Sultanate of Yimarad

*Various other regional dialects*

**The Sultanate of Yimarad** is one of the six Uldumani sultanates which rule over the southern lands of Uldum. It is the northernmost province of the region and controls much of the mountainous chain that separates Uldum from Tanaris, including the asperous valley which contains the Great Bastion.

## Culture

### Militarism

As the first line of defence from the perils of Tanaris and the keepers of the Great Bastion, the Yimaradi consider themselves the guardians of all Uldum, and take the god Ossirian as their sacred patron. Much value is placed upon the virtues of dedication, vigilance and self-sacrifice, born from the years before the construction of the Great Bastion which saw Yimarad most often be the first to fall prey to foreign invaders, and thus suffer tremendous losses at their hands.

This brought the Yimaradi to foster a set of warrior traditions they idolise to this day, knowing that complacency may well mean death when perils may emerge at any moment. It is expected of all able men to offer themselves in service to the Sultan's armies, even if only for a few years.

From a young age, boys begin to be taught in how to fight in all the ways known to the Uldumani, and girls are taught how to defend themselves with cunning, find hiding and steal necessities from an enemy.

Soldiers are therefore honoured as the natural leaders of the Yimaradi people, whom they revere as the embodiment of the Yimaradi spirit.

Indeed, it is customary for the elite chamaar of the Padishah to be chosen from champions of the Yimaradi. Who in turn also serve as honour guards to the Sultan of Yimarad himself, and any other man who may have the wealth and prestige to afford them.

Idleness, complacency and most of all cowardice in the face of challenges are seen as sins by the Yimaradi.

### Artisanship

Although the means and arts of war are highly prized in Yimarad, it is not the only aspect revered by its people.

Within its mountainous chain rises the famous Mount Narif, known by most as 'the Pale Giant' for the stark whiteness of its precious marble stone. From Narif, the stone is exported all throughout Uldum at lofty prices, particularly in Tygria, where it is fashioned in wondrous statues and in Akhma, where it is used to carve mesmerising, painted reliefs.

The Yimaradi, however, make a far more practical use of their stone, prized for its strength and endurance, they employ it in the costruction of impenetrable fortifications and strongholds. In this, Yimaradi architects are unparalleled: their works may not always be the most beautiful, but it is guaranteed they always be the most reliable in defending Uldumani lands, able to endure even years of siege.

This has given rise to a few idioms across Uldum "as true as Yimaradi stone" or "as strong as Narif marble" and more in a similar vein.

The Great Bastion itself is largely made of Narif marble, as well as granite and sandstone. The Dam of the Vir'naal, is also, for the most part, the work of many Yimaradi stonemasons who made sure the structure would be able to hold the fierce flow of the great river no matter how high the rains may swell the waters.