Mithusu

Mithusu, officially the Most Fair Malikdom of Mithusu is a country located in the northern part of Haven. Nestled on the desert near the Haven Mesa, Mithusu has a long and storied history, having been a part of the Second Uldarashi Empire and the Imperial Federation of Uldarash. Initially a small city-state, Mithusu slowly but surely expanded into a medium-sized polity. It shares land borders with Neradim and Vanyr to the north, the Gulf of Aruna to the north-east, Aurora to the west and Ashai alongside Ohigho to the east.

Notable citizens include Alman Suleiman, Fartake, Arlin Fox, Lazarus Antoninus, Eleanor Flammy, and Scholar Alonch Wayfarer.

Pre-Founding
The nation views itself as the heir to the legendary leader Mithusu, who lived beyond the lands of Rathnir. It is said that Mithusu made a covenant with the god Lahhon: in return for glory and worship, the deity would give Mithusu strength and power, while also bringing prosperity to his allies and destruction to his enemies. Lahhon then gave Mithusu (and his successors) the title of Malik, the head of his tribe and High Priest of Lahhon's Cult.

With the strength of Lahhon and his neighboring allies, Mithusu led his tribe to conquer their local enemies. After these initial successes, Mithusu took his tribe across the sea to conquer more distant lands, which he did successfully. However, Mithusu's empire grew so large that he became preoccupied with matters of state and spent less and less time glorifying and praising the deity. Although Lahhon still gave them his strength, Mithusu's army began to assume that their victories were a result of their own strength and power, and not from the help of Lahhon. This and the lack of worship angered the god so much that he gave his strength to Mithusu's enemies, leading to their defeat. Mithusu and his army were forced to flee back across the sea. On their return, Lahhon helped Mithusu's old enemies defeat him, and all but Mithusu himself died. The disgraced leader was forced to flee on a boat out to sea.

Having pity for Mithusu and wanting to ensure that he would receive praise and worship, Lahhon told him he would create a new nation in his name, though Mithusu would not live to see it due to their broken covenant. Lahhon then led Mithusu's boat and fed him pufferfish to sustain him until they reached their destination. When they arrived at Rathnir on Haven, Mithusu used his last words to ask Lahhon not to judge the new nation for his sin and suggested separating the roles of Malik and High Priest to ensure both roles were adequately performed. Lahhon agreed and said he would call his new people to assemble where Mithusu died. The first to arrive and become Malik was Alman Suleiman, and the second to arrive and become High Priest was Novus Montu. They were joined by Riki Kiunn, DeeDuke, Beabb, and DominicanDream1, becoming the first Nobles of Mithusu.

Once all of the nobles had been called and arrived at the site of the new nation, it is said that Mithusu's spirit rose towards Lahhon and that the nobles heard him singing, "Remember your covenant, oh people of Mithusu! For it is by Lahhon's strength that you will surely prosper. By him, it is you who have been called and brought together. So build this great city and these lands will surely look upon you with awe."

Early Construction
Once settled, the nobles built a wall around one part of their new land to secure their holdings. Novus Montu constructed a ziggurat outside the wall with a temple to Lahhon on top, while Alman Suleiman built his royal palace inside the wall. Thus, the original wall became the dividing line between the royal district and the rest of the city. In addition, a defensive wall was built around the city's coast to the east and on the opposite side of the river to the west. The city still holds the tradition of giving refuge to all who heeded Lahhon's call, becoming a core part of its identity.

Mithusu's Growth
Mithusu's growth started after 159 AJC, when new citizens began flooding in, having been called by Lahhon. During the growth, many things were created, ranging from new farmlands to more houses and bars. Alman Suleiman also went on diplomatic missions to negotiate Mithusu's independence. While Alman ensured that the city wasn't taken over and/or destroyed by the Uldarashis, he conceded to becoming a constituent state of the Second Uldarashi Empire.

The Secret Thief Gang
After the initial population boom, several reports of personal belongings going missing in the city perturbed the government. After long investigations and the discovery of underground tunnels below the houses, it was found that a citizen, Hypzard, was a leader of a gang that was stealing from Mithusuan homes. They were shortly banished or executed after being uncovered by Sandonas; the site of the unmarked graves is still a mystery.

