Anpukanefer
Inpw-K-nfR - Beautiful Soul of Anubis
Kher Heb priest and tjaty to Pharaoh Djoser - founder of the third dynasty
Lector and royal vizier
Practitioner of magic and science
Removed from history for competing with the gods
"I met a traveller from an antique land,
Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed"
Hail to you, O ye Lords of Everlasting Time and Eternity!
Let not my Heart be torn from me by your fingers.
Let not my Heart be fashioned anew according to all the evil things said against me.
For this Heart of mine is the Heart of the god of Mornings to come
Let not my Heart be torn from me by your fingers.
Let not my Heart be fashioned anew according to all the evil things said against me.
For this Heart of mine is the Heart of the god of Mornings to come
Anpukanefer was a bastard born to Pharaoh Khasenkhemwy's wife Nima'at-hapi and a servant named At. And although the Pharaoh suspected his wife's unfaithfulness, he still took the child as his own, alongside his successors Djoser, Hetephernebti, and Sanakht. However, Anpukanefer was different, in more ways than just blood. He was gifted with a strong connection to the divine. He could communicate with it, and wield it. The priests believed him to be the child of Amun, and so he was treated equal to the Pharaoh's other children. Anpukanefer got well along with his half siblings for many years. He was taught separately from his siblings with the priests and the scribes to prepare him for his future role as High Priest. It was here he met another priest-in-training a young boy named Imhotep. Back then, neither would ever have imagined that they would both one day be considered gods.
The years went by, and Anpukanefer and Imhotep grew to become very good friends. Though, there were often moments with tension between the two as Imhotep saw his friend's power as a potential threat. Because of his studies, and fascinations with the ancient traditions, Anpukanefer met with his siblings more and more seldom, and eventually grew quite distant. That was up until Djoser's crowning in 2681 B.C.E. Anpukanefer, having such a strong connection to the gods, was chosen as Djoser's royal vizier and lector priest, whose duty was to recite spells and hymns during rituals . The latter because of his strong connection to the Neturu and their powers. In fact, Anpukanefer was the first person in many generations whose spells and incantations had direct influence on the physical world. He was in charge of the holy scripts, and was to advice the Pharaoh in all manner of subjects. Which he would also end up doing. It was Anpukanefer who introduced Djoser to Imhotep, the priest who would later become the court physician and chief architect - and eventually oversee the construction of the first pyramids.
After some time, Anpukanefer began to truly realise his potential. This both made him prideful and dismayed. His time with the priests had taught him many things, and there was one thing that bothered him. In Kemet tradition, the Pharaoh was the representative of the gods. But Anpukanefer knew that Djoser had no connection to the gods, other than that which Anpukanefer provided him with. But Djoser was the oldest son and the rightful ruler. And in his way, he loved his half brother very much and saw himself loyal to the throne. But he couldn't help but to think the people deserved to be closer to the gods, more directly. That, perhaps, he himself should be Pharaoh. But he was the youngest, and possibly a bastard. This gave him no right to the throne whatsoever. And he didn't want to harm his family that had taken care of him all his life. He was indecisive and irresolute in what to do with his concerns.
One day, Anpukanefer consulted with the other high priests. Unsure of what to make of his situation, he needed to get answers from others. Others that knew the ancient traditions and the ways of the Neturu. And the priest did indeed provide them. Although they disagreed on with what means, Most of them agreed that Anpukanefer should, technically, be the ruler of Kemet. Some of the priest said he should stage a coupe; that the people would support him. The others said he should display his powers to impress the royal guards into submission. And some suggested he speak with his father about the situation through tapping into the Duat. Although, neither made Anpukanefer much wiser. He knew that he didn't want to kill his family, so he went to his old friend, Imhotep, for advice. Imhotep said that it was not right to take the throne by force, that the people would frown on such an action. And he himself as well. Instead, he should speak to Pharaoh Djoser himself, to consult with him and ask that he abdicate. Maybe even manipulate him into doing so.
And so, Anpukanefer's campaign began. It started off as a rough ride with much regret and sorrow. He confronted Djoser, telling him that the people of Kemet needed a stronger connection to the gods. Djoser knew Anpukanefer's connection to the gods was strong, and proclaimed him High Priest of Khepri. The Dawn. For this would lead Kemet into a new Dynasty! And for years, Anpukanefer puppeteered Djoser as his high priest and Vizier. Led him across the land to expand the kingdom, like their father before them. And with Anpukanefer's aid, Djoser led a campaign across the Sinai peninsula that ended in victory. Turquise and Copper flooded into the royal vaults, and Kemet entered a new, powerful dynasty. And things couldn't have been better. Anpukanefer now indirectly controlled all of Kemet. But he grew older, like his brother. And he needed a tomb of his own, as well as one for Djoser. And so he went again to Imhotep whom had already began construction of a great mastaba in which Djoser wouldbe buried upon his death.
