Blood of the Gods: A Fantasy CKII Quest
You were born from the seed of the Great God made...
You were born from the seed of the Great God made...
Blood of the Gods: A Fantasy CKII Quest
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- Original Fantasy
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User Total Cavalier 26
Prologue I
- Location
- Southern Virginia
Blood of the Gods: A Fantasy CKII Quest
You were born from the seed of the Great God made flesh, the Pharaoh of Kemet. You are, alas, the sole issue of a failing Dynasty and have the misfortune of being born female. You will never be the incarnation of the Great God and as the last of your august dynasty the divine blood will leave Kemet entirely on your death. Or perhaps not; the Gods have meddled in the affairs of Kemet before and may yet do so again.
But you were still fortunate to have been born in the palace of the Great God, amid luxury and the finest care of the finest caste of physicians around and with the wards and auspicious sigils of the Royal Magician. You have survived to the ripe age of four years old (counting the year spent inside your mother's womb) and will thus likely survive into adulthood; you are now brought before the assembled court for the ceremony of your Naming Day.
[ ] Your Name. (write-in)
The alabaster walls of the Great Hall of Reception are covered with murals depicting the history of the cosmos, etched into the rock and lined with expensive and rare paints. Fronds sway from the rafters of the reception hall, symbolizing the shade of fortune. The sun overhead is soon to reach its zenith, as you are herded forward by your eunuch attendants. In the center of the hall is a fountain, and at the fountain the Head Priest stands by to provide the blessings and benediction. The Dowager Queen is beside him, keeping her kohl-lined eyes carefully upon you. They are surrounded by important court officials, while above in the rafters the most important officials and landowners watch at the distance. The Royal Magician is not to be seen, but she is present in the patterns of henna painted on your hands and feet.
The High Priest begins reciting of the glories of your Father. What were they?
[ ] Your father was a great hunter and warrior, who slew lions and hippos to safeguard the people. He brought back the arms of a thousand invading barbarians, and forced the peoples of the south to provide tribute of ivory and gold.
[ ] Your father lived but a short time on the throne, through no fault of his own. He was the only surviving grandson of the Great Ancestor, who reigned long and brought the favor of the gods upon Kemet with his many temples.
[ ] Your father was diligent in the preparations for the annual flood, and kept the granaries full against urgent need. When a locust swarm descended upon Kemet for five years the people did not starve because of the great wealth of grain available.
[ ] Your father discovered a conspiracy against him led by his father's favorite concubine, which would have cursed him with black magic. He convinced his own father to lend him the power to root out the evil the resided in the harem and the bureaucracy.
[ ] Your father founded a great repository of learning and papyri where foreign and native scholars alike could gather together and consult all the knowledge of the world. One benefit is that the annual floods can be predicted with greater precision, sparing many lives of the fellahin.
[ ] Your father established his authority over the bickering city-states of the Kanaan and treated with the King of distant Babel-Ur as a brother. His letters were heeded by monarchs near and far as a source of wisdom and profit.
But your father is gone. It is your Mother who will give you your name today. And who is she?
[ ] The Dowager Queen. Sister-Wife to your Father the Pharaoh, blood of his blood, the lineage of the Great God has reached a full fruition in your veins.
[ ] The favored concubine. While having no divine blood, your mother is the daughter of a great landowner and niece of the commander of the Royal Army.
[ ] The foreign princess. To seal a peace treaty the Great God consented to take a concubine of the daughter of the Mittari Kingdom and that union has borne fruit.
[ ] The youngest concubine. You are the fruit of the first and last union of your father with his final concubine, who is a daughter of the High Priest himself.
[ ] The Royal Magician. It was a desperate attempt to preserve a lineage from a dying man, facilitated by the strange magic of the pale sorceress from a far-distant land.
OOC: Well, I'll give this a shot. These two choices play something of a role but character generation will be extended out a bit with further "events" as self-contained incidents that will build up stats and establish a few traits. There will be a more extended Regency period and together with the childhood portion will form an extended prologue. Mechanics of governance will be based on the ubiquitous CKII format as will the actual stats.
Voters are encouraged to consolidate around Plans as that will lead to more cohesive choices. The plan (or set of choices) with the most votes win, even if that is a plurality.
You were born from the seed of the Great God made flesh, the Pharaoh of Kemet. You are, alas, the sole issue of a failing Dynasty and have the misfortune of being born female. You will never be the incarnation of the Great God and as the last of your august dynasty the divine blood will leave Kemet entirely on your death. Or perhaps not; the Gods have meddled in the affairs of Kemet before and may yet do so again.
But you were still fortunate to have been born in the palace of the Great God, amid luxury and the finest care of the finest caste of physicians around and with the wards and auspicious sigils of the Royal Magician. You have survived to the ripe age of four years old (counting the year spent inside your mother's womb) and will thus likely survive into adulthood; you are now brought before the assembled court for the ceremony of your Naming Day.
[ ] Your Name. (write-in)
The alabaster walls of the Great Hall of Reception are covered with murals depicting the history of the cosmos, etched into the rock and lined with expensive and rare paints. Fronds sway from the rafters of the reception hall, symbolizing the shade of fortune. The sun overhead is soon to reach its zenith, as you are herded forward by your eunuch attendants. In the center of the hall is a fountain, and at the fountain the Head Priest stands by to provide the blessings and benediction. The Dowager Queen is beside him, keeping her kohl-lined eyes carefully upon you. They are surrounded by important court officials, while above in the rafters the most important officials and landowners watch at the distance. The Royal Magician is not to be seen, but she is present in the patterns of henna painted on your hands and feet.
The High Priest begins reciting of the glories of your Father. What were they?
[ ] Your father was a great hunter and warrior, who slew lions and hippos to safeguard the people. He brought back the arms of a thousand invading barbarians, and forced the peoples of the south to provide tribute of ivory and gold.
[ ] Your father lived but a short time on the throne, through no fault of his own. He was the only surviving grandson of the Great Ancestor, who reigned long and brought the favor of the gods upon Kemet with his many temples.
[ ] Your father was diligent in the preparations for the annual flood, and kept the granaries full against urgent need. When a locust swarm descended upon Kemet for five years the people did not starve because of the great wealth of grain available.
[ ] Your father discovered a conspiracy against him led by his father's favorite concubine, which would have cursed him with black magic. He convinced his own father to lend him the power to root out the evil the resided in the harem and the bureaucracy.
[ ] Your father founded a great repository of learning and papyri where foreign and native scholars alike could gather together and consult all the knowledge of the world. One benefit is that the annual floods can be predicted with greater precision, sparing many lives of the fellahin.
[ ] Your father established his authority over the bickering city-states of the Kanaan and treated with the King of distant Babel-Ur as a brother. His letters were heeded by monarchs near and far as a source of wisdom and profit.
But your father is gone. It is your Mother who will give you your name today. And who is she?
[ ] The Dowager Queen. Sister-Wife to your Father the Pharaoh, blood of his blood, the lineage of the Great God has reached a full fruition in your veins.
[ ] The favored concubine. While having no divine blood, your mother is the daughter of a great landowner and niece of the commander of the Royal Army.
[ ] The foreign princess. To seal a peace treaty the Great God consented to take a concubine of the daughter of the Mittari Kingdom and that union has borne fruit.
[ ] The youngest concubine. You are the fruit of the first and last union of your father with his final concubine, who is a daughter of the High Priest himself.
[ ] The Royal Magician. It was a desperate attempt to preserve a lineage from a dying man, facilitated by the strange magic of the pale sorceress from a far-distant land.
OOC: Well, I'll give this a shot. These two choices play something of a role but character generation will be extended out a bit with further "events" as self-contained incidents that will build up stats and establish a few traits. There will be a more extended Regency period and together with the childhood portion will form an extended prologue. Mechanics of governance will be based on the ubiquitous CKII format as will the actual stats.
Voters are encouraged to consolidate around Plans as that will lead to more cohesive choices. The plan (or set of choices) with the most votes win, even if that is a plurality.
Last edited:
Character Sheet
- Location
- Southern Virginia
Meritamun, Princess of Kemet
True Name: Eurydice
Father: Ameneheb II
Mother: The Royal Magician, Who Is Also Called Satysis
Martial: 10 (17)
Diplomatic: 11 (20)
Stewardship: 11 (14)
Intrigue: 11 (18)
Piety: 11 (14)
Learning: 11 (14)
Traits:
Divine Blood (+3 Diplomacy)
Quick (+3 to all Stats)
Composed (+2 Diplomacy, +2 Intrigue)
Deceitful (+2 Intrigue, -1 Diplomacy)
Wrathful (+3 Martial, increased chance to botch certain events)
Proud (+2 Diplomacy)
Status:
Fit (+1 Martial, +1 Personal Combat)
Favor of Hathor (???)
Half-Foreign (-10 Base Authority)
Born of a Witch (-10 Base Authority)
Novice Charioteer (+1 Piety)
True Name: Eurydice
Father: Ameneheb II
Mother: The Royal Magician, Who Is Also Called Satysis
Martial: 10 (17)
Diplomatic: 11 (20)
Stewardship: 11 (14)
Intrigue: 11 (18)
Piety: 11 (14)
Learning: 11 (14)
Traits:
Divine Blood (+3 Diplomacy)
Quick (+3 to all Stats)
Composed (+2 Diplomacy, +2 Intrigue)
Deceitful (+2 Intrigue, -1 Diplomacy)
Wrathful (+3 Martial, increased chance to botch certain events)
Proud (+2 Diplomacy)
Status:
Fit (+1 Martial, +1 Personal Combat)
Favor of Hathor (???)
Half-Foreign (-10 Base Authority)
Born of a Witch (-10 Base Authority)
Novice Charioteer (+1 Piety)
Last edited:
Dramatis Personae
- Location
- Southern Virginia
Dramatis Personae
Meritamun, true name Eurydice
Daughter of Satysis and Queen of Kemet
Age: 14 years old
You; the quest perspective character.
Neferet, Queen Dowager
Sister-Wife of Ameneheb II, God's Wife, Regent for Queen Meritamun
Age: 34 years
The Queen Dowager is a noble and cultured woman, steeped in the protocol of the court. You think of her as a sad and kind woman who seems to be concerned with the welfare of the people, but held back from being an effective ruler by her ill-health. You aren't sure what your aunt thinks of you, though; she seems proud of you at times and indulgent at others, but she wants clearly wants you to learn to be a proper Queen in her image. Mother says that Neferet hates her for bearing an heir to Pharaoh Ameneheb, and as that heir her feelings for you are conflicted.
