority figure. Qalasian fennecs tend to enjoy sleeping in piles, usually with a male and his main wife in one bed, and secondary wives and offspring and other relatives in another, although there may be only one 'main bed' shared by everybody in the household. Even servants are known to sleep on the same bed as their masters, however often their spot is at the foot of the bed.

  Qalasian fennecs are very likely to practice incest. Despite the apparent easiness with which some mothers give up their newborn children, they have close family ties and enjoy companionship of their next of kin, in some cases a little too much. 'Genes' are an anachronistic concept, which is hereby referred to simply as 'traits'. Most bloodlines have favorable traits that prevent the usual degradation and deformities associated with inbreeding. When a Guild breeder produces offspring with defects, that breeder is then either selectively paired with other breeders to refresh the traits, or simply taken out of breeding duty.

  On their sexuality, Qalasians are not at all inhibited, possessing no concept of shame associated with one's body or the pleasure that can be derived from it. Sex is almost so casually enjoyed and readily accessible, that professions such as prostitution require them to be able to offer something very special, that justifies spending money on what so many others will be offering freely. Homosexual encounters are not at all uncommon; pleasure is pleasure! But homosexual couples can be frowned upon for their inability to produce offspring on their own. Breeders tend to be excluded from that because they are already producing offspring on the side, regardless of their partnership status. Qalasians make a distinction between sex for the sake of pleasure (casual sex), and romantic sex associated with mateship (serious/important sex).

  Children are cared for by their mothers or servants; wet nurses are readily available. They are educated either by their parents or servants or personal tutor, and once at a certain age of development can enlist in apprenticeships with local craftsmen. Offspring are for all intents and purposes under the rule of the head of the household until they can branch off independently.

  Polygamy is common, however most partnerships are between one female and one male, who might have other females associated with him in one way or another but aren't his official wives. In extremely rare cases of females who become powerful, they may have multiple husbands who are subservient to them instead of the traditional other way around. Mated females tend not to be solicited by people outside their relationship, and need their mate's consent before engaging in sexual activities with others.

  Since the early days, regular celebrations were part of life in the desert. These became more standardized with the union of the tribes. The most important events observed by the Qalasians are the Weekly Feast, a big party that takes place once every 7 days, to celebrate life and all of its joys, with abundant food and drink and music and sex. The Feast of Sekhmet, celebrated on the Summer Solstice, when red beer is brewed and everybody is encouraged to drink and party into oblivion to celebrate the appeasing of the Blood Drinker's thirst and therefore the appeasing of the great goddess and sparing of life on Earth. During this day, extra precautions are taken to prevent enemies taking advantage of the Qalasians hangover; this also marks the Qalasians' New Year. The Heb-Sed, also called Sed Festival is celebrated first at the 30th anniversary of the king's rule, and then every 3 years thereafter. It is mostly a religious festival to revitalize the king's spirit, but abundant food and drink and music abounds in the city. Other minor celebrations take place throughout the year; in the caravanserai it is customary to slaughter a camel and have a big feast when lost travelers/caravans are rescued in the deserts. And every morning, the High Priestess greets the sun as it rises in the East, and the priests recite the List of Souls, the names of the departed, so they may be given energy to continue their journey through the Duat into the Aaru.

  Food in Kun Qalasi can vary greatly in quality and quantity and variety. Everything that is edible is eaten. Rich households might have a diet of bugs and meats and fruits and milk and cheese and bread, but most common is the consumption of bugs such as beetles and grasshoppers and scorpions, lizards and small rodents. Poorer households tend to exist simply on bugs and roots. Most food can be bought at the market, but can also be foraged without going far from the city. Meats in large quantities are rare and usually for special occasions. Milk from breeders who are constantly laden is available but usually as a novelty or an invigorating tonic or ingredient for remedies or potions.

  The most popular drink besides water is beer, which is often brewed in the household in small batches, but can be found in the market and tavern, which has a proper brewery for the production of more advanced distilled beverages, most notoriously a very sweet and very high alcohol dates liqueur that is traditional to Kun Qalasi.

