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ÆGYPT
Playground Of The Gods
A Supplement for the
ZENOBIA Roleplaying Game
by Günter D’Hoogh
EGYPT, PLAYGROUND OF THE GODS
Written by Günter D'Hoogh © 2004
Additional material and assistance from Paul Elliott.
Illustrations compiled by Günter D’Hoogh
Acknowledgements
This sourcebook is dedicated to Kristel, my wife, for being a ZENOBIA-widow while I was
again working at the laptop for hours; and to Paul Elliott who introduced me to the historical
fantasy of ZENOBIA!
Günter D’Hoogh
2
EGYPT, PLAYGROUND OF THE GODS
THE CONTENTS
I
INTRODUCTION
Timeline
The Ægyptian Dynasties
THE WORLD OF ÆGYPT
The People
The Daily Life
The Land
The History
The Calendar
CHARACTER CREATION
RELIGION
HEKA
PHILOSOPHY
MONSTERS & WILD ANIMALS
TREASURES
TOMBS OF ÆGYPT
ÆGYPTIAN TERMINOLOGY
REFERENCES
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
3
EGYPT, PLAYGROUND OF THE GODS
I INTRODUCTION
The famous Ionian historian, Herodotos, once wrote “Ægypt is a gift of the Nile”. And indeed
without that great river Ægypt could never exist, it would be nothing but an endless dry and
deserted desert region. The Nile meant everything to Ægypt: water, food, building materials,
transport, etc... But however important the Nile was, as important to the Egyptian nation were
the gods, the temples and the priests. Ægypt was and still is the temple of the world!
Although Ægypt lost a great deal of its past splendour and the Imperials never held it in high
esteem, the land is still great for its temples and its gods. The period of the (great) pharaohs
is over - an Imperial governor is ruling instead - but the gods still leave their mark on the
visitor and on everyday life. Some gods’ temples are even frequented by the Imperials
themselves, this is especially the case for the goddess Isis, who has a score of followers, even
in the Eternal City itself, where a cult is dedicated to her.
Gods and death have everything to do with one another, therefore the temples and the graves
are of an immense importance. People - even the poor - save up all of their lives for their
“house in the afterlife” - their tomb! Although the tombs of the poor are not richly decorated,
they are well cared for. But it’s of course the magnificent tombs of the rich - and especially
those of the pharaohs - that cause wonder and awe among Ægypt’s visitors and... plunderers.
Today tomb robbers and daring adventurers are in a frantic search for those sacred tombs of
the Ægyptian rulers of old. They search for the secret entrances into the pyramids and the
rock temples of those once great pharaohs, looking for the fabulous treasures that are
supposed to be buried with their former owners: Khufu, Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, Amenhotep
IV, Seti I, Ramses II, Cleopatra VII, etc...
And what about the tomb of that young hero-king, Alexander the Great? Isn’t this situated in
Ægypt? Together with some magical artifacts that helped him to conquer the world at so
young an age?
Of course the search for such legendary treasures will never be easy. Myths and legends give
perhaps some clues to the location of the tombs or their possible entrances, and the Great
Library of Alexandria provides wonderful opportunities for research and fact-finding, but the
adventurers are not alone! Every Emperor since the magician-King Tiberius has coveted
these riches, and perhaps the existence of some godly artefacts. Imperial agents are at work
in Ægypt, stealing important scrolls and breaking into long-dead tombs. In the hands of the
Emperor these treasures and divine artifacts would turn him into a living god, a divine tyrant
with the powers of Amun-Ra on earth. This would bring out a hell on earth for every living
being.
The meaning of this “Sourcebook” is to give the players and the gamemaster alike, some
information on adventuring in Ægypt, the land where the gods dwell. In this particular case
we will take a ‘closer look’ at Ægypt. This land - which is geographically devided among the
deserts and the river Nile - was the birthplace to a great nation; in fact one of the greatest and
most long-lived the world has ever known, blessed as it is by the benevolence of the gods.
Even the Empire, in all its greatness, sees the benefit of a religion that is so coveted by all of
its people, rich and poor alike!
4
EGYPT, PLAYGROUND OF THE GODS
The timeline is as seen through the eyes of the Imperials, the foundation of the Eternal City
being the milestone and beginning of everything.
TIMELINE
-2370 AUC:
-2347 AUC:
-1915 AUC:
-1832 AUC:
Srqt
- an unspeakable name, but better known as the
Scorpion King
- is the first
great monarch of Upper Ægypt. He is a man of great power, as depicted on a
“macehead” found in the town of Nekhen.
King Narmer unifies Upper and Lower Ægypt into one strong nation, he is
reported to be very cruel to his enemies as shown on the Narmer palette, where
he is depicted amidst his beheaded enemies.
King Djoser builds the first pyramid. His tomb is still unentered, even the tomb
robbers of 2000 years ago dared not enter this sacred place.
King Khufu (Cheops) builds the most magnificent tomb of them all, the Great
Pyramid is the biggest building in the world. Even to the Imperials it’s awe
inspiring. Between -1805 AUC and -1779 AUC King Khafre (Chefren) and
King Menkaure (Mykerinos) build also monumental pyramids.
First intermediate period, lasting till -1287 AUC. People from strange
countries (from over the sea) attack Ægypt and there is political chaos in the
land. In this period Abraham comes to Ægypt.
Recovery and political stability under the leadership of some strong kings.
Among them Mentuhotep I and Amenemhet I.
Second intermediate period, lasting till -822 AUC: invasion of the Hyksos,
they overpower Ægypt thanks to the use of horse chariots and - some say - of
magical weapons and divine artifacts in battle. They rule over Ægypt for a
period of more than 200 years. The 15
th
and the 16
th
Dynasty are all Hyksos
kings.
Ahmose I chases the Hyksos away, he’s the first of a series of great kings that
belong to the famous 18
th
Dynasty (Thutmose I, Thutmose II, Hatshepsut,
Thutmose III, Amenhotep II, etc...).
Whole tribes flee from Ægypt during the reign of Thutmose III, this is called
the Exodus.
Amenhotep IV claims there is only one god, Aton. He even founded a town
(‘Achetaton’) dedicated to his one god, after his dead it is however deserted, a
free pick for tomb robbers, thieves and treasure hunters.
The young king Tutankhamen dies a mysterious death, some claim that he’s
murdered.
Beginning of the long reign of Ægypt’s most famous pharaoh - Ramses II. He
rules Ægypt for 67 years (until -484 AUC) and is known as the “builder-king”.
Third intermediate period, lasting till 90 AUC: political instability with
invasions from foreign tribes. During this time the Lybians take over Ægypt
and king Sheshonk I sacks the Great Temple in Palestine (-174 AUC) and
enlarges the temple of Karnak. From -317 AUC until 6 AUC the High Priests
of Thebes have considerable influence.
The “Exile”: refugees flee to Ægypt.
Artaxerxes III takes over all of Ægypt, he demolishes the walls of the most
important cities and plunders the shrines of the ancient temples, amassing a
vast quantity of silver and gold. He installs Pherendates as satrap of Ægypt.
5
-1497 AUC:
-1247 AUC:
-1033 AUC:
-817 AUC:
-693 AUC:
-597 AUC:
-572 AUC:
-551 AUC:
-332 AUC:
-167 AUC:
410 AUC:

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