Shiraq

# The Desert Kingdom of Shiraq

## Description:

Shiraq is a vast desert kingdom, known for its harsh and unforgiving landscape. The sun scorches the sands by day, and the cold of night is almost unbearable. Despite these conditions, Shiraq is a place of remarkable beauty. Sand dunes rise and fall like great waves, and the sky is an endless canvas of vibrant oranges and pinks at dawn and dusk.

The people of Shiraq have adapted to this extreme environment and have learned to live off the land. They are a fiercely independent people, proud of their traditions and their ability to survive in such an inhospitable place. While many outsiders see Shiraq as a barren wasteland, those who call it home know that it is a land of rich culture and history.

The cities of Shiraq are marvels of architecture, with soaring towers and ornate buildings that provide a welcome respite from the harsh desert sun. The markets are filled with exotic spices, silks, and other goods that are highly prized throughout the world. Despite the dangers of the desert, Shiraq is a major center of trade and commerce, with caravans and ships carrying goods to distant lands.

## Cities:

### Sakahr:

Sakahr is a magnificent walled city located in the heart of the desert, built partly over an oasis. Its stunning architecture is a sight to behold, with intricate designs and patterns adorning the walls of the buildings. The city is known for its grandeur and beauty, earning it the nickname "Jewel of the Desert."

The city is protected by both official city guards and a large number of hired mercenaries, who patrol the streets day and night to keep its citizens safe from bandits and other threats. Despite its relatively peaceful reputation, Sakahr is a bustling hub of trade and commerce, with merchants and traders from all over the region converging on its markets to sell their wares.

The city is ruled by a council made up of three members, who oversee the day-to-day operations of the city and make decisions on behalf of its citizens. However, their current state of affairs is unknown, as there has been no contact with other nations in recent times.

One of the most interesting features of Sakahr is its extensive network of underground tunnels, which are used by traders and smugglers to transport goods in secret. Many of these tunnels have been in use for centuries and are said to hold many secrets and hidden treasures.

Overall, Sakahr is a magnificent city that stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the people of Shiraq. Despite the harsh conditions of the desert, they have managed to build a thriving metropolis that is the envy of many in the region.

### Rashai:

Rashai is a bustling and vibrant port city located on the coast of the desert, making it an important hub of trade and commerce. Ships from all over the world dock at its harbor, bringing goods and supplies to be traded with the merchants of the city. The city is known for its diverse population, with people from all over the region coming to Rashai to make their fortunes.

Despite its importance to the economy of Shiraq, Rashai exists largely outside of the rule of the Shiraqi government. This is due in large part to the power and influence of the trade barons who run the city. These wealthy and powerful merchants control much of the trade that flows through Rashai, and have amassed vast fortunes by exploiting the resources of the desert.

Despite the presence of the trade barons, Rashai is a city of contrasts. Its streets are lined with both opulent mansions and ramshackle hovels, with the rich and poor living side-by-side. The city is also known for its many markets and bazaars, where merchants from all over the region come to sell their wares.

One of the most impressive sights in Rashai is the Grand Bazaar, a massive marketplace that covers several city blocks. Here, visitors can find everything from spices and silks to exotic animals and magical artifacts. The Grand Bazaar is also home to many restaurants and cafes, serving up delicious foods from all over the region.

Despite the challenges of living in the harsh desert environment, the people of Rashai are a resilient and resourceful lot. They have built a city that is a true marvel of engineering and commerce and have turned the port of Rashai into one of the most important trading hubs in the region.

### Ghuram:

The settlement in the northwest rocky area of Shiraq is known as Ghuram. The name comes from the ancient Shiraqi word for "jagged terrain", which aptly describes the harsh landscape surrounding the town.

Ghuram is a lawless place, dominated by mercenary groups who make their living through pillaging and warfare. The town itself is fortified, with high walls and towers to defend against any potential attacks. The few who do not belong to the various mercenary factions keep to themselves, living in fear of the violent and unpredictable mercenaries.

Despite its reputation as a dangerous and unwelcoming place, Ghuram is also known for its skilled craftsmen, who are able to fashion weapons and armor of exceptional quality. The mercenaries of Ghuram are known to be some of the fiercest fighters in the region, and their weapons and armor are highly sought after.

The settlement has no official leader or government, with the various mercenary groups vying for power and control. However, there are rumors of a mysterious figure known only as the "Night’s Hand" who pulls the strings from behind the scenes, manipulating the various factions for their own benefit.

Travelers and traders who pass through Ghuram do so at their own peril, as the town is known to be a hotbed of violence and deceit. Only the most skilled and daring adventurers are willing to risk entering the town, seeking to earn a fortune by offering their services to the highest bidder.

## Lore:

### The Desert’s Curse:

Long ago, in the ancient times of Shiraq, there was a god named Xhar, the god of the sun and the desert. Xhar was worshipped by the people of Shiraq as he provided them with warmth and light and was believed to protect them from the dangers of the desert.

However, one day, Xhar became afflicted with a terrible disease, a curse so vile that it could even taint the gods. The disease ravaged Xhar's body, causing him to wither away until he finally succumbed to this decrepit affliction.

As the curse seeped out of Xhar's lifeless body, it tainted not only the sands of the desert, but also the very earth beneath it. It is said that Xhar's body still lies buried deep below the sands of Shiraq, in a cavern of his own making. The cursed remains of the god continue to emanate a malevolent energy that permeates the land, causing those who are born in the desert to be forever bound to it, their souls denied eternal rest in the afterlife.

### The Eternal Oasis:

Legend has it that long ago, a group of unnamed desert dwellers came together to change the fate of all who were bound to the cursed sands. These individuals were said to be gifted with immense magical power, and through their combined efforts, they created the Eternal Oasis, a place of eternal rest and peace.

The oasis is said to be located in a hidden valley deep within the heart of the desert, accessible only by those who know the way or who are guided there by the Guardian Serpent, Seketh. It is said that the valley is filled with lush vegetation and crystal-clear water, a stark contrast to the harsh and unforgiving environment that surrounds it. The sky above the oasis is always a clear blue, and the sun shines bright and warm.

The oasis is guarded by Seketh, the endless serpent. Many believe that Seketh is the reason why the oasis remains hidden and protected from those who would seek to disturb its tranquility. It is said that those who attempt to enter the oasis without his permission are met with a swift and deadly end.

For those who are bound to the cursed sands, the Eternal Oasis is a much-desired destination in the afterlife, as it offers the chance to escape the gruesome faith that plagues those who die in the desert grasp.

## Gods:

### Seketh:

The Guardian of the Afterlife and Protector of the Eternal Oasis is one of the most revered deities in Shiraq. Seketh takes the form of an endless white serpent.  His unending form is a reflection of his eternal duty to protect the dead and the living alike. It is rumored that Seketh can take human form and move among the living unnoticed, watching over them and guiding them to the right path.

### Marahd:

The Sun God is worshipped by many as the bringer of light and warmth, but also as the god of war. In Shiraqi legends, Marahd is often depicted as a fierce warrior with a sun in place of a head, whose rays of light are said to strike down his enemies. Many claim to see him as they lay dying on the battlefield, feeling as if they are being judged.

### Aelia:

The Goddess of Life is revered by all who value the sanctity of life. Her fair form, with golden eyes and white hair, is a symbol of purity and compassion. It is said that all life in the desert is meticulously crafted by her. Shaping the sand to give form to new life.

### Rahn:

The Eternal Wanderer is a mysterious deity who roams the desert, claiming the lives of those who get lost in its endless dunes. Some say that Rahn is not an evil being, but rather a guide, who takes those whose time has come to the afterlife. In other tales, Rahn is depicted as a shapeshifter who takes on various forms, from a sandstorm to a mirage, to lead travelers astray. Despite the fear Rahn inspires, many Shiraqi children are regaled with tales of his exploits, seeing him as a sort of boogeyman.

### Qashir:

The God of Knowledge and Secrets is the most enigmatic of the deities. His three eyes, two of them covered by a blindfold, are said to represent the knowledge that lies hidden and the secrets that are yet to be uncovered. Qashir carries a book with him that contains knowledge of all things, from the mundane to the mystical, but those who lay eyes on its pages are said to go mad from the sheer weight of knowledge, even the gods themselves.

### Xhar:

Xhar was the god who stood at the forefront of all that transpired in ancient Shiraq. He interacted directly with his people serving as their great leader. For centuries he ensured that Shiraq’s inhabitants could live in peace. He, however, met a gruesome end, which forever changed the desert.