I have based Sarshemu on the land of Osirion from the Pathfinder setting, in particular, the city of Sothis, including its large dome.
COMMON KNOWLEDGE
Smaller port, city-state ruled over by The Ruby Queen Esiti Kakra, a redspawn arcanis. The city is built around a gigantic dome formed from the shell of a great scarab beetle's carapace. Some say the remains were a herald of or even an avatar of Khepri himself. The dome is attended to by the sacred scarabfolk (kheprid) guardians known as The Black Guard.
Like most others, Sarshemu is a militant state where the dragonborn rule and the humans and others form an underclass. The city is renowned for its shadow magic.
Sarshemu has an affinity for light blue. This is the colour of the River Sphinx, but also, many of the buildings here are topped with blue domes. Blue banners fly from every tower. The former vizier was a blue dragon before he was slain by the current queen.
A typical citizen is hard-working and religious - whether they follow the state religion of Tiamat, other draconic deites or the Old Gods of the Sun.
REGIONAL FEATURES
Abnarmu
A large town northeast of Sarshemu with a sebeccai population.
The Black Dome
This is the carapace of a gargantuan scarab beetle that has become the centrepiece of the city. The Royal Palace of the Ruby Queen lies within the dome. Kheprids serve as keepers and protectors of the dome which they believe is sacred to their god Khepri.
Ankha-Djedsi
Valley to the east of the main city where many temples to the Old Gods of the Sun stand. A very sacred place to the followers of the old gods, especially the (mostly human) farming communities in the area.
Forgotten King Campaign
- The characters started here, where they all worked/lived.
Khasi
Small farming community to the south of Ankha-Djedsi. In the hills nearby stands the statue of The Forgotten King - a human king, and a small necropolis whose entrance is guarded by the bound spirits of two gynosphinxes.
Abu-shesh is a young priest who went to Ankha-Djedsi whose father (also a priest) went missing at the necropolis.
Des-Ra is the leader of the settlement's militia. Carries a khopesh and short bow.
Forgotten King Campaign
- Characters came to this site to help with missing priests and guards at the necropolis. they were brought here by Abu-Shesh and Des-Ra.
Khasi Necropolis
Situated on the edge of the palm trees to the east, the necropolis is is made up of many mastabas and a tomb carved into the cliff-face at the back. On the other three sides of the complex, stands a 15 foot tall stone wall. Large bronze gates are flanked by two gynopshinx guardians whose spirits are bound to protect the site. When visitors correctly answer their riddle, the two sphinxes open the gates, animate and get 1 hour's freedom, before they must return to their vigil.
Priests from Khasi prepare bodies in the embalming room of the main tomb carved into the cliff. Large statues flank the entrance to the main tomb. One of a priestess clutching an ankh and one of a warrior with shield and spear.
The statue of the Forgotten King stands just over the rise behind the necropolis.
PEOPLE OF SARSHEMU
The population of Sarshemu is pretty reflective of Maru-Qet populations.
Dragonborn are the dominant and most populous heritage and rule here under a dragonspawn queen. Dragonspawn of several kind are found throughout the realm, often in positions of power.
Humans form the bulk of the underclass and are more populous in the smaller communities along the river.
The rulers of Sarshemu have a pact with the kreen of the wastes and have welcomed them into the city-state. The small Sebeccai population are mainly based in the small township of Abnarmu, to the northeast of the main city. They are refugees from the city-state of ??? A growing population of ratlings is also in the city. They are mostly based around the docks as they are decended from the arrivals of a single ship around 90 years ago.
Kheprids are found in the smaller communities where the Old Gods of the Sun are still worshiped, but they are also the sacred guardians of the Great Dome in the city.
Shades/Shadowsouls are seen as the blessed members of the community, given the city-states strong connection to the Shadow Realm, many mages undergo rituals to connect themselves to it.
Gnolls are a common menace in the surrounding wastes, strange serpentfolk guard some of the old ruins, and kobolds appear whenever a dragon is nearby. Currently, there is no known dragon within Sharshemu.
ADVENTURERS
GROUPS & ORGANISATIONS
THE BLACK GUARD
The holy order of khepri sentinels that maintain and guard all within the Black Dome. Many are paladins and priests of Khepri. They are among the few tolerated for their old religious beliefs within the city walls.
THE VANGUARD
A mysterious, underground criminal guild with a penchant for tomb robbing.