Satysis, the Royal Magician
Mother of Eurydice, Kirke the Priestess of Gaea
Age: I don't even…
Your mother loves you and cares for you deeply. As a foreigner and a witch her lot is to be viewed with deep suspicion by the people of Kemet. But she has great powers and has taught you how to control your words and actions unless provoked beyond all reason. She wants you to be a great queen and has some higher hopes for you, but you aren't quite sure what those are. In private she has a caustic tongue about many of the people in the court, though she has told you to always see for yourself rather than to rely on the judgements of others.
Khui, Commander of the Royal Army
Age: Early twenties?
Khui was a captain in the Horus Guard before being appointed to handle the expedition to Upper Kemet's borders. Like most members of the Guard he comes from a noble family, though his Delta-based clan has been obscure in recent generations. Ma'atneferure and your mother told you he was known as an ambitious and competent soldier. The results from his expedition seem to bear out the competent part. He often looks restless or impatient. He is also young and handsome, and remains unmarried for the moment. Gossip says he's in love with a eunuch, though Khui may just be too constantly busy rebuilding the army to take a wife yet.
Atumnemhat, High Priest of Atum
Age: Early forties?
Atumnemhat is the High Priest of Atum, responsible for the highest rites of the Great Creator God and managing the extensive temple complexes one behalf of the state. You haven't deal with him much. Meryawy seems reluctant to discuss him despite encouraging you to trust in the priesthood and be generous to the gods.
Wenamun, the Chief Royal Scribe
Age: Late twenties? Early thirties?
Wenamun is a palace functionary in charge of all the scribes used to conduct correspondence with foreign rulers and provincial leaders. You haven't dealt much with him.
Sennefer, the Inspector of Granaries
Age: Early twenties?
Sennefer came to your attention in the aftermath of the disastrous flood in Year 13 of the Interregnum. You commissioned him to investigate anomalies in the distribution of relief supplies and he uncovered extensive corruption among the state granaries dating back to your father's reign. He was raised to the position of Inspector after his predecessor was dismissed in disgrace. He seems to be a very capable young steward, and shows you the proper respect. You don't know much else about him, though his family is nobility in Heneneshut.
Ptahshepses, the Chief Royal Eunuch
Age: Twenties? Probably older than he looks.
Disliked
The Chief Eunuch is responsible for the running of the Palace and its associated servants. He's condescending toward you and irritating and you've been ignoring him for some time. Everyone says the eunuchs are corrupt and treacherous and you aren't sure they are wrong. Ptahshepses himself takes an inordinate amount of care in his appearance and manners in a way that makes you feel awkward in comparison and you don't like that either. He hails from the Delta Province and was castrated by his family as a youth to clear the way for a palatial career.
Ipy, the Royal Treasurer
Age: Forties? He's been around a while.
The Royal Treasurer is a barrel-chested, incredibly strong man who speaks with a peasant's accent from the lower reaches of Upper Kemet. He is the father of your friend Bakenptah, with his Kerman wife. He entered government service after being noticed for his strength by a royal commander on campaign against the tribes in Mefkat. After serving as a bodyguard he became literate and transferred to the logistics branch of the Army, and from there joined the civil service on recommendation of his patron. He enjoys a reputation as a righteous steward and honest man, though his attitude toward government and the gods is distressingly pessimistic.
Herenamenpenaef, the Inspector of Works
Age: Thirties?
Herenamenpenaef is in charge of construction projects and public works initiated by the palace. That includes the all-important canal and irrigation system as well as the mortuary temples, storehouses, and administrative complexes. He is the father of your friend Paneferer and a stark contrast to his son. Where Paneferer is aggressive and assertive, Herenamenpenaef seems to be placid. Both father and son are amusing and witty conversationalists, though. Aside from meeting him in Council and as Paneferer's father you don't know him that well.
Banefre, the Supervisor of the Garden of Ptah
Age: ???
You haven't met Banefre and don't know much about him. He administers the temple complex and the scholarly stipends associated with the Garden of Ptah.
Meryawy, Priest of Ra
Royal Tutor
Age: Early thirties
Meryawy was your favorite tutor as a child and the father of your friend Tayuheret. He was diligent in overseeing your studies, but granted you all the respect you commanded and never talked down to you. He seems like an ideal priest though lately you've found his bookishness to be a bit of a bore. You still like and trust him more than almost anyone else except your mother. He's encouraged you to keep the faith of the gods and invest more in the proper administration of their rites.
Ma'atneferure, Handmaiden to the Dowager Queen
Royal Tutor
Age: Twenties?
Ma'atneferure is the personal handmaiden of Queen Neferet and acted as your governess in your childhood. She was relentless in teaching you how to present yourself to the court and public, but softened as you took her lessons to heart. Her lessons on dance have helped to keep you in shape despite your lack of military training and she taught you feminine arts of makeup and gossip. She served as your handmaiden on ceremonial occasions and acted as a confident and comforted you as you entered puberty. She is still very close to the Dowager Queen and your mother has warned you about her influence, though you find it hard to believe she wishes you harm.
Zizel-Kur, Scholar
Royal Tutor
Age: Late thirties? It can be hard to tell with foreigners.
Zizel-Kur was brought from the Garden of Ptah to take over your education in higher mathematics. He hails from a city in Babel-Ur and is rather laid back. You aren't close to him like you are with Meryawy and Ma'atneferure and so know little about him. He sometimes seems in over his head teaching you, though that could just be the limits of his proficiency with the language of Kemet.
Bakenptah, son of Ipy
Friend
Age: 16 years
Bakenptah is a companion of your childhood and remains a friend though you see him less and less often as your duties as Queen pick up. He clearly inherited the strength of his father but has a gentle and thoughtful disposition. He's easy for you to prank, but he was a real pain to beat when playing the foreign game. You like and trust him and that may make him useful later on.
Paneferer, son of Herenamenpenaef
Friend
Age: 14 years
Paneferer was another companion of your childhood and a present friend. He is much more aggressive and hard-charging than his father, though both men are pretty charming. Paneferer was the member of the party most like you, and inclined to go out and make things happen. He dominated the games of soldier and bandit despite the sheer strength of the older Bakenptah.
Tayuheret, daughter of Meryawy
Friend
Age: 15 years
Tayuheret was the final companion of your childhood, and your closest friend. As the only other girl your age you both faced the same trials around the same age and had to deal with a male-dominated environment. Whereas you are assertive and confident she is somewhat shy and introverted, but like her father she is pious and studious. Having her as a foil and confidant has helped you deal with the stresses of your position.
Meritamun, true name Eurydice
Daughter of Satysis and Queen of Kemet
Age: 14 years old
You; the quest perspective character.
Neferet, Queen Dowager
Sister-Wife of Ameneheb II, God's Wife, Regent for Queen Meritamun
Age: 34 years
The Queen Dowager is a noble and cultured woman, steeped in the protocol of the court. You think of her as a sad and kind woman who seems to be concerned with the welfare of the people, but held back from being an effective ruler by her ill-health. You aren't sure what your aunt thinks of you, though; she seems proud of you at times and indulgent at others, but she wants clearly wants you to learn to be a proper Queen in her image. Mother says that Neferet hates her for bearing an heir to Pharaoh Ameneheb, and as that heir her feelings for you are conflicted.
Satysis, the Royal Magician
Mother of Eurydice, Kirke the Priestess of Gaea
Age: I don't even…
Your mother loves you and cares for you deeply. As a foreigner and a witch her lot is to be viewed with deep suspicion by the people of Kemet. But she has great powers and has taught you how to control your words and actions unless provoked beyond all reason. She wants you to be a great queen and has some higher hopes for you, but you aren't quite sure what those are. In private she has a caustic tongue about many of the people in the court, though she has told you to always see for yourself rather than to rely on the judgements of others.
Khui, Commander of the Royal Army
Age: Early twenties?
Khui was a captain in the Horus Guard before being appointed to handle the expedition to Upper Kemet's borders. Like most members of the Guard he comes from a noble family, though his Delta-based clan has been obscure in recent generations. Ma'atneferure and your mother told you he was known as an ambitious and competent soldier. The results from his expedition seem to bear out the competent part. He often looks restless or impatient. He is also young and handsome, and remains unmarried for the moment. Gossip says he's in love with a eunuch, though Khui may just be too constantly busy rebuilding the army to take a wife yet.
Atumnemhat, High Priest of Atum
Age: Early forties?
Atumnemhat is the High Priest of Atum, responsible for the highest rites of the Great Creator God and managing the extensive temple complexes one behalf of the state. You haven't deal with him much. Meryawy seems reluctant to discuss him despite encouraging you to trust in the priesthood and be generous to the gods.
Wenamun, the Chief Royal Scribe
Age: Late twenties? Early thirties?
Wenamun is a palace functionary in charge of all the scribes used to conduct correspondence with foreign rulers and provincial leaders. You haven't dealt much with him.
Sennefer, the Inspector of Granaries
Age: Early twenties?
Sennefer came to your attention in the aftermath of the disastrous flood in Year 13 of the Interregnum. You commissioned him to investigate anomalies in the distribution of relief supplies and he uncovered extensive corruption among the state granaries dating back to your father's reign. He was raised to the position of Inspector after his predecessor was dismissed in disgrace. He seems to be a very capable young steward, and shows you the proper respect. You don't know much else about him, though his family is nobility in Heneneshut.
Ptahshepses, the Chief Royal Eunuch
Age: Twenties? Probably older than he looks.
Disliked
The Chief Eunuch is responsible for the running of the Palace and its associated servants. He's condescending toward you and irritating and you've been ignoring him for some time. Everyone says the eunuchs are corrupt and treacherous and you aren't sure they are wrong. Ptahshepses himself takes an inordinate amount of care in his appearance and manners in a way that makes you feel awkward in comparison and you don't like that either. He hails from the Delta Province and was castrated by his family as a youth to clear the way for a palatial career.
Ipy, the Royal Treasurer
Age: Forties? He's been around a while.
