Nation Name: Confederacy of Keshda Flag: [img=http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/aztatlan__51468.jpg] Region on map: Capital: Saman-Lugal Capital Population: 2,000 Other Major Settlements: Sikil-Sigil; Dalbana; Eurra-an; Kusig-bad; Population: 30,000 Racial demographics: Exclusively Uzushag Social dynamics: The nation is highly tribal and nomadic, with loose confederations of tribal families banding together at important religious sites, forming theocratic population centers that serve more as temples than cities. There is no high king, but when a city has gained power, it is thought that the gods have chosen them, from which they become the center of the confederation. For the most part, if not ruled by the clergy, than a rule of terror exists under the warrior class, who regularly exert unquestioned athority over the weaker farmer, laborer, artisan and merchant classes. Fashion: Priest: [url=http://th07.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2011/020/5/d/sumerian_man_by_madamwitch-d37o6f5.jpg] Priestess [url=http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/020/4/2/sumerian_woman_by_madamwitch-d37o5zl.jpg] Warrior: [url=http://history.novosibdom.ru/files/u5/sibir_52.jpg] Regular People: [url=http://www.nawpublishing.com/assets/ephemera/e_sumerianvillage_400.jpg] Calendar: A very basic solar calendar tuned to the migrations and habits of prey animals Art: not much in the way of art Law: The theocratic cities are totalitarian in almost every way. The guards of the cites ensure the endless servitude of the common people to the cities god, and to the glory of the chosen city. For those who do not live in the cities, there is little to no law at all. Education: Cities train scribes for keeping records and writing down the words and teachings of the gods. Many scribes are in service to the high priest, keeping track of all the rites and rituals, and tracking solar motions to know when the time for hunting is best. Languages: Many dialects and variations of the Uzushag langauge Religious beliefs: a vast pantheon of many deities of absurd power and control. Only the clergy is even allowed to approach the gods, lay people are only allowed to provide offerings to the clergy, and for the most part, live in fear of the deities, prefering to practice shamanism and ancestor veneration, and engage in ritual hunt. Type of Government: Tribal theocratic confederation of city-states Influence and relations: For the most part, the cities are too busy fight each other for dominance to care about the outside world. Important People: Nuesh of Saman-Lugal Sagmi of Sikil-Sigil Utena of Dalbana Eannatum of Eurra-an Shubad of Kusig-bad Trading and tax: The cities have heavy taxes on citizens to maintain the fragile stabilty of the cities infrastructure. Most of this money goes to the temples, but the other majority goes to maintaining the walls. Major industries: Stonework, Toolmaking, Agriculture, Hunting, Major Associations: n/a Currency: A simple currency of bronze and iron tokens, inscribed with the seal of the city they were made in. Military - 1,200 warriors defend the tribes and cites of the nation. Each city has a standing army of 120 men, just enough to maintain a close watch of the population, and be able to defend and attack rival cities and tribes. Landscape: dry and arid grasslands, with sparse deserts and plateaus, heavy forestation on the plateaus, where wildlife can be found in high numbers. Wildlife: Mostly inhabited by deer, wild horses, rabbits, birds of prey, prairie birds like chickens and turkeys, and reptiles like snakes and lizards. Notable places: The plateau of An is said to be interesting Keshal species History: It isn't quite right to call them non-human, as they are in fact a branch of the Homo genus. Called Homo Carnivora, in hypothetical binomial nomenclature, the Uzushag's ancestors evolved to pursue predation, and as a result, they underwent some changes. Upon becoming distinct from other humans, the new people began looking for a place that would suit their new bodies. Eventually, the early members found a grassy land full of game to hunt. They settled down here and became a strong apex predator. However, they were too good, eventually causing a shortage of food and a famine. In search of a new food source, it was found that if one controlled the breeding of animals, a steady supply could be produced, and that traits for better food could be made. And so animal husbandry was created, causing the new people to become pasoral nomads, searching for food for their new livestock. Later, it was observed that plants could be trained and harnessed like animals, and that these plants could also be eaten by Keshal as well. It was here that the people began to settle into regions were they could develop more complex ideas. For the most part, they have had little need for technological progress, having all they need on the steppe, and have only progressed to the late bronze/early iron age. Strengths: Natural predators, stronger and faster than average humans, possess traits like developed canines and the morph of nails in to claws. Weaknesses: low technological level, natural aggression prevents strong bonds, heavly tribal and resistant to change. Name: Keshal Classification: Player controlled Appearance: For the most part, human. But with a few differences: They have much more carnivorous teeth, the incisors and canines have become longer and sharper, the incisors becoming chisel like, and the canines pointed and cutting. The molars have largely disapeared, replaced with sharp, dagger like teeth, much like in a dog or cat. They are able to open their mouths slightly wider than humans. They are more muscular and stouter, the skeleton seeming more stout and compact, even appearing somewhat streamline. Eyes posses a tapetum lucidum, and the species is nocturnal, as opposed to the diurnal humans. Natural abilities: predatory instincts, great strength and speed, increased night vision, hightened agression. Lifespan: roughly the same as a human, slightly shorter. Relations with other races: they dont interact much, but are likely to try and kill them if they perceve them as a threat. Preferred occupations: Hunters, warriors, farmers, clergymen Famous people: the high priests of the cites.