An Osiriani woman with a determined look on her face approaches you. She wears a white dress with a fiery red sash embroidered with gold, and a pair of leather sandals. Black tattoos spiral across her fingers, intricately displaying the phrase "disciple of the ancestors" in Ancient Osiriani, and a glowing falchion hangs from her hips.
"Greetings, Pathfinder. I am Venture Captain Nailah the Constant, of Osirion. It was just a few short weeks ago that I gained my position, and I am interested in sending missions into my great homeland. I wish, in part, to atone for the Society's failure to restore the Ruby Prince's health, and in part to help bring Osirion's glory to more eyes throughout Golarion. I only wish to select Pathfinders who understand the great honor it is to be allowed to delve into Osirion's tombs, and who will treat its history respectfully.
"Osirion is a prosperous nation, a center of trade with a deep cultural history and a legacy of knowledge stretching back over 8 millennia. It is a land of great promise and deep tradition, born where the desert sands meet the life-giving shores of the Sphinx River. Since Osirian history is my favorite subject to speak of, allow me to provide a quick summary.
History
"Most historians believe that the great Azghaad the All-Seeing founded Osirion over eight millennia ago, in -3470 AR, and in so doing, he became the first Pharaoh. They say that Azghaad founded the city of Sothis, and established it as the capital of the nation, an honor which the city holds to this day. Azghaad's descendants, then, would be the great god-kings of Osirion.
"The more credible theory, however, is that early Osirion was ruled over by a group of allied god-kings, who founded Osirion as a celebration of their victory over Festering Ulunat, the Spawn of Rovagug. Ulunat's carapace today features prominently as the center of Sothis. According to legend, Nethys himself was once one of these god-kings, and he achieved true divinity by tearing his psyche in half. A succession of God-Kings ruled Osirion for many centuries, sometimes dividing the nation among them.
"After some of these divisions led to brutal warfare, the Four Pharaohs of Ascension united Osirion formally, with a great Pact that bound their lives together, so that they could live without fear of treachery. These four great pharaohs were the Pharaoh of Numbers, the Cerulean Pharaoh, the Radiant Pharaoh, and the Fiend Pharaoh. Writings from the Veinstone Pyramid have begun to uncover their stories. The Pharaoh of Numbers was an astronomer and architect, who pioneered many innovations in architecture and design, authored many texts on the distant planet of Aucturn, and constructed great centers of learning. The Cerulean Pharaoh raised the blue dragon Tukanem-Hanam from infancy to serve him. He was said to be quite intolerant of failure. Legends tell that he once discorporated into a thousand cerulean snakes and devoured the servants who failed him. The Radiant Pharaoh was a conjurer of great power and beauty. She too was quite skilled at ensuring the devotion of her people. The Fiend Pharaoh was a brilliant strategist and an accomplished devil-binder. Some Chelaxians like to claim that House Thrune can trace their lineage back to him.
"From 1532 AR to 4609 AR, Osirion entered a dark period, where it was a satrapy of the Padishah Empire of Kelesh. This period, brought about by the treachery of the Kelishite people, was marked by a decline in art and culture, and it is at long last over.
Modern Osirion
"The great Pharaoh Khemet I, descended from the Pharaohs of old, reclaimed our land from the money-grubbing clutches of the Kelishite people. He displayed his greatness to the Kelishite Sultan, who, in the face of such power and glory, fled, returning power to its appropriate hands. He was succeeded by his son, Khemet II, and his grandson. His grandson, the Incomparable Ruby Price Khemet III, the Forthbringer, Pharaoh of Osirion, blessed be he before all of the Gods. The Ruby Prince deftly negotiates with the elements themselves, and with the forces of Heaven, Axis, and Hell, all for the good of Osirion.
Today
"In this modern age, we are constantly rediscovering the treasures of the past, both monetary and historical. Would you like to be a part of recovering the great legacy of one of the world's most ancient nations? And, if so, would you like to work alongside the Sapphire Sage, to seek out the others who carry the blood and knowledge of the sages of old? The Ruby Prince has chosen, in his grace, to grant me the honor of serving him directly as a member of the Risen Guard, and I will not allow the society's legacy of failure to continue."