The Royal Treasurer is a barrel-chested, incredibly strong man who speaks with a peasant's accent from the lower reaches of Upper Kemet. He is the father of your friend Bakenptah, with his Kerman wife. He entered government service after being noticed for his strength by a royal commander on campaign against the tribes in Mefkat. After serving as a bodyguard he became literate and transferred to the logistics branch of the Army, and from there joined the civil service on recommendation of his patron. He enjoys a reputation as a righteous steward and honest man, though his attitude toward government and the gods is distressingly pessimistic.
Herenamenpenaef, the Inspector of Works
Age: Thirties?
Herenamenpenaef is in charge of construction projects and public works initiated by the palace. That includes the all-important canal and irrigation system as well as the mortuary temples, storehouses, and administrative complexes. He is the father of your friend Paneferer and a stark contrast to his son. Where Paneferer is aggressive and assertive, Herenamenpenaef seems to be placid. Both father and son are amusing and witty conversationalists, though. Aside from meeting him in Council and as Paneferer's father you don't know him that well.
Banefre, the Supervisor of the Garden of Ptah
Age: ???
You haven't met Banefre and don't know much about him. He administers the temple complex and the scholarly stipends associated with the Garden of Ptah.
Meryawy, Priest of Ra
Royal Tutor
Age: Early thirties
Meryawy was your favorite tutor as a child and the father of your friend Tayuheret. He was diligent in overseeing your studies, but granted you all the respect you commanded and never talked down to you. He seems like an ideal priest though lately you've found his bookishness to be a bit of a bore. You still like and trust him more than almost anyone else except your mother. He's encouraged you to keep the faith of the gods and invest more in the proper administration of their rites.
Ma'atneferure, Handmaiden to the Dowager Queen
Royal Tutor
Age: Twenties?
Ma'atneferure is the personal handmaiden of Queen Neferet and acted as your governess in your childhood. She was relentless in teaching you how to present yourself to the court and public, but softened as you took her lessons to heart. Her lessons on dance have helped to keep you in shape despite your lack of military training and she taught you feminine arts of makeup and gossip. She served as your handmaiden on ceremonial occasions and acted as a confident and comforted you as you entered puberty. She is still very close to the Dowager Queen and your mother has warned you about her influence, though you find it hard to believe she wishes you harm.
Zizel-Kur, Scholar
Royal Tutor
Age: Late thirties? It can be hard to tell with foreigners.
Zizel-Kur was brought from the Garden of Ptah to take over your education in higher mathematics. He hails from a city in Babel-Ur and is rather laid back. You aren't close to him like you are with Meryawy and Ma'atneferure and so know little about him. He sometimes seems in over his head teaching you, though that could just be the limits of his proficiency with the language of Kemet.
Bakenptah, son of Ipy
Friend
Age: 16 years
Bakenptah is a companion of your childhood and remains a friend though you see him less and less often as your duties as Queen pick up. He clearly inherited the strength of his father but has a gentle and thoughtful disposition. He's easy for you to prank, but he was a real pain to beat when playing the foreign game. You like and trust him and that may make him useful later on.
Paneferer, son of Herenamenpenaef
Friend
Age: 14 years
Paneferer was another companion of your childhood and a present friend. He is much more aggressive and hard-charging than his father, though both men are pretty charming. Paneferer was the member of the party most like you, and inclined to go out and make things happen. He dominated the games of soldier and bandit despite the sheer strength of the older Bakenptah.
Tayuheret, daughter of Meryawy
Friend
Age: 15 years
Tayuheret was the final companion of your childhood, and your closest friend. As the only other girl your age you both faced the same trials around the same age and had to deal with a male-dominated environment. Whereas you are assertive and confident she is somewhat shy and introverted, but like her father she is pious and studious. Having her as a foil and confidant has helped you deal with the stresses of your position.
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Military of Kemet
- Location
- Southern Virginia
Military Forces
Total Personnel: 17,000
Manpower Limit: 50,000
Upkeep Cost: 2,700 silver deben
Division of Ra
Deployed: Delta Province
Experience: Regular
Morale: Average
2 Brigades of Light Infantry
1 Brigade of Archers
1 Brigade of Medium Infantry
50 Heavy Chariots
Division of Ptah
Deployed: Delta Province
Experience: Green
Morale: Low
2 Brigades of Light Infantry
1 Brigade of Archers
1 Brigade of Medium Infantry
50 Heavy Chariots
Division of Sekhmet
Deployed: Lower Kemet
Experience: Green
Morale: Low
2 Brigades of Light Infantry
1 Brigade of Archers
1 Brigade of Medium Infantry
50 Heavy Chariots
Division of Set
Deployed: Upper Kemet
Experience: Blooded
Morale: Good
2 Brigades of Light Infantry
1 Brigade of Archers
1 Brigade of Medium Infantry
50 Heavy Chariots
Guard of Horus
Deployed: Temes
Experience: Green
Morale: Good
1 Brigade of Noble Infantry
National Levies
Up to 100 Brigades of Peasant Infantry
16 Brigades of Bowmen
4 Brigades of Noble Infantry
Note: Can only be raised within Kemet during Inundation Season.
Total Personnel: 17,000
Manpower Limit: 50,000
Upkeep Cost: 2,700 silver deben
Division of Ra
Deployed: Delta Province
Experience: Regular
Morale: Average
2 Brigades of Light Infantry
1 Brigade of Archers
1 Brigade of Medium Infantry
50 Heavy Chariots
Division of Ptah
Deployed: Delta Province
Experience: Green
Morale: Low
2 Brigades of Light Infantry
1 Brigade of Archers
1 Brigade of Medium Infantry
50 Heavy Chariots
Division of Sekhmet
Deployed: Lower Kemet
Experience: Green
Morale: Low
2 Brigades of Light Infantry
1 Brigade of Archers
1 Brigade of Medium Infantry
50 Heavy Chariots
Division of Set
Deployed: Upper Kemet
Experience: Blooded
Morale: Good
2 Brigades of Light Infantry
1 Brigade of Archers
1 Brigade of Medium Infantry
50 Heavy Chariots
Guard of Horus
Deployed: Temes
Experience: Green
Morale: Good
1 Brigade of Noble Infantry
National Levies
Up to 100 Brigades of Peasant Infantry
16 Brigades of Bowmen
4 Brigades of Noble Infantry
Note: Can only be raised within Kemet during Inundation Season.
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Kingdom of Kemet
- Location
- Southern Virginia
State of the Realm, YR Meritamun 2
Population: 2,020,000
Population Growth Rate: 0.2% per year
Political Stability: Stable
Income for Year 2 of the Reign of Queen Meritamun
Agricultural Tax Income: 27,000 s. deben
State Granaries: 9,700 s. deben
Wastage in Storage: -2900 s. deben
Military Upkeep: -2700 s. deben
Civil Upkeep: -2000 s. deben
Available Grain: 29,100 s. deben
Mining Income (gold): 14 gold talents
Treasury Reserves: 6 gold talents
State Imports (copper, tin, silver): -4 talents
Trade Fees: 2 gold talents
Tribute: 0 gold talents
Net Treasury: 18 talents
Royal Council
Regent: Queen Dowager Neferet
Commander of the Royal Army: Khui
High Priest of Atum: Atumnemhat
Royal Treasurer: Ipy
Chief Royal Eunuch: Ptahshepses
Inspector of Works: Herenamenpenaef
Inspector of Granaries: Sennefer
Chief Royal Scribe: Wenamun
Other Positions
Royal Magician: Who is also called Satysis
Supervisor of the Garden of Ptah: Banefre
Tutor to the Queen: Ma'atneferure
Tutor to the Queen: Meryawy
Tutor to the Queen: Zizel-Kur
Tutor to the Queen: Ramessu
Provincial Leaders
Supervisor of Delta Province: Iumeri
Supervisor of Upper Kemet: Wajmose
Supervisor of Lower Kemet: Nebmakhet
Prefect of Temes: Sebek-khu
Warden of Mefkat (nominal): Empty
Viceroy of the Kanaan (nominal): Empty
Advantages
The Garden of Ptah
-Flood Prediction (+10 to yearly Flood Rolls)
Civil Service Purge [Granaries]
-Decreased corruption (9 years)
Bountiful Harvest [last year]
-Increased political/social stability
-Increased population growth rate
Disadvantages
Civil Service Purge [Granaries]
-Decreased administration effectiveness until restaffed
Population: 2,020,000
Population Growth Rate: 0.2% per year
Political Stability: Stable
Income for Year 2 of the Reign of Queen Meritamun
Agricultural Tax Income: 27,000 s. deben
State Granaries: 9,700 s. deben
Wastage in Storage: -2900 s. deben
Military Upkeep: -2700 s. deben
Civil Upkeep: -2000 s. deben
Available Grain: 29,100 s. deben
Mining Income (gold): 14 gold talents
Treasury Reserves: 6 gold talents
State Imports (copper, tin, silver): -4 talents
Trade Fees: 2 gold talents
Tribute: 0 gold talents
Net Treasury: 18 talents
Royal Council
Regent: Queen Dowager Neferet
Commander of the Royal Army: Khui
High Priest of Atum: Atumnemhat
Royal Treasurer: Ipy
Chief Royal Eunuch: Ptahshepses
Inspector of Works: Herenamenpenaef
Inspector of Granaries: Sennefer
Chief Royal Scribe: Wenamun
Other Positions
Royal Magician: Who is also called Satysis
Supervisor of the Garden of Ptah: Banefre
Tutor to the Queen: Ma'atneferure
Tutor to the Queen: Meryawy
Tutor to the Queen: Zizel-Kur
Tutor to the Queen: Ramessu
Provincial Leaders
Supervisor of Delta Province: Iumeri
Supervisor of Upper Kemet: Wajmose
Supervisor of Lower Kemet: Nebmakhet
Prefect of Temes: Sebek-khu
Warden of Mefkat (nominal): Empty
Viceroy of the Kanaan (nominal): Empty
Advantages
The Garden of Ptah
-Flood Prediction (+10 to yearly Flood Rolls)
Civil Service Purge [Granaries]
-Decreased corruption (9 years)
Bountiful Harvest [last year]
-Increased political/social stability
-Increased population growth rate
Disadvantages
Civil Service Purge [Granaries]
-Decreased administration effectiveness until restaffed
Last edited:
Prologue II
- Location
- Southern Virginia
Prologue: Naming Day
The High Priest of Atum began with the lineage of your forefathers, stretching back fourteen unbroken generations to the Great Ancestor, who had restored order to Upper and Lower Kemet at the command of the gods. The splendor with which he had showered the priesthood of Atum was stressed more than any other aspect of his eventful reign. Beyond the Great Ancestor there was Atumnepheret, who conquered the Kanaan after a terrible rebellion and laid waste to the cities of the Mittari and brought back to Kemet tens of thousands of slaves. There was also the glorious Sarepentepher, who subjugated the wild tribesmen of the desert oases and who voyaged to Sheba to bring back plentiful gold and incense and ivory for the use and decoration of the Grand Temple of Atum here in the capital.
