Ashdod
Ashdod

  • Ashdod
  • 1.0 Major Peoples of Ashdod Territories
  • 1.1 Eeee
  • 1.2 Nagai
  • 1.3 Savanites
  • 1.4 Fnerfs
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  • 2.0 Major Locations
  • 2.1 Babel
  • 2.1.1 Tower of Babel
  • 2.1.2 The Pit
  • 2.1.3 Mages' Guild Hall
  • 2.1.4 Mount Dronnel
  • 2.1.5 Seven Sisters
  • 2.1.5.1 Mount Rephath
  • 2.1.5.2 Mount Blakat
  • 2.1.5.3 Mount Inala
  • 2.1.5.4 Mount Sunala
  • 2.1.5.5 Mount Zakaro
  • 2.1.5.6 Mount Gorphat
  • 2.1.5.7 Mount Barada
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  • 2.1.6 Undercity
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  • 3.0 Babelite Politics
  • 3.1 The Sabaoth
  • 3.2 The High Prince/Princess
  • 3.3 The Grand Vizier
  • 3.4 The House Lords
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  • 4.0 Babelite Religion and Morals
  • 4.1 Seven Sisters
  • 4.1.1 Rephath -- Goddess of Vengeance
  • 4.1.2 Blakat -- Goddess of Conflict
  • 4.1.3 Inala -- Goddess of Pleasure
  • 4.1.4 Sunala -- Goddess of Death
  • 4.1.5 Zakaro -- Goddess of Sorcery
  • 4.1.6 Gorphat -- Goddess of Affliction
  • 4.1.7 Barada -- Goddess of Secrets
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  • 4.2 Afterlife and Burial
  • 4.3 Law and Punishment
  • 4.4 Social Mores
  • 4.5 Slavery
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  • 5.0 Languages
  • 5.1 Eeee (Babelite)
  • 5.2 Nagai (Imperial)
  • 5.3 Silent Tongue (Savanite)
  • 5.4 Rephidim Standard
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  • 6.0 Magic
  • 6.1 College Esoterica
  • 6.2 Royal Mages
  • 6.3 Priestesses
  • 6.3.1 Yodhblakat and Slakash
  • 6.3.2 Yodhrephath
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  • 7.0 Ashdodite Cuisine
  • 7.1 Bugs
  • 7.2 Fruit
  • 7.3 Rughrat
  • 7.4 Blood
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  • 8.0 Travel
  • 8.1 Sky Palanquins
  • 8.2 Airships
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  • 9.0 Military and Warfare
  • 9.1 Air Fleet
  • 9.2 Skedats
  • 9.3 Plaguebringers
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  • 10.0 Relations with Sinai
  • 10.1 Rephidim
  • 10.2 Nagai
  • 10.3 Khattan Emirate
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    Ashdod

    "Ashdod" typically refers to the Ashdod Territories, home of the Babelite Empire. Collectively, it is considered one of the top three powers of Sinai. Until recently, it would be wrestling with the Nagai Empire for second place. Now, it would appear that its best rival for second place under Rephidim would be the Khattan Emirate.

    1.0 Major Peoples of the Ashdod Territories

    The Ashdod Territories are associated primarily with the Eeee, but not in the same way that the Nagai Empire is associated with the Nagai.

    1.1 Eeee

    Eeee are bat-like humanoids best known for their ability to fly, and for their keen hearing and high pitched voices -- which, together allow them to "see" even in pitch black darkness, by means of echo-location. They tend to be fairly frail compared to most races, and light-weight. There are three known sub-races:

  • Babelite: If there's a name to be attached to this "sub-race", it would be "Babelite Eeee", but these are those most often associated with the term "Eeee", so the race name is quite rarely used for purposes of distinction. This is the "normal" Eeee.

  • Saskanar: While not restricted to the plains of Saskanar, a strain of fruit bats (sticking to fruit rather than bugs) is found in large numbers in the fruit-bearing plains of Saskanar, on the west side of Ashdod. Some families of bats in Saskanar have a curious genetic variation in that they do not have separate limbs for arms and wings as most Eeee do, but are rather possessed of just four limbs -- wings and legs. Their wings have "wing-claws" on them for manipulation of objects, but they cannot easily manipulate objects while in flight as most Eeee can do. This genetic variant can be found in many places, but it is most strongly associated with Saskanar.

  • Sylvanian (Vampiric): A negative stigma is attached to this sub-race, which seems to be particularly susceptible to mutations. Very few of the Sylvanian strain are found in Ashdod ... and most that are will take great pains to conceal this fact. As the name suggests, the largest concentration of Eeee of this variety can be found in Sylvania. These are vampire bats, only able to gain sustenance from blood.

    • 1.2 Nagai

    There is a large population of Nagai to be found in Babel -- a settlement with a history dating back for centuries. The Babelite Nagai do not have a cultural identity tied to the late Nagai Empire. Rather, Babelite Nagai form a sort of upper-middle-class in Babel, serving the major Houses as mages, scribes, mentors, personal attendants, and in similar capacities.

    1.3 Savanites

    Ashdod has slavery, and therefore a significant population of Savanites serving as slaves. Since Savanites are furred, warm-blooded mammals without a hibernation instinct to fight off, they're better suited to work outside in Babel during the winter season than Nagas or even Eeee.

    1.4 Fnerfs

    Fnerfs look like fox-tauroids. In other words, their bodies look like the lower body of a giant, nearly pony-sized fox joined neck to waist with a humanoid torso that is covered with fox fur and topped with a vulpine head. Fnerfs are found in the outlying regions of the Ashdod Territories, and not in any significant number in Eeee settlements. (They have a hard time getting around architecture made for Eeee.)

    Fnerfs typically lead an agrarian lifestyle, raising crops and livestock (especially rughrats), and doing trade with the city-dwelling Eeee.

    2.0 Major Locations

    The Ashdod Territories are located on the northern half of the continent of Ur, stretching from the east coast inland. Ashdod goes from sea shores on the east, to mountain ranges, to foothills, and then to rolling plains toward the west. Ashdod is located along the equator, but large portions of it are at high altitude. Ashdod is not a true country, per se, but more a loose confederation of city-states and fiefdoms that occasionally come together in times of war. In recent times, some of these territories have formally broken off their ties with Babel, in hopes of getting out of the long-running conflict between Babel and Rephidim.

    2.1 Babel

    Babel, also known as the "City of Strife", is the largest city-state in the Ashdod Territories, and known as the capitol of the Territories -- were any true capitol to be recognized. Babel is located in a range of mountains on the east side of the Ashdod Territories, the ocean within view of the towers. The city has been built up over countless generations, new buildings being built up using the old as foundations, to the point where Babel looks like a jumble of gravity-defying towers, bridges and platforms with an almost Escher-esque quality to the construction. For the most part, it is a city only friendly to fliers, whereas non-fliers are typically confined to a single (albiet large) building structure for the bulk of their stay in Babel.

    2.1.1 Tower of Babel

    Taller than any of the buildings of Babel, and rivaling the surrounding mountains, is a gigantic structure that slowly tapers as it rises upward, looking like a great man-made plateau, with roads spiraling up the outer wall. With each generation, more has been built onto the Tower of Babel, it being a matter of pride just how tall the tower can be made to rise. The tower's base has expanded outward out of necessity, swallowing up numerous buildings. Indeed, its base can't be seen any longer, the point where it reaches the ground being deep within the Undercity.

    Access to the tower is greatly restricted, and it is considered an especially holy site to the Eeee. For ages, the contents of the Tower were a secret, until the time of the Sabaoth's war against Rephidim, and the Battle of the Plaguebringers. These giant insects were brought out of a millenia-long slumber, and brought out of the tower to fly in combat against Rephidim. The interior of the Tower of Babel hides a gigantic hive, and ancient biotechnological machinery based upon the bodies of insects bred to large size and peculiar functions, with mechanical implants added to make them serve as vehicles for Babelite warriors.

