Nakhti

The Nakhti are a race of humans related to Earth's ancient Egyptian race.

Nakhti society
Nakhti society is grounded in ancient Egypt. Most Nakhti still hold ancient traditions in high regard, but their technology has evolved significantly over time. The Nakhti are led from the Nakhti homeworld by their emperor. Nakhti individuals are given the names of the gods from classical Egyptian religion. The name "Nakhti" is an Egyptian personal name as well.

One of the most notable Nakhti is Anubis, Nakhti emperor after winning the Nakhti Ascension Rites in Unreal Championship 2. Another is Selket, his main competitor who he was forced to kill to win the Rites. By Anubis's request she was resurrected as a Necris by the Liandri Mining Corporation.

Nakhti technology
Traditional Nakhti Mêlée weapons are the Legion Sword (named after the Imperial Legion, the Nakhti army), the Nakhti Staff, the dual-wielded Nakhti Swords, and the Nakhti axe, all based upon ancient designs but upgraded with the latest technology in weapon design. Nakhti weaponry can be recognised by its aquamarine glow.

A popular firearm is the Nakhti Scorpion, a dual-wielded rapid-fire energy pistols loosely based on the TCA Dispersion Pistol design.

Nakhti Ascension Rites
Once the Nakhti emperor becomes incapable of leading his or her people, a competition called the Ascension Rites will be held, and its winner will become the new emperor. Only Nakhti individuals can become emperor, but in UC2, the Liandri Mining Corporation sponsors the Ascension Rites with little respect for tradition, and turns it into a qualifying tournament for the Liandri Grand Tournament, enabling outsiders to fight in the earlier matches.

Nakhti evolution
The Nakhti first appear in UC2, and will return in Unreal Tournament 3 (or the other way around from the Unreal universe's perspective).

Unreal Tournament, and UT2003/UT2004 already featured Egyptian-looking levels such as DOM-Sesmar, but they were mostly traditional-looking designs with very little proof of technological advancements. With UT2003/4 came a team of Egyptians which were inspired mostly by traditional Egyptian wardrobe. This team was re-imagined for UC2, where they received a background story and turned into the Nakhti.