  They are not much into the 'pub culture', although a 'watering hole' does exist in their city; its main function is actually as the local brewery, but foreigners wanting a casual, uncommitted drink tend to visit the place more than the locals do. The same is said about inns. Most travelers either stay in someone's home or camp under the stars. The caravanserai accommodates large groups such as the caravans, but there is one inn in the city, which was expanded upon to accommodate the influx of travelers that expected such services, specially after contact with Lismore was made.

  Being experienced merchants and traders, Qalasians are notorious for their barter and haggle prowess. They operate under caveat emptor principle, and seek to have the upper hand or at least some form of benefit from deals they make. Negotiations can get intense but will rarely come to violence, even if insults are thrown around lightly. They are shrewd and not ashamed of it!

  Qalasian fennecs bathe often, which may seem unusual for desert dwellers, but their city has natural springs that supply them with fresh clean water in relative abundance. Besides personal in-home washing, a pool is available in the city for anyone to use, and many do use it, sometimes every day, either for cleaning or as refreshment from the heat of the desert. Another pool is located in the royal enclosure, for the use of the king and VIPs.

 

[Ashtyn]

  Qalasian law is based on the central cultural value of ma'at (harmony) which had been instituted at the beginning of time by the gods. In order to be at peace with oneself, one's community, and the gods, all one has to do is live a life of consideration, mindfulness, and balance in accordance with ma'at. Since the law was founded on so simple a divine principle, and since it seemed clear that adhering to that principle was beneficial to all, transgressors were often punished severely.

  Basic Law of Harmony: Do No Harm!

  That is the principle by which most cases could be judged. If the accused was found to have done harm, judgment would be passed on appropriately. However, with such a vague concept, a few guidelines were set:

• Capital crimes are severely punished. Sentences depend on the situation and case entirely, but would likely invariably end with the execution of the accused.
   
• False testimony is considered almost as severe as a capital crime and it is also severely punished. This is to discourage false accusations and fraud. Those found guilty of false testimony would very likely be faced with banishment or a death sentence.
   
• Assault and batter are considered violent crimes and are usually dealt with physical punishment to equal the degree of harm suffered by the victim, plus one: If a victim was cut twice with a knife, the attacker will receive lashes or strikes as punishment, and then will be cut three times. Perpetrators of violent crimes can also be branded on the wrist to mark them as having had such a brush with the law.
    However, due to the countless variants and severity of assault and batter, from a blind punch in a drunken brawl, to a stab by an intentionally malicious attacker, punishment for this crime can be completely brushed off, or turn into its most severe form, depending on the circumstances and the one judging it.
   
• Robbery can vary from a single fruit at the market to a whole chest full of gold, and punishment is dealt usually proportionally, at the discretion of the one passing judgment. Bodily harm is usually the most common form of punishment.
   
• Damage to property is usually dealt with fines. Compensation can be anything from money to items to services provided to the accuser should the accused be found guilty. Physical punishment can be dealt, if deemed appropriate.
   
• Insults and offenses can be deemed punishable, varying from incarceration for a few hours to execution. Kun Qalasi is not Lismore and if you call the king a moron you might end up headless! Insults and offenses can be done upon someone's honor or reputation, which could branch out into false testimony or assault or even damage to property.
  

The King wields ultimate power of judgment and is the highest court that can be appealed to. Below him is the Vizier, and below him the Captain of the Guard. Guards are given leeway to pass judgment on the spot regarding minor crimes, but more severe ones, if the accused poses no threat, should be deferred to the Captain of the Guard who might defer judgment to the higher courts if necessary.

  Private citizens are given the liberty of defending themselves and their property (self-defense), but are expected to show moderation. Capital punishment is not encouraged to be dealt lightly by anyone, and if an attacker is neutralized, the authorities should be summoned to deal with the matter from there on. These are of course guidelines, and while most well-meaning citizens will leave the duty of law enforcement to the authorities, some do take law upon their own hands. Citizens who repeatedly go out of their way to 'fight crime' are encouraged to join the Guard proper, and if their activities are found to result in abuse or excessive use of force they may be punished.