    Since the destruction of the Palace at midnight at the turn of the century between 6099 and 6100 RTR, the Palace of the High Princess has been moved: Now, the High Princess resides atop the Tower of Babel itself, flying in the face of ancient taboos.

    2.1.2 The Pit

    The Pit is a huge, roughly circular "hole" cut in the city, all the way down to bare rock, roughly centered on the location of the former Palace of the High Princess. It's as if somehow, someone took a giant cookie-cutter chunk out of the city and removed it utterly. Although the Tower of Babel's base crosses the rim of the pit, the Tower of Babel is completely unscathed by the blast -- a fact taken to heart as a miracle and a sign of favor from the gods by the Babelite people.

    Buildings along the perimeter of the effect have broken and toppled into rubble, having had their supports cut away, or sometimes being cleft in twain themselves. Within that zone, many brave Eeee have tried to reclaim the land, though Babel will probably eventually have its own official plans on what to do with it.

    2.1.3 Mages' Guild Hall

    The College Esoterica of Babel was one of the three largest branches of the Collegia Esoterica (the other two major branches once being found in Rephidim and Nagai City). However, it was destroyed in the dropping of the Boomer on Babel, as it was caught in the area that became "the Pit".

    The mages opted not to build another college in Babel, but they did convert one of the outlying dormitories into use as an "embassy" of sorts for the Mages' Guild, as the Mages' Guild Hall of Babel. It serves as a presence for the College Esoterica in Babel, where mages in the service of the College's interests abroad can stay, and as a central communications point for Guild members who happen to be in Babel.

    2.1.4 Mount Dronnel

    Mount Dronnel is a mountain sacred to Ashdodites, the site of many events of legend and history, from battles to key murders to divine appearances to much more. Outsiders would consider its history to be far from holy. But to the Ashdodites, it is a place of epic conflict and decisive change, and therefore pilgrims from all over the Ashdod Territories will come to visit this place. Whereas the Tower of Babel is sacred to Babel, Mount Dronnel is of import to all Ashdod. It also happens to be the largest and tallest mountain in the Ashdod Territories.

    2.1.5 The Seven Sisters

    This is a range of seven peaks near Mount Dronnel that form part of the border of the city-state of Babel. Each is named after a different goddess, each of them held to be sisters (and not terribly nice ones) in Ashdodite mythology. Each also has a shrine built on it, dedicated to the appropriate goddess. Pilgrims will travel to these shrines to make offerings ... but these offerings are typically payments given in exchange for particular services, rather than just obscure blessings from the goddesses.

    Each mountain has a path paved with broken red rock, flanked by "fences" formed by poles placed at intervals, supporting rope barriers. Pilgrims are expected to walk along these paths up to the mountain, rather than flying. Flying over any part of the mountain is forbidden except for members of the priesthood, royalty, and those granted special exceptions. (For example, in times of war, Babelite airships may be granted exemption, so that they may fly over sacred sites.)

    2.1.5.1 Mount Rephath

    The loneliest of the seven shrines, this is a base for the operations of the Priestesses of Rephath, who act as vigilantes, answering only to themselves. From time to time, there have been clashes between this temple and the authorities, and this temple is not beyond being swayed by sizeable donations.

    2.1.5.2 Mount Blakat

    The priestesses of Blakat are warrioresses, and serve as mercenaries. They are collectively known as the Yodhblakat, or "Daughters of the Dagger". In many ways, they are like the priestesses of Sunala, only with even less concern for their personal safety, or for any sort of subtlety. While priestesses of Blakat have a reputation for being great warrioresses, they're really just berserkers ... and with a bat, that is not terribly impressive. They are dangerous, but they are not the most fearsome of the various "warrior sects" to be found on Sinai, because they have no self-control. A skilled and well-informed warrior can use this against them, even if outnumbered.

    Donations made at the temple are not made in the usual manner. It is a matter of tradition that no one gives anything to Blakat, and to offer anything to her is an insult. Rather, Blakat takes what she wants. Therefore, the faithful come to the temple with whatever they wish to make available to Blakat, and the priestesses demand it from them. One must be careful not to bring anything that one isn't willing to part with. An individual who is not properly respectful - or who catches a priestess on a bad day - may consider himself lucky to leave with nothing but his undergarments, and still having his teeth intact.

    2.1.5.3 Mount Inala

    The most popular of the shrines, this is a den of iniquity, where all manner of vices are celebrated. All priestesses of Inala come from a single bloodline, and along with the menfolk are known as the Children of Inala. (Only the females may become priestesses, and thus are known as Yodhinala, or "Daughters of Pleasure".)

    Infants born with deformities are quietly snuffed out or offered as sacrifices, while those who are deemed less than perfect but still fair of feature will be sold off to wealthy families to be raised as attractive house servants. The rest -- only the most ideal -- will be destined to serve as male attendants and priestesses in the shrine.

    2.1.5.4 Mount Sunala

    The priestesses of Sunala are assassins, and offerings to the shrine are given either in the hopes of getting the servants of Sunala to do one of their ritual killings on one of the worshipper's rivals ... or else as "protection money" from suffering from such a fate at the urging of a rival. The mountain is distinct for having ancient statues of Sunala all along the road that leads to the summit, giving the way an appearance something like that of a graveyard. At the very top, the temple of Sunala is shaped like a stepped pyramid, the individual steps so steep that a body sacrificed on the altar at the top can be tossed down, and fall all the way down to the bottom.

    2.1.5.5 Mount Zakaro

    The priestesses of Zakaro are, for the most part, Chaos Mages, acting outside of the influence of the College Esoterica, but tolerated because of their traditional position in Babelite culture, and because they keep to themselves for the most part. Patrons who make sizeable donations to the temple may gain magical boons from the priestesses, but these mages don't "hire out" in the same way that most mages would.

    2.1.5.6 Mount Gorphat

    The priestesses of Gorphat have a few Life Mages in their number. They are sought for the healing of diseases ... or, it is said, the infliction of diseases upon others. From time to time, the priestesses conduct "purges" of the Undercity of Babel, ostensibly to keep diseases from running rampant.

    One particular rule for pilgrims making their way to the summit is that it is forbidden for them to lend assistance to anyone lying by the wayside. There are many sick and elderly Eeee who try to make the journey in hopes of being granted help from their afflictions. Those who die are simply left there, making the way terribly unsanitary and offensive.

    2.1.5.7 Mount Barada

    The priestesses of Barada are spies and seers with an extensive spy network. Those patrons who give generously to Barada may be given useful leads ... and might be spared from having their own secrets shared with other worshippers.

    2.1.6 Undercity

    The city of Babel has been repeatedly built on older layers, resulting in tall ziggurats and towers that rise to such heights that the ground level barely gets any light at all from the sun. This is hardly the best method of construction, and at times towers will collapse, and new structures will be built on the ruins of the old.

    The lower classes in Babelite society -- with the exception of house slaves and personal servants serving the rich and powerful -- tend to live in physically lower levels of the city. The lowest levels of all, however, are for the most part abandoned, inhabited only by the dregs of society, and various wild creatures. There is no attempt at law enforcement here, save for the occasional Purges initiated by the Priestesses of Gorphat, who wantonly kill any and all they encounter in the Undercity, making use of fire to clear the way and to smoke out any who hide. Disease runs rampant down here, and this provides the justification for these Purges.

    3.0 Babelite Politics

    Babelite politics are particularly vicious by most civilized standards. There is much pomp and formality, but the thin veneer of civility hides a long-standing cultural tradition of opportunism, lies, betrayal, and general back-stabbing (real and figurative). Different factions are forever maneuvering for power and squabbling, and it is generally only in times of war that Babel -- let alone the whole of Ashdod -- can be motivated toward a single cause. This particular fact has led to several clashes between Ashdod and some of its less powerful neighbors, over history.

