Nahrayn

Nahrayn is one of the largest cities in the Emirate of Najer, a metropolis founded on ancient ruins.

Origins
Nahrayn has its origins rooted in a group of proto-Najer nomads who came to the wandering deserts shortly after the arrival of humans in the area. Part of a religious minority, The Lost Gods, they isolated themselves from other early human groups and settled along a strip of land that was surrounded on either side with two different rivers.

Although this location was isolated, it was ideal for the settlers, due to several sources of clean water as well as a means of boat travel. They began building a home here. They carried knowledge of stonecarving techniques, and so began making a city-complex. While some of it was aboveground, much of their work extended below the surface, in particular due to the harsh storms and scorching sun that made life in the region difficult. This allowed them to flourish in the cool underground, raising livestock safely underneath, while growing hardy crops aboveground.

Due to their strong desire to preserve their knowledge and identity, these proto-nomads also engaged in much literary work, recording details about their daily lives, their stories, their history, and their culture. These were written in an ancestor language of the Najer language. Many of these were lost to time, but many survived. These texts remain largely untranslated due to the difference between their language and modern Najer language.

It is estimated that their civilization lasted anywhere from 70 to 120 years, before an unknown calamity caused the nomads to leave. While the exact nature of the calamity is unspecified, it is theorized to be some sort of seismological event, as evidenced by the extreme destruction of the original structure. Whoever survived the calamity recorded what had happened and that they had left, but little else.

The city-complex was then lost to time. None knew of its existence and nature reclaimed it until it was buried beneath the sands. Eons later, Najera'jad, and later the Emirate of Najer would be founded in the wandering desert, the children of the people who had left the city, but Nahrayn would remain undiscovered for many years.

One fateful day, a lone Najer, Hirudo Talvos, would come to travel to the area where Nahrayn lay buried. Although not originally in his plotted course, an errant sandstorm caused him to become lost. Nearly out of food and water, he took shelter near a strange outcropping. This outcropping was not what it seemed, and was actually a statue built long ago. Upon realizing this, Hirudo was inspired, and began excavating the city further.

Over the course of several years, more and more of the city would be unearthed, until the entire original settlement was once again aboveground. Although heavily damaged from the ancient calamity, repairs began and people began living in the city once more. Hirudo would continue to promote the city he had discovered, continually learning new secrets and growing more skilled.

The city would become a hub for international trade and tourism, with a thriving river-transportation business. Soon, the population of non-Najer began to grow, and quickly outnumbered those of the Najer. The city also expanded far beyond its original boundaries, with many foreign architectural styles introduced and incorporated into the city.

While Nahrayn became extremely successful as a city, the focus on the ancient proto-Najer language, culture, and architecture were relegated to a few individuals, led bu Hirudo. Nahrayn's isolation from other Najer cities also led to the development of a unique and closed-off culture, that, while retaining trademark Najer values, would become dissonant with the rest of Najer as time went on.

The leader of Nahrayn, Hirudo, also continued to gain more power. He became the governor of the province Nahrayn was located in, Jakeh'adh, in part due to Nahrayn's success. This change, however, also meant that he had less time to relegate to leading the city and promoting Najer culture. This issue only became more pronounced after the founding of the Sapphire Commonwealth and Hirudo's ascension as the Emir of Najer. As a result, many people began leaving the city, including many higher ups, leaving a much smaller population for the metropolis.

Notable Landmarks

 * Nahrayn Central Square
 * A large open space in the center of the city with a statue of a Zond. It was here that the city was first discovered.
 * Faultline Tower
 * A premium housing area that towers over the core residential district. It was so named due to the uneven terrain on which it was built.
 * The Colossus of Nahrayn
 * A massive statue located in the marketplace, representing the Lost God of Fire.
 * The Granary
 * A bulk crop storage facility that can be found in the farm district.
 * Nahrayn City Hall
 * A massively complex palace and public meeting hall that spans most of the government district.

Religion
Officially, the same as national Najer, Nahrayn has no state religion currently. However, the city has a distinct focus on The Lost Gods, specifically the Lost God of Fire.

Symbols

 * The Colossus of Nahrayn
 * Probably the most overt, this statue is thought to depict the Lost God of Fire. The black pedestal it rests on represents dark, fertile soil, its legs planted underground to signify the god's connection and commitment to the people. In one arm, it holds a pan of life-giving water, bringing abundance and life. In the other, it holds a lantern of blue flame, guiding all those who are lost toward it.
 * Soul Lanterns
 * These blue lanterns hold a special place in the worship of the Lost God of Fire. Their exact significance is still being studied.
 * Peculiar Architecture
 * Something many have noticed is the raised platforms that comprise much of the city. It is thought that these have some symbolism, but like the soul lanterns, their exact meaning is still being studied.

Government
Nahrayn is overseen by the high Seyoh of Nahrayn, with an advisory high and low council.

Flag
The flag of Nahrayn takes cues from the flag of Najer, and is based on the natural world. The yellow represents the wandering desert, and the blue saltire represents the intersection of the two rivers. The sun refers to the iconic sun of the Najer flag, and its green color represents the life that flows from the city.