Ahvahnuj
Home of the Ahvahnic Oracle
Nestled in the mountains, surrounded by vast desert is the holy city of Ahvahnuj. From a single spring of water rose temples, treasuries, monuments and throng of the faithful. Each of them looks to the gods for answers, to questions large and small. It is here that emperors and common folk can be found together, frequently.Ahvahnuj is a sacred Sodlite holy precinct and the seat of the Ahvahnic Oracle, one of the major oracles consulted about important decisions in the southern portions of the known world. A city exists alongside the precinct, mainly catering to pilgrims although a small lead and goat herding industry exists. A small town has existed since pre-history but the first stones of the precinct were laid in XBSF after the oracles founding. Placed in the centre of the vast Dasht-e Bas desert, historically the city was used as a stopping point for desert traders. However, the relative safety brought about by the Kanodite Empire meant that northern and coastal trade routes became more viable and the city's importance waned. The local industry collapsed after a severe flood in XBSF however the discovery of the Ahvahnic Oracle brought international interest to the city and temples and treasuries were raised bringing the city to its current state. The city's resurgence has seen increased interest in the Dasht-e Bas trade routes that had fallen out of favour and brought people from many different faiths and backgrounds to the city on pilgrimage or to ask the Oracle for advice. Ornate treasuries, filled with loot and rewards by those giving thanks to the Oracle, have been built making the city's wealth vast. Despite this, the city is lightly defended as it is deemed sacrilegious to attack or threaten the city in any capacity.
Contents
Etymology
The city got its name from a small spring in the city, where it is believed that the first source of water was created for the Third World of Solitism by the goddess of autumn, Ku-Aya. The first man to drink from this Spring is believed to be the mythological King Ahvahnu. It was here that he settled his people and remained until the destruction of the Third World.He drank deep, did Ahvahnu. Soo deep that the spring emptied and turned to sand once more. Yet more water came, filling the spring again, and more came until rivers burst forth and flowed down creating lakes and seas. Rains fell from the heavens and Ahvahnu, and those of the Third World would never feel thirst ever again
History
Solite religious history states that Ahvahnuj was first settled during the Third World of Ku-Aya however any settlement would have been destroyed during the world's end. Scholars believe that Ahvahnuj was settled in pre-history and has remained settled continuously since. During times of instability, when the coastal cities were prone to raiding and wars raged north of the Dasht-e Bas Ahvahnuj became a stopping point for traders travelling from West to East and back. A reasonable lead industry and goat herding in the surrounding hills and mountains offered some sustenance to the city as well. In XBSF, the X River flooded heavily, changing the river's flow permanently. This change flooded most of the lead mines, killing many and shutting down nearly all lead mining in the city. At the same time, the rise of the Kanodite Empire secured other trade routes making the more arduous desert routes no longer sustainable. The city waned for the next X years becoming greatly diminished. Eventually, the city accepted Kanodite oversight in XBSF in return for relative autonomy.Kanodite Period
The distance from the Kanodite heartlands and difficulty to access meant that the city remained relatively unchanged until the first Ahvahnic Oracle was declared in XBSF. A hunter named Arash noticed that one of the deer he had been hunting had disappeared into a ravine and was now acting strangely. Upon entering the ravine himself, he became overwhelmed with divine visions of the past and future. Excited he returned to the city and told the people of his discovery who rushed to the sight to experience it themselves. Many went mad seeing apparitions and futures full of sorrow. With the death of several men, it was decreed that a temple should be built above the ravine and that a sole woman would be tasked with interpreting the visions that came from the gods. Word spread throughout the Kanodite Empire that the gods could be reached through the newly proclaimed Ahvahnic Oracle and that the future could be told for a donative. Merchants returned to the city to consult the oracle on profitable expeditions, generals visited to get a divine blessing for campaigns and eventually, monarchs arrived for advice too. The city expanded rapidly, building the necessary infrastructure for the growing crowds of visitors.On the king's grave Kanod's people will build their home.After the Amamian War (X-XBSF), the Kanodite Great King X donated a significant portion of the war loot to the Ahvahnic Oracle who gave their blessing for the campaign. To house the spoils, a treasury was built next to the Ahvahnic Oracle's temple showcasing the strength of the Kanodite forces and their actions during the campaign. Many more treasuries have since been created since the Kanodites. Of note is the Treasury of the Sareptans who donated after their independence from the Kanodites, the Treasury of the Elimites who donated 20 chests of sapphires after a particularly tough sandstorm season subsided after consulting the Oracle and the Treasury of Senilans, who sailed over half the world away for advice on how to end a plague. Whilst nominally under the control of the Kanodites, the Shahliks were exempted from taxes and from supplying levies for conflict. Ahvahnuj remained relatively unchanged until Sunfall and the collapse of the Kanodite Empire.
