The First City of Eridu

The Council of Eridu, founded by the Prophet Gil-Ga-Mesh, governs the city, overseeing its administration, military, religious affairs and magical practices. The Council of Eridu which is made up of the most powerful Erimerian Elven wizards and sorcerers, is seen as the highest body of the Erimerian Elves, with even the independent city states of Urk and Legush recognizing its authority.

Besides the Council there are numerous guilds and magical societies within the city which focus on trade, craftsmanship, religious devotion and magical/academic pursuits.

The Elven inhabitants of the city of Eridu see themselves as the highest example of civilization and culture. Eridu is known for its elaborate religious festivals and rituals which worship the Old Gods of Anki. Magic, which is seen as divine and holy within the religion, is heavily practiced and an integral part of the city's inhabitants. Advanced magical knowledge is passed down through the generations and there are many schools that focus the magical arts. The city passed the walls of marble is said to house the most beautiful temples and gardens, but the true gem of the city is the Ziggurat of Gilga which is the seat of power for the Council. untold secrets and arcane practices are performed behind its walls.

The City of Eridu was founded by the Prophet Gil-Ga-Mesh in 1 AE upon the site of the destroyed heretic city of Ubaid. The first city built on the Land of Ki after the Great Flood, the Council of Eridu and the Erimerian Elves prospered under the "Guidance of Eridu" as the city the center of civilization and culture. Eridu remained the capital of Elven kind even as the Erimerian Elves founded new city states along the Huphrates and Ligis Rivers. However, periods of strife have occurred as events such as the 90 yearlong Brother Wars in the 1900s AE and the Akkardian Human campaigns during the period of Great Migrations. However, the city of Eridu has remained resilient standing for over 4000 years. Currently due to the widespread disasters that are plaguing the Land of Ki, large numbers of non-Elven peoples have migrated it Eridu's outer walls setting up a slum-like settlement known as the Shadow Market.

The citizenry of Eridu who live within its wall is said to number 15,000, however when including the settlers within the Shadow Market and the farming villages who lay within the borders of its realm, the city is said to control over 50,000 peoples.

Within the walls of Eridu the population is only Elven with the vast majority being of Erimerian stock. The Council since the introduction of the other Races have held a policy of extreme segregation amongst Elves and non-Elves. While non-Elves if given permission may enter the outer district within the first Walls of Bronze known as the trade district, they are not allowed permeant residency and cannot be considered citizens. Additionally non-Elves are even forbidden from passing the second walls known as the Walls of Marble and cannot enter the inner districts of the city. However, outside the walls of the city, a much more diverse population is found. Since the Period of Great Struggle refugees from all over the Land of Ki have come to makeshift district of the Shadow Market directly outside the walls of Eridu. Here you can find many cultures, languages and species that dwell within the Land of Ki. Even rarer races such as Suzmites and Dijaal have been spotted within the Shadow Market. Further from the city itself where the irrigated farming villages dot the landscape, Erimerian Elves who prefer a simpler life and Akkardian Humans who built their villages close the great elven cities long ago can be found.

The Official religion of Eridu is the Old Gods of Anki which is practiced by the vast majority of its Elven population. While different religions may be found amongst the refugees of the Shadow Market, the worship of the Old Gods of Anki is strictly enforced within the walls, with heresy being see as a mortal sin. Religions that promote the use of perceived dark magic or sinister rituals are strictly forbidden punishable by death. The High Priests of the Old Gods of Anki and The Council of Eridu are one of the same as the most powerful clerics are given a seat at the council and oversees religious affairs.

The Council of Eridu which is the supreme governing body of the city is in charge of writing and enforcing the laws. Two important tablets of wisdom guide their judgments and actions. These two tablets are the "Guidance of Eridu" written by Gil-Ga-Mesh as a religious, political and societal codex and the "Sacred Tablet of Anki" which holds the records of the origins of the Elves and the initial divine laws of the Gods of Anki.

Important to note Eridu is one of the few places in the Land of Ki that does not permit slavery within its walls. However, this was a more practical choice then one of moral righteousness. While Gil-Ga-Mesh outlawed outright slavery amongst fellow Elves debt slavery (either selling oneself or children into bondage for a period of time due to debt or payment) was still a common practice throughout most of Erdu and Erimerian Elf history. This changed however with the migration of Humans into Musmer. Due to rapid increase in their population Elven slavery outright (including debt slavery) was abolished by the Council, however enslavement of the younger species (Human and Dwarves) was permitted. When the Council forbid the entrance of non-Elves into their walls the issue arose as many wealthy Erimerian Elves held slaves. So, for the reason of xenophobia and "stability" Eridu outlawed slavery outright. However once outside their walls the law is rarely enforced in their rural areas.

The citizens of Eridu are seen as some of the most educated peoples in the Land of Ki. With a culture that promotes scholarly and arcane pursuits, all Erimerian Elves within the city are given the right to learn magic and literacy. Centers of wisdom can be found throughout the city which has led to a literate population (The vast majority of peoples in Ki are illiterate which makes this an astonishing feat).