Nasr Satrapies

In this area are located the **Nasr Satrapies**, a political-religious alliance of three states, the **Hadji**, **Fenix** and **Calyx** satrapies.

The Satrapies are known for their spice markets and arena gladiator fights. Privateers from these nations are infamous in the neighbouring lands, as their sailors are known for causing a ruckus whenever they go, trying to seduce local women.

They are also known for raiding down the Furlaniya into the coastal cities of Changrila. A defensive pact formed between the Furlaniya City States, the Nasr Satrapies and the Kingdom of Azhar Nar, fearing the expansion of the Empire to the East.

## History

The arid Pi Xuon Cape and the lands to the south have been home to many different tribes that hail from the west for the past millenia. These tribes had built their centres of civilization near the coast, and as thus they were quickly distinguished as excellent sailors, and even better pirates.

### Under the Azan Empire

These people were known by foreigners as "the Nasr", since that's what they call they call the Pi Xuon Cape in their various dialects. The Nasr used to pay tribute to the Dragon Emperors eons ago, although they were mostly independent and autonomous. Around a thousand and three hundred years ago, however, the rejuvenated Azan army landed on the shores of the Nasr, aiming to reclaim control of this area like their ancestors did.

Since the Nasrians were split between bickering warlords - also known as Satraps - , they could not hope to match the might of the Azanneese army. And as such, the Nasr warlords bended their knee to the generals of Azan, once again under the boot of the dragonlords.

This time, Azan did not leave the Nasr to their own devices. Many Azaneese officers and magisters settled in Nasr, building their palaces and villas, and Azan constantly favored the Nasr warlords that would remain loyal to the crown. Over time, power and wealth consolidated around three cities - Spinx, Farok and Sorgadae - home to the three most powerful warlords of Nasr. However, that did not stop many of coastal settlements to raid temples and towns from the Maneater Islands to the Huan Ho-Sei Sea.

### Independence

A few hundred years passed and a war broke out between Azan and its most powerful vassal - Changrila. The Empire's status and military might had long been undermined, and this was the final straw. Many nations, including some Nasr satraps, alligned themselves with the Changrilese. Even though they did not manage to seize control of the Empire as they wanted, they were able to earn their independence. This gave birth to many states, like Lorient, and of course the Nasr Satrapies.

### Conquest of Ganex and the Satrap union

At first, there were many independent satrapies, with many satraps vying for control over the lands, as Azan was no longer around to keep them in check. After some decades of infighting, four satrapies had control of most of the land. Those were Calyx, Fenix, Hadji and Ganex. Sensing weakness among the satrapies, the wealthy nation of Limonaint, with Lorient by its side, waged war. The area that belonged to the satrap of Ganex was swiftly conquered by the Lemontais in a humiliating defeat.

The rest of the satraps, fearing that the same fate would behold them sooner than later, united their strengths. A historical treaty was signed in the small city of Rdina, where a new union was formed between the three satrapies. After that and ever since, the satraps were succesful in defending their borders from the Lorientais.

### Conquest of Azhar Nar and the aftermath

War gave its place to peace, and Nasr prospered. Trade flourished, and the three cities of Spinx, Farok and Sargadae became immensely rich, even moreso than the cities of Azhar Nar to the west. This was thanks to the blooming herb, spice and silk trade that flowed from Huan Ho-Sei Sea to the Xi-Hin Sun Strait and beyond.

Sensing an opportunity for conquest, the Nasr satraps set their eyes to the west and the decentralized Azhar Nar arifas. An invasion was soon launched, and after many years of skirmishes and battles alongside the west coast, a peace treaty was signed, with the satrap of Calyx keeping hold of most of the western and southern shore of Azhar Nar.

This occupation lasted for almost a hundred years, until a young man known as Misrah tas-Sur united the arifas of Azhar Nar and kicked the Nasrians out of their lands. Many battles and attempts of a reconquest were made by the satraps, but ultimately at no cost, as they were repelled time and time again by the reinforced Azharnarese army. Not only that, but many millitary commanders and noblemen of Nasr were unwilling to participate or fully reinforce the subsequent invasions, as many of their kinsmen and family members were held as hostages in the former Nasrian lands of Azhar Nar.

The last war between Azhar Nar and the Nasr was fought about 50 years ago, as they put their differences aside and formed a fragile defensive pact alongside Furlaniya in order to protect themselves from the expanding Changrila empire.

## The Satrapies

The federation of Nasr is split between three satrapies, Calyx, Hadji and Fenix, each led by its own satrap. Many smaller lords are beneath these satraps, some being former warlords themselves.

