Description of Raibanth
Below is my recent unofficial view for the City of Ziggurat. If you think
I
should change or correct somewhere, please teach me.
Raibanth
After the Short Description of Genertela Box, some of Unofficial
Articles
enlarged the original system and physical status of Dara Happan
City.
Raibanth can be divided to Three Districts, firstly I thought these
are just
simply divided by the Oslir and Joat, but in the Lunar Map of Martin
Laurie
and Wesley Quadros, I began to think about there are another short
bay
exists like Constanstinople is divided by the Golden Horn. And the Coast
of
South West is owned Darjiini, Amuli. (Alkothians might enrage such
filthy
lives near of Sacred Center of Dara Happa!)
Raibanth is the
both trading Center and Religious Center even after Good
Shore has stolen
some role of trade among the confluence of Satrapies of
Silver Shadow,
Darjiin, Doblian and Kostaddi.Though perfectly Glamour robbed
the role of
Political Center of Dara Happa, annually TakenEgis perform the
Ritual of Land
Fertility and taming of Oslira River. (I think they also
performed Hunting
Ritual in the suburb of Raibanth as Ancient Persian
Shahs.)
And Each Masks
performed Final of Ten Tests in the Selshena of Raibanth. And
the Cluster
extended from Glamour jointed the Three Great City of
Silver
Shadow.
The Nobles of Raibanth are political creatures, such
like Assiday Family,
some of Nobles still hold Great influence beyond the
city walls seem to do
with outside world with dignity (arrogance),
sophistication (decadence) and
flexibility (infidelity). They rules the three
Tripolis and the invisible
strings that secretly manipulated the Ordanstum
and other traditional
Structure of the Empire.
Central
Structure of Raibanth
"Raibanth, the City of Emperors, in the center. It was the home
of Murharzarm."(GROY p.12)
"7. The Raibanth Bridge. Murharzarm built the great Bridge of
Luxites across the Oslira." (GROY p.13)
When Humanity and Dadami (Fire Daemons) lived together as in the Manarlavus
Dome, there was not much difference between Palace, Temple and Meeting
Hall of People. Sacrifice was directly accepted by Daemons and people ate
the meat of sacrifice while their immortal friends ate and drink the Fire
and Scent of Banquet. Raibanth was modeled by the most Sacred City of Yelm,
now lost Yuthubars. It was perfectly modelled the Order of Celestial Bodies,
Palace =Yelm and Eight Gates = Planets of Yelm Princes.
"Then
Khorventos enclosed the Bright Palace." (GROY p.20)
""I am the Emperor," said Emperor Oravinos, "And let
me remind you that this throne is on the top of the world. No flood can
harm us, and I promise I will apologize to you good lords if your feet
get wet." They all laughed daintily at his joke." (Sshorga: Belintar's
Book)
After Nestendos invaded to this city, Murharzarm overcame it and it became
Oslir River, and Murharzarm induced the River Conqueror Role in his Ten
Tests. (It reminds me Sacred Annual Ritual of Babylon: Malduk and Tiamat)
He made Bridge between the West and East. (I guess) And the River cut down
the Perfect Circle of City with her Novelty. Murharzarm built his Palace
over the Shore of River (After the Flood, it was sunk under the mud and
change of course in the River.) Selshena is abandoned as a natural residence
(Palace) of Emperors, but survived the Symbol of Dara Happa and the sacred
Stage of Ten Tests.
"he asked for new Death Rites to be performed over his grave."
(GROY p.29: Urvairinus)
I don't think Dara happans built monuments or graves for their Dead
Emperors as Egyptians or Chinese, or Other Ancient People because they
burn their corpse as Orlanthi or Greek heroes in Iliad. But I think sometimes
similar tradition uprose and down in long historical change. I choose Anaxial
Era is such Time. Because Emperors still lived long and death was unnatural
for them. They built Great Palace and it became their Grave after they
died. Because sometimes they expected their father might return. Later,
these monuments became Temples of Anaxial Emperors. Maybe Zasturnic Game
and Chariot Race began at that time though they were performed only as
sacred ritual.
"Five Statues, God's Wall, Yuthuppa Copper Ledger"
(GROY p.2)
Alkothians adapted themselves to the Great Darkness for survival,
changed such customs or...they submitted to Kazkurtum or Darjiinite Rulers.
Except some which could not be destroyed easily as Selshena, Raibamus or
God's Wall, most of Anaxialian Monuments were destroyed or defaced. Bravest
and Strongest went with Shargash to War, and transcended Death. City Wall
was destroyed and Demons and Trolls succumbed the City.
