Mujmal
Land of eternal summer
Mujmal is a nation in the Western Continent. It makes up much of the southern border of the Western Continent. It borders Cathay, Nestoria, and Harad loosely via the Silvas Jankil. The southern coast is the beginning of the Amaranthine Sea.
Tamir - a walled city, monastery, and univeristy in Mujmal
The humans of Mujmal, the primary ancestry group of Mujmal, are a creative and dedicated peoples who have blended natural, elemental and divine magic into a singular art, as opposed to their neighbors, who separate their studies into perceived categories. They teach and use this magic to create living homes and defenses which hinder and deter attacks from the outside as much as the perils of their jungles do. They also use this magic for agriculture and crafting their daily necessities. As such, most Mujmali have at least a little aptitude for magic, but most don't get past the point of cantrips. Regardless, this ability gave them the edge over their neighbors. In addition to magic and agriculture, they love to garden, carve, sail, and write poetry.
The duergar in Mujmal are perhaps some of the most peculiar in Arda. Whereas most duergar are generally dour, the duergar here are happy, and many love sunlight so much they generally live outdoors, but carve their homes, businesses and mines into the mountains. Like other duergar, they appreciate fine craftsmanship, but most use their fine skill to produce fine jewelry, which they are famous for. While most resent the loss of much of their land, they enjoy the attention and notoriety their crafting gives them.
The elves, on the other hand, are the opposite. Largely driven from their ancestral roaming grounds, they have lost the light and happiness they once carried with them from their old warm and sun-dappled groves. Now living in the dark and savage jungle, they frequently attack travelers, especially Mujmali, as they attempt to cross the Silvas Jankil. Some elves live outside the Silvas Jankil, but are frequently regarded no better than their tribal cousins.
According to the Haradrim slavers, it is said that men with heads and limbs like beasts live here and in the Silvas Jankil, but it is unclear whether such claims are actually true or are simply an excuse to justify their cruel practices.
In this aspect, any spellcaster in Mujmal is considered to be blessed with divine power. A wizard who focuses on elemental magic could be seen as, or even act as a Primordial priest, and some who study can learn divine magic. A cleric of the Heavens in Mujmal may learn elemental magic as a part of their training. For the duergar, they often reject the teachings and magic of the humans in favor of worshiping the Primordial Earth as they had for centuries. The elves still follow the Heavens, but their messages of mercy and compassion are largely lost upon their victims.
The Mujmali, with few and less-serious threats domestically, do not have a large or powerful military. While they do feel threatened in some regards by Cathanese ambitions, there has been little need for action to retain a large or costly military as their neighbors do. They do retain a standing army, the Mujmali Guard, who serves as their might against both internal and external threats. In addition to their ground forces, the Mujmali retain numerous mages. While many are adept in the traditional arts of evocation or healing, others use their magic akin to druids, shaping the natural land as a weapon against their foes.
Despite their general isolation caused by their geographic location, Mujmal has a vibrant local economy that serves not only its domestic markets, but those abroad as well. The Mujmali grow food and spices, cut timber from their grand jungles, and sell the fine craftsmanship of the local duergar. The primary foreign market for these goods is Nestoria to the north, but Mujmali traders will sail to sell their goods in Cathay and even the Enlightened Kingdom as well. A few rare merchants will even travel to Ado or some even as far as Al-Andalus, Magnos or Romanorum. They shun trade with Harad, well-known as slavers of their people.
Mujmal, while large geographically, is still relatively small in terms of population and influence on a global scale. In addition, as previously stated, the mountains that border the region and the Silvas Jankil make the Mujmalis relatively isolated in comparison to the other nations. Ultimately, this means that Mujmal sends and receives few envoys, and only a little more in terms of foreign merchants and travelers.
They do maintain ties with their immediate neighbors, Cathay and Nestoria, and the Mujmali's love of sailing has led a number of them to reach Ado and the Enlightened Kingdom and return to tell of it. Their relationship with Cathay is one of guarded optimism, but remain cognizant that Cathay holds territorial aspirations for their lands. For other nations, they see them as trade partners and rare sources of world news in a nation that is otherwise isolated. The only nation Mujmal has a truly unfriendly relationship with is Harad, who has been known to send slavers into the Silvas Jankil, and frequently enslaving the Mujmali people or other travelers. These slavers, if caught by the Mujmali Guard or their magical defenses, are swiftly captured or killed.
