Akalate of Dasmazar

The kingdom of **Dasmazar,** also called **Dasmatuš**, is an island nation in the Gulf of Rahen, off the northern coast of Sarhal. It is the last stronghold of the Maqeti people.

## History

### Origin

In 916 AA, a human Bulwari slave named Maqet led an uprising against his gnollish oppressors. The rebellion was initially successful, but by 926 the gnolls had turned their full military force on it and begun crushing it. Most of the slaves fled southeast across the Salahad Desert, led by Maqet's son Dasma and aided by the Mašnsih nomads.

In 930, Dasma finally reached the coast of the Gulf of Rahen. There were gnolls living there, but he led his people to attack and massacre them, then freed the local slaves. Dasma organized the people into a kingdom, which he named Dasmazar (“Dasma’s Paradise”). His people renamed themselves the Maqeti, and the family szal-Maqet ("blood of Maqet") still rules the nation to this day.

### Fall of the kingdom

Dasmazar enjoyed relative peace for some decades due to the natural barrier of the Salahad desert. However, in the 11th century, Jaher’s conquests drove the gnolls out of Bulwar. Many went south and attacked Dasmazar. In 1047, Dasmazar sent ambassadors to ask Jaher for help and the elf pledged his aid. However, Jaher never delivered on his promise before dying in 1127. With the subsequent fracturing of the Phoenix Empire, Dasmazar had to stand alone.

After centuries of conflict, the gnolls finally overwhelmed Dasmazar in 1432. Most Maqetis were re-enslaved on farming plantations in the ruins of their kingdom. Some managed to sail to the island of Dasmatuš (“Dasma’s Rest”) using ships provided by the Raheni nation of Sarkhashabid. In exchange, Sarkhashabid received the island of Subkaliss, which the Maqetis had settled after it was abandoned in the 815 destruction of Edesukeru.

### Life on Dasmatuš

The surviving Maqeti re-established their society on Dasmatuš. Despite this defeat, they consider their society a continuation of the old kingdom, and themselves the rightful rulers of their old mainland territory.

Dasmatuš maintains a relatively large naval fleet as a deterrent against gnollish attack. They regularly raid gnollish ships in order to liberate slaves and take resources. In addition, they train an elite unit of amphibious infantry, the Maqet Gumar (“Followers of Maqet”), who specialize in boarding raids.

Despite being ruled by an autocratic monarchy, Dasmatis pride themselves on being an egalitarian country where everyone descends from slaves and anyone can become a noble. They are beloved by the peoples enslaved by the gnolls, and they are known as tough and resilient folk.

## Geography

Dasmazar proper was located on the southwest coast of the Gulf of Rahen. The area has a hot, semi-arid climate, but is more fertile and hospitable than the deserts to the north and west due to the moderating influence of cold air currents coming off the ocean. Incense plants, spices and coffee beans are all grown here.

The land is very flat and sandy in the west, and more sparsely inhabited. Going east we come across a sudden mountain, called Maqetšad ("Maqet's Mountain") by the Maqeti and Xhogrix ("Red Mountain") by the gnolls, which is the source of several rivers that flow through the area. The richest land is found around this mountain and it was the heart of the old kingdom. After that there is a somewhat hilly region with middling soil, before we reach the eastern end of the Maqeti domain and the vast savanna beyond.

The island of Dasmatuš is actually two small islands, one larger than the other, however they are generally referred to together. It too is relatively fertile, especially for the cultivation of spice plants. In the centre of the larger island is a sacred mausoleum where the Maqeti bury their kings and queens.

## Azka-szel-Udam

Azka-szel-Udam ("Fortress of the Free") is a large, fortified temple complex located on the Dasmati mainland. It was built soon after the founding of Dasmazar, under the guidance of Dasma himself, and it is the oldest Sun Cult temple outside of Bulwar. It is considered a major holy site for the Old Sun Cult due to having never been conquered by the elven New Sun Cult, unlike Bulwar. Of course, the gnolls who currently rule Azka-szel-Udam are certainly not friendly to pilgrims.