Ammar

A bird's-eye view of Ammar.

## Commerce

### Imports

Stormsulfur, Grain, Timber, Precious Stones and metals, Perfumes, Ivory, Incense, Papyrus

### Exports

Slave, Silk, Citrus, Grape, Gold, Glassware, Cheese, Furniture, Tropical Fuits (Banana, Avocado, Coconut, Starfruit), Sheep Hide

## History

### Established

-2304 BH

**Ammar**, also known as **City of Elephants** or **The Oasis of Knowledge** is an ancient city with a rich history that spans many centuries. It is known for its magnificent architecture, which includes grand palaces, towering walls, and ornate mosques. The city is situated on the banks of a great river, which provides both a source of life-giving water and a means of transportation for goods and people.

"*The blissful light of Innos shines upon this city of my ancestors. With tooth and claw, they built it. With tooth and claw, we shall protect it.*"
―Pride Sovereign Naasir al-Mubarak as-Safir Ibn Qasim

## Description

Ammar is surrounded by lush green fields and rolling hills, which provide ample space for farming and grazing animals. The city has three gates that lead to the neighboring settlements. The northern gate leads to the port town of Su'ad, the southwest gate leads to the town of Haggar, and the eastern gate has a grand bridge that connects the city to the lands across the river.

The people of Ammar are fiercely devoted to the exemplar Innos, and the city is considered the center of Innos worship in the Ammarid Empire. The city is ruled by a powerful theocratic military government, and its leader is the "Pride Sovereign Naasir al-Mubarak as-Safir Ibn Qasim," who is regarded as a wise and just ruler by his people.

Ammar is home to many notable and influential noble houses, each with their own unique history and legacy. The city has a bustling market that sells goods from all over the empire, including exotic spices, fine textiles, and precious gems. The city is also famous for its renowned scholars and poets, who have contributed greatly to the fields of philosophy, literature, and science.

The streets of Ammar are narrow and winding, and they are lined with small shops, busy taverns, and grand mansions. The people of Ammar are known for their hospitality and kindness, and they welcome travelers from all over the world with open arms. The city is a melting pot of cultures and religions, with people from all over the empire coming together to celebrate their differences and share their common bond of faith in Innos.

### Background

According to ancient texts, the region where Ammar was founded was once a vast and arid desert with little sign of life. It is said that the first people to arrive in the area were a group of nomadic tribes who settled along the banks of the great river that flowed through the region. The river provided water and fertile soil for agriculture, and the surrounding desert held valuable resources like gold and other precious metals.

Over time, these nomads built a small town around the river that they named "Ammar," which means "life-giving water" in their language. As the town grew and became more prosperous, it began to attract the attention of other groups and soon became a center of trade and commerce. The town's location along the river made it a natural stopping point for traders and travelers moving along the river, and its rich resources made it an attractive target for those seeking wealth and power.

As the town of Ammar grew into a city, it became an important center of culture and learning. The people of Ammar were known for their knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, and medicine, and the city's scholars made many important discoveries and advancements in these fields. The city also became a hub of religious activity, with many temples and holy sites dedicated to the Exemplars, and the city's leaders became some of the most powerful and influential figures in the region.

Today, Ammar remains a center of culture, commerce, and religion in the Ammarid Empire. The city's rich history and diverse population make it a unique and vibrant place, and its strategic location on the river continues to make it an important hub of trade and travel.

## Geography

The surrounding region of Ammar is predominantly desert with sporadic oasis and fertile lands irrigated by the grand river that flows through the capital city. The region is known for its nomadic tribes and scattered small settlements that rely on the river for survival.

The land is rich in minerals and ores, but due to the harsh climate, mining is rare and dangerous. The vast expanse of desert is home to various beasts and creatures, some of which are considered to be sacred by the followers of the exemplar Innos.

The desert is also known for its sandstorms, which can last for days and sometimes pose a threat to the settlements and the nomadic tribes. The region is considered to be strategically important due to its location as a crossroads between the Ammarid Empire and the neighboring territories, and has been the site of many conflicts throughout history.

## History

### Chronology

**2000 BH** - According to legend, the Ammarid Empire was founded by the great hero Linnel, who united the warring tribes of the region and became the first emperor.

**1000 BH** - The city of Ammar is founded as the capital of the newly-formed Ammarid Empire. 950 BH - The construction of the Great Wall of Ammar begins, which eventually spans the northern border of the Ammarid Empire to protect against barbarian invasions.

**600 BH** - The first library of Ammar, the Grand Library of the Sun, is built in the city.

**200 BH** - A devastating earthquake strikes Ammar, causing significant damage to the city and leading to the death of many citizens.

**50 AH** - The city is attacked by a massive army of barbarians, but the Ammarid army is able to repel the invasion and defend the city.

**75 AH** - The Emperor commissions the construction of the Imperial Palace, a massive complex of buildings and gardens that becomes the residence of the Ammarid emperors.

**225 AH** - The city of Ammar is struck by a severe drought, causing widespread famine and hardship among the citizens.

**300 AH** - A great fire destroys much of the city, including the Great Library of the Sun, causing the loss of countless valuable works of literature and history.