Dobarid Period
Ahvahnuj suffered greatly during Sunfall, as did most of the known world. The pilgrimages to the city ended abruptly and the food supplies dwindled quickly without any obvious means to replace it. Promised grain supplies from the Kanodites did not materialise and many in the city set out across the desert or took small ships down the X river trying to find food or supplies. Few of these refugees ever returned or were heard from again. Once Sunfall ended, and sunshine returned to the known world the Ahvahnians began to receive pilgrims once more who told of the events that had taken place during Sunfall; vast fires, waves that cleansed the coastline and the end of the Kanodite Empire. Without imperial governance, the city essentially became independent and operated as it had up until XBSF before failing under Kanodite influence. This quasi-independence ended when the city of Kamyamsar began accosting and charging exorbitant costs to those taking the river route to Ahvahnuj. In the Sacrosanct War (XBSF), a Dobarid fleet took the city under the pretence of ending these aggressions and then sailed to Ahvahnuj, placing the city under Dobarid protection with a small Dobarid garrison placed in the city, for over a decade, to ensure that pilgrims were free to visit the city.Geography
Ahvahnuj is located in the centre of the Dasht-e Bas, the vast desert at the heart of X, next to the X mountains. Backing up to the mountains in the east, the city is surrounded by unbroken sand dunes. The X river is roughly 16 miles away and can be reached in a day's walk and several rest stations can be found along the road. Palm trees stand alongside the road offering shade to those travellers from the high summer heat.You have travelled far, and have farther yet to travel my friends. Yet do not fret, the voice of the gods awaits you in Ahvahnuj
Location
Placed at the source of the X river, the city stands in the southern hemisphere of the known world. The nearest city is Kamyamsar which can be reached by sea although Senehkal and Andistan can both be reached by crossing the Dasht-e Bas.Climate
At the foot of the X mountains, Ahvahnuj has a hot desert climate with an extremely hot and dry climate. Rain is rare outside of a few months a year and only the hardest crops grow in the region. In the winter months, desert winds keep a near-eternal haze of dust particles in the air turning the sky orange and lightly covering the city in sand. When this dust settles, sand builds up within the city and it is common to see the citizens sweep and clean on masse once the winter ends to remove the sand.Administration
The city is run by a Shahlik, in a similar fashion to most of the territories of the former Kanodite Empire however no tribute has ever been taken from the Ahvahnians in deference to the Ahvahnian Oracle. A token tribute is always sent annually but is ceremoniously accepted and then gifted to the Oracle and the people of Ahvanhnuj. Ahvahnuj is unique in that the city does not have a permanent garrison or sizeable defensible fortifications, only maintaining a small guard watch to enforce law and order. Historically, the city has never fallen to a hostile force. No military force has seen it fit to cross the Dasht-e Bas and the X river is defended by Kamyamsar downstream. Outside of logistics, the city is seen as sacred and any threat raised against Ahvahnuj would be met with stern resistance from neighbouring powers.Demographics
20,000 Ahvahnians call the city their home although the population of Ahvahnuj is constantly in flux with thousands of pilgrims visiting the city annually. The overwhelming majority of the permanent residents are X. However several small minority groups reside within the city, having visited for pilgrimage and then remaining. These groups typically reside in their respective communities leading to Ahvahnic Samadic, Nioan and Thallean quarters. It is also common to see traders turned pilgrims dock at the city on their way across the southern seas and oceans of the known world. Whilst historical adversaries, it is common to see Solite and Abic worshippers sat side by side in the city although the majority of the population follow Solitism. It is not uncommon to see those following the lesser-known faiths frequent the city to consult the oracle too.Economy and Infrastructure
Heavily reliant on imports to support the populace, Ahvahnuj has a limited subsistence-based economy focused on goat herding and small lead mining operations. Historically, the lead mines in the region were a significant portion of the city's income until XBSF when they flooded after the X river changed its course. Ahvahnuj's unique position as the sole city in the middle of the Dasht-e Bas, and at the center of the Dobarid and Kangaroudian Empires geographically means that taxation from trade is a significant source of income. Goods sold in the city and goods exported from the city were taxed and caravaneers paid their taxes in a dedicated building named the Tariff Court. The income from these tariffs is used to import grain and other food goods. Whilst lead, goats and tariffs support the city in a minor capacity, the pilgrims that throng the city are the economy's mainstay. Whilst charging the pilgrims for visiting the Ahvahnic Oracle is considered sacrilegious (attempts by Kamyamsar in XBSF resulted in the Dobarids declaring war upon them), the pilgrims do pay for lodgings, food and transportation into the city.Culture
Despite nominally being a part of the Kanodite Empire, then the Dobarid Empire, it is rare to find an imperial presence officially in the city. The city nobility all claim descendance from the ancient desertfarers that inhabit the Dasht-e Bas and settled the city in pre-history. This 'Basian' identity is one held by many of the citizens and can be seen in the architecture and cuisine of the city, remarkable for its simplicity. Basian meals are typically made from four different ingredients mixed in wide varieties; corn, honey, goat and goat cheese.In Ahvahnuj, the meals served have been unchanged for a thousand years. On my visit to the Oracle, I ate a sort of cornbread that had been briefly baked on an open fire. This was served with a charred goat neck, that had been buried with coals in the sand for several hours, accompanied by cheese and a spiced honey sauce.Outside of the world-famous Ahvahnic Oracle, the city is home to several treasuries from nations that donated to the Oracle for her advice. These include the Kanodite, the Sareptan, the Elimite and the Senilan treasuries that all have storied histories. Outside of the oracular points of interest, the city is also home to the Spring of the Third World where it is believed the first waters of the third iteration of the world in Solite mythology began. Nearby is the Tomb of King Ahvahnu, the mythical founder of the city who is believed found the Spring of the Third World.
Ahvahnuj
Home of the Ahvahnic Oracle
Country
Region
Sarzamin
Religion
Solitism
Population
20,000
Demonyms
Ahvahnians
Organisations
Ahvahnic Oracle
Notable Places
Ahvahnic Oracle
Tomb of King Ahvahnu
Spring of the Third World
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