Near Harad

### Allies

The Taurethrim, as well as all Evil factions with the exclusion of the Limwaith.

Near Harad, known to its inhabitants as Ahâr-Zâin, is the greatest and most ancient of nations on the Haradric subcontinent. In its long and glorious history, the people of Ahâr-Zâin have witnessed the rise and fall of various empires, dynasties, and cults. With vast territories expanding throughout the northern regions of Harad, its people have enjoyed years of prosperity, earning reputations as great warriors, architects and explorers.

## History

Near Harad was founded by Karseius on September 22nd 2014, the day the server opened, and he immediately began construction of the city of Ain-al-harad, while his friend RookieNinjas began construction of Poros. After b\_boymasterman offered to recognize Harad’s claim over Harondor and give them a port in Southern Gondor, Karsius backed his claim to the throne of Gondor, which was successful. RookieNinjas then established a fortress at Poros, but on December 5th 2014, Karsius left the server, causing RookieNinjas to ascend to the throne of Serpentlord.

After ascending to the position of Serpentlord, Rookie immediately began assaulting Gondor. Although he won several victories against the Gondorians, he would disappear, and wipeout2099 took over the role of Steward of Harad. He was largely unsuccessful, Harad's hold over the north began to waver, and wipeout ultimately disappeared. One of the last Haradrim, shamiir, fled Harondor for the fertile valley where she established the city of Ajtiaz-al-Harad and became recognized as the ruler of Harad. Karseius returned on February 15th 2015 and once again took up the mantle of Serpentlord, with Rookie returning shortly thereafter. During Karseius's second reign tensions began rising between shamiir and Rookie.

Karseius once again disappeared in late March and he placed shamiir, not Rookie, in command of Harad. Mere days afterwards, Gondor declared war against Harad, and through sheer numbers took Poros. Rookie favored fighting on to the end but shamiir signed a treaty with the Gondorians in which they gave away their Gondorian colony and agreed not to fight Gondor for a month, but retained control over Harondor. Karseius returned shortly thereafter.

Karseius took shamiir's side in her dispute with Rookie and after Rookie continued warmongering and asking foreign factions to aid him in overthrowing Karseius, Karseius decided to reform the Haradric government into a system wherein Vipers would rule swaths of land in his name. He personally ruled the western fertile valley from Ain-al-Harad, shamiir ruled the central fertile valley from Ajtiaz-al-Harad, Skilliar ruled the eastern fertile valley from the Gulf of Harad, and GetWrekt\_ became the Viper of Haradwaith-al-Harad, consisting of Harondor and the desert. With the formation of Haradwaith-al-Harad Rookie's territory was reduced to Poros himself, leaving Rookie furious as he had previously exercised effective control over all of Harondor.

Rookie declared civil war. Karseius was backed by most other factions, shamiir, GetWrekt\_, and Skilliar, leading to Rookie's defeat. Karseius thus granted both Poros and Harondor to Skilliar's brother, denniskolin, and on April 20th 2015 granted a large autonomy to the Vipers in a system known as the Principalities of Harad. Rookie renamed himself to Razum\_Dar and took over the Moredain where he continued causing problems for Karseius.

On May 31st 2015, Ain-al-Harad was suddenly destroyed in a reset and Karseius left the server, causing Skilliar to proclaim himself Emperor of the New Empire of Harad, holding the support of Glydencat of the Moredain, Demon\_26 of the Half-Trolls, and denniskolin of Poros. GetWrekt\_ disappeared shortly thereafter but shamiir, now controlling both the central and western fertile valley fortified herself in Ajtiaz and refused to submit to Skilliar.

On June 7th 2015 Skilliar suddenly abdicated for Karsham, an alias of RookieNinjas, and Karsham established the city of Mu'Taz in the desert. He was quickly banned on June 26th 2015 and Harad fell into chaos. Gondorian forces advanced and conquered Harondor from denniskolin, Mu'Taz was razed to the ground, and Skilliar's Gulf of Harad all but disappeared. Demon\_26 claimed to be the Grand Python of Harad but was defied and driven from the fertile valley by shamiir.

A player known as ekans2012 appeared in the fertile valley, allied with shamiir, and established the Freehold of the Fertile Valley. Karseius eventually returned and founded the city of Astras-al-Harad, and after Harondor was returned from Gondor in exchange for an NAP agreement, the Freehold of the Fertile Valley, Ajtiaz-al-Harad, Mordor, the Moredain, and Umbar swore allegiance to Karseius on July 31st 2015, founding the Astrasi Empire. In August 2015 Karseius abdicated as Emperor for shamiir. ekans2012 replaced shamiir in May 2016, only for shamiir to once again replace him later in the year. After taking up the Imperial Sceptre once again shamiir named stevethebuffalo of Harnen the Serpentlord and ruler of Harad under her.

