View source for Al-Ghato

'''Al-Ghato''' is a desert city-state built around an oasis in the [[Ateno Desert]]. It is the historic capital of the ancient [[Khatt-Ghorl Empire]] which goes as far back as the immediate aftermath of the [[Blackout]] over 2,000 years ago. Some believe their history goes back even further and that the Khatt-Ghorl Empire has historical ties to other worlds beyond [[Yeddo]].

While Al-Ghato see lots of prosperous trade and tourists from across the rest of Yeddo, they have not yet fully assimilated into the [[Federation of Stellar Systems]]. As such, they follow a different legal system than the rest of the Federation. Visitors will find themselves in for a bit of a culture shock upon arrival.

Al-Ghato also has somewhat of a negative reputation for having taken the side of the [[Insurgency]] during the [[Virtual Wars]]. Essentially, they shared far more mutual interests with [[Taranis]] than the Federation. During the war, they were eventually defeated by [[Atenhaten]] and are on in the process of properly joining the Federation. Nevertheless, it is anticipated it will take time for them to adjust themselves to modern society. First and foremost, the Federation has demanded that to be eligible for Federation benefits, Al-Ghato must end its practice of indentured servitude.
==Culture==
===Society===
Al-Ghato society is matriarchal and role-based. Most of the inhabitants are predominately feline [[hybrid]]s and women. Men are considered lower in social status, often taking the role of indentured servants. However, human women and hybrid women are considered fairly equal with little distinction between the two. As such, for any visiting parties, it is considered improper for males to travel alone without at least one accompanying female. Some militants will even attempt to kidnap unaccompanied men to sell them off as slaves. However, since the end of the Virtual Wars, a greater effort has been made to criminalize such behavior.

Women in Al-Ghato society upon turning eighteen are sent on a rite of passage elsewhere in the world to search for one or more mates. Before leaving, they are taught how to dance, how to recite romantic poetry and how to use weapons, particularly dual wielding scimitars. Even centuries later, these customs are still upheld with the aid of modern technology to facilitate. Many undergoing this rite of passage will travel in groups to make the task easier, and some notoriously form all-female bandit gangs.

Children are raised communally, and they more often than not never meet their parents. As such, after a woman completes their rite of passage and finds a mate, it is up to them whether they wish to find more mates or to pursue and develop their personal skills and interests. Men on the other hand are usually raised as either laborers or warriors. They tend to live in separate enclaves which essentially function as barracks. They live in isolation from women supposedly to prevent temptation before they are ready to be taken as a mate.
===Courtship===
Marriage and traditional family units do not exist in Al-Ghato society. When a man is chosen, a brief period of courtship and celebration is done although this is distinct from a proper marriage. Most courtships are polygamous and mates for life are relatively rare and often actively discouraged. After a child is born, they are sent away to be raised by caretakers.

Courtships between the same sex are uncommon, but they are allowed. Those who engage in these relationships are encouraged to become caretakes to compensate for not increasing the population.
===Religion===
The local [[machine god]] that is worshipped in Al-Ghato is known as [[Bastet]] who takes the form of a humanoid lioness. She is regarded as a fierce warrior and defender of the people. It is believed that feline hybrids, especially females, were blessed by the gods to have cat ears to hear their divine wisdom. Likewise, cats are considered sacred creatures and are regarded as spirtual incarnations of Bastet. They are commonly kept as pets, and are considered important enough that the punishment for fatally injuring a cat is execution.

A legend also exists of a Barbarian King, a lion hybrid said to have a mane of fire. The Barbarian King is considered the manifestation of all evil and is said to responsible for all wrongdoing and suffering. All men are believed to  embody some form of the Barbarian King's spirit, and for this reason, they need to be closely watched over to prevent the Barbarian King's manifestation into reality. Theologians believe that the real Barbarian King may have been a [[werewolf]] warlord that terrorized the early Khatt-Ghorl Empire.
==Personalities==
*[[Panthera Sisterhood]] - An assassins' guild that take a variety of jobs, often targeting nobles, corporate officials and other individuals in positions of power.

{{Yeddo}}