Philae
Two islands that mark the southern border of Khemet, both considered sacred, the smaller only accessible to priests, but the larger a pilgrimage site and trading post. Philae rests near the First Cataract of Hapy, with tradition holding the source of the great river is a day or two south of the islands, though the source has yet to be found, as Kush and Punt are intraversible.
Government
The Eye of Ra controls Philae, aided by the Temples of Neith, Hathor, Sekhmet, and Isis, the Four Mothers. They are absolute in their decisions, tempered only by the harsh realities of operating a military base financed by a tourist destination and international market. Residents must spend one of Khemet's three seasons in service to the Eye or one of the many temples that line the streets of Philae, receiving a bowl of Khemet beer for a day's work. The farms on the banks pay 30% of their produce to the Eye, and the temples function as the Waset on a smaller scale, with the complete compliance of the Waset.
Defences
Both islands are walled, the parapets manned by the martial orders of the Temples of Neith and Sekhmet. Neith templars are highly skilled archers, while Sekhmet templars tend to be werelionesses.
Industry & Trade
Philae is analogous to Las Vegas in Terra Antiqua. Behind the sacred abundance is the dealmaking. Arrangements made here are as binding as those at Waset, and amenities much closer. The presence of the Eye of Ra makes Philae a military priority, so the islands are much safer and more secure than Waset.
Infrastructure
Philae celebrates a perpetual festival, and this tourism supports the islands. All those native to the region hold the islands as sacred, and the market of the larger island dominates local economy. The Empire brought plumbing and sewage to Philae, and the streets are kept in good repair with minor cities on the banks centered around ferrying travelers to Philae. Market stalls are rented from one of the four main temples as are temples of other gods, even the Imperial Temple at the end of the Street of Gods and those temples and shrines to the Khemet gods. Vendors and merchants enter by a special port holding the bureaucrats that issue licenses and assess taxes. Philae tariff is 10% of value and paid whenever merchandise enters the island.
Assets
The kingdoms of Kush and Punt bring Khemet gold they exchange for the goods of Khemet, food, cattle, jewelry, etc. Philae is built on trade with an assist from pilgrimages. The Temple of Hathor runs a brisk trade in those things held dear by the goddess of carnality, which largely supports the marketplace and the military.
Guilds and Factions
The Eye of Ra is here, and she holds power beyond even the pharoahs in what she may do, even though Khemet is the Personal Property of the basileus. She has an advisory council, the Four Mothers, comprised of the ranking resident priests of Neith, Hastur, Sekhmet, and Isis. These priesthoods control industry and trade, and any who would conduct either on Philae must meet their terms. Other temples and their priests may be powerful but still bow to them.
History
Philae was sacred long before there was Khemet. Tradition holds this is where the primal creatrix Neith issued the Seven Utterances that define existence as we know it, and that tradition is believed by all the indigenous peoples, including the nomad tribes.
When Hau-Aha united the Two Lands, the Temple of Neith held the small island and permitted a settlement on the large. The Temples of Sekhmet and Hathor followed, dispatching branches to the island subordinate to the Temple of Neith to secure and improve upon the region. They made an oasis pleasing to the goddesses and were able to assure Hau-Aha invasion would not come from the south.
The Eye of Ra settled here as proof of the pharoah's faith, and the island blossomed.
Architecture
The finest examples of Khemet architecture adorn Philae, from it's walls inward, save for the Imperial Temple at the end of the Street of Gods, which is built in the Imperial fashion. Statuary and art cover the island, again save for the Imperial Temple, and colorful banners hang from every wall without a statue.
Geography
Philae is two islands jutting out of Hapy near the First Cataract.
Natural Resources
The banks of Hapy hold sprawling plantations of fruit and grain and fishing is good here. The Philae marketplaces hold everything that could be desired and those storehouses alone hold enough it would take an environmental catastrophe of apocalyptic proportions to break a seige.
Type
Large city
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
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