Your father, Amenheb II, had founded the Garden of Ptah in honor of the craftsman-god and thereby showed his devotion to the prosperity of his people during his short reign.
Of your mother, there was silence.
After his oration the Dowager Queen grabbed you by the hand and tugged you over to the fountain. Her grip was too weak to hurt but the look she gave you made you flinch back in fear. She hmmphed softly and dragged you closer still, until you were hugging up against her cotton skirt. She placed her hands on your shoulders to make it clear you were not to move before stooping down and pooling some of the fountain water in her hands.
The High Priest began reciting a hymn to the creation of the world from the stillness of the Primordial Waters. The Great God Atum, creating himself by union with the feminine principle inherent in his being, established the primordial mound upon which his tears became the human race. The union of the waters and earth produced humanity, and nourished humanity in the yearly cycle of inundation. And such blessed union, the basis of the fortune of Kemet, formed the foundation for the fortune of the population and all things.
The Dowager Queen spilled the waters in her hand upon the earth, which greedily swallowed it. She bent to claw a bit of the mud and rose. "As the union of the waters and earth bless Kemet," she said, "let you be blessed with fortune, little Meritamun."
She rubbed some of the dirt upon you, pressing her thumb as hard as she could into your forehead. You now had a name. And with that the musicians on the side struck up their instruments and played a sweet melody as officials were presented before you to offer their own blessings and produce gifts.
They were boring gifts, things like wheat and perfume and ivory and jade. A chunk of rock that was claimed to have fallen from Duat, a piece of star-metal, did grab your interest briefly. But you were tired out and the crowds were becoming a bit much. You started walking away, but the Queen Dowager grabbed you by the shoulders again. Her nails dug into your flesh and your eyes teared up.
Eunuchs hustled you away before you caused a scene. They guided you from the Great Hall of Reception into the maze of the palace itself, taking you to your large room and its comfortable bed. You lay down and drifted off to sleep in a long nap. You will remember little of this day, though the hateful gaze of the Dowager Queen would always linger in your inner thoughts.
What had you done to make her so upset? You would eventually understand, but not for some time longer.
You awoke as the sun descended down into the Nile. The balcony of your room was open up and allowed you to watch the waters slowly swallow the great disk of the Boat of Ten Thousand Years, the barque of life-sustaining Ra. You wiped your eyes to clear them out, and as you did so a pale white hand appeared from the shadows to caress your cheek.
"My darling girl," a soft voice spoke out, seemingly from nowhere. Your mother peered around from the corner of your bed. Her lidded eyes seemed sad. "Your aunt has named you Meritamun. She would claim you if she could. But you are my precious daughter and I will give you a name as well. A True Name, one they will never know. One that she cannot use against you. And I will teach you of the arts and the truth of the world so that you will be safe."
She smiled as she bent down to stroke your hair.
"A mother will always love her child, no matter what," she cooed, and you drifted back to sleep.
OOC: Well, there are going to be Challenges ahead of you. The next part of CharGen will be up tomorrow, and you'll start directing the development of little Eurydice. And you do have the advantage that she basically won the genetic lottery in chargen. Two 20s and an 18 on checking for Traits does that. But she's going to need every advantage she can get.
The High Priest of Atum began with the lineage of your forefathers, stretching back fourteen unbroken generations to the Great Ancestor, who had restored order to Upper and Lower Kemet at the command of the gods. The splendor with which he had showered the priesthood of Atum was stressed more than any other aspect of his eventful reign. Beyond the Great Ancestor there was Atumnepheret, who conquered the Kanaan after a terrible rebellion and laid waste to the cities of the Mittari and brought back to Kemet tens of thousands of slaves. There was also the glorious Sarepentepher, who subjugated the wild tribesmen of the desert oases and who voyaged to Sheba to bring back plentiful gold and incense and ivory for the use and decoration of the Grand Temple of Atum here in the capital.
Your father, Amenheb II, had founded the Garden of Ptah in honor of the craftsman-god and thereby showed his devotion to the prosperity of his people during his short reign.
Of your mother, there was silence.
After his oration the Dowager Queen grabbed you by the hand and tugged you over to the fountain. Her grip was too weak to hurt but the look she gave you made you flinch back in fear. She hmmphed softly and dragged you closer still, until you were hugging up against her cotton skirt. She placed her hands on your shoulders to make it clear you were not to move before stooping down and pooling some of the fountain water in her hands.
The High Priest began reciting a hymn to the creation of the world from the stillness of the Primordial Waters. The Great God Atum, creating himself by union with the feminine principle inherent in his being, established the primordial mound upon which his tears became the human race. The union of the waters and earth produced humanity, and nourished humanity in the yearly cycle of inundation. And such blessed union, the basis of the fortune of Kemet, formed the foundation for the fortune of the population and all things.
The Dowager Queen spilled the waters in her hand upon the earth, which greedily swallowed it. She bent to claw a bit of the mud and rose. "As the union of the waters and earth bless Kemet," she said, "let you be blessed with fortune, little Meritamun."
She rubbed some of the dirt upon you, pressing her thumb as hard as she could into your forehead. You now had a name. And with that the musicians on the side struck up their instruments and played a sweet melody as officials were presented before you to offer their own blessings and produce gifts.
They were boring gifts, things like wheat and perfume and ivory and jade. A chunk of rock that was claimed to have fallen from Duat, a piece of star-metal, did grab your interest briefly. But you were tired out and the crowds were becoming a bit much. You started walking away, but the Queen Dowager grabbed you by the shoulders again. Her nails dug into your flesh and your eyes teared up.
Eunuchs hustled you away before you caused a scene. They guided you from the Great Hall of Reception into the maze of the palace itself, taking you to your large room and its comfortable bed. You lay down and drifted off to sleep in a long nap. You will remember little of this day, though the hateful gaze of the Dowager Queen would always linger in your inner thoughts.
What had you done to make her so upset? You would eventually understand, but not for some time longer.
You awoke as the sun descended down into the Nile. The balcony of your room was open up and allowed you to watch the waters slowly swallow the great disk of the Boat of Ten Thousand Years, the barque of life-sustaining Ra. You wiped your eyes to clear them out, and as you did so a pale white hand appeared from the shadows to caress your cheek.
"My darling girl," a soft voice spoke out, seemingly from nowhere. Your mother peered around from the corner of your bed. Her lidded eyes seemed sad. "Your aunt has named you Meritamun. She would claim you if she could. But you are my precious daughter and I will give you a name as well. A True Name, one they will never know. One that she cannot use against you. And I will teach you of the arts and the truth of the world so that you will be safe."
She smiled as she bent down to stroke your hair.
"A mother will always love her child, no matter what," she cooed, and you drifted back to sleep.
OOC: Well, there are going to be Challenges ahead of you. The next part of CharGen will be up tomorrow, and you'll start directing the development of little Eurydice. And you do have the advantage that she basically won the genetic lottery in chargen. Two 20s and an 18 on checking for Traits does that. But she's going to need every advantage she can get.
Last edited:
Prologue III
- Location
- Southern Virginia
Interregnum Years 5-6
Regent: Dowager Queen Neferet
Choose Tutors (Up to three)
[X] Temple Priests
[X] Royal Scribes
[X] Your Mother
Choose Focus (one)
[ ] Martial
[ ] Diplomatic
[ ] Stewardship
[ ] Intrigue
[ ] Piety
[ ] Learning
Cat Crossed Your Path
You took the chance as your handmaiden turned to talk to a servant-boy carrying a carafe of wine through the hall. You took a left and ran, the young woman turning in alarm and chasing you through the alabaster halls of the palace. Soon you reached a part of the palace that was unfamiliar; the textiles and murals enlivening your wing of the palace disappeared, and there were more men and women milling about in rougher dresses instead of the fine livery of serving staff. You glanced around to find your escort but she was gone; all you had wanted to do was not have to sit still for the royal scribe so long!
You stumbled along further into the unfamiliar and now poorly lit halls looking for someone familiar. A soft mewing sound attracts your attention from a room to the side. You step in past the partly-open door, into a dark storage space filled with amphorae. You almost walk into a furry pile of cute stalking its way out. The dun-and-black striped kitty meows at you, and brushes up against your legs. You do what any young girl would do and reach down to pet the cat. It purrs as you stroke its head and your hand wanders down its back as you marvel at the warmth of its soft fur. Your fear fades away, fascinated to be touching the little creature. You pet and pet the cat harder and harder…
It hisses and arches its back up. You step away, surprised and shocked. The cat bounds away further down the hall. Do you follow it, or head back down the way you came in search of your handmaiden?
[ ] Chase the cat.
[ ] Find an adult.
Playmates
Your childhood isn't all boring tutoring sessions and boring rituals and crowds and servants. There are other children in the palace, none of them your siblings, but some are noble enough to be allowed into the presence of the divine. And others, children of the servants, are so lowly as to be beneath notice.
Your attending handmaiden keeps a wary eye on you as you enter a chamber of the royal harem long set-aside for the younger children of the Pharaoh. Furrows of running water flow into a pool at the back, where small palm-fronds and fragrant flowers are arranged to form an indoor garden. Pillows of goose-down are set up to lounge inside the garden with a wicker chest full of toys set aside for the children. A pair of eunuchs stood watch from the doorway, albeit more to keep order than to guard against enemies. Even as you entered the rush of water and moisture in the air was a welcome relief from the summer heat inside the palace.
