Ptra (pronounced "Pi-TRAH"), also called the "Great Father," was the god of the sun in the ancient Nehekharan Pantheon. He was the most adored of all the divinities of ancient Nehekhara. Ptra was the great creator, the first to tread the mortal world. He symbolised eternity and immortality and was the ruler of the Nehekharan Pantheon and the creator of the Human race. Although worshiped throughout Nehekhara, the cities of Khemri and Rasetra[1a] and the ancient king Settra claimed him as their special patron.[Needs Source]
Ptra is the only one among the Nehekharan gods who did not have an animal form, but always manifested himself as a Human being. However, his eyes contained all the stars of the firmament, and a single glance was capable of driving any man mad. Many ancient Nehekharan bas-reliefs illustrate Ptra driving a golden chariot through the cycle of night and day, chasing forever his beloved Neru, the Nehekharan moon goddess.[Needs Source]
Myths[]
According to the myths and legends of Nehekhara, in the times before Men, gods walked the world as mortals. It was believed by the ancient Nehekharans that when the Desert Gods first arrived in the Great Land, they fought the armies of vile Daemons and foul spirits that lurked there in great battles that lasted for many centuries.[2a]
In numerous inscriptions, carved on the tombs and monuments of ancient cities, it is written that Ptra, the Sun God and King of the Nehekharan Pantheon, led the final battle against the dark powers. Riding a resplendent golden chariot, he drove the darkness back; even the most powerful Daemon recoiled from the touch of his divine light. Ptra and the Desert Gods were victorious, and the evil ones retreated north to escape destruction.[2a]
Legend says that the Desert Gods then transformed the lands into a verdant realm and ruled there for thousands of years until the birth of the race of Men. It is said that these people were so favoured by the heavens that Ptra himself bestowed upon them the fertile land that would later be called Nehekhara.[2a]
In exchange for their worship, the deities offered to protect and watch over those who dwelt in the Great Land. With the covenant made, the gods nurtured the people of the Human nomadic tribes of the desert, teaching them how to read, write, and build great cities. Thus was the Nehekharan civilisation born.[2a]
Cult of Ptra[]
The ancient priests and acolytes of Ptra were characterized by skin that shined brilliantly in the rays of the sun, and dressed in yellow robes interwoven with gold threads and gold bracelets. On their chest each carried a polished golden solar disk of the temple, which was engraved with sacred hieroglyphics and displayed the image of Ptra and his burning solar chariot.[Needs Source]
In this way, Ptra's priests used to shine almost like the sun, serving as a mortal reflection of the blessings of the Great Father. The priests of Ptra welcomed his arrival at dawn and made sacrifices to the Great Father by sending young slaves to burn to death in large fire pits.[Needs Source]
Connection to Asuryan[]
As is a common theme amongst Human religions, Ptra might just as well be the Human equivalent of Asuryan, creator god of the Elves. Several points can be made for this. Firstly, Ptra and Asuryan are both the creator gods of their own respective pantheons, both symbolise the sun, and both are also married to a moon goddess. In Asuryan's case, Lileath was the goddess of the moon.
Connection to Oermath[]
During the Vampire hysteria of the 16th century IC, druids of the Old Faith were executed for performing blood rituals similar to those of the Arabyan Qu'rashi nomads. Druids were also linked with the Barrow Kings; Undead champions of the pre-Imperial barbarian tribes of Men who rose from their barrow mounds to punish trespassers on their sacred land.
Additionally, an obscure field of druidic lore has been linked with the Vampire prophecies, the most intriguing of which links the old sun god Oermath -- former husband of the Earth Mother Ishernos -- with the Nehekharan sun god Ptra. Scholars have claimed that Ishernos' sister, an obscure moon goddess, granted Nagash's apotheosis for some hidden purpose in the feud with her brother Oermath. According to these theories, Nagash's fourth return to the mortal world would signal the restoration of the Earth Mother.[3a]
Trivia[]
Ptra shares many similarities with the Egyptian god Ra the god of the sun and Ptah, the creator of the universe in Egyptian mythology.
Sources[]
- 1: Nagash the Sorcerer (Novel) by Mike Lee
- 1a: The Nehekharan Pantheon
- 2: Army Book: Tomb Kings (8th Edition)
- 2a: pg. 8
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: The Thousand Thrones (RPG)
- 3a: pg. 158
- Army Book: Tomb Kings (6th Edition)
- Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: The Lure of the Liche Lord (RPG)
- Total War: Warhammer II (PC Game)