He told Imhotep he have had a dream about a great tomb - greater than any before. A triangular monument that was fit for a god. He asked Imhotep if he could construct such a monument if given the proper blueprints. And Imhotep was positive that he could. And so, Anpukanefer consulted with the gods, and was granted a description of a means to create such a wonder. And so the first pyramid was in commission. A grand monument, greater than any seen before by mortal eyes. One rivaling even the very monuments of the gods. Anpukanefer didn't want Djoser to know he commissioned a tomb for himself, and told Imhotep to construct his tomb in Abydos instead. Far from the new Capital. However. Djoser was not so easily fooled. He soon noticed that way more sandstone was mined than necessary for the construction of his pyramid, and ordered to cut off the flow of materials to Anpukanefer's tomb, unknowlingly of for what it was.
This action sparked a frustration within Anpukanefer's very soul. He had grown used to being in power, being able to manipulate things from the shadows. He went again the the other high priests, this time inviting them all over to his own temple in the capital, Memphis. However, he needed the meeting to be in secret and told everyone to wear masks to keep themselves anonymous. In fact, he sent masks and robes to the homes of every priest he wanted present. And none of them knew that it was Anpukanefer who had recently obtained the position of High Priest in the temple of Khepri. With the robes and masks, he also sent a letter containing the necessary information that the other priests would have to know before the meeting. The letter read as follows:
And so, during the dusk on the third day after the invitations were sent out, the anonymous guests arrived at the temple. It had been completely cleared of servants and guards. Only Anpukanefer stood on the ground in front of an altar to Khepri. When the last priests had arrived, and Ra had crossed the edge of the world and Aten's last rays of light had vanished, Anpukanefer finally spoke. The faint chatter of the confused priests and nomarcs were suddenly abrupted by Anpukanefer's powerful voice.
Some years passed and the Order of the Neturu prospered. Egypt prospered for a time. But greed and rivalry within the order put several towns in a state of poverty and famine. This was not what Anpukanefer had hoped for and since his subjects had failed in their task, all he could do was speak with pharaoh Djoser about the matter. He told Djoser about the state of the distant cities. That poverty had spread across Kemet because of ignorant leaders. But the pharaoh simply shrugged and pointed towards the prospering Memphis. Anpukanefer pleaded that Djoser extend his sight beyond the city limits, but nothing he said would change the now-stubborn pharaoh. Despite Anpukanefer's many flaws, he cared about the welfare of all of Kemat. He was infuriated by Djoser's lack of will to care for the land. And though he promised Imhotep to not let himself be guided by his spite towards his half brother, he once again summoned the Order of the Neturu.
This time, his intentions were more than extreme. They were fanatic and blasphemous. He preached that Djoser no longer cared for the people of Egypt and had to be removed from his position as pharaoh. And so he asked for the Order's support, which he got. Many members of the Order worshiped Anpukanefer as not just the child of Amun, but as his very will. Anpukanefer's words were treates as if they came from the gods themselves. And so, his coupe was set into motion. Starting with taking control of the outer territories, he staged a foreign attack on Memphis in hopes of catching pharaoh Djoser off-guard. But there was a traitor among the Order. A traitor by the name of Imhotep. Anpukanefer's former childhood friend had gone to Djoser to warn him. Once Anpukanefer's forces reached Memphis, and the palace, they were caught off-guard themselves by Djoser's personal guarde. Although infuriated, Anpukanefer played along and blamed the people of Mafkat. But Imhotep had intercepted correspondence between Anpukanefer and the traitor priests and nomarcs which proved Anpukanefer's involvement in the coupe. Djoser was furious and ordered Anpukanefer to be imprisoned. But the cunning priest demanded a tribunal.
The legal system of Kemet demanded that differences be settled by a series of tests and trials. Anpukanefer was certain he would be victorious over the dimwitted pharao, but Djoser had another idea. In Djoser's stead, Imhotep would be pitched against Anpukanefer. Although this made Anpukanefer even more furious, he accepted. Anpukanefer called on the gods to aid him. But Imhotep was more cunning than Anpukanefer could ever be, even with the help of the gods. And after many trials, Imhotep emerged victorious and the shouting Anpukanefer was thrown into a dungeon. But before Djoser left his gaze, he spoke a dark curse. An incantation that would put Kemet into a seven year lasting famine. If Anpukanefer's attempts to make Kemet greater than any civilization ever was to be repayed by him ending up in a hole, then Kemet did not deserve to be great. His life's work had been in vain so there was nothing to do but to destroy the civilization entirely. Djoser knew Anpukanefer's incantations were almost always put into effect and he was scared that this dark curse would be fulfilled. He turned to his last loyal priest, Imhotep for guidance, and Imhotep suggested that they store all grain harvested in the temple of Khnum in case the curse would be put into motion. This way, if they distributed the grain through rations, the population - and the kingdom - would persist.