You see three other children over by the toybox fighting over a pair of reed boats. They wear the same kind of fine muslin skirt that you do. Two others are racing around the furrows leading to the pool. Their skirts are coarser flax. You are drawn over to the pool by the oppressive heat, but even as you do so you consider what to do.
[ ] Wade into the dispute and use your authority to distribute the toys.
[ ] Impress the other children by winning the race.
[ ] Sit down by the pool and watch what happens.
OOC: Well, this is the template for the next few updates. Eurydice is too young to take any kind of active role in the affairs of state or even to decide things for herself. Thankfully there's a Regent in place to make decisions for her. The Regent may change due to death or political circumstances; when Eurydice gets older she'll have a more active hand in determining who she wants to learn from and might even be able to take part in intrigues around the Court. But for now, she's still a child.
There are chances to pick up extra stat points or traits from Tutors. In this case the Dowager Queen has not seen fit to assign anyone in particular for Eurydice's education. So her education is being handled by priests and scribes to provide a basic level of knowledge. Fortunately her Mother is picking up the slack!
You can however select a Focus here. That's what draws Eurydice's attention the most and represents who she is listening to and what she finds (relatively) interesting. A Focus means extra chances to pick up extra points in the stat in question and might lead to Trait gain or even improve her relationship with other characters. Right now Eurydice doesn't know much of anything about the Court but that will change in due time.
And then there are the individual events, little scenarios and vignettes that offer a chance to further define her character. Stat gains and Traits are possible, as are changes (good or bad) to relationships.
Regent: Dowager Queen Neferet
Choose Tutors (Up to three)
[X] Temple Priests
[X] Royal Scribes
[X] Your Mother
Choose Focus (one)
[ ] Martial
[ ] Diplomatic
[ ] Stewardship
[ ] Intrigue
[ ] Piety
[ ] Learning
Cat Crossed Your Path
You took the chance as your handmaiden turned to talk to a servant-boy carrying a carafe of wine through the hall. You took a left and ran, the young woman turning in alarm and chasing you through the alabaster halls of the palace. Soon you reached a part of the palace that was unfamiliar; the textiles and murals enlivening your wing of the palace disappeared, and there were more men and women milling about in rougher dresses instead of the fine livery of serving staff. You glanced around to find your escort but she was gone; all you had wanted to do was not have to sit still for the royal scribe so long!
You stumbled along further into the unfamiliar and now poorly lit halls looking for someone familiar. A soft mewing sound attracts your attention from a room to the side. You step in past the partly-open door, into a dark storage space filled with amphorae. You almost walk into a furry pile of cute stalking its way out. The dun-and-black striped kitty meows at you, and brushes up against your legs. You do what any young girl would do and reach down to pet the cat. It purrs as you stroke its head and your hand wanders down its back as you marvel at the warmth of its soft fur. Your fear fades away, fascinated to be touching the little creature. You pet and pet the cat harder and harder…
It hisses and arches its back up. You step away, surprised and shocked. The cat bounds away further down the hall. Do you follow it, or head back down the way you came in search of your handmaiden?
[ ] Chase the cat.
[ ] Find an adult.
Playmates
Your childhood isn't all boring tutoring sessions and boring rituals and crowds and servants. There are other children in the palace, none of them your siblings, but some are noble enough to be allowed into the presence of the divine. And others, children of the servants, are so lowly as to be beneath notice.
Your attending handmaiden keeps a wary eye on you as you enter a chamber of the royal harem long set-aside for the younger children of the Pharaoh. Furrows of running water flow into a pool at the back, where small palm-fronds and fragrant flowers are arranged to form an indoor garden. Pillows of goose-down are set up to lounge inside the garden with a wicker chest full of toys set aside for the children. A pair of eunuchs stood watch from the doorway, albeit more to keep order than to guard against enemies. Even as you entered the rush of water and moisture in the air was a welcome relief from the summer heat inside the palace.
You see three other children over by the toybox fighting over a pair of reed boats. They wear the same kind of fine muslin skirt that you do. Two others are racing around the furrows leading to the pool. Their skirts are coarser flax. You are drawn over to the pool by the oppressive heat, but even as you do so you consider what to do.
[ ] Wade into the dispute and use your authority to distribute the toys.
[ ] Impress the other children by winning the race.
[ ] Sit down by the pool and watch what happens.
OOC: Well, this is the template for the next few updates. Eurydice is too young to take any kind of active role in the affairs of state or even to decide things for herself. Thankfully there's a Regent in place to make decisions for her. The Regent may change due to death or political circumstances; when Eurydice gets older she'll have a more active hand in determining who she wants to learn from and might even be able to take part in intrigues around the Court. But for now, she's still a child.
There are chances to pick up extra stat points or traits from Tutors. In this case the Dowager Queen has not seen fit to assign anyone in particular for Eurydice's education. So her education is being handled by priests and scribes to provide a basic level of knowledge. Fortunately her Mother is picking up the slack!
You can however select a Focus here. That's what draws Eurydice's attention the most and represents who she is listening to and what she finds (relatively) interesting. A Focus means extra chances to pick up extra points in the stat in question and might lead to Trait gain or even improve her relationship with other characters. Right now Eurydice doesn't know much of anything about the Court but that will change in due time.
And then there are the individual events, little scenarios and vignettes that offer a chance to further define her character. Stat gains and Traits are possible, as are changes (good or bad) to relationships.
Prologue IV
- Location
- Southern Virginia
Interregnum Years 5-6 Education Results
Despite a short attention span and frequent distraction, the tutors assigned to your care make significant progress teaching you the fundamentals of education. By the age of 6 you are fully literate in the hieroglyphs of Kemet and can do division and multiplication. You also show modest talent with weaving. Your uncanny intelligence is a source of hope to some, a surprise to most, and unnatural to others. The praise of your tutors risks making you conceited and prideful, while the Dowager Queen seems at a loss when she observes you reading a portion of the Theogony of Memphet during one of her rare visits to oversee your education. You notice her coming around more frequently afterward, to praise you and offer toys and to have servants bring you rosewater and honey sweets.
Your mother is a more frequent visitor. She clings to the shadows when she enters your rooms at night and teaches you. You are Eurydice to her, and to her alone. It is a secret that the two of you share, a real True Name instead of the false True Name Satatumpere that your aunt claimed for you. She teaches you another language that sounds harsh and guttural to your ears, and is written in a very different angular alphabet. She calls it Atlantaen, and tells you it is a distant cousin of the Mynosians who bring olive oil and wine over the dark Northern Sea to the ports of Delta province. And she teaches you to be wary of others, not to expose your true feelings and thoughts even from a very young age. She tells you to put on a mask, and though you don't really understand that now, you learn to keep your face very still and to stifle a laugh or a shiver.
+2 Stewardship, +2 Learning, +1 Intrigue
Gain Trait "Poker Face" (+1 Intrigue)
Revealed Trait "Quick" (+3 to all stats)
Cat Crossed Your Path
1D100 => 12
Of course you follow the fluffy!
It breaks out of the storeroom and runs down the corridor with your royal self in pursuit. You dodge around the legs of a servant as you chase the wayward cat further into the palace. You're through storerooms deep into the palace when eventually you lose sight of your furry objective. You finally pause in a storeroom full of flax bales and weaving equipment. You realize, suddenly, that you are completely lost and have no idea where you are or where your handmaiden is, and you didn't even get to pet the cat some more.
You briefly consider simply finding a servant and telling them that you're lost.
But you see a broken loom nearby and take the heddle to play with. It's a sword! You head out of the room and run around swatting the heddle at invisible djinn and evil barbarians, and some not-so-invisible servants. Eventually an angry steward grabs your sword and demands to know what you are doing; you command him to escort you back to your room after he turns an interesting shade of pale on hearing your name. Your handmaiden thanks him effusively when you run into her as she frantically checked a sewing chamber and swears to never turn her back on you again.
Gain Trait "Impulsive" (+1 Martial, -1 Stewardship, -1 Intrigue)
Playmates
1D100+10 => (75 + 10) = 85
You ignore the servant children running around the room and instead stride into the garden toward the toy box. There are two boys and the girl; the girl clings a reed boat tightly against her chest, while the two boys taunt her to surrender it to them. They seem to think they deserve both boats just because they're boys. That won't do at all.
You command them to silence. You, Princess Meritamun, will resolve the matter with your royal authority!
The first boy laughs, and then gets quiet when the second, somewhat older boy grabs him by the shoulder and whispers in his ear. The girl looks at you with hope. Well, how can you fairly allocate the toys? Of course they all belong to you, really, but you need an idea.
You point at the boys and challenge them to a boat race. Girls against boys! Winner gets both reed boats to play with. That's fair, right? And what are they, afraid of losing?
They consent to the race. The other girl introduces herself as Tayuheret, the daughter of Meryawy the priest of Ra. He's one of your tutors, you remember. One of the less boring ones. He tells you stories about the gods. Not the really lame ones about Atum and the Primordial Waters either, but the exciting ones about how Ra fights off the chaos-serpent Apophis each night.
The two boys set their reed boat in the pool as you come to a plan with Tayuheret. As the older boy blows the sails of the reed boat as hard as he can, as often as he can, you and Tayuheret take turns blowing the boat. He can blow harder, but together the two of you can blow the boat more often. As the older boy tires out he has to switch over to his friend, and in the interval you push ahead. Soon the boats are out of breath range, and yours has a strong lead. You and Tayuret jump up and down for joy in victory.
The older boy demands a rematch. You generously oblige, but he and the younger one cheat by stealing your idea! The nerve! They win, and you demand another match.
After the third match ends the older boy and his friend have enough fun to agree to share the boats. The elder boy gives his name as Bakenptah the son of Ipy, and the younger boy is Paneferer the son of Khereuf. Neither of the names sound familiar to you but they work from the palace so they must be important right?
You spend the rest of the day racing boats, swimming in the pool, and running around with your new friends. By the time your handmaiden makes you dry off and hustles you out of the room to your lessons you've declared everlasting amity. None of the three gainsay your word.
+1 Diplomacy
Friends: Tayuheret, Bakenptah, and Paneferer.