  So summarizing the laws of Kun Qalasi,

• Thou shalt not kill!
• Thou shalt not bear false witness!
• Thou shalt not be violent!
• Thou shalt not steal!
• Thou shalt not be destructive!
• Thou shall not be a moron!

  Standard punishment that can be often seen includes lashes with a whip, hits with a staff, public humiliation, disfigurement, torture, banishment, and death. A pillory exists next to the Qalasian Guardhouse, whereupon criminals were fastened to for a period of time, where common citizens could take out their grievances on the criminal so long as they caused no permanent bodily harm, disfigurement or death, but after a plea from Emperor Ascari of Lismore to King Senusnet, the pillory was secretly faded out of use, however it remains in place and only the higher authorities are aware that it's not to be used anymore. Its presence used as an effective crime deterrent.

  Enslavement is not often used as a long-term or permanent form of punishment. The Qalasians prefer to create their slaves from birth so that they can be properly trained, so turning an adult into a slave is seen as too difficult and counter-productive. Those sentenced to slavery might as well be sentenced to death because such slaves are sent to places such as mines and rock quarries where their life expectancy will be very short.

[Ashtyn]

  Qalasian religion is very closely associated with that of Ancient Egypt, probably coming from a common origin, but where Egypt was unified and ruled as a nation, Kun Qalasi was not part of if, and as such, its religious practices were able to diverge into a form of their own.

  Most gods of Egypt can be found in Qalasian religion. Their roles are also pretty much unchanged from those they perform in Egypt. However, the foremost deity for the Qalaisans is the god Ra, a creator god, king of the gods, creator of most things seen and unseen, often referred to simply as the Sun God. He is said to create the spirit that inhabits the body of the Golden-Eyed Fennecs and is acknowledged as their father, regardless of whom the biological father might be.

  Another extremely important deity for the Qalasians is Ma'at; more so, what Ma'at represents: Truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice. Their society is (in theory) governed by those principles.

  Qalasians are by default polytheists, and very tolerant of other religious practices so long as they don't disturb the peace and order.

  The foremost aspect where Qalasian religious practices differ from the Egyptians is in the way they treat their dead: Qalasians don't normally build tombs nor do they concern themselves with preservation of the bodies of the dead. Instead, they perform a ritual they call Conversion, where the bodies of the dead are turned into small crystals of pure tass. That crystal is then either given to the deceased's next-of-kin, relatives, or appointed recipient, or kept in the vaults of the Priests of the Sun.

  Those for whom such sentimental considerations aren't necessary, will still be Converted into tass, but that is likely going to end up used to power something or another as Qalasians normally don't possess mana of their own so they depend on tass for casting magic.

  It is not unusual for people to wear the Converted tass of their loved ones as jewelry, or to have them adorn statues representing the deceased.

  The Priests of the Sun, together with the King, are in charge of the official religious practices, which may include religious feasts, the Conversion, and various other ceremonies. One of the most important is the Greeting of the Sun, performed every morning during sunrise. In this ceremony the High Priestess and participating priests literally greet the sun as it rises in the East, and then read the List of Souls (sometimes referred to as Book of Souls as well).

  The List of Souls is a record of names of Qalasians and other relevant people who have died in a specific period of time (usually the present year), but may include long-departed names as well. This is done as the Qalasians version of how to provide sustenance to the spirits of the dead. The Egyptians build tombs with spells written all over the walls and fill them with treasures for the dead in the afterlife. Qalasians provide sustenance to the spirits of the dead by uttering their names. It is an offshoot from the Egyptian concept that speaking of the dead makes them live again. The spirits of the dead need to be given strength for their journey through the Duat (the underworld), until they reach the Scales of Justice, where their hearts will be weighted against the Feather of Ma'at; if they are found to be pure and light of heart, they are given passage into the Aaru (the Field of Reeds - paradise) where they will exist in eternal bliss. If they are found to be heavy of heart, their soul is devoured by Ammit (opinions diverge on what happens then, some say you exist in eternal torment, others say that's the end of existence for you, but it's bad either way!). Because it's often not known how long it may take a spirit to reach the Scales, their names are uttered for an entire year during the Greeting of the Sun.

