In the year 0BH [103SA], a column of fire fell from heaven and, speaking in tongues, ordered the warrior Bhamot to carry its message into the world. This was the Miracle of Bhamot, one of the cornerstones of the Bhamoti faith. For over 100 years after this event, the Bhamoti spread their new faith to the people on their island and sent missionaries into the hill around Lake Bhamot. In the year 128BH [231SA] a Rogizini Emir attempted to invade the island to check the spread of the new faith. His army was decimated and the Bhamoti seized the hills south of Lake Bhamot. After their victory, the Bhamoti expanded into the Black Forest, converted its people and built a civilization. In the year 136BH [239SA], they founded Kasha to celebrate their victories for the faith.
Three generations of peace followed the founding of Kasha. Radical theologians believe that this peace, when Adonai wished that his word be spread, caused the century of pain that followed. Beginning around the year 197BH [300SA], Bhamotin suffered from serious plagues, Climan raids and Rogizini ambushes. In the year 416 they fought a major war with the Cerulean Empire and were badly beaten. For the next 45 years, they paid the Ceruleans a yearly tribute in order to retain their independence.
The Cerulean tribute ended in the reign of Toval Maresh as Primate of the Citadel (329 - 382BH [432-485SA]). In the year 347BH [450SA], taking a Cerulean invasion of Hadat as an opportunity, Toval ended the tribute and declared war. In a short war (357 - 358BH [460-461SA]) Bhamotin scored a major victory and the Ceruleans withdrew. During the rest of his reign, Toval increased the might of Bhamotin, built a network of military roads, began the monastic orders and ordered the construction of Bhamotin's first war fleet. On his death (at the age of 98), Bhamotin was on its way to becoming a major power.
Bhamotin's march to glory was postponed by Toval's successor, Kravas the Blind (382 - 390BH [485-493SA]). To honor Toval, Kravas ordered Bhamotin's fleet to sweep the Climans from the seas. The effort failed and the fleet was shattered. For two years after this debacle the Climans raided Bhamotin. Finally, the Climans shifted their attention elsewhere. Until the year 500BH [603SA], Bhamotin refrained for further military action and worked to recover from the "Climan Debacle," which they view as one of the most humiliating pages in their history.
Peace ended when the Primate Zenara was killed by Rogizini raiders while inspecting the southern frontier (500BH [603SA]). Her successor, Provinius Malcon (500 - 531BH [603-634SA]), invaded the Rogizini Empire to exact revenge. In this war (500 - 508BH [603-611SA]) Bhamotin shattered two Rogizini armies and captured A'zan (renamed Provini in honor of the Primate).
In the year 728BH [831SA], after 200 years of prosperity, the Cerulean Empire attacked. Due to the leadership of the Primate Zer (712 - 729BH [815-832SA]) Bhamotin was almost conquered. In 729BH [832SA] Zer was replaced by Foyar the Bold (729 - 758BH [832-861SA]). Foyar fought the Ceruleans for the better part of his reign. Finally, in the year 747BH [850SA], the war ended with a bloody victory in the Valley of Shame. Within a month after this week long battle the Ceruleans withdrew and the Rogizini Empire attacked. In the Rogizini war (747 - 749BH [850-852SA]) Bhamotin sacked Tilal and defeated a 50,000-man Rogizini army in battle (though outnumbered more than 5-to-1). Foyar spent the final years of his reign reforming many of Bhamotin's monastic orders into Chivalrous orders, to provide the nation with well-trained defenders in time of war.
Since Foyar's reign, Bhamotin has become a power. At sea, they have defeated the Climans and conquered some of the small islands held by that nation. They are one of the dominant naval powers in the Sea of Tears and one of the most progressive forces of Law in the world.
The nation's four cities are Bhamotin (39,000), the capital, Kasha (22,000), Vistair (14,000) and Provini (13,000). The total population of the nation is 360,000.
Bhamotin's regular army consists of 12,000 footmen and 2,000 cavalry. They also have 15 Chivalrous Orders who provide soldiers for many purposes. The total strength of these orders is 2,000 footmen and 2,000 cavalry.