And so it was. While Anpukanefer summoned the voices of the gods to help put his curse into motion, Imhotep and Djoser prepared for the worst. Seven years went by and nothing changed. The grain storage in the temple of Khnum was almost tipping over. But Djoser still feared Anpukanefer's curse. And he was right to do so. Anpukanefer had spent all seven years in a state of meditation, conversing with the gods. And when it had been exactly seven years, his prayers would finally be answered. The dungeon was dark and wet, and he, and the other captured priests and soldiers all joined in prayer. This time they were answered. It started with a simple breeze. At first no one payed much mind to it. But eventually, as the chanting of ancient incantations grew louder, so did the breeze. The breeze turned into wind. And soon, the entire room was filled by a raging storm and soon, heaps of sand were thrown into the mess. The priests and soldiers standing around Anpukanefer began to writhe in pain as the sand slowly ripped the skin from their flesh, and eventually ripped the flesh from the bones as they shrieked out in agony. The sand absorbed every bit of moisture in the dungeon, turning it into a small indoor desert. Anpukanefer shielded his eyes, but the sand never seemed to touch him. instead it began collecting in front of him until a large figure emerged before him. It was the very image of Setesh, god of the desert storms.
At first, Anpukanefer thought the dark god had come to end his existence and fell to his knees to beg forgiveness. But instead, Setesh reached his hand out towards the frightened priest. Hesitantly, Anpukanefer stretched out to take the deity's hand. Setesh then gently pulled him up from the now sand covered ground before vanishing as quickly as he'd appeared. At first, Anpukanefer was confused beyond words. He looked at the carnage around him, shriveled corpses and pieces of dried out flesh were spread out in the sand. Soon, the sand began to move again, and the frowning priest braced himself to be struck down. The sand rose from the ground like the necks of a heron flock, but before Anpukanefer could dodge, the sand came rushing towards him, but instead of the blistering pain of being blasted by heaps of sand at such incredible speed, he felt his body being filled with power. The sand entered his body without leaving a single mark on his skin. He could feel his body getting stronger, his mind clearer and his soul immortal. Setesh had not smitten him, but gifted him with the power of a god. The Servant of the Dawn had now become the Servant of the Desert Storm.
And with ease, Anpukanefer broke out of the dungeon he had been calling home for seven years. The pharaoh's soldiers came rushing to apprehend him, but Anpukanefer unleashed his powers upon them. Stripping their flesh from their bones. But their numbers were too great. and just as he'd defeated one group, he could hear the slashing sound of a spear impaling a body. He looked down and saw a spear had pierced his abdomen. And before he could react, another spear pierced him. Then another. And another. But just as he thought the end was near, he noticed he could not feel the pain of the blades anymore. And from his wounds poured not blood, but sand. He turned his head to glance at the soldiers whose faces were painted by dread. They knew what he knew. He had become a god.
Anpukanefer made his way to Djoser's palace, like a raging storm. Cutting through any defenses put up to hinder him. But once he reached the palace he found it empty of soldiers with only Djoser seated upon his throne. The lack of guards made the newborn god weary. He knew Djoser would never leave himself defenseless like this. He glanced around, trying to scan the environment. Again a frown painted itself across his face as he could smell the distinct stench of oil. The entire floor seemed to be covered in it. And as Djoser saw that Anpukanefer had noticed the oil, he stood up.
But as Anpukanefer lashed out, he realised that his powers could not reach the pharaoh. He had not realised that the oil around him was embalming oils. Sacred to the god Anubis, he who defeated Set in combat. As Djoser sat down again, soldiers rushed in from every corner of the palace, all covered in embalming oils. Anpukanefer's powers were rendered next to useless against them, and after minutes of violent flailing and fighting, Anpukanefer was finally restrained by heave oil-drenched ropes.
The rogue Anpukanefer was taken to the outskirts of Kemet where he was covered in embalming oils and wrapped in linen cloths, so tightly he could not move. His body was then put into a wooden sarcophagus and carried by chariot into the desert. The remains of his now dead loyalist priests and soldiers were brought with him. All remains of him in -Memphis were destroyed, his name forever removed, and he and the remains of his followers were buried inside an underground tomb way into what is today Southern Libya. All that would remain of him was his dark curse. A curse that put Kemet through a seven year famine. But Kemet persisted and soon even the famine was faded into legend.
