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 of the Lost Gods faith, specifically a sect that revered Ajvudah, 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 within Najer, 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 by 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.

Eventually, Hirudo took it upon himself to revitalize the city. He spearheaded an effort to reform the city's government structure, as well as a massive reconstruction of many of the city's houses (which were run-down, and many of them abandoned). This effort is currently ongoing, with the city current closed to any new residents for the time being.

Notable Landmarks

 * Nahrayn Central Square
 * The site where the city was discovered. It now serves as a central public space for the city.
 * Ember's Rest Temple
 * A temple to the lost god of heat, Ajvudah, to whom the town is dedicated.
 * The Colossus of Nahrayn
 * A massive statue depicting Ajvudah that sits in the center of the market.
 * Faultline Tower
 * A massive obelisk that serves as an exclusive housing area for the city.
 * Nahrayn Palace
 * A massive administrative and residential complex for the city and it's government. It also serves as a public hall that is often used for meetings, weddings, and other events.
 * The Communal Farms
 * Part of a group project between Jakeh'adh and Andamooka provinces, this is an expansive farm to the south of the city.

Religion
The official religion of Nahrayn is The Lost Gods, with a particular focus on the worship of Ajvudah. Despite this, other religions are permitted and several even have temples inside the city.

Symbols

 * The Colossus of Nahrayn
 * Probably the most overt, this statue is thought to depict the Lost God of Fire, Ajvudah. 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 lanterns represent motivation and ambition that drives people to succeed and overcome problems.
 * Peculiar architecture
 * While the exact purpose of the raised platforms that comprise most of Nahrayn is unknown, it is thought that they represent both symbolic protection and a distinction from the rest of the world, a holdover from the persecuted Ajvudah sect that built the foundations of the city. They saw themselves as needing a barrier to keep themselves pure.

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.