Emul

Emul is a Makabaki kingdom located in southwestern Roshar during the Era of Solitude. The citizens of Emul are referred to as Emuli. Traditionally a rather independent kingdom, the Desolation and war with Tukar has greatly weakened Emul and left it dependent on others for aid.
== Geography ==
Emul is located in the southeastern portion of the Makabaki basin, which is itself located within southwestern Roshar. It is a mostly landlocked country, bordering an inlet of the Southern Depths along its western border. Tukar is located to the south, Marat to the southeast, Tashikk to the northwest, and Azir to the north. The eastern border of Emul borders a mountain range that contains the Valley, home of the Nightwatcher, and a pass to Greater Hexi. The city of Urithiru is located in these eastern mountains. The capital city of Emul, Sesemalex Dar, is located on the western coast near the border with Tukar. This city is the best port in Emul and rich in trade. Following the war with Tukar, the kingdom was broken into pieces, although they seem to have retained control of the capital.
A large part of the country, primarily in the south and across the southern borders, is in the Drunmu Basin. The basin is wide and flat, with a few small hills and slopes. Pilevines flourish in this area, growing quite tall, and the basin is covered in rosharan grass. It lacks major population centers.
Emul has an area of around 596,000 km2.
== History ==
=== Founding ===
During the Silver Kingdoms Era, Emul was a part of the kingdom of Makabakam. Some time after the collapse of Makabakam, Emul formed its own kingdom with the Dawncity of Sesemalex Dar as its capital. They were largely made up of a tribe of Askarki people. 
It eventually, centuries before the Night of Sorrows, became subject to the Azish Empire but in reality often acted independently. However, the Emuli people felt dominated by Azish imperial authority over these centuries as part of the empire.
=== War and Famine (~1153-1174) ===
A few decades before , Emul was struck by a lurnip famine, and widespread starvation ensued. Ashno of Sages served for a time as one of the greatest Emuli Primes but was replaced by Vexil the Wise. Emul and Tukar had a longstanding feud over the city of Sesemalex Dar, the Emuli capital. The religious significance of the city, as well as its status as an excellent port, made Sesemalex Dar a valuable prize. Since , the two kingdoms have been embroiled in the Eighty's War, the most recent iteration of a religious conflict over control of the city. The Emuli remained in control, but as the war pressed on the fighting went increasingly poorly for the Emuli, with refugees fleeing into the neighboring Tukar.
=== Lead-up to the True Desolation (1174-present) ===
Emul was fragmented into pieces by the war with Tukar and the Voidbringer assaults during the True Desolation, leaving them in no position to stand on their own.
In after the rediscovery of Urithiru, Bondsmith Dalinar Kholin sent entreaties to all the Makabaki kingdoms, attempting to convince them to join his alliance against the Voidbringers. The Alethi realized that with Emul and Tukar at war, they could only hope to convince one or the other. After Tezim's rejection of their offer, they chose to focus on convincing Emul. The Emuli were initially hesitant to involve themselves, still locked in their conflict with the Tukari. However, as the singers moved to muster in Marat, they conquered their way across Emul. Between the loss of territory to both the Voidbringers and the Tukari, much of Emul went up in flames and the princedom was reduced to a fraction of its former size. After this devastating blow to the kingdom, as well as the Azish decision to join the coalition, the Emuli were convinced as well. Vexil the Wise and Ashno of Sages traveled to Azimir and took the Oathgate to Urithiru to treat with the Alethi. They advocated strongly for aid to Emul in retaking their lands from the Tukari, but the other members of the coalition came to the conclusion that this was not a valid use of resources. Highprince Aladar and some of his scribes helped to advise Vexil on fortifying his remaining lands to ensure no further loss of territory.
The following year had the war effort in Emul reach a stand still with multiple skirmishes and attacks by the Skybreakers against coalition forces. The position of the coalition later changed in , when it was agreed unanimously to push into and defeat the singer forces. This effort was ultimately successful. 
However, on , Emul, along with Taskikk, seceded from the Azish empire to join with Odium's forces. They were likely motivated by centuries of oppression and domination under Azish rule. The Azish themselves felt deeply betrayed by this change in allegiances, especially after the campaign in Emul not long prior to the secession.
== Politics ==
=== Government ===
Similar to the culturally dominant Azish, Emul is lead by a leader known as a Prime. As of 1174, the Prime of Emul was Vexil the Wise. It is unknown how the title of Prime is passed, it may be inherited or chosen from among the people, such as done with the Azish Prime Aqasix. The Emuli Prime is often referred to as simply Emul.