But. Although removed from history, this would not be the end of Anpukanefer. For Setesh's gift would preserve him, make him undying. And so he would be forever tormented in his underground prison for centuries, millennia even, unable to move, unable the hear anything but his own thoughts, he sand running through his veins, and the whispers of gods. Age could not reach him, nor could death. This was his payment for ushing in a new era for the great Egyptian Empire. An Empire that would last nearly three thousand years to come, and whose monuments and remains would last two thousand more. And all this he would not see. Five thousand years he would wait until some poor fool stumbles on a stone block in the middle of the desert...
Occupation: Royal Vizier (Kher-Heb), Lector Priest (Tjaty), High Priest of Khepri (Hem-Khepri), Cult Leader
Relationship status: Single, and for the time being uninterested
Likes: Magic, deities, power, prosperity
Dislikes: wasted potential, weak leaders
Relationships: Khasenkhemwy, adoptive father. At, biological father. Nima'at-hapi, mother. Djoser, elder brother. Hetephernebti, elder sister. Sanakht, elder brother.
After some time, Anpukanefer began to truly realise his potential. This both made him prideful and dismayed. His time with the priests had taught him many things, and there was one thing that bothered him. In Kemet tradition, the Pharaoh was the representative of the gods. But Anpukanefer knew that Djoser had no connection to the gods, other than that which Anpukanefer provided him with. But Djoser was the oldest son and the rightful ruler. And in his way, he loved his half brother very much and saw himself loyal to the throne. But he couldn't help but to think the people deserved to be closer to the gods, more directly. That, perhaps, he himself should be Pharaoh. But he was the youngest, and possibly a bastard. This gave him no right to the throne whatsoever. And he didn't want to harm his family that had taken care of him all his life. He was indecisive and irresolute in what to do with his concerns.
One day, Anpukanefer consulted with the other high priests. Unsure of what to make of his situation, he needed to get answers from others. Others that knew the ancient traditions and the ways of the Neturu. And the priest did indeed provide them. Although they disagreed on with what means, Most of them agreed that Anpukanefer should, technically, be the ruler of Kemet. Some of the priest said he should stage a coupe; that the people would support him. The others said he should display his powers to impress the royal guards into submission. And some suggested he speak with his father about the situation through tapping into the Duat. Although, neither made Anpukanefer much wiser. He knew that he didn't want to kill his family, so he went to his old friend, Imhotep, for advice. Imhotep said that it was not right to take the throne by force, that the people would frown on such an action. And he himself as well. Instead, he should speak to Pharaoh Djoser himself, to consult with him and ask that he abdicate. Maybe even manipulate him into doing so.
And so, Anpukanefer's campaign began. It started off as a rough ride with much regret and sorrow. He confronted Djoser, telling him that the people of Kemet needed a stronger connection to the gods. Djoser knew Anpukanefer's connection to the gods was strong, and proclaimed him High Priest of Khepri. The Dawn. For this would lead Kemet into a new Dynasty! And for years, Anpukanefer puppeteered Djoser as his high priest and Vizier. Led him across the land to expand the kingdom, like their father before them. And with Anpukanefer's aid, Djoser led a campaign across the Sinai peninsula that ended in victory. Turquise and Copper flooded into the royal vaults, and Kemet entered a new, powerful dynasty. And things couldn't have been better. Anpukanefer now indirectly controlled all of Kemet. But he grew older, like his brother. And he needed a tomb of his own, as well as one for Djoser. And so he went again to Imhotep whom had already began construction of a great mastaba in which Djoser wouldbe buried upon his death.
He told Imhotep he have had a dream about a great tomb - greater than any before. A triangular monument that was fit for a god. He asked Imhotep if he could construct such a monument if given the proper blueprints. And Imhotep was positive that he could. And so, Anpukanefer consulted with the gods, and was granted a description of a means to create such a wonder. And so the first pyramid was in commission. A grand monument, greater than any seen before by mortal eyes. One rivaling even the very monuments of the gods. Anpukanefer didn't want Djoser to know he commissioned a tomb for himself, and told Imhotep to construct his tomb in Abydos instead. Far from the new Capital. However. Djoser was not so easily fooled. He soon noticed that way more sandstone was mined than necessary for the construction of his pyramid, and ordered to cut off the flow of materials to Anpukanefer's tomb, unknowlingly of for what it was.
