Eridu
Eridu is an ancient Sumerian city in what is now Tell Abu Shahrain, Iraq. Eridu was long considered the earliest city in southern Mesopotamia, and is still today argued to be the oldest city in the world. It was founded ca. 5400 BC, and is located close to the Persian Gulf near the Euphrates River, covering 8-10 ha (20-25 acres).
History
Eridu was formed at the confluence of three separate ecosystems, supporting three distinct lifestyles, that came to an agreement about access to fresh water in a desert environment: irrigation agriculture, fishing, and pastoralism. All three cultures were implicated in the earliest levels of the city, which started as a local village and eventually grew into a substantial city.
According to an ancient manuscript known as the Sumerian King list (originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing the kings of Sumer from Sumerian and neighboring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of official kingship), Eridu was one of the five cities built before the Deluge occurred and was known as the city of the first kings. Kingship was believed to have been handed down by the Anunnaki, and could be transferred from one city to another, reflecting perceived hegemony in the region. This belief of course was adopted after the arrival of an alien race known as the Niburans in the year 3100 BC, who were considered as deities by the people of Mesopotamia and became known as the Anunnaki. They settled on Earth and each of them was held as patron of a particular city. Eridu became the home of Enki, who was revered as the god of water by the humans and came to share with the Niburan king, Anu and his subject, Enlil, the rule over the lands, forming a triad with Anu as the higher power. His temple was called E-Abzu, since Enki lived in an aquifer known as the Abzu, from which all life was believed to stem. Enki established his rule in Eridu and reigned over the city until the time the humans began to rebel against the Anunnaki in the year 2129 BC. Enki, along with many of the Niburans, was overpowered by these rebellions and the city became independent.
Eridu was abandoned for long periods due to severe warfare, with travel becoming unsafe as did works in the fields causing the economy in the city to collapse, before it was finally deserted and allowed to fall into ruin in the 6th century BC. However, the city was later rebuilt by Niburan creatures that were left behind by the Niburans known as the Apkallu, who were servants of Enki. Just like the Niburans, not only were they a warrior race, but the Apkallu possessed great understanding, comprehending the aspects of civilization such as writing, law, city building, agriculture, and the designing of arms and armor, which was why they were chosen by their master as his subjects. They also were appointed as sages to the kings on Earth and as their guardsmen.
From the 5th century BC. onward, the city of Eridu was never again inhabited by humans and the Apkallu were the dwellers of the city. Many kings who rose to power during the 5th century B.C tried to conquer Eridu and have the Apkallu under their power, but were not able to succeed against them and their armies were defeated. Over the centuries, the Apkallu witnessed the rise and fall of many empires, but never were they conquered and neither did they ever submit themselves to any ruler no matter how ruthless or powerful.
The City
Eridu consists of buildings that have been improved throughout the centuries since its reconstruction. Buildings have better architecture, and bridges have been designed, attached from one building to another. The Apkallu live their lives similar from the people of antiquity and organized the city slightly different. Homes, shops, and seminars are found throughout the city. Golden statues of those who the Apkallu consider as heroes, either of their own species or humans, were also built and placed in different parts of Eridu.
The wall of Eridu: Since the city was mostly a religious site in ancient times, there was no need of a wall to defend it. When Eridu was rebuilt, the Apkallu created the massive wall surrounding the city in order to protect it against invading armies, since the 5th century BC was a time when many powerful rulers were conquering the lands. Eridu's wall is 9 kilometers (5 1/2 miles) long, 80 feet (24 kilometres) thick, and 60 feet high.
The Great Palace: The great palace is the tallest and most monumental building in the city, easy to see from afar. In ancient times, the palace was originally known as the temple of Enki and was mostly made of mudbricks. The Apkallu enlarged it and improved its architecture, with the use of stone and iron, making it more impressive than its older form. It was originally used for religious purposes and festivals. Since the Apkallu took the city, it has been occupied by their rulers as their dwelling.
There are countless hallways and chambers throughout the palace, including the throne room of the Apkallu ruler, the place where weapons are kept, and some of these chambers are home to those who are very close to the king, including his sages and military leaders. One of the unique characteristics of the palace is the relief carvings on its walls. The Apkallu created elaborate relief carvings in stone which exhibit very extensive detail. These carvings hold images of battles that took place in history and major events, making it a form of narrative art, something that was very accustomed among the kings in the ancient world. Due to its high importance, the palace is heavily guarded.
The River: Eridu sits on the bank of the Euphrates river and from the city's streets, the longest and one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia can be clearly seen. Together with the Tigris, it is one of the two defining rivers of Mesopotamia. The region contains ample water from the river and extensive marshland and lagoons in the area.
The Apkallu
The Apkallu are sentient, amphibious humanoids native to the planet Nibur, sharing the same planet with their masters, the Niburans, who were the dominant species. Although their species were originally known as the Antura by the Niburans, they are best known as "Apkallu" on Earth, a name that was given to them by the ancient Mesopotamians. Enki designated them as his servants due to their high amount of intelligence and the Niburans often regarded them as "those who just as their lord, have been endowed with sublime wisdom". Since the fall of Niburan power on Earth, the Apkallu became fully independent from any power and formed their own civilization in Eridu. As an ancient city inhabited by creatures from an outside world, for most people on Earth, Eridu is a different world, within the same planet.
The appearance of the Apkallu have a number of variations. They appear bird headed, human headed, with the torso of a fish or of a human, and some have wings while others wear fish skin cloaks. Their skins differ from one another as some have skins much like humans while others are covered with fish skin from top to bottom. Their skin colors are either green, blue, or both. Their bodies are resilient to damage, capable of recovering from multiple gunshot wounds and surviving radiation doses which would be fatal to humans.
The Apkallu are incredibly strong, easily capable of outmatching a conditioned adult human male in unarmed combat and able to land blows that can shatter solid concrete. They are also proficient in combat and the weapons they have in their possession were left behind by their masters. These weapons were kept as relics by the Apkallu throughout the centuries and used in combat. Most of them can release massive beams of lightning that can cause either huge amount of damage to their targets, or destroy them. The main power source for Niburan weaponry was a mysterious energy known as "Dossum" that was mined in the depths of Nibur's oceans, an element that causes any type of metal to generate and release lightning.
The Apkallu have an army known as the Anturan Army. It was first formed around the same time they reconstructed Eridu to defend against invaders and have been able to successfully keep their city from being attacked. The Anturan Army could only be called by the ruler of the Apkallu, Lord Enshunu, who just like the past Apkallu kings, has managed to maintain peace within his realm.
The swamps and lagoons of Eridu are the dwelling places of the Muš-Saĝ, a species of seven headed snakes that have survived for over 10,000 years. They were brought from their home world of Nibur and were mainly used as guardians of the cities specially those near water, against invading armies that attempted to attack by shore. There are very few of these creatures left and the ones that remain are in Eridu. The Muš-Saĝ have been domesticated by the Antura for millennia as beasts of war and guardians of Eridu.
Rules
- All CVnU rules apply
- The city is located in Southern Iraq and you can either be given explicit directions by someone on how to get there, or you can be led by the locals.
- The Apkallu are peaceful beings, but if you are going to fight them or the Muš-Saĝ, sell their attacks.
- Minor Destruction of small buildings and houses is allowed. PM me if you want to cause any major destruction
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