    3.1 The Sabaoth

    For most of Ashdod's history, it was governed by a ruler known as the Sabaoth both in name and title. Tradition holds that the Sabaoth was immortal, and had a continuous reign from the time of the formation of Babel. Some legends and fables, however, seem to suggest times when some other ruler might have held the throne ... but these are generally "once upon a time" types of fables that defy attempts to chronologically place them in any definite era.

    It is believed by many that the Sabaoth maintained his immortality by means of some sort of magical rituals used to give him a new body when the old one grew decrepit. The Royal Mages claimed to have "rediscovered" this "ancient ritual" in recent history, when transferring the "life essence" of an Aelfin to a new Eeee body in Babel in 6099 RTR.

    Whatever the case, the Sabaoth never married -- there is no "queen". The Sabaoth did, however, have a sizeable harem. From time to time, there would be a Prince born to the Sabaoth, but he would not be destined to ever become Sabaoth -- for the Sabaoth was immortal. Instead, most of the present Houses have family heads who can claim to be a "Son of the Sabaoth" by descent from one of these Princes.

    Whenever the Sabaoth would grow old and die (or, that is, should his "avatar" grow old and die, depending upon one's beliefs), the members of the harem would be put to death, and quite a few of the Sabaoth's personal attendants as well. If nothing else, this encouraged those closest to the Sabaoth to have his well-being and health at heart.

    The Sabaoth, however, died shortly after the ill-fated Battle of the Plaguebringers, in which he had roused some ancient fighting bug-machines, and sent them against Rephidim ... but they were soundly defeated. Back in Babel, there were several riots, and the Sabaoth was slain by a former courier known as Brishen Kara, who had previously been an ardent supporter of the Sabaoth, and even gave patriotic speeches to the Plaguebringer pilots before they went off to attack Rephidim. (But then, such is the nature of Babel.)

    3.2 The High Prince/Princess

    After the death of the Sabaoth, the Prince Boghaz (formerly known as Boghaz bar Sabaoth -- that is, the son of the Sabaoth) returned from exile and took the throne, under the guidance of Grand Vizier Thath. The Prince changed his title to High Prince, rather than assuming the title and name of Sabaoth, in order to make a break from the old traditions, at least in name.

    The reign of the High Prince was short-lived, however, as was the High Prince himself. He was assassinated, and the High Princess Saraizadze took his place as leader of Babel, and it's no real secret that she has also taken Grand Vizier Thath as her new lover. So far, it remains to be seen if the reins of power of Babel may pass on to a successor without the violent death of the present leader.

    3.3 The Grand Vizier

    The closest advisor to the Sabaoth is the Grand Vizier. Although most of the Sabaoth's court is subject to death when the Sabaoth passes on, the Grand Vizier is exempt from this, remaining to help the "newly reborn" Sabaoth to adjust to his renewed life. The Grand Vizier Thath served under the Sabaoth, but publicly denounced the Sabaoth's plans to attack Rephidim, and was subsequently banished to Saskanar. When the Sabaoth was killed, Grand Vizier Thath returned with High Prince Boghaz, assuming his old role under the new leader. Then the High Prince in turn was slain, the Grand Vizier retained his position in the court of the High Princess Saraizadze.

    3.4 The House Lords

    Though the Sabaoth or High Prince of Babel wields considerable power, it is by no means absolute. Several noble Houses control the various territories of Ashdod, and also hold portions of the capitol city of Babel. Though the core family of each House can claim descent from the Sabaoth, that doesn't mean that all is well in the family. Armed clashes between the Houses typically occur openly within the city of Babel, rather than taking place in the extended lands held by each House. Each House maintains its own small air navy, and while the Sabaoth or High Prince/Princess commands a small personal fleet, in order for any major actions, cooperation is required from one or more of the Houses. This usually requires some sort of significant compensation, so this cooperation is not often sought out.

    This has changed a great deal since the dropping of the Boomer on Babel on New Year's Eve, 6099 RTR. Not only was the Palace destroyed, but several holdings of the major Houses of Babel, all situated close to the Palace. And, given that it was a celebration of the turn of the century, not just a new year, the heads of the major Houses were gathered together, along with most of their extended families. When the bomb dropped, several major Houses were almost utterly destroyed. Some Houses still had some heirs, but not with enough personal power to be able to defend their inheritance against competitors. As a result, most of the major rivals for power in Babel were eliminated and, ironically, the High Princess' power has become that much greater in comparison.

    4.0 Babelite Religion and Morals

    Babelite culture -- and, by extension, that of Ashdod as a whole -- is marked by many contradictions and conflicting trends in a constant struggle for supremecy. This is echoed by the constant bickering between the gods and goddesses of their disorganized pantheon, and the political conflict of their rulers.

    There are several different myths, generally disagreeing with each other on several crucial points, but this is of no real concern to the Ashdodites. Consistency and chronological order are not even considered. It is not that they do not believe the myths, for the faithful are many, but it is that logic and reason are not to be applied to "spiritual matters".

    4.1 Seven Sisters

    The Seven Sisters are the best known of the countless gods and goddesses worshipped and/or feared by the Babelites, and a fair example of the morality (or lack thereof) exhibited by Babelite deities. Basically, Babelite gods and goddesses are trouble-makers and pot-stirrers, making things happen with no apparent grand master plan, and dealing more harm to innocent fools than to vile criminals. Some Babelites believe in a sort of afterlife, but it is one where Heaven and Hell are not reserved based upon one's morality, but more one's power and influence in life -- and thus the ability to get oneself into paradise and to make sure that one's enemies are subjected to eternal torment.

    The Seven Sisters are, of course, seen as sisters, though not much thought has been given to their lineage. (Some myths attempt to use one god or another to be a parent to this squabbling bunch, but they contradict frequently on this point.) There are countless tales about the Seven Sisters, often involving them fighting each other in some sort of bitter (and, to some, pointless) feud, or else focusing their attentions on some poor mortal fool and bringing him or her to ruin. These tales are typically very violent, very sordid, and occasionally involve the death of one or more goddesses ... though somehow they pop back up again in the next tale. No real concern is given for chronology or any sort of internal consistency, but this doesn't bother the average Babelite worshipper in the least.

    The most consistent feature of the myths is that the Seven Sisters were the first of the dieties to be made by the Creator, or by a Creator/Earth Goddess pair. This Creator/Earth Goddess pair either died or passed into irrelevance, and in some versions were murdered/overthrown by the Seven Sisters themselves.

    It should be noted that the names of the goddesses are, in fact, words in the Babelite language, though given a "proper name" form. "Rephath" means "vengance". "Sunala" means "death", and so forth.

    4.1.1 Rephath -- Goddess of Vengeance

    Rephath is the Goddess of Vengeance, and a matron of vigilantes. From time to time, the authorities try to portray her as a Goddess of Justice, and invoke her as a matron of law enforcement, but this is only possible if one ignores the content of the myths that celebrate her. In myth, she is always getting revenge on some mortal or a fellow diety for some perceived slight, real or not.

    4.1.2 Blakat -- Goddess of Conflict

    Blakat is the Goddess of Conflict, but sometimes called the Goddess of Madness. She is also sometimes called the Goddess of Murder, though most of the Seven Sisters could compete for that title.

    She is portrayed as a wild-looking woman, typically with red fur or hair, always with an expression of fury. Blakat is almost always motivated by jealousy. She is seen as a matron of mercenaries, but also of pirates and brigands.

    4.1.3 Inala -- Goddess of Pleasure

    Inala is the most popular of the Seven Sisters, and portrayed as the most beautiful of the group. She is also recognized as the eldest of the Seven Sisters, and the most powerful. She is a complete hedonist, and myths featuring her are the least suitable reading for impressionable minds. She is sometimes presented as a "Goddess of Love" for the benefit of outsiders, but such sugar-coating does little justice to how she is portrayed in myth. Quite often, it involves some mortal catching her attentions, and she "blesses" this mortal with all manner of gifts ... and then ends up destroying the mortal in the end. (He arguably dies happy, though.) So many Babelites apparently still see this as a great way to go, and Inala is the one goddess of the Seven Sisters most truly worshipped rather than merely appeased.

