The crystall skull - Short background history
Short history
The kingdom of Ibis was always seen as a monolith of peace in the region. Situated almost in the centre of the continent, it quickly turned into a popular place for traders to sell their wares. This has led to a big improvement in the lifestyle of the kingdom's capital city of Ankh'ahn and actually increased its influence in the region. Soon the importance of the trade routes going through the city made it so that the ruling monarch had equal political power in the neighbouring kingdoms as in his own. Besides the trade routes Ankh'ahn had also another asset in its possession. The local hyena tribes were well known blacksmiths, their wares being considered one of the best in the known world. Noticing the possibilities arising from their presence the rulers decided to offer them an underground complex below the city, where they could craft undisturbed, as well as sell their wares to the visiting merchants. In return the tribes agreed to offer weapons, armour and accessories to the town authorities free of charge. This provided Ankh'ahn with a mighty army to protect its borders. No attempts on conquering other regions through military means were ever made though. The political influence was strong enough to be used for such actions.
It wasn't long though before greedy eyes turned towards the riches of Ankh'ahn. An alliance of a few neighbouring kingdoms together with the power of the arcane order ruling the far northern ice-waste decided to storm the town and conquer it for their own needs. The local defences, aided by the hyena tribes shamans managed to repel the invasion, though not without major casualties. The war lasted for a good 2 years resulting in the destruction of every living being in the local area turning it in a barren wasteland. The people were left without a possibility to grow its own food and the water supply was running dangerously low. But the city itself was mostly unharmed by the attacks, this leaving it opened for trade to be continued immediately after the war has finished. Currently traveling merchants are the main source of the basic necessities to allow life to somehow continue in Ankh'ahn. In late years the population numbers of the city are becoming a problem due to the limited amount of resources. A somewhat acceptable solution has been arranged with the local religion representatives.
Religion
There is very little information left on what kind of Gods were worshipped before the war. The current Church of Hass made it their duty to erase every single record of any other religion. The only Deity they allowed to be worshipped was Saint Hass. Hass is considered to be a local saint, who never delved into mortal pleasures of the flesh and thus didn't add to the increasing population of the city, which has become a major concern for the authorities. The local religion dictates that making love is a sin and anything related to the act itself no matter if it is straight or not, should be punished by death. Birth control by other means than abstinence is forbidden, since Hass loved children and considered them pure, while abortion is seen as a child murder.
The Church received full support from the Monarchy, since it was seen as an easy solution to the problem of over population.
"The Hand of Hass" is an order in the Church of Hass, consisting of heavily armoured and experienced fighters and clerics, making sure that the faithful respect Hass teachings. Usually those found unfaithful have little choice over what happens to them, the sentence being executed right on the spot. Its members receive the title Inquisitors and rank ranging from apprentice to grand inquisitor.
"The liberators" is a small rebellious sect, opposing the Church. Its members believe that love is a natural thing that must happen, while birth control should be used to control the population growth. Members of any orientation are accepted. The sect gatherings are believed to finalise in a mass orgy, though there are no certain reports about this.
Ruling power
The city is ruled by a single monarch, who must have never experienced any pleasures of the flesh and thus is not allowed to have any siblings. If the king is caught disobeying the church orders, he will suffer the same fate as any other sinner. This leaves people to see the Church itself as the ruling power in Ankh'ahn, while the Monarch is seen as nothing more than a puppet in their hands.
When the King passes from the living, each of the noble houses must appoint a candidate for the throne and then a new Monarch is voted by the citizens.