Ancient Ashura

Ancient Ashura, at the time known as the Dominion of Ashura (Nabut: A'ashika Nebu-mt, Qanti: Ashura Pashidaka) was an ancient elven civilization that was situated on the far southeastern end of Syltör. It is divided into two separate states based on the era and ruling ethnic group. There is the First Dominion, which existed from 6,100 BCA all the way to the end of the year 3,000 BCA, where it was conquered by the Qanti peoples of the northern Ashuran Desert, and became the Second Dominion. Much later in the 800s ACA, the second Dominion collapsed and was subsequently partitioned by surrounding kingdoms.

Early History
Scholars usually divide Ashura's history into different periods, making a distinction primarily between the First and Second Dominion, secondly by dividing up the dynastic reigns. Nashabet is depicted on pottery, and is known to have been the first Pharaoh of Ashura. Records of the early history of the region, though, are extremely sparse due to the lack of an early written language. The only way to study the early history of Ashura is by looking at either the pottery shards or clay tablet remains that were discovered at dig-sites, as well as later Ashuran Glyphs and art.

According to the few pottery shards and art depictions that exist from pre-Ashuran times, the region was once a lush rainforest which is thought to have been a harsh, hostile, and dangerous environment for the desert-acclimatized Azeral migrants. They were now facing leopards, cheetahs and various other wild animals. It is believed that this was when they met the Djinn whom were in their prime of civilization, and who agreed to assist the Dune Elves in creating what is now known as the Four Obelisks of Ashura. These obelisks were erected throughout the land, and are speculated to have been terraforming devices which cause the region to change from a jungle to a desert. As a result of this abrupt climate change, many species went extinct in the region, but some survived and adapted into different animals that inhabit the large desert today. This was recorded to have happened around 7,000 BCA

These records have been heavily disputed by modern historians, who doubt that the obelisks were specifically created to turn a huge jungle into a desert over the course of a thousand or even hundred years. New evidence found by archeologists in the 880s ACA discovered that a floating Djinn crystal as well as ruins of an obelisk may be the key that they were searching for, bringing the obelisk theory back to life. To this day it is still widely disputed if it was either a Djinn or Ashuran Dune Elf creation.

Years later in 6,100 BCA, a local Queen named Nashabet would rise to power in the Nabut tribe, which at the time was one of the weakest tribes of the region. Through diplomacy and warfare, Nashabet managed to unify multiple nomadic groups, which at the time numbered in the thousands, and had them come together to create a common identity among the people that inhabited the region. It was said that Nashabet saw a sacred red hippopotamus, viewing the hardy people that arrived along the Nirine River. The hippopotamus guided them to the end of the river, and then faded from view upon the rising sun. As the sun blinded Nashabet's eyes, a woman appeared in front of Nashabet, her figure made of pure water. Before disappearing, she put down a crook made of a strange water. When Nashabet touched it, the staff became solid and turned to golden copper. From here, the Nabut Confederation was founded along the Nirine River, with Nashabet as the first Queen of this newly founded dynasty. She came to be known as the "First Pharaoh" of the "Zeroth Dynasty", due to her line not actually being the first proper dynasty of the Ashuran people, but the start of Ashuran culture.

Rise and Golden Age
In the year 5,500 BCA, Nashabet's descent, Tahabal, would be visited by a winged woman, through sounds of a lioness, and would be told, "You have done well with your people. You shall now set out the destiny that Nashabet has done those many years ago. You will travel the vast Ashuran Desert alone. There, you shall touch the gleaming glow of the obelisk with the palm of your hand. With the crook of Nirine, you will grasp, and embrace the stone. Only the purest heart, with a mother's love, shall obtain the flail to truly unify this land." as such, Tahabal would set out to the desert, reaching the Obelisk that stood in the center of the desert. He would proceed to do as what the Mother Goddess would say, and sure enough, felt his ancestor's love, and the beating heart of all the Nabut tribes. It was then, he would be blessed by A'ashia's power through the strength of Nashabet, and proclaimed himself Pharaoh of all Ashurans. From there, Tahabal's Dynasty began, which saw the renaming of the small settlement of Anopis to become the capital, Menat-Kahun, with a statue of Nashabet built in her honor. This city would become known as the center of this new empire.