During this period Ain-al-Harad was refounded and ruled by Karseius, Ajtiaz by shamiir, Astras by LineDino, Harnen by steve, Poros by a plethora of leaders, Cedar Road by Herodain, Crossroads of Harad by ekans, and Gulf of Harad by Skilliar.

On October 4th 2017, the Dwarves led by SquatchThunder declared war on Harad due to the assassination of Squatch by MandatoryPeanut. Although the Dwarves took the city of Harnen, they were defeated at the imperial capital of Ajitiaz and routed. A treaty with the Dwarves was subsequently signed. Shortly afterwards on January 24th 2018, stevethebuffalo agreed to share the position of Serpentlord with Herodain, and named him the sole Serpentlord on February 23rd 2018. Steve retained his title of Astrasi Warlord, however.

On September 3rd, 2018, the long awaited Harad update was released, splitting Harad into many subfactions. Shamiir became the ruler of the Coast Southrons, Herodain began ruling the Gulfings, woow262 the Nomads, and stevethebuffalo the Harnedhrim. Shortly afterwards, on October 12th 2018, shamiir resigned as Empress, and Steve became the Emperor of the Astrasi. Hero later chose to grant MandatoryPeanut, the Lord of the Nomads, the title of co-Serpentlord on February 16th 2019.

Steve left the server and resigned as Emperor on March 20th 2019, and Herodain became the new Emperor. While Hero initially retained the title of co-Serpentlord, he gave this up on April 22nd 2019 and Mandatory became the sole Serpentlord. Several months later on June 30th 2019, Herodain resigned as Emperor in favor of MandatoryPeanut, but Mandatory retained direct control of Harad. Mandatory renamed Near Harad to the Southron League on November 26th 2020.

The Astrasi Empire officially dissolved on March 26th 2020 and Mandatory joined the Alliance of the East in early April 2020. Conflicts within the Alliance led to their withdrawal on December 11th 2020, at which time they became a founding member of the Black Ring Alliance. On November 4th 2020 they additionally became a founding member of the Alliance of the Rising Sun, consisting of many former Astrasi factions.

On June 28th, 2021, the Taurethrim-Mordor War broke out, and Near Harad sided with their Rising Sun ally of the Taurethrim against their Black Ring ally of Mordor, leading to the collapse of the Black Ring Alliance.

On December 26th, 2021, Near Harad, along with the Half-Trolls, refounded the Astrasi Empire. On February 5th 2022 they formed a union known as Greater Harad with Umbar, and on February 19th 2022 officially merged with Umbar. PizzaKingOfPizza now became the co-ruler of Harad with Mandatory and the factions ranking system was overhauled. Then on April 15th, 2021, PizzaKingOfPizza was elected Emperor of the Astrasi Empire and resigned as King of Near Harad, granting MandatoryPeanut full authority over Near Harad. After Pizza's ban and departure from the server in the year 2022, on July 5th. MandatoryPeanut, became the next King of Near Harad, and Hallo\_fi rose to the position of Serpentlord.

All of Near Harad's history in the past two years can be found on the Astrasi Empire wiki.

In the year 2023, on the day of September 8th, 6 days after Near Harad retired the Astrasi Empire, Near Harad declared war on the Limwaith. Even after their disrespect of the Astrasi Empire, the Limwaith would not change their treacherous ways. They showed their true colors by allowing multiple free peoples faction to fight for them in the war. Forodren, Woodland-Realm and Lothorien all declared support. In response Mordor aided Near Harad, and soon the first battle was underway. The war ended shortly after Near Harad suffered a defeat by the hands of the free peoples. Not a single Limwaith member fought in that battle.