This action sparked a frustration within Anpukanefer's very soul. He had grown used to being in power, being able to manipulate things from the shadows. He went again the the other high priests, this time inviting them all over to his own temple in the capital, Memphis. However, he needed the meeting to be in secret and told everyone to wear masks to keep themselves anonymous. In fact, he sent masks and robes to the homes of every priest he wanted present. And none of them knew that it was Anpukanefer who had recently obtained the position of High Priest in the temple of Khepri. With the robes and masks, he also sent a letter containing the necessary information that the other priests would have to know before the meeting. The letter read as follows:
"I greet thee, oh mighty of Kemet, servants of the gods and our Land.
By dusk in the coming third solar cycle I call a secret meeting to discuss the current situation in which our land is presently in.
By dusk in the coming third solar cycle I call a secret meeting to discuss the current situation in which our land is presently in.
And so I invite thee, priests and nomarcs of the Two Lands to the Temple of the Dawn in Memphis, capital of Kemet.
Come dressed in the garments attached to this letter, for this meeting must remain secret even to those involved. Like Amun, we shall remain invisible to spying mortal eyes.
This meeting is vital to bring our great nation into a new era, a new dawn.
To usher in the new Dynasty as the most significant in our vast history.
To usher in the new Dynasty as the most significant in our vast history.
For those who do not accept this invitation, know that none can hide from the gods.
May the Father of understanding's light guide us."
May the Father of understanding's light guide us."
"Friends!"
"You loyal to Kemet"
"Thank you for attending this evening"
"You may wonder why I have summoned you"
"Why now when our land is prospering"
"I shall tell you"
"Upon the throne sits a king without power"
"A king who does not care about the effects of his decisions"
"This may sound like treason"
"But is it not also treason for a servant of Kemet to not listen to his country speak?"
"Is it not treason for a puppet king to disregard the values of old?"
"Yes, our land is prospering"
"But it is not our great pharaoh who brought us into greater glory"
"It is not our great pharaoh who led us to victory in battle"
"I am the servant of the Dawn"
"I am he who speaks with the gods"
"You loyal to Kemet"
"Thank you for attending this evening"
"You may wonder why I have summoned you"
"Why now when our land is prospering"
"I shall tell you"
"Upon the throne sits a king without power"
"A king who does not care about the effects of his decisions"
"This may sound like treason"
"But is it not also treason for a servant of Kemet to not listen to his country speak?"
"Is it not treason for a puppet king to disregard the values of old?"
"Yes, our land is prospering"
"But it is not our great pharaoh who brought us into greater glory"
"It is not our great pharaoh who led us to victory in battle"
"I am the servant of the Dawn"
"I am he who speaks with the gods"
"I am he who led us to greatness"
"I ask you not to betray your country"
"I ask you not to kill our king"
"All I ask is that you serve the gods under my name"
"Though Djoser might sit on the throne"
"I am the one who whispers in his ear"
"I am the one who stretches his arm"
"I am the one who walks in his shoes"
"I am the servant of the gods and I rule Kemet"
"I ask you not to betray your country"
"I ask you not to kill our king"
"All I ask is that you serve the gods under my name"
"Though Djoser might sit on the throne"
"I am the one who whispers in his ear"
"I am the one who stretches his arm"
"I am the one who walks in his shoes"
"I am the servant of the gods and I rule Kemet"
"I hereby officiate the Order of the Neturu"
"And ye who does not find yourself loyal to Kemet may remove thy mask and walk away"
"For this place is only for those who serve the will of the gods"
"And ye who does not find yourself loyal to Kemet may remove thy mask and walk away"
"For this place is only for those who serve the will of the gods"
Anpukanefer's speech impressed the majority of the people he had summoned. It frightened some, and angered others. One who did not like Anpukanefer's speech was his old childhood friend Imhotep. Imhotep found Anpukanefer's new campaign to be far too radical. Even though he agreed with the concept of what he was saying, forming a pseudo government in the shadows to manipulate the rule was just one step too far. It was one thing to whisper in Djoser's ear, but to go behind the ruler of Kemet in this way was more than treason. It was against the ancient traditions. The same traditions that Anpukanfer supposedly stood for. After the other priests had left the meeting, Imhotep confronted his former friend about the matter. Anpukanefer tried to assure him this was what's best for Kemet. That Djoser's lazy rule was beyond saving with whispers. More drastic means were necessary to keep the Dynasty alive. After a long heated discussion and many cups of wine, they eventually settled their differences for the time being. Imhotep would continue his work for Anpukanefer, and Anpukanefer promised he would make no more extremist moves against the throne and Djoser.
