Ramal Nations Back Story

The Ramal Nations are, first and foremost, a people of survivors. They call the Sand Seas their home: an expanse of dry, harsh, desert land. Their history can be traced back for thousands of years, but their time under the control of the Ramal Nations is fairly recent in the history of Indagar. Living and dying by the flooding of their rivers during the yearly stormy season, the people of the Sand Seas have long since learned how to eek out a life in a hostile environment, and thanks to the rise of the Ramaltas, The Republic, and Blood Magic, have even begun to thrive.

The Ramaltas (the title given to the leaders of the Nations) are ruthless politicians and the leaders of extensive criminal organizations who have come to power over city-states as their benevolent leaders. Living under the rule of a Ramaltas can be a great life, but crossing a Ramaltas can leave you dead or worse.

## Life on the Sand Seas

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Life on the Sand Seas can take one of two paths: living within the borders of an established city-state along one of the main rivers or as a nomad within the desert wastes. Since the rise of the Ramaltas, the life of a nomad has become much more controlled and less dangerous than the past; days of being criminals and bandits has been exchanged for merchants and herders. Likewise, life within the city-states has become even more appealing to the populace, and the sprawl of the cities has been significant.

To live in a city-state, a denizen of the Sand Seas finds themselves in a society controlled by a rich aristocracy and may earn their way within those cities as craftsmen, artisans, engineers, or political figures. Or, they find themselves living from year to year, depending on the river floods to provide water to grow crops. The rich aristocracy of the cities act as a despotic council, headed by a single, powerful Ramaltas, and they pass not only the laws of the city but also control its protection and the protection of nearby farmland. Rising from the station of farmer to city leader is possible, usually through working the ranks of the Ramaltas's network and becoming an indispensable part of city operations.

Life in the desert is a stark contrast, one without laws, rules, or the trappings of civilization. However, it is also hard and treacherous as the Sand Seas stretch for hundreds of miles without water or reprieve from the sun. The people who call this land home are nomads or bandits, surviving by having found an underground well or oasis to establish a base of operations and then either by stealing from the city-states or by doing jobs for the Ramaltas. These groups of raiders are often seen as barbaric, trading for or stealing everything they need to survive. These people may be trained warriors or simply high-class bandits, and they use their martial skills for the gain of their band or as mercenary forces for the Ramaltas. It is important to note that since the rise of the Ramaltas, it is no longer safe to simply be a stand-alone group of raiders, and almost all desert nomads work in the employ of a Ramaltas and not always for the best of intentions.

## Ramal City Nations

Each Ramal City, effectively a city state or nation, is a sovereign power controlled by the Ramaltas who leads that city. The city nations (a.k.a. city state) are not all equal, with some cities, and subsequently the cities controlling Ramaltas, varying in relative wealth, power, and resources. The city nations closest to the Teeth are also wealthier as access to rich mineral and ore deposits in the teeth not only provides material wealth for those cities but also valuable trade goods which can be shipped down river to other city nations. This is not to say that other city nations are mineral poor as they may have access to other valuable resources. In short, all city nations exist around the three major rivers of the Sand Seas as it is the yearly flooding of these rivers which sustains agriculture in the cities.

As there are three major rivers which source in the Teeth, there corresponds three major city nations, known as the **Hepa**. As you travel further down river, there are subsequently less powerful but very influential city powers known as the **Atta**. Finally, further north up the Karma and Hmadi rivers are the two **Alis**, city nations key for northern trade routes.

**Ramal City Nations (States)**

* Pudukhepa
* Tadukhepa
* Shuttuhepa
* Tushratta
* Eribaratta
* Kiyaratta
* Muwatalis
* Suppalialis

## The Ramaltas

 File:Sultan.jpg
The highest political figures of the city-states of the Sand Seas are the Ramaltas. Ramaltas act as the head of a council of aristocrats, which in turn act as near dictators to control a particular city-state along one of the rivers of the Sand Seas. To imagine the Ramaltas and their position of power, it is easiest to think of them as a leader of a group of businesses or even a criminal organization. The aristocracy of the city-states are their board members or captains, and the Ramaltas acts as the ruler of them all with the power of a king. Ramaltas rise to power largely through two means: fear and competency. By fear, Ramaltas have been able to amass a group of followers, either within a city-state or perhaps through wheeling and dealing with desert raider bands to establish a power base. If an aristocrat doesn't wish to obey the Ramaltas, he may find himself never waking from a night's sleep. Of course, such brutality is frowned upon in high society as the aristocracy is always scared of appearing too domineering by the populaces they control, and thus, often the power bases of a Ramaltas are actually networked criminal organizations which operate in the shadows.

