Agrabah

The Great Dune Sea

The Sultanate of Agrabah is located at the southern most point of the continent where most its terrain consists of arid inhospitable desert or barren landforms. Agrabah is bordered by Costa del Oro to the west, the Land of Black Sand to the east, and Lethlania to the north. However, formal borders have never been established delineating territory, so the exact size of the Sultanate is not precisely known. It has been generally understood that the Seven Deserts region as a whole is considered to fall under the influence and policies of Agrabah more so than any other political power in Fantasia.

The Sultanate is currently ruled over by Sultan Ja'far al-Mansur.

## Geography

A land where it's flat and immense, the heat is intense, it's barbaric, but hey, it's home. The Sultanate of Agrabah occupies roughly 30% of the arid southern region of Fantasia known as the Seven Deserts or The Maghreb. The geography is dominated by the Great Dune Sea and associated semi-desert and shrubland. It is, in fact, a number of linked deserts throughout the north and eastern parts of the country, creating the world's largest contiguous sand desert.

There are virtually no rivers or lakes in the country, but wadis are numerous. The few fertile areas are to be found in the alluvial deposits in wadis, basins, and oases. With the exception of the southern most province, Agrabah has a desert climate with extremely high day-time temperatures and a sharp temperature drop at night.

Agrabah's coastline is characterized by its soft sand and cold waters that give rise to dense ocean fog that persists for most of the year. The wind blows out from the land to the sea, the climate is inhospitable, and constant heavy surf. Getting ashore is easy, but with such rough waves, it's nearly impossible to launch from its sandy coast.

## History

Prior to the establishment of the formal Sultanate, the Seven Deserts region as a whole was populated by nomadic tribal societies in the inhospitable desert. After the establishment of a magically stable water source by the great Bobolonious, the first Sultanate was created, centering in Agrabah. Following his death, the territory of the Sultante expanded its territory over a century to include almost all of the Seven Deserts, including the Land of Black Sand.

The Sultanate thrived as an major political force on the continent as it consolidated its natural resources and used its unique network of trade routes to become a major economic hub for the continent.

## Economy

Agrabah has a strong economy primarily based upon a robust network of trade routes throughout the Seven Deserts navigable only by native inhabitants. It is also the sole producer of a variety of salts, spices, and incense, with 60% of all export earnings coming from the salt trade. The southern coastline also allowed the Sultanate to have immediate access to goods imported from southern lands across the sea. This allowed for price setting for a myriad of monopolies on exotic goods and luxuries traded within Fantasia.

As such the majority of the Sultanate's revenue is gained from the exporting of Agrabah specific goods and a monopolized continental distribution of imported items.

### The Royal Bank

The country's economy is carefully planned and administered by the guiding hand of the Royal Bank of Agrabah, the economic arm of the Sultanate. It acts as a financial steward for the whole of Agrabah, managing the revenues collected by taxes and ensuring that it recirculated in productive means for the country. It is the primary source of funds used by the Sultanate to engage in major projects. It also offers banking services for the citizens of Agrabah and is the largest insurer for merchants and caravans. The Royal Bank is an institution with incredible influence across Fantasia, regardless of whether or not the continent is aware of that fact.

## Culture

The culture of Agrabah is heavily influenced by the environment and Islam. As a result, the society is deeply religious, conservative, traditional and family-oriented. Many of the customs and attitudes held by the larger society are centuries-old.

The harsh landscape has also helped instill a sense of frugality and protective attitudes regarding what few resources Agrabadians do possess. This resourcefulness has made the country home to some of the most successful merchants in Fantasia.

This also makes the population both extremely loyal to their own, and suspicious of outsiders. Even within the country, rival tribes continue to engage in regular disputes. However, it is said that once you have earned the friendship of an Agrabadian, you have it for life.

### Religion

Islam has existed in Agrabah and the Maghreb for as long as anyone can remember and it acts as the social glue that holds the country together. No individual living in Agrabah cannot be considered a true Agrabadian unless they are also a Muslim. By law all citizens of the country must also subscribe to Islam as the focus of their social and spiritual lives. The Quran dictates much of of the daily lives of Agrabadians. Everything from Agrabah law, how they conduct business, and even the diet has been defined in no small party by the the words of The Prophet Muhammad (praise be unto him).

Five times a day, the entirety of the Maghreb stops what it is doing and will turn toward the Kaaba in order to pray. In a very real sense, the monument serves as the focal point of Agrabadian society. All true Muslims will know precisely the direction of the Kaaba during prayer, and navigate their lives around it.

## Locations within Agrabah

### Palace of the Sultan

A wondrous structure in which the Sultan of Agrabah resides. The palace is set upon the top of rocky hills overlooking the city of Agrabah that sprawls beneath it. It is also built into the side of a large granite formation incorporating the small mountain as part of its natural defense. Adorned by tall pointed arches, rounded domes, and minarets, its architecture is unlike any other. The white stronghold is not an obvious military structure, but it can nevertheless fend off any invading force. Most days, its outermost walls are open to allow people to freely enter the massive gardens and large open courtyard. Within its walls lay the royal mosque, madressa, library, and clinic open to all Agrabadians, which can be found at each corner of the first walled enclosure of the palace. The Kaaba, the mystical structure at the center of their religion can be found in the middle of the courtyard, open to sky and the people. The Sultan resides within the palace but can often be found overlooking the courtyard and his citizens from his wide balcony. It is said that the palace cuts deep inside the lonely mountain in the middle of the dunes, and that great power can be found within it.

### The Kaaba

Within the middle of the courtyard, is the Kaaba, the massive black cube that represents the site from which the Prophet Muhammad (praise be unto him) ascended to heaven, as well as the might and stability of Agrabah. It sits at the center of a shallow square pool guarded by a short gate that could easily be jumped over should any fool attempt it. But none in Agrabah are so blasphemous to do so. Five times a day, every citizen of Agrabah face the Kaaba, and send their prayers toward it. No matter where any Agrabadian is in the world, they can somehow find the correct direction to which they send their love, hope, and wishes.

Once a year, during the Haj, all members of the faith can approach the Kaaba, and touch it directly. Thousands walk barefoot into the pool and circle around it, their hands gently caressing its smooth dark surface. It is a ritual that has existed in this land for as long as anyone can remember, and it gives great joy and comfort to all. It has great power, which all Agrabadians respect, even if they cannot understand it.

### Mina Masar

It is the city at the end of the searing dunes, and the port on the foggy horizon. Dubae is a city of contradiction, caught between the desert and the sea, it serves as a unique oasis to all who manage to enter its gates. As such, it attracts all kinds, merchants, artists, scholars, and most of all, opportunists.

It exists because it lies on the only major rocky outcrop on the Skeleton Coast large enough to house a harbor. This makes it the only reliable means in and out of the country by sea. The walls surrounding the city has protected it since before the formal establishment of the current Sultanate. The Sea Gate serves as both a functional deterrent to attack and as a symbolic reminder of the quiet strength of Agrabah.

Most imports to Fantasia enter through the Sea Gate and the majority of exports from the continent depart from the Sea Gate. As such, the Royal Bank hosts many of its larger offices in the city to better monitor and manage the complex network of traders and merchants.

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**Wishing Wells** - TBA

**Small Towns** - TBA