"The Oslira River writhing about, changing its course many times."
(GROY p.36)
"Emperor Jenarong, who we call the Reawakener and the New Murharzarm,
found the axle pole of the Imperial hariot, and had it installed in his
personal vehicle and set six white horses to harness." (History of
Dara Happan Army: Chariot)
"At this the River overflowed more, until the city of Raibanth was
an island." (GROY p.41 Son of Evil)
While Jenarongians ruled, gradually Tripolis were rejuvenated, and
those city cults regained influence though later Historians under Khordavian
Influence denied their services. (Surely some Horse Nomads like Breaker
of Walls were apparently antagonistic to the Rural Style Life itself.)
Dara Happans regained Strength against oppressive overlords and Avivath
the prophet inflamed their capacity.
"That day Yelm's Real Tower appeared in Raibanth, sleek and celestial,
and so bright..." (GROY p.41)
"He agreed, but only if it would be raised at the Shaft of Light."
(GROY p.46: Child of Wrath)
"He completed the magnificent Bridge of
Angels" (FS p.19: Anirmesha)
Khordavu Era was the Basic Era when the Foundation of Dara Happan
System of Humanity began. Firstly Khordavu was a Leader of Heroic Warlords...but
Plentonius and other his supporters (Eusibus?) helped the "Renaissance"
of Anaxialian Society. (In that Age, I think Khordavu founded his homebase
in the West Shore of Oslira after many floods changed utterly the course
of River. The East Shore of City was abandoned and the city wall is much
smaller than the Past Age) But foreign Influence could not be ignored,
most of them was Pelandan Influence. Because the prosperity of the community
itself dissolve the assurance of internal-temperance.
"Khorisimus was one of the Superior Men who lived in the reign of
Khorzanelm the Magnificent and the best charioteer that lived in that epic
time. He instituted the style of racing called Severe Racing." (History
of DH Army)
"He heard of wise men who lived in the land of Pelanda" (FS p.20
Erraibdavu the Conqueror)
They induced many Strange Ideas, like the difference of Philosophy and
Religion, Power and Authority, Art and Custom. (I think Yuthuppan gained
greater influence from it aside from other two, later typical Dayzatrian
Aesthetics appeared after the Jernotians preached their doctrine in their
city) The Two Ways of Approach appeared in the course of history, Khorzanelm's
Court represented one way. Because people needed the reason why the One
was revered as the Incarnation of Yelm among many though he is also a mere
human.
"Ketreseus the Sage had been both a man and a woman. He was found
in Sylila, wearing only a feathered cloak and sitting upon the highest
limbs of an apple tree." (FS p. 77: Illumination)
Nysalor was the consequence of both the miracle and randomness, even most
conservative Yelmites could not avoid some of Influence from Broken Council,
such as Theyalan Calendar or Unified Mythology. And many demihumans, such
like Dwarves and Aldryami (Nymphs), participated in the common practice.
Nysalorian Method to create new magic and heroes were caused by the mystical
philosophy of the Illuminate God. (I think Zasturnic Game was invented
or at least show-businessed in such era, it is similar to RW Greek Custom.
Later, Lunars reinduced to the traditional Dara Happan System as "classical"
custom in Yelmgathic Reform. Romaine Bread and Circus in their specialized
instruments.)
"The Yelm religion included absolute denial
of Nysalorian Ideals." (FS p.72)
"Ordanestyu said, "The usurpation of the Burningness of Yelm
by the evil emperor Khorzanelm had weakened Him with human passion and
limited vision." (FS p.72)
Arkat and his supporters changed the course much, only traditionalists
survived. And under the martial law of Barbarians, Ordanestyu reformed
greatly the social structure and confirmed the division of Temple and Ordanestum
(Council of Toga-men) So he founded another way of Dara Happa to the nature
of Mundane World. I think still Emperors hold Great Office (Palace) for
their own, enen if they didn't hold authority over their subject as their
predecessors. Emperors ruled as Roman Consuls rather than Absolute Rulers,
but the Centralization of Tripolis was strengthened by the stern (and sometimes
harsh) policy of Erzanestyu Dynasty. The Scale of Raibanthi Population
reached the peak of increase together with the growing of the boundary
of Empire.