    4.1.4 Sunala -- Goddess of Death

    Sunala is the Goddess of Death, and a matron of assassins. Of the Seven Sisters, she is traditionally believed to be the second eldest, and Inala's most powerful rival. She is believed to devour the souls of her prey, giving them utter annihilation rather than the afterlife. Nonetheless, sometimes condemned criminals or wounded soldiers will pray to her, begging her for a quick death, seeking annihilation rather than the horrible, slow deaths they expect to face. Despite her role, Sunala is depicted as a beautiful woman (by Babelite standards), with beauty rivaling that of her older sister, Inala.

    In Babelite myth, Sunala is the only goddess of the seven that is spared from ever being subjected to getting killed off at the hands of the others. It is suspected that if someone were to introduce a story that did portray Sunala as dying, he or she would receive a personal visit from some priestesses of Sunala intent on purging this "heresy". Any time Sunala is thwarted in her plans by another goddess, it usually involves playing off of Sunala's pride.

    4.1.5 Zakaro -- Goddess of Sorcery

    Zakaro is portrayed as a great mage amongst the Seven Sisters, even though they all exhibit miraculous powers as would be befitting to deities. She is associated with ancient, lost rituals ... but she is also seen as meddling in the spell-casting of mortals, causing spells to go awry when mortals displease her. As such, she may be revered by Babelite mages, but offerings to her are more for the sake of appeasement and turning away her wrath than for seeking of any boons from her. Although Zakaro is never portrayed outside the bounds of what is considered physically attractive in Babelite culture, she could be described as a glutton, as she is portrayed in myth, perhaps symbolic of how mages are seen as being hungry for more power. Zakaro is almost always regarded as being the sixth eldest of the sisters, since the number six has special relevance to Babelite mages, who tend to regard the six "elemental spheres" as the most powerful and primal of the Spheres of Magic.

    4.1.6 Gorphat -- Goddess of Affliction

    Gorphat is the Goddess of Affliction, and is displayed as a gaunt, thin woman, often wrapped in bandages, and sometimes wearing a death mask. Sacrifices are made to her in hopes of staving off disease, or in the hopes of bringing it to the households of enemies. Due to the habit of her priestesses of conducting Purges in the Undercity, she is also associated with the Sphere of Fire in some myths. She is associated not only with disease, but also with pestilence and plague. If she has a flaw to be exploited in the myths of the Seven Sisters, it is typically that she is lazy and slothful compared to her already spoiled sisters.

    4.1.7 Barada -- Goddess of Secrets

    Although the exact "birth order" of the Seven Sisters is in question, Barada is traditionally held to be the youngest of the seven, though this doesn't exempt her from her fair share of bloodshed and mayhem. She is the matron of spies and seers, but also of those keeping secrets ... so she's also seen as a matron of thieves, at times. Supplication is made to Barada in hopes that she will reveal secrets ... or make sure that they are kept. Barada is a bit of a mischief-maker, sometimes choosing to reveal an otherwise perfectly-kept secret, just for the sake of stirring things up. Thus, when there is an unexplained "leak" of information, it is common to blame Barada's trouble-making.

    It is believed by many that the priestesses of Barada controlled a vast spy network that (for the most part) served the Sabaoth of Babel, mostly for the purpose of keeping tabs on the Houses of Babel and their activities.

    Barada, in addition to being portrayed as a trickster, is also quite greedy, and thus she is also sometimes regarded unofficially by thieves as their "matron deity".

    4.2 Afterlife and Burial

    One contradiction about Babelite culture is that, as little value as they place upon life, they hold great reverence for the dead. Much of the lower levels of Babel are taken up by mausoleums and crypts holding the dead. Even though it is so common for an heir to conspire to kill off his own father in order to get his inheritance early, he will then turn around and spend extravagant amounts of that money to see that his father is interred with honors. Babelite culture is cynical enough that this is generally not done just to put on a good show of being innocent of the crime.

    Babelite theology is shaky on particulars, since there is no true central organization of religion, but it is typical for the dead to be mummified and then buried with clay or stone representations of various luxuries, tools and weapons for the afterlife. (They are usually not buried with actual treasure, as this would encourage grave-robbers all the more, and put one's existence in the afterlife in jeopardy.) Burning on a pyre is simply not an option, as it curses the spirit to wander without physical form in the next plane of existence.

    There even exists a currency of the dead -- coins "minted" from shell segments, made at the Palace of the Sabaoth (or High Prince/Princess), and sold to those who wish to bury their dead with currency to use in the afterlife. These coins are worthless for trade in this life, of course, and no one is allowed to sell or trade them save for officers of the Palace.

    There is not really anything in the way of theological debate to speak of, save for the occasional petty squabble about whose god or goddess is the best. If anyone tries to bring logic into discussion of the afterlife, the typical Babelite will wave it off, insisting that logic of the physical world doesn't apply to spiritual matters.

    4.3 Law and Punishment

    Law enforcement in Babel typically takes the form of "peace-keepers", beholden to one House or another, protecting their particular "turf" in Babel or in Ashdod abroad. Crimes in progress will be stopped, and the guards will also deal with disturbances, or chasing down those who have caused offenses against members of a House or their properties ... but they don't deal much in investigation. Theft is treated as a more serious crime than murder ... so long as the person murdered doesn't have more powerful friends than enemies still alive, wanting vengeance.

    Punishment is typically meted out quickly and lethally. Disobedient slaves will be killed immediately -- unless they are of sufficient value and owned by a sufficiently prestigious owner who may forbid it, and insist on some other punishment instead. Thieves are either killed immediately, or maimed horribly (having their hands and feet cut off). Another typical quick sentence is to cripple the offender's wings, and then fling him over the side, leaving him at the mercy of gravity and the Undercity.

    Courts, such as they are, exist mainly for appearances, and for crimes that require special vengeance, so that a House Lord can have the pleasure of drawing out the process and making the offender make a vain effort at defending his case before being sentenced and put to death. They are sometimes used for outsiders, in order to satisfy the other major powers of Sinai.

    (That doesn't mean, however, that a non-Eeee can expect special treatment if he's caught red-handed stealing from a vendor -- especially if the non-Eeee in question looks like someone of no great importance ... such as a Kavi. If it doesn't seem like someone in Rephidim or Nagai will raise a stink over the disappearance of the offender in question, a warrior may simply kill the offender and pitch the body over the edge.)

    House guards are not above corruption, but it is quite common for House Lords to arrange for their servants to be tested by having an agent make a bribe. Those who prove to be unfaithful, of course, are quickly and permanently dealt with.

    Punishment for more dire offenders can be quite nasty. After all, when you can be punished by death for stealing an apple, it will take a bit of work to make sure that there's something worse in store for engaging in acts of piracy. The Babelites, rest assured, have done that work, and come up with countless creative and awful ways for people of all species to die. The most "popular" way to deal with pirates, traitors, spies and serial killers is to stick them in a chamber with an egg-laying horrib. The victim is paralyzed, then has an egg planted inside its still living, still conscious body. The egg will hatch, and become a larva that feeds upon the living host, until it bursts forth into a new horrib. More creative ways of dying await those who have really annoyed someone powerful.

    4.4 Social Mores

    Not every Babelite is a greedy, self-serving, back-stabbing villain. However, there is still a very prevailing attitude of pragmatism even amongst the more civil members of society. Rules are considered to be good to follow when everyone is looking, but all right to break when nobody is looking -- or nobody important, anyway. The ends justify the means. Do unto others before they do unto you. Just don't go around saying this openly!

