Egyptian Genre Gaming and RPGs--A Resource
Wargame and Roleplaying Miscellany. Wargods, Hamunaptra, Mythic Egypt, The Whovian Osirians and much more...
Lara Croft, famed explorer, thought she would be first to arrive at the temple, but up-and-coming archaeologist Carter Bell beat her to the entrance. They each hoped to find the mythical Staff of Osiris, but they discovered more than they bargained for.
The Temple was a prison for Horus and Isis, the last of the old gods not bound to Set. Seeing the Staff, Carter removed it from a mechanism, setting off the trap meant to keep Horus and Isis imprisoned. Lara and Carter now find themselves marked for death. Horus and Isis, freed from thousands of years in prison and in possession of the staff, promise Carter and Lara they will help them resurrect Osiris, the only god capable of saving Lara and Carter from judgement, and the only power that can hope to defeat Set. With a common goal of finding the fragments of Osiris, and stopping the return of Set, the companions form an alliance.
As they fight their way across the sands, they must face gods and monsters of myth and legend driven mad and controlled by Set. At stake is the fate of the world, as Set marshals his powers in order to return and reclaim his throne in the world of the living, with an army of the dead behind him. Set knows the prophecy has come, intent on remaking the world in his own image, a nightmare of storms and death.
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In the comic style introductory video we see Carter Bell beating Lara to the Staff of Osiris that has been hidden in the pyramid for thousands of years. As he grabs it, he inadvertently frees the evil god Set, who had been imprisoned in Duat, the ancient Egyptian netherworld. Lara and Carter get the Mark of Ammit
impressed on their hands; they are now marked for death by Ammit, the soul eater, who devours the soul of the sinners.
But together with Set Horus and Isis are reawakened who had been tasked with keeping Set locked up. Together all four enter the tomb in order to stop Set and his minions from taking over the world and bringing eternal darkness, all while being hunted by Ammit.
As the player takes over the characters, they have to wander deeper into the tomb. As this is a training tomb, they first learn how to use their gear. Lara or Carter, aka the mortals or the adventurers, have to fire up the Torch and set light to two Braziers to raise two blocks from the ground. Then Isis/Horus, aka the two ancient gods or the Egyptians, need to use the Staff of Osiris to close a Set's Mark in order to open the next door. After that the player learns about pressure plates and has to shoot a giant Rotating Eye.
Meanwhile Set raises the first of his undead Skeletons that attack Lara and her companions. Another column, covered in ancient blue glowing glyphs, called Glyph of Osiris, can be raised with the help of the Staff of Osiris. Now the mortals learn how to use their grapple to climb steep walls and getting other players across, while the Egyptians can use their Shield to get other players to higher ground. But all of them can use Bombs to destroy the following Arrow Traps.
Soon after the travellers can collect the first ring. Unlike all the other Rings and Amulets in the game, which are hidden inside Treasure Chests, this one lies on the ground and can simply be picked up. This way the player can start to modify his or her skills.
Crumbling bridges and a Sun Ball puzzle follow. Soon after the players find the Iron Fire Flail amulet. Finally the voyagers have to escape a chasing Ammit across crumbling arches littered with traps.
The mysterious Egypt pyramids are the most studied structures ever built. They tell a story of the past and future with it's mathematical accuracy and synchronicity of events using the stars and constellations embedded within the design.
Lady in Waiting: detail of a limestone relief representing a festive gathering, in the tomb of the vizier Ramose at Thebes, New Kingdom, XVIIIth Dynasty, approx. 1400-1362 B.C.E.
Dancers and Flutists, with an Egyptian hieroglyphic story, 1420-1375 B.C.E.
“The Ancient Egyptian noble, Ramose was Governor of Thebes and Vizier under both Amenhotep III and Akhenaton. He was one of the earliest public figures to convert to Atenism. His tomb is located in the Sheikh Abd el-Qurna – part of the Theban Necropolis, on the west bank of the Nile, opposite to Luxor, and is notable for the high quality decorations in both the traditional and Amarna styles.”
The New Kingdom is recognized as a period of great artistic
horizon, with art and architecture evolving in three separate and
quite distinct eras; the Tuthmossid Period, from the start of the New
Kingdom (1550 B.C.E.) to the end of the reign of AMENHOTEP III (1353
B.C.E.), the ’ AMARNA Period (1353–1335 B.C.E.), and the Ramessid
Period (1307–1070 B.C.E.).
ART TUTHMOSSID PERIOD
With the expulsion of the Hyksos and the reunification of Upper
and Lower Egypt, the pharaohs of the Eighteenth Dynasty, called the
Tuthmossids, began elaborate rebuild- ing programs in order to
reflect the spirit of the new age. Sculpture in the round and
painting bore traces of Middle Kingdom standards while exhibiting
innovations such as polychromatics and the application of a
simplified cubic form. Osiride figures, depictions of OSIRIS or of
royal personages assuming the deity’s divine attire of this time,
were discovered at DEIR EL - BAHRI in THEBES and are of painted
limestone, with blue eyebrows and beards and red or yellow skin
tones. Such color was even used on black granite statues in some
instances. Cubic forms popular in the era are evidenced by the
statues of the chief steward SENENMUT and Princess NEFERU - RÉ , his
charge, encased in granite cubes. These stark forms are nonetheless
touching portraits, enhanced by hieroglyphs that interpret their
rank, relationship, and affection for one another. Other statues,
such as one fashioned in granite as a portrait of TUTHMOSIS III (r.
1479–1425 B.C.E.) demonstrated both the cubist and polychromatic
styles.