Despite a short attention span and frequent distraction, the tutors assigned to your care make significant progress teaching you the fundamentals of education. By the age of 6 you are fully literate in the hieroglyphs of Kemet and can do division and multiplication. You also show modest talent with weaving. Your uncanny intelligence is a source of hope to some, a surprise to most, and unnatural to others. The praise of your tutors risks making you conceited and prideful, while the Dowager Queen seems at a loss when she observes you reading a portion of the Theogony of Memphet during one of her rare visits to oversee your education. You notice her coming around more frequently afterward, to praise you and offer toys and to have servants bring you rosewater and honey sweets.
Your mother is a more frequent visitor. She clings to the shadows when she enters your rooms at night and teaches you. You are Eurydice to her, and to her alone. It is a secret that the two of you share, a real True Name instead of the false True Name Satatumpere that your aunt claimed for you. She teaches you another language that sounds harsh and guttural to your ears, and is written in a very different angular alphabet. She calls it Atlantaen, and tells you it is a distant cousin of the Mynosians who bring olive oil and wine over the dark Northern Sea to the ports of Delta province. And she teaches you to be wary of others, not to expose your true feelings and thoughts even from a very young age. She tells you to put on a mask, and though you don't really understand that now, you learn to keep your face very still and to stifle a laugh or a shiver.
+2 Stewardship, +2 Learning, +1 Intrigue
Gain Trait "Poker Face" (+1 Intrigue)
Revealed Trait "Quick" (+3 to all stats)
Cat Crossed Your Path
1D100 => 12
Of course you follow the fluffy!
It breaks out of the storeroom and runs down the corridor with your royal self in pursuit. You dodge around the legs of a servant as you chase the wayward cat further into the palace. You're through storerooms deep into the palace when eventually you lose sight of your furry objective. You finally pause in a storeroom full of flax bales and weaving equipment. You realize, suddenly, that you are completely lost and have no idea where you are or where your handmaiden is, and you didn't even get to pet the cat some more.
You briefly consider simply finding a servant and telling them that you're lost.
But you see a broken loom nearby and take the heddle to play with. It's a sword! You head out of the room and run around swatting the heddle at invisible djinn and evil barbarians, and some not-so-invisible servants. Eventually an angry steward grabs your sword and demands to know what you are doing; you command him to escort you back to your room after he turns an interesting shade of pale on hearing your name. Your handmaiden thanks him effusively when you run into her as she frantically checked a sewing chamber and swears to never turn her back on you again.
Gain Trait "Impulsive" (+1 Martial, -1 Stewardship, -1 Intrigue)
Playmates
1D100+10 => (75 + 10) = 85
You ignore the servant children running around the room and instead stride into the garden toward the toy box. There are two boys and the girl; the girl clings a reed boat tightly against her chest, while the two boys taunt her to surrender it to them. They seem to think they deserve both boats just because they're boys. That won't do at all.
You command them to silence. You, Princess Meritamun, will resolve the matter with your royal authority!
The first boy laughs, and then gets quiet when the second, somewhat older boy grabs him by the shoulder and whispers in his ear. The girl looks at you with hope. Well, how can you fairly allocate the toys? Of course they all belong to you, really, but you need an idea.
You point at the boys and challenge them to a boat race. Girls against boys! Winner gets both reed boats to play with. That's fair, right? And what are they, afraid of losing?
They consent to the race. The other girl introduces herself as Tayuheret, the daughter of Meryawy the priest of Ra. He's one of your tutors, you remember. One of the less boring ones. He tells you stories about the gods. Not the really lame ones about Atum and the Primordial Waters either, but the exciting ones about how Ra fights off the chaos-serpent Apophis each night.
The two boys set their reed boat in the pool as you come to a plan with Tayuheret. As the older boy blows the sails of the reed boat as hard as he can, as often as he can, you and Tayuheret take turns blowing the boat. He can blow harder, but together the two of you can blow the boat more often. As the older boy tires out he has to switch over to his friend, and in the interval you push ahead. Soon the boats are out of breath range, and yours has a strong lead. You and Tayuret jump up and down for joy in victory.
The older boy demands a rematch. You generously oblige, but he and the younger one cheat by stealing your idea! The nerve! They win, and you demand another match.
After the third match ends the older boy and his friend have enough fun to agree to share the boats. The elder boy gives his name as Bakenptah the son of Ipy, and the younger boy is Paneferer the son of Khereuf. Neither of the names sound familiar to you but they work from the palace so they must be important right?
You spend the rest of the day racing boats, swimming in the pool, and running around with your new friends. By the time your handmaiden makes you dry off and hustles you out of the room to your lessons you've declared everlasting amity. None of the three gainsay your word.
+1 Diplomacy
Friends: Tayuheret, Bakenptah, and Paneferer.
Last edited:
Prologue V
- Location
- Southern Virginia
Interregnum Years 7-9
Regent: Dowager Queen Neferet
Choose Tutors
[X] Meryawy, Priest of Ra
[X] Governess Maatneferure
[X] Your Mother
Choose Focus
[ ] Martial
[ ] Diplomatic
[ ] Stewardship
[ ] Intrigue
[ ] Piety
[ ] Learning
The Dowager Queen is around more often now that you're older and has taken more of an interest in your education. Soon after your eighth birthday though she starts coughing and coughing, and then you don't see her much the remaining year. Your Mother tells you it is a sickness of the blood and that your aunt is very ill. In the meantime the Dowager Queen has placed you in the care of her personal handmaiden, Maatneferure, who has taken over the task of transforming you into a proper lady. She is always cool and poised, ready with a treat and praise when you do well and with a switching when you slack off or misbehave. She isn't as warm as Meryawy, the priest of Ra who was your favorite tutor of the last years and remains your primary teacher for religion and mathematics and literature.
School Daze
You were glancing out of the window down on the courtyard at the soldiers drilling there when Maatneferure brought her sycamore switch down on the table. You started and looked over at her with alarm. Her mouth was set at in a stern expression. She had been talking about the essentials of a household and the types of servants a noble lady would be expected to manage. It was boring and didn't you have a eunuch for that kind of stuff anyway? Your protest to that effect did not appease her.
Instead she criticized your posture. Sit up straight, she commanded. Chin level with the floor. Her own bearing was more fluid, but she proclaimed that one must walk before running. And that you would be bearing the Double Crown before the assemblages of nobles and priests in the rites and ceremonies of office. How could you bear such weight if you could not pay attention to her for a little while?
She bade you stand as you fidgeted. She swatted your hands and had you drop them to your sides. She bent down to draw your chin up. You were to remain motionless, standing by the table. It took you some time to satisfy her. You thought back on what your mother told you about controlling your facial expressions, and you applied it being as still as you could. Your governess gave you a brief nod of approval before taking a nearby scroll and balancing it precariously upon your head.
Once you have learned patience and posture, she said, then you would be ready for many other lessons of being a lady. You should strive to be elegant and regal in everything, even your walk. She would check back on you… soon. You should stay and stand there and keep the scroll from falling off.
Of course your resolve starts wavering once Maatneferure actually leaves the room, and there's so much more interesting stuff you could be doing…
[ ] You will be anelephant elegant lady! Try to comply.
[ ] This is boring, go…
-[ ] Find Meryawy and get him to tell you a story about the gods.
-[ ] Check out the soldiers in the courtyard.
-[ ] Play with your friends.
Sick Friend
You have the afternoon to yourself and so order your handmaiden to take you to the harem pool. The morning had been less fun than usual, as Meryawy was giving math lessons instead of going over the adventures of Horus and Ra. But you looked forward to seeing Tayuheret, Bakenptah, and Paneferer and playing with the reed boats and toy soldiers and having a race around the room afterward. And you still needed to pay Paneferer back for pushing you into the pool the other day by surprise…
But when you get to the pool the other children aren't around. You pout at your handmaiden before wandering down to the wicker chest and pulling out your favorite reed boat. You float it on the pool for a while but it isn't very interesting without the other children to race. It gets boring quickly and you are already considering how to impress the eunuchs watching over the room for your amusement when Tayuheret and Paneferer are finally escorted in. You run up to them to drag them over but they aren't too enthusiastic. You get around to asking them what's wrong and inquire where Bakenptah is.
Paneferer tells you he was with them in the morning in classes with the royal scribes when he threw up. He was warm to the touch and coughing harshly before being taken home by the eunuchs. Tayuheret says that she fears he was cursed by the evil eye of a sorcerer while visiting the market yesterday. They're both feeling sad, and you can't help but worry about the situation. You're a Princess, though, and Princesses are supposed to deal with things like this.
[ ] Visit Bakenptah and bring gifts to make him feel better.
[ ] It is an evil spirit! Arrange an exorcism.
-[ ] Ask Meryawy.
-[ ] Ask your Mother.
[ ] It is just a cold. Reassure Tayuheret and Paneferer.
Regent: Dowager Queen Neferet
Choose Tutors
[X] Meryawy, Priest of Ra
[X] Governess Maatneferure
[X] Your Mother
Choose Focus
[ ] Martial
[ ] Diplomatic
[ ] Stewardship
[ ] Intrigue
[ ] Piety
[ ] Learning
The Dowager Queen is around more often now that you're older and has taken more of an interest in your education. Soon after your eighth birthday though she starts coughing and coughing, and then you don't see her much the remaining year. Your Mother tells you it is a sickness of the blood and that your aunt is very ill. In the meantime the Dowager Queen has placed you in the care of her personal handmaiden, Maatneferure, who has taken over the task of transforming you into a proper lady. She is always cool and poised, ready with a treat and praise when you do well and with a switching when you slack off or misbehave. She isn't as warm as Meryawy, the priest of Ra who was your favorite tutor of the last years and remains your primary teacher for religion and mathematics and literature.
School Daze
You were glancing out of the window down on the courtyard at the soldiers drilling there when Maatneferure brought her sycamore switch down on the table. You started and looked over at her with alarm. Her mouth was set at in a stern expression. She had been talking about the essentials of a household and the types of servants a noble lady would be expected to manage. It was boring and didn't you have a eunuch for that kind of stuff anyway? Your protest to that effect did not appease her.
Instead she criticized your posture. Sit up straight, she commanded. Chin level with the floor. Her own bearing was more fluid, but she proclaimed that one must walk before running. And that you would be bearing the Double Crown before the assemblages of nobles and priests in the rites and ceremonies of office. How could you bear such weight if you could not pay attention to her for a little while?
