Keris

Keris is a small desert country, which is also a state of the Kinsian Republic. Keris was originally a part of Merziin, and the Merzinian empire consisted of all the lands in the entire southeastern desert. In the year 3087, the Kinsian Republic was growing in power and influence, having added multiple countries to it. The pressure of the republic caused disarray in Merziin, which led to disagreements among its leadership, and lots of failed negotiations with the republic. The country eruptued into civil war. In 3103, after years of civil unrest, skirmish and war, the country is divided in two, with the rebelling side of the war claiming land east of Danos, and forming their own country, Keris. Keris then went on to join the Kinsian Republic two years later. In 3133, Keris and Merziin are unable to solve border disputes, and war erupts once again in the desert. This war against Merziin continues to this day, with Keris being much smaller in its military force, but being backed up by allied forces of the republic. The northern mining town of Diniktum was overtaken during the war, but was retaken by allied Kinsian forces. Keris and Merziin are very alike, and speak the same language, but with a very different dialect and accent.

The population of Keris is made up of aboriginal humans from Merziin along with settled humans and elder races. The capital city is Givash. The country is heavily influenced by ancient Mesopotamia. Kings and queens in Merziin and Keris are considered demi-gods among the people, due to their natural ability, strength, wisdom, and connection to the divine. Many rulers and peak nobles of the country have been powerful clerics and paladins, and Keris has a very high numbler of clerics and paladins in general. The highest clerics and paladins of Keris are equal to kings and queens in power and honor, serving as mediators between the gods and the people. The religious hierarchy in Keris is slightly different from the rest of Kinsian countries, where there is a single head cleric, called "The Enu", and all other clerics specialize in specific tasks, for example divination, exorcism, penance, war, etc. In Keris, only male clerics serve gods, and female clerics serve goddesses.

Although Keris operates within the laws of the Kinsian Republic, they have a differing culture, which they inherited from their Merzinian ancestors. Kerisian culture does not believe in knighthood, for example. They believe that such an honor is for someone to earn, not gain, and that anyone of any stature can become worthy. Worthy fighters are thus simply granted a status as "Warriors". For most Kerisian boys, and some girls, training to become a fighter at a young age is a given. Besides farming, Kerisian commoners are mostly carters, brick makers, carpenters, fishermen, soldiers, tradesmen, bakers, stone carvers, potters, weavers and leather workers. Keris is a very religious country, holding clerical magic, the gods, and worship of the gods in very high regard. Keris is home to Eridu, the largest temple to the gods in the world. Above the main entrance to Eridu stands a gargantuan, inanimate golem of iron and bronze, called the Defender of Faith. The defender was constructed by powerful clerics with the aid of powerful wizards of the conclave 700 years ago, to protect Eridu in case of attack. The defender can only be activated by arranging four, large pearls into sockets on the construct; two on each heel of it's feet. The defender is then activated, and obeys the commands of the person who inserted the final pearl.

In addition, in the northern area of Keris is the Circle of Elements, an ancient outdoor temple of Nadinis. The Circle of Elements holds four, huge stone archways on each side of it's lagoon in the middle, the four representing fire, air, water, and earth. A floating landmass flies above the lagoon. In the middle of the lagoon is a small island with an altar of Nadinis. The Quasarthi Den is a small lush area of flora, which grows cactus apples, and is known for dangerous snakes.

The governmental structure of Keris is very similar to other countries of the republic. Keris has a king, who is currently Enkidu Quasarth, but he does not directly rule over the other cities. Each Kerisian city is a city-state, protective of its own sovereignty and independence, but still hold a unifying alliance with the other cities, forming a country. Nobility is prevalent in Keris. The upper classes of Keris include rulers and their families, clerics, ranking military officers, scribes and wealthier merchants and traders. The rule of law is also sacred in Keris, and punitive justice is a very common practice in Keris. Even the most petty crimes typically are met with harsh punishments.

Many royal families in the Merzinian Empire defected to the rebelling Keris during the civil war. One of these royal families was the Ilbarat family, who were the dukes of present day southern Keris, and still are, even though their loyalties lie with King Enkidu Quasarth. The Ilbarat family was the one who drove the Frost Folk out of Assur during the time of the Merzinian Empire, since they opposed the strict religious mandates set upon them. The Assurin people would have been stripped of their right of speech against the gods and forced to follow religious laws.

The frost folk and Silmarion, the ancient silver dragon, wished to take revenge on the Ilbarat family residing in Nineveh. Silmarion transported the frost folk on his back down the east coast, and through into Keris at the southern Telfaruhm Mountains. After killing the Ilbarat family, the remaining people of Nineveh either died, or fled to Givash.

Eventually, the frost folk aligned with Merziin, and with their help Merziin took control of Assur and Nineveh, which they currently hold. The entirety of southeastern Keris is contested territory at this point. Silmarion the ancient silver dragon has returned up north.

 Towns: 

Seleucia: A city on the coast of the Kerisian sea. Seleucia underwent a revolution only about 30 years ago, when the slaves of the town rebelled against their masters and slaughtered them in a coup. Allying themselves with other rebelling cities in the Kerisian province, this event sparked the civil war against the Merzinian motherland.

Seleucia is ruled by the "Ama-gi En", meaning "Protector of Freedom", which is a democratically elected position who's purpose is to oversee the rights and freedom of Seleucia's people. The Ama-gi En rules for life. Currently a man called Raifh Bahurasir.

Other prominent people:


 * The Enu, Shenkal of Tempos

Seleucia is a very diverse city, having opened up its economy completely after its revolution, forming a mercantile city. Religion is as prominent in Seleucia as anywhere else in Keris, and it holds a strong following for Voraci and Nerual specifically. Slavery is deeply despised in the city, due to its history.