The Story of Akkad
Long ago, when the cities of the world were young and history had just begun to take written form...
Long ago, when the cities of the world were young and history had just begun to take written form, the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were laden with centres of culture, commerce, and industry. One among these kingdoms, Akkad, was blessed by the gods and stood proudly above the others. It was led by an ambitious king named Sargon, who sought to unite all the lands of the fertile crescent under his rule. He marched his armies up and down the two rivers and did not stop until he had conquered the known world. He built an empire and made Akkad the jewel at its heart . . .
Nearly a century has now passed since the conquest, and the great empire has begun to wane. A new king, Naram-Suen, the grandson of Sargon, has just ascended the throne of Akkad. He wishes to see his realm not merely restored to its former glory but soar to new heights. He has made it his mission to secure the borders, to make fields flourish and orchards blossom, to revitalize trade networks, and to initiate magnificent building projects so the gods may once again cast their eyes upon Akkad.
But the political climate is delicate, and Naram-suen has yet to cement his authority. Some see the moment as an opportunity to rebel and throw off the yoke of Akkad. Worse still, there are reports of strange creatures lurking in the realm, terrorizing communities who thought themselves safe under the imperial aegis.
To combat these threats, the king has summoned his most trusted courtiers to act on his behalf. He has sent them far and wide to strongholds throughout the empire, where they can establish themselves and restore peace and prosperity. These courtiers seek to gain favour with the king by carrying out his commands. They gather riches in the name of the empire, ensure that cities and temples are raised high, send priests to spread the will of the gods, and recruit vast armies to fend off demons and rebels. All the while they keep a sharp eye on their neighbours, who are calculating and deceptive and will take any opportunity to get ahead. The stakes are high, and the fate of an empire hangs in the balance…
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