Endonym: Maahes
Maahes closely resemble large cats, typically Lions and Cheetah, but may also resemble Jaguars, Tigers, and Panthers. They possess very feline features such as a nose and mouth which resemble a cat’s, claws, a tail, and mane-like hair in the case of those that resemble lions. Maahes believe they are the children of the lion-headed Goddesses Oubaste-Sahmat, who symbolizes the constant fight between good and evil and order and chaos. Maahes, thus, strive to live a life of Good and Order in order to stave off Evil and Chaos.
Maahes oppose the Gods Seht and Apep, who represent Evil and Chaos, respectively. Apep was once a guardian of a royal family of Maahes before he engorged himself on the chaotic energy he was meant to protect them from, eventually succumbing to the Chaos and stealing the element of lightning from the Maahes. Seht is the embodiment of Hatred and Evil. Thus the two Gods stand for everything that Maahes strive to defeat.
Maahes find themselves in two separate disputes with Orcs and Yuan-Ti. Yuan-ti are chaotic beings and agents of Apep, and thus stand opposite to the values and ideals of the Maahes. Orcs and Maahes fight over control of the deserts they both occupy. Both races have very similar societies and religious icons, both stand opposed of Apep and Seht, but fight on who remains the rightful protectors of the deserts. However, both races are currently at some form of agreement that Orcs may occupy and control the rivers and deserts, while Maahes control and occupy the oases and savannas.
Society for the Maahes is centered around the absolute rule of one, or in rare cases, two sphinx. Sphinxes are only called upon in the most important cases, but are nonetheless the final authority for any matter of law. For more trivial matters, Maahes are ruled by a pharaoh, a male who is supposedly chosen by the Gods, or in reality, the Sphinx. While the position of pharaoh is reserved for men, the clergy is restricted to women, and, in some cases, holds more sway than even the pharaoh. Male Maahes flaunt and boast their manes as a status symbol and a symbol of might, while women cut their hair short to more closely resemble the Goddess they worship.