Ar-Selukk

Steward(s)
 Capital
 Language
 Deity

Ar-Selukk is a nation rich in beauty and culture, the home of artists and poets, zealots and philosophers, dreamers and madmen; the streets of its capital Qhul Rahav are alive with the sounds of music, haggling merchants, public debate and devout chanting. Formerly ruled by Sav-Synav the Gilded, any who find strength in vision and inspiration will inevitably hear the siren call of Ar-Selukk. However, for all its beauty, there is danger there. All manner of thieves and scoundrels lurk in the badlands, strange cults and dark philosophies gather adherents from among the desert tribes, and many fear for the future of the nation without a worthy patron to guide its wild energy.

## History

Ar-Selukk was founded in the earliest days of A'therys, when Sav-Synav was a devious and deadly trickster-god. According to the legend, the country was once a green and prosperous land inhabited by two kingdoms, Tamat-Olrun in the northeast and Rannek-zur-Ranne'eth in the southwest. The warlock-kings of both kingdoms were powerful and wise, and though they quarreled, each knew that unless they found peace, their lands would be brought to ruin. And so, when young Sav-Synav offered to lend his silver tongue to the warlocks as a mediator between them, both were relieved and agreed without hesitation. However, whenever one of the kings called upon him, he would tell only lies, and poison one's mind against the other, and in this way filled both with suspicion and rage. When at last war was declared between the nations and the Anur yav-Qar'ren dawned, the fighting was so terrible and cruel, and such terrible magics were brought to bear, that the whole of the land was scorched and ruined, a land of hot sand and merciless sun. Sav-Synav walked upon this new land, and claimed it for himself as payment for his skillful mediation. Too few had survived to deny him this prize.

The Shining Land of the Inspired, as it is often referred to, consists of both Qhul Rahav and the vast, lifeless desert surrounding it. Under the rule of Sav-Synav it became a loose collection of city-states and tribal groups that all pledged allegiance to him. In the long ages that passed since the Founders' War, Sav-Synav matured into a contemplative god of inspiration and wit. His reign was characterized by an overwhelming support of arts and religious expression. An enormous number of sects and traditions rose and fell under his rule, each directly endorsed by the temple-government, even those which denied or even violently opposed the temple's doctrine. Sav-Synav himself preferred to remain detached from the affairs of his city and country, and spent most of his reign deep in trance, during which he would compose a seemingly endless stream of esoteric poetry and song. These compositions would be transcribed by the temple, whose priests would devote themselves to meditation on the mysteries hidden therein.

Since Sav-Synav's departure during the Second Calling, Ar-Selukk has become a very different place. Riots began within hours of his disappearance, started by countless cults and conspirators seeking to claim control of the city. While the temple expended tremendous effort in putting down the usurpers, little could be done to stop the chaos in the streets. Eventually, however, one figure in particular rose to prominence among the bloodshed: Raviyna av-Kulthanz, formerly a high priestess of the temple, who claimed to be a direct descendant of Sav-Synav. Word spread quickly of her arrival, with rumors of miracles and supernatural occurrences following her, as well as rumors of her vicious nature and deadly powers. With shocking speed, she assembled a devoted following, converting the usurpers or putting them to death, and in time she was so respected and feared that even the temple could deny her no longer. It was in this way that she became ruler of the city, and thus Ar-Selukk as a whole.

In the years that have followed, peace has come to the desert, but it is not an easy one. Most of the many city-states hold an uneasy alliance under the flag of Ar-Selukk once more, quarreling as they will but ready to unite against outside force should the need arise. Like her predecessor, High Priestess Raviyna spends little attention on the workings of the city, which she leaves to her Vizier. However, her adherents patrol the streets, eager to violently stomp out any rival groups which would wrest control from her. Meanwhile, the Regent spends her time making confusing and frightening prophecies and proclamations, which even the temple is reluctant to endorse. Most in Qhul Rahav simply do their best to carry on, and hope in silence that the Vizier might someday succeed in returning the city to its former beauty.

## Geography

Unique among the modern nations of A'therys, Ar-Selukk is divided into city-states by the many distinct tribes that control them. These states grew out of their capital cities, virtually all founded long ago during the Age of Balance. While some swear allegiance to the Regent, not all do, leaving the city-states very much divided and often in armed conflict. As a result, their borders have changed often through the years, but in the present day there are seven distinct city-states. Bordering Aloreh in the far east is Nandar, a city-state that almost entirely controls the only remaining fertile grassland in the country. Its people are mostly nomadic herders, preferring their native equine beasts to the western kajrohim for mounts. Immediately to the west of Nandar are Yrej and Zelarath, where the open deserts are often subject to sandstorms. The people live in the shadows of whatever rock outcroppings they can find, carving their few large cities into the rock itself. Life is difficult here, and food only comes from farms along the lake and river that separate Zelarath from Qhul Rahav. The city-state of Gala can be found at the extreme northwest, bordered on most sides by the sea and separated from the rest of the country by steep and rocky mesas. These four city-states roughly match the old borders of Tamat Olrun, and a few ancient Tamatite customs are still practiced by the tribes there.

