Khasut

The Hilaelean duchies migrated north beyond the mountains of their homeland, Ammenot-Heh, to the lands of Mahka Nata under the direction of Farah Mamlaka, the Crescent Queen of that era. Prior to this Great Migration, the Crescent Queen did not hold a sedentary seat of power among the duchies of Hilael. The Queen and her attendants would travel between palaces within Ammenot-Heh.
During dusk prayers, Queen Mamlaka recieved a divine premonition. The Crescent Queen witnessed a Tear of Deshret¹ fall from the sky and endeavored to follow the Tear as it fell to the ground. Queen Mamlaka ordered her fleet to motion and sent ships to explore the waters beyond the mountains of Ammenot-Heh. The Crescent Queen herself embarked upon this journey into the unknown and followed the Tear’s path through the sky until her fleet berthed upon the coasts of Mahka Nata. Queen Mamlaka retrieved the Tear from its crater in the ground and declared Mahka Nata the new home of the Hilael. Remnants from the Tear of Deshret was later reforged into the royal crown of the Crescent Queen.
The Archduchy of Khasut was first settled by the Crescent Queen and members of her Lunar Council and their families and servants. To satisfy the logistical needs of the Queen and Council as well as support their quality of living artisans, farmers, merchants, guards, and other essential laborers were imported to the lands of Mahka Nata. The colony was supported primarily on this bare framework of labor and the importation of raw materials and labor as needed from Ammenot-Heh.
The Crescent Queen ruled the Hilael Empire from afar for the several decade duration of the construction of the royal palace Amun’rah. The palace formed a robust military fortress and royal estate from which the Archduchy of Khasut was centered upon. The lower outskirts of the palace were designed to house the center of Khasut’s economy with considerable markets and diverse trade. Royal guards and the upper echelons of the Crescent Queen’s army are housed within the lower bounds of the palace close to the fortress walls providing a fortified security to the inhabitants. The palace Amun’rah was further stratified to accommodate members of the Lunar Council and their families within its walls. The residence of the Crescent Queen and her personal servants and religious teachers occupies the center of the palace, the most luxurious and well-guarded part of the entire fortress. The innermost walls of Amun'rah are made from a poured mixture of Tear dust, gypsum, quick lime, and salt water. This Deshret concrete forms a self-healing stone that adapts to the effects of time and weathering, allowing the wall to remain as impenetrable as the day it was built. The palace alone is said to house a city and self-supported within its own walls. The layered walls of Amun’rah are said to be the greatest feat of Hilaen architecture, their structure reflecting the intricate four crescents of the Hilael with chokepoints providing passage between the levels of the palace—truly a fortress to withstand any siege.

Geography and Climate

The Archduchy of Khasut is located in the South Western area of the continent of Mahka Nata, Kahsut has a wide variety of geographic features that makes it unique. The first area of note is the coastline. Khasut has access to a good amount of coast, Soft sand beaches meet warm ocean waters.
Going inward from the coast the kingdom has access to wide and sprawling grassy plains. A landscape that is naturally mostly flat aided the construction of settlements at a rapid pace. Along with rolling green hills and a splattering of small manageable forest in the center of the region provided the ideal geographic features for a kingdom to be built.
To the north the region borders an Astorian kingdom. Once more Deshret had blessed the Archduchy of Khasut by placing a medium sized mountain between the two regions. This allowed for a natural border to be between the two religions.
To the south the region borders a Hilael duchy. The only geographic feature that would separate the two is a medium sized forest. It's not a thick dense forest like the one near the river. This forest could be easily marched through if an army decided to. This can be seen as Khasut's only geographic weakness as there is no natural protection from outside invaders
A river divides the region into two sections. The fresh water source has become ideal for farming and agriculture. The other side of the river is a large forested area with massive trees that cover the floor with shade. The thick forests, while not great for building houses, are able to support an ecosystem for hunting animals and foraging for food.
The Khasut region features a semi-arid climate during the day. While at night a colder climate can be felt on the streets. During the peak of the summer months the temperature can reach dizzying heights. This climate leads to most people seeking shelter in the afternoon to escape the wrath of the sun's rays. During the rest of the year the temperature settles into a comfortable middle ground.