The Demise and End of the Alman Era
After the Hypzard Affair, reports of a mysterious plague started coming from Mithusu, Almania, and Evutra. The Mithusu Plague caused painful ulcers and high fever, and after one or two days, it would result in death. It is thought that the plague was punishment from Lahhon, as the citizens of Mithusu had stopped worshipping him, causing him to punish those who had failed him. The only known survivors of the plague are Fartake, Sandonas, Arlin Fox, Murkish, and Alonch. People speculate that some of the undead knights and pirates that roam Haven might be, in part, the risen bodies of unburied Mithusu Plague victims.

The Rebirth
Despite the population having experienced a significant death toll, Fartake, the new Malik, worked hard to sustain Mithusu. As people began to reappear, new ministers were appointed and some were fired and blacklisted without a trial. Cities were transformed and the population started to grow. Mithusu experienced a revival and regained its place in the Uldarashi Empire and Haven. N.G. Gamerzx, a powerful citizen, played a part in the town's development by inviting citizens. But his influence was due to his bribery of government officials, which Fartake noticed, leading to his exclusion from the city.

The New Province
Following the appearance of many refugees on the coast near Evutria, the province of Ketohn was founded to house them, while the rest of the land became the Mithusu Province. Ketohn Province quickly grew its first settlement in a refugee village founded and run by the first refugee, Fantok. Under Fantok's leadership, the province saw rapid population growth but little in the way of development, leading to a chaotic atmosphere. In response, two fellow refugees, Celemir and Osric, decided to confront Fantok. This led to Osric attempting to persuade Fantok into relinquishing his power over the province; however, this failed, and Osric was forced to turn to the Malik himself. The Malik issued an order to Fantok, in which Osric was to govern the province while Fantok would be granted a diminished role. Osric led the development of the province while Fantok went into hiding.

The Treason of Fantok
Following Fantok's stripping of his powers, he began to scheme to sow seeds of doubt about the Malik and stir up secessionist sentiment in Ketohn Province. Fantok sent carrier pigeons (Discord DMs) expressing his distaste for sharing a nation, religion, or culture with Evutra, and made it clear he would attempt to gain independence at the earliest opportunity. Additionally, Fantok posed questions such as "how does one become a state" which further raised suspicions. The Malik, aware of Fantok's treasonous schemes, consulted his nobles for any evidence, and Osric reported the messages he had received. The Malik then, with the help of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Sandonas, banished Fantok from Uldrashi lands.

Nine Months
On 180 AJC, a celebration was held to commemorate the founding of Mithusu. The event began with a traditional religious offering of a cow in the name of Lahhon. The Malik, Fartake then delivered a speech, and attendees enjoyed a meal of pufferfish. This type of fish is symbolic of the trials endured by Mithusu, the founder, and is also known for its hallucinogenic properties. The festivities lasted until morning, and the city was filled with activity during the celebration.

End of the Fartake Era
On the anniversary of the founding of Mithusu, Malik Fartake, who was of advanced age and under considerable stress, stumbled and fell into a fire while sacrificing cows. His heart stopped from the shock, sparing him from the pain of being burned alive. Following his death, Arlin Fox succeeded him as the new Malik. Funerary rituals were performed by the nobility and he was buried next to Harold, a domestic chicken believed to possess the spirit of a Malik.

Imperial Federation of Uldarash
Arlin, a teenager, was instrumental in making his nation to join the Imperial Federation of Uldarash. His admiration for Uldarash (known as Uldarashiphilia) was likely a deciding factor in his decision, as his father had raised him to be familiar with the history of the Alman and Fartake periods, when the nation had been part of the Second Empire. This led to several plots, coup plans, arguments and distrust until, under pressure from the court and populace, the Malik decided to legally secede from Uldarash under threat of rebellion.

