Ashari Principality

The Ashari Principality was one of the first human nations on the continent of Énelya and it ruled supreme over the southern coast for over 500 years, stretching from Sher Quila to Osaris. Ashari lands were mostly made up of deserts aside from it's northern parts and this is possibly their most defining cultural feature. The Ashari Principality was founded by it's first prince Ardeshir Rajavan, also known as the Windrider, after the Splitting of the Races and the advent of a new age. Even if other humans looked for more fertile lands in the north, the ashari people decided to stay close to the coast that the first humans had landed on many years ago. Those that did stay persevered, but the scattered desert clans were disorganized and many had mixed relations with each other. The Rajavan clan is said to have been one of the most powerful human clans of the south and their fast horses and skills in combat were well known. Ardeshir Rajavan, through a combination of martial prowess and charismatic diplomacy, was able to gather many lesser clans on his side and the Rajavan clan soon eclipsed all others. Ardeshir Rajavan had envisioned a great nation that would nurture it's people and allow the human race to prosper. In the year 402, Ardeshir proclaimed the birth of the Ashari Principality and took the title of the first prince.

During it's first 200 years under the rule of the Rajavan clan, the Ashari Principality did much of what Ardeshir had in mind. The humans became more independent and began developing their own ways and ideas, instead of being lead by magic of the elves or having to rely on help from the dwarves. The Ashari people built many great cities in the south such as their capital, Qulan, which is currently known as Sher Quila within the Empire of El Sherdan. The development of the humans was staggering to say the least, as they made advancements in the art of war, trading, crafting and magic. Some ashari believed that Ardeshir Rajavan was an avatar of Enely, a divine gift that would complete their guidance as the Gods were losing their grip on the Realm of Mortals. However, after the Principality's first 200 years under the rulership of clan Rajavan, the nation experienced a major change. The last prince of the Rajavan clan, Hamid, was challenged by Kalandar Sharim. In his mind, Hamid Rajavan lacked ambition and was too self-centered to lead the Ashari people. Kalandar also believed that the flame of the Rajavan clan had burnt out and the Sharim clan was a better choice if the Principality was to survive. Even more concerning to him were the attempts of Hamid to concentrate more power to the prince by dismantling some of the lesser clans and taking what was rightfully theirs.

The Sharim clan was gaining support among the other clans and instead of challenging the armies of the prince with an equal force, Kalandar Sharim challenged Hamid Rajavan to a special duel known among the Ashari as the "dervish dance". The dervish dance is the art of swordsmanship combined with the art of dancing and it was a major tradition among the desert clans. In the presence of the other clan leaders, Hamid Rajavan honorably accepted and it was then decided that these two men would take part in this deadly contest. Under the eyes of the other clans, Kalandar and Hamid leapt into battle, slicing through the air and flipping graciously like the wind. However, it quickly became apparent that Kalandar would win. In honor of the dervish dance, Kalandar was merely providing entertainment by spending time dodging strikes but ended the dance with a quick slash to the neck of Hamid. Afterwards, Kalandar Sharim was awarded with the title of prince and the Sharim clan became the ruling clan of the Ashari Principality. The Rajavan clan was not dissolved, but they would never rise to power again and the Sharim clan would lead the Ashari Principality until it's end in the year 926. By that time, the Ashari Principality had several powerful clans within it. Some of these clans had developed blood feuds with each other and their infighting within the Principality created disarray. The end of the Principality came with the death of it's last ruler, prince Bahman Sharim, who was killed in a bloody battle while supporting one of the feuding clans. After this, most of the major clans declared independence and became city-states ruled solely by one clan.

As a major part of human history, records of the Ashari Principality are perhaps some of the oldest and most well-preserved pieces of written knowledge among coastal humans. The city of Sher Quila is a living relic from the times of the Ashari Principality and it houses most of this information. Even after over 3000 years, the ways of the Ashari are still prevalent within this city, such as the dervish dance, spicy food and the breeding of camels. The usage of fire is also something that connects them with the Sherdanians and their God Imperatus; the Ashari sometimes combined fire with their dancing performances, such as by breathing and swallowing it in daring acts. Most people of Sher Quila have the blood of the desert clans in their veins and the Ashari are a recognized subrace of coastals, greatly differing from both Brecians and Sherdanians. They are suited for life in the hot desert and continue to proudly carry on the old ways of the Ashari Principality, even if they are now part of the Empire of El Sherdan.