Mahaq

Mahaq is the sole city residing in the Arad desert to the South, home to the Aradian population native to the Land of the Nexus. It is run by a commission-based governmental system that rules the city under the leadership of five Heads, each managing industry, security, infrastructure, internal affairs, and religious matters respectively. It is also the current home of Morthrin. Traditionally, Mahaq has been a lower-class city, focusing only on its internal wellness and survival, rarely ever interacting with the outside world. However, with Morthrin's influence, the city's focus has been shifted to growing into an entity that will one day have a lot of power and influence, inspired by the city state of Dhar'valarra. Mahaq's population also seems quite infatuated with knowledge, intellectual discovery, and science, so it may be that the city will spearhead the land's scientific sector. Nothing certain, however, can be determined at this time.

## History

###### Beginnings

The first Aradians can reliably be dated to have existed since around 23 AS. In those days, they were drawn to the desert for its relative seclusion from the rest of the land. Though common resources could not easily be extracted from the region, a nearby swamp provided early sources of food (i.e. frogs and fish) and cypress. Within the first couple of years, the Aradians adapted to desert life and learned to make use of the desert's unique set of provisions. As the years went by, they began to firmly establish a cultural set of traditions that would characterize their people for generations to come.

###### Religious worship in Osmadiel is established

In 107 AS, during the week now referred to as the Week of Ahlam, nearly 80% of the population at that time reported having a vivid and strangely resilient dream. In it, from the stories passed on to the current generation, it is said that trees and crops sprouted from the whispering sands of the Arad. Waters flowed and children played in them. Every sign of unmistakable wealth shown across the vast desert landscape. Looking up towards the horizon, a bright light shown with an angel extending her hand to the dreamer, a flickering sceptre in the other. Most dreamers reported to have taken the hand of the angel. Those that did experienced a rush of wind as buildings instantly shot up from the earth, majestically displacing the sand beneath them. A roar sounded from the heavens, and the sky went dark. The last thing that every single dreamer said that they saw was a dim flag waving through the wind, of purple, black, and yellow. In the weeks that followed, the population agreed that this meant something for the future of their people. They sought out the meaning of the dream from the wisest among them. Many prayed to this angel, not knowing for sure if she actually existed or if she could hear them.

Then, on the 8th of August, 107 AS, a thunderous boom, such as has never been heard since this day, resounded through the entire region. Some Aradians feared what this sound may have meant. Others welcomed it optimistically. Later, during one of their many gathering excursions in the swamp, they witnessed a structure that would change their culture forever. Towering at least 80 meters tall was a shining statue of pure white, depicting an angelic figure appearing very similar to the one from the dream. At the base of the statue lied resources that the region had never seen until now. The following night, the entire Aradian civilization celebrated in a feast that is still observed to this day, known as the Feast of Hadiat (translated literally as feast of the gift). It marked the inception of a religious tradition that exists to this day - the worship of the angelic deity, Osmadiel. She is believed to supernaturally provide for (and now protect) the Aradian civilization, in exchange for their thanks and worship. Priests have suggested there is likely an agenda to her appearance through the Week of Ahlam and the event celebrated by the Feast of Hadiat. As a result, religious leaders have carefully observed the times, searching for answers as to what this agenda may be and how it involves their people.

###### Arads split into two civilizations - Mahaqian and Zakaaran

During 156 AS, a small coalition of Arads set out to discover more lucrative ways to utilize desert resources. In a culmination of a study lasting around two years, revolutions in spice harvesting and insect farming created three brand new substances: Lac, Tannin, and Musk. Their use cases as exotic dyes, perfumes, and, if processed correctly, depressants, immediately raised unique attention towards their economic potential. The idea for creating a trading guild within the Arad civilization was brought to the current leaders, spearheaded by the research group. Contrary to their expectations, the guild proposal was met with a lot of controversy as it contradicted with the present vision for the Aradian people. Three out of the four heads were interested in building a proper city and settling in the northern region of the desert, neighboring the Nmoidreth Expanse. They expressed safety concerns for the culture and health of the people, as this largely exposed their developing civilization. The fourth, however, agreed with the proposal and made an argument for the wealth and greatness of the Aradian people. "Surely our future depends on trade and the influence of other civilzations," he said. "Opportunity wasted is at the expense of our children and their children." After hours of debate, it ended in a stalement between the perspectives of the opportunists, the researchers and the fourth head, and the dreamers, those who believed Osmadiel would make them great in her time as was depicted in the dreams of the Week of Ahlam. The opinions and values developed during that time were so extreme that it caused a split of roughly a third of the current population. They decided that it was in the greater interest of the future of Aradian civilization to pursue a trading lifestyle, surrounding the new spices revolutionized by the research group. This splitoff population almost immediately declared a civilization distinctly separated from the original, calling themselves the Zakaar. They carefully concealed their production secrets. The remaining population, still the undisputable majority, sought to remain strong and demonstrate the superiority of their cultural and religious policies through the beginning of the construction of Mahaq, the First City. Osmadiel's blessings would be their's and their's alone.

###### Mahaqian expansion and Morthrin

For the next one hundred years, Mahaq pursued development with a breadth-focused expansion policy. Cheap, sandstone based homes, shops, and places of congregation were quickly built over the course of the century. During that time, native Arad industry and craftsmanship was developed. A perfectly sufficient cultural ecosystem thrived in the coastal city. Yet, even with all of this, the people wanted more. The expansion efforts and the continued provision from Osmadiel, as good as they were, left the people feeling like they could do so much more - be so much more. It was not until 300 AS that another opportunity came washing onto their borders. During the Summer of that year, Morthrin sailed in from the Haven, having traveled millions of meters west from Dhar'valarra. He offered a mutually beneficial relationship - a trade, if you will. In exchange for his advanced education and experience in politics, he would claim a seat in their leadership. Though skeptical at first, the Arads quickly realized that his words were impressively backed by evident demonstrations of intelligence, skill, and experience. And not only was smart. He was also remarkably sensitive and adaptive to their culture and not overbearing with his own. The heads after a time of careful observation decided that this was in the best interest of the Arads and Mahaq, and so a contract was signed. Morthrin resides in Mahaq to this day.