Of course, fear and brutality isn't the only way to the top. Many Ramaltas are also very good at politics and stewardship, able to generate plenty of gold for the aristocracy and the city through more lawful means such as trade, invention, engineering, or simply a solid business sense. Of course, there are also the less lawful means of extortion and criminal enterprise that some Ramaltas are also quite good at managing.

The rule of a Ramaltas is typically dynastic, but should the son or daughter of a Ramaltas not live up to the same standards of their parents, it's not uncommon for another aristocrat with his own networks to seize power either through a bloody battle among criminal organizations or perhaps through significant political pressure.

Ramaltas are the kings of their city-state nations, and the aristocracy of the city are vassals and wealthy business leaders supporting their power. The rule of a Ramaltas is iron clad and enforced by his connections and personal guard. The people of the city-state, often not aware of the criminal behavior that many Ramaltas engage in, see the Ramaltas as bringers of law, order, and prosperity to their city. They believe these kings keep the desert nomads at bay, make sure that water is always available, and keep trading routes safe. Ramaltas generally live up to this role as well, and the best Ramaltas are adored by the people of a city while also maintaining an iron grip on power.

Ramaltas are also military commanders, charged with the defense of their city-state, and some ambitious Ramaltas are also conquerors, seeking to bring other city-states under their control. And now, in the post-Republic world, the most ambitious Ramaltas have begun to conspire on raids, or even large scale action, outside of the Sand Seas. In preparation, these bold Ramaltas have begun amassing wealth and networks of patch work armies, retaining mercenaries from the various strata of desert life, and plotting in the shadows. Some Ramaltas have gone so far as to begin training in battlefield tactics and campaign strategy.

**Learn more about**: History of the Ramaltas

## Nation Politics

With the Ramaltas acting as the king of a city-state, administration of law, order, and civil work is done by the aristocracy. Acting as a set of vassals to the Ramaltas, the aristocracy are rich and powerful individuals who themselves control networks of both legitimate businesses and government institutions as well as less legitimate, clandestine forces either in the The Unbodied or perhaps desert nomads. These aristocrats act in the name of the Ramaltas and are typically appointed to a specific positions of governance over all the City-State. These positions are the Kasentas (Head of the Ramaltas Guard), the Dubtas (Head of the Scribes), the Gestas (Head of the Stewards), and the Tarentas (Head of the Guilds).

Beneath the aristocrats are business leaders, organization leaders, and of course, criminal bosses. These underlings work their way up on in their organization of choice, rising into station from all walks of life. Although the city-state is an aristocracy, entry into the aristocracy is gained through personal merit and hard work. It is with some irony, then, that the Ramal Nations offer a very upwardly mobile and free society even though it may be built and sustained off a criminal under-belly.

**Learn more about**: Hierarchy of the Ramal Nations, Kasentas, Dubtas, Gestas, Tarentas, Challenge Festivals

## Networks

The networks of both the Ramaltas and their aristocrats are an important part of the order and stability of a city-state. These network resources may be functioning government bodies or they may be clandestine operations of criminals and thieves. Each network is controlled at the top by the Ramaltas or another aristocrat, and they do not act with impunity either among themselves or among others.

Often, if the leader of an organization is found lacking, he will be replaced by a powerful higher-up. Or, if he finds himself on the wrong side of politics, may even find himself dead. Therefore, it is important within the network of a Ramaltas to be loyal and competent, and of course, lucky.

Networks are created by Ramaltas to control the city-state and surrounding lands. They often stretch into the desert where raiding bands are on a Ramaltas's payroll, and they act as protection for the city-state from others in the desert. They may also act as enforcers or even raid another city-state in an act of espionage or reprisal for the actions of other Ramaltas.

Networks also encompass The Unbodied, organizations of thieves, extortionists, and mercenaries who are under the control of a Ramaltas or an aristocrat. Should a farmer or business leader find himself on the wrong side of a Ramaltas, he may also find himself on the wrong-side of an extortion scheme or a poisoned dagger.

While only spoken about in hushed voices, the Blood Cults also exist under the protection of the Ramaltas, and they are often a Ramaltas's most treasured resource. Blood Mages train in the arts of Blood Magic and provide a Ramaltas with access to tremendous power. In return, the Ramaltas protects them from the rest of society as having a Blood Cult as one's neighbor isn't exactly appealing to the general populace.

Governing bodies and institutions, run more as businesses of the people than as a governmental organization, also provide outlets for the power of a Ramaltas. This may include the banking industry, trade guilds, or even the groups in charge of the city's water supply or engineers.

