Ashsuru

## History

Ashsuru was formed at the end of the **Age of Ancients**, in the shadow of two mountains by nomadic tribesmen of the Rimalharu Desert. The Rimalharu Desert is known for it's dangerous wildlife, apex predators, and of course, the scorching sun - but in the shadow of these two mountains, oddly, the first two are not problems. This is largely due to the **The Kapasat**, a group of incredibly skilled Monster Hunters who have effectively replaced the **Adventurer's Guild** in the **Khaldun Dynasty**.

During it's earliest formation, Ashsuru grew rapidly due to a unique peace that seemed to push away all of the various wildlife, although this was never explained nor explored. Ashsuru quickly found itself becoming a town known for it's large number of Craftsmen, many of them plying their trade in part due to the Kapasat, who regularly required weapons, as many of their's were broken or lost in their fights with the beasts of the desert.

In Year 61 of the Age of Dynasties, Ashsuru went through a large number of disagreements between the various clans, and all-out war nearly happened over the course of several years, before **Clan Khaldun** somehow gained the allegiance of the Kapasat, and convinced them to aid them. This force behind Khaldun's hired soldiers allowed them to secure a tenuous control, and over the next several years, they secured this control before announcing themselves as the **Khaldun Dynasty** in the Year 64, with all other clans becoming subservient to them.

In the current year, Ashsuru serves as the Capital of the Dynasty. With their strategic positioning, trade between Catania and other Kingdoms almost always pass through the ports of Ashsuru, and Ashsuru has been called the Gateway to Tolreiya, meaning that they have an almost constant stream of wealth flowing through the City. This wealth trickles down to the other Cities in the Desert, as many of them dwell on the coast as well.

## Geography

Ashsuru has two bodies of water near them for water, as well as a smaller oasis within the center of the city. For many parts of the day, Ashsuru is shielded from the heat of the sun by the Twin Mountains that tower over the town. Due to the rather chaotic formation of Ashsuru, it is not planned or laid out in any real fashion, although particular districts have developed over time, especially in regards to the Market District, and the Urban areas.

Due to it's rapid expansion over the many years, Ashuru has even expanded to the coast, although as it grew, Clan Khaldun did pass more regulated building laws, and applied more organization to it's layout. The further into the core of the city you go, however, the more chaotic it becomes.

## Inhabitants

The people of Ashsuru are almost exclusively human, and tend to find non-humans strange. But there are some established non-humans within the Town itself, but very few. Despite the lack of other races, there are an incredibly diverse amount of human sub-cultures and races occupying the town, with an incredibly rich variation of cultures clashing constantly. The people of Ashsuru are proud, and seek to innovate in ways that focus more upon their personal comfort and pleasure than they do technologically.

Despite this, it's close trade with other Kingdoms did result in technology coming to Ashsuru and the Dynasty, and it is used in many of the daily lives of it's citizens.

## Religion, Magic, Technology & Military

### Religion

The people of Ashsuru worship the Osirion Pantheon, and have a large Temple dedicated to the entire Pantheon, with Osiris at it's head. Although many smaller temples exist, dedicated to other deities for the Osirion Pantheon.

### Magic

Magic is seen as a gift from the Gods - Divine or Arcane - within Ashsuru, and they are welcomed into the exclusive School of Myth, an academy dedicated to magic, divine and arcane, and honing the abilities given to individuals.

### Technology

Although initially, technology had little presence in Ashsuru, over the many hundreds of years, it found it's place. Technology created by Ashsuru residents is often described as unique and exotic, due to the challenges associated with technological equipment in the desert. Thanks to this, technology created in Ashsuru is significantly more resistant to wear and tear, and seemingly more durable.

### Military

Although for much of it's life, protection of the City-State was left to the Kapasat, as time went on, the various clans felt the need for private militaries. During the Year 61 incident, these private militaries nearly came to blows until Clan Khaldun attained control with their military, and the aid of the Kapasat. After the establishment of the Khaldun Dynasty, the Dynasty put strict regulations on how many men a Clan could have at their disposal, and they had to pledge a certain amount of men to the Dynasty itself, whilst the Dynasty's military grew.

In the current years, Ashsuru's Guards are their own entity, but defend the city alongside the Khaldun Military. More information can be found on the Kingdom page.

## Law & Crime

For enough money, any crime in Ashsuru can be passed over, with the exception of a few. Likewise, however, many things are not crimes as one would ordinarily expect - if it makes money, it's generally welcomed, if nobody gets hurt. The largest example of this is Slavery - despite Slavery being wholly illegal, Ashsuru instead focuses on indentured servitude, through contracts, exorbitant debts and sometimes selling one into it entirely.