    Many Babelite businessmen and craftsmen put on a friendly face, especially when dealing with non-Babelites, and upper-class Babelites will give lip service to morality ... but privately, anything goes, as long as nobody catches you. Many social mores taken for granted by outsiders are virtually ignored in Babel.

    This said, verbal civility is expected, and discourse between enemies is most commonly like a beautiful rose, with sharp and wickedly curved thorns hiding behind the petals. Shouting and the use of curses is reserved for the unwashed masses, and only resorted to in the direst of situations. (And not even the threat of death is necessarily the direst of situations.) If insults are to be made, they are to be framed in at least a shoddy attempt at sugar-coating and appearing to be civil. Those who repeatedly fail to do so will be looked down upon as uncivilized and unworthy of being taken seriously on an intellectual level.

    Children are considered property of their parents until they are able to take care of themselves, and such is the extent of their lack of identity as true individuals that they are rarely accorded the same considerations for burial that adults would. It is considered perfectly acceptable for a parent to kill a misbehaving child ... just that it is best that it be done while nobody else is around to be disturbed by the violence. If, however, someone else harms one's child, vengeance can be counted on. There are no state-run orphanages, and no state-run educational system. The parents are the only ones responsible for raising their children, and even if they fail in that duty, the authorities aren't going to punish them for that.

    It should be noted that just because something is considered "perfectly acceptable" doesn't mean that everyone in Babelite society goes along with it. There are plenty of exceptions, and quite obviously at least some parents raise their children to adulthood, or else the Eeee would not be around for very long. It's just that law enforcement doesn't trouble itself with such things.

    Regards public behavior and attire, Babelites are far more permissive than more "conservative" cultures such as that of Rephidim. They tend to see such outsiders as "prudes". That said, Rephidim is still a powerful ally or enemy, and Ashdodites tend to have enough sense to dress and act more appropriately whenever foreigners are present.

    4.5 Slavery

    Slavery is accepted and commonplace in Babel. Savanites are seen as being "smart animals", but are not necessarily any worse off than a slave in Babel of any other species insofar as treatment. A master has full authority to deal with his slaves as he sees fit ... as long as he doesn't disturb anyone else too much by doing something so crass as publicly flailing or executing a slave. Since slaves cost money, and take time to train and replace, however, this is not as commonplace as one might fear. (It still happens, though.)

    Slaves are not restricted to Savanites. There are also other species of slaves to be found, including Eeee. Many of these slaves were born into slavery -- families of criminals left without any means of support, or orphans found and taken in as slaves. Some slaves have become so voluntarily, simply having no other alternative in order to survive. Treatment of slaves can vary greatly, from cruel to being treated almost like members of the family. They have no recognized rights or freedoms, however.

    5.0 Major Languages

    There are several languages spoken widely in Ashdod, though the "official" language is Babelite (or "Eeee").

    5.1 Eeee (Babelite)

    This is a language spoken by the bat-like Eeee, and typically uses a wider range of octaves for emphases than most non-Eeee can even hear. As a result, non-Eeee miss a lot of verbal cues in the language, and non-Eeee speakers come across to Eeee ears as flat and unexpressive.

    5.2 Nagai

    The language of the Nagai is spoken here as well, though a Babelite dialect that borrows a number of words and phrases from Babelite influence.

    5.3 Silent Tongue

    Some slave-owners know Silent Tongue, in order to communicate with their Savanite slaves. However, this language is not common beyond those boundaries ... and some Eeee simply get by with making sure that their slaves understand commands issued in Babelite, and allow their slaves to pantomime or point when they need to get a message across.

    5.4 Rephidim Standard Owing to Babel's position as a major power on Sinai, and its relationship therefore with Rephidim, Rephidim Standard is in wide usage. Most upper class Babelites will speak Rephidim Standard fluently. There is no such guarantee with any of the lower-class or slaves.

    6.0 Magic

    The upper class and rulership of Babel relies a great deal on magic. With so little value placed in truthfulness, Scrying encourages a little honesty, since lies can be found out. With so little value placed in loyalty, Mind Magic can be used to encourage obedience in weak-minded underlings. With so little value placed on good city planning, Earth Magic can be used to make sure one's towers don't collapse. And so forth. Where so many morals have been allowed to erode, magic has become a crutch in Babelite society.

    6.1 College Esoterica

    Whereas there was once a large College Esoterica campus in Babel, it has now been obliterated. The College's official presence in Babel is marked by the Guild Hall of Babel, which formerly served as a dormitory. There are no campuses here, as all of those have been moved to Caroban.

    6.2 Royal Mages

    The Royal Mages once served the Sabaoth, but now have been more or less incorporated back into the structure of the College Esoterica -- separate, yet still supposedly a part of it. The practices of the Royal Mages have long been viewed with suspicion by elements of the Collegia Esoterica proper, as they were basically mages pulled out of the College in order to pursue rituals not in keeping with the usual College ethic. (Spells dealing with transferring a "spirit" from one body to another are generally considered to be in the realm of necromancy, for instance.)

    With the death of the Sabaoth, the Royal Mages officially reverted to being under the jurisdiction of the College, but they were allowed to keep their titles, and their position in the hierarchy was left unclear. In practice, they've been left mostly to their own ends so far, having accumulated sufficient wealth under the Sabaoth to support their own pursuits. With the outbreak of war, they made it clear that their side was that of the High Priestess of Babel, rather than being neutral as the College Esoterica is trying to be.

    6.3 Priestesses

    The most controversial group of mages to be found in Babel, and sometimes in Ashdod abroad, would be those priestesses of Babelite gods and goddesses which happen to practice the magical arts. Most notable of these would be priestesses of Zakaro (mostly Chaos), Sunala (Shadow), Barada (Light/Scrying), and Gorphat (Life - Disease Specialization). Some of these priestesses have actually studied in the College Esoterica and have become paid-off Alumni, but there is evidence of training going on within the shrines that is outside of College Esoterica authority, and without approval of the Mages' Guild.

    These unapproved mages are classified as "Shamans", but have so far avoided any punitive actions from the College Esoterica. The first reason would be fear of retribution, since the priestesses enjoy considerable influence amongst the common people of Babel. The second would be that, since none of the priestesses is technically for hire, they ostensibly don't compete with accredited mages for employment. (That they get their employment through "donations" to the shrines is a loophole.) Third, membership in the priesthood is not open and free -- one becomes a priest or priestess for life, and there is no "retiring", save by death -- so the College has no reason to fear masses of mages flocking to the shrines in hopes of practicing magic without the ethical boundaries set by the Collegia Esoterica's rules.

    Furthermore, there are also some priestesses who exhibit powers that seem to defy the traditional concepts of magic usage. They claim that these are divine powers granted to them from the Seven Sisters themselves ... and there may well be some truth to their claims. By the terms of the College Esoterica, this would fall under "consulting spirits", and thus be classified as "sorcery" or "witchcraft". However, considering that the "spirits" in question happen to be goddesses worshipped by a large portion of Ashdod, it's highly unlikely that they would face any sort of punitive action.

    6.3.1 Yodhblakat and Slakash

    The priestesses of Blakat are known as "Yodhblakat", which can be translated either as "Daughters of Blakat", or "Daughters of the Dagger".

    The Yodhblakat are the priestesses of Blakat, Goddess of Conflict. There are no male members of the priesthood, as is the tradition with followers of all of the Seven Sisters, though there may be male servants and attendants at the temples. All Yodhblakat are trained in martial skills as part of their education for the priesthood, though for some it is a mere formality.