Government

The Crescent Queen holds absolute authority over the Hilael Empire which she rules from the palace of Amun’rah in Khasut. As the mortal form of Deshret, the Crescent Queen is the conductor of Deshret’s will and from her tongue speaks Deshret’s divine testament. The highest Hilael laws are the mandates of Deshret and thus religious in nature. The Five Reflections—Fael Al’eem, Ilyamar, Ankbashet, Fa’iima, and Jai’a—are strictly enforced within the borders of Khasut as not just religious beliefs but written law, applicably to any who reside within the archduchy. Private religious practices are still maintained within the home in Khasut by the Adair and Aštorians; however, public displays of faith or iconography that blasphemes Deshret are illegal. Because Khasut is the home of the Crescent Queen and thus Deseret’s vessel on the mortal plane, the worship of any other god is forbidden and punishable by death.
The Queen’s advisors, known as the Lunar Council, also reside within Amun’rah and oversee various tasks and aspects of governing. Each member of the Lunar Council is appointed by the Crescent Queen and, while only required to be Hilaelean by blood, are traditionally selected from the ranks of Hilaelean nobility. There is no limit to the number of council members and each Lunar Council has shifted in size to align with the interests of the reigning Queen. Traditionally, seats on the council are reserved for the Military Commander, the Royal Treasurer, the High Priest, the Advisor of the State², and Holy Magus. During periods of crisis the Crescent Queen may appoint temporary members to the Lunar Council to resolve the issue at hand, such as a tactical advisor in times of war, medical advisor in times of plague, trade advisor in times of economic collapse, etc. Other notable seats on the council include an Advisor of the Arts, Advisor of the Royal Gardens, Music Advisor, Zahrat Alraqs³ Advisor, and on one notable occasion an Advisor of Festivities.
The actual strength of the Crescent Queen’s power in the farther reaching duchies is dictated by the loyalty of her governors, noble lords titled Duke or Duchess. While the Crescent Queen’s word is law, beyond direct mandates from Amun’rah, the Hilael duchies are ruled and managed by their individual governors. These governors court power and favor with the members of the Lunar Council and the military, consolidating their authority within their individual regions. Governors are personally selected by the Queen; however, their selection typically aligns with dynastic tradition. That is, the ruling family of a duchy traditionally continues to be selected from for a governor. The Crescent Queen appoints members of the Lunar Council as her personal envoys to oversee the rule of her kingdoms and hold her governors in check. A Royal Envoy acts as an emissary of the crown's will and has the power to act as interim governor should the governor be indisposed. Envoy visits are semi-regular in nature; however, certain duchies may receive fewer or greater number of visits from the Lunar Council depending on reports. The Queen tends to respect the rule of each duchy’s governor and the unique culture each region has established, citing the diversity of the Hilael Empire as a strength and proof of the divine authority of Deshret over all.
Khasut’s military is separated into two major units: infantry and the Royal Guard. Infantry units police the Duchy of Khasut as a whole and serve as the main body of Khasut’s military force. The Royal Guard is an elite unit within the military that protects the Crescent Queen and Lunar Council and polices the city-palace of Amun’rah. The Khasut military is composed entirely of Hilael soldiers. Unlike other Hilael duchies, such as Khasut’s neighbor Kaliq Hāla, the Adair peoples are not employed as mercenary arms to supplement the military’s main body. The restrictions regarding military service and ethnicity in Khasut are related to the duchy’s bloodline laws. To enlist in the military one must have documentation of their bloodline. For infantry service, one generation of full-blood Hilael parentage is required. To be a member of the Royal guard, two consecutive generations of full-blood Hilael parentage is required.
Blood status is defined by parentage and is proven with documentation that must be filed with the Royal Registry. Bloodline documents are maintained by Royal Registry and overseen by the Advisor of the State. The registries document the parental lineage of an individual going back five generations using blood magics. Noble families may maintain more extensive, private registries that detail family lineage and track hereditary traits. To obtain one generation of “full-blood Hilael parentage” both parents must be considered “full-blood Hilael.” The legal requirement to achieve full-blood status—or full citizenship in Khasut—is two consecutive generations of full-blood Hilael parentage. Both grandparents and parents must be considered full-blood for one to qualify as a full-blooded Hilael or citizen of Khasut. While one’s blood status or ethnicity does not diminish the quality of daily life in Khasut, to hold positions of power in government or the military one must be full-blood. A less than full blood status can, however, be associated with unfair trial and prosecution in Khasut courts—even the greater likelihood of harsher sentences. The prejudice of blood status is more apparent within the walls of Amun’rah where foreign or mixed blood perceived as lesser. Outside the walls of Amun’rah, Hilael citizens of Khasut often forgive blood status if one is a devout worshipper of Deshret. To the majority of the Hilael Empire, heresy is considered a greater offense than foreign/mixed blood.

