Location Babylonia lies in the fertile crescent of the Arabian Peninsula. Its eastern edge lies at the Port of Kissik on the Persian gulf and it shares a border with Assyria to the west. In modern day, this land is within the borders of Iraq. Several weeks travel to the west would bring a Babylonian to Phoenicia and the rest of the Aeipathy world. Babylonia is one of the smallest lands on Aeipathy but the second wealthiest behind K'm't thanks to natural resources and rich trade routes. With so small a land and populace to care for Babylonia has the wealthiest per capita state in the known world, despite being only one tenth of its former empiric size. Maps Historical Age Babylonia once ruled all of the lands now held by Assyria and large sections of Hattusa's eastern region. Originally founded in 2380 BC, Babylon the City did not become Babylonia the Empire until 1450 BC when they expanded massively and rapidly across the Arabian Peninsula. Such growth, however, could not be sustained and the expansion lasted for only a few hundred years. By 1134 BC, the great Babylonia was once more a small sovereignty in the far east of the Sharqaan region, where it has remained ever since. Whilst the scent of war and prosperity occasionally sends Babylonia nipping at Assyrian heels, it, for the most part, focuses on its place as the wealthy thoroughfare of east-to-west trading.

Population Babylon is far from the largest city in the known world but it is densely populated. As a city state, Babylonia has few provinces to speak of and operates mainly from within the walls of its grand, historical palaces. The wealth and trade that Babylonia is so famous for is not fairly divided and perpetuates a large class divide, from poverty-stricken slums to the most opulent of estates.

Whilst the class gap is vast, Babylonians are open to it being surmounted and have a strong meritocratic mentality. Those who are poor are often seen as too weak to conquer adversity. This theory applies equally to any differences between the sexes and women are permitted in most male-dominated occupations: including the military. Whilst Babylonia's social ladder may be challenging to ascend financially, this is a land that promotes opportunity and the merits of an individual over their background. Race is ignored entirely in Babylonia and many sexual practices that are considered taboo abroad are permitted here. There are many ethnic, cultural and artistic influences from the east, as well as lands further afield and Babylonians are intrinsically interested in new and foreign elements. Only the highest echelons of Babylonia's politics are stubborn in their judgement of ancestry and family standing.

Size and Travel LatitudeFrom Assyria's eastern border to the Persian Gulf.

	Walking	Horseback / Chariot
Single Traveller	2 weeks	8 days
Small Group	1 month	2 weeks
Large Group / Convoy	6 weeks	3 weeks

LongitudeFrom modern day Tehran to Saudi Arabia; the height of the fertile crescent region.

	Walking	Horseback / Chariot
Single Traveller	3.5 weeks	12 days
Small Group	5 weeks	2.5 weeks
Large Group / Convoy	6 weeks	3.5 weeks

SeafareBabylonia is primarily surrounded by land and has no coastal link to the Black Sea, Red Sea or Mediterranean. Most on-water travel in Babylonia is limited to the Tigris river and tributaries of the Euphrates. These lead north-west through the Babylonian lands and on to Assyria and Hattusa, or south-east down to the Port of Kissik on the Persian Gulf.

International Travel AssyriaLying to the west of Babylonia, Assyria can be reached by land or by river boat.

	Walking	Horse / Chariot / Boat
From Babylon
Single Traveller	1 weeks	3 days
Small Group	12 days	6 days
Large Group / Convoy	2.5 weeks	9 days

Bedoa'mtBedoa'mt lies in the north of the African continent. Travellers can journey across land to K'm't and on through to Bedoa'mt. Technically a ship can be chartered from the Port of Kissik in the Persian Gulf around modern day Saudi Arabia and up the Red Sea to K'm't but this would take many months and would be impractical for roleplay use.

	By Land		By Sea
All Travellers	Calculate the total time by combining: the travel time to reach Assyria's border (above), the time to cross the latitude of Assyria (in the Size and Travel section of Assyria's Land page) and the longitude of Phoenicia (in the Size and Travel section of Phoenicia's Land page), to the K'm't border and the time to cross the latitude of K'm't to the Bedoa'mt border (in the Size and Travel section of K'm't's Land page).		Impractical

HattusaTo reach Hattusa, Babylonians must travel across land, first passing through Assyria.

	By Land		By Sea
All Travellers	From Babylonia, a traveller must reach the Assyrian border (see above), then cross the latitude of Assyria to Hattusa (see the Size and Travel section of Assyria's Land page for distance / times. Add these two calculations together for a total travel time.		Unnecessary

HellasHellas lies to the west of Hattusa in the Aegean Sea, the north-eastern portion of the Mediterranean. Whilst it is technically possible to reach the Athenian kingdom of the Hellenes over land (via the Bosphorus strait and then around the Aegean coastline) this is entirely impractical. To reach Hellas, all travellers would journey by land to Hattusa and then sail to the relevant Hellenic kingdom.