Sculpture was one aspect of New Kingdom art where innovations were
forged freely. In painting, artists adhered to the canon set in
earlier eras but incorporated changes in their work. Egypt’s
military successes, which resulted in an empire and made vassals of
many Mediterranean nations, were commemorated in pictorial narratives
of battles or in processions of tribute-bearers from other lands. A
grace and quiet elegance permeated the works, a sureness born out of
prosperity and success. The surviving tomb paintings of the era
display banquets and other trappings of power, while the figures are
softer, almost lyrical. The reign of AMENHOTEP III (r. 1391–1353
B.C.E.) brought this new style of art to its greatest heights. ’
’ AMARNA
The city of Akhetaten at ’ AMARNA was erected by AKHENATEN (r.
1353–1335 B.C.E.) in honor of the god ATEN , and it became the
source of an artistic revolution that upset many of the old
conventions. The rigid grandeur of the earlier periods was abandoned
in favor of a more naturalistic style. Royal personages were no
longer made to appear remote or godlike. In many scenes, in fact,
Akhenaten and his queen, NEFERTITI , are depicted as a loving couple
surrounded by their offspring. Physical deformities are frankly
portrayed, or possibly imposed upon the figures, and the royal
household is painted with protruding bellies, enlarged heads, and
peculiar limbs.
The famed painted bust of Nefertiti, however, demonstrates a
mastery that was also reflected in the magnificent pastoral scenes
adorning the palace. Only fragments remain, but they provide a
wondrous range of animals, plants, and water scenes that stand
unrivaled for anatomical sureness, color, and vitality. The palaces
and temples of ’Amarna were destroyed in later reigns, by pharaohs
such as HOREMHAB (r. 1319–1307 B.C.E.), who razed the site in order
to use the materials for personal projects of reign.
RAMESSID PERIOD (1307–1070 B.C.E.)
From the reign of RAMESSES I (1307–1306 B.C.E.) until the end of
the New Kingdom, art once again followed the established canon, but
the influences from the Tuthmossid and ’Amarna periods were
evident. The terminal years of the Twentieth Dynasty brought about a
degeneration in artistic achievement, but until that time the
Ramessid accomplishments were masterful. RAMESSES II (r. 1290–1224
B.C.E.) embarked upon a building program unrivaled by any previous
Egyptian ruler.
Ramesses II and his military units were involved in martial
exploits, and the campaign narratives (popu- lar in the reign of
Tuthmosis III; r. 1479–1425 B.C.E.) became the dominant subject of
temple reliefs once again. Dramatic battle scenes were carved into
the temple walls and depicted in the paintings in the royal tombs.
Queen NEFERTARI , the consort of Ramesses II, was buried in a tomb
that offers stunning glimpses of life on the Nile. The campaign
scenes of RAMESSES III (r. 1194–1163 B . C . E .) at MEDINET HABU
are of equal merit and are significant because they rank among the
major artistic achievements of the Ramessid period.
The Mondoshawan are a race of aliens that are friendly to humans. Standing slightly taller than a Human, the Mondoshawan are quasi-biblical beings that serve as the caretakers of both the Four Elemental Stones (Water, Earth, Fire, Air) and guardians of the Fifth Element. Although little is known of their homeworld or race it can be assumed it is some distance from Earth, remaining relatively secluded from the other races. Little is known of what the Mondoshawan actually look like as they are only seen wearing an impenetrable gold-metallic armour.
At some point in Ancient History, the Mondoshawan visted the Humans "before time was time" and established a Priest to overlook the Fifth Element and the Chamber in Egypt. Evil attempted to destroy the world 5000 years prior to the events of The Fifth Element, possibly multiple times - and perhaps even causing the Moon to form around Earth.
In The Divine Language, the word 'Mondoshawan' translates as 'guardians'.
Earth, 1914
In 1914, prior to the Outbreak of World War I, the Mondoshawan visited Earth, specifically the Chamber in Egypt. Upon arriving they were greeted by the current Priest who ensured them that the stones and Fifth Element were safe, despite an archaeologist and his apprentice investigating the chamber. After rendering the archaeologist unconscious, the Mondoshawan proceeded to extract the stones and Fifth Element. When the priest asked why the Mondoshawan were taking Earth's only defense against Evil, the Leader replied "War is coming, stones not safe on Earth anymore". The Leader (distinguished by the large spikes on his armour) was unfortunately shot at by the bewildered apprentice and was sealed in the chamber, but not before passing the Key to the Priest with the command "Pass the knowledge to the next priest as it was passed on to you". The Mondoshawan then left Earth, returning 300 years later.
Sol System, 2214
Returning with the Fifth Element as they had promised, the Mondoshawan made their way to Earth as the Great Evil returned. Unfortunately, Mangalores hired by Zorg shot down the Mondoshawan's ship as it passed Jupiter in a vicious attack that left only one survivor, the Fifth Element who was later retrieved by Human Scouts and reanimated back in New York, Earth.
Fate
Although only the Mondoshawan accompanying the Fifth Element and Elemental Stones were seen, it is assumed there are other Mondoshawan. The Mondoshawan are also excellent strategists and back-up planners. Although they failed to safely deliver the Fifth Element to Earth themselves, they did separate the Fifth Element from the Elemental Stones, preventing the loss of them all.
(d. c. 1362 b. c. e. and fl. 14th century b. c. e.)
City of Amarna
Royal Palace
Egyptian rulers Akhenaten, the pharaoh of the eighteenth Dynasty
of Egypt, was the second son of Amenhotep III (r. 1391–54 b. c. e.)
and Tiy (fl. 1385 b. c. e.). His reign ushered a revolutionary period
in ancient Egyptian history. Nefertiti was his beautiful and powerful
queen. He was not the favored child of family and was excluded from
public events at the time of his father Amenhotep III.