Moving to ancient Rannek territory, in the far southwest is a'Ravhar. Much like Gala to the north, a'Ravhar is a rocky land, and its steep shoreline cliffs prevent most travel by sea. Instead, overland routes snake through the canyons here, and even so close to the capital, tribal bandits are ever a concern. Neighboring Sal-Ba'ari plays host to a much smoother landscape, its shifting sands known for producing the most well-regarded kajrohim stock in Ar-Selukk. The remaining state is the self-proclaimed capital, Qhul Rahav. Due to its position on top of a fresh-water spring, as well as the bordering inland lake, Qhul Rahav is the most fertile of the desert states. Most food and livestock come from farms here, ensuring the Regent has even more of a stranglehold on the tribal city-states who cannot manage to trade with other nations independently.

## Society

Religion is exceptionally important to the average Selukkite, perhaps second only to the rigid clerical society of Roreg Logh. But the ways in which they practice are drastically different and foreign when compared with what most outsiders are used to. Nearly everyone in Ar-Selukk has some measure of artistic talent, or at least a form of recreation through which they can express themselves. It is in this creation or expression that they would have worshiped Sav-Synav, and it is one of many cultural stalwarts that is still practiced even after his departure. It is also well-known that there is a darker underside to the Shining Land, as it is in this nation that many thieves and pirates claim a hidden home. Raviyna herself seems to turn a blind eye to much of this, or else only reacts to it if it is brought directly before her; her Vizier is expected to handle the more unpleasant members of the population.

Ar-Selukk also has a binding caste system, with citizens born into it and very rarely raising in station. This is similar on the surface to Aloreh, but it is taken to extremes in the desert region. One's very name contains a modifier to let all know of the person's birthright, or lack thereof. Artisans and servants, tribesmen and the military; the life of a Selukkite is often dictated at the time of his birth. In very rare circumstances, this can change, but the harsh reality of the desert weighs heavily on most with this dream. The hierarchy is also strictly enforced by Raviyna herself, especially among the tribesmen outside the oasis of Qhul Rahav. She seems to have a personal vendetta against the many tribal groups of Ar-Selukk, often ordering her troops to commit genocide on the various peoples who raise her ire by simply existing. None are beneath her scorn, even those city-states who pledge allegiance to her, and as a result there is little in the way of politics within Ar-Selukk. Most men and women are artisans or wage-workers, content to duck their heads beneath her sight and live their lives as quietly as they can.

## Government

As one might imagine, the government of Ar-Selukk is very straightforward. The Regent, High Priestess Raviyna, sits at the height of power, and virtually all new laws and proclamations are made by her through the Vizier. The Vizier is a person from Qhul Rahav whom the Regent selects to be her voice and to handle the daily running of the nation. One might assume that the Vizier holds an idolized position, but the power is merely an illusion. In fact, it would be nearly impossible to find someone within the entirety of Ar-Selukk who envies the position, specifically because of proximity to the Regent. When necessary, Raviyna personally chooses the Vizier, but it is typical for the Regent herself to be the reason a new one is needed. The slightest misstep by the Vizier contrary to Raviyna's oft-unspoken wishes results in their death, decapitated without a second thought by the High Priestess; she then elects a new one before the blood has even dried from her blade. It is understandable, then, to see the family of a newly elected Vizier weep for their relative: in the city of Qhul Rahav, it is effectively a signature on their death warrant.

In terms of local government, such as it is, Ar-Selukk is more fragmented than the other modern countries. The six city-states outside of Qhul Rahav are all ruled by one powerful tribe that domineers or controls many other smaller tribes. This is similar to how the Vrovonic strongholds work, but the tribal city-states are far more independent. Each ruling tribe has a Dheran, a ruling individual who oversees the affairs of the city-state and is usually responsible for managing relations with the Regent. In terms of alliance with Qhul Rahav, some modern city-states do submit themselves to her rule, but the majority instead denounce her and continue to exist independently. As a result, their rules and laws are their own; even in the allied city-states, official Selukkite laws are more guidelines than anything else.

*Originally written by OccidentalAnvil for the more official A'therys wiki*

Ar-Selukk is divided into many separate city-states that are generally responsible for self governance. These city-states include the following:

Yrej

Nandar

Zelarath

a'Ravhar

Sal-Ba'ari

Gala

Qhul-Rahav (Capital)

They are all ruled by the various Tribes of Ar-Selukk.