Economy

The Archduchy of Khasut is not an economic powerhouse. Compared to their other contemporary Hilaelean duchies they really only have enough natural resources to support themselves. There is not a surplus that can be used to really trade with others at massive quantities. Despite the city appearing to be ultra wealthy, that wealth does not mainly come from the archduchy producing trading. The first place of wealth that circulates Khasut is old generational wealth. The founders of Khasut came from very wealthy Hilaeleans. They brought that wealth over with them to Khasut and have been sitting on it for a while. Slowly and slowly that stockpile has been spent. Some people are starting to see their wealth shrink. The second biggest origin of money in Khasut is religious donations. The Crescent Queen asks the other Hilaelen duchies and generally wealthy Hilaelens to donate to her government as a form of religious action. The Queen doesn't state where these funds go while some speak in hushed voice that the funds are frequently misappropriated. The third source of wealth in the archduchy comes from the servant peasant and middle class member working and spending their money within Khasut. Small markets and vendors, fisherpeople, artistans, and sculptors. All the money it gets passed around. Flamenco dancers are a good business to be in. Khasut has a great love for flamenco. Most people will often not think twice when it comes to booking a flamenco show no matter the price tag. This has made the flamenco industry massively wealthy but at the same time extremely competitive. The dancers have become as devious and underhanded as the politicians and nobles they entertain.
An unwritten rule has been established in Khasut regarding money and its influence. When you can not convince, you can buy. There is an understanding among many that bribes, favors and quid pro quo are just a normal facet of the ecomconey in Khasut. While not clearly telegraphed or talked about, everyone is engaging in it.

Culture

Khasut is a vibrant city with a rich tapestry of cultural influences. Anyone who enters the city is met with bright colors and intricate patterns, different cultures intertwining in every corner. It has become natural for any new visitor to stop moving once they enter the gates, trying to take in all the beauty and wonder that Khasut has to offer.
The biggest cultural influence is flamenco. Khasut is the home of flamenco for the Hilaeleans. Zahrat Alraqs can be found being performed almost anywhere in the city, doesn’t matter if it’s in the upper or lower class parts of town. The music and dance pulses throughout the streets. Streaks of blue, gold, and white fill the streets as dresses and jackets spin around each other, the dancers’ feet a blur as a nearby singer belts out their song. Cheers and laughter fill the air as the thumping of shoes and the banging of drums shake the city floors.
Zahrat Alraqs is an extremely important aspect of the culture in Khasut and thus is practiced by many to the point of inciting competition amongst the dancers and singers. The competitiveness becomes even more tense as the Hilalens, Adarians, and Astorians each have their own different takes on the story telling and emotion evoking aspects of the art of flamenco. It is not uncommon for occasional circles of dancers to form, each dancer fighting for the spotlight. A Hilaelean quickly stepping in front of an Adairian’s twirl whilst blocking an Astorian’s striking pose. The competition is fierce in the heart of Zahrat Alraqs, trying to impress all who observe.
The homes of Khasut are adorned with lush gardens, fruit trees, and courtyards decorated with mosaics and ceramics. The architecture of the rest of the city is filled with colorful tiles and mosaics, fountains, and even more fruit trees.The architecture in Khasut takes into consideration that during the summer months the temperatures can get quite high. To help mitigate this many of the houses and buildings are painted in lighter colors to help deflect the sun's hot rays. Other methods used to help create comfort during the hot months include having fruit trees line the streets to create areas of shade and having fountains and drinking fountains scattered through the busy areas. The open courtyards, gardens, and patios that can be found accompanying most houses are not just there for visual pleasure, they too contribute to getting relief from the heat. They provide areas to relax, sit in shaded and cool areas, and encourage air flow.
The mosaics typically depict the Crescent Queen, the tear of Deshret, Deshret, or other common symbols found in their culture. However, when in the parts of town with high populations of Astoria mosaics of their cultural symbols such as the ten spoke wheel. *religious iconography has been erased and/or replaced/altered with icons of Deshret* Symbols and art of the Aštorian god, Mąka,
There is never a boring moment in Khasut as it is common to see crowds in the streets checking out the stalls in the public markets scattered throughout the city. These markets are common spaces for social gathering and bring a feeling of closeness to the community as they go about their daily trades and shopping. However, due to the low supply of local resources the locals have to be smart about their trades and shopping and get creative with the uses of what they do have. They also rely when they can on outside trades with some of the other kingdoms around or from their own personal travels, though this option tends to be rarer. The Astorians are especially resourceful with their crafts and trades as some of their core beliefs revolve around wasting nothing.
Khasut culturally has an Old money versus New money thing going on within its city walls. Khasut was founded primarily with the help of the more ancient and old families of the Hilael homeland. Their coffers being full of wealth they acquired in a time before Alt-andalus was a thing. They used this influence to become the de facto cultural leaders of the city. That is how a culture of old money came to dominate much of Khasut society. In a way it didn't matter how wealthy you were but rather where that wealth came from. In some places you could be middle or lower middle class but as long as your wares and means were old, you commanded more respect than the new money people.
The Zahrat Alraqs houses and groups are the New money. They came to Khasut after the old money aristocracy. Khasut is considered the home of Zahrat Alraqs and there are many different groups all influencing the more modern hip culture part of Khasut. The Zahrat Alraqs houses feel slighted by the old money nobles. Zahrat Alraqs is loved by all in Khasut but the old establishment culturally slights and gate keeps them at every turn. The Zahrat Alraqs house has a unique place culturally as they are often hired by the nobles to perform and entertain but they feel they'll never be seen as equals.
The merchant class is also part of the new money group trying to fight for cultural significance and respect within Khasut. Seafood fishers and merchants make the food culture. One thing they have explicitly done is choose which food is the hype one. Such as the cosmic crabs. They are big crabs that are a dark purple with star shaped dots on their shell. Thus the name. Despite them tasting kind of mid, for some reason they have become a symbol of class and religious devotion.
The poors of Khasut struggle to engage in the wide mass culture. Because they are poor. They have their own subculture that is vastly different. They have a more collectivist culture with sharing and comradery. These abstract barriers like wealth and religion are seen past and a more empathetic mindset can be observed. Poverty makes everyone equal.

