Birit Narim

The southernmost region of Birit Narim is characterized by high, precipitous mountains which border Kemet and Aznag. Dawn Ahrayn can be seen from afar, hovering over the tallest peak of the Urartu Mountains, Mount Ararat. These were once connected to Sesli Plato, separated by the Erlithmanil as they reshaepd Emynea. There are those who travel to Kemet just to catch a glimpse of this radiant city, as no outsiders are permitted. Her guardians, Zalag Ennun, won't allow outsiders near Lithmor in her compromised state, using potent light magic to deal with trespassers. The Urartu Mountains slope slowly northward, guiding the Idiqlat and Purattu Rivers towards the sea. The majority of roadways center around gentle Purattu as Idiqlat cleaves through the mountains with far steeper slopes. Birit Narim is arid or semi-arid in climate, transforming into desert the further one travels from these rivers. Meanwhile, northern territories transform into marshes, lagoons, mudflats and reed strewn banks as the land levels out. Idiqlat and Purattu merge amid these marshes just before reaching the sea.

While those in southern Birit Narim rely on rain to water their fields, irrigation by canals becomes more prevalent the further north one travels. The climate also becomes colder and colder but the solar energy in the Idiqlat and Purattu rivers warms the earth and air it touches, a benefit which disipates farther from these waterways. Melting snow further dilutes the solar water in the marshes, the water gradually losing its shine by the time it meets the sea. Outside of agriculture along the riverbanks, nomadic pastorialists guide their herds of sheep, tamadla goats and shamsi camels throughout the countriside and amid craggy slopes. In the summer, they graze on river pastures and in winter, the wet season, they move to the fringes of the desert. Meanwhile, fishing is more prevalent in northern Birit Narim within its marshes.

Left to their own divices, the tribes and settlements of Birit Narim aren't prone to uniting into one large nation. They prefer the formation of city-states, fragmented tribes in montane villages or living nomadically by sleeping in tents--though farmers and nomads often butted heads. This isn't to say their civilization wasn't advanced. In fact, it was a center for human development and one of the few reliably fertile locations in northern Alkelbulan alongside Kemet! Civilizations large and small rose and fell continuously between these two rivers and many kings of Birit Narim still live on in legend. However, these small, vying powers fell before outside empires beginning with the conquest of Alexandros and then Ilnid. A Quiris-Hellenes empire maintained a tight grip even after their conqueror met his end, a few small kingdoms rising against them but never quite pushing them out. The people of Birit Narim might have recovered with Lithmor's aid but once she was sealed away, and they fell under the abrasive reign of Ilnid, not a single kingdom has risen successfully to oppose Arabiyy control. Much like their neighbor Kna'an, Ilnid holds onto Birit Narim with an uncompromising grip.

Conquerors from surrounding lands have all, at some point, attempted to possess the abundant fields of Birit Narim and some believe these lands are cursed to endless tragedy. Even within Khalifah al-Rasul, wazir and khalifah bicker and plot to possess pieces of this territory. Despite frequently falling under the rule of foreign powers, Birit Narim has always been one of the earliest civilizations in Alkelbulan thanks to its fertility and as the home of Lithmor, her aspect Kanilwyr being the element of knowledge. Well fed and watched over by their goddess, Siryans were the first to develop writing, mathematics, astronomy and agriculture following the Birth of the Erlithmanil.

At the end of the dynastic period, the first empire in Birit Narim arose: Mat Akkadi. These were an al-Mashriq people led by their king, Sarruumkiin, who conquered 34 cities himself! Several Kengir city-states rebelled amid his rule, Sarruumkiin and his son Rimuus reconquering at least six cities. Palaces, temples and walls were built in his lands with the spoils their conquests. Akkadi stretched all the way into Kna'an, Parsa and parts of the Frozen Wastes. While their founder revered the local pantheon and had the blatent endorsement of Ishtar (Ferith), his descendants were less than respectful of the gods. Some accounts even claim Sarruumkiin was a Divine Descendant of Ferith and this was why he was not only so powerful in battle but why Lithmor took no direct action against him. So fearsome in battle was Sarruumkiin that even in old age he continued to smite revolts against him, including a siege on his capital.