Some years passed and the Order of the Neturu prospered. Egypt prospered for a time. But greed and rivalry within the order put several towns in a state of poverty and famine. This was not what Anpukanefer had hoped for and since his subjects had failed in their task, all he could do was speak with pharaoh Djoser about the matter. He told Djoser about the state of the distant cities. That poverty had spread across Kemet because of ignorant leaders. But the pharaoh simply shrugged and pointed towards the prospering Memphis. Anpukanefer pleaded that Djoser extend his sight beyond the city limits, but nothing he said would change the now-stubborn pharaoh. Despite Anpukanefer's many flaws, he cared about the welfare of all of Kemat. He was infuriated by Djoser's lack of will to care for the land. And though he promised Imhotep to not let himself be guided by his spite towards his half brother, he once again summoned the Order of the Neturu.
This time, his intentions were more than extreme. They were fanatic and blasphemous. He preached that Djoser no longer cared for the people of Egypt and had to be removed from his position as pharaoh. And so he asked for the Order's support, which he got. Many members of the Order worshiped Anpukanefer as not just the child of Amun, but as his very will. Anpukanefer's words were treates as if they came from the gods themselves. And so, his coupe was set into motion. Starting with taking control of the outer territories, he staged a foreign attack on Memphis in hopes of catching pharaoh Djoser off-guard. But there was a traitor among the Order. A traitor by the name of Imhotep. Anpukanefer's former childhood friend had gone to Djoser to warn him. Once Anpukanefer's forces reached Memphis, and the palace, they were caught off-guard themselves by Djoser's personal guarde. Although infuriated, Anpukanefer played along and blamed the people of Mafkat. But Imhotep had intercepted correspondence between Anpukanefer and the traitor priests and nomarcs which proved Anpukanefer's involvement in the coupe. Djoser was furious and ordered Anpukanefer to be imprisoned. But the cunning priest demanded a tribunal.
The legal system of Kemet demanded that differences be settled by a series of tests and trials. Anpukanefer was certain he would be victorious over the dimwitted pharao, but Djoser had another idea. In Djoser's stead, Imhotep would be pitched against Anpukanefer. Although this made Anpukanefer even more furious, he accepted. Anpukanefer called on the gods to aid him. But Imhotep was more cunning than Anpukanefer could ever be, even with the help of the gods. And after many trials, Imhotep emerged victorious and the shouting Anpukanefer was thrown into a dungeon. But before Djoser left his gaze, he spoke a dark curse. An incantation that would put Kemet into a seven year lasting famine. If Anpukanefer's attempts to make Kemet greater than any civilization ever was to be repayed by him ending up in a hole, then Kemet did not deserve to be great. His life's work had been in vain so there was nothing to do but to destroy the civilization entirely. Djoser knew Anpukanefer's incantations were almost always put into effect and he was scared that this dark curse would be fulfilled. He turned to his last loyal priest, Imhotep for guidance, and Imhotep suggested that they store all grain harvested in the temple of Khnum in case the curse would be put into motion. This way, if they distributed the grain through rations, the population - and the kingdom - would persist.
And so it was. While Anpukanefer summoned the voices of the gods to help put his curse into motion, Imhotep and Djoser prepared for the worst. Seven years went by and nothing changed. The grain storage in the temple of Khnum was almost tipping over. But Djoser still feared Anpukanefer's curse. And he was right to do so. Anpukanefer had spent all seven years in a state of meditation, conversing with the gods. And when it had been exactly seven years, his prayers would finally be answered. The dungeon was dark and wet, and he, and the other captured priests and soldiers all joined in prayer. This time they were answered. It started with a simple breeze. At first no one payed much mind to it. But eventually, as the chanting of ancient incantations grew louder, so did the breeze. The breeze turned into wind. And soon, the entire room was filled by a raging storm and soon, heaps of sand were thrown into the mess. The priests and soldiers standing around Anpukanefer began to writhe in pain as the sand slowly ripped the skin from their flesh, and eventually ripped the flesh from the bones as they shrieked out in agony. The sand absorbed every bit of moisture in the dungeon, turning it into a small indoor desert. Anpukanefer shielded his eyes, but the sand never seemed to touch him. instead it began collecting in front of him until a large figure emerged before him. It was the very image of Setesh, god of the desert storms.
At first, Anpukanefer thought the dark god had come to end his existence and fell to his knees to beg forgiveness. But instead, Setesh reached his hand out towards the frightened priest. Hesitantly, Anpukanefer stretched out to take the deity's hand. Setesh then gently pulled him up from the now sand covered ground before vanishing as quickly as he'd appeared. At first, Anpukanefer was confused beyond words. He looked at the carnage around him, shriveled corpses and pieces of dried out flesh were spread out in the sand. Soon, the sand began to move again, and the frowning priest braced himself to be struck down. The sand rose from the ground like the necks of a heron flock, but before Anpukanefer could dodge, the sand came rushing towards him, but instead of the blistering pain of being blasted by heaps of sand at such incredible speed, he felt his body being filled with power. The sand entered his body without leaving a single mark on his skin. He could feel his body getting stronger, his mind clearer and his soul immortal. Setesh had not smitten him, but gifted him with the power of a god. The Servant of the Dawn had now become the Servant of the Desert Storm.