    Induction into the Yodhblakat is not voluntary. Blakat is a goddess who takes what she wants - and is never given anything. Roughly once a year, there is a "holy day" known as the Day of Blakat, which does not fall on any set calendar date, but rather is determined by a complex set of rules, based upon the alignments of certain heavenly bodies in the Procession and beyond. On this day, the priestesses of Blakat go forth and select young girls from commoner households, demanding them, and taking them by force if denied. Technically, they have rights to claim whomever they wish, whenever they wish, and from whomever they wish ... but in actual practice, they don't bother noble households, or especially wealthy or influential commoners, and they only do it on this day. Furthermore, they tend to seek out young girls who have either red fur, red hair - or, if it be possible, both - whom they see as being especially blessed by Blakat, by being formed in her image. These girls are destined to be taken to the temples, and either to become acolytes in the service of Blakat, or to be offered up as sacrifices if they don't make the grade.

    It should be noted that to have one's daughter taken to serve Blakat is considered an honor by most loyal Eeee. First of all, although the Seven Sisters may be the most prominent goddesses, Babelite culture is still predominantly patriarchal, and young daughters aren't seen as being as valuable as young sons, or older daughters. After all, they won't carry on the family name, and they can't do any work. Furthermore, if the daughter manages to survive to become a full-fledged priestess of Blakat, she may well use her privileges to bring material prosperity to her former family, provided she feels any sort of familial loyalty.

    However, on rare occasion, a family may opt to resist the priestesses come to take their daughter. This is entirely legal, but it pits the family - without any help from the local authorities - against the priestesses of Blakat - without any help from their temple. If the priestesses should be successfully driven off, slain, or otherwise thwarted, that is the end of it - the family gets off scot free, with no (official) fear of retribution. If the priestesses prevail, however, then they have full rights to loot the household, and to take prisoner any surviving members of the household, and offer them up as sacrifices or put them into slavery, or just generally do with them as they see fit.

    This tradition - the right of a priestess to demand things of commoners, and to take them without retribution from the authorities, provided she has the power to do so on her own - is known as the "Right of Blakat". It applies not only to the taking of children for the priesthood, but in general, the Yodhblakat are allowed to demand any material thing of any commoner, so long as they are capable of taking it by force if the commoner refuses. Any refusals are rare, because there are unwritten rules that are usually followed - namely, this is used to guarantee a priestess of Blakat a right of hospitality, and to provide her with food, shelter, equipment and clothing - for she is given absolutely nothing but a ceremonial dagger upon her induction into the priesthood, and is expected to acquire anything else on her own.

    Should a priestess of Blakat abuse this privilege and demand more than is her due, then commoners may conspire against her, putting an end to her "career". It should be noted that the Yodhblakat may only ask for material things - They can ask for food, and they can ask for the use of a bed, or the rafters of a room to hang from, but for them to order people to perform tasks for them (other than "Give that to me") is out of the bounds of their rights.

    Another important part of this tradition is that it is widely known that nobody ever gives anything to Blakat. She only takes. To offer anything to a priestess of Blakat is a grave insult, one that may be paid in blood (though if she's feeling charitable, she may simply respond by taking something of value from the offender other than his life). The polite thing to do is to make it clear that you have something of value to the priestess, and to imply that she may take it. It is then her prerogative to take it, or to leave it be. This same principle applies to "donations" at the temples: Supplicants come with their offerings, but they do not give it over - the priestesses take them. It is wise not to travel to a temple of Blakat with anything that one is not willing to sacrifice. If the priestesses are in a particularly sour mood, or if one is not properly "respectful", one may well be lucky to leave with nothing but one's undergarments left, and with one's teeth still intact.

    A priestess of Blakat may never trade for anything, may never bargain, and may never purchase anything. A priestess of Blakat may also never secretly take anything - that would be thievery, by a Yodhblakat's reckoning, and worthy of Barada, not Blakat. Any money acquired by a Yodhblakat, or any possessions that she cannot carry on her own person, must be handed over to the temple. While the individual priestesses may not purchase things, the temple may make purchases, and it depends upon the income brought in by the Yodhblakat.

    It should be noted that the prohibition against giving, and the right to take things forcibly does not apply within the sisterhood of the Yodhblakat. Blakat does not steal from Blakat, and Blakat may freely give to Blakat. Superiors may demand anything of underlings, but there are no special ritual restrictions on sharing of resources within the temple - not that individual Yodhblakat necessarily do this freely.

    The Yodhblakat are easily identified, in that they always have a brand or ritual scars forming the rune of the Dagger - Blakat's symbol - somewhere visible on their bodies, and they always have red hair or red fur (or both), whether natural or dyed. (For this reason, Eeee with pure black fur and hair are not selected to become priestesses of Blakat. They cannot easily dye their fur or hair the proper color.)

    Within the Yodhblakat, there are select young priestesses who are chosen to be Slakash - or "Poison Women". They are so named because of their practice of consuming a toxic, mind-altering substance (Ravarblakat, or "Blood of Blakat") as part of a ritual meant to send them into a berserk rage, which they believe makes them unstoppable in combat. In actuality, it does wonders for making them utterly fearless, and allows them to shrug off the effects of pain and fatigue for a time, but it also greatly reduces their accuracy and berserk warriors are not the sort to give deep thought to a tactical situation.

    Furthermore, Ravarblakat is addictive, and prolonged usage results in damage to the brain. Slakash begin to develop psychological quirks not wholly due to the nature of their religion, and experience hallucinations, and violent mood swings that range from hyper-euphoria to catatonic trances. Eventually, it will lead to mental deterioration and death. Those Slakash who experience this progression are seen as especially holy and in communion with Blakat. There are no old and wise veterans among the Slakash.

    Given the unpleasant side effects that generally accompany use of Ravarblakat - even at first - it is not a narcotic that sees widespread use outside of Blakat's circle.

    Slakash are sometimes loaned out to "faithful" Ashdodites who make considerable offerings to the temple - or, that is, come to the temple with considerable wealth, which the priestesses then take for themselves, as a matter of semantics. They are usually used for raids on one's rivals ... though this practice has dropped considerably with the destruction of much of Babel by the "Boomer" at the turn of the century. The noble houses are fewer in number and smaller in size, and those that remain are more concerned with issues of survival than ambition.

    So it is that the temple has looked elsewhere for possible new "converts" for an influx of funds. Due to the poor reputation Blakat has with those few outsiders that know of her, it's unlikely for Blakat to garner much respect in Rephidim-dominated circles. However, it is quite possible for, say, some petty warlord on the surface to be intrigued by the notion of having a Slakash on retainer as a personal enforcer ... and exotic status symbol. There have even been some mostly half-hearted attempts to try to portray Blakat as a war-goddess, and her priestesses as noble and honorable masters of combat, with their own unique way of doing things.

    Their "unique way of doing things", however, tends to earn them few points with outsiders. First of all, Slakash make a practice of bathing in the blood of prisoners, and of ritual scarring from time to time. They are also obsessed with the acquisition of trophies from fallen opponents - be they weapons, attire, trinkets, or body parts. A Slakash, upon felling an opponent, will generally stop to grab some sort of token from the body before moving on. In the Slakash mindset, no deed is worth doing unless there is a trophy to be gained ... and no deed has been truly done, unless there is a trophy that attests to the feat. Taking items from a fresh kill is considered honorable. Going back and looting the dead is considered improper and disrespectful.

    (For all the killing and torture that goes on in Babelite society, they revere the dead, and have strict ideas about what is to be done with dead bodies. Many of these rules do not apply to the very recently dead, whose spirits are not believed to have yet left the physical plane, and are therefore still fair game for whatever horrors can be dished out in the here and now. But once the blood has stopped flowing and the body has grown cold, it is taboo - even for priestesses - to do anything with it, save for to give it proper burial. Burning is considered barbaric and horrible, implying cooking of the body, and therefore cannibalism. The goddesses themselves may engage in all manner of foul acts, and priestesses may drink fresh blood, but the eating of sapient flesh by a mortal is still utterly abhorrent to the Ashdodites.)

