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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Quickleaf" data-source="post: 4540777" data-attributes="member: 20323">regions of zakhara100 years has passed... venerable dwarves and elves recall the Great Unbinding, when storm genies rode thunderheads casting green lightning down upon the earth with savage glee, when sha'ir lost their ability to call upon the genies and many were hunted down by their former servants, when the yak-folk and the dao waged war in the World Pillar Mountains causing earthquakes to wrack the north... yet to the human majority such things are the province of tales of their grandparents. Most folk are more concerned with the realities of the present day, and these are greatly shaped by the region in which they live.Cities of the North (Tuigan Sultanate)50 years ago, the Cities of the North were invaded by the Tuigan khan Kaland Pyar, whose nephew had been abducted during a raid by Zakharan soldiers for boy mamluks. Khan Kaland sought to create a clan-society which would purify the decadent ways of the city – to the Khan, the best way to defend his people’s steppe was to conquer their enemies. When he invaded the “Free Cities” he met fierce opposition, but skillfully timed his attacks during in-fighting. After just three years he conquered the 4 northernmost cities of Zakhara before the Grand Caliph recognized a Tuigan Sultanate. Harsh punishments for thievery, cowardice, and lying were implemented, all youth were required to learn Tuigan, horsemanship, an elaborate code of honor, and spend 2 years living as a nomad border-guard.  However, great leeway was given to the independent character of the city-states. Any mamluk fleeing to the Sultanate would be freed from service.The last of the cities to fall to Khan Kaland Pyar was proud Muluk, whose people suffered under an endless winter siege. Wishing to spare further suffering, the Khan met with Muluk’s King and, impressed by his character, allowed the kings of Muluk to rule on as vassals of the Tuigan.Cities of the MamluksDuring the Tuigan invasion, the mamluks fought valiantly, declaring marshal law in Umara and Liham. In many cases they fought against their forgotten relatives; during these battles it was not uncommon for mamluks to return to their Tuigan families or for yunichaar to seek sanctuary among the mamluks. With the greatest source of mamluks (the Tuigan tribes) having received recognition and Enlightenment, the mamluks had to look to dwindling hill tribes for new slaves. Eventually, the Grand Caliph implemented a policy requiring a term of service from the children of mamluks; depending on the quality of service by the mamluk this “sword due” could be reduced, increased, or erased entirely. The Mamluk Rebellion: Several mamluk generals disagreed with the Grand Caliph’s acknowledging the Khan’s proposed sultanate, and with the indentured servitude of their children, and increasingly this cadre of mamluks became more independent of the Grand Caliph, pursuing their own agendas. It is not uncommon for orders from Huzuz to be “delayed” or “misinterpreted”. Some believe the Qudran emir even has pretensions for the Enlightened Throne.Liham Insurgency: A group of citizens has grown discontent with the increasingly heavy-handed policies of the mamluks ruling Liham, and plans to overthrow the government, purportedly allying with even the corsairs of Hawa.Cities of the HeartRaiding tribes have become commonplace as the Caliph of the Shadows terrorizes the populace with dramatic assassinations. Hardly a week goes by in any of the cities without a public official being slain, a noble child being ransomed, a mosque being burned, or a bloody head arriving at the Grand Caliph’s palace gate.Cities of the PantheonCities of the PearlThe Choking Coast: A terrible drought befell the southeastern deserts 25 years ago, and wadis dried up as tribal and village refugees flooded the streets of the Pearl Cities, shanty-towns rapidly consuming the outer boundaries of the cities.Cities of the AncientsCities of the Farthest ShoreThe Corsair Domains, the Crowded Sea, a new city facilitating trade with Akota...</blockquote>

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