## Blood Cults

 File:BloodMage.png
Blood Cults are powerful and clandestine organizations that exist within the city-states of the Sand Seas. The halls of the Blood Cults are where the study of Blood Magic takes place and where Blood Mages and Blood Cult Assassins are trained. Considered the darkest art of magic, the practice of Blood Magic can be terrifying and is often viewed as such by outsiders due to the large amounts of blood that must be spilled to research it. For everyone's, Blood Cults do not operate openly and instead are established in secret and protected by the Ramaltas.

The Ramaltas benefits from this relationship because the Blood Cults provide the Ramaltas with some of the greatest powers available on Indagar, Blood Spirits. Further, the technological advances of the Blood Cults have proven through history to make the Ramaltas even richer and more powerful. Therefore, the symbiotic relationship between a Ramaltas and the Blood Cults exists such that the Blood Cults give the Ramaltas a power base while the Ramaltas provides the Blood Cult with a means to operate away from the judging eyes of society.

Blood Cults have their own leadership, often a single, powerful Blood Mage who oversees a hierarchy of trained Blood Mages. Each Blood Cult operates independently of other cults. However, Blood Cults do share knowledge and often visit each other to learn and trade secrets. Within the Blood Cult, many researchers spend their lives studying Blood Magic to further their power. Others are responsible for the manufacturing of Blood Spirits by taking normal Spirits and infusing them with Blood Magic. Still others are responsible for the day to day operations of the cult.

The Blood Cults do have a militant arm that operate as assassins. Originally put into place to ensure that the Blood Cults would not be discovered by prying eyes, now Blood Cult Assassins are trained killers who can be hired by almost anyone with enough gold to dispatch an enemy or rival. These warriors are trained from childhood and infused daily with Blood Spirits, until they become something a bit more than human and quite monstrous in appearance. This practice is very similar to that used on the Demons of the Cabal. Blood Cult Assassins are the most feared assassins in the world, able to completely alter reality through Blood Magic, make a target magically disappear, and and even render the magically enhanced to be no more than puppets. Blood Cult Assassins have been hired by Ramaltas, foreigners, and have even undertaken famous missions to assassinate world leaders outside of Indagar.

**Learn more about:** Blood Thaumaturgy, Blood Pact, Blood Mage, Blood Spirits

## Desert Bands

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The life of the desert bands, also referred to commonly as Desert Raiders, is a harsh existence within the glaring heat and bone dry sands of the Sand Seas. People who live in the desert do so by establishing encampments either around underground springs or an oasis discovered in the desert. These encampments are fiercely defended as they are the real root of existence for these people.

Becoming a band member is not generally done by choice, as life in the city-states is typically much more inviting and fulfilling. Often, the bands are there because they were ejected from society or are on the run from the law or the eyes of a Ramaltas. As such, these bands are typically not more than thugs, bandits, and criminals. There is no real life of value in a desert encampment. There are no families, few if any children, and the crude huts they build are hardly considered homes. Thus, the life of a band member is typically wandering the Sand Seas seeking opportunities for plunder, on a task handed down by the Raid Boss of the encampment.

Raid Bosses are long time raiders who have been in the desert for years. They work their way up among the group through skill and brutality, and are barely more than warlords. Thus, they often come to station by killing the previous boss, and they maintain their station by making sure no one else can kill them. They rule their bands with a lethality and unquestioning authority that cannot be challenged.

Raider bands used to subsist in the Sand Seas, terrorizing and plundering farmers and villagers on the great rivers. However, the rise of the Ramaltas and city-states has changed all of that. The Ramaltas derive most of their power by appearing to be benefactors of the people of the Sand Seas, and using their power and wealth, have put an end to the worst groups of raiders. Those that remain, however, are typically there by consent of the Ramaltas and now act as their muscle out in the desert. Thus raiders often now receive their jobs from the Ramaltas. They may be used to raid other city-states or their villages, or perhaps to simply safeguard trade caravans as they make their way in-land to the foreign nations of Indagar. By and large, in modern times these raiders exist by the will of the Ramaltas. Should any raid group get out of control, they will meet a swift and brutal end at the point of the halberds of the Ramaltas Guard.

## The Unbodied

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The Unbodied are a loosely organized guild of criminals, extortionists, thieves, and muscle. Their lack of official structure and the fact that most of the members do not even know the names of other members is the reason for their name of The Unbodied. These men and women are often the true power base of a Ramaltas, providing them with the power to manipulate society or the aristocrats from the shadows. In many ways, the Unbodied are based upon the code of honor among thieves, and various criminal leaders are in charge of the different factions within the guild.

To become a member of the Unbodied, a person would fall into or be recruited into the criminal life. This typically begins with small time jobs such as theft, and through skill and smarts, may one day result in being in charge of their own band of thieves.