    6.3.2 Yodhrephath

    The Yodhrephath (Daughters of Vengeance) are priestesses of Rephath, one of the Seven Sisters of Babelite mythology. They are all identified by having a brand of the rune of the Balance on the forehead and the favored hand. The Yodhrephath are vigilantes, relentlessly hunting down those that the temple of Rephath has determined are worthy of dying due to their transgressions ... or due to the transgressions of their progenitors. After all, Rephath's balance is a tipped set of scales - It is not an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Rather, it is both eyes for an eye, all teeth for one tooth. If an offender has committed an act worthy of death, it is rarely enough that he alone should die, but also his wife and children, and perhaps even his entire household, down to the last servant. To be marked as targeted by the Yodhrephath is a thing of considerable dread, for it means that not only is one's life in jeopardy, but all that one cares for.

    The Yodhrephath are set apart from the secular authorities. While they only concern themselves with offenses committed within the circle of influence of Babel, they are not concerned with what borders they might need to cross to carry out punishment. They are also deadly serious about completing their missions. If the offender dies - and not at the hands of a Yodhrephath or a lackey - then the mission is not yet other. Honor can only be served by enacting vengeance upon the offender in some way, even if it may well be posthumous. Most often, this involves seeking out the offender's offspring. If there are none, then it is quite possible that a close friend or relative may become the new target. It is quite possible for a complete innocent to become the target of vengeance, for having the misfortune of being somehow related to or associated with an offender. The Yodhrephath keep a master list of names of offenders at the head shrine on Mount Rephath, and they consider it a serious charge that each of those names must eventually be taken off the list, and honor satisfied.

    In theory, it is up to the elders of the Yodhrephath to determine what offenders are worthy to be added to the list and thus become a target for vigilanteism. The priesthood, however, is not above being influenced by the donations of generous supplicants, and the most wealthy families and organizations in Babel make regular gifts to the shrine of Rephath in hope of turning vengeance away from themselves and perhaps turning it against their foes.

    The criteria for earning the ire of the Yodhrephath is particularly complex ... and thus subject to considerable interpretation by the priesthood. All manner of crimes are committed from generation to generation within the nobility, and this is just accepted as a part of noble life. Thieves, serial killers, rapists and such rarely attract the attention of the Yodhrephath. A potential target is usually someone who has committed an offense against the priesthood (whether of Rephath or of the Seven Sisters in general), or someone who has taken an action that is an affront to the social order. A commoner who leads a revolt against the nobility, for instance, would be a prime target. A missionary of some foreign religion who speaks out against the Seven Sisters could expect a visit from the Yodhrephath. And so forth.

    It is within the realm of possibility for a Yodhrephath to actually take action against a true criminal, but that generally only happens if the criminal in question has the misfortune of performing his act within sight of the priestess, thus compelling her to do something about this affront to law and order. The priestess, however, is not likely to go out of her way to deal with some "petty" crime that she hasn't personally witnessed.

    The Yodhrephath have a license to kill, maim or otherwise punish whomever has earned their ire, though they are careful not to overly abuse this - Their targets are rarely powerful or influential, or close friends to those who are. The priestesses are very diligent in dealing with any of their own number that they consider to have gone "renegade" - In fact, any Yodhrephath who breaks away from the priesthood or "goes renegade" in any fashion is going to automatically go to the top of the list of offenders, and other missions will be set aside to quickly deal with the offender.

    7.0 Ashdodite Cuisine

    Ashdodite cuisine has quite a bit of variety, though outsiders would rightly note that it involves a great number of types of bugs to comprise the typical main course.

    7.1 Bugs

    There are many types of bugs and bug-like creatures to be found in Ashdod, and they comprise the primary protein in the diet of the average Eeee. In addition to "common" bugs prepared in a number of ways, there are plenty of giant bug species that require special attention, or serve special purposes. A number of bugs in Ashdodite cuisine are only found raised domestically, apparently engineered by magic, long-lost science, or breeding to the point where their mechanisms for surviving in the wild are gone, and they have curious properties that make them convenient in various ways -- such as, for instance, a bug with a shell that forms a bowl, and the rest of the body turns into soup when cooked.

    Squibbits and oghnoighs, though they might be considered remotely bug-like, are not generally eaten by the Eeee -- they're just too chewy. Just about any other sort of bug is fair game, though. Even poisonous horribs are considered a delicacy, provided that they are carefully prepared.

    Perhaps ironically, the somewhat bat-like chibix is considered an Ashdodite staple food. Chibix raised domestically have their wings ripped off, which prompts the chibix to build up a lot of body mass over the next few days. The chibix is force-fed specially spiced foods meant to make it tender and tasty, and it is served alive, with its rear shell torn open, or else served with a tool so that the diner can remove the shell him- or herself. The screams made by the chibix as it is eaten alive are considered in Ashdod to be pleasing to Eeee ears.

    7.2 Fruit

    The other main menu item to be found in abundance in Ashdod would be fruit, whether it be served whole, sliced, or as juice or jam. It is very rarely served dried. While fruit is the bulk of the meal for Saskanar "fruit-bat" Eeee, it's also consumed regularly by the typical Eeee. Most of the fruits served in Ashdod come from the orchards of the Saskanar Territory, but there is some trade to bring in fruits from abroad, and occasionally sky garden varieties are served as novelties.

    Pala fruit is considered a minor delicacy, as the tiny fruits are eaten en masse. While it is commonly found on the tables of the upper class at parties, or the extremely wealthy on a daily basis, they are too expensive to be considered anything less than a luxury food. There have been some attempts to make varieties of pala fruit that are more productive and grow in a wider range of environments, but these fruits are bigger, and considered less tasty than true pala fruit, even though some may call them "pala fruit" without distinction, leading to some confusion.

    7.3 Rughrat

    Large areas of the Ashdod Territories are given over to farmlands and grazing grounds for herds of rughrats, tended to by Fnerf or Eeee ranchers. Rughrats are raised for their milk, their shaggy coats, for leather, and for meat. Rughrat meat is not regularly eaten by Eeee, but it is often served for carnivorous guests of other species, or shipped abroad.

    7.4 Blood

    Some varieties of Eeee are incapable of digesting solid food, and instead live off of ingested blood. These Eeee are held in disdain by most, and if found in Ashdodite society, they will go to lengths to conceal their dietary habits ... sometimes eating solid food in the presence of others for the sake of keeping up appearances, even though it will make them quite sick afterwards. There are enough of these to be found in Ashdod, though, that there are services that cater to their needs. These Eeee are known as "Sylvanian" Eeee -- even though they live in Ashdod, not Sylvania -- due to the association of vampiric Eeee with that location.

    Some vampiric Eeee will resort to preying upon other sapient beings, or sneaking a "snack" from pack animals, strengthening the negative stigma on their condition. Contrary to popular belief, they do not require the blood of sapients to live, and the vampiric condition is not contagious. There is some truth to the notion, however, that some vampiric Eeee have decided that the blood of certain sapient species is tastier than others. (It's rumored that human blood tastes better, for instance.)

    In any case, blood is not openly served at meals. To do so can be a grave insult. In fact, there was an incident in which a Savanite slave belonging to a Rephidimite ambassador spilled a cup filled with blood on the Sabaoth, and it is this act that is held to have stirred the Sabaoth to begin his harassing attacks on Rephidim.

    8.0 Travel

    Travel in Ashdod is primarily by air, not land. Although a few roads have been built in Ashdod for the sake of moving heavy loads across land, there is no organized road system, since the Eeee are more inclined to travel by air. The Fnerfs tend to live in the open country, and might wear a few paths here and there, but show no inclination toward public works.

    8.1 Sky Palanquins

    A common mode of transportation for persons without the ability to fly is by means of sky palanquins, also known as sky carriages. These are small "carriages" that are borne by flights of giant avians known as rakhtors. The better-constructed palanquins have a complex system of shock absorbers built into their suspension frame, lessening the shock of the tugs of the rakhtors as they beat their wings and shift about in flight.