That would not be the end of the Free peoples attempts at conquest of the Haradrim lands. On October 10th, the Lossoth declared war on Near Harad. But this was merely a proxy war, so that Forodren could also declare on and fight Near Harad. Forodren, and the Wood-land Realm declared support for the Lossoth. Lothorien were also meant to support the Lossoth, but due to some miscommunication they ended up aiding Near Harad. They left the war shortly after, while Mordor, Dunland, Isengard, Gundabad, and Angmar all declared support for Near Harad. The first battle took place at a highly contested territory, the Isle of Tolfalas. The Lossoth had great number of things riding on this first battle, after paying the Wood-Elves 150,000 coins to fight for them they had to win to not lose anymore net-worth. Unfortunately this was not meant to be and they were swiftly defeated. Wood-Elves soon realizing that fighting in this war was no longer in their favor, they withdrew from the war. Leaving Forodren and Lossoth with no allies, Near Harad the took the momentum and attacked the territory north of the Forodren Capital, Frostbite. After a hard fought battle Near Harad and their allies once again defeated the forces of Lossoth and Forodren, with their second victory in the War. Lossoth/Forodren knew Near Harad's plan well, so they opted to invade the tile Near Harad just won. The forces of Near Harad constructed a war camp in this cold, desolate, and foreign land. Many tents were pitched, and a wooden palisade was erected. The Lossoth assaulted this camp, however much of their force were unknown individuals, likely draftees or conscripts, and as such Near Harad easily routed them. Forodren, ever cowardly, saw themselves in a poor situation and quickly abandoned their ally, leaving the final battle to be another Near Haradric attack, this time on a coastal Lossoth tile just to the north of their war camp.

## Builds

Near Harad is home to some of the greatest and most admired builds on the server. Below is a sample of some of these.

**Ajtiaz an-Ahâr [Being remodeled]** is the second-oldest city in Near Harad and the trading center of the region. It is home to the former Astrasi Empress shamiir. Ajtiaz an-Ahâr was the capital of the Near Haradrim Empire for a short period of time while Shamiir was Serpent-lord of the Old Empire after the disappearance of the previous Serpent-lord RookieNinjas I. After the end of the Principalities of Near Harad and the seizure of power by Skilliar, the city stayed the center of an independent Near Haradrim city-state. Later in history, after the demise of first Astrasi Emperor Karseius II., Ajtiaz an-Ahâr became the capital of the empire again. The great palace of Ajtiaz an-Ahâr is considered to be one of the most beautiful builds in Near Harad. There are major renovations taking place in order to cement its place as a center of power in the newly Reformed Astrasi Empire.

**Crossings of Poros** is the northern most city of Near Harad and has long since stood watching over Near Harad's borders. Poros spent many of its early years between Southron and Gondor ownership, although it has been held by Near Harad for many years.

**Izêm-Ulzuz [WIP]** is a Bazaar located near the edge of the Near Harad desert. There are travelers from Morwaith, Limwaith, as well as the Coast and Nomad haradrim.

**Gâth-azrazâin** is an ancient Númenórean fortress that was built to watch over the coastlands. It has since fallen into the hands of the Near Haradrim. It has been built on the server by Jacobtampico. It is a fort surrounded by multiple orchards with a town nearby.

**Gardens of Barûphel** a beautiful garden built long ago by a jealous Southron Warlord, one among many lovers of the infamous Queen Berúthiel. It is finally finished and is one of the more impressive builds that the southrons have built. The build is just north of the waypoint and was completed in time before the party of the Night of Eternal Summer. Which will be hosted at this build every year on the Sunday before the 21st of June.

**Ugrî-zadîn** is a small but fortified town of Harnennor. It was the site of a ash storm that delivered the Haradrim from gondorian raiders. The town has several farms now because the ash rain has enriched the soil. There is also a mine at the waypoint where the Haradrim can mine salt and lapis which they then send to other parts of the empire.

**Crossings of Harnen** is a fort built upon the mighty crossings of Haren. It was built as a guardhouse against northern invaders. It also servers as a way to monitor those who travel farther south into Harad. The fort lays on the hill to the north of the river and though it is not large in size it is strong enough to last against a prolonged siege.

**Arminazûl [WIP]** is a mighty tower overlooking the sea, this fort oversees the passage of goods and armies from the lands of Rhûn and far Harad. All great traders have at least seen the mighty tower and many have traded at it’s markets.

**Ijdi-ilel [WIP]** is a city of the nomads. It has a statue of a mighty Mumakil displayed nearby.

**Anat-an-Khorumor [WIP]** is a great city of the Umbarim established along the western coast.

**Gate of Umbar [WIP]** is a powerful fortress situated along the road to Umbar City.

**Tolfalas** is a fortress on the northern island of Tolfalas. It is used to raid Gondorians along the coast.

**Corsairs Landing** is a fortress along the Dunland coast. It is shared with the Wild-Men of Dunland and is used as a port where the Corsairs of Umbar resupply as they raid the Free Peoples.