End of the Arlin Era
After the secession of Mithusu, the Malik, Arlin Fox, also called Arlin "the Rash", attended to the heavily delayed funeral of Scotch Knight, a prominent political figure who had passed away ten years prior. During the funeral, the Malik displayed a complete lack of respect, going so far as to drop several chemicals during the ceremony. This diplomatic incident led to his removal as Malik and the appointment of his succesor in his stead.

Orsic, the Short Ruled
Orsic was an experienced member of the Nobility who succeeded Arlin as Malik of Mithusu. He worked diligently to restore stability to the nation, and his efforts were successful in quelling diplomatic incidents and restoring general stability. However, Orsic suddenly died of a heart attack, which is rumored to have been caused by a vascular deterioration caused by the Mithusu Plague that had occurred decades prior. Following his death, the nation mourned the loss of a great leader.

Lazarus Era
Following the brief rule of Orsic, the priests of Lahhon bound the spirits of prominent former citizens of Mithusu, including the Maliks Alman Suleiman and Fartake, to establish an emergency government in conjunction with the newly appointed Malik, Lazarus Antoninus. Lazarus was an old nobleman and longtime member of the court, who had the backing of Alonch Wayfarer-Maitonoki, an esteemed citizen of the Malikdom living abroad, in Not-Venice, as well as other illustrious citizens.

Structure
Mithusu is a theocratic monarchy, governed by a monarch called the 'Malik', who oversees matters of both government and state, granting ministerial positions to other nobles as needed. Additionally, the city has a High Priest, who is the leader of the religion of Lahhon and the only person with whom Lahhon will appear and directly communicate. The city also has a Council of Nobles, who advise the Malik on all matters and are given authority over various administrative duties.

Current Leadership
The Malik is Lazarus Antonius

The High Priest Of Lahhonism, Evutra

The Malik's Most Sublime Court, Servants and Cabinet.
Minister of Economics: Flammy

Minister of Development: Alman Sulleiman

Minister of war: vacant

Religion
The primary religion of Mithusu is Lahhonism, which is the worship of Lahhon, the Holder of Light and Giver of Life. According to the Mithusian Texts, Lahhon was the first and favorite son of the Earth and was given the sun to possess. The story of his epic battle with his brother Rihutu, who was given the moon, is recorded in the Book of Lahhon, the first book of the Mithusian Texts. It details how the Earth was formed and the origins of the many gods and creatures that watch over and inhabit it.

For the city of Mithusu, Lahhon is the god who made a covenant with the city's founder, a military leader named Mithusu, that entailed giving praise and glory to Lahhon in exchange for Lahhon's support and strength. Upon the legendary founder's death, Lahhon extended this covenant to the people of the city of Mithusu. As such, the city sees its worship of Lahhon as being directly related to its success in all matters.

While Mithusu does not prohibit the worship of other gods, since these deities are siblings of Lahhon, the worship of Lahhon is primary within the city's boundaries and for any Mithusian citizen. The head of Lahhon's religion is the High Priest of Mithusu, who communicates with the deity in the Temple of Meeting atop the Ziggurat of Mithusu.

Architecture
The city's architectural style is inspired by Mesopotamian, Ancient Near Eastern, and medieval Middle Eastern cultures. The two primary buildings in the city are the Ziggurat of Mithusu and the Royal Palace of Mithusu. The Ziggurat is inspired by Babylonian ziggurats and consists of four levels: the archives/library (bottom level), the priestly quarters (second level), the High Priest's quarters (third level), and the Temple of Meeting (top level). The Royal Palace is inspired by various Middle Eastern palaces and includes the Great Hall, the Court of the Malik, the Council Room, and other specialized rooms.

Literature
The Mithusian Texts, the cult texts of the city of Mithusu, currently consist of four books. The first is the Book of Lahhon, which describes the creation of the world and the victory of Lahhon over his brother Rihutu. The second is the Epic of Polius, which tells the tale of a heroic figure who bands together with his fellow soldiers to defeat a great beast with the guidance of Lahhon. The third is the Book of Mithusu, which describes the rise and fall of the military leader Mithusu and the founding of the current city. The fourth is the Book of Novus Montu, which entails what Lahhon told the High Priest upon their first encounter in the Temple of Meeting, primarily about how government and cult practice should be conducted.