### Calyx

Calyx is the smallest of the three satrapies, although it used to be the wealthiest. The majority of the armed forces that were used in the invasion of Azhar Nar were from Calyx, and consequently the satrap of Calyx was the one that controlled most of the land in Saraqusta and Bashar. Since many settlers from Calyx moved with their families in Azhar Nar, the satrapy lost much of its newfound wealth.

Its capital is the city of Farok, standing at the western tip of the peninsula. It's well renowned for the huge arenas that house glamorous gladiator battles, as well as its exotic (to the Azaneese) spice and silk markets.

### Fenix

The satrapy of Fenix is the most millitaristic of the three, and also the most sparsely populated one. The satrap of Fenix consolidated a strong army to fight off the Lorientais to the south, a tradition that has been upheld ever since. It's capital is the city of Sorgadae, a city built in a natural harbor situated on a small bay. It's well known for its huge temples and giant marble and sandstone sculptures.

Sorgadae is also the home of the House of Maraal, a secretive guild of alchemists that are known for their deadly concoctions and poisons which have been responsible for the death of many satraps and kings in Nasr history.

### Hadji

The satrapy of Hadji is by far the biggest and also the wealthiest. Most corsairs and pirates that have given a bad name to the Nasr hail from Hadji, but what's even more famous than the Nasr pirates is Spinx - Hadji's capital - also known as the "City of a Million Riches".

At the height of Nasr's political and mercantile influence, Spinx was the richest city of the southwest, only rivaled by the metropolis of Fenqui and the capital city of the Azan Empire, Nananikor. That's because of its incredible strategic location, as it's situated right on the shores that overlook the Mahun-Oh Lei Tei's strait (also known as Mahun). Its direct access to the Huan Ho-Sei sea, as well as control over all sea trade in and out of Changrila led to Spinx accumulating enormous wealth throughout the years, with many ivory, ebony and golden palaces, arenas, temples, squares, domes and other luxurious buildings being built all over the city.

As the infleunce of Changrila grew, so did Hadji's, although the last few decades have been unkind to Spinx, as the all so souring relations between Changrila and its neighbors have taken a toll at the sea trade, with many Changrilese merchants preferring to take alternative routes.

Spinx is the most diverse of all Nasr cities, and oen can spy many exotic animals and merchandise from all over the south at its busy bazaars. Some have said that the satrap of Hadjii personally owns twenty huge elephants, given to him as a gift by the Mahud of the Mumak.

## Geography

The inland of the Nasr peninsula is arid with few vegetation and can be described as a desert, although more hospitable than the Maula desert to the north. Apart from small settlements along the rivers and the few oases, the majority of the population centres are formed on the coast. Despite that, Nasr's climate is perfect for cultivating a variety of plants, like olive, lemon and palm trees.

Near the centre of the peninsula there is a large mountain range - known as the Apex Mountains - which encompasses large parts of the Hadji and Fenix satrapies. Many salt lakes lie at the edge of these mountains.

## Economy

The economy of the Nasr relies on sea trade, primarily with Azhar Nar, Lorient, Changrila, Furlaniya and Azan. The primary exports of Nasr are spices, silk, salt, fish and fruit from various trees such as date palm. Many foreign merchants frequent the busy bazaars of the coastal cities, where they can ply their trade using a creole merchant language developed between the ports of Changrila, Azhar Nar and Furlaniya.

## Culture

The Nasr are known for two things - gladiator battles and piracy. Gladiator battles were developed in the smaller inland villages around the rivers hundreds of years ago, and were traditionally done until all but one gladiator were dead. The victor was hailed as a local hero and granted women and riches until the next battle ensued. Nowadays, gladiator battles are seen more as a sport - especially in the larger cities - and most gladiators don't fight until death.

Regardless, Gladiator battles are as popular as ever, with many foreign warriors travelling to cities such as Spinx, Sorgadae and Farok to test their mettle against the local heroes.

Nasr pirates, corsairs and privateers are infamous throughout the southwestern portion of Giantstep. Raids have been conducted as far south as Asvaran and as far north as Chrysovica, although they mostly operate around the Huan Ho-Sei sea, the Lorient Gulf and the Gulf of the Yellow Sand. Most pirate crews are based around the northern coast of Hadjii, and their raids mostly target wealthy coastal or riverside cities and merchant ships of Furlaniya, Azan, Lorient and Changrila.

Capturing slaves and gold is the main purpose of these pirate raids, although some captains have capture entired cities in the past, even though they weren't able to hold them for long. Such was the terror they inflicted that coastal cities were seldom built on the Huan Ho-Sei Sea, forcing many people from Changrila to build their settlements further inland.

Piracy has diminished the past 100 years, although it's now seeing a return, with even more pirate raids being done now that less Changrilese wealth flows towards Nasr.

