Azhar Nar

South of the Fûrlaniya city states and the Azan Empire is the **Kingdom of Azhar Nar**, famous for its warm coastline, idillyc waters, erotic dancers and brothels. To the north of the peninsula lies a desert known as the Maula, where many battles have been fought between Azhar Nar and their northern neighbors.

## History

### Under the Empire

The peninsula where Azhar Nar now lies has been inhabited for thousands of years, although its people have been under the rule of the Southwestern Dragon Empire and Azan for most of their history. Despite that, the Azharnarese have enjoyed a high degree of autonomy for most of the Azanneese occupation, with only a few forts and temples being built by Azan.

During that time, modern day Azhar Nar was under the rule of six separate realms – also known as Taifas - who were under the authority of Azan and ruled by their own semi-autonomous Arifas. Those Taifas’ names were Rajl, Hamrun, Bashar, Saraqusta, Dragonera and Cospicua. The Taifas were able to gain their independence almost five hundred years ago, thanks to internal strife and unrest in the Azan Empire.

There were some measly attempts by the Emperor of Azan to gain back control of the seceded realms, although they were unsuccessful. By the time of the Tenth Dynasty, almost all Azan presence in Azhar Nar was gone, with only small communities surviving towards the eastern end of the peninsula.

### Nasr Invasion and Liberation

Then followed three hundred years of conflict between the Taifas, until an invasion came from the East. The Satraps of Nasr landed on the western shores of Azhar Nar, and the quarrelsome Arifas had no choice but to settle their differences and fight back. Even though the Satraps could not advance towards the heart of Azhar Nar, they seized control of the eastern and southern shore for almost two centuries.

A hundred and ten years ago a boy called Misrah tas-Sur was born to a royal family in the city of Melitah, in the province of Dragonera. The boy was not even ten years old when he was taken from his family during a Nasrian raid in his hometown. Due to his aristocratic blood, Misrah found himself in the court of the Satrap of Saraqusta, rising to the position of military advisor as the years passed.

When Misrah found out about his heritage and the atrocities commited towards his family, he fled the city of Banu Hud, taking those loyal to Azhar Nar with him. He went from town to town, rallying many knights and peasants to his noble cause. Eventually, he gained the support of many smaller rulers, and it didn't take more than a few years to raise a formidable army.

Using their military tactics against them, Misrah pushed back the Nasrians, who suffered defeat after defeat at his hands. Soon, Misrah liberated the people of Dragonera and Saraqusta, although he did not enact revenge on the Nasrian settlers that had made their home there. Misrah was welcomed with applause and tears of joy back in his homeland, and the local Arifa pledged fealty to him. This led to many other Arifas bending the knee to Misrah, and those that initially resisted eventually crumbled under the pressure. It was 80 years ago that Misrah tas-Sur was crowned as the first King of Azhar Nar.

### Looming threat to the East

As a unified Kingdom, Azhar Nar had many battles against the Nasrians to defend their reconquered lands, as well as with the Furlan city-states for control of the valuable resources of the Maula Desert. These conflicts, however, came to a halt less than 50 years ago, when the rapidly expanding Changrila Empire turned their eyes to the West. These former enemies put aside their hostilities and soon formed a defensive alliance against the Eastern menace. This very threat of invasion was the binding rope of peace and fragile stability in the region, something that still holds true today.

## Government

Azhar Nar is a hereditary monarchy. Faradn tas-Sur II, great nephew of the great Misrah, rules as its King from the newly built city of Maqabba. He holds the titles "Judge and Lawmaker of the Realm" as a traditional Arifa would.

## Subdivisions

Azhar Nar is divided in 6 departments, all ruled by a High Arifa that pays taxes to the King, while lesser Arifas are under their rule, ruling their own fiefdoms.

### Dragonera

Dragonera is the wealthiest department, and it's home to three important cities. Maqabba is the capital of Azhar Nar, and it was built less than 80 years ago by the first king of Azhar Nar, Misrah tas-Sur. It's situated on a bay that borders Cospicua, and it's home to the Palace of the Gods, a marvelous building with many ivory and gold decorations that some consider it as one of the thirteen wonders of the world. Despite being the capital, it's home to less than 6000 people, although many important people of Azhar Nar make their home in this walled city.

Bahriyyah is situated on top of a river that flows into the Gulf of Nailing. It's considered as the cultural melting pot of Azhar Nar, as it's populated by many Nasrian descendants, as well as Furlaniyan traders and mercenaries.

Melitah is a picturesque, walled city that's surrounded by a large moat, seperating it from the busier ouskirts. It's the birth city of King Misrah. Many snobby aristocrats and nobles inhabit Melitah, with their villas and estates being built around the country.

### Saraqusta

Saraqusta is the centre of Nasrian infleunce and religion in Azhar Nar. It's capital city, Ghasra, stands at the shore of the narrow stait that separates the two nations. Even though it used to be the largest city of the Azharnarese eastern shore, its population has dwindled down after it was razed during the Nasrian invasion.

### Bashar

Bashar was always quiet and depopulated, but in the recent centuries its reputation has risen after many Saraqustan refugees made their way to Bashar. Its largest city is Marsuah, a port city on the southernmost coast. It's economy has bloomed thanks to increase trade with Lorient.

### Rajl

Rajl holds the title of the fishing capital of Azhar Nar, thanks to the maritime life rich waters of the Yamantai cape. Its capital is Qasrwa, a small fishing port where a band of smugglers have made their home.

### Hamrun

Hamrun is known for its sheep herders, grazing, fertile hills and hardy population. Hamrunians are often the toughest warriors of the Azharnarese armies. Its capital, Zabbar, produces the most popular wines and dairy products of the region, and its known for its many temples and monasteries.