Once Rimuus came into control, he unleashed a violent campaign against Saggigga city-states, slaughtering more than 50,000 of them and enslaving or expelling nearly as many more! He even went so far as to erect monuments recording and proclaiming his genocidal exploits, struggling against rebellions until his own courtiers assassinated him. Rimuus was succeeded by his elder brother, Maanishtusu, who became renown for his victory in a naval battle against 32 kings from al-Arabiyyah. Yet Rimuus too was assassinated amid court politics. The following King Naraam Sin, Maanishtusu's son, was perhaps the most reviled. He continued his predecessor's trend of conquest and proclaimed himself Lugal Naraam Sin, Sar kibrat 'arbaim meaning King Naraam Sin, Ruler of the Four Courners, of the entire world. He was skilled in both battle and diplomacy, pushing the Akkadi empire to its largest expanse. Most contriversial was his proclimation that he, and his ancestors, were not representatives of the gods but actual deities themselves.

While Birit Narim was well organized and productive during his reign, resulting in a high surplus of food and the construction of extensive public infrastructure, Naraam Sin invaded many neighboring lands and confiscated their wealth to further these advances. His attempt to deify himself pushed Birit Narim into the Great Revolt. Leading up to this, Naraam Sin began tightening his control over his city-states by sending his sons as governors and his daughters as high-priestesses—a tactic later adopted by Khalifah al-Rasul. He kept only the most loyal to him as governors. Despite his attempts to consolidate power, a coalition formed amid his city-states and rebelled together against him. Yet much like his grandfather, Naraam Sin possessed powerful fire magic and emerged victorious battle after battle. It was following these victories that he proclaimed himself divine and named himself god of his capital, Akkan.

Whether by Lithmor's guidance or the rule of Hammurapi, Babilim re-established trade routes throughout Birit Narim, bringing about economic stability. King Hammurapi's armies continued to expand Bibilim, stretching throughout the most fertile areas of Birit Narim by his thirtieth year as king. He was also known for his diplomacy, divine support furthering his reputation among his peers and securing oaths of neighboring kings. Even long after his death, Bibilim would go on to control all of Birit Narim! However, while Babilim as an empire continued on his dynasty fell immediately to foreign rulers after his death. The empire changed hands several times between Aturaye, Kassites and Hatami kings. In fact, the Aturaye destroyed the original city and rebuit it! Under the control of the Aturaye, King Nabuaplausur began his reign of Mat Babil. Both the economy and population boomed under his rule, allowing a similar boom in culture, artwork and architecture. In this vibrant age, Lithmor became very involved with the city of Babil and a major patron to these cultural pursuits. For the people of Babil and Lithmor, this was a golden age while for those on the edge of this empire's sword, it was an age of terror and corruption!

Lithmor was so preocuppied with the development of Babil that much of their conquests and political corruption went unnoticed—a purposeful distraction by King Nabukudurriusur, son of Nabuaplausur. This king is most remembered for his brutal and ruthless conquests, especially his campaign in Kna'an where he razed Yehudim temples. When their deceit was discovered, Lithmor was furious. She hadn't been wronged badly enough to claim divine wrath and instead sought out a human champion to fight for her. In the meantime, Lithmor rose her Seat, palace and temple into the sky above Babil. From there she watched over the city and in fact the whole region with her light magic.

Eventually, Lithmor settled on Kurus of Parsa as her champion. She supported and gave Kurus one of her strongest blessings, guiding him in his conquest across Parsa and eventually Birit Narim. When he finally set his eyes on Babil, Lithmor let him into the city herself. Kurus continued his conquests with Babil as his capital, creating the Xsaca Empire and claiming he was restoring order to Alkelbulan as Lithmor's champion. It was also at this point Lithmor began collecting followers to guard and defend her Seat, one by one, creating Zalag Ennun. Only these individuals were allowed to reside in this newly founded city, Dawn Ahrayn, which expanded out around her Seat. Lithmor watched over human civilization from this mystic perch, only allowing her followers into the city for two weeks each year to celebrate a new years festival!