"At this time a great conflict broke about between the nobles and
the commoners, who did not want another tax put upon them." (FS p.30
Fenaldevu)
"This lack of central authority was later blamed for the subsequent
internal disintegration which plagued the land" (FS p.73 Yelm Arraz
Cult)
"The Emperor was returned to a position of being a magical and non-political
figure." (FS p.75 Karsdevanic Clarification)
Dara Happa lost its power inevitably of the course of history, because
many countries around it raised against it or tried to abuse its authority
over Peloria. Emperors avoided the ancient Role and acted as rather Conciliators
(Denesiods) Hero Band (Karvanyar) or High Priest over Peloria without Power.
And Esoteric Mysticism poisoned the City Religion as the War Machine. Such
trend reached the pinnacle at the Karsdevanic Purge. Emperors acted as
Priests of Yelm and didn't touch with External Policy beyond wall, though
sometimes they wielded strong arm over internal policy for unification.
(I think this is similar to Papal State of Italy during Dark Age) Many
foreign powers, Spolites, EWF and Carmanians have ravaged outside the World.
Their reaction was suited for Survival until the Coming of Lunar Empire.
Greya entered the city from West, I don't think the Yelmgatha Square had
been
called as so before Rufelza came.
In the Text, there was no strait line
of her way from there to the place of
Raiba and where she and her companions
could watch the Footstool, so maybe
these complexed alleys were relatively
new ways after Emperors lost much
influence over the manpower of
Empire.
As you know, each emperors must finish the number ten of each Ten
Tests (I
think other nine can be performed other lands.) over the Ziggurat, I
think
that is the usage for the Footstool after the ruin was abandoned as
the
facility of every day administration.
After that, emperors walk
from there to the north Gods Wall by their foot,
and received blessing
(fealty?) of 100 gods of Empire there. I think there
is wide
"oriental-gigantic" road if each emperors performed to do so.
Greya
didn't mention Oslira, so I think her companions didn't reach there
(and I
think Selshena locates near of the riverside even if TakenEgi
reclaimed the
little land of Oslira as Augustus? or Nero? to Tiber, because
if I understand
the ancient cosmology of Dara Happa correctly, it must be
situated the center
of the city) before they turned to the left (north) and
went to her
destination. Pelandanic (Benhayac?) Style Temple of Rufdayen.
Greya
didn't go east coast or Amuli. I don't know there are three bridges
across
these areas, in Genertela Box, certainly there is at least the bridge
from
West to East.
The Width of Oslira is around 2 or 3 miles by the Wesley and Martin's
Lunar
Map. (equal to 3-5 kilometers) I used the image of Constantinople (or
more
older, Byzantion for the flexibility) and Bosphorus though Oslira don't
have
tide and sea wave as the joint of Black Sea and
Mediterranean.
God's Wall locates Eggarlodril the north of Raibanth 10
miles (approximately
16 kilometers) in GROY p. 62. And I think it and
Selshena is connected by
the Triumphal Road.
As I have impression from
Peter and Efendi's suggestion, maybe the radius of
City Wall is around 2 or 3
kilometers if I can estimate at most....It is
neither large as the ring of
Theodosius at Constantinople nor small as the
ring of Themistcles at
Athens.
One of the big problems is Dara Happa is the mishmash of many
different
cultures, in a sense, it's similar to Greek Classic Polis as they
were
called Tripolis or Septapolis, or Urvairinus performed Greek Style
contest
for his funeral. Ten Phalanxs guard them, etc....
Another
sense, Greg induced many Oriental and Indian Source to these city
states, as
Babylonians there are many Ziggurats and Clay-brick buildings for
older
scheme, I don't know how emperors treat these cities and outside
areas
fairly. It seems that Babylonian great kings were limited to their own
birth
city and controlled (conquered) other city states as Lukarius did. But
in
latter day, Emperors have appointed Overseers to each cities, (he
appointed
Overseer of Raibanth itself at least in Anaxial Era.) It suggests
something.
In RW, inevitably harmonized inter circumstance of the
capitals of Great
Empire are collapsed by gaining great domain outside of
City States, as
Babylonians were conquered by Assyrians, or Caesar greatly
induced
reformation of classic city Roman administration, I think this
process is
occurred in Raibanth, and Persians induced much nomad style
influence to the
Central Culture of Fertile Crescent, I think DH emperors
have gradually
relied upon the outside influence and armies who always stayed
outside of
City Wall as in Roman Empire aside from their principle, from
infantry to
cavalry. Carmanians and Lunars are good example for that. (But I
think even
today emperors or at least city overseers have performed the
ritual of
propitiating Nestendos and Oslira as governors of
Venice.)