She bade you stand as you fidgeted. She swatted your hands and had you drop them to your sides. She bent down to draw your chin up. You were to remain motionless, standing by the table. It took you some time to satisfy her. You thought back on what your mother told you about controlling your facial expressions, and you applied it being as still as you could. Your governess gave you a brief nod of approval before taking a nearby scroll and balancing it precariously upon your head.
Once you have learned patience and posture, she said, then you would be ready for many other lessons of being a lady. You should strive to be elegant and regal in everything, even your walk. She would check back on you… soon. You should stay and stand there and keep the scroll from falling off.
Of course your resolve starts wavering once Maatneferure actually leaves the room, and there's so much more interesting stuff you could be doing…
[ ] You will be an
[ ] This is boring, go…
-[ ] Find Meryawy and get him to tell you a story about the gods.
-[ ] Check out the soldiers in the courtyard.
-[ ] Play with your friends.
Sick Friend
You have the afternoon to yourself and so order your handmaiden to take you to the harem pool. The morning had been less fun than usual, as Meryawy was giving math lessons instead of going over the adventures of Horus and Ra. But you looked forward to seeing Tayuheret, Bakenptah, and Paneferer and playing with the reed boats and toy soldiers and having a race around the room afterward. And you still needed to pay Paneferer back for pushing you into the pool the other day by surprise…
But when you get to the pool the other children aren't around. You pout at your handmaiden before wandering down to the wicker chest and pulling out your favorite reed boat. You float it on the pool for a while but it isn't very interesting without the other children to race. It gets boring quickly and you are already considering how to impress the eunuchs watching over the room for your amusement when Tayuheret and Paneferer are finally escorted in. You run up to them to drag them over but they aren't too enthusiastic. You get around to asking them what's wrong and inquire where Bakenptah is.
Paneferer tells you he was with them in the morning in classes with the royal scribes when he threw up. He was warm to the touch and coughing harshly before being taken home by the eunuchs. Tayuheret says that she fears he was cursed by the evil eye of a sorcerer while visiting the market yesterday. They're both feeling sad, and you can't help but worry about the situation. You're a Princess, though, and Princesses are supposed to deal with things like this.
[ ] Visit Bakenptah and bring gifts to make him feel better.
[ ] It is an evil spirit! Arrange an exorcism.
-[ ] Ask Meryawy.
-[ ] Ask your Mother.
[ ] It is just a cold. Reassure Tayuheret and Paneferer.
Prologue VI
- Location
- Southern Virginia
Interregnum Year 7-9 Results
There's much to learn from Ma'atneferure and Meryawy, and you make a good go at picking up everything you can.
From your governess you learn not just how to present yourself properly as a noble woman but also how to address others of noble rank. You practice ritual dances under her supervision and as a special treat are allowed to ride the chariot your own father was trained in. Ma'atneferure also takes time to let you know all the ways in which the Dowager Queen is seeing to the good of the realm in your name. As you get used to Ma'atneferure you come to try to model yourself more and more on her; her mature reserve and private kindnesses seem like what a Queen should be like. Toward the end of the year the Regent's health improves and she visits you more frequently once more, lavishing you with praise for your efforts and for paying attention to your tutors. The time will come, she says, as she pats you on the head, when you will need to make use of those lessons.
Meryawy continues to entertain you with stories of the gods, but in your ninth year the stories become more complicated. He speaks of metaphor and how the stories of the gods are intended to show the right path for mortals. The goddess Ma'at, as the guardian and personification of a righteous harmony, is the true model for the rule of Pharaoh. He would have you trust in the strength and example of Ra as a means to achieve Ma'at, but he admits all the gods have a role in the natural order. And once you come of age you will have to patronize and supplicate all of them for the good of Kemet. The priests who serve the gods serve at the leisure of the throne, he assures you when you feel anxious about that burden, and will be ready to assist you in any way you need.
Your mother visits you less often, and most frequently of all at night. She hugs you tightly when she does and you learn to associate the smell of her perfume with a sense of protection and warmth. There's still much she can't teach you yet, but she swears that as her daughter you will learn in due time. More than a divine bloodline is at stake with your survival, she says once to you. And she warns you to behave around the Dowager Queen and Ma'atneferure but not to reveal your true self to them or to anyone else.
+1 Martial, +2 Diplomacy, +1 Intrigue, +2 Piety, +1 Learning
School Daze
1D100 => 80
You close your eyes to the courtyard below as you strain to stay still. It's hard. The exercise is boring, and after a little while your feet hurt and your back begins to feel stiff. It takes all of your willpower to keep from swatting at a large horsefly you hear buzzing around near your head. You have to struggle with your own inclinations and the uncertain sense of time as you keep your eyes closed. But when you feel like giving up you think of how disappointed Ma'atneferure would be if you failed her test. You hang on long enough.
Enough, she says. You don't know how long it's been. As you place the scroll upon the table you look back out, and the soldiers have left the courtyard. Ma'atneferure smiles at you. She didn't expect you to last, but she is pleased you did. You have power in your blood, as does your aunt. But power is nothing without control. Without restraint.
Over the next few weeks she drills you almost like the captain outside drills his soldiers. She has you standing rigid for hours. She has you do pointless tasks over and over again. But you know it has a purpose and she rewards you when you do well. After a while it becomes less troublesome to comply. You find yourself having to strangle back your impulses less and less often. And as your posture improves, she teaches you ritual dances. You incorporate them into your walking, adjusting your posture as you do. You learn control over your body as well as your face.
Ma'atneferure approves of your progress and seems warmer to you. You'll continue to practice your poise and composure with the ritual dances and drilling on your posture, but it's become second nature to you. Your lessons on the positions of the court resume afterward.
Lose Impulsive (+1 Martial, -1 Stewardship, -1 Intrigue)
Gain Poise (+1 Diplomacy)
Poise + Poker Face => Composed (+2 Diplomacy, +2 Intrigue)
Sick Friend
1D100 => 57
You have your handmaiden take you to see your Mother in her official capacity as Royal Magician. She takes you into the servant's wing of the palace, into a poorly lit and sparsely furnished series of halls. Shadows seem omnipresent and you see no servants for some time before you reach a large chamber with doors of solid sycamore wood bound with bronze. She knocks on the door reluctantly, and a charged few moments pass before it opens seemingly on its own.
You step inside followed by the handmaiden, who waits at the entrance as you look around for your mother. The chamber is eerily lit with an almost green-shade of light, illuminating tables piled with scrolls and strange potions in glass flasks. You find her toward the back, as the illumination is fading, sitting in a plush wooden chair and reading a scroll. She's dressed in a colorful and heavy cotton pleated skirt, with a white apron extending from her bare breasts to cover her midsection. It is strange foreign attire, and accentuates her exotic pale skin and long, curly hair the color of wine.
"Princess Meritamun," she said, acknowledging your presence. "What may I do for Your Majesty?"
You tell her what you had head of Bakenptah and his condition, and your own concern that falling so suddenly may make it the work of evil spirits of the sort in league with Apophis. You ask her if she could conduct an exorcism to drive away the spirits.
She looks at you sadly and nods. "If it is the will of Your Majesty I must look into the matter." She stood and bent down to whisper to you. "And my daughter, it is time you saw with your eyes your birthright. We have not had enough time to talk but we may do so on the way."
It took a little time to arrange for a litter to be carried by available Eunuch-slaves and for an escort of the Guard of Horus to be rounded up. The Chief Eunuch, Ptahshepses, confers with your Mother briefly before seeing you off. You take the opportunity to tell Mother all about your lessons with Ma'atnerferure and Meryawy, and she praises your conduct. She also seems pleased with your posture and bearing, complimenting it as truly regal.
You look out of the litter at the grand thoroughfares of the great city of Temes on your way to the house of Ipy, father of Bakenptah. They seem… drab. Many of the structures on the sides of the road seem to be unoccupied. A few beggers linger on the streets, none daring to approach a royal litter and its escort. There are merchant stalls here and there and some traffic of workmen but the city seems almost too big for all the people in it. In the distance down the Grand Thoroughfare you can see the harbor, which is crowded with ships; perhaps all the people are working at the docks?
Ipy has his own palace in a district reserved for civil officials. As you reach it you see teams of slaves along the way cleaning the streets of debris and collecting nightsoil. A few city guards are in evidence watching over them.
You're struck by how much smaller Ipy's palace is compared to the royal compound. The litter-bearers stop outside the gates as the Guard of Horus demand entrance on your behalf. A harried looking servant soon appears and lets you all inside, directing you to the nearby marble stairs. You follow in the confident wake of your Mother.
Ipy met her at the top of the steps. He was a tall, powerfully built man, as though rough-hewn from the marble of his palace. He was dark from years in the sun and dressed in a modest skirt and the blue-and-white cowl of his station. A comely woman with the woolly hair, broad face, and darker skin of the peoples of the south stood beside him and looked on anxiously. She presented a marked contrast to your mother, though the skin of Ipy and of most of Kemet looked about halfway between the two. Your own favored your mother's far more, though.
"I have come by Royal command," your Mother said to Ipy. "She is fond of your son."
"Praise be to the gods, or is it to you?" Ipy replied. "I will not get involved in your quarrels with the Regent. You already know this."
Your Mother inclined her head, and you stepped around her. "I asked her to look at Bakenptah," you affirmed. You explained your concern for evil spirits. Ipy looked dubious, but his wife shivered and begged him to allow the Magician access to their son. He relented quickly, and led the two of you to Bakenptah's room.
He was resting quietly on a small bed, much smaller than your own. He turned his head as you entered, weakly. Your Mother stepped over to him and pressed her hand against his head. "He burns with a strong fever," she said. "It is no evil spirit here."
Your Mother glanced over at the ivory statue of Bastet held on a shelf approvingly. She bent under the bed and pulled out a cat, which meowed and leaped out of her arms onto the bed with Bakenptah. "He is well protected from such as those. And a curse would be too much effort even to strike at the father. Ipy is a man of no noble blood or standing."
She seemed to take a certain enjoyment in pointing out your friend's parent was a commoner.
You asked her if there was anything she could do for him.
She answered you in her language, the one she had taught you from early childhood. "The priests of this country could drive out spirits and break a curse, but this is a mere illness. It is an upset or imbalance of the body. They could pray to their gods for healing. But what I do is different, my precious daughter."
