Min Ghadir

The flag of min Ghadir, depicting the sun as a lion on a green background.

The latest map of min Ghadir.

## Nation

**min Ghadir,** officially the **min Ghadir Emirate**, is a member of the Duchies of Rotenburg, a nation in the western portion of the world of Avalor. It is located in a desert on the **Tawil River**. It is a well-established and old civilization, existing for hundreds of years and making steady progress in developing and expanding the capital city of **Bawaabat Alnahr** (بوابة النهر in Mahir), a town on an island with tall sandstone walls surrounding it.

## Etymology

The nation's name comes from the clan name of the ruling family, which is currently min Ghadir. The min Ghadir clan is an ancient highly esteemed clan, the name drawing to their origins of living near a stream.

## History

### Early History

The city-state can trace its roots to hundreds of years ago when desert life was intolerable for most, and only small communities could survive. The Mahiri were the first settlers of Bawaabat Alnahr, the name they chose meaning “river gate”, believing the island to be in a very important spiritual and strategic position on the Tawil. The Mahiri settlement was a modest and thriving community due to the increased supply of food made possible by improved irrigation. The Mahiri would then soon discover that underneath their island settlement lies a massive cave network, rich in raw ores and valuable materials. This discovery led to an increase in the settlement’s wealth and provided a position of power in local trade. The sound supply of food made it possible for individuals in the settlement to pursue work outside of farming for survival which allowed a boom in the mining industry of the town. The safe food supply and work opportunities were very attractive to nomadic desert communities, many struggling to feed themselves in harsh desert conditions, and it drew many desert dwellers to Bawaabat Alnahr, resulting in a massive increase in population.

### Edumi Period

As the settlement grew in population and developed into becoming a city, it was made apparent that tribal assemblies were no longer an effective form of governing. This led to internal unrest amongst the wealthy and influential families in Bawaabat Alnahr, all clawing their way to become the ruling authority. The Edumi clan would be the family that survived and won the conflict, becoming the ruling family of Bawaabat Alnahr and making the head, Malik Bilal min Edumi, the first ruler of the city. Malik Bilal was aware of the great power that came with their minerals, in trade, and in arms. He would invest heavily in the mining industry, expanding mines and promoting blacksmiths and merchants so he could maintain economic growth and provide security within the walls. It is during his reign that the infamous red sandstone walls would begin construction, a deterrent to raiders and a show of superiority to rival cities that began to appear in the area.

### Modern Era

The min Ghadir Emirate fell into a state of decline, losing most of the population to foreign plague brought by traders, leaving entire cities in the desert to be swallowed by sand. The only city to still stand was the eldest city, Bawaabat Alnahr, with its red walls still intact. The Emirate would survived on its own, the cultivation of the carrot being a main food source, until foreign ambassadors came to Bawaabat Alnahr. The ambassadors claimed to have come from the north, in the deserts of red sand, from a place called Rotenberg. A federation of duchies united under one power, vassalized by the **Dominion of Demora**. Knowing that his choices were to either fall into deeper oblivion, or to join these foreigners, Emir Omar min Ghadir, after a day of thought, obliged the ambassadors and joined their federation of duchies known as the Duchies of Rotenburg.