About Emperor's office, Oriental Culture have many different
idea from
Greeks or Romans. They thought the Court of emperors modeled by the
Cosmic
Order and the Sky, and built great Palace for its inhabitants and
their
wives. (Though DHs prohibited emperors to have more than one
legitimate
empress as Dendara.) But on the contrary, Erzanestyu seems to hold
Senatus
and began to build Greek style Temples because "Gods are not men."
(In the
latter pages of Fortunate Succession suggested many hints about the
gradual
change of Yelmic Structure and city administration.)
But not
as Persian Akhaimemes or Sassanians (or Carmanians, they built many
detached
Palaces for Shahs), emperors have stayed at the capital of DH
Raibanth, I
don't think they can build and destroy constantly inside of
their city wall
as Alkothians (or as Nero, set fire to build new Golden
Palace and sang with
his own harp over the hill.) So I think the abandoned
Palace of ancient
emperors still remained as Sacred Places or temples. (As
Alexandros fought
against Dareios, Persian Kings have performed ritual of
Hunting for showing
their presence that indicated the remains as the Nomad
ancestors from outside
of Fertile Crescent City cultures, When the Great
watched the luxury and the
costume of the Shah and his concubines that is
natural for Dareios, but
perfect decadence for generals of Macedonia.) In
China, emperors solved its
problem by creating new city just second to close
the older city wall
buildings, but I can't use such technique for Dara
Happans.
Surely,
Dara Happan buildings are complex of delicate small pieces and
gigantic
monuments from many cultures.
From the information of Malion's unofficial tome in Rough Guide to Glamour
,
(Maybe it is a little bit unofficial for it was printed by Reaching
Moon
Megacorp) around 25 square kilometers and (I don't know Martin uses
this
supplement for reference) Martin put on 500,000 numbers of people. (I
don't
know this number includes the population beyond the city wall or
not.)
In RW, just before Peloponissian War, the population of Athens was
around
200,000-300,000 (most reliable source though there wasn't enough
proof. And
it includes Slaves.) And in 9C, Constanstinople barely held
250,000 though
it holds more capacity in that city scale. (But contemporary
Baghdad held
1,000,000...)
Just before 1453, the number counts barely
5000. The circumstance has
greatly influenced it.
(Efendi taught me
Turkish Istanbul (though it wasn't called so at that time)
held 500,000 in
16C, 1,000,000 in 17C.)
On the contrary, Hellenistic Alexandria held
1,000,000. In Rome, Trajanus
count the population of Rome 1,200,000 in the
pinnacle of Imperium.
As you know the harvest of rice is much greater
than that of barley or
wheat, I don't know well how ancient cities survived
their own. Maybe Dara
Happans have reaped rice for main crop. And Glamour
imports great amount of
food from Good Shore. (I don't have Rough Guide to
Glamour or Boldhome.)
Maybe I should consider the scale of my own Raibanth to
less larger size.
Places of Interest: Raibanth
*Selshena (Footstool of Yelm): It was called Senshelsa in FS p. 102. (In GROY it was called Selshena,
p.6) There is another illustration in Glorantha: Introduction to Hero Wars
p.12 (Lest these are similar different Ziggurats. Regularly Antirian Light
Pillar appears here. (Temple of Rufdayen) Each Emperors have performed
their enthronement over here.
*Senatus (Ordanestum: Martin Laurie?): When Sheng Seleris attacked Kerestus Zolathi (FS p.80) in this Traditional Center of Dara Happa, eventually they convinced him they were harmless to him as Alkothi (!) Center of "Gods are not men" movement in Erzanestyu Dynasty. Temple of Antirius (Lukarius?) Lawbringer?
*Raiba (Simple Stone Pillar): Very Crude Ancient Monument, See "Temple of Rufdayen" in Ye
Booke of Tentacles #2. In the Denesiod Dynasty, this Construction? was
revered as the Ancestor of Denesiod Dynasty as the Guardian of this City.
*Palace of Murharzarm: Now under the wave and mud of Oslira?
*Palace of Khordavu (Khorzanelm?): Incarnation of Yelm, it is now drowned by the frow of Dragonfang.
*Palace of Erzanestyu: Gods are not men.
....Each of these Temples (Ruin of Palaces?) reflected the style
of each dynasties.
