Ashar

> **Demonym:** Asharan
>
>

Ashar is a kingdom of gnomes in the south and southeast portions of the Leiran Rainforest. The Citadel of Ashar is Caradoc. The current King, King NaKolo has reigned for 30 years.

#### Culture

The kingdom thrives on river travel and trade as well as fruitful fishing grounds in Ulunn Bay. The fishing areas are constantly changing and contested as they're shared with the large city state of Jova.

Ruins of the Ca-Coul and other aboriginal peoples are found throughout the eastern jungles, while it is most densely found throughout the nation of Ashar. The stones of the ancient tribes are of religious significance to the people, though many believe some of them to be haunted. There are many legends and tales of the people about the power of many of these places. It is said that the ancient tribe was a magical and blessed people and technologies unheard of in the age.

#### History

The tribes of gnomes found throughout the Leiran Rainforest were constantly at odds over territory. Various areas of the forest are more densely populated than others in flora and fauna, leading at times to the complete annihilation of entire peoples. The gnomes united under the banner of the King of Ashar in the beginning of the 3rd Century, after the power of Caradoc grew through trade and sea travel.

After many years, the Halflings began to bleed into the Leiran Rainforest and settle there. The gnomes began to protest the encroachment to what they saw as their land. The gnomes were threatened by the Rathanese, and already responded with racism to towards them. The halflings moved into communities with entire tribes and families and forced many of the gnomes of Ashar out. Within several years war was declared between the gnomes of Ashar and the Rathanese. The war lasted for 58 years. During the last 14 years of the war, the mountainfolk in the Ezel Mountains became disillusioned by their treatment under the monarchy of Ashar, especially during the wartime. The mountainfolk citizens began to reject the royal ordinances and rebel, the soldiers defected or refused to leave on campaigns. Eventually Ashar began to fight forces on the Sanguin Desert front while using many forces to fight rebels in the mountains. This war spread the Asharan army too thin and eventually a treaty was drawn allowing Rathana to have settlements in the rainforest and granting autonomy to the rebel nation of Droas. This war is referred to in Leira as The Great War by Ashar and Rathana, but is called The Revolution by Gnomes of Droas.

The Ca-Coul, one of the largest tribes of the Leiran aborigines created the city of Caradoc. After reaching the peak of technology and civilization in it's time, a slow decline began among the Ca-Coul from in-fighting and war. As the generations passed the city was home to various clans and peoples, all striving simply to survive. These gnome groups eventually began to grow large enough to inhabit the city and were united under the Ashar tribe. A king was established and the Kingdom of Ashar was born in the beginning of the 3rd Century.

Ashar grew rapidly in trade. Being positioned along the Amlug River, the trade from sea travel aided in the growth of the nation. Ashar consisted of the entirety of the Leiran Rainforest and into the Sanguin Desert, but soon began to cause conflict with the halfling tribes found there as well. War started in the 4th Century and the Revolution was soon a part of it, causing Ashar to lose the north and the city of Jova. Ashar is still powerful, but has not been the same or reached a similar level of influence since the division.