Abydos (ab · E · dows)

Abydos is a city with great and extensive history that has thrived in the western deserts of Olane.(The Deserted Desert)
Abydos is the last remaining civilization within The Deserted Desert, all other races and civilizations in the area have either fled or were destroyed by the elements, and yet Abydos continues to thrive in spite of all the harsh weather and the unrelenting desert.

Demographics

Abydos is a Yuan-Ti majority settlement, with Yuan-Ti purebloods making up 65% of the overall population. Around 20% of the population or other types of Yuan-Ti.  The remaining 15% of the population is made up of other races, these races usually come to Abydos for one of two reasons, either wealthy aristocrats looking to increase their wealth in Abydos, or poor citizens of other cities that come looking for jobs in Abydos, and unfortunately they mainly take up the jobs of servantly for Yuan-Ti Nobles.
Most Yuan-Ti purebloods are considered nobles as they have been there since the birth of Abydos, they are also proud of their heritage and customs. A common Yuan-Ti saying "A hurdle or gap is nothing for a Yuan-Ti as they will slither and fold, but when it comes to the outside world they will never change to fit the mold"

Government

The government of Abydos is led by the ruling monarchy that is an extension of their religion. Being servants of the lord Sseth, the Priests and Clerics are seen as highly respected people that can issue orders and decree laws within the city. The current Queen is Naizah Merrshaulk, a great sorceress, however not much is currently known about her as she has come into reign in the year 995, and has been hibernating ever since. The royal family is mainly seen during religious observations and ceremonies.

Defences

Abydos' main line of defense is the great outer canal circle, then the inner canal circle. The Abydosi have developed a system where they would dump poison into canals from the center where it would spread through all the canals and the two circles. The poison would then be sparked with fire from the center and it would start spreading where it would defend the city from outsiders. Yuan-Ti were immune from the flames and the fumes. Unfortunately the greater circle now encompasses the middle class citizens while the inner circle encompasses the nobles and high markets, and due to the rapid expansions of Abydos, the less fortunate were stationed outside the main circle where in the case of an attack, they would be the first to fall. However, the Abydosi army was nothing to scoff at, having innate abilities to create poison, their armies always incorporated venoms and other chemicals in their attacks, be it long range or melee.

Infrastructure

The city is built around the great temple and pyramid of Sseth, from there the city expands in a cross shape where the temple acts as a main hub for the city. The northern river of Snake's Bay is the source of life through Abydos, it flows from the north and comes directly into the temple of Sseth, there it expands into the cross shape in the form of canals through the entire city. The canals then circle around the entire city creating a defensive perimeter. The canals help with transporting goods throughout the city, they also help enrich the dirt and land all around the city and into the outskirts where farmers and ranchers grow crops and livestock. Abydos is also the first city to have a sewage system, incorporated within the building of the canals, the sewers of Abydos run under the fresh water canals as to avoid cross-contamination.

Guilds and Factions

Vrael Olo

The main faction within Abydos are the "Vrael Olo" or "The Worshippers of Sseth" which is an ethnoreligion, the royal family are the head of the worshippers and represent ideals and progress. "Vrael Olo" means the favored ones, and that is meant as the god Sseth calling the Yuan-Ti his favored and chosen ones that will be granted all they wish. The Vrael Olo worship Sseth on a daily basis, however they do have an annual tradition on the seventh new moon where they shed a piece of their scales and sacrifice it to their god within his temple.

The New Psionic Order

A secret organization ran by a "Vrael Olo" Ikla Toahlees, who has been working in secret to protect Abydos. However, it has been challenging for the new order to create any change in Abydos, and so they have resorted to Psionic magic that can alter reality and minds. It is unknown how many members the organization has, however their impact can't be ignored.

Points of interest

The Temple of Sseth

Dust Center

The Toxin Hub

The Patrician Promenade

Vintage Outer City Markets

Historic Sseth Shrines: 

1. The Flaming Faucet
2. The Last Bead
3. The Venomous Resolve

Geography

Most of Abydos was an empty barren desert before the city was built, and that is still reflected in their city, where their building are mainly made with sandstone and their roads are made of compressed sands. However, the artificial canals have greatly helped the atmosphere and the richness of the land in its crops and fauna.

Founding Date

300 AF

Type

City

Population

25,000 - 27,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Abydosi

Location under

Olane

Owner/Ruler

Queen Naizah Merrshaulk

Related Historical Events

• 1002 AF
  The Death of Sseth