Demographics

The Archduchy of Khasut is home to about 75,000 people. This makes it pretty well populated compared to the other Hilaelen duchies. It's not the biggest but it's not the smallest. Of the population the vast majority are Hilaelen about seventy percent or 50,000 people. Being a Hilaelen duchy does make it a nice and safe place to live. The second largest demographic group is Astorians. Within the archduchy there are about thirty five percent of 24,000 people. The smallest demographic in Khasut are the Adair. There are only around a thousand in the city.

Social Relations

The three different cultures tolerate one another by staying separate when possible. The Adair people stick to their areas closer to the outskirts of the city, only venturing further in when needed either for work or trade. The Astorians and Hilaelens are more intermingled with Astorians living throughout the lower class inner city. Still though, there are certain blocks for the Astorians as a way to keep their religion and ideals separate from the Hilaelen’s. The areas where the Astorians live are marked with mosaics and tiles featuring symbolism from their beliefs and religion, such as the ten spoked wheel and symbols of the crown of thorns. This makes it easy to understand and keep track of what groups of people live where.
Any of the three groups of peoples can find work from one another, however tensions between the Hilaelen and Astorians make doing long term work together difficult. The Adair people on the other hand have a close relationship with the Hilaelen’s so it is more likely to find Hilaelen’s contracting Adarians for jobs around the city.
Huge points of contention between the Astorians and Hilaelen’s are the religious laws that the Hilaelens enforce. The Astorians and Hilaelens have similar religious ideas with the same prayer times of dusk and dawn. Due to having the same prayer times, at these times it isn’t uncommon to find scuffles and arguments breaking out between the Astorians and Hilaelens about whose religion is actually the “right” religion. Each of these two cultures believes the other is doing it wrong and that they need to change their ways and convert to the other's religion. The Hilaelens rule/law of needing to admit other god’s are lesser than Deshret and only being able to worship other Gods in private is something the Astorians do not like to follow. They don’t believe that their God is lesser, but due to the law and harsh punishment of being caught publicly worshiping the Astorians are very careful about following the rules. After seeing how strict the punishments are just once they understand that the Hilaelens are not messing around. The Astorians work hard with one another to make sure each member of their society can afford to pay the religious taxes too, if anyone is found running short it is common to find another Astorian helping cover the missing money, due to being the poorer part of the Khasut society it does get hard to keep up with the taxes being taken, especially with the lack of natural resources to be able to trade or make things to trade.
The Adairian people on the other hand due to having a good relationship with the Hilaelens can sometimes get away with breaking the religious rules. When the Adairan’s are caught worshiping their deities in public or participating in their traditions it is typically met with either a slap on the wrist or the turning of a blind eye by the Hilaelen guards. This isn’t every time though, the Adairian’s know to not be caught doing these things too often because they understand that the Hilaelen guards aren’t afraid to make examples out of them to make sure order is kept within Khasut. The Astorians really dislike the unequal treatment between them and the Adarians, they think it is unfair and wrong that the Adairans get off with less harsh punishments or no punishment at all while if they are caught just once the people caught eare executed. Due to this the Astorians make a point to not work with the Adairians, they try to keep away from them at all costs and will even desecrate and graffiti Adairian houses as a form of protest against their special treatment.

Map

1. Advancements in the field of astronomy have identified the legendary Tear of Deshret as a meteorite, a rock from space. The material composition of the meteorite is yet unknown; however, the material is known to metallic in nature and was used to create the Crown of the Crescent Queen.
2. The Advisor of the State is formally known as the Archduke and Governor of Khasut and informally as "Chief Bureaucrat."
3. A type of Hilaelean dance known as the "dancing flower" performed throughout Khasut and for festivals.

Type

Geopolitical, Archduchy