Your Mother placed her hands upon his head again. At first it seemed that nothing was happening. But Bakenptah began to stir after a few moments, while your Mother seemed to sweat. Even you noticed the room getting warmer. Eventually, she stepped back with an effort as Bakenptah's eyes opened wide.
"Meri… Princess Meritamun!" He coughed a bit as he shifted in bed to lean up from the waist.
Your mother excused herself as you talked with your friend. He marveled that the pain was going away and he felt cooler. You were glad you asked your Mother for help and thought you could do it again.
On the way back to the palace another thing occurred to you. Could she not heal your aunt, the Dowager Queen as well as Bakenptah?
She shook her head. "What your aunt suffers is neither curse, nor illness, nor affliction of spirits. It is in the nature of her blood. I can restore a form to what it is supposed to be. It is hard to do so for others, but it can be done. I will teach you. But even I cannot change the form of a person. You will understand, my daughter, when the time comes."
Your Mother seems very tired when you get back to the palace and hands you off to Ptahshepses at the entrance of the palace. You don't see her again for another three days, though when she appears before you that night she is as warm and kind to you as ever. And you can hardly wait to learn the secrets that she promises will be yours.
Result: Bakenptah healed.
There's much to learn from Ma'atneferure and Meryawy, and you make a good go at picking up everything you can.
From your governess you learn not just how to present yourself properly as a noble woman but also how to address others of noble rank. You practice ritual dances under her supervision and as a special treat are allowed to ride the chariot your own father was trained in. Ma'atneferure also takes time to let you know all the ways in which the Dowager Queen is seeing to the good of the realm in your name. As you get used to Ma'atneferure you come to try to model yourself more and more on her; her mature reserve and private kindnesses seem like what a Queen should be like. Toward the end of the year the Regent's health improves and she visits you more frequently once more, lavishing you with praise for your efforts and for paying attention to your tutors. The time will come, she says, as she pats you on the head, when you will need to make use of those lessons.
Meryawy continues to entertain you with stories of the gods, but in your ninth year the stories become more complicated. He speaks of metaphor and how the stories of the gods are intended to show the right path for mortals. The goddess Ma'at, as the guardian and personification of a righteous harmony, is the true model for the rule of Pharaoh. He would have you trust in the strength and example of Ra as a means to achieve Ma'at, but he admits all the gods have a role in the natural order. And once you come of age you will have to patronize and supplicate all of them for the good of Kemet. The priests who serve the gods serve at the leisure of the throne, he assures you when you feel anxious about that burden, and will be ready to assist you in any way you need.
Your mother visits you less often, and most frequently of all at night. She hugs you tightly when she does and you learn to associate the smell of her perfume with a sense of protection and warmth. There's still much she can't teach you yet, but she swears that as her daughter you will learn in due time. More than a divine bloodline is at stake with your survival, she says once to you. And she warns you to behave around the Dowager Queen and Ma'atneferure but not to reveal your true self to them or to anyone else.
+1 Martial, +2 Diplomacy, +1 Intrigue, +2 Piety, +1 Learning
School Daze
1D100 => 80
You close your eyes to the courtyard below as you strain to stay still. It's hard. The exercise is boring, and after a little while your feet hurt and your back begins to feel stiff. It takes all of your willpower to keep from swatting at a large horsefly you hear buzzing around near your head. You have to struggle with your own inclinations and the uncertain sense of time as you keep your eyes closed. But when you feel like giving up you think of how disappointed Ma'atneferure would be if you failed her test. You hang on long enough.
Enough, she says. You don't know how long it's been. As you place the scroll upon the table you look back out, and the soldiers have left the courtyard. Ma'atneferure smiles at you. She didn't expect you to last, but she is pleased you did. You have power in your blood, as does your aunt. But power is nothing without control. Without restraint.
Over the next few weeks she drills you almost like the captain outside drills his soldiers. She has you standing rigid for hours. She has you do pointless tasks over and over again. But you know it has a purpose and she rewards you when you do well. After a while it becomes less troublesome to comply. You find yourself having to strangle back your impulses less and less often. And as your posture improves, she teaches you ritual dances. You incorporate them into your walking, adjusting your posture as you do. You learn control over your body as well as your face.
Ma'atneferure approves of your progress and seems warmer to you. You'll continue to practice your poise and composure with the ritual dances and drilling on your posture, but it's become second nature to you. Your lessons on the positions of the court resume afterward.
Lose Impulsive (+1 Martial, -1 Stewardship, -1 Intrigue)
Gain Poise (+1 Diplomacy)
Poise + Poker Face => Composed (+2 Diplomacy, +2 Intrigue)
Sick Friend
1D100 => 57
You have your handmaiden take you to see your Mother in her official capacity as Royal Magician. She takes you into the servant's wing of the palace, into a poorly lit and sparsely furnished series of halls. Shadows seem omnipresent and you see no servants for some time before you reach a large chamber with doors of solid sycamore wood bound with bronze. She knocks on the door reluctantly, and a charged few moments pass before it opens seemingly on its own.
You step inside followed by the handmaiden, who waits at the entrance as you look around for your mother. The chamber is eerily lit with an almost green-shade of light, illuminating tables piled with scrolls and strange potions in glass flasks. You find her toward the back, as the illumination is fading, sitting in a plush wooden chair and reading a scroll. She's dressed in a colorful and heavy cotton pleated skirt, with a white apron extending from her bare breasts to cover her midsection. It is strange foreign attire, and accentuates her exotic pale skin and long, curly hair the color of wine.
"Princess Meritamun," she said, acknowledging your presence. "What may I do for Your Majesty?"
You tell her what you had head of Bakenptah and his condition, and your own concern that falling so suddenly may make it the work of evil spirits of the sort in league with Apophis. You ask her if she could conduct an exorcism to drive away the spirits.
She looks at you sadly and nods. "If it is the will of Your Majesty I must look into the matter." She stood and bent down to whisper to you. "And my daughter, it is time you saw with your eyes your birthright. We have not had enough time to talk but we may do so on the way."
It took a little time to arrange for a litter to be carried by available Eunuch-slaves and for an escort of the Guard of Horus to be rounded up. The Chief Eunuch, Ptahshepses, confers with your Mother briefly before seeing you off. You take the opportunity to tell Mother all about your lessons with Ma'atnerferure and Meryawy, and she praises your conduct. She also seems pleased with your posture and bearing, complimenting it as truly regal.
You look out of the litter at the grand thoroughfares of the great city of Temes on your way to the house of Ipy, father of Bakenptah. They seem… drab. Many of the structures on the sides of the road seem to be unoccupied. A few beggers linger on the streets, none daring to approach a royal litter and its escort. There are merchant stalls here and there and some traffic of workmen but the city seems almost too big for all the people in it. In the distance down the Grand Thoroughfare you can see the harbor, which is crowded with ships; perhaps all the people are working at the docks?
Ipy has his own palace in a district reserved for civil officials. As you reach it you see teams of slaves along the way cleaning the streets of debris and collecting nightsoil. A few city guards are in evidence watching over them.
You're struck by how much smaller Ipy's palace is compared to the royal compound. The litter-bearers stop outside the gates as the Guard of Horus demand entrance on your behalf. A harried looking servant soon appears and lets you all inside, directing you to the nearby marble stairs. You follow in the confident wake of your Mother.
Ipy met her at the top of the steps. He was a tall, powerfully built man, as though rough-hewn from the marble of his palace. He was dark from years in the sun and dressed in a modest skirt and the blue-and-white cowl of his station. A comely woman with the woolly hair, broad face, and darker skin of the peoples of the south stood beside him and looked on anxiously. She presented a marked contrast to your mother, though the skin of Ipy and of most of Kemet looked about halfway between the two. Your own favored your mother's far more, though.
"I have come by Royal command," your Mother said to Ipy. "She is fond of your son."
"Praise be to the gods, or is it to you?" Ipy replied. "I will not get involved in your quarrels with the Regent. You already know this."
Your Mother inclined her head, and you stepped around her. "I asked her to look at Bakenptah," you affirmed. You explained your concern for evil spirits. Ipy looked dubious, but his wife shivered and begged him to allow the Magician access to their son. He relented quickly, and led the two of you to Bakenptah's room.
He was resting quietly on a small bed, much smaller than your own. He turned his head as you entered, weakly. Your Mother stepped over to him and pressed her hand against his head. "He burns with a strong fever," she said. "It is no evil spirit here."
Your Mother glanced over at the ivory statue of Bastet held on a shelf approvingly. She bent under the bed and pulled out a cat, which meowed and leaped out of her arms onto the bed with Bakenptah. "He is well protected from such as those. And a curse would be too much effort even to strike at the father. Ipy is a man of no noble blood or standing."
She seemed to take a certain enjoyment in pointing out your friend's parent was a commoner.
You asked her if there was anything she could do for him.
She answered you in her language, the one she had taught you from early childhood. "The priests of this country could drive out spirits and break a curse, but this is a mere illness. It is an upset or imbalance of the body. They could pray to their gods for healing. But what I do is different, my precious daughter."
Your Mother placed her hands upon his head again. At first it seemed that nothing was happening. But Bakenptah began to stir after a few moments, while your Mother seemed to sweat. Even you noticed the room getting warmer. Eventually, she stepped back with an effort as Bakenptah's eyes opened wide.
"Meri… Princess Meritamun!" He coughed a bit as he shifted in bed to lean up from the waist.
Your mother excused herself as you talked with your friend. He marveled that the pain was going away and he felt cooler. You were glad you asked your Mother for help and thought you could do it again.
On the way back to the palace another thing occurred to you. Could she not heal your aunt, the Dowager Queen as well as Bakenptah?
She shook her head. "What your aunt suffers is neither curse, nor illness, nor affliction of spirits. It is in the nature of her blood. I can restore a form to what it is supposed to be. It is hard to do so for others, but it can be done. I will teach you. But even I cannot change the form of a person. You will understand, my daughter, when the time comes."
Your Mother seems very tired when you get back to the palace and hands you off to Ptahshepses at the entrance of the palace. You don't see her again for another three days, though when she appears before you that night she is as warm and kind to you as ever. And you can hardly wait to learn the secrets that she promises will be yours.
Result: Bakenptah healed.