The year 4,500BCA would see the pinnacle of Ashuran culture, architecture and glory. The borders of the Dominion would extend from the southeastern corner of the land, to the edges of the Ashuran desert. Many tribes would come under control of the Nabut-controlled dynasty, and though skirmishes between them and the growing Kingdom of Almador would come, the Dominion would be unable to be conquered. The desert acted as a natural shield that protected the Dune Elves from any incursions that would come their way. The period known as the Ashuran Golden Age, would see the rise of multiple pyramids, great cities, and the fullest extent of a strong army, and functioning navy. A'ashkotis, which contains the present Obelisk of Qamiya would be founded in the year 4,446 BCA, where it would become an important trading city later on down the line.

The Intermediate Period and Decline
Tahaqart III would be the final ruler of a unified Dominion, and was said to have been one of the greatest rulers of Ashuran history. He was said to have been benevolent, kind, and was so wealthy, that he donated to the common folk. Some stated his overgenerosity had bought downfall to the Kingdom, however, others argue that regardless of his kindness, he was doomed from the start. The pharaoh would have four sons Tahaqart IV, Kinbid, Gortod, Amakatti and Nulsi, and three daughters, Sarkala II, Kaaefa, and Saahaqa, each of them were extremely talented, and gifted, which only was made worse, when Tahaqart III had to pick an heir or heiress. Traditionally, Pharaohs ran on a merit succession, in which the one who had the most talent would become Pharaoh of Ashura. However in this case, all of them were talented, which rose massive concerns among the court, and the priests, which saw it as the beginning of the end of a unified Ashura.

When the Pharaoh was 198, he had to eventually pick an heir. Priests of A'ashia, Mutawakh and Sarakwah would warn him, and would see dark times come to their golden empire, and would say, "Once you die, great Pharaoh, darkness will shroud the sky. Your children will fight, and no matter who you choose, your Kingdom will fall. To choose a heir, is similar to choosing a poison Enkhrah offers you to cure an asp wound that will regardless, affect you either way.". Full of regret, and for love of his children, Tahaqart would reluctantly choose Tahaqart IV as his main heir, but had Sarkala II as his co-ruler to ensure fairness among the eldest siblings. Upon his death, the two would be anointed as Pharaohs of Upper and Lower Ashura.

As the priests foretold however, violence and corruption would begin to run within the courts of Ashura. Famine struck the countryside, with low crop yields, poverty rose, and many people were dissatisfied with the rule of Tahaqart IV, as well as his supposed tyranny. The assassination of Sarkala II and multiple members of the court, would spark a civil war between Tahaqart IV, Sarkala's loyalists, Kaeffa, Amakatti and Kinbid, which at first, multiple members of the family were allied against Tahaqart, but once he was bought down, the four would turn on eachother, and erupt into fighting for control over the country. The civil war would cost many lives of many Ashurans, as well as the country's economy, trade and power stance in the region.

Conquest by the Qanti
The fighting among the siblings would trigger the former nomadic Qanti to enter in the year 3,000 BCA, and pillage many Ashuran cities and military settlements. Unified under Ishqaji the Conqueror, he would enlist the support of Almadorian engineers and trainers as well as blacksmiths. The better technologies and introduction of the horse and chariot they had obtained from the Almadorians to the northwest, saw them challenge the now technologically inferior Nabut rulers that had no chance when it came to fighting their more advanced military tactics, desert cavalry, and hit and run tactics. One by one, each of the descendants of Nashabet and Tahabal would see their cities being destroyed, and many of their militaries being unable to fare against these desert armies. The last of the descendants, Saahaqa, would surrender to the Qanti rulers as soon as they came to the gates of Menat-Kahun.

One story stated, when Ishqaji entered the city, he would be greeted by a shining light that came before him. What was said was unknown, but what was said, is that he wept minutes later, causing him to declare himself, the new Pharaoh, and converted to the Ashuran Pantheon. He with Saahaqa as his new wife, began the foundation of the Second Dominion of Ashura. This was likely made up, or based off an account of the Ashuran Princess's marriage to Ishqaji to justify his new empire, or fascination with the culture of the Ashurites.

Pharaoh Ishqaji I was assassinated in the 70th year of his rule, by members of the still predominantly Nabut nobility. His successor was his son, Pharaoh Teremun I. Teremun was a very different sort of ruler from his father. While Ishqaji had immersed himself in Ashuran culture and openly embraced it, Teremun was left scarred and distrustful by his father's death. According to a dream he had, which is recorded in the Old Qanti text "Teachings of Ishqaji I", his father's ghost had commanded him to be wary of traitors close to him. Teremun had long suspected the Nabut nobility of treason, and this dream only reinforced his paranoia. Much of the old Nabut nobility was purged during his reign, and were replaced by trusted Qanti officials. During the reign of Teremun I, Qanti culture came to dominate the court and high society.

Religion
Main Article: Ashuran Pantheon