**Misdemeanors:**

* Trespass
* Petty theft
* Assault
* Disturbing the peace
* Public drunkenness or lewdness

**Felonies:**

* Riot
* Inciting riot
* Piracy
* Rape
* Destruction of property
* Theft
* Robbery

**Capital Crimes:**

* Murder
* Treason
* Bribery (although this is looked over to the extreme)
* Impersonating any member of the Khaldun Dynasty
* Slavery

## People & Places Of Interest

#### Places

* **School of Myth:** The School of Myth is an enigmatic school located within Ashsuru, dedicated to the study and practice of divine and arcane magic. They have numerous shrines for individuals dedicated to many of the deities of the Osirion Pantheon, and a large number of various classes and teachers for a variety of skill levels and schools of magic. It is run by Lord Anpu Harim.
* **The Worm:** The Worm, despite it's rather unseemly name, is one of the largest and cleanest taverns in Ashsuru; run by an enterprising young Halfling named Kifflewop Brewbeater, it is incredibly well known for it's exceptional food and ale, completely unlike the more common cultural food and drink of Ashsuru. It is also an enterprising place for adventurers seeking jobs, as Ashsuru lacks it's own Adventurer's Guild.
* **The Kapasat Compound:** The Kapasat Compound is as close as Ashsuru will get to an Adventurer's Guild; a walled off and guarded manor acting as a compound for the Monster Hunters of the Kapasat, it is where they train in a large variety of weapons in preparation to fight the beasts of the Rimalharu. It is also where a large amount of knowledge regarding these beasts is stored, to help prepare their Hunters for their duty.
* **The Market Row:** The Market Row, or the Market District as it is often called, is an incredibly long road filled to the brim with a large variety of market stalls, shops and stores. It is almost always bustling, except during the dead of night.
* **The Oasis of Pleasure:** The Oasis of Pleasure is the most popular brothel within Ashsuru, but it also functions as a bar and tavern. Moreover, it also functions as a place where one is most likely to attain illicit goods, deals and services. It is run by a dangerous and skilled Sorceress who goes by Madame Sagira.
* **The Khaldun Palace:** An extremely extravagant - some say too extravagant - palace belonging to the ruling clan, Clan Khaldun. It is a small town in of itself, equipped with an army of Servants, and the Palace Guard.

#### People

* **Madame Sagira:** Madame Sagira is a Human woman who is known for her ownership of the Oasis of Pleasure. It is a lucrative business, but evidently not lucrative enough for Sagira, who constantly branches out to more illicit services and goods, and has been known to even provide Assassinations, should the price be right.
* **Darian Khaldun:** The current Head of the Khaldun Dynasty, and the ruler of Ashsuru. Darian Khaldun is known to be a shrewd, intelligent young man, but rumors abound that perhaps his father's early demise was not an accident.
* **The 13th Princess**: A mysterious figure who lives in a palace in Ashsuru. She does not accept any audiences and uses her handmaiden Yasmine to interact with all who come to her palace.

#### Clans Of Ashsuru

*Ashsuru is run by the Council of the Sands, and only the Heads of powerful Clans are allowed within it. These individuals always scheme and plot against one another for influence and power, and truth be told, only some have the best interests of Ashsuru at heart.*

* **Clan Khaldun:** Clan Khaldun is perhaps the most influential clan, unsurprisingly due to their Leadership of the entire Kingdom, and the one that has Ashsuru closest to their hearts. Among the first of the Nomad Clans to settle Ashsuru, the people of this clan constantly work to improve, keep safe, and work for Ashsuru in every way they can. Their Head is Darian Khaldun.
* **Clan Nassor:** The second oldest clan; Clan Nassor was present at Ashsuru's formation as well, but they work in the opposite, operating in the shadows of Ashsuru, never quite to it's benefit, but always for their own benefit. Their Head is Amun Nassor.
* **Clan Souban:** Clan Souban is a newer clan, compared to the other, older clans, although active at the start of the Age of Dynasties, they have always been primarily concerned with their own empowerment, but they are also procurers of Knowledge. Adamant worshipers of Thoth, and led by a Sorceress, Clan Souban will do anything in their quest for knowledge, although they typically work to the benefit of Ashsuru. Their Head is Panya Souban, a Sorceress known for her skill and her hefty financial contributions to the School of Myth.
* **Clan Maskini:** Clan Maskini is concerned with one thing: Gold. They do the majority of their workings legally, but if it gave a large enough payout - and was relatively safe -, they would absolutely not hesitate to commit a crime. They control the docks of Ashsuru, and have been instrumental in the construction of boats large enough to sail the open sea. Their Head is Kabir Maskini, an elusive woman who has an incredible eye for profit.
* **Clan Tamachus:** Clan Tamachus is most well known for it's exceptional crafting skills. They craft a large number of items, but their most lucrative items tend to be their weaponry. They seem to have a way with the metal, making it stronger than it normally would be. They are also the creators of the unique array of weapons used by the Kapasat. Their Head is Amram Tamachus.
* **Clan Morgen**: Clan Morgen was founded during the start of the Age of Dynasties.  The roots of the clan were based on teaching trades to others and encouraging innovation. They are currently among the pioneers of clockwork technology, and clan holdings have most mundane tasks automated with clockworks.