Living in Kemtawy (Ancient Egypt), a Custom Quest Novel...

 

 Living in Kemtawy (Ancient Egypt): A Custom Quest Novel by Horus Michael.  
Copyright © 2022 Horus Michael All Rights Reserved.

You are a character within a story that has multiple possible outcomes.  Your decisions will lead to other adventures, or end abruptly.  This is a story about living in Ancient Egypt, but you don’t need to be an Egyptologist to comprehend everything.  

Excerpt:

 (Similar to the Choose-your-own-Adventure Genre):

Foreword: A long time ago

          Thousands of years ago, you lived in a land called Kemtawy (The Dark Lands of the Two States).  The life-giving Nile River would flood each year, offering fertile black mud along the riverbanks, ready to farm.  Through a system of irrigation and cultivation, Kemtawy produced grain and other crops for the people. The produce was stored in large ceramic containers called Granaries, which existed in Temples, Farms, and Palaces.  The Temples contained libraries, schools, theaters, Court rooms, and offices as multipurpose buildings. 

          You were recently admitted to the Temple after your fifth birthday, on advice from your parents. One of your best friends is Nakht, a son of a Scribe.  He recommends the Scribe education, but there are still others to choose from. 

                                                         

Turn to the Next Page.

 

 

          The five listed occupations are displayed on a stone stele, written in Hieratic Script:

          First: Lector Priest, or reader of the holy books. They are usually well-paid. 

          Second: Scribe, or copyist, a general occupation for the Middle Class.

          Third: Soldier, a Military occupation.  The pay is meager, unless you find loot in enemy lands.

          Fourth: Artisan, a craftsman.  Pay is adequate. 

          Fifth: A Farmer; usually paid in bread and beer. 

                                                                  

For Lector Priest – go to page # 12

Scribe – go to page # 13

Soldier – go to page # 14

Artisan – go to page # 15

Farmer – go to page # 16

 

 

Chapter 1: Lector Priest

          You chose to be a Lector priest.  Although it is the highest paid occupation listed, it is also the most intellectual and requires much studying to excel.  The Lector priest performs Last Rites for the dead, the one who reads the Book of Opening of the Mouth, as done in the tomb.  With most people dying at a young age, this work is profitable. 

          For many years you are educated in the art of reading and writing.  You begin by copying from existing texts, learning to draw the Sacred Writing, then having mastered it, you continue with Hieratic (Priestly script).  You copy words onto pieces of recycled pottery shards, on rocks, or used papyrus.  When you reach ten years of age the Overseer gives you access to Magic books.  The books contain lore about the World, the flora and fauna of the desert, about types of stone, and forms of Climate.  They also show Magic Spells, so as to manipulate Natural forces and bind them to your will. 

                                                         

Go to Page # 17

 

 

          One day the Overseer of Works arrives in the Temple, clutching a papyrus roll dripping in blood.  “Praise Set!” he announces.  “An invasion force from the North has penetrated the White Walls of Mennofer.  We need conscripts to defend against them,” he said while searching the collection of Priests that graced his presence. 

          “We are humble Priests, not Soldiers. What good will be done by informing us?” asked Nakhtef, a local Priest of Bes & Isis.

          “Are you not all Sorcerers?” he asked.

          “Well, yes…” the audience agreed.

          “I propose we vote on this,” you said.  “All in favor of sending forth an Army of Akhu say Aye, and all who oppose say Nay.”

         

                                                                  

If you say Aye in favor, Go to Page: # 18

If Nay, Go to Page: # 19

 

 

Your Priests opposed the decision.  The Overseer of Works left the Temple for the Viceroy of Kush to see if any soldiers would help him.  His absence makes you wonder if the decision was a wise one.

          The Temple received a supply of papyrus rolls from another Library.  The Librarian asks you to catalogue each roll according to the name of its author and year it was recorded.  You place each roll into a wine rack hidden by a wall.  Each roll is tied shut with a cord and a piece of wet clay, impressed with the logo of the Temple.  A ring bearer keeps the logo safe.

          A fellow Priestess named Istara asks you for a favor.  She owns a Tailor shop in the Market town below the Temple property.  Her shop doesn’t have an official endorsement from the Temple that would make it exempt from taxes.  She asks you to borrow the Seal and impress a piece of clay on the shop’s Title Papyrus as evidence of an endorsement. 

                                                                            

If you borrow the Seal, go to page: # 21

If not, go to page: # 24

 

MC 2022.