The protagonists finally arrive in Egypt after their long journey across the African continent. Before them stretches a vast and exotic landscape: the golden sun reflecting off the desert sands and the immense structures rising majestically on the horizon. However, what surprises them most is the city that looms in the distance, Neket, the capital of Egypt, where magic, life, and death are deeply intertwined with the culture.
As they approach, the grandeur of Neket fully reveals itself. Tall towers and monumental obelisks cast long shadows over the bustling streets. But what truly stands out are the inhabitants: demihumans, beings with human features fused with those of sacred animals. Some walk with the grace and speed of a lion, others have the sharp, penetrating eyes of a hawk. These demihumans, creatures of a powerful heritage, are a mix of the divine and the earthly.
Exhausted but amazed, the protagonists are greeted by a delegation of priests. Among them stands a figure with a hawk's head, its black, gleaming feathers catching the sunlight as if wrapped in a halo. The priest introduces himself as Khepri, a demihuman leader of Neket's protectors and guardian of the sacred laws. Though not one of the most powerful gods, his presence is imposing, and his respect for tradition is evident.
“Welcome to Egypt, the land where life and death converge under the watchful eye of the gods,” Khepri says as he guides them to the heart of the city. “Here, time and fate intertwine like the Nile that crosses our lands.”
As they walk, the protagonists observe the demihumans with fascination. Khepri explains that the most powerful gods of Egypt are also demihumans, beings whose connection to magic and the cosmic order makes them the absolute rulers of this land's destiny.
Neket, the capital, is a vibrant city, with markets sprawling along the wide avenues, full of exotic fruits, jewelry, and magical artifacts. The protagonists witness how common demihumans bow before the figures of the gods, represented in large statues dominating the central plazas. Among them, the figures of Ra, the sun god, and Anubis, the guardian of the dead, stand out, revered by all citizens. Ra, with his humanoid body and hawk's head, seems to watch over everyone from above, while Anubis, with his jackal head, symbolizes the inseparable bond between life and death.
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Khepri leads them to the Temple of the Nile, a sacred place where the demihumans pay homage to the river that gives life to Egypt. The clear, magical water flows through channels carved with ancient hieroglyphs, emitting a soft golden light that fills the air with a sense of calm and power.
“This river does not only nourish the land but also our magic,” Khepri says, gesturing toward the Nile. “Without it, Egypt would be nothing. Everything you see, from the pyramids to the temples, is sustained by its constant flow.”
As the protagonists watch the water flow, they begin to notice something strange. The shadows of the demihumans seem to vibrate, as if charged with energy. Khepri explains that the demihumans, especially the most powerful ones, are direct extensions of the gods, and therefore, their bodies are imbued with divine magic.
However, not everything in Egypt is peaceful. Khepri warns the protagonists about the Dark Pyramids, located on the other side of the Nile, where a disturbing energy resides. Ancient, but not forgotten, these pyramids are sealed and guarded by Egypt's darker gods, those who govern the more shadowy aspects of existence.
“The balance in Egypt is maintained, but that darkness always lurks,” he warns. “Although the demihuman gods dominate these lands, they also know that chaos is necessary for order to exist.”
Khepri also tells them about Hathor, the goddess of love and fertility, who resides in the temples in the northern part of the city. He promises that in the coming days, they will have the opportunity to meet her and learn about the balance of the forces that sustain life in Egypt.
As the day comes to an end, the protagonists are housed in a lodge near the Temple of Ra. As they watch the sunset paint Neket's streets in gold, they feel the immensity of the journey ahead of them in this land where the magic and power of the demihuman gods are real. The sunset casts long, deep shadows, and for the first time, the protagonists realize they are in a place where the laws of the universe are different.
Night falls, and Neket, under the starlight, appears even more enigmatic. Khepri bids them farewell, leaving them with a final warning:
“Remember, travelers: you are in Egypt, where even the strongest are judged by the gods. Here, every decision has a price, and the shadow of death is always near.”
With that warning resonating in their minds, the protagonists prepare for what lies ahead. The land of the demihumans and their gods has begun to reveal its power, but much more remains to be discovered beneath Egypt’s golden sands.