"The Scarab of Sahkimra, Craft #2

Sahkimra: A Primer to Ancient Societies
When scholars compare the great societies of the past, discussions often lead to the Dynasty of Sahkimra, a ruler whose reign sprawled across an endless sea of sand. According to both historical accounts and fairy tales; the Sahkimrin Dynasty was unusually prosperous in contrast to their nearest neighbors, even despite the harsh desert climate around them. Furthermore, a theme we see across all sources is the unusual health of its citizens due to a general lack of disease and plague. It’s even been said that the reaper himself would come late to those under Sahkimra’s rule. Whether or not this was a falsehood to assuage their neighbors from war, remains to be decided. As we are all well aware; death prevention is forbidden magic and in this article, I will not speculate further on the subject.

Proceeding into the late Sahkimrin era, all information becomes cloudy and unusually chaotic, which points to the total collapse of the dynasty. What we know for certain is that Sahkimra was met with some great tragedy and within a year, his dynasty suffered total ruin. Some theories point to an estranged brother, jealous of his kin’s extended rule, the reaper finally taking revenge, or outside forces meddling with internal politics. All these theories will be covered in greater depth in Chapter 89.

Sahkimra himself has always eluded description, though what remains consistent is his prominent necklace that seems to have been a replacement for the traditional crown sported by various monarchies of the time. This necklace is often replaced with an image of a scarab, the meaning of which is unknown. Last year’s dig revealed a stone slab of Sahkimra with an intact inscription that translated as: “By my hand, others are lifted. By my actions, I am judged.”

Prominent Artifactologists believe the scarab had some greater power of judgement and vitality. It’s said he was a kind ruler who lifted others up, and with as long as a reign he had, perhaps its use empowered him in other ways too. I theorize the amulet granted health and longevity to him and all he cherished, so long as he worked to lift others up like the inscriptions imply. Like a phantom judge, if the amulet finds you wicked, then perhaps you’ll be the one to destroy what you love.

Of course, these are all just stories. The means to create such powerful relics are out of our reach and perhaps the world is better off without such power.
An excerpt from Mo’Van Amaumiam’s “Gallant’s Guide to Historical Societies”
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