In the time before the Rule of Law, there was only war in the domain of Man. Like the Elves and the Dwarves before them, the rulers of the city-states of the West and other lords great and petty, struggled in their overweening pride to increase their dominion. Mankind had learned its lessons well, with slaughter and bloodshed the order of the day. But the gods took pity on the plight of humanity, and so it came to pass that Shamash the Sun descended to earth with the Tablets of Destiny.
The Gods had chosen Gamesh, who himself was half divine to receive this gift. He was to rule mankind in accord with the Laws inscribed upon the Tablets, be granted complete Dominion over Mankind, and the all lands they inhabited. So the first God-King drove forth his chariot unto the land and his righteous armies marched to War. With fire and sword and the favor of the Gods, city-state after city state fell in burning ruins. Conquest was His by divine right. His enemies quaked with fear and soiled their garments wailing, "Woe unto us whom Gamesh names as foes."
But those who were wise saw the Righteousness of His cause and were respectful of the wishes of the Gods. Twelve great Kings, the legendary might of their armies behind them joined their forces to the first God-King's and knelt before his throne. They supplicated before him begging for his mercy. Pressing their noble faces to the dirt of the road they offered their lands and their allegiance to him in return for his mercy.
Gamesh bid them rise and honored them with gifts of gold, still damp with the blood of foes from which it had come. Congratulating the Lords on their wisdom, he swore to them that in return for their loyalty, they would rule lands in his stead. They and their sons would always have his ear. Further Gamesh swore unto them that evermore there would be but twelve noble houses in the Rule of Man. Other Lords who had waited too long would not be shown to his presence, but instead go to their deaths in the wastes.
Ashakku
