Axum



Axum is an empire situated in the northernmost area of Rathnir, on the continent of Nieden. Its lands include the desert of Adit-Kwa-Aros, the Dunes of the Raging Dragon, and the swampland of The Wade. It borders Aljazair to the south and is otherwise surrounded by ocean. Its cities include the Axumite city of Adwa and the conquered city of Lumeno. The nation is a tribal confederation, governed by a chosen ruler called the Ts'Adik'Ani.

Early History:
Axum is composed of four tribes- the Mursi, the Sheko, the Amilaki, and the Tembaro. These nomadic tribes were scattered across Rathnir until the legendary Amilaki Ts'Adik'Ani Saifu united them into Axum for the first time. These tribes travelled together until they reached the promised land of Adit-Kwa-Aros, meaning "Lands given by Aros." The name of Axum's capital city Adwa is a derivative of this ancient name.

The Tribes:
Though Axum has a strong and unified government, each of its four tribes are fiercely independent.

The Mursi:
Masters of battle and experts in animal-husbandry, the patron god of the Mursi is the horse-lord Feresi. The Mursi train from birth for combat, placing special emphasis on horse archery. Horses are integral to Mursi culture: each Mursi tribesman is expected to treat their horse like a member of the family, and many Mursi may incorporate their horse's name into their own composite name. Mursi have a strong sense of honor, and have no qualms about challenging others to trial by combat over any perceived slight. The Mursi, moreso than any other tribe, place a very strong emphasis on family.

The Sheko:
Skilled explorers and hunters, the Sheko have never fully abandoned their nomadic roots. Protected always by the rain goddess Moloba, Sheko are known to travel far and wide, searching not just for adventure, but for coin. Axum's greatest merchants have always been Sheko, and their colorful caravans are a mainstay in deserts across Rathnir and beyond. Many Sheko leave their homes in their late teens in search of fortune, fame, and glory, coming back periodically to peddle their goods in Adwa's Grand Bazaar.

The Tembaro:
People of the land and sea, the Tembaro worship the sea god Bahiri. The Tembaro are hearty and strong, spending their lives farming and fishing under the beating sun. Wealthier Tembaro are employed as craftsmen and brewers: forging metals, aging wines, and building the ships that carry Axum's goods across Rathnir. The Tembaro take their trades seriously, and a crowning achievement in a Tembaro's tribal life is the creation of their Masterpiece. This could be anything from a legendary sword to an imposing public building. The quality of their creation is judged by their fellow tribesmen, and a well-received Masterpiece can catapult a tribesman into Tembaro leadership.

The Amilaki:
The most settled of all the tribes, the Amilaki are the poets, musicians, and dreamers of Axum. The Amilaki are the chosen of Aros, and let his light guide their creative pursuits. They place great emphasis on education, and the wealthiest Amilaki children can be found studying at schools across Rathnir. Amilaki take great pride in their mastery of the arts: this can mean anything from writing to swordplay. Many Amilaki are employed as scribes and historians, chronicling the goings-on in Axum and beyond. Wealthy Amilaki are known to fund public works projects, competing with one another for status within the Empire.

The Great Extinguishing:
Axum's fast growth lead it become regional rivals with the ancient nation of Lumeno, on whose land the Axumites had settled. Axum's desire for territorial expansion and fear of the former Silver Coalition's return lead to repeated conflicts with Lumeno. These culminated with the Great Extinguishing on May 8th, 2021, in which the rulers of Axum and Lumeno fought to the death atop the great tower of Tartarus. This saw the death of Lumeno's King A_Winged_Pikmin at the hands of Ts'Adik'Ani Luke6556 and the incorporation of Lumeno into the Axumite empire. The City of Lumeno would come to be an important source of glass and sugarcane, trade goods Axum would come to value greatly in their dealings with Aljazair.

War with One State:
A stranger once came to Adwa under the guise of intellectual curiosity, claiming interest in Axum's architecture. The man, Harlech1468, went on to declare a surprise war on Axum. This culminated with an indecisive battle within Adwa itself, wherein One State used Bardonian mercenaries against Axum. Though Axum had initial difficulties, the battle ended with One State fleeing the city and Axum in possession of their armor and weapons.

The people of Axum are accustomed to hardship: the desert has no mercy for the weak. Ts'Adik'Ani Luke told his people that they must endure. The Tribes rallied together to prepare for the final battle for Adwa's future.

That battle never came. The purchase of Bardonian mercenaries bankrupted One State, and no troops appeared to defend their home during the second battle. The tribes destroyed their fortress and salted their fields.

Military Intervention in Hälge:
Hälge came to the attention of Axum after a few of their warriors came to visit Adwa. Axum watched them from a distance, not engaging in their internal politics but maintaining friendly terms. Things began to change upon the ascension of Hälgean King Thas.

Concerned that Thas was giving Hälge away to a regional rival, Axum backed a Hälgean coup lead by a player named Anon_. After pacifying the city military, Axum was approached by confused Hälgean council members. They explained that Anon_ had acted alone, with no intention of countering any of Axum's rivals, and that no other citizens with Hälge supported him. Enraged, Axum returned with the Hälgean council in tow, executing the traitor and restoring the true government of Hälge.

Government:
Axum is a tribal confederacy. The most powerful tribe appoints the Ts'Adik'Ani, who acts as leader of all Axum. The Arosian Mysteries are an important part of Axum's governance: the Ts'Adik'Ani is considered a messenger from Aros himself, and has the power to appoint members of his tribe as High Priests. Although overtly religious, High Priests exert considerable military and political power.

Vexillology:
Each of Axum's tribes has a flag. The ruling tribe puts their flags up in the palace, and tribesmen take great pride in their flags. Amilaki: The flag of the Amilaki is a flag of religious devotion. The rays of light coming down from the top represent the guidance of Aros, and the purple color symbolizes the unity of Axum's gods.

Mursi: The flag of the Mursi is a flag of war. The red color represents strength in battle, and the brown represents the rolling plains dominated by the Mursi horsemen. The orange tint is reminiscent of the column of fire Ts'Adik'Ani Saifu used to destroy 100 Mursi horsemen. All Mursi swear on Feresi's name that nothing short of divine intervention will ever stop them again.

Sheko: The flag of the Sheko is based upon a legendary Axumite story. The band in the middle of the flag represents the arrow that was meant to kill the legendary Ts'Adik'Ani Saifu, and the white represents Moloba's divine intervention.

Tembaro: The flag of the Tembaro represents their agricultural roots. The bottom of the flag symbolizes the soil, and the top is meant to represent sunrise over the open ocean.