## Religion

The vast majority of the Nasr follow the monotheistic religion of Avestanianism. It's possibly older than the Dragon faith of Azan, being present in the Nasr peninsula for many millenia, but rarely spreading outside of it, with exceptions in Dsrvysth and Nasr settlers in Azhar Nar.

The Avestanianist faithful follow the teachings of the prophet Avestan imprinted in the holy book of Saoshyanta. Charity, abstence of sin and luxury, as well as heavy emphasis on the afterlife are some aspects of Avestanianism. Its clergy consists only of ritually castrated males, who wear a a white face veil while inside their holy temples. Although followed by peasants and nobles alike, its more fervent worshippers are found in the smaller settlements, especially in the satrap of Fenix amongst the desert dwellers.

## Warfare

Unlike their neighbors from Azhar Nar, the Nasr infantrymen and corsairs alike prefer wearing light armor instead of chainmail and heavy, steel plate armor. Many Nasr pirates prefer using curved swords such as scimitars and cutlasses, although they refrain from using spears and shields, unlike many in the Satrapies' armies.

The Nasr are also adept at magic. Historically, many female sorceress have been employed by the Nasr armies. Those women were known as "Gul l’Abis", and were usually groomed for their roles since they were little girls. The source of their magic power is unknown. Many believe it derives from a mysterious meteor crater that stands in the middle of a salt lake in the depths of the Nasr drylands, while others just boil it down to genetics.

The Nasr warriors are known for their use of enchanted weapons, created by renowned craftsmen known as "Runewrights". The craft of enchanting has been kept tightly as a secret by the Nasr runewrights, and consequently their services are sought out throughout the southwest and beyond. For thar reason alone, the Nasr satraps have to shower the runewrights in riches in order for them to not leave their services in favor of Azan, Changrila or other wealthy patrons.

Although not widely used in the army, many warriors from the inland villages use camels as battle steeds, as well as travel mounts used by salt merchants in order to carry their merchandise in and out of the desert.

## Demographics

Nasr is almost exclusively human, with the locals making up the overwhelming majority of the population. The largest percentage of foreigner resides in the coastal cities (where 80% of Nasr's total population resides in). Those foreigners are mostly merchants from Changrila, Lorient, Limontais, Azan and Azhar Nar as well as mercenaries from Furlaniya and Ampleazzo.

The few hobbits, dwarves, zulutaurs, trolls and elves that find themselves in Nasr are seen as exotic and paraded around the bazaars as oddities from lands far away.

## Foreign Relations

### Azhar Nar

They have recently joined a defensive pact against Changrila. Despite that, the memories of the invasion have soured their relationship, and their alliance is one out of necessity and not friendship. Traces of Nasr culture and religion are still evident in the places conquered and settled by the satrapies.

### Fûrlaniya

Likewise with Azhar Nar, they have joined a defensive pact against Changrila. The Furlaniyans are generally distrustful against the Nasr, however, due to centuries of pirate raids on their shores.

### Changrila

A defensive pact against Changrila has been formed between Nasr, Azhar Nar and Furlaniya, thanks to Changrila's expansionist policies towards the western realms. Changrilese cities have been the main target of pirate raids, with many corsairs sailing upriver in search of wealthy cities they can plunder. Despite that, Changrila has been Nasr's main trading partner for centuries.

### Azan Empire

The Nasr are a proud people, and as thus see the centuries where they were under the Azaneese as dark times. Despite that, relations between the two nations nowadays range from nonexistent to good, and most temples erected by the Azaneese are still intact, albeit with few worshippers in their halls.

### Lorient and Lemon Kingdom

These nations are hostile towards the Nasr, a feeling that's mutual. The dynasty members of the former satrap of Ganex have continuously tried to rally the Fenix and Hadji satraps to wage war against them and reconquer the lands up to the Ganex river and beyond, although such notions have been dismissed, as a front to the south would leave them vulnerable in the coast against Changrila.

### Civilized Trolls

Some brave pirates may - from time to time - sail down the Huan Ho-Sei sea in search of physically strong Trolls that make good slaves, although many of these raids have been fruitless, and the virtually poor lands of the trolls have dissuaded many pirates from undertaking such labors.

### Maneater Islands, Ogchuk Fiefdoms, Terusia and Hithlone

Many pirate lords from Nasr have settled in the Maneater Islands before, while others prefer raiding the lands of the Ogchuk as they make an easier, albeit less attractive prey. Some corsairs prefer raiding the lands of Terusia thanks to their attractive women of elven descent, while the most ambitious ones try to intercept rich merchant barques from Hithlone, although those are almost always heavily guarded.