**Astras-al-Harad**  was once the greatest city of Harad but has since been retaken by the world. A pilgrimage spot for Harpy Cultists, the tomb of Emperor Karseius, and other buildings are now being constructed upon the original location.

## Recruitment Requirements

Reach the fortress of Poros to become a full member.

## Ranking system

1) King of Near Harad: Figure head, and ultimate ruler of both Near Harad and Umbar.

2) Serpentlord of Near Harad: The absolutist monarch and ruler of Near Harad.

3) Crown Prince of Umbar: The Crown Prince of Umbar is the right hand of the Monarchs and the heir of the faction. The Prince of Umbar also handles construction and housing within the province of Umbar.

4) Princes of Near Harad: The Princes of the Coast Southrons, Nomads, Gulf, and Harnendhrim. They handle construction and housing within their regions.

5) Warlord of Harad: In the absence of the King in war time, the Warlord of Harad has supreme authority, with aid from the Serpentlord or another Prince.

6) Citizen: Citizen of Near Harad.

## Members

* MandatoryPeanut, King of Near Harad
* Hallo\_fi, Serpentlord of Harad, and Commander of Anat-an-Khorumor
* Black31, Crown Prince of Umbar
* FelisGamerus, Prince of the Gulfings
* fargamer2, Prince of the Border, Master Architect
* Archangel321456, Prince of the Southron Coasts
* King\_Capo, Prince of Harnennor
* Gui\_Yui, Princess of the Sands
* prof\_aronnax, Warlord of Harad
* Celevon, Umbaric Noble and Commander of Gate of Umbar
* Amelius\_Atellius, Umbaric Noble
* LordHorus600
* supernick8
* Titus\_Marcellus
* Delmar
* Bart\_Ranger
* Corvinus\_Fulvus
* ToxicBlox\_SM
* ERCjman
* Spiderking23
* YankeeRebel
* Tunvan\_Hador
* Barakhar\_IV
* David\_wodka
* the\_herooofalllt
* WyomingGuy
* Thatguy\_Nick
* LuckySilverStar
* CoolDanielDaniel
* Smuhg
* jgenny
* a\_toe
* Arksus
* thegreenviper01
* Racingdrum
* dfance
* Blockanone
* Marladain
* Voidskape\_
* LostWarrior63
* Laerorndir
* Vineborn
* Simauk
* Thatguy\_Nick

## Photo Gallery

Mumakil at Ijdi-ilelBlack tower at Ijdi-ilelFront gate at AinAin's market at nightAin's shipyard at nightOld Ain's ruinsLibrary at Old AinIzem's religious plaza at nightIzem's market at sunriseSerpents at IzemCamel racetrack at IzemIzem's canal bankView from pyramid at IzemAjtiaz an-Ahar in the shadeBarracks at GathCourtyard in GathCanals of the Gardens of Baruphel at nightFront to the Gardens of BaruphelCanals of the Gardens of Baruphel in the morning

**Dwarves:**
Durin's Folk •
Kingdom of Khazad-dûm •
Kingdom of Durin's Folk•
The Dwarves of the Mountains of the Wind •
Dwarves of the Red Mountains •
Blue Dwarves •
Dwarves of the Grey Mountains•
Northern Longbeard Dwarves

**Elves and Ents:**
High-Elves •
Rivendell •
Galadhrim •
The Avari Elves •
Wood-Elves •
Dorwinion •
Fangorn

**Orcs and Uruks:**
Angmar •
Dol Guldur •
Gundabad •
Mordor •
Isengard

**Northmen and Dúnedain**
Gondor •
Kingdom of Dale •
Rangers of the North •
The Riders of Rohan •
The Republic of Lebennin •
Dol Amroth •
Dunland •
Hobbits •
Bree •
Wood-Men of Mirkwood

**Peoples of Harad and Rhûn:**
Half-Trolls •
Morwaith •
**Near Harad** •
New Taurethrim Empire •
The Golden Easterlings of Rhúdel •
Eastern Tribes (Far Rhun Easterlings) •
The Variags Of Khand •
Umbar

**Disbanded factions:**
Kingdom Of Anduin •
Galdhrim •
Fire elves •
Kingdom of the Golden Wash •
Kingdom of the Isles •
Rúnandor •
Smaland •
The Northshire Republic •
Clans of the Northmen •
Lossedhil •
The Brotherhood •
Dwarves of Erebor •
Dwarves of the Iron Hills•
The Gladden Fields •
Vanwar •
Thartorogrim •
The Scourge