Stoics of Iteru

Stoics of Iteru
Type	Militant order
Leader	None
Headquarters	None
Goals	Protect Khapesh, advise Khapeshan rulers, protect Anchor Sites
Scope	Khapesh
Structure	None
Members	Living monoliths

The Stoics of Iteru (pronounced IH-tare-oo) are a Khapeshan order of living monoliths have served as protectors of the desert kingdom for millennia. As the need for their abilities has waned, they have gradually reoriented towards protecting the Anchor Sites that dot the kingdom.

Location

The Stoics of Iteru rarely leave the desert kingdom of Khapesh. They can most often be found guarding places of significant importance, such as the Anchor Sites and the mortuary complexes near Apis. Stoics have little reason to leave the locations under their protection and therefore do not commonly do so.

History

The Stoics take their name from their ancient patron, the sphinx Iteru. Ancient legends, dating back to the early Second Dynastic Period, tell of Iteru's wisdom and beneficial guidance of the Khapeshan monarchs. Seeking to ensure future rulers would continue to have a source of insight with a long perspective on time, she created the first living monolith - a faithful servant of Khapesh imbued with the power of stone.

Iteru chose Raherka, the vizier of Saqqara, to be the archetypal living monolith. Together they crafted the guidelines and requirements that would direct the living monoliths of the future, and sought out others to join their order as well. In their vision, the Stoics were to be both guards and trusted advisors of the Khapeshan kings and queens, able to impart lessons learned in the past to each successive ruler. Though referred to originally as only the Stoics, after Iteru eventually passed of old age her name was added to their moniker in memory of her role in their creation.

Though outsiders eventually learned the secrets of becoming a living monolith, the Stoics have strict requirements on those who would seek to join them. Only the most loyal, capable, and respected soldiers, diplomats, and administrators of Khapesh are inducted into the Stoics. Very few have begun their transformation into living monoliths prior to joining the order.

The membership of the Stoics has been in flux for their entire history. Never large in number, the Stoics included perhaps two hundred individuals at the absolute highest. At times, like during the Second Intermediate Period, the surviving Stoics could be counted on a single human hand.

The Stoics of Iteru served a crucial role in pulling Khapesh out of the chaos and disunity of the Second Intermediate Period. By brokering a deal between the viziers of Apis, Semnu, and Timinhor, they were able to revive the monarchy and eventually bring the disparate warlords and local rulers into a reunited kingdom.

Though Saqqara has long since left Khapeshan control, many Stoics continue to make regular pilgrimages to visit the grave site of Iteru.

Interests and activities

Over the course of the last two thousand years, the role of the Stoics has evolved significantly. Their position as advisors and throne room guards has been de-emphasized in favor of instead protecting important and valuable sites across Khapesh. This shift happened quite slowly, as political and social developments gradually rendered their prior positions less pressing and relevant. The Stoics remain eternally available in service to the Khapeshan rulers, but they are called upon less and less.

The Stoics are most obviously visible near the Anchor Sites across Khapesh, where they keep a watchful eye to ensure none damage the structures or teleport through unnoticed. Stoics can also be found near the tombs of important figures of the past, particularly around the extensive temple-burials outside Apis. More recently, the Stoics have begun guarding the rock-cut tombs outside Faiyan as well, following the automaton incursion that began there.

Notable individuals

The Stoics of Iteru do not have formal leadership positions - rather, all Stoics are relied upon to use their best judgement in whatever situations may arise. However, the eldest of the living monoliths are highly respected and frequently sought out for advice and guidance, even amongst themselves.

Meresankh is the oldest of the Stoics, born at the tail end of the Second Dynastic Period. A close confidante of Raherka while he was alive, for the last two hundred years she has maintained a lonely vigil in the desert, watching over tombs long-forgotten by most. Even among the Stoics, Meresankh is thought of as incredibly wise, having seen much in her almost three thousand years of life. Time has worn on her, however, and at present she wishes for nothing more than the solace of her desert watch.

Dakhamunzu is one of the extremely rare Stoics who are not native-born Khapeshans. Originally from the city of Yasmah-Adad in Ishtar, during the late Second Intermediate Period Dakhamunzu was the ruler of Semnu, a position she acquired by leading a group of mercenaries that defeated the pirate lords that ran the city previously. Despite this foreign background, she proved herself in the reunification of Khapesh to such a degree that she was inducted into the Stoics. Dakhamunzu and Meresankh are the only surviving Stoics from before the Third Dynastic Period.

Khashta is not only a Stoic, but is also the high priest of Anubis in Apis. He does not divide his time between these two roles but rather combines them - in protecting the mortuary complexes outside Apis, he also serves Anubis by protecting the remains of the dead. Khashta is one of the few Stoics who often interacts with the broader populace of Khapesh.

Relations

The Stoics have close ties to the high priesthood of the deities of the Osirion pantheon, and regularly communicate and share information with leading religious figures. Stoics are widely respected by the broader population of Khapesh, though they often have a hands-off approach towards a society and culture that changed greatly over the course of their long lives.