Shevat

Shevat is a country in Xenogears. It plays a key role in fighting against the dominance of Solaris on the surface.

Geography
Shevat was formerly situated atop Babel Tower in the Aquvy region, although currently it wanders the skies. Present day Shevat consists of the city of Aphel Aura, the Palace and docks where the Gears are stored.

History
Shevat was founded in the year 9226, operating atop Babel Tower. Its inhabitants researched the technology in the tower, which greatly expanded their knowledge, making them among the foremost nations on the surface. What is today known as Shevat was formed from an HLV plant loaded on the Eldridge. Shevat was the only country at the time who was aware of the threat that Solaris posed. Over the years Shevat began to form an Anti-Solaris alliance, partnering with Nisan and other countries on the surface. Approximately 500 years before the start of the game, Shevat declared a revolt against Solaris. As the war raged on, Shevat grew distant from Nisan and the influence of its Great Mother, Sophia. In addition, Shevat was trying to posture itself to have rulership over the surface after the war was over. Shevat came to a secret agreement with Solaris' Gazel Ministry to exchange Sophia for Miang. Miang was handed over to Solaris, although Sophia instead sacrificed herself, destroying the Solaris mobile base Merkava by crashing the ship Excalibur into it.

At the time, Shevat was led by a council of elders. Queen fought on the front lines of the battle. The three sages, Taura Melchoir, Balthasar and Gaspar had great influence over the army, although they held no formal governing power. In the aftermath of the war, Miang would be freed from captivity by Lacan, who upon finding would become Grahf and unleash the Diabolos upon the world. Fleeing from the Days of Collapse that resulted, those from Shevat returned to their place atop Babel Tower but took off into the skies, abandoning the surface. Krelian, formerly a part of Nisan's military forces and now aligning himself with Solaris visited Shevat and provided life extension treatments to Zephyr and the three sages. As such all three still live today. Over the years Solaris would launch three separate invasions on Shevat, although all ended in failure. The goals of the invasions were to acquire the omnigear El-Regrs, as well as a second version of the large vessel Excalibur. While Solaris has been unable to eradicate Shevat, Shevat also lacks the ability to rebel against Solaris as it had done so 500 years before. In the present day Shevat continues to wander the skies, principally over the Aquvy region. Like Solaris, it is protected by a Gate which prevents the surface dwellers from having access to it. Shevat periodically sends Constructors to the surface, individuals that were exiled from Solaris and made their way to Shevat.