Deoria: Stand against the Darkness/Ras Rofour

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Ras Rofour

Ras Rofour is a pharaonic nation located in the north-east desert of Deoria. Despite its location, the majority of the population is made up of farmers.

The polytheistic nation is known for their impressive temples and other places of worship, as the state religion is a large part of every day life.

While money holds value in the cities of Ras Rufour, the common populace has no use for it, as they are paid and trade with grain rather than coins.

The desert nation is populated mostly by Tabaxi and Goliaths. The local language is abyssal.

Society

Faith

The faith of Ras Rufour is polytheistic as its state religion. Prayers and rites are a part of life and society, which all citizens are bound to conform to. It is based on three major gods. Khaa, who is god of the sun and life, Zuka, who is god of fertility and growth and Ubaid, who governs death and afterlife. Along these three, there are countless minor gods who serve beneath them. While the impressive temples that adorn the desert are dedicated to the three major gods, each household usually prays to one or two minor gods in addition, the choice of which is often based on their social stand and situation. Further, the pharaoh is tightly tied into the state religion. They are viewed as the mediator between the gods and the people, directly enacting the will of the deities upon their subjects.

Administration and Social Classes

The absolute sovereign of Ras Rufour is the pharaoh, a role which is passed on hereditarily to the oldest child. The pharaoh is the head of religion, military and government. Organized in a bureaucracy, the ruler relies on a system of officials to manage his affairs. Administration is handled by the second in command, the Vizir, who is elected by the pharaoh for life, however can be dismissed for a replacement at any given time, should that be the sovereigns will.

Society in Ras Rofour is stratified and status is usually expressively displayed in fashion.

The majority of the populace is made up of farmers. However, a majority of farmland and their agricultural produce is owned directly by the state. Further, farmers are required to work on state projects for a certain amount of time per year. Farmers are paid in grain, which they either use for themselves or trade for other goods.

While artists and craftsmen are of higher standing, they too work directly for the state. They are paid directly from the state treasury.

The upper class is made up by scribes, officials, priests and physicians. They are allowed to own land and often display their standing in art and fashion.

History

Ras Rufour was originally founded by fugitives and survivors, escaping the horrors of the darkling invasion. With a harsh environment as the desert now being their home, the nation soon learned to be very self-reliant. Once their society had formed, it remained largely unchanged for the longest time, making them one of the oldest existing societies that currently reside on Deoria.

Military

The desert nation's military has one of the lowest infantry counts in Deoria, second only to Aknar. Ras Rufours foot soldiers are lightly armored, often equipped with spear and shield. They are mostly auxiliary troops and function as city guards and police. However, that does not mean that the nations military is not fearsome. Using the animals of their home, they have tamed sandsharks as their mounts, even using them to pull vehicles of war. The military of Ras Rufour relies mostly on mounted archers and shock cavalry. They are a mostly defensive army, using their knowledge of the treacherous environment to their advantage when under attack. This however also causes them to grow less effective, the further they stray from their home.

Foreign Relations

Ras Rufour is a very secluded nation. It is self-suffient and has ever since its founding not relied much on trade. While some luxury goods, especially precious metals, are imported, with spices being the main export, neither trade nor military alliance are something that the desert nation is all too interested in for the time being. While this leaves them without allies, the same is the case for enemies.

Locations

Kedesai
	Kedesai is the capital and larger of the two true cities of Ras Rufour. The large metropolis is built close to the Temple of the Trinity, yet the pompous royal palace with its artificial lake allow the city not to lack behind in majesty. The temple and palace being in such close vicinity allow for a breathtaking view to be seen from any point both within and around the Kedesai. Many of the officials that make up the government of this nation have their homes in this city, along with artists and craftsmen that are employed at the temple or royal court. In addition, a plethora of merchants can be found here, since not only the international trade happens here, but caravans of traders that cross the lands to trade with farmers usually stock up here.
Hebredet
	The second large city in Ras Rufour is Hebredet. All those that, while higher class, cannot afford the capital or wish to stay away from global trade, live in this city. It is due to this, that outsiders are often not quite as welcome within the cities walls. While not openly shunned, they will often find themselves stared at, treated with not as much politeness and local traders will likely attempt and scam unknowing tourists.
Temple of the Trinity
	The Temple of the Trinity is a landmark of such impressive size and oppulence, its name is known throughout all Deoria. However, only a fraction of the temple is accessible to all visitors. Most of it is restricted to those in religious positions. That does not deter people from pilgrimage to this wonder however.
Pyramids of Qusiset
	The Pyramids of Qusiset are a set of landmarks in Ras Rufour. They are also referred to as the valley of ancestors, due to the fact they are majestic graves, built for the pharaoh that have moved on to the afterlife. While not as ornate or pompous to behold as other landmarks of Ras Rufour, they are very impressive feats of architecture and a sight to behold nonetheless.

Notable People

Pharaoh Sa-Men-Isi III.
	Pharaoh Sa-Men-Isi III. is the reigning ruler of Ras Rufour. The early elderly goliath was known for his fierce temper in his younger days, though he seems to have grown more calm as time passed. While very stubborn, he seems very susceptible to his Vizirs advice, more so than his own sons, Sa-Men-Isi IV. Sa-Men-Isi III. is known to be straightforward and brutally honest. He is tough on crime and merciless in its pursuit and punishment. He further seems prejudiced against many other nations and their inhabitants, much to his sons dismay, who seems to strive to open the nation more toward the world.
Grand Vizir Sharifa
	Sharifa, a tabaxi woman, is the current Vizir of Ras Rufour. She is known to be very calculating and strategic, albeit a tad cold along the way. Sharifa seems to think very little of nations outside her own and prefers the seclusionistic approach that has been taken in the past, rather than opening up toward other nations, which some voices demand within the state.