Royal Sultanate of El Deya

## (600 H.E - 1545 B.E)

Dahiyya *(Silver Pieces)*

Iyya *(Copper Pieces)*

**The** **Royal Sultanate of Medahi Darah El Deyazi**,or simply **El Deya**, was a sultanate in the southern continent of Eliya. It ruled over a considerable amount of territory, occupying an arid and unforgiving land populated by a sparse scattering of cities and countless nomadic settlements.

By the time of the Blessed Era, as the Sultanate neared the end of its reign, it boasted the largest population of any nation in the world despite a relatively harsh climate. It had also grown into a considerable industrial power.

As a sultanate, it was ruled by one sole ruler who was considered to be blessed by the Heavens, although this religious outlook changed greatly due to the rise of Hadism later on. The last to hold the title of sultan was Rabu Maha al-Imani, who ruled from 1501 B.E until dissolution.

It was succeeded by a confederation of sovereign states that later formed the Nasiran Empire in 1567 B.E.

## Information

### Industry

After a period of considerable growth during the early years of the Common Era, El Deya saw the early beginnings of the industry it would eventually come to build. The sultan during this period, Aswar Afzal al-Imani, was relentless in his efforts to build wealth for his nation. He saw the countless towns and cities that sat on the extensive coastline of his country, and how little they had done to capitalise on the potential for trade, and sought to change everything.

As a result, at the turn of the century, in 1100 C.E, El Deya was already experiencing a meteoric rise in its wealth. It had a huge abundance of metals and other precious natural resources that held great potential for trade, ensuring that the nation could secure its future. Additionally, it was during this time that Deyazi blacksmiths and metalworkers began to develop unique techniques that would eventually become its most valuable practices.

By the time of the Blessed Era, El Deya was unequivocally a powerhouse, with capabilities rivalling those of any other kingdoms or empires by a considerable margin. It had hundreds of impressively sized forges working relentlessly across the land, a fact that was especially prominent within major cities where rising columns of smoke became a common sight. Deyazi iron became a major export for the country, in no small part due to its tremendously high quality and comparatively low price, while its more refined steelwork was kept more closely guarded and used for its growing military. Furthermore, Deyazi tradesmen refused to divulge the secrets behind their steel smithing, as it produced a metal that was largely unmatched in its effectiveness when used as plate armour.

In the Imperial Era, the lands that comprised El Deya as a whole had become renowned for their mass production techniques. A combination of unique, advanced forging processes and an abundance of natural resources such as steel allowed the continent of Eliya to rise to meet the modern standards of the era.

### Geography

El Deya had an infamously unforgiving climate, with incredibly hot days and nights that were just as extreme in their bitter chill. Often, both ends of the spectrum caught unsuspecting adventurers unaware and proved either unbearable or lethal in certain circumstances. Furthermore, El Deya's vast and unexplored reaches often played home to a wide variety of dangerous creatures or unexplored tombs containing perilous magic. The native population had adapted well over centuries of endurance and preparation, however, creating settlements of all kinds which proved to be far safer places.

During the time of the Sultanate, its capital city Nahiya was both the largest city in El Deya and in the world. It had multiple ports to the east, south and west, which grew over time to become expansive, complicated harbours in which hundreds of ships could dock at a time. Nahiya was home to fields of sprawling houses and other buildings, having been developed and built up largely without planning. Smoke could be found rising throughout the city from forges working hard, and there were hundreds of market stalls that lined the streets at any time, all freshly stocked by a constant influx of goods.

A very strict system of regulation ensured that all trade was heavily monitored and taxed appropriately, coupled with a long list of forbidden items specific to each city. Only the coastal city of Masara remained unregulated, leading to its quick rise in prominence as a home for adventurers of all kinds.

### Religion

El Deya was primarily a nation that subscribed to Adenist teachings for most of its early years, although practices differed considerably from those of West Astrian cultures. The Church of the Heavens had a considerable presence within its borders, and was the majority religion until the early years of the Common Era. An increase in trade and wealth had invited more and more into Deyazi lands, leading to an influx of travellers and nomads from Hadist lands such as the neighbouring expanse of Hareen.

By the later years of the Blessed Era, as the Church of the Imperial Creed was disassembling the power of traditional Adenist teachings and the Church of the Heavens was losing favour among many across Esria, Hadism had spread throughout El Deya to become the majority religion. Minor religions had rose to greater prominence, too, such as those beliefs held by the zealots known as Riegel's Children.

### Population

The Deyazi people were a hardened sort shaped by the sun. They could easily be identified by their skin, much darker than other cultures on Esria, and had hair of a similarly shadowed tone. Most people had black hair until naturally greying, though dark brown and reddish hues were also not uncommon.

They spoke two languages, Deyazi and the far more antiquated High Nasiran, which was used by diplomats, other officials within the sultanate and those with an abundance of wealth who spoke it within socially elevated circles.

A significant portion of the population lived outside of the rule of the Sultanate, although they still technically inhabited its borders. They travelled as nomads without homes in grand caravans, or set up temporary settlements able to be relocated at a moment's notice. These caravans were large in number, existing commonly in more inaccessible regions in pursuit of greater freedom and a much less governed existence. This lifestyle historically lent itself well to would-be mages, who found themselves practising potent magic away from cities where it may have otherwise caused problems.

## History

### Dissolution of the Sultanate

a huge swath of tribal leaders just waiting to get out from under the thumb of the monarchy

revolts in decentralised areas = most of el deya

you can have those with power rise up

even commonfolk, viziers, chancellors

rogue emirs, rogue shahs and all that shit

the sultanate was dissolved as a decision by a group of people who have the recognised authority to make it so - 2 factions prevail out of the talks and people ally to them, but they can't settle on who gets what