A part of Geography and Regions See Also
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Geography
Mujmal is a warm and humid land that exists beyond the great Silvas Jankil, a vast jungle that stretches between the Eastern and Western Continents. It is home to many exotic plants and animals never seen by the eyes of the people of the Western Continent, and few have tried. Much of the land is divided between green and verdant tropical jungle and dry and dusty gorges and mountains. The southern coast is constantly warm and sunny, except during the rainy season. Unlike their northern neighbors, Mujmal does not experience the four seasons but instead experiences a dry and rainy season. The rainy season goes between hot and humid to windy and rainy, while the dry season is relatively chilly but has a general lack of precipitation, which can be dangerous to unwary travelers.History
Unlike many of the other nations, Mujmal has a relatively short history. It is known that the first peoples who came to Mujmal were elven nomads who braved the Silvas Jankil, eventually followed by the duergar following their banishment from the Romanoran Empire. The elves continued their nomadic ways, but the duergar began to establish early cities in the mountains of the region, mining for iron, copper and gold, which they used to trade with the local elves for food or other necessities. Eventually, humans began to migrate into the region, and finding it largely untamed, began to build their settlements in along the rivers and coasts of the region. This expansion led to conflict with the local elves and duergar. However, their centuries of isolation left them woefully inadequate to face against the humans population, magic, and technology. Eventually, their conflict left with most of the nomadic elves retreating into the Silvas Jankil, and the duergar forming small autonomous kingdoms under the Mujmali humans.People and Culture
Men currently make up the primary body of peoples in Mujmal, though there are also a number of duergar, elves, and duergar mul who live in these lands as well. Due to the isolation caused by the mountains and jungles that surround their lands, the people of Mujmal have developed largely independently of their neighbors. This allowed a unique society to develop in these lands in regards to the local humans, duergar, and elves.The humans of Mujmal, the primary ancestry group of Mujmal, are a creative and dedicated peoples who have blended natural, elemental and divine magic into a singular art, as opposed to their neighbors, who separate their studies into perceived categories. They teach and use this magic to create living homes and defenses which hinder and deter attacks from the outside as much as the perils of their jungles do. They also use this magic for agriculture and crafting their daily necessities. As such, most Mujmali have at least a little aptitude for magic, but most don't get past the point of cantrips. Regardless, this ability gave them the edge over their neighbors. In addition to magic and agriculture, they love to garden, carve, sail, and write poetry.
The duergar in Mujmal are perhaps some of the most peculiar in Arda. Whereas most duergar are generally dour, the duergar here are happy, and many love sunlight so much they generally live outdoors, but carve their homes, businesses and mines into the mountains. Like other duergar, they appreciate fine craftsmanship, but most use their fine skill to produce fine jewelry, which they are famous for. While most resent the loss of much of their land, they enjoy the attention and notoriety their crafting gives them.
The elves, on the other hand, are the opposite. Largely driven from their ancestral roaming grounds, they have lost the light and happiness they once carried with them from their old warm and sun-dappled groves. Now living in the dark and savage jungle, they frequently attack travelers, especially Mujmali, as they attempt to cross the Silvas Jankil. Some elves live outside the Silvas Jankil, but are frequently regarded no better than their tribal cousins.
According to the Haradrim slavers, it is said that men with heads and limbs like beasts live here and in the Silvas Jankil, but it is unclear whether such claims are actually true or are simply an excuse to justify their cruel practices.
Religion
Religion in Mujmal is neatly divided between Heavens and Primordial Worship, in particular, the Primordial Water. Most Mujmali actually worship aspects of both religions in a Druidism-like religion, this both leading to and ultimately the development of their unified theory of magic. This can be confusing for the rare travelers and missionaries to Mujmal, who see them as competing and disparate religions.In this aspect, any spellcaster in Mujmal is considered to be blessed with divine power. A wizard who focuses on elemental magic could be seen as, or even act as a Primordial priest, and some who study can learn divine magic. A cleric of the Heavens in Mujmal may learn elemental magic as a part of their training. For the duergar, they often reject the teachings and magic of the humans in favor of worshiping the Primordial Earth as they had for centuries. The elves still follow the Heavens, but their messages of mercy and compassion are largely lost upon their victims.
Government
The government of Mujmal is a well-established human monarchy that has lasted for centuries. The king of Mujmal is an absolute ruler, believed to have divine protection from both the Heavens and especially favored by the Primordial Water. The king is served by the nobility, who are also expected to serve in both peace and war. Unlike in other lands, nobility is strictly hereditary. Lands are given to people who have done good for the kingdom, whether that involves serving in war, acting as a diplomat, or forging a trade deal, etc. Lands of nobles are retaken by the crown after their death. The only exception to this is if the original noble's children also become recognized as nobles. Thus, there is a fair amount of competition to obtain a noble title in Mujmal. In contrast, control of the kingdom often falls to the eldest child of the king, unless another sibling is regarded as particularly powerful or virtuous.Military
The Mujmali, with few and less-serious threats domestically, do not have a large or powerful military. While they do feel threatened in some regards by Cathanese ambitions, there has been little need for action to retain a large or costly military as their neighbors do. They do retain a standing army, the Mujmali Guard, who serves as their might against both internal and external threats. In addition to their ground forces, the Mujmali retain numerous mages. While many are adept in the traditional arts of evocation or healing, others use their magic akin to druids, shaping the natural land as a weapon against their foes.