Despite the fact that Emul is mostly an autonomous kingdom, they still owe some level of deference to the Azish. For instance the Prime of Emul cannot marry the head monarch of another Makabaki kingdom without the permission of the Prime Aqasix. Emul is traditionally rather independent of Azir compared to the other Makabaki kingdoms, making agreements with other nations on their own, but they have become increasingly weakened as their war with the Tukari drags on. They still often follow Azish lead in matters of global import, such as joining Dalinar's coalition. 
Emul's legal system shows much leniency towards foreigners, although they lack rights such as the ability to own property or a shop in Emul. 
Emul controls at least a few Soulcasters.
=== Military ===
Emul does have a military, but they are not particularly skilled, and are considered to be less capable than Tukari soldiers, one potential reason the Emuli have been losing their war. At least some portion of the Emuli army is made up of men who are normally farmers instead of career soldiers. 
The Emuli view warfare in a unique way; they consider it crass to directly strike another warrior, preferring to do damage from a distance. Accordingly, the bow and arrow is the favored weapon of leaders, then spears, halberds, and finally swords, which are the typical weapons of regular soldiers. Highprince Aladar has begun advising the princedom on defensive tactics, which may help the army improve. 
Certain leaders of the Emuli army are involved in the command of the campaign when the coalition of monarchs launches a mission to retake the Emuli homeland.
=== Foreign Policy ===
There are rules and regulations about passing the border into Emul, and people who pass the border illegally are subject to legal punishment.
== Culture ==
=== Peoples ===
The Emuli people are technically a tribe of the Askarki people, and are ethnically Makabaki with dark brown skin and black hair, and possess epicanthic folds like most Rosharan peoples. Their specific language is unknown, but it is likely a part of the Makabaki language family, and they speak with a smooth accent. 
They are very accommodating and kindly towards foreigners, treating them as relatives that are visiting from afar. They often host foreign strangers for dinner, in exchange for a gift of fruit, particularly those of exotic variety. They are also very reluctant to give offense to others, even for a Makabaki kingdom.
The Emuli have a specific style of dress as well. Men typically wear robes, while women prefer flowing gowns and head-wraps. 
The Emuli traditionally greet old friends by holding their left forefinger to their forehead and bowing respectfully. 
Their cuisine is typically rather salty in flavor.
They are notable for having fantastic crem pottery, which is popular abroad.
=== Religion ===
Rejecting the Almighty, the Emuli believe Jezrien to be the only god. According to their mythology, Jezrien named both their kingdom and their capital, Sesemalex Dar. They refer to him as the Prime Kadasix, praying to him for his favor. 
They seem to hold the other Heralds sacred as well, such as Epan the Lady of Dreams, referring to them as Kadasixes. In fact, wealthy people keep a place in their homes called the Hallowed Hall, where they keep images of the Kadasixes for reverence. 
Their Prayers almost always begin with ‘If the Prime Kadasix may/could provide’ then your prayer follows, and then it ends with ‘thank you’. An example of this is ‘If the Prime Kadasix could provide, it would be very nice if I could know the right thing to do. Thank you.’
The city of Sesemalex Dar is also important in their religion; it is considered to be the Emuli's ancestral homeland, a gift to them from the Heralds. The pattern of the city is also sacred to them and central to their religion, which is one of the reasons they are so desperate to retain control it. The Emuli religion can be described as splinter religion of Vorinism, although which branch is the original is subject to some debate. 
However, the Vorin peoples to the east believe the Emuli to be pagans, despite the similarities between their faiths.
== Economy ==
Emul is still largely agrarian with many people working as farmers, reliant on crops such as tallew and lurnips for survival. The war with Tukar has not been good for the Emuli economy, forcing many farmers to take up arms to repel invaders. This has left their fields vulnerable to raids by people looking to sell the crops for an easy profit. Some Emuli also make a living working as mercenaries in other kingdoms. The southwest coast of Roshar is rich in trade, and Emul's capital Sesemalex Dar is a fantastic port and a major trade waypoint in the area. The city is also renown for its fantastic crem pottery.
== Settlements ==
* Sesemalex Dar - Capital city
* Laqqi
* Holiqqil
== Notable Emuli ==
*Vexil the Wise - Current Emuli Prime
*Ashno of Sages - Former Emuli Prime, considered to be one of the best of all time
*Baxil and Av - two criminals who helped Shalash destroy art for a time
== Trivia ==
* At around 596,000 km2, it is only a little smaller than Ukraine.
 
== Notes ==