Anpukanefer made his way to Djoser's palace, like a raging storm. Cutting through any defenses put up to hinder him. But once he reached the palace he found it empty of soldiers with only Djoser seated upon his throne. The lack of guards made the newborn god weary. He knew Djoser would never leave himself defenseless like this. He glanced around, trying to scan the environment. Again a frown painted itself across his face as he could smell the distinct stench of oil. The entire floor seemed to be covered in it. And as Djoser saw that Anpukanefer had noticed the oil, he stood up.
"What have I ever done to you, brother, to deserve such hatred"
He asked, with sorrow hiding behind his stern look.
"You never cared about Kemet as I did"
"Did? Do you no longer?"
"Kemet is not worthy of the protection of the gods"
"There was a time you would do anything to protect the people. Even if that meant going behind my back"
"Of course, you knew."
"Imhotep."
"Indeed. But this is all history. Setesh has given me the means to end Kemet"
"That's where you're mistaken, brother"
"My curse has already been set into motion!"
"Yes. But Kemet will persist, and you will be forgotten."
"I RULED KEMET!"
"History will not remember that. History will not remember your name."
"Then, you must DIE!"
But as Anpukanefer lashed out, he realised that his powers could not reach the pharaoh. He had not realised that the oil around him was embalming oils. Sacred to the god Anubis, he who defeated Set in combat. As Djoser sat down again, soldiers rushed in from every corner of the palace, all covered in embalming oils. Anpukanefer's powers were rendered next to useless against them, and after minutes of violent flailing and fighting, Anpukanefer was finally restrained by heave oil-drenched ropes.
"For your crimes, you will be taken far beyond the Two Lands, into the Red Desert of your new-found god, where you will be entombed alive until the day you die. Your name and your face will be forever removed from history and no one will know you ever existed. For what it's worth, I always looked up to you. I am very disappointed and saddened it would come to this."
The rogue Anpukanefer was taken to the outskirts of Kemet where he was covered in embalming oils and wrapped in linen cloths, so tightly he could not move. His body was then put into a wooden sarcophagus and carried by chariot into the desert. The remains of his now dead loyalist priests and soldiers were brought with him. All remains of him in -Memphis were destroyed, his name forever removed, and he and the remains of his followers were buried inside an underground tomb way into what is today Southern Libya. All that would remain of him was his dark curse. A curse that put Kemet through a seven year famine. But Kemet persisted and soon even the famine was faded into legend.
But. Although removed from history, this would not be the end of Anpukanefer. For Setesh's gift would preserve him, make him undying. And so he would be forever tormented in his underground prison for centuries, millennia even, unable to move, unable the hear anything but his own thoughts, he sand running through his veins, and the whispers of gods. Age could not reach him, nor could death. This was his payment for ushing in a new era for the great Egyptian Empire. An Empire that would last nearly three thousand years to come, and whose monuments and remains would last two thousand more. And all this he would not see. Five thousand years he would wait until some poor fool stumbles on a stone block in the middle of the desert...
Name: Anpukanefer (Inpw-k-nfr) Beautiful soul of Anubis
Nicknames: Anpu, Inpu, Kanefer, Nefer, Khepri, Servant of the Dawn
Species: Homo Sapiens
Nicknames: Anpu, Inpu, Kanefer, Nefer, Khepri, Servant of the Dawn
Species: Homo Sapiens
Sex: Male
Height: 5'9 (considered rather tall in his time)
Weight: 152 lbs
Eye colour: Brown
Hair colour: Brown
DOB: Flood period of 2 600 B.C.E
POB: Kemet (Ancient Egypt)
Height: 5'9 (considered rather tall in his time)
Weight: 152 lbs
Eye colour: Brown
Hair colour: Brown
DOB: Flood period of 2 600 B.C.E
POB: Kemet (Ancient Egypt)
Occupation: Royal Vizier (Kher-Heb), Lector Priest (Tjaty), High Priest of Khepri (Hem-Khepri), Cult Leader
Relationship status: Single, and for the time being uninterested
Likes: Magic, deities, power, prosperity
Dislikes: wasted potential, weak leaders
Relationships: Khasenkhemwy, adoptive father. At, biological father. Nima'at-hapi, mother. Djoser, elder brother. Hetephernebti, elder sister. Sanakht, elder brother.
Powers and abilities: Sand maipulation, cloth manipulation, disease breath, insect manipulation.
Weaknesses: Embalming oil, fire, some protective spells, electricity.
