The origin of our system of city-states is in dispute by scholars. One of the most accepted theories is that earlier systems encouraged by the elven masters broke up during a period of economic decline during the Elven/Dwarven conflict and the splintered groups established themselves as nuclei of city-states that proceeded to cover the land. As they grew in population and commercial activity, they sent out bands of emigrants who created similar city-states on the coasts of the Sea of Scarlet Waters.

The early city states constantly warred with each other. This was the Time of Many Kings, reknowned for its chaos and lawlessness. Humanity suffered because of the flaws inherent in our mortal nature, until the gods game us a King and established the Rule of Law. Many early city states now lay as dust and rubble upon the hills and plains of the earth. Others only a few thousand years old gleam fresh in the sun. Some like Ashur and Uruk still stand proud since the day's of humanities infancy.

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list, rather it names the most important of the city-states. Many smaller entities may be added as necessary.

Arattu

Ashur,

Jewel of Cities, Capital of the Empire

Bad-Tibira

Baalam

A city of crumbling sun-baked brick on the muddy banks of the River Elam. Once amongst the greatest cities, now it fades into dusky sleep dreaming of old glories as the trade routes moved south.

Eridu

Eridu is the city of the god Ea. It is situated in the extreme south of near the sea of Scarlet Waters. The first king of Eridu, Emmeduranki was supposed to have learned irrigation from Ea. This allowed the city to grow unlike any others since the elves left the west. The elves had depended overmuch on magical growing techniques and this lack of resources had plagued the early independence of mankind.

Girsu

Lagash and the religious metropolis Girsu are both cities in the extreme north in the hills. Many old texts have been found here, mostly on hard materials like albast and copper. There is an eternal border conflict between the cities often concerning water rights.

Jaromir

Jaromir is a dreamy city on the muddy banks of the great slow river, Iminni, which drains the immense Yin Sloth Jungle Basin into the Sea of Scarlet Waters. It is a youthful city founded a millenia ago by a noble of House Eresh who chose a cresent in the river between its banks and beautiful Lake Gabusak. A chained gang of convicts built its first riverside shacks at his command and the later command of Azuzum-Addad in the sixth year of his reign, populated the city with convicts, prostitutes and all the rejects of the Empire. Since then it has grown from its very humble origins into a great city of commerce and trade. Sole source of cane suger, rice and exotic hardwoods to much of the world. Known as the "Dreaming City" because of its heat proscribed leisurely pace of life and the immense popularity of a opiate known as "Frumish", it is a quiet metropolis gaily painted buildings and houses. Few realize that it is also a seething bed of hostility and resentment because of the subjugation of Yin Sloth which made it great.

Kiabrik

Kish

Kullub

Lagash

The patron deity of Lagash is Ningursu, warrior god and central in the elimination of demons, later associated with Ninurta.

Lagash and the religious metropolis Girsu are both cities in the extreme north in the hills. Many old texts have been found here, mostly on hard materials like albast and copper. There is an eternal border conflict between the cities often concerning water rights.

Nazr

Ninazu

Ningishzida

Nipur

Sippar

Sippar is the city of the sun god. It is said that the secrets of astrology were shown to a king of Sippar, by divine revelation. The god Shamash is in particular connected with the discipline of divination. He is in a position to oversee everything, so also the future.

Tuttul

Umma

Ur

Ur is a port with connection to the Great Sea.

Uruk

During the Time of Many Kings, Uruk was a particularily powerful force. A long historical period of welcomed stability was called the Hegemony of Uruk. Dynasties are known from epics written some time later.Enmerkar, an early king of Uruk and Kullub, has as epithet 'he who build Uruk' and is known from two of these epics. There is no known inscription or plaque that bears his name, so there is no archeological proof of his existence. Enmerkar was the first, according to legend, to write on clay tablets. Uruk is the city of the goddess Inanna.

Urrupa

Urrupa is a city on the banks of the river Tral.

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