  The priests may also perform blessings, purification, and exorcisms. Those who are true to their faith are usually well-equipped to dealing with negative entities such as demons, beings that the Qalasians have very little tolerance for, due to their chaotic nature which disrupts Ma'at.

  Although only the king is said to communicate directly with the Sun God, priests due to their role can be approached for a boost on one's prayers, although as always with gods one never knows whether they will be answered or not. Gods can be fickle beings!




Transcript from the Greeting the Sun daily morning ritual:

  The participating priests and acolytes first purify themselves through ritual bathing/cleansing on the Royal Pool and then gather at the top of the city just before sunrise.
  From there, one of the priests takes place facing East, and as the light of the sun grows brighter, chants the following hymn to the sun:

BEHOLD, the scribe of the holy offerings of all the gods, he says: Homage to you, who have come as Khepe-Ra, the creator of the gods! You are seated on your throne, you rise up in the sky, illumining your mother Nut, you are seated on your throne as the king of the gods!

Nut stretches out her hand and performs an act of homage to you! The domain of Manu receives you with satisfaction. The goddess Ma'at embraces you at the two seasons of the day. May Ra give glory, and power, and truth-speaking, and the appearance as a living soul so that he may gaze on Heru-Khuti, to the Ka of all of those who speak truth before Osiris!

Hail, all you gods of the house of the soul, who weigh Heaven and Earth in balance, and who give celestial food to the gods!
Hail Tatun, you creator of mortals and of the companies of the gods of the South and the North, of the West and the East, ascribe praise to Ra, the lord of Heavens, the king of life, strength, and health, maker of the gods!

Give thanks to him in his beneficent form which is enthroned in the Atett boat, beings celestial praise you, terrestrial beings praise you! Your enemy the serpent has been given over to the fire!

The serpent-fiend Sebau has fallen headlong, his forelegs are bound in chains, and his hind legs has Ra carried away from him. The sons of revolt shell never more rise up! The house of the Aged One keeps festival, and the voices of those who make merry are in the great place. The gods rejoice when they see Ra crowned on his throne, and when his beams flood the world with light!

  The priests are supposed to have good timing with their prayers as at this point the sun should break above the ground, and then they continue...

The majesty of this holy god sets out on his journey, and he goes onwards 'till he reaches the land of Manu; the Earth becomes light at his birth each day; he proceeds 'till he reaches the place where he was yesterday.

Be at peace with us. Let us gaze on your beauties. Let us journey above the Earth. Let us slit asunder the serpent-fiend Sebau. Let us destroy Aepep at the moment of his greatest power. Let us behold the coming of new life this day.

Let us behold Horus when he's at the rudder of the Sun-Barge, with Thoth and Ma'at on each side of him. Let us lay hold of the tow-rope of the Sektet boat, and the rope at the stern of the Matett boat. Let Ra grant us a view of the Sun Disk and a sight of Ah ((the moon)), unfailing each day. Let our Ba-soul come forth to walk about here and there and wherever it pleases. Let our names be called out, let them be found inscribed on the tablet which records the names of those who are to receive offerings. Let meals from the sepulchral offerings be given to those who are in the Duat, in the presence of Osiris as to those who are in the following of Horus. Let there be prepared for us a seat in the boat of the sun on the day whereon the god sails. Let us be received in the presence of Osiris in the land of truth-speaking - the Ka of those whose names we speak.

  A priest would then read from the Book of Souls, the list of those who died that year, as their belief says that speaking the names of the dead helps give them strength for their journey through the underworld until they reach the Scales where their heart is weighted against the Feather of Ma'at and they are either given entrance into the Field of Reeds (paradise) or devoured by Ammit.
  That concludes the ritual.

[Tenaar Feiri]

Qalasian seasons & months