	By Land		By Sea
All Travellers	Calculate the total time by combining: the travel time to reach the Hattusa border (see above) and add this to the travel time to either Arzawa or Kizzuwatna (see the Size and Travel section of Hattusa's Land page). Passengers can then sail to Hellas from there.		From Arzawa To Athenia: 3 days To Colchis: 1 day To Taengea: 1 day From Kizzuwatna To Athenia: 7 days To Colchis: 9 days To Taengea: 5 days

K'm'tIn the north-east of the African continent lies K'm't. Travellers can technically make an indirect sea voyage from the southern port of Babylonia in the Persian Gulf around modern day Saudi Arabia and up the Red Sea. However this would take months of in-character time making it impractical. There would also be no roleplayable lands / stops along the way. Instead, land travel is recommended to the Mediterranean coast and then south to K'm't's eastern border or by boat to its northern shore.

	By Land		By Sea
All Travellers	Calculate the total time by combining: the travel time to reach Assyria's border (above), the time to cross the latitude of Assyria (in the Size and Travel section of Assyria's Land page) and the longitude of Phoenicia (in the Size and Travel section of Phoenicia's Land page) to the K'm't border.		From the Assyrian Coast 2 weeks

OstjörðOstjörð monopolises the north-western corner of the European continent. The fastest way to reach their lands is by crossing the latitude of Assyria by land (in the Size and Travel section of Assyria's Land page), then sailing to the Roma lands (below) before journeying across land again, the longitude of Roma to the Ostjörð border (in the Size and Travel section of Roma's Land page). This traverses the entire world of Aeipathy and will take a large amount of in-character time. If you wish for your character to make this journey, we recommend providing stops and stories along the way so that your character is not out travelling for months on end.

	By Sea
Assyria <> Roma All Travellers	1 month

PhoeniciaPhoenicia lies on the south-west of Babylonia but does not share a border. The northern region of the saudi desert stretches between the two. To reach Phoenicia by land, one must travel directly across inhospitable desert or journey first to Assyria (see above) and across its latitude (in the Size and Travel section of Assyria's Land page) to reach the Phoenician border.

	Walking	Horseback / Chariot
Across the Desert	10 days	5 days
Single Traveller	10 days	5 days
Small Group	3 weeks	10 days
Large Group / Convoy	5 weeks	2 weeks

RomaOccupying most of modern day Italy, Austria, Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia and parts of Albania and Spain, travel times vary for Roma depending on which area is your destination. Any can be reached by land, sea or a combination of the two. All land journeys must be made from the Hattusa Bosphorous Strait. Add the durations below to time needed to reach the Assyrian border (see above) and cross Assyria's latitude (in the Size and Travel section of Assyria's Land page) and then Hattusa's latitude (in the Size and Travel section of Hattusa's Land page). Journeys by sea can be made from the Assyrian coastline and do not require characters to cross Hattusa.

	Walking	Horseback / Chariot
To Remusi Lands
Single Traveller	3.5 weeks	12 days
Small Group	6 weeks	2.5 weeks
Large Group / Convoy	2 months	4 weeks
To Netuno Lands
Single Traveller	2 months	1 month
Small Group	3.5 months	6 weeks
Large Group / Convoy	4.5 months	2 months
To Mainland Roma
Single Traveller	3 months	6 weeks
Small Group	5 months	9 weeks
Large Group / Convoy	6.5 months	3 months
To Cassia Lands
Single Traveller	Seafare required
Small Group
Large Group / Convoy
To Cannae's Western Lands
Single Traveller	4 months	2 months
Small Group	7 months	3 months
Large Group / Convoy	9 months	4 months

	By Sea
To Remusi Lands	Add 2 days land travel to time it takes to reach Athenia in Hellas (above).
To Netuno Lands	Sail for 9 days after reaching Remusi lands.
To Mainland Roma	Sail for 2 days after reaching Remusi lands.
To Cassia Lands	1 month from Babylonia. Or, sail for 1 day after reaching Roma Mainland.
To Cannae's Western Lands	5 weeks from Babylonia. Or, sail for 8 days after reaching Cassia lands.

Climate Babylonia's climate is the most humid and lush in the Sharqaan region. Due to the Euphrates and Tigris river systems expanding out from the Persian Gulf, the land on which Babylonia sits is known as the fertile crescent: an idyllic, green paradise in the centre of miles of arid desert. Babylonia is hot, like its neighbours but far more humid thanks to moisture in the wind carried up from the Arabian Sea. Babylonia never experiences the extreme cold.

	Referred to As		Climate / Weather
Spring	Flooding Season		Due to pressure systems from the Arabian Sea, Babylonia's spring is exceptionally wet. With heavy rainfall, rising water levels at both the south coast and along the rivers, Babylonia has massive flooding in the spring months. Babylonians build their structures and choose their crops with this in mind.
Summer	Season of the Sun		In the summer, the rain dissipates and is missed for some time. The heat of the north comes down and Babylonia becomes balmy and hot. The combination of temperature and humidity can make the Babylonian climate sweltering in the summer months.
Autumn	The Dry Season		Autumn is the greatest test of Babylonians constitutions. Whilst they can prepare for the water levels in spring, the dryest and hottest conditions of autumn are a trial. In the northern regions of Babylonia, dust storms are common at this time of year and can be devastating to crop yields designed to flourish in wetlands.
Winter	The Year End		Winter is short in Babylonia. It is probably the most hospitable time of year with an average level of rainfall and moderate temperatures. Babylonians never suffer the extreme cold and would consider their winter to be chilly. Other lands might read this season as equal to their springtime.

