Hyboria

The Akkadian Empire is a nigh-timeless entity that came into existence not too long after Badonia and Lon began recording history. Though initially a single entity, the Empire currently operates as four independant states: Ithaca, Nederlad, Thule and Triari.

Creation Mythology

As far back as history goes, the Mohenjo Daro Valley was occupied by wild and uncivilized tribes. The Lons considered them heathens, and the Badonians considered them savages.

Legend has it that approximately two-thousand years ago, a mysterious wanderer by the name of Akkad arrived in the Mohenjo-Daro. He made his home in a small trading village called Nineveh, where he began to preach an alternate religion to the paganistic faiths many of the local tribes followed. Though he was initially met with much resistance, he persisted, and eventually began to build a large following. More and more of the tribalists converted to his ways, until before long he claimed that the entire Valley were all "Akkadians."

Akkadian Beliefs

History of the Akkadian Empire

Following Akkad's rise to power, he spent the next several years of his life spreading the gospel of Akkadianism. Near the end of his life, he initiated a great battle with the then-invincible Lonnic Empire: the first major attack on the Empire in recorded history. It wasn't long before the Lons sent a retaliatory strike upon the Akkadian Empire, thus beginning the infamous Thousand Years War, which would wear down both the Lons and the Akkadians to fractions of their former selves before its conclusion.

Over the course of the war, the Akkadians developed a strong relationship with the Free Republic of Badonia, and has since opted to act as a sort of bodyguard to their neighbor to the north. This relationship continues into modern times, and to this day, most Akkadians will gladly fight any enemy of Badonia as if it were their own.

500 or so years following the death of Akkad, a small Akkadian army marching through the Spine discovered a small nation of tall, blonde humans who called themselves the Sids. Their home region of Sidon was promptly declared Akkadian territory, and all Sids were ordered to either convert or abandon their homes. Those who attempted to resist faced very swift defeat at the hands of the superior warriors, and in very short time all of Sidon belonged to the Akkadians. This sparked much animosity between the two nation, and to this day many Sids carry a deep-seated grudge against the Akkadians, even after reclaiming their land nearly six centuries ago.

Near the end of the war, one of the Akkadian tribes known as the Hyksos decided to secede from the empire. Though their decision was initially met with some violent resistance, tensions eventually calmed and the Hyksos were allowed to leave the empire, though Hykso lands were to remain the property of the Akkadians. Relations worsened over time, and eventually the Hyksos began attacking Badonia, subsequently sparking an Akkadian campaign against the Hyksos, which still rages on to this day.

Following the conclusion of the war, the Akkadian Empire decided to divide itself into four separate but equal territories, which would govern and police themselves, but would still act as part of the greater Empire. They work in coalition whenever the Empire or Akkadian beliefs are in danger, though regularly operate as wholly independent states.

To the south, Nederlad staked its claim in a region outside the harsh borders of the Mohenjo-Daro, instead opting to live in a region known as the Underlands, and has lately begun focusing on international trade, intending to eventually compete with Rungholt, Badonia, and even Aurora.

To the west, Ithaca claimed the least harsh part of the Valley, and has become a haven for those Akkadians who are content with infighting. Many "true" Akkadians criticize the Ithaci as being weak and cowardly, though in truth these Akkadians are no less capable in combat than the Triarii or Thulii.

To the southeast, Thule nestled in the Akkadian-claimed lands of Lon, where they continue to live today. The Akkadians here tend to be the most aggressive, and are likely to see more actual warfare than Akkadians from one of the other territories. Thule is also notable for its large number of neophytes, which often causes Akkadians of other territories to treat the Thulii with disdain.

Triari took what remained: the heart of the Valley and birthplace of the Akkadian Empire. Triarii tend to be more proud and stiff-necked than other Akkadians, though they usually possess the combat and survival skills to back it. Common belief holds that only the greatest runners are Triarii, and nearly all of the victorious battles against the Sids and Hyksos are won by Triarii.