    8.2 Airships

    Babelite-made airships differ a bit from the Rephidim-inspired "flying sailboat" version. Most notably, the undercarriage is typified by having several long spines that radiate outward on the horizontal plane. These spines are carefully and symmetrically placed, having some sort of significance to mages, purportedly facilitating the use of Air Mages to better propel the ship and/or Shadow Mages to conceal it. This is a trade-off for, unlike traditional Rephidim designs, Babelite undercarriages (minus the envelope) cannot float on water.

    They are also built with fliers in mind, having surfaces and stations not only on the undercarriage, but sometimes built on top of or on the sides of the envelope, easily accessible for those with wings.

    9.0 Military and Warfare

    Despite the major setbacks after the Sabaoth's war with Rephidim, the military forces of Ashdod are still one of the major powers of Sinai. Since the Eeee are physically weak and fragile compared to most other races, but have keen hearing and the ability to fly, the Eeee military is based on stealth and air mobility rather than having any real presence on the land or sea.

    9.1 Air Fleet

    The air fleet of Ashdod is potentially the second largest on Sinai, but the various ships serving Ashdod are in the hands of several squabbling Houses. The fleet under direct control of the ruler of Babel can still perform some military actions, but is small compared to the fleet of the Nagai Empire, and certainly to that of Rephidim.

    Ashdod's military vessels are typically stationed in Babel, as there are few military targets worth attacking in the Ashdod Territories, and Babel presents the single most inviting target, since the heads of each of the Territories have primary holdings in the city. If Babel could be taken or destroyed, the political structure of Ashdod would be pretty much toppled.

    Military airships are typically assigned one Air Mage, and sometimes a Shadow Mage for stealthy assignments. Babelite airships are fairly small and fragile, and since Babel has no access to sky island bases, gunpowder weapons are not to be found on its airships -- as gunpowder has a high chance of exploding when it gets down to ground level. Therefore, the Babelite air fleet is best suited for stealthy operations.

    9.2 Skedats

    The Skedat is a particularly fierce creature found in Ashdod, resembling a horseshoe crab with spines on its glossy black shell, and with a barbed, segmented, whip-like tail. Some mutated skedats may sport two or more such tails. These creatures are very territorial, and will charge and ram those who intrude on their "turf".

    Eeee warriors traditionally prove their prowess by hunting down several skedats single-handedly in order to get the shells required to make their own skedat armor, and to fashion a weapon known as (simply enough) a "skedat" -- made from the hollowed-out shell of a skedat, fitting over the hand and forearm of the warrior, with the barbed whip-tail serving as a flail, or being removed for convenience. The shells may be left shiny for appearance, or sanded to a matte black for stealth.

    9.3 Plaguebringers

    The Plaguebringers were once considered legendary monsters serving the gods, but were revealed to in actuality be combinations of biological matter (giant bugs) with mechanical implants, serving as vehicles of war. A Plaguebringer looks like a giant bug, with an enlarged head, in which a single Eeee pilot is seated in an organic cockpit, with mechanical controls over the bug's movement. The bug is heavily armored, with the exception of the wings and the two "eyes" on either side of the cockpit. This is a major flaw, since the eyes are large and conspicuous, and relatively easy to target.

    Another flaw of the Plaguebringer is that it has no ranged weapons, per se, instead relying on claws and mandibles to tear open airship envelopes, and having cargo capacity to carry swarms of smaller insects or poison gas to release on flying and ground targets, respectively -- with some risk of hitting "friendly" forces in the process.

    The Plaguebringers were kept in giant cocoons in the Tower of Babel, until the Sabaoth, in a fit of anger, ordered that they be awakened and sent to destroy Rephidim. It is believed that the process of awakening the Plaguebringers should have taken much longer, but was rushed, with the side effect that the giant bugs were not at peak performance, and that many of them died in the process of awakening.

    Whatever the case, the Battle of the Plaguebringers, which happened on Candlemass, was horribly disorganized, and the insect vehicles were decimated by defending forces -- which appeared to have been tipped off to the impending attack, since the Intimidator was present, and some Savanite forces from the City of Hands interfered with the attack as well. It is said that a juvenile Khatta actually managed to commandeer one of the creatures, and that a Vartan warrior managed to single-handedly destroy eight of the Plaguebringers, as well as goading swarms of released horribs into flying into clouds of poison gas.

    Ultimately, the attack was an utter disaster, and the outrage back in Babel led to the ouster and death of the Sabaoth.

    10.0 Relations with Sinai

    In the war that broke out between Rephidim and the Nagai Empire, Babel threw in its lot with the Nagai and with other surface nations that joined. This wasn't necessarily out of concern for the "boomer" or the fate of the City of Hands, but rather in a symbolic gesture of defiance against the perceived oppression by Rephidim of the surface nations.

    10.1 Rephidim

    Relations with Rephidim were bad enough after the Sabaoth's War and the Battle of the Plaguebringers, and then subsequent embarrassments with the Babelite ambassador to Rephidim. It seemed as if the new High Prince Boghaz might be able to smoothe things over with Rephidim, but then he was assassinated, and replaced by his wife, Saraizadze, who took on the title of High Princess. Not long thereafter, a conflict erupted between Rephidim and the Nagai Empire over the nature of an Exile weapon known as the "boomer", and the City of Hands. Rephidim demanded that Nagai turn over the "boomer" in their possession, and they refused.

    In a slightly ironic twist (perhaps), even though the Nagai had acquired this weapon from a Babelite ship, the High Princess Saraizadze threw in her nation's support with the Nagai in their defiance of Rephidim's dictates. This, of course, put Babel squarely against Rephidim once more.

    On New Year's Eve at the turn of the century, 6099 RTR, the "boomer" ended up being dropped on Babel, purportedly by a renegade Rephidim airship captain. The palace was destroyed, along with the College Esoterica of Babel, and the homes of several prominent noble families, with deaths numbering in the tens of thousands. It is presumed that this section of the city was swapped with the vacuum of space, resulting in horrible deaths for those caught in the area of effect.

    Although the war had come to a temporary lull with the capture of the "boomer" and Fetiss Sky Island from the Nagai, this served to fan the flames once more, and the High Princess accused Rephidim of hypocrisy, while the Temple claimed its innocense. This did little to shift any major allegiances, but gave Rephidim's detractors another moral high ground to take in their resistance.

    With Babel far away and the Nagai Empire shattered, the war has all but ended. Relations couldn't be worse, but Babel hasn't the resources to mount attacks directly on Rephidim, and Rephidim is in no position to send forces to Babel. Their exchanges are mostly marked by privateering and cloak-and-dagger acts of sabotage and spying. Rephidim-aligned ships that stray too closely to Ashdod, however, may invite open attack.

    10.2 Nagai Empire

    Although the "Nagai Empire" is an empire no longer, Babel is on fairly good terms with many of the splinter members of the old empire, largely by virtue of its bold move to back up the Emperor-Potentate in its defiance of Rephidim. Kilmanjar and Xenea are largely indifferent to Babel: Kilmanjar is just a defacto protectorate of the Khattan Emirate, a neutral party in this conflict, and Xenea is now the major homeland for free Savanites. (Babel still has slavery.) Nagai Proper, Bromthen and Jadai are on good terms with Babel, though, due to the extreme distances involved, they don't do regular business. Out of deference to the new "Emperor Potenate's" claim to rulership of all of the Nagai Empire, the Babelites are subtle in any dealings with the various splinter nations that broke away from the old empire.

    10.3 Khattan Emirate

    The Khattan Emirate declared its neutrality in the Coalition War, and this has been largely honored by the Babelites, as they have gone out of their way not to push the Emirate into siding with Rephidim. Even though the Emirate has still maintained good relations with Rephidim, occasionally even allowing them some use of the Gateway Tower, this hasn't been enough to make the Babelites do more than complain.

    Back to Section 7.4 of Politics of Sinai