The Kingdom of Aizdihar

Written by Reponere

Description: Aizdihar’s people, although hard workers, could be described as more laid back. Living in the climate they do, they tend to wear more relaxed and simple garb, enough to keep them covered, but not hold heat. Their lifestyle revolves mostly around the mines, and the oases. The modern, higher ups of the land do tend to dress a little more, flambuantly, with gold woven into their clothing and sometimes, their hair.
Their people are well versed in both creating and weilding a multitude of weaponry, however they tend to prefer saif type swords with rounded shields for their own personal battles.
Peoples: For the majority of its history, Aizdihar has been primarily occupied by only humans, for they were the only species foolish, (or hardy enough) to stay in such a climate. Others species have visited the land, and some have even lived in it, but they are few and far between.

Culture

In former years, the culture of Aizdihar was very simplistic. Like life itself, it was based around the mines, and family life was the priority of the citizens. However, when the government was put in place and the country became its own, the culture shifted. Formerly life was based near the mines, but as merchants and traders started to move in, cities began to pop up along the border where land was more fertile and life was easier to sustain. Caravans that formerly traveled around the country bringing much needed outside supplies would then travel around the country also bringing the ore wares to the outer cities.

History

Aizdihar, in the ancient tongue of the lands is means prosperous. But how on earth could a land bordering the Borax Uldek with a mostly barren climate and a failing sultanate be considered prosperous?
Long ago, when the war against Pale first started, the land of Aizdihar was first inhabited by miners and craftsmen. The northern mountain range, was plentiful with iron. Meanwhile the caves a bit to the west were lain with bronze and the caves to the south with gold. The miners would take the ore from the earth, while the craftsmen would work it into weaponry and armor. For the duration of the war, Aizdihar would be called Al-Mubarak, or “The Blessed” as its inhabitants truly believed it to be a blessing. Unfortunately, when the divide happened, the land was drastically affected. They lost over half their mining territory, and many of their workers left for fear of their own safety. However, the war still raged on, and weapons still needed to be produced. So a few brave souls ventured back into the mines where, much to their surprise, they found more ore than they had seen in their lives. When the war finally ended, there was no need for as much weaponry, the inhabitants of the land stayed behind, having grown accustomed to the life they led. Of course, their lives would change now, instead of focusing on mining the ore, and turning it into pieces of destruction, they learned to use it to craft ornate jewelry. In doing so, the reputation of Al-Mubarak would grow from that of weapon makers, to that of jewelry smiths. Although, they still made their fair share of weapons to trade, sell, and use to defend their mines. As time passed, the land became more and more prosperous, and when the first official government was put into place in (undetermined date,) Al-Mubarak would official become Aizdihar. With their own government in place, Aizdihar would grow from a simple country of miners and metalworkers, to a country with a vast variety of merchants and occupants. And over the years, the country, although limited due to the Borak Uldek, would continue to grow and prosper. Or, it would up until the last few centuries. The country fell under a ruler that struggled to uphold the former code that kept the country doing as well as it did, and the former prosperity would start to decline. For the next one hundred and seventy years, the country would continue to struggle, each new ruler being left behind with the problems of the last. Unfortunately, as of late, no one knows for certain where the country stands. In previous years, despite the struggles, the country was rather open. And for a several years, over a decade ago, they even seemed to actually be improving. However, for the past eleven years, the country has become closed off. No one is allowed to enter, or exit, and quite honestly, no one in the outside world knows exactly why.

Territories

Size: Moderate
Terrain: There are mountains on the western border, cut off by the Borax Uldek. And although the land is mostly desert, along the eastern border is “Ardu Alkhusuba,” or the land of fertility where a majority of plant life and human life lives.
Climate: Dry and barren. Save for a few oases when wells and/or streams sustain the inhabitants.