**400 AH** - The Emperor commissions the construction of the Grand Mosque of Innos, a magnificent house of worship that becomes a center of religious life in the city.

**525 AH** - The city is once again attacked by barbarians, who are eventually repelled after a long and bloody siege.

**650 AH** - The Emperor orders the construction of the Great Aqueduct, a massive engineering project that brings fresh water to the city from a distant mountain range.

**800 AH** - The Ammarid Empire reaches the height of its power and influence, with the city of Ammar as its center of culture, politics, and military might.

**950 AH** - The Emperor commissions the construction of the Temple of the Sun, a vast complex of temples, gardens, and palaces dedicated to the worship of the sun and the exemplar Innos.

**1000 AH** - The Great Famine of Ammar strikes, causing widespread starvation and suffering among the citizens of the city.

**1200 AH** - The city is invaded by a neighboring empire, but the Ammarid army is able to defeat the invaders and protect the city.

**1300 AH** - A rebellion breaks out in the city, led by a group of dissident nobles who seek to overthrow the Emperor and establish a new government.

**1350 AH** - A devastating plague sweeps through the city, killing thousands of citizens and causing widespread panic and despair.

**1400 AH** - The current Emperor ascends to the throne, bringing a period of relative peace and prosperity to the city after years of conflict and turmoil.

**1429 AH** - The present day, with the city of Ammar continuing to serve as the capital of the Ammarid Empire and a center of culture, commerce, and military power in the region.

## Symbol

Its coat of arms has a golden elephant head with a red background. Colors holy to the exemplar Innos' belief.

## Legendary Heroes

**Al-Asad ibn Malik**: The first emperor of the Ammarid Empire and the founder of the city of Ammar. He is remembered for his military conquests and his establishment of the miltaristic theocracy that still governs the empire.

**Fatima al-Bahri**: A renowned naval commander who led the Ammarid fleet to victory in many battles. She was the first female admiral in the empire and is remembered as a symbol of women's empowerment.

**Khalid al-Mirza**: A skilled diplomat who brokered important peace agreements with neighboring empires and tribes. He is remembered for his diplomatic finesse and his ability to bring peace to the empire.

**Salim al-Qadim**: A master craftsman who created some of the most intricate and beautiful pieces of architecture and art in Ammar. He is remembered for his contributions to the city's beauty and culture.

**Yasir al-Suhail**: A fierce warrior who fought in many battles and was known for his incredible strength and bravery. He is remembered as a symbol of valor and courage.

**Aziza al-Khalil**: A brilliant scholar and philosopher who contributed greatly to the fields of science and philosophy in the empire. She is remembered for her intellectual prowess and her dedication to knowledge.

**Tariq al-Rashid**: A famous poet and writer who is remembered for his beautiful and inspiring works. His poems and writings are still read and appreciated by many in Ammar.

**Samira al-Hakim**: A skilled healer and physician who helped many people in Ammar and beyond. She is remembered for her contributions to medicine and her compassion for the sick and injured.

**Hassan al-Yazeed**: A renowned general who led the Ammarid army to victory in many battles. He is remembered for his military expertise and his loyalty to the empire.

**Nadia al-Faris**: A famous explorer who journeyed to many distant lands and discovered new civilizations and cultures. She is remembered as a pioneer of exploration and discovery.

## Notable Noble Households

**House al-Qasim**: The current ruler of the Ammarid Empire, Pride Sovereign Naasir al-Mubarak as-Safir Ibn Qasim, comes from this noble house. They have a long and illustrious history of service to the empire.

**House al-Khafaji**: A powerful noble house known for their wealth and influence in trade. They are one of the largest exporters of spices and textiles in the empire.

**House al-Maliki**: This noble house is known for their prowess in battle and their loyalty to the Ammarid Empire. They have produced some of the greatest generals and military leaders in the empire's history.

**House al-Husseini**: One of the oldest noble houses in Ammar, the al-Husseini family has a history of producing great scholars, theologians, and poets. They are highly respected for their knowledge and wisdom.

**House al-Faruqi**: This noble house is known for their connections to the underworld and their control over the city's black market. They are feared and respected for their ruthlessness and cunning.

**House al-Jazairi**: A powerful merchant family with a long history of trade and commerce. They are highly influential in the empire's economy and have ties to many other noble houses.

**House al-Ma'mun**: This noble house is known for their love of the arts and their patronage of many great musicians, artists, and writers. They are highly respected for their cultural contributions to the empire.

**House al-Abbasi**: A noble house known for their devotion to the exemplar Innos and their leadership in the religious community. They have produced many great priests, healers, and theologians.

**House al-Kazimi**: This noble house is known for their intelligence and cunning, as well as their control over the city's intelligence network. They are highly respected for their ability to gather information and uncover secrets.

**House al-Quraishi**: A noble house known for their skill in diplomacy and their ability to maintain peaceful relations with other kingdoms and empires. They are highly respected for their role in keeping the Ammarid Empire stable and secure.