Akhenaten ruled with his father in coregency for a brief period.
He was crowned at the temple of the god Amun, in Karnak, as Amenhotep
IV. From his fifth regnal year, he changed his name to Akhenaten
(Servant of the Aten). His queen was renamed as Nefer-Nefru-Aten
(Beautiful Is the Beauty of Aten).
The pharaoh initiated far-reaching changes in the field of
religion. He did away with 2,000 years of religious history of Egypt.
In his monotheism, only Aten, the god of the solar disk, was to be
worshipped. The meaning of the changed names for himself and his
queen was in relation to Aten.
Even the new capital that he constructed was given the name
Akhetaton (Horizon of Aten). Making Aten the “sole god”
curbed the increasing power of the priesthood. Earlier Egyptians
worshipped a number of gods represented in animal or human form.
Particular towns had their own gods. The sun god received the new
name Aten, the ancient name of the physical Sun.
The king was the link between god and the common people. Akhenaten
was the leader taking his fol- lowers to a new place, where royal
tombs, temples, palaces, statutes of the pharaoh, and buildings were
built. In the center of the capital city, a sprawling road was built.
Designed for chariot processions, it was one of the widest roads in
ancient times. The capital city Akhetaton on the desert was
surrounded by cliffs on three sides and to west by the river Nile.
The tombs of the royal family were constructed on the valley leading
toward the desert. Near the Nile, a gigantic temple for Aten was
built. The wealthy lived in spacious houses enclosed by high walls.
Others resided in houses built between the walled structures of the
rich. About 10,000 people lived in the capital city of Akhetaton
during Akhenaten’s reign.
Artwork created during the reign of Akhenaten was different from
thousands of years of Egyptian artistic tradition by adopting
realism. Akhenaten, possibly suffering from a genetic disorder known
as Marfan’s syndrome, had a long head, a potbelly, a short torso,
and prominent collarbones. Representations of the pharaoh did not
follow the age-old tradition of a handsome man with a good physique.
The sculptor portrayed what he saw in reality, presumably at the
direction of Akhenaten.
The background of the exquisitely beautiful and powerful queen
Nefertiti is unclear. Some believe that Queen Tiy was her mother.
According to others, she was the daughter of the vizier Ay, who was a
brother of Queen Tiy. Ay occasionally called himself “god’s
father” suggesting that he was the father-in-law of Akhenaten. She
carried much importance in her husband’s reign and pictures show
her in the regalia of a king executing foreign prisoners by smiting
them. According to some Egyptologists, she was a coregent with her
husband from 1340 b. c. e. and instrumental in religious reforms.
Some Egyptian scholars believe that in the same year she fell from
royal favor or might have died. Nefertiti was probably buried in the
capital city, but her body has never been found. Some researchers
think that she ruled for a brief period after the death of Akhenaten.
She had no sons, but future king Tutankhamun was her son-in-law.
Known as the “first individual in human history,” the reign of
Akhenaten forms an important period in Egyptian history. Despite his
revolutionary changes, Egypt reverted to earlier religious discourse
after his death.
Further reading: Aldred, Cyril. Akhenaten, King of Egypt. London:
Thames and Hudson, 1991; David, A. Rosalie. The Making of the Past:
The Egyptian Kingdoms. New York: E. P. Dutton, 1975;
Freed, Rita, Yvonne Markowitz, and Sue D’Auria, eds. Pharaohs of
the Sun: Akhenaten, Nefer- titi, Tutankhamun. Boston: Museum of Fine
Arts, 1999; Kemp, B. J. Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization. New
York: Routledge, 1989; Redford, Donald B. Akhenat- en: The Heretic
King. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1984; Reeves,
Nicholas. Akhenaten: Egypt’s False Prophet. London: Thames and
Hudson, 2001; Shaw, I. The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. New York:
Oxford University Press, 2000.
Terra Incognita is a roleplaying games of exploration, intrigue, and mystery, featuring adventurer-scholars whose exploits span the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth centuries. Armed with extensive training, unpredictable technology, and unimpeachable discretion, NAGS Society Members travel to the Four Corners of the globe — exploring unknown lands, investigating mysteries, and uncovering ancient knowledge.
There's a LOT of Call Of Cthulhu scenarios based in Egypt: - The Cairo Guidebook: The Lure of the Nile - 'The Age of Cthulhu' - "Death in Luxor", can't vouch for it as a scenario as haven't played it. - The Egypt sections of 'Masks of Nyarlathotep' & 'Curse of Cthulhu' - 'The Day of the Beast' in another COC book I've forgotten. - 'Five Go Mad in Egypt' PDF/monologue from Chaosium, can't vouch for it as a scenario as haven't played it.
Egypt: land of mystery and adventure. Here
diligent archaeologists struggle to unearth Egypt’s great secrets
without accidentally unleashing some of its deadliest curses. Tomb
robbers plunder ancient treasures for their own profit. Spies work
covertly to thwart enemy operations as the world plunges steadily
toward war. Secret cults pursue their own agendas to preserve their
country’s past and resurrect its former glory. The land once ruled
by powerful pharaohs now languishes under the rule of dominant
British administrators, merciless crime syndicates, devious spies,
and darker forces manipulating the course of history.
This is the time for gritty adventure in a land
where ancient ruins overlook squalid cities, peasant farmers mingle
with wealthy Westerners, and global politics brush against religious
nationalism. Everyone has their own selfish agenda. Everyone has
their price.
