Zesharan Empire

This human-led nation is known for its expansionistic agenda. Over the past 50 years, under the current monarch the boundaries of the nation have almost doubled in size, taking in the untamed swaths of the Nebtawi Desert and encroaching on other nation's borders. Unlike the other civilized nations of Midtelos, the Zesharan people have their own religion, Kleshar, also known as The Path. They consider themselves a divinely appointed people led by the will of Esse and the words of his seer Zohayr.

## Government

Something something the elderly leader with the son stepping up as the emperor was all but dead in name.

The government of the nation takes the form of a feudalistic monarchy. Nobles within the nation are granted fiefdoms – partitions of land that they are considered the lords of and pay tax on. To pay this tax, they collect rent from the common folk who work the land. In return for this rent they provide basic amenities, like protection and wells. A portion of rent may be collected in the form of conscription to the local lord, who then may defer that conscription to the military of the capital to cover a portion of their feudal tax.

As owning land is considered a sign of status, many lords who live on the frontier of the Empire seek to expand their influence within the Empire through the expansion into neighboring territories. This expansion is supported by the national military and encouraged for multiple reasons: it allows the Empire to spread the influence of its religion and the wealth of its culture in order to elevate the pagans from their stated of ignorance and squalor into enlightenment and prosperity. It also provides additional taxable land increasing the wealth of the nation, the monarch and the local lord.

## Religion

The religion of the Zesharan Empire is monotheistic and serves Esse, the one true god. The polytheistic religion followed by the rest of the continent is considered to be ignorant and unenlightened. The name of the religion is known as Klesha, or The Path. The Path became revealed to the Zesharan people through the teachings of the seer Zohayr. These teachings have been compiled into a book known as the Kitab.

### The Five Footsteps

For one to walk The Path they must follow in the way of the Five Footsteps: doctrine, fasting, piety, prayer and pilgrimage.

* Doctrine: The belief that “There is no god but Esse” is central to this faith. A supporting belief is “It is only through the guidance of Esse through the words of Zohayr that true path can be found.”
* Fasting: Once a week people who observe the faith choose to fast a meal, often on the holy day of Yulisen. There is also a 38-day period that occurs during the months of Fessuran-Quenpillar in which ritualistic fasting is observed in honor of the 38-day exile of the seer Zohayr.

* Piety: Piety is observed through the act of charity, kindness and hospitality towards one's kinsman. It is also observed through the willingness to lay down one’s life for faith and state.

* Prayer: Within the first hour of every morning and in the last hour before bed, all who observe this religion engage in the act of holy prayer, using the words from the Kitab as a guide.

* Pilgrimage: once every five years all citizens are expected to make a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Faithful near the capital city of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, where the remains of Zohayr are interred. This place is considered to have divine purification power and the ability to free souls from the corruption and stain of foreign influences.

### Additional Beliefs

The following are some of the key teachings from the Path that are relevant for adventurers:

* Esse is considered the creator of all that is, the one who aligns the heavens (planes), and shelters souls from corruption and decay.

* Undead are considered an anathema within this religion. The Shadowfell is also known as “The Unhallowed Lands” and considered as a purgatorywhere things to in an attempt to flee from the power of Esse.

* Planar beings, regardless of whether they are celestials, demons, devils or fey are all considered to be foreign influences, designed to tempt the hearts of people away from the values of Esse. None are to be trusted.

## Magic

Magic study is not considered very common in this nation, often requiring a wealth and time investment not available to most. Those who do study are often members of the noble class, and usually conduct their studies within small enclaves in big cities, which are under heavy watch, regulation and restriction by the monarchy. The most powerful mages are often tested for loyalty and recruited to service under the monarch. Those who fail the test of loyalty often disappear, or meet a sudden and untimely end.

Dunamancy is studied as a school of magic in this nation, as the people believe that Esse has granted them the power to bend the powers of time and space according his will.

Necromancy (specifically, the act of cavorting with undead) is considered an abomination to the teachings of Esse. Magic users who are caught experimenting with necromantic magic are of issued very severe punishment. (As a note: Revivy, Resurrection and Raise Dead are not considered to be necromantic spells due to their ability to restore life).

Warlocks who have made a contract for power from an extra-planar being are considered to be the epitome of corruption. Those who are discovered are often burned alive as symbol of purification.

## Culture

Both dogs and horses are highly valued by the Zesharan culture. Horses in particular are revered as a national symbol of Zesharan culture. Zesharan war horses are known for their elegance, maneuverability and speed, and known to be able to outrun and outlast most other common breeds (except the breeds from the Reich which are also known for endurance). Owning a Zesharan war horse is considered a symbol of status. Most common hauling and endurance work is actually done by camels or donkeys, due to their higher endurance and tolerance for hot and arid conditions.

Dogs are kept as companions both socially and for hunting or war. It is considered a crime in this nation to starve a dog, so ownership of a dog is considered a sign of at least a moderate amount of wealth.

Salt is treasured within the culture for its purification abilities. Religious and purification rites often include salt as a component.

A common greeting among kinsmen is the phrase “Be pleased, brother!” (or sister/kinsman). A kinsman is any person who considers themselves a loyal and devout Zesharan citizen.

A common farewell is “May your path be smooth and your footsteps steady.”

### Racial Dynamics

Humans are the most populous race in the empire and enjoy a slightly higher elevated status over the other races as a result. There is a fair mix of other common races within the lands, however, and these races enjoy the same benefits of Zasharan culture as human citizens. Beastial races, however, may experience discrimination as they are considered by some to represent the unnatural conjoining of person and beast. It is not uncommon to find the occasional storeowner who will refuse to serve a beastkin, particularly as one moves closer to the capital city. Depending on the attitude of the local lord, some fiefdoms may be more hostile than others to the presence of beastkin in their cities or on their lands.

Shapeshifters are similarly seen as suspect within this culture and met with outright hostility, if they are discovered. They are considered seditionists and spreaders of lies and foreign influence, not to be trusted.