Good-to-knows: Anpukanefer uses a large amount of ancient Egyptian phrases in all kinds of situations. It is good i you or your character does not understand, but if you as a writer would like to know what it is he's saying HERE is a dictionary to some simple phrases and words. I will add my own at times as the dictionary is incomplete. If you wish to know more about who he is as a person, what he looks like, what he does, how he came to be in the modern era. HERE is a blog for that.
Trivia:
Weaknesses: Embalming oil, fire, some protective spells, electricity.
Good-to-knows: Anpukanefer uses a large amount of ancient Egyptian phrases in all kinds of situations. It is good i you or your character does not understand, but if you as a writer would like to know what it is he's saying HERE is a dictionary to some simple phrases and words. I will add my own at times as the dictionary is incomplete. If you wish to know more about who he is as a person, what he looks like, what he does, how he came to be in the modern era. HERE is a blog for that.
Trivia:
- Although Anpukanefer is a completely made up character, the people around his origin story were very real. Pharaoh Djoser was presumably the king who brought in the Third Dynasty. It was Djoser's tomb that became the first pyramid. A monument whose construction was overseen by Djoser's physician and architect, Imhotep. For centuries though, Imhotep was uncredited, but was eventually divinified as the god of architecture in later dynastic periods.
- Djoser's name is also often written as Zoser and Djeser. The accurate pronounciation of the word is unknown. Though it is likely that Djoser influenced the Biblical story of Joseph, as Djoser supposedly pulled Egypt through a seven year lasting famine. But there is not enough archaeological evidence to support this as fact.
- Anpukanefer came into being because of my frustration with how inaccurately mummy movies portray the history behind the mummy. Even though I love The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, their interpretation of history is completely off. So I wanted to write a character that was still influenced by Hollywood, but rooted in real history. I chose Djoser's reign as the perfect time because of Imhotep and because I wanted to truly show how Anpukanefer's fictional powers inspired something truly divine that could be seen even today in real life. Djoser's Step Pyramid can be found in Saqquara, Egypt and is a popular tourist site.
- Anpukanefer's name is derived from another character I used to roleplay, namely Anubis. The name Anubis is the Greek version of Egypt's Inpw. Also spelled Inpu, or Anpu. Likely pronounced as; Ein-pwu. Anpukanefer is a merge between Inpw, K, and nfR. K, or Ka mean 'soul'. And nfR, or Nefer, meaning beautiful, perfect, great, etc. His name can be translated into Great Soul of Anubis, Beautiful is the Soul of Anubis, He who carries the Perfect Soul of Anubis, etc.
- The Egyptian pantheon was known as the Neteru, or Neturu. Which was a collective term including both Netjer, male gods (Netjeru in plural), and Netjeret, female gods (Netjeruet in plural). The gods were generally divided into three groups: 1, the head gods, often referred to as the Ennead but the number and names vary from dynasty to dynasty and changes depending on what city or village you are in. But generally the most widely accepted Ennead was that of Heliopolis, or Iwenew to the ancient Egyptians, which includes the sun god Atum, his children Shu and Tefnut -the god and goddess of air respectively moisture, their children Geb and Nut, the god of the earth and the goddess of the sky, and their children Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys, respectively the god of the underworld, the goddess of magic and motherhood, the god of desert storms and protection, and the goddess of usefulness and guidess of the Duat. 2, regular gods. Regular gods were gods, like Anubis, Serqet, Heqet etc, who were of enough importance to have cults revolving around them while not being part of the ruling god Ennead. These gods were just as important as the Ennead, but had no positions of power and symbolized every-day functions. And 3, lesser gods. Lesser gods, also sometimes referred to as demons, were divine creatures and personas who - although still technically gods, did not have a cult connected to them. This did not make them unimportant though. Ammit, the devourer was tasked to eat the hearts of those whose crimes were too terrible to enter the afterlife, Shezmu the god of wine and perfume and executioner to the gods put the heads of previously mentioned criminals in wine presses and turned their blood into wine to bring as a welcome gift to those who were let into the afterlife.
- The ancient Egyptians had a rather unique legal system, compared to many other ancient civilizations. They believed not in getting rid of problems through execution, imprisonment or ostracism. Instead they held a tribunal were they settled differences through a series of trials where the dominant people involved had to compete. The ancient Egyptians believed in reconciliation and compensation to reestablish the order of society. Though, in same cases - of course- ostracisms, imprisonment, and execution were used when a tribunal couldn't settle the matter. Things like executions, especially public executions, is a means to frighten others ad make them wary of their actions. This was common in, for example, Rome among many other nations. In Rome they even made games out of public executions. However, the Egyptians didn't believe in frightening people into submission, but inspired the people to loyalty instead.
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