Settlements Babylonia is a city state, meaning that the vast majority of its population resides in Babylon - the capital city. There are many smaller villages and towns stretching out into the north but these are barely large enough to warrant names. To the south lies the Port of Kissik. This is perhaps the only town large enough to be worthy of mention. Within Babylon there are two main areas of high and low class: Eshunna and Sippar respectively. Generally speaking, most characters in Babylonia will hail from Babylon. Babylon

Nin'Segallu (Capital City)
Population31,440
Military UnitThe Babylon Enforcers
Main ExportFruit.
Sub-ExportBarley, rice, shipcraft, glass.

Flora Under the balmy, moist conditions of Babylonia's changing seasons, many flowers grow well in this land all year round. The flowers most famous in the area include myrtle, bur clover, bloodflower, daisies, oleander, jasmine and magnolias. Flowers are not such a luxury here as they are in other lands due to the ease with which they grow but the seeds are a popular export.

Babylonia grows several herbs such as mint, basil and parsley but most of its seasoning plants are imported from other lands like Hattusa and Phoenicia.

Trees and shrubs in Babylonia are lush and green and often hang heavy with fresh fruit. Popular tree species include the olive, fig, willow and palm. Vines and bushes also provide beans, lentils and alfalfa shoots. Onion species grow well in Babylonia but other root vegetables are hard to sustain during the wet spring season. Babylonians enjoy a very healthy diet of greens, beans and fruits rather than the heartier stew-like ingredients of other lands.

Fauna In the warmer, northern districts of Babylonia, desert mammals are common place, including: rodents, the desert hedgehog, the african wildcat, caracals, mongeese, hyenas, jackals and bats. Larger predators include leopards and panthers. Horses are a great luxury in Babylonia and only owned by the wealthiest of families for ceremonial purposes. Only the leaders of the military may ride horses to battle and there is no cavalry or chariot riding in Babylonia. Donkeys, camels and dromedaries are common beasts of burden, as is the Indian bison from the east.

The humid temperatures make Babylonia a paradise for amphibians and reptiles. The rivers flowing through the land are full of crocodiles, turtles, tortoises, lizards, skinks, and geckos. Frogs and toads are commonplace along the river banks and otters often float downstream. Reptile meat like snakes and crocodiles is a common cuisine in Babylonia.

Water-loving birds like mallards, ducks, quail, shovelers, cranes, flamingoes and swans can be found all over Babylonia and through the capital on the rivers. Several species of falcon and owl are also common and hunt both the wetlands and drier regions in the north. Birds are often consumed for their meat in Babylonia and falconry is a common hobby for the rich.

Natural Materials Fresh Water
Fresh water is plentiful in Babylonia. Most households possess large vases and barrels that they leave out in the wetter months to provide a permanent source of water, then store the jars for the drier months. The Euphrates and Tigris are also fresh water rivers making them a less clean but just as useful water source for the poorer districts of the land. Due to the condition of the land and soil, there are very few wells in Babylonia. In a period without rain, if far into the northern desert districts and away from the rivers, one can easily run out of water and perish in the heat. This is less likely in the spring and winter but a true concern in the dry heat of autumn.
Crops
In the wetter areas of Babylonia, rice, hemp and meadow sweet are common crops. In drier, more arid areas hardly anything grows. There are small areas that hit a happy medium allowing for limited barley and wheat growth for bread. As these areas are few and the climate too extreme for good harvests every year, bread and milling is a less common staple of the Babylonian diet.
Ore
Metal ore is very rare in Babylonia. With no mines and no naturally occurring veins, all gold, silver and precious metals are imported from other lands. Babylonia does, however, have ample amounts of clay, peat and limestone to offer in exchange.
Timber
Babylonia has little hardwood resources but is plentiful in softwoods used for furniture, everyday necessities and luxury products. The finest weapons in the world will not come with a Babylonian blade but may very well possess an ornate handle of wood and bone crafted by the masters of Babylon.
Vegetables
Most ground vegetables do not do well in Babylonia, forcing the common diet to consist more of beans, lentils and fresh fruit, including: dates, figs, pears, apples and plums. The Babylonians have a flourishing oil trade made with olives and honey and are well known for their beauty and self-care exports like creams and powders dyed with flower petals.
Meat
The goitered gazelle, saudi gazelle and oryx are often hunted for their meat in Babylonia whilst goats and sheep are domesticated and farmed for both flesh and milk. It is also common to find poultry and reptile meat on one's dish including: owl, mallard, crane, swallow, flamingo, crocodile or snake.