"Greetings, Pathfinder. I am Venture Captain Nailah the Constant, of Osirion. It was just a few short weeks ago that I gained my position, and I am interested in sending missions into my great homeland. I wish, in part, to atone for the Society's failure to restore the Ruby Prince's health, and in part to help bring Osirion's glory to more eyes throughout Golarion. I only wish to select Pathfinders who understand the great honor it is to be allowed to delve into Osirion's tombs, and who will treat its history respectfully.
"Osirion is a prosperous nation, a center of trade with a deep cultural history and a legacy of knowledge stretching back over 8 millennia. It is a land of great promise and deep tradition, born where the desert sands meet the life-giving shores of the Sphinx River. Since Osirian history is my favorite subject to speak of, allow me to provide a quick summary.
History
"Most historians believe that the great Azghaad the All-Seeing founded Osirion over eight millennia ago, in -3470 AR, and in so doing, he became the first Pharaoh. They say that Azghaad founded the city of Sothis, and established it as the capital of the nation, an honor which the city holds to this day. Azghaad's descendants, then, would be the great god-kings of Osirion.
"The more credible theory, however, is that early Osirion was ruled over by a group of allied god-kings, who founded Osirion as a celebration of their victory over Festering Ulunat, the Spawn of Rovagug. Ulunat's carapace today features prominently as the center of Sothis. According to legend, Nethys himself was once one of these god-kings, and he achieved true divinity by tearing his psyche in half. A succession of God-Kings ruled Osirion for many centuries, sometimes dividing the nation among them.
"After some of these divisions led to brutal warfare, the Four Pharaohs of Ascension united Osirion formally, with a great Pact that bound their lives together, so that they could live without fear of treachery. These four great pharaohs were the Pharaoh of Numbers, the Cerulean Pharaoh, the Radiant Pharaoh, and the Fiend Pharaoh. Writings from the Veinstone Pyramid have begun to uncover their stories. The Pharaoh of Numbers was an astronomer and architect, who pioneered many innovations in architecture and design, authored many texts on the distant planet of Aucturn, and constructed great centers of learning. The Cerulean Pharaoh raised the blue dragon Tukanem-Hanam from infancy to serve him. He was said to be quite intolerant of failure. Legends tell that he once discorporated into a thousand cerulean snakes and devoured the servants who failed him. The Radiant Pharaoh was a conjurer of great power and beauty. She too was quite skilled at ensuring the devotion of her people. The Fiend Pharaoh was a brilliant strategist and an accomplished devil-binder. Some Chelaxians like to claim that House Thrune can trace their lineage back to him.
"From 1532 AR to 4609 AR, Osirion entered a dark period, where it was a satrapy of the Padishah Empire of Kelesh. This period, brought about by the treachery of the Kelishite people, was marked by a decline in art and culture, and it is at long last over.
Modern Osirion
"The great Pharaoh Khemet I, descended from the Pharaohs of old, reclaimed our land from the money-grubbing clutches of the Kelishite people. He displayed his greatness to the Kelishite Sultan, who, in the face of such power and glory, fled, returning power to its appropriate hands. He was succeeded by his son, Khemet II, and his grandson. His grandson, the Incomparable Ruby Price Khemet III, the Forthbringer, Pharaoh of Osirion, blessed be he before all of the Gods. The Ruby Prince deftly negotiates with the elements themselves, and with the forces of Heaven, Axis, and Hell, all for the good of Osirion.
Today
"In this modern age, we are constantly rediscovering the treasures of the past, both monetary and historical. Would you like to be a part of recovering the great legacy of one of the world's most ancient nations? And, if so, would you like to work alongside the Sapphire Sage, to seek out the others who carry the blood and knowledge of the sages of old? The Ruby Prince has chosen, in his grace, to grant me the honor of serving him directly as a member of the Risen Guard, and I will not allow the society's legacy of failure to continue."