NOTE - The oldest Chivalrous Order is the Order of the Fiery Citadel, founded in 751BH [854SA]. It has a strength of 400 footmen and 400 cavalry. It defends the Citadel in Bhamotin and serves as the Primate's personal guard. Another Elite Order is the Order of the River, founded in 754BH [857SA]. It has 600 footmen and is dedicated to defending the Paiten river against Rogizini and Cerulean invaders. They occupy three fortresses on this waterway. The other 13 orders in the land serve various defense and missionary functions. Their total strength is 1,000 footmen and 1,600 cavalry. All members of the Chivalrous Orders are elite knights. They are armored in chainmail, plate mail or plate armor and carry shields in battle.
Bhamotin's fleet is controlled by the Primate through his Bishop Admiral. It contains 100 warships, including 45 trireme size or larger. Their fleet also has 1,600 elite marines who serve on their larger vessels. (They are one of a few nations who have trained marines.)
Bhamotin has a strong economy. Its foundation is agriculture and fishing. The hill regions produce high quality wood and have extensive mines. The primary metals found there are iron, copper and tin. They are noted producers of decent quality metal work and woven fabrics.
Bhamotin has some sea trade. Given the endemic Climan problem, it is not as strong as it could be. Their main trade partner is Marentia. They also have overland trade with their other neighbors though it is controlled because the Primacy has no trust for Cerulea or the Rogizini Empire.
Bhamotin is fanatically lawful. Their major god is Metatron. They are intolerant of all other faiths. Bhamotin considers heresy, sacrilege and other religious crimes to be the most heinous crimes of all.
The Bhamoti are kind, generous and devout. Unless they have cause to dislike a stranger, they treat him fairly. When a stranger endangers them, attacks their land or property, or commits acts of heresy or sacrilege, they are unforgiving. They give people the benefit of the doubt in most situations. Where no doubt exists, they give the person the treatment his actions have earned.
Bhamotin is a theocracy ruled by an elected Primate. Under this Primate is a council of Archbishops and Soldier-Bishops who govern the land, command the armed forces and fill important government posts. The Primate is elected by this council, from among their number, for life. Bhamotin has an organized society with an equitable court system. The judge for any trial is the highest ranking churchman available at the time, i.e., who can come within two weeks of the arrest. The standard criminal penalties are imprisonment and death. Felons sentenced to more than two years in prison are sent to Provar, the nation's penitentiary. At Provar, prisoners work in the mines until they die or their sentence has been served.
Conditions in this prison are horrendous. Elsewhere in Bhamotin, prison conditions are good.
NOTE - Provar is three miles south of Provini. Its convicts are kept in a pit with a small lake at its center. The pit is dug in sand and surrounded by wood walls. Its walls are glassy and almost unclimbable, due to a magical treatment by the prison's builder. The only way into, or out of, the pit is on a wooden platform that is raised and lowered with a hoist. The prison also has an adobe building where the garrison lives and where important prisoners are kept. Under the current warden, all prisoners are crowded into the pit unless they can pay for the luxury of an unlighted cell in the prison building.
Bhamotin has friendly relations with the Rizeela and treaties with both Aratad and Vahear. The treaty with Aratad is an alliance against Clima. The treaty with Vahear is aimed at the Cerulean and Rogizini Empires.
Bhamotin is the enemy of Clima, the Rogizini Empire and the Cerulean Empire. All of these nations return Bhamotin's hatred.
Falchion, Pike, Short Sword
The Bhamoti are related to the Rizeela and the Bal'sani. They merge the appearance of those peoples.
It is the year 997 in this calendar. Bhamotin's calendar is used by Bhamotin and the Rizeela. It dates from the Miracle of Bhamot. The legend is:
During a severe winter the villages were starving. Bhamot, the greatest hunter in the land, swore that he would find meat and would not return until he had more than two hands could carry. With this vow he entered the rough lands of the interior. A full month passed and, when search parties failed to find him, he was given up for dead. Because of his reputation, and the fact that he sacrificed himself in a quest to save his brothers, a pyre was built in his honor on the highest hill on the island. As soon as it was lit, the winds died and the sun blackened. From the center of the flames, Bhamot strode out to his people dressed in fine robes with hair the color of the sun. In a voice that filled the island he told of his adventure and revealed the mystery of the sacred pillar. From that day, until he mounted the sky in flames, Bhamot led the people in the service of the true god - Metatron.