### Cospicua

Cospicua was the most developed department back in the Azan and Southwestern Dragon Empire days. Most of the Azannese remnants of Azhar Nar live in Cospicua. Its capital is the city of Senqlea, and it's known as the "Jewel of the North" thanks to its vain and luxurious Azaneese architecture.

The second biggest settlement is the town of Tal-Kawron, a town that's known for its fine brothels and busy, exotic markets.

## Economy

Azhar Nar is a very wealthy nation thanks to its strategic location. All ships that pass through to Changrila have to make their way through to the Xi-Hin Sun strait and towards the Huan Ho-Sei Sea. As such, thanks to Changrila's ever increasing geopolitical importance, the influx of merchants that pass through Azhar Nar has been increasing. Certain cities like Marsuah and Bahriyyah have benefitted greatly from this trade node. Even the war-struck Saraqustan city of Ghasra has made a recovery thanks to its location.

The western shore of Azhar Nar is also wealthy, with its merchants indulging themselves in the spice trade between Lorient and Azan.

Azhar Nar most traded resources include limestone, spices and fish.

## Geography

Numerous bays along the indented coastline of the Azhar peninsula provide good harbours. Azhar Nar has mild winters and warm summers, hotter and drier in the inland areas. The northern portions of Azhar Nar that border the Maula Desert are more arid, with few shrubs growing amongst the sprawling desert dunes. The centre of the peninsula is home to fertile hills with low vegetation, making it ideal for grazing animals and building vineyards.

The most common flora of Azhar Nar include acacias, olive trees and eucalyptus trees, as well a number of shrub species.

## Culture and Religion

The dominant religion in Azhar Nar is a syncretism between the New Azan Faith and the Old Dragon worship. Many figures and symbols from both faiths are combined. One such example is the faceless God of Bronzar being depicted as a Dragon, The faith is not as decentralized as it is in Azan, with the Church of Azhar Nar mantaining firm control of most religious matters. An order of zealous knights of the new faith is also present in Azhar Nar, aiming to eradicate the evils of the world.

Much of the eastern and southern shore of Azhar Nar follows the monotheistic religion of the Nasr satrapies, a faith known as Avestanianism. It's possibly older than the Dragon faith of Azan, being present in the northern end of the Nasr peninsula, but rarely spreading outside of it. The Nasrian remnants from the Azhar Nar - Nasr war carried their faith with them, resisting against the proselytism attempts of the Azan faith clergy.

The Avestanianist faithful follow the teachings of their prophet Avestan, imprinted in the holy book of Saoshyanta. Charity, abstence of sin and luxury, as well as heavy emphasis on the afterlife are some aspects of Avestanianism. Its clergy consists only of ritually castrated males, who wear a a white face veil while inside their holy temples.

The culture of Azhar Nar reflects the various cultures that have come into contact with the country, from Azan to Furlaniya. Choir singing is popular in Azhan Nar, as well as ballads played with six-stringed instruments.

Azharnarese architecture combines many elements of traditional Azaneese, Furlan and Nasrian architecture into one style. Mosaic floors, mausoleums and waterfronts are common in Azhar Nar.

Azharnarese cuisine includes rabbit stew, roasted goat and mutton, fish, crustaceans, as well as red wine.

## Demographics

More than 95 percent of the population consists of humans, mostly locals, as well as remnants of Azaneese settlers in Cospicua and remnants of the Nasr invasion in Bashar and Saraqusta. Merchants and mercenaries from Furlaniya, Lorient & the Lemon Kingdom as well as the Empire of Changrila are common in the coastal cities.

The non human population of Azhar Nar consists mostly of Drow and Tieflings sex slaves at brothels, as well as Dwarven workers in the various mines of Hamrun and Dragonera.

## Foreign Relations

### Fûrlaniya

Once frequent enemies with Azhar Nar, having fought many battles over control of the Maula Desert and its resources, they have joined forces in a defensive pact against the expanding Changrila Empire. Many of the mercenaries used in the war against Nasr were from the city of Ampleazzo and Targaconne.

### Nasr Satrapies

Likewise with Fûrlaniya, they have recently joined a defensive pact against Changrila. Despite that, the memories of the invasion have soured their relationship, and their alliance is one out of necessity and not friendship.

### Azan Empire

The days where Azhan Nar was under the Azan Empire are long gone, and relations between these two nations are mostly friendly. Azan wants to reinforce the coastal areas of Azhar Nar with their own garrisoned forts as protection against Changrila, although the Azharnarese see that act with suspicion.

### Terusia

Azhar Nar merchants and agents are plentiful in Terusia, mostly aiming towards the opening of the canal that would open them up many trade opportunities.

### Changrila

Even though those two nations haven't fought any all-out wars or battles, the Azharnarese are worried about the ambitious expansionist ideas of the current God Emperor of Changrila and have thus entered into a defensive pact alongside the Fûrlaniya city states and the Nasr Satrapies. Many Azharnarese troops have been sent as reinforcement towards the Golden Hills and Altopolyan, participating in the skirmishes that occur there.

### Lemon Kingdom and Kingdom of Lorient

Even though there have been naval battles fought between the Lemon Kingdom and the southern Taifas of Azhar Nar, ever since the latter unified and the former passed into the control of Lorient, these clashes stopped. Nowadays, the relationship between the two is cordial, with trade between them being plentiful.

### Oroma Islands

Azharnarese sailors avoid these hazardous islands, although many foolish merchants have tried to collect the exotic blue banana fruits that grow on them in order to make profit by selling them to the western states.