The Aserai Confederacy
The Empire even at its heights preferred not to send its legions into the army-devouring wastes. Instead, it projected its power into the Nahasa by cultivating clients and allies among the clans, who competed in an endless dance of power. Those clans that could secure a hold on the oases won an imperial subsidy to protect passing caravans and grew rich. Those who could not were pushed into the desert, left to raise goats and camels and raid caravans until they could plot a comeback. Today, with the waning of the empire offering new opportunities and new risks, the Aserai have agreed to form a confederacy under a sultan chosen from richest of the clans, the Banu Hulyan. But everyone knows that the dance has only temporarily been stopped, and at the right moment it will begin again.
The Confederacy of the Aserai is a kingdom ruled by Sultan Unqid , and occupies the shores and the desert beyond the The Perassic Sea .
The Banu Asera, also known as Aserai, is a civilization that is comprised of numerous clans who all claim their descent from the legendary patriarch Asera. The clans have occupied the springs, oases and coastline settlements of the Nahasa desert and its surrounding areas since ancient times. The Empire becoming weaker has shown an opportunity to the clans, who have formed a confederation in the interests of mercantile independance and conquest.
The Aserai have a fiercely independant fervour, and are very proud of being the people of Saint Asera, who