*Karsdevanic Palace: Recent Residence of High Priest of Yelm, of course most of time in the
Lunar Empire it has been vacant without true masters....this palace was
long used for the Karvanyar Dynasty while they lost much of their power
outside of their City Wall.
*Pantheon: 100 Shrines for Each DH Dadami and other Daemons of Gods Wall.
*Three Walls:
Wall of Khordavu Dynasty (Inner Circle)
Wall of Erzanestyu Dynasty (Middle Circle)
Wall of Karvanyar
Dynasty (Outer Circle)
Wall of Murharzarm (Perfectly destroyed aside from some part)
Wall of Anaxial (Independent Circular Ring of Wall, destroyed)
*Gods Wall: Adamantine Ancient Monument, it locates 10 miles north of Raibanth
*Lokarnos Temple: Ambassadors, Traders and Diplomats gather this district of New City.
*Dragonland: Graves? of Anaxial Dynasty, after Dragon Sun profaned this area beyond
Golden Fang, this area was abandoned by residents for unknown? (maybe Lunacy
occurs to each men to stay long) reason. Karvanyar killed Dragonsun in
this area?
*House of Valare Addi: Suberb (Vonlath) of the City, the spot for pilgrims and her cultists,
(Estekoi? Entekosiad p. .97 near Good Shore)
*Temple of Rufelza: New Construction in the HonEel's renaissance. Rufdayen is the ancient name for the Moon Goddess of Dara Happa, see Entekosiad p.112 Cycle
*Golden Fang (Golden Horn?): It divides the Old City and Dragonland by the small stream line.
*New City: Eastern Coast of Oslir, there are Temple of Lokarnos and Temple of Avivath
Hastatus. Light House of Raibanth and Raibanth Military University, Star
Dome and Buserium.
*Amuli: Darjiinite Residence beyond Joat and Oslir, several times Alkothi have ravaged this area for religious reason.
*Temple of Murharzarm River Conqueror: There is the Temple at the root of Bridge across the Oslira (Bridge for Every Saints?), Emperors annually perform the ritual of Fertility. After the Center of the City sunk under the Great Serpent during Murharzarm Reign literally Raibanthians haven't decide where is the rightful position of True Emperors.
*Temple of Avivath Hastatus: the Wargod of Raibanth and the Prophet Ancestor of Khordavu Dynasty
*Grave of Anaxial Emperors: It is similar to the mausoleumic walls? of Akhaimenes in Nagsh-i-Rustem, Lukarius (Lawyers and Archers, sacrileged Several Times by Lunars), Urvairinus (Generals and Soldiers of Legions), Manarlavus (Mystics and Hermits) and Vanyoramet (Yelmalions?) sleep there in Legend.
*Buserium and Raibanth Military University: This is the center of New city and much Lunarized (Pelandanized). Its
Star Dome is dedicated to the God of Yuthuppa and its great knowledge for
ruling Imperium.
My older original Image:
Capital of Dara Happa has long bothered, enjoyed and befriended the flow
of Oslira as Murharzarm (Read about Ten Test, he is Bridge). Once The River
drowned this city, and Raibanth became an Island. (See GROY) and the "Shaft"
(See GROY, maybe it is similar to Castle Blue?) which appears for enthronement
of Emperors seems to change its appearance and location by chance, several
Dynasties insisted many different locations as their Ziggurat Construction
and located to the Footstool of Murharzarm. They usually wanted to make
their Ziggurats close to the location the Shaft appeared in their last
Ten Test...
Five Hills (Roman and Constantinople Seven Hills?)
Persepolis: Great Statue of Gryphin, Glamour mimicked this city...
Erzanestyu Dynasty divided Palace of Emperors and Senatus, and Court (Temple
of Yelm) while Khorzanelm integrated all of them into one under Nysalorian
Guidance.
(Later, Yelmgatha reinstated his Palace in the Raibanth in the same idea
of Khorzanelm, but in minor scale.)
Karsdevan perfectly divided Shaft and his Palace, and Senatus perfectly
acted independently.
Senatus and Shaft of Ten Tests, Enthronement
Bread & Circus, Nysalorian Influence & Lunars, Magnificus and Hon-Eel
of Doblian Reconstruction (much Pelandanic?) and Greg's Lunar Novel, Temple
of Rufdayen
Reference:
Jenarong Era
GROY
P.36 The Oslira River writhed about, changing its course many times.
P.41 That day Yelm's Real Tower appeared in Raibanth, sleek and celestial,
and so bright that it shamed all the man-made places
See the Map of the City of Emperors
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