Life within the Unbodied is dangerous since there is often no record of you, and therefore, your death is uncounted. However, it can also be rewarding. Operating almost above the law, the members of the Unbodied have a lot of power, and as the people of a city-state rarely, if ever, have run-ins with the the Unbodied, they go without notice or reprisal. Such shadowed operations are critical as the Ramaltas never want to appear as if they are overtly working with criminal elements within society. Therefore, many members of the Unbodied are well paid and use their wealth to also establish themselves within their communities as benefactors often appearing as businessmen or simply philanthropists.

However, should one ever cross an Unbodied, it is bound to result in a shortened life.

**Learn more about:** The Unbodied

## Life within the City-State Kingdom of a Ramal

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The life of the average denizen of a Ramaltas' city-state is actually quite fulfilling, despite the presence of the more unsavory elements of their society. As a farmer, craftsman, businessperson, or government official, city-states offer a lot in terms of ability to establish wealth, raise families, and live a happy life. With the Ramaltas there to protect them from the desert raiders and to ensure the safety and prosperity of a city-state, the people in the city view their Ramaltas as great benefactors and benevolent figures.

Farmers typically own a plot of land within the flood plains of one of the great rivers. Each season, when the storms pound against the Teeth, the rivers flood and provide much needed nutrients and water to the region. Thus, seasonal preparations begin some time before the floods, and the food produced from these family farms is sold at market within the city-state. Many people of the Ramal Nations are farmers and enjoy a peaceful life sowing fields and managing productive farm land.

The Ramal Nations also brought basic education to the region and operate paid schools whereupon people can send children to learn reading, writing, and basic arithmetic skills. Seen as yet another way to improve one's station, educated individuals can live and work within the city-state, bolstering the ranks of artisans, craftsmen, and engineers. Life within the city proper is usually among crowded streets and dense packs of homes and businesses.

The culture of these city-states can vary wildly from place to place, where each city maintains its own traditions, customs, and dialects. Traveling through the city-states of the Ramal Nations is considered a hobby of the rich from the foreign regions as the sights of a bustling desert city, especially one during a festival or holiday, are truly worth beholding.

Also Learn about: Ramal Lifestyle

## The Ramaltas Guard (Kasene)

 File:TheSultanGuard.jpg
The Ramaltas Guard, also known as the Kasene, are a trained military force under the direct command of the Ramaltas. These soldiers are limited in number, extremely well paid, and are fiercely loyal to their Ramaltas. As the last line of defense, the Ramaltas Guard protect the life of a Ramaltas from their enemies and are also often used to keep their aristocrats in line. These men and women do not enforce the laws of the Aristocracy as that is a job left for the Enforcers.

As a personal guard, the Kasene often live within the palace of a Ramaltas and can be seen patrolling or standing guard therein. They are led by a Captain of the Guard (officially referred to as the Kasentas), the strongest warriors in the Ramal Nations, but are more often directed by the Kasentas' subordinates.

Kasene are equipped with the finest armor money can buy and will wear the colors of their Ramaltas's family crest. Their armor is made of chain mail with plates woven in at the hips and the chest areas, and they wield halberds as a primary weapon. Kasene are pulled from the the victors of a Challenge Festival, and often the wealth generated by being a Kasene is what buys their loyalty. As such, Kasene will live and die for a Ramaltas and also train their skills daily to become a terrifying martial force.

**Learn more about**: Kasentas

## Geography of the Sand Seas

The Sand Seas stretch over the south-eastern region of Indagar. It is a region of several hundred miles known for rolling sand dunes and a harsh, dry environment. Bordered to the north of the Sand Seas is the Sand Ocean, a strip of land that stretches from the eastern coast of Indagar to the middle of the continent. This strip of land is so desolate that it is almost impassable to all but the best prepared, and even then, only with guides. It is the Sand Ocean which kept the people of the Sand Seas isolated from the rest of Indagar for thousands of years. Now, however, the Southern Highway stretches through this region, and with the rise of the Ramaltas, trade thrives through this region.

Along the southern coast of Indagar are the Teeth, a very steep range of mountains which runs along the coast line. This mountain range is what creates the Sand Seas by acting as a rain shadow against most of the year's rain. However, during the rainy season, more powerful storms will dump huge amounts of water on the Teeth in violent downpours. During that period, the mountains filter water down to flood the great rivers of the Sand Seas and ultimately provide the source of life for the people in the desert. The great rivers of Neket, Karma, and Hmadi all flow north from this mountain range and provide the life blood of the city-states that exist on their banks.

--Neil (talk) 16:52, 24 October 2016 (AST)