Organizations
- Duergar of Dhel Turumn - The duergar of Mujmali have formed an autonomous kingdom in the northern mountain ranges of Mujmal. Despite now being subjects of Mujmal, they are allowed to retain their homes, culture, and religion as long as they pay tribute to the Mujmali king.
- Mujmali Guard - While little is known about the Mujmali people and customs in general, the Mujmali Guard is a constant which appears in the records of most travelers. The Guard patrols most routes into Mujmal, and processes and welcomes these travelers into their lands. In addition, they comb the Silvas Jankil to expel the intrusions of the Haradrim slavers and potentially dangerous tribal elves. They are cordial to most, save to those who appear to be of Haradrim origin. It is known that the Guard has at least few members who are skilled in magic.
Economy
Despite their general isolation caused by their geographic location, Mujmal has a vibrant local economy that serves not only its domestic markets, but those abroad as well. The Mujmali grow food and spices, cut timber from their grand jungles, and sell the fine craftsmanship of the local duergar. The primary foreign market for these goods is Nestoria to the north, but Mujmali traders will sail to sell their goods in Cathay and even the Enlightened Kingdom as well. A few rare merchants will even travel to Ado or some even as far as Al-Andalus, Magnos or Romanorum. They shun trade with Harad, well-known as slavers of their people.
Relations
Mujmal, while large geographically, is still relatively small in terms of population and influence on a global scale. In addition, as previously stated, the mountains that border the region and the Silvas Jankil make the Mujmalis relatively isolated in comparison to the other nations. Ultimately, this means that Mujmal sends and receives few envoys, and only a little more in terms of foreign merchants and travelers.
They do maintain ties with their immediate neighbors, Cathay and Nestoria, and the Mujmali's love of sailing has led a number of them to reach Ado and the Enlightened Kingdom and return to tell of it. Their relationship with Cathay is one of guarded optimism, but remain cognizant that Cathay holds territorial aspirations for their lands. For other nations, they see them as trade partners and rare sources of world news in a nation that is otherwise isolated. The only nation Mujmal has a truly unfriendly relationship with is Harad, who has been known to send slavers into the Silvas Jankil, and frequently enslaving the Mujmali people or other travelers. These slavers, if caught by the Mujmali Guard or their magical defenses, are swiftly captured or killed.
Locations of Interest
- Ganaji - The capital city of Mujmal. Built along the banks of the river Ganaj, it is a described as a lavish city made of stone topped with gold. The city has numerous temples, lush gardens, open schools, and lively markets where the Mujmali trade among their peoples and the local duergar. It is also home to the palace of the current Mujmali king and the training grounds for the Mujmali Guard.
- River Ganaj - A wide and slow-flowing river that originates from the northern mountains of Mujmal. The river is believed to be divinely protected by the Primordial Water, and faithful Mujmali people ritually bathe in it at least once a year.
- Tamir - A city and walled monastery in northeastern Mujmal. As well as being a center of worship, it is also a center dedicated to training wizards and clerics in the unique magical arts known only in this nation. Supported by the Mujmali royal family, it is free for any Mujmali to study, but outsiders can study there as well. The cost for admission for foreigners is a worthy book or scroll containing history or magical knowledge they have not seen before.
- Dhel Turumn - The autonomous duergar kingdom in Mujmal. It encompasses a string of cliff side and mountainous towns along the northern border. The towns are complete with its own markets, temples, workshops, and a duergar guard. While they also have a king, they swear fealty to whoever is the current Mujmali king.
Trivia
- Mujmal is loosely based on medieval India, Bangladesh, and Thailand.
- The name "Mujmal" is based on the Mughal Empire that existed in India in the 16th century.
See Also
A part of Geography and Regions See Also
Quick Reference
Type
Region
Region: Western Continent
Government: Monarchy
National Language: Mujmali Common
Ancestry: 65% Men, 15% Duergar, 10% Mul, 5% Elf, 5% Other or un-described mixed ancestry
Religion: 65% Mujmali Druidic, 15% Heavens, 10% Primordial, 5% Ancestral, 5% Other
General Alignment: True Neutral
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