Empire built on Sand - Immersive long-term delight - Fantasy [M lf F]

[Delirium147]

!Disclaimer: I do not employ a ‘first come, first serve’ policy. Instead, I write with the one I feel most comfortable with. To put a cliché on it: with someone I connect or click with. Thank you for understanding.!

Introduction:
Step into a world of ancient religions, violence and intrigues taking place in exotic and colourful locations that feature dusky beauty and beauties. A world that makes heads swim with sensuality, extravagance and decadence. It is based on sword & sorcery settings like Hyboria or Tanith Lee's works, as well as historical periods. Think of the bronze and gold of Antiquity, in lieu of the iron and steel of Medieval times.

Who am I looking for? Story and smut in equal measure and quality. An ambitious female keen on crawling into the brain of one (or several) character(s). My writing partner is someone who is preferably available over Skype of Discord (PM me) to discuss the plotline, hooks and characters. Who has at the very least glossed over my o/Os and preferences. And, who is a proficient and prolific writer, unafraid of grey morality, explicit and passionate descriptions. I have some suggestions character-wise which you can read below, but I am mostly eager to hear from you! Particularly when hammering out our character pairing and dynamic. If you're into that shorthand, I'd say this would be a Queen/Princess x Spy/Guard sort of deal. I'd love to discuss other possibilities as well.

A short aside: I was also tempted to incorporate the Qunari from Dragon Age into this. Though it did not ferment into something substantial. In any case: Read on!

Basic Outline:
Ruled by a foreign dynasty ready to tear itself apart, ancient Khem, a land of majesty and intrigue, is at risk of disappearing in a ruthless fight for power. The Pharaoh lays dying, his rule already faltering as lines are being drawn in the red desert sands. A secret cabal operates from the shadows, and looks to solidify their power by supporting the Pharaoh’s son. The boy is only interested in the superficiality of power, making for an excellent puppet to warm the cushioned soon-to-be-vacant throne. However, he has a sister who is less manageable and far too cunning and power-hungry for their plans. A nation’s fate hangs in the balance. What happens when, together with a former member of the secretive organisation, she goes on the offensive?

Those of you with an interest in history, and particularly Antiquity and Hellenism, will recognise the general outline almost instantly. Ancient Greece and Egypt are heavily borrowed from. It is set in a fantastical counterpart of Ptolemaic Egypt at the start of the civil war between Cleopatra (a potential inspiration for a role?) and her brother. Why go for a fantasy version of Ptolemaic Egypt some of you may wonder? Because this offers us more freedom as writers. We do not have to constrain ourselves with history or canon. To that end, I wish for a partner who does not shy away from invention and elaboration. We write our own canon, our own (hi)story. Sorcery, illusion and prophecy for instance can play a greater role here. Who knows to what lengths your character will go to? Poison? Necromancy? Below you will find a character and setting description with assorted compendium and inspirational pictures (some can be NSFW).

Female lead character:
I’m looking for someone who can pull off a calculating, adventurous, and fierce-tempered woman with an appetite. Some refer to her as a firebrand or hothead, wild and wanton. Her enemies call her a mindless whore, but that is a gross miscalculation – even underestimation. When she sees something she desires, she strives to obtain it at all cost. She does not shy away from using her looks and charm to get what she wants, nor from seducing men to get them to do her bidding, occasionally granting carnal favours in this context. Though she enjoys pursuing and taking her pleasures where she wants, she is by no means a slave to them. Nor is she evil, but dangerous. This is an ambitious lady, experienced in the world of politics and lovemaking. Even if she was in the past in charge of the court’s ‘feasts and frolics’, she believes that her gender does not impede attaining greater power. Her star shines as brightly as any man's, perhaps even brighter! To that end she has forever been partial to the female deities and their heady, lustful veneration. What then, when she needs to allign herself with a former member (likely MC) of the same secret organisation looking to exile her?

This would be a character drawing flavour from both historical and fictional examples. Cleopatra of Egypt would most likely be the best example, but there are others to draw inspiration from such as Tomyris of Scythia, Messalina, Julia Soaemias, Zenobia of Palmyra, Empress Theodora, (book) Daenerys, Arianne Martell and Cersei, Cirilla/Ciri and Yennefer, etc. By no means do I expect you to research all of them, mind you. A good face-claim could be Janina Gavankar.

Setting Description:
After the death of Cleander the Great, the empire he had created tottered and fell into disarray with remarkable speed. His empire was the largest ever seen, and the generals struggled against each other for the ultimate prize that none of them was quite strong enough to gain. The Diadochi, or Successors, were only strong enough to hold onto fragments, carving out kingdoms and empires of their own.

Khem was one such part of that lost empire. By anyone’s standards it is an ancient land. Amrun, the Great River, gave birth to its civilisation and sustains the land still. Most of the population lives along the river, as rocky hills and desert hold sway beyond. The oldest empire of the known world is currently ruled by a Hellaenic dynasty descended of one of Cleander’s able generals: Apionos, who had been awed by the monuments of Khem and sought to add those of his own. He managed to install himself as ruler, against power-grabbing rivals.

Quick to embrace Khemite ways, adopted the royal traditions of the land such as divine status and marriage between close kin. The Apionids styled themselves in the fashion of the Pharaohs, and ushered in a blending of Hellaenic and Khemite culture. Nevertheless, there is a clear division between those ruling and those being ruled. For example, most Hellaenics have never learned the native Khemite tongue, instead preferring the elevated and enlightened language of their forebears. Rich families live within stepped pyramids with colonnaded terraces on the higher levels intricately carved or hewn from marble. Ancient pyramids are smooth, and served as burial monuments for those of divine nature.

One potential point of unison would be the syncretic religion practiced in the cities. The veneration of the shared deity Merapis, for one, promotes learning. Apionos ordered the establishment of these joint cults to unify his divided realm.

Khem, therefore, is a rich land under the new Pharaohs and a centre of learning for the Hellaenic world. Apionid Khem has close cultural ties to the Hellaenistic world, while maintaining many local traditions. It has become a beacon of prosperity and trade under the influence of its new Hellaenic rulers.

Despite, or maybe just because, of its duality, the kingdom remains what it has always been: rich, powerful, and influential. Every year the Amrun River renews the farmlands and irrigations of Khem. Every year the Pharaohs can be sure that their people will thrive, and reach out for new lands and new wealth. Khem is a power of might, exotism, majesty, and continuity.

Embracing Khemite religion and customs, the Apionids have since made themselves Pharaohs, continuing the long engineering tradition of great temple and monument building. Hellaenic culture and learning are actively encouraged however, and an upper class of Hellaeno-Khemites has emerged. But things are not always harmonious; with Hellaenic units garrisoned and veterans settling throughout the territory, the privileges of Hellaenic citizens have led to frequent and bloody uprisings by the indigenous people.

While Menkauros has become a beacon of civilisation and learning, its rulers are power-hungry opportunists. This new dynasty may yet expand its territory and influence further – perhaps to unify the Hellaenic-speaking peoples? West beyond the deserts? Or south, into the dark jungles of Kush, Atamba or Darfar?

The Hellaenics have proven to be skilled statesmen and academics, and their martial prowess has long gone unquestioned. However, as a recently established dynasty on foreign soil, the native Khemites will take some convincing as to the value of their new Apionid rulers… As decadence increases, tension rises. Not only between the ruling upper class of Hellaenics and the native Khemites who are barely a step above slaves, but also within the palace walls. The royal family has never been known for their peaceful solutions. Will sibling rivalry plunge the country into a cataclysmic civil war? Conflict is sparking, but where will it erupt first? The palace or the streets? And what of the wrath of the Gods?

Compendium:

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

• Amrun: the longest river of the known world. It is known for frequent flooding, and provides fresh water to most of Khem’s people.
• Apionos – Apionid: General of Cleander the Great, first Hellaenic pharaoh of Khem. The term Apionid denotes a descendant or family member of the dynasty’s founder.
• Cleander the Great: this world’s Alexander the Great.
• Hellaenics: this world’s Greeks. Its adjective is Hellaenic or Hellaenistic.
• Hellaeno-Khemites: a mixed class.
• Khem: 'Egypt'. Its people are called Khemites. They are a mongrel race brought together by ancient conquests, as Khem has invaded or been invaded many times in its long history. They have amber or brown skin, darker than those of Hellaenic descent, with wiry black hair.
• Menkauros: capital of the realm (cfr. Alexandria). It was built by Apionos nigh on 300 years ago and has a distinctly Hellaenic character with separate quarters for Khemite and foreigners.
• Merapis: a Hellaenic deity with Khemite trappings symbolising a mingling between the two people.

Inspirational Pictures:
Main street view
Side street view
A stepped pyramid
Docks
City along the river
Khemite city
Khemite Temple
Another Khemite Temple
The river delta and ancient pyramids
The river
Ruins in the desert
A priestess?
Or a princess?
Or both?
I do not want to drink what is in that cup.
All about that bass.

Some Frank Frazetta art can't be missing here, because thighs:
Careful now
Semi naked or s' naked
Praise be!
Bull dancer

[Delirium147]

Refined, revamped, restructured.

Added a description for a female lead part, added a plot outline, added more graphic material.

I'm PM-friendly! Always happy to hear your own suggestions.