Shamir

Shamiran Town

## Background

Shamir is located across the ocean to the east of Etria. It is similar to the Middle East and is an exotic and foreign land. The trade route between Etria and Shamir is established, but still nascent and not many travelers venture deep into Shamiran lands. The country is ruled by a single sultan similar to a king in the west. The first sultan united all the tribes of Shamir hundreds of years ago and brought them under one rule by his pure charisma and fairness in allowing the tribal leaders a good bit of autonomy. Although westerners do not consider Shamir quite as modern as Etria or Adrus, this is not exactly true. Underneath its sheer opulence it is as advanced or more in certain areas and disciplines. It is just very alien to those visiting from the Central Kingdoms. The people are noble and value family immensely. At the same time they are fickle and arrogant and have been known to change their minds and renegotiate deals long after contracts have been signed.

## Geography

The region is a mix of warm, dry grasslands near the coast and arid desert to the east. This desert is only known as the Vast and stretches across the center of the kingdom. Many nomadic tribes make their life in this harsh environment but most of the Shamirites live in established towns and cities along the coast of the ocean or the Akaat River where Yadinah was established.

## Government

Asaad al-Surai is the current Sultan of Shamir and rules with absolute authority. His autocratic rule is punctuated by a true love for his people and an almost patriarchal ruling of the kingdom. Asaad makes all of the decisions for the kingdom but does have an assembly of advisors that council him in all matters and make decisions in his absence or at his direction. At the disposal of the sultan is his secret group of spies/assassins. Known as the Rih Alzalam or Dark Wind, they are the the sultan's personal agents. They are highly trained at subterfuge, disguise, intelligence gathering, and assassination. To say "the Dark Wind is blowing" is to insinuate that mysterious and powerful forces are at work behind the scenes. Outside the capital, smaller cities and towns have rulers called maliks that govern each region immediately surrounding their city and are loyal to the sultan due to the fact that it is he that places them in power. The sultan's authority reaches across the Vast but due to sheer distance the influence of his power is not felt quite as much to the eastern border where the maliks exert their own will more freely.

## Economy

Shamir is an extremely wealthy country and its economy is extremely vibrant despite it's geographical challenges. This is mainly due to two reasons. One is that the land is rich with diamonds and other precious jewels. This combined with its rich export and import keep money flowing into the country. The phrase "As clear a Shamiran diamond" has become more and more popular in the Central Kingdoms. However the Shangti idiom "A Shamiran deal" has been around for centuries as a tongue-in-cheek description of an agreement where one party either reneges or changes the terms suddenly.

## Defenses

Shamir has a standing army but not much of a navy. With no real threat to the west or along its coast conflict in this region has mainly been a land war. Its army is not especially large due to the fact that no nation would bring an entire army across the Vast to conquer it. Still the Shamiran army is a very competent one and is very adept at guerilla warfare and the unique challenges fighting in the desert terrain.

## Notable Locations

### The Living Fountain

This large oasis in the middle of the Vast is so named because of importance to the Shamiran people. Acting as the only major source of water in the Vast, early explorers and travelers would have surely perished if not for this blessing. It as much as figurative oasis as it is a literal one, providing civilization and a respite from the Vast in the journey across the nation. Several towns exist around the oasis and make a good living both mining and providing goods and services to travelers and desert dwellers alike.

### Arbharzin

This island off the coast and southwest of Yadinah is a lush and green piece of land. Partly due to the rich soil and temperate climate from the trade winds it holds great importance to Shamir as a source of crops for the people. It has also become a destination for the wealthy and lodging there is expensive and luxurious even by Shamiran standards.