This 176-page sourcebook contains material
gamemasters can use to create pulp adventures in Egypt: general
travel information, campaign themes, locations, gamemaster
characters, and scenario ideas. Inside you’ll find:
A “Visitors Guide to Egypt” suitable for
orienting gamemasters and familiarizing players with common knowledge
of the setting.
A chapter filled with Egyptian exotica, all the
mysterious places, supernatural occurrences, magical artifacts, and
mythical beasts abounding with adventure ideas.
A chapter for running each of three kinds of
themed campaigns in Egypt – archaeology, espionage, and criminal –
including a full campaign outline for each.
Appendices detailing suitable character
archetypes for pulp Egyptian campaigns, a random artifact generator
system, and a list of book, film, and music resources to enhance your
game.
This pulp-era sourcebook uses the Any-System
Key to describe stats and difficulties in easily defined terms
gamers can quickly customize to their favorite game engines. To use
the information in this roleplaying game supplement you’ll need a
copy of the Any-System Key (included) and your favorite
roleplaying game system.
Abu Simbel temples are two massive rock temples in Nubia, southern Egypt on the western bank of Lake Nasser about 230 km southwest of Aswan and the Nubian Monuments which run from Abu Simbel down river to Philae (near Aswan). The temple was originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC, as a lasting monument to himself , to commemorate his alleged victory at the Battle of Kadesh, and to intimidate his Nubian neighbors. The complex was relocated in its entirety in the 1960s, on an artificial hill made from a domed structure, high above the Aswan High Dam reservoir.
This model is a 3d representation for one of the twin temples of Abu Simbel, which is "The Big Temple". You will find nearly all the exteriors of big/small statues , some ruined rocks , and engraves/inscriptions on temple's outer walls. This item is full with atmosphere and ground terrain with the 3d models of the temple as shown in images. It was created nearly like the real place in current time even with its ruined statues and rocks.
Notes: This item works for Vue 8.1 and above. It contains more than 8 cameras to choose different views for the place. Just activate the camera for the view angle you want. This scene is in real size in meters. A hidden from render "Alpha plane" with tourist shape is available inside the scene to help you decide the real size of human figure related to the temple, if you want to add 3d characters or add persons billboards.
The developer owns the copyright and/or has the rights to distribute all of the content contained within this ZIP file.
Ancient texts describe a time in the history of ancient Egypt known as the Predynastic era, where 'Gods' ruled for hundreds of years over Ancient Egypt, Akhenaten could easily have been an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh that belonged to that period, only out of place and time.
We have heard dozens if not hundreds of theories about the Great Pyramid of Giza, its origin, its purpose and who it was built by. While some of the proposed theories are incredibly bizarre, they cannot be completely overruled since there is a lack of scientific evidence which can definitely put an end to all debate.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the best examples of ancient energy machines. It was a Tesla-like power plant created thousands of years ago. It was a huge ancient structure that was capable of using the Earth's natural properties in order to create or produce a great amount of energy.
Travel Home to one of the world's most famous civilizations, Egypt is a country filled to the brim with historical significance. However, when people explore ancient Egyptian history, they usually stop at the pyramids. But other remnants of the culture have survived, giving us new insight into how the ancient Egyptians lived.
History Ever since my childhood I have been fascinated with all things relating to Ancient Egypt. I have tried for a long time to come up with a good idea for a list relating to it and this is the first (of what I hope will be many!)
Hot off the heels of my King on Chariot I moved on to another character for my army, my Hierophant. I had said that I was going to paint easier models for awhile, but the allure of working on a character model was to much to ignore.
My Tomb Kings have been in the works since I started the army back in 2011, and with Adepticon approaching I finally had a concrete date to get them finished by. With everything done and ready for the tournament here's a look over my Tomb King army finished to date.
Last but not least, here is my
assembled Adepticon force, ready to wage war in the Mortal Realms of
Chicago. That's my own display board, with a photoshopped background. I
made it two years ago for Armies on Parade and took silver at my local
store. You can read about how I built the display here.
Not one to do something only half
way I also put together a special 28 page "army list" for Adepticon. I
created a warscroll for each unit I am taking and tried my hardest to
make it look like the official thing. I also took this as an opportunity
to write a but of background for my army and the area of Shyish that
they occupy, the Endless Deserts. My favorite part is the little short
story on the last page of the lore. All of the unit pictures above were
taken for this project as well and it has really helped me push my
photography skills. All in all I am really happy with how it turned out.
The only way you can get a printed copy of this for yourself is to be
one of my opponents at the AoS tournament at Adepticon.
This was a really fun project and I am really proud
of the outcome. This is just the beginning though, more of a test run
for the real thing in the future. All of the fantastic illustrations are
once again from Kenneth Erickson, and having seen previews of what he
has in store for the future you guys are in for a treat.
Ancient Egypt, the Age of Pharaohs. Darkness threatens the land. The Order of Priests trick this evil energy and confine it deep underground, there to slumber in the eternal subterranean night...
Egypt 1932, a time of adventure. After 3000 years, the evil is awakened – now only you can stop it! Ancient puzzles guard the mighty Crystals of Power. Journey to the Port, Oasis, Temple, Pyramid and finally the Sphinx itself to collect the pieces needed to defeat the Darkness once and for all.
Investigate 5 unique worlds – the Port, Oasis, Temple, Pyramid and
Sphinx – and 19 distinct locations, each filled with deadly traps and
mysterious secrets to discover
Over 75 fiendishly clever puzzles and mini-games to solve, including
tests of memory, logic, mathematics, arcade and Match-3 games, Sudoku
and more
Earn rewards for 17+ achievements, track your progress as you collect the awesomely mighty Crystals of Power
Vivid graphics, gorgeous animations and a seductive soundtrack combine to induct you into a world of ancient Egyptian mystery
Up to 5 hours of captivating puzzle play on your PC
The Tomb Kings are an army of the dead, brought back to life to fight for all eternity, or until the magic that binds them is dissipated. Amongst the silent ranks of Skeleton Warriors ride chariots crafted from bone, and mighty animated constructs that are all but impossible to destroy. They are an army driven by hatred, rage and the need for power and nothing will stand in their path.
The Tomb Kings Battalion contains four plastic regiments to start the core of your army - Skeleton Warriors, Skeleton Archers, Skeleton Chariots and Skeleton Horsemen - which you can lead to victory over the lesser races. It is also a fantastic way to boost the size of an existing Tomb Kings army, by giving you more regiments to choose from or, alternatively, making your existing units larger.
This set contains 24 Skeleton Warriors, 16 Skeleton Archers, 8 Skeleton Horsemen and 3 Skeleton Chariots. These miniature are supplied unpainted and require assembly - we recommend using Citadel Plastic Glue and Citadel Paints.
For all the rules you need to field this miniature in games of
Warhammer Age of Sigmar, download the free Warscrolls Compendium at the
link below.
Recently, in Age of Sigmar, as of February 2016, the entire Tomb Kings faction was squatted, with the entire model range being moved to the "Last Chance to Buy" section, including Settra. Tomb
Call of Warhammer Multiplayer FFA: Tomb Kings / Ogre Kingdoms/ Dwarfs (Total War Warhammer Mod)
Published on Mar 7, 2016 In this Call of Warhammer (Total War Warhammer mod) multiplayer free for all battle, the Tomb Kings, Ogre Kingdoms, and Dwarfs square off in a HUGE set piece battle with Tomb Scorpions, Ushabti, Leadbelchers, Mournfang Cavalry, Irondrakes, and Slayers taking to the field.
Tomb Kings
Tomb Kings are the ancient and long-dead rulers of the land of
Nehekhara. There have been countless kings during the long history of
that ancient land. Each city was ruled by a separate dynasty and these
were ousted from power and replaced by others over the span of
centuries. The Tomb Kings regularly waged war upon each other to spread
their influence over the entire land of Nehekhara. Greatest of all the
kings were those of Khemri, which was the largest and most proud of the
ancient cities. It became established early on that whoever ruled in
Khemri was the mightiest king in Nehekhara, to whom the other kings
would pledge allegiance and offer tribute.
All the kings shared the same
lust for worldly wealth and power, and the same ambition to defy death.
To this end they founded the Mortuary Cult in order to reawaken them
after death. They directed the building of great pyramids surrounded by
extensive necopoli as strongholds for all eternity, and ordered that
they be mummified and entombed within to preserve their physical bodies
for all time. The Tomb Kings are mummified corpses awakened and
inhabited by their undying spirits. Their skeletal bodies are dried
husks, preserved with pitch and wrapped in bandages inscribed with
magical incantations. Bedecked in gleaming crowns and the regalia of
kingship, they retain all the majesty that they exuded while alive.
Amulets and talismans of gold inset with precious stones hand around
their necks, and they often wear the breastplate of a military commander
strapped over their death-shroud wrappings. Entombed within the same
deep chamber is their kingly chariot and steeds, ready for them to ride
forth from the tomb shaft into the light of day.
Revived by the rituals
of their priests, the Tomb Kings awake from their death-sleep possessing
all the ambition and craving for power that they had in life and are
bent on restoring their ancient realms. If this means the reconquest of
former wide dominions then this shall be done, for the Tomb King's army,
loyal even in death, rises from its rest at his call and is ready to
march at his side once again. Tomb Princes are the sons of the Tomb
Kings. Each of the kings of ancient Nehekhara kept extensive harems and
so had many sons. Only one of these princes of the blood could succeed
his father to the throne. As for the others, some died heroically in
battle, and their bodies were brought home to be mummified and entombed
in a place within the king's pyramid, as befitted captains of high rank.
There they await in the sleep of death, ready to recommence their
military duties at the time of their awakening. Others lived on to serve
their brother as officers and were thus entombed in his pyramid to
continue to serve him after death. The Tomb Princes rest in their vaults
beside the great tomb chamber of their sovereign in a eternal council
of war, waiting for the moment of awakening when they shall resume
command of their contingents. Those few who, through jealousy or
intrigue, attempted to usurp the throne were denied the privilege of
mummification and their bones were thrown to the carrion on the desert.
Liches Priests
In their desire to defy death, the kings of Nehekhara founded the
Mortuary Cult and appointed the priesthood, of which the Liche Priests
are all that remain. The priest were commanded to study the arts of
mummification and communion with the gods. Steadily, over many
centuries, the priests learned how to preserve a corpse from decay until
the art of mummification had become very elaborate. They also devised a
vast lore of incantations and rituals intended to enable the dead king,
as well as his entire court and army, to be awakened from death. The
first generations of priests, whose skills and knowledge were
rudimentary, died after prolonging their own lives far beyond their
natural span. They passed on their knowledge to the next generation of
priests who exceeded them in wisdom and expertise.
In this way, their
knowledge accumulated until the fifth generation of priests who did not
die, through their bodies slowly withered away until they were little
more than living corpses. Thus the entire priesthood became the Liche
Priests, able to officiate the Mortuary Cult of their king in
perpetuity, and they held great power in the land. Indeed, they were the
only subjects of the king who could not be executed, since he depended
on their knowledge and loyalty in order to live beyond his own death. In
this way the priesthood became a formidable power behind the throne.
Each necropolis with the pyramid of the Tomb King at its core, has a
temple dedicated to the king's Mortuary Cult. Here resides the Liche
High Priests served by many lesser priests. Only the High Priests have
been initiated into the deepest secrets of the cult.
The priests have
many duties to perform in the necropolis apart from the Ritual of
Awakening, including such tasks as renewing the seals upon the portals
of the tomb vaults, remaking inscriptions which have become eroded by
wind blown sand, determining the moment of awakening and consulting the
spirit of the Tomb King by means of oracles. They continue to perform
these duties for centuries because they cannot die a natural death.
Little more than long decayed corpses, their dry, wizened skin,
resembling that of a mummy, is stretched like old parchment over their
brittle skeleton.
Skeleton Soldiers
The mighty armies of the Tomb Kings, made up of regiment after regiment
of valiant soldiers, swore an oath of loyalty before the gods to serve
the king beyond death. Thus the bones of those soldiers who perished in
battle were collected from the field of war and interred in the great
tomb pits of the king's necropolis. Those who yet lived after their lord
had died marches as if on a victory parade to the necropolis upon the
day of the king's entombment. Here they stood in their regiments, ready
for death. Arranged before the pyramid of their king in ranks, icons
held proudly, they entombed alive. No soldier flinched as the great
stones were heaved into position blocking out the light of the sun.
Bravely they stood to attention as the sand was poured into the tomb
pits until the tops of their standard poles disappeared from sight.
There they remain until the trumpet call of the Liche Priests awakens
them and they once again heed the orders of their commanders. These
skeletal soldiers fight in the same manner that they did when living.
Highly disciplined in life, the foot soldiers of the Tomb Kings fight
in highly organised ranks, turning and advancing in perfect unison.
Archers unleash their arrows in great clouds that darken the sky,
blessed by the Asp Goddess so that they seek out their foes with
unerring accuracy. Mounted on the skeletal remains of their once proud
steeds, regiments of cavalry race across the open plains to engage their
foes, while other, more lightly armoured horsemen scout out the
movements of the enemy, and harass their flanks. These soldiers of the
Tomb Kings, loyal for all eternity, continue to practise their ways of
war as they did in centuries long past. Skeletal Chariots
The pride of a Tomb King's army are his charioteers. Nehekhara was the
first great civilisation of Mankind, and the place where Men first used
horse and chariot in battle. The ancient armies of Nehekhara included
strong forces of swift, lightly built chariots usually drawn by a pair
of horses. These fought in massed units and were considered the elite of
the army, and only the nobility were permitted to fight as charioteers.
This was considered a great accomplishment, for in ancient Nehekhara
horses has only recently been bred as beasts of war. These elite
chariot squadrons were entombed beside the pyramids to the Tomb Kings of
Nehekhara, ready to serve their lords upon their awakening, and trample
over their foes as they had done in his mortal reign. Admired and
respected foes when they were alive, the skeletal charioteers of the
Tomb Kings riding to battle strike fear in the hearts of all who oppose
them.
Tomb Guard
The bravest and best soldiers serving the Tomb King acted as his
personal bodyguards and palace guards during their lifetime. In respect
of this role, they were honoured with the privilege of sharing his
immortality and buried close to their king within the regal pyramid
itself. Just as they guarded the palace in life, so now they guard the
inner sanctum of the necropolis. The prospectof sharing in the
immortality of their king and serving him for all time inspired these
soldiers to heroic acts of bravery.
They would die where they stood
rather than retreat, and would charge against the most hopeless odds.
Time and again this would bring victory to the king's army and earn a
place in his pyramid for the fallen. Tomb Guard were also honoured with
partial mummification, through this was nowhere near as elaborate as the
ceremonies of preparation which the Tomb Kings and Princes underwent.
The Tomb Guard were entombed with the finest armour and weapons, as well
as gold decorations proclaiming their bravery and devotion. They rest
in their sarcophagi, standing upright around the royal tomb chamber.
Here they stand to attention as palace guards until the time comes when
they are again needed. If intruders violate the tomb, they will awaken
and defend their lord. If the king awakens ready to go forth to conquer
and trample the lands of the living beneath his chariot, they arise and
form up at his side. Just as the Tomb Guard were once the elite warriors
of the Tomb Kings, the Icon Bearer was his trusted of warriors was
given the honour of carrying the king's personal icon to battle. The
Icon Bearer was also the envoy and herald of the Tomb King, given the
duty of bearing his lord's commands to distant parts of the realm and
dispense justice in the king's name. Often disputes between Tomb Kings
of different cities would be settled by a ritual duel between their
nominated champions, and the Icon Bearer of then fulfilled this role.
Ushabti
Carved into the likeness of the many gods and goddesses of Nehekhara,
the Ushabti stand as guardian statues around the perimeter of the great
pyramids of the Tomb Kings. Standing three times the height of a man,
they are imposing monuments, and all who pass beneath their shadows
tremble. In times of need, the Liche Priests imbue the Ushabti with
tremendous power through complex incantations and charms. As the chants
are completed, the Ushabti step from their plinths and daises, silent
and ready to be directed to war. In ancient times, the warriors of
Nehekhara took great strength from the fact that the Ushabti fought with
them, for who could not be inspired by the physical representations of
the gods marching into battle by their sides!
Bone Giant
In ancient times, before the rise of the Mortuary Cult, many were the
legends of mighty beings of immense stature walking the land and smiting
all who stood in their path. As the knowledge and skill of the
priesthood grew, they turned their talents towards recreating a being of
the size and power that the legends spoke of, for who could face such a
creation in battle? Thus the first Bone Giants were painstakingly
crafted, formed from all manner of elements and held together by the
powerful incantations of the Liche Priests. Made to resemble an immense
warrior of Nehekhara, the Bone Giant is armed with traditional weapons
and armour on a mighty scale. It is a rare thing to create a new Bone
Giant, and most of those that are at times seen marching to battle
alongside the Tomb King's armies have been in existence for thousands of
years. If one of the constructs is destroyed, its sacred pieces are
gathered up and used to recreate it. Outside the ancient cities of
Nehekhara, Bone Giants stand as motionless sentinels, guarding important
valley entrances and gateways. Such power is instilled in the Bone
Giants that they do not need the incantations of the Liche Priests to
prompt them into wakefulness, and will react immediately to the presence
of unwelcome strangers, striding relentlessly towards them, smashing
them into the sand with their heavy weapons. Bone Giants are massive,
imposing creations, inspiring dread in the hearts of the enemy. A
charging Bone Giant is a terrifying sight to behold, smashing into the
enemy and sending them flying with powerful blows.
Sreaming Skull Catapult
It is said that Behedesh, King of Zandri, claimed to have invented this
type of catapult and ordered them to be constructed. He used these in
his many wars and had them mounted on this numerous war galleys, which
gave him domination of the Great River Mortis during his mortal
lifetime. When he had extended his rule along the western bank of the
river, but had yet to subdue the kings and rebels encamped on the
eastern bank, he gathered a great many catapults together and hurled
over the skulls of his decapitated enemies who have been captured in
earlier battles. This demoralised his opponents and caused their army to
lose heart when the final onslaught came. The kings wished to repeat
this tactic against other, more redoubtable enemies. Therefore he
instructed the priest to devise a spell to be written on the skulls of
decapitated rebels in hieroglyphic signs that would make the enemy
tremble with fear. This the priest demonstrated to the king. They
enchanted the skulls so that they screamed hideously as they were hurled
through the air. It was a very death scream of the rebel at this moment
of execution. The skulls were also daubed in resins that burst into
eerie, ethereal flames as they flew. The king was indeed impressed and
decreed that henceforth the heads of all rebels would be reserved for
these catapults.When the king was approaching death, he gave
instructions that the catapults should be entombed as an essential part
of his necropolis army, since they had brought him more than one victory
in life and he expected them to do so again beyond death. The
successors of Behedesh followed his example. Centuries later, other
kings who extended their rule over Zandri ransacked the necropolis and
found the burial pits containing the catapults. These were looted and
taken away for reburial in other necropoli, together with scrolls
containing incantations of awakening and hieroglyphs of enchantment to
be inscribed on the skulls.
Researchers using thermal cameras to scan the Egyptian pyramids have identified several intriguing anomalies, including one in the pyramid of Khufu, better known as the Great Pyramid of Giza.
In recent months, experts have been searching for hidden chambers located within the Egyptian pyramids, as well as for additional insight into how these amazing structures could have been built. Organized by the Faculty of Engineering of Cairo and the Paris-based Heritage Innovation Preservation Institute, the Operation Scan the Pyramids project aims to conduct in-depth examinations of the pyramids using non-invasive methods such as thermal imaging and muon radiography, a Japanese technique that has been used to peek inside active volcanoes as well as the nuclear reactors of Fukushima.
Last week, an initial infrared temperature scan of the famous tomb belonging to the pharaoh Tutankhamen, better known as King Tut, turned up promising results: a temperature difference in the tomb’s northern wall, which may indicate a hidden cavity behind the wall’s surface. Their work follows up on claims made earlier this year by Egyptologist Nicholas Reeve of the University of Arizona, who proposed that ultra high-resolution images of Tut’s tomb showed hidden doorways leading to previously unexplored burial chambers, possibly including the final resting place of the legendary Queen Nefertiti, who was married to Tut’s father.
Now, Egypt’s Antiquities Ministry has announced that a thermal scan of the three ancient pyramids built on the Giza plateau, some 20 km from Cairo, during the 4th dynasty (between 2613-2494 B.C.), has identified some intriguing anomalies. In particular, a scan of the largest of the three pyramids—known locally as Khufu and internationally as Cheops, but often referred to simply as the Great Pyramid—revealed higher temperatures in three of the stones at the bottom of the eastern wall. Though the authorities cannot say definitively what this anomaly means, they speculate that such differences in temperature could indicate empty areas inside the structure, internal air currents or the use of different building materials.
An international team—including scientists and architects from Egypt, Canada, Japan and France—conducted the thermal scanning at different times of the day and night. They focused particularly on sunrise, when the sun heats the limestone of the pyramids from the outside, and on sunset, when the structures were cooling down. In the case of the Khufu pyramid, they found that while much of the wall heats up and cools down uniformly (with a typical difference of only 0.1 to 0.5 degrees Celsius between adjacent stones), a three-stone spot on the eastern wall acted differently. When compared with surrounding stones, this area showed a difference in temperature of 11 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius), appearing as a bloom of red on the thermal scans.
By the time Operation Scan the Pyramids concludes, at the end of 2016, researchers will have scanned the Great Pyramid and the second-largest of the Giza pyramids, built for Khufu’s son Khafre, as well as the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, both built at Dahshur (about 15 km south of Saqqara) by Snefru, Khufu’s father and the founder of the 4th Dynasty. The goal of the scanning project is to find more anomalies, each of which will provide another clue for Egyptologists to investigate in their attempts to solve the enduring mysteries of the pyramids.
Today, mummies are some of the most prized and highly valued artifacts of antiquity, but it might surprise you to know that prior to the 19th century, this wasn’t always the case.
Ginger
Nicknamed for its red hair, “Ginger” is the most famous of six naturally mummified bodies excavated in the late 19th century from shallow graves in the Egyptian desert. It went on display at the British Museum in 1901, becoming the first mummy to be exhibited in public, and has stayed there ever since. Ginger and the other bodies found with it are the oldest known mummies in existence, dating back to about 3400 B.C. Artificial mummification was not yet a common practice at the time of their deaths, but their bodies were naturally dried and preserved by the warm sand in which they were buried.
Hatshepsut
The most prominent female pharaoh, Hatshepsut reigned over Egypt for roughly two decades, undertaking ambitious building projects and establishing valuable new trade routes until her death in 1458 B.C. The archaeologist Howard Carter discovered her royal tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings in 1902. When he located her sarcophagus some years later, however, it was found to be empty.
Carter also unearthed a separate tomb, known as KV60, which contained two coffins: that of Hatshepsut’s wet nurse–identified as such by an inscription on its cover–and that of an unknown female. In 2006, a team led by Dr. Zahi Hawass set out to determine whether the anonymous woman in KV60 could be the missing queen herself. The vital piece of evidence was a molar tooth found in a wooden box bearing Hatshepsut’s name. When Hawass and his colleagues compared the tooth to a gap in the mummy’s upper jaw, it was a perfect fit, leading the researchers to conclude that the search for Hatshepsut was finally over.
King Tutankhamen
Ancient Egypt’s “boy king” became pharaoh at the age of nine and ruled for approximately 10 years (c. 1333-1324 B.C.). Relatively obscure during his lifetime, Tutankhamen–or “King Tut”–became a household name in 1922, when the archaeologist Howard Carter found his remarkable tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. Despite several apparent grave robberies, the tomb was crammed with a wealth of ancient treasures, including jewelry, gilded shrines and a solid gold funerary mask. The discovery prompted a worldwide fascination with Egyptology in general and Tutankhamen in particular. Carter’s partner and financier, Lord Carnarvon, died of an infected mosquito bite several months after the pair opened the tomb. His death inspired the myth of the mummy’s curse, according to which anyone who dared intrude upon King Tut’s grave would suffer his wrath.
Ramesses II
Regarded by many historians as Egypt’s most powerful pharaoh, Ramesses II reigned for six decades (c. 1279-1213 B.C.), lived to be over 90 years old and is said to have fathered upwards of 100 children. His body was originally entombed in the Valley of the Kings, as was customary for a pharaoh, but ancient Egyptian priests later moved it to thwart rampant looters. In 1881, Ramesses II’s mummy was discovered in a secret royal cache at Deir el-Bahri, along with those of more than 50 other rulers and nobles. In 1974, archeologists noticed its deteriorating condition and flew it to Paris, where it was treated for a fungal infection. Before the journey, Ramesses II was issued an Egyptian passport, which listed his occupation as “King (deceased).” Valley of the Golden Mummies
Located in Egypt’s Western Desert, the Bahariya Oasis was a major agricultural center during ancient times and is now home to several archaeological sites, including a Greek temple dedicated to Alexander the Great. In 1996, an antiquities guard was riding his donkey on the temple’s grounds. Suddenly, the donkey’s leg stumbled into a hole, revealing an opening in the desert floor and the edge of a tomb. A team of archaeologists led by Dr. Zahi Hawass began excavations of the site, known as the Valley of the Golden Mummies. The first few expeditions have uncovered several hundred mummies that date back to Egypt’s Greco-Roman period, as well as a treasure trove of artifacts. The diversity of the mummies’ adornments suggests that the site served as the final resting place for every level of society, including wealthy merchants, members of the middle class and poorer inhabitants. Archeologists believe that as many as 10,000 additional mummies may be lying under the sand.
The Pyramid Code is a made-for-television documentary series of 5 episodes that explores the pyramid fields and ancient temples in Egypt as well as ancient megalithic sites around the world looking for clues to matriarchal consciousness, ancient knowledge and sophisticated technology in a Golden Age. The series is based on the extensive research done in 25 trips to Egypt and 51 other countries around the world by Dr. Carmen Boulter formerly from the Graduate Division of Educational Research at the University of Calgary in Canada.
The Pyramid Code features interviews with prominent scholars and authors in multidisciplinary fields (see Cast): geology, physics, astrophysics, archaeology, bilogical engineering, magnetic field theory, hieroglyphics, and Egyptology. The series explores penetrating questions:
Who were the ancients and what did they know?
Could the pyramids be much older than traditional Egyptology would have us believe?
Could it be that the ancients were more technologically advanced than we are today?
Why do we have so little understanding of the ancient Egyptians?
Are there still secrets hidden in plain sight?
Do new discoveries force the issue of establishing a new chronology?
Are there little known sites that provide clues to a new understanding of our distant past?
Are we really the most advanced civilization to ever live on Earth?
The Pyramid Code is on Netflix in Canada, US, UK, Australia, New Zealand & Malta! The series has aired on national TV in 38 countries
The pyramids are a pretty good example. There's some controversy surrounding them, of course, in various communities. People have believed for a long time that they are tombs but as evidence rolls in, especially from engineers, it becomes increasingly questionable that they are. We don't understand the construction methods for making the pyramids, or have confidence in what they were for.
Did you know that the number of original burials in the pyramids - in any of the 80+ of them in Egypt - is 0? There hasn't been a body, an inscription, or anything, telling us that the pyramids had bodies entombed in them originally. Traditional theorists say that tomb-raiders are responsible for this... but for all of them? Real tombs leave lots of clues, as I will show you.
