Karakol

### Kingdom Boon

Desert - Treat desert tiles as if they are plains for the purposes of terrain improvementAncient Ruins - 3 buildings can be built at half price, as long as the discounted BP does not exceed 45 BP.

### Downtime Boon

Desert - Glass-based materials, such as Mindglass, Glassteel, and Void Glass, may be acquired at 50% cost.Ancient Ruins - 15% discount on the final price for DT buildings.

**Karakol**, also known as the **Beylik of Karakol**, is a kingdom in the deserts of western Siacros. The arid realm is founded upon the ancient ruins of an older incarnation of the kingdom, resettled in hopes of restoration to former glory.

## History

### Ancient Karakol

At the outset, little was known about ancient Karakol beyond that it was a prosperous desert realm lost ages ago to some great calamity. Renewed research indicates that this was most probably an ecological disaster, though some sources attribute it anecdotally to some divine or infernal wrath. Actual details appear to be lost to the wages of time. What is certain is that it inevitably resulted in the total diaspora of the few surviving ancient Karakolans across the world.

Before settlement, knowledge surrounding ancient Karakol was limited to surviving oral tradition handed down between generations of exiles, often with other lore and legend mixed in, leading to muddled accounts that lie somewhere between fact and fiction. Due to this, the exiles in Etera formed the scholarly Society of Eternal Karakol. The organization aimed to separate fact from fiction in Karakol lore, as well as preserving what little that survived of the Karakol language.

The Society's success in these two endeavors proved instrumental in fostering a longstanding cultural identity for the exiles and their descendants, paving the way to its evolution to a political body with ranks swelling with Karakolan who rose in Eteran society.

### The Conference of Babel

The Society's greatest endeavor would come when The Inevitability began sponsoring new Kingdoms on the continent of Siacros. Relying on what sparse information on hand on the old Kingdom's location, the Society seized the opportunity to announce its intent to re-establish the Karakol homeland.

In 45 IA, a joint conference of the Society was held in Babel, Karakolan delegates from all over Etera met to lay the groundwork for the new realm. Despite much enthusiasm for the endeavor, the issue of leadership proved contentious. Without a clear line of succession to the ancient throne, a plethora of claims clashed and clamored for recognition, eager for the prestige and elevated standing that would come with the title.

In the end, the deadlock was resolved by electing the scholar, Hussam Abquora, in compromise as \*Vizier-I-Azam\*, Grand Vizier, in recognition of his intellectual contributions to the Society. Effectively, the Grand Vizier would serve as acting regent and caretaker of the restored realm while the issue of succession was resolved.

As of 48 IA, the current arrangement of a Regent Grand Vizier answering to the Society's Council of Notables remains in place and has proven a workable arrangement. No progress has been made on the issue of succession, though many claims have since been dropped.

## Geography

### Lake Humayun

While the most dominating feature of Karakol is its vast and harsh desert, no civilization can thrive without access to water. Lake Humayun and its rivers, upper and lower Herbo, in the center of Western Siacros would provide for the new Kingdom as it did for the old. Allowing for the cultivation of the little surrounding arable land for food and providing water through canals and other waterworks.

## Cities

### Khantabr

The capitol of the new kingdom, Khantabr reprises its role as the gateway to Karakol on Lake Humayun. The Karakolans resettled it in preparation for deeper excursions into the desert. Unlike other ruins, Khantabr was more intact than others.

By 48 IA, Khantabr holds the Assembly of the Society of Notables as well as the Bardic College of Karakol.

### Kafrain

Founded in Gozran 48 IA, Kafrain is a farming settlement drawing upon the waters of Lake Humayun to cultivates vast fields of Karkol produce, such as Dates, Pomengranates, Figs, Olives, and Chickpeas.

## Military

Originally, the security of Karakol depended on the martial abilities of its mostly foreign recruited leaders along with the handful of cohorts and martial followers under their employ. Auxiliary volunteers from society were available but did not form a major force in terms of military strength.

### The al-Dia Tribe

Around 45 IA, the fledgling Kingdom entered into an agreement with the al-Dia clan, a militant Elven tribe that worshipped Myr. The Patriarch of the tribe, the Elf Raadi al-Dia assumed the position of General and High Priest of Karakol. Called the "Demon of the Desert" by his men, the Elven Warpriest would safeguard and provide religious guidance to the new Settlers.

### The Order of Eternal Path

By 48 IA, the contract with the al-Dia clan would lapse, though Raadi al-Dia would complete his final service to the Kingdom by creating the Order of the Eternal Path.

## Society

With the demographics comprising a sizable number of Karakol settlers, many believe and draw strength and conviction from ancient traditions and customs. Small and major ceremonials are observed in day-to-day lives, even if a number of them are more recently innovated than others.

In general, Karakol society itself is reserved and stoic, placing a high value on privacy and respecting boundaries. Neighbors do not interfere with each other but would stand together in the face of a common threat.

Faith, for the most part, is a personal issue and Karakol society pays homage individually to deities according to trade rather than general patronage. Similarly, the Kingdom's leadership has not adopted any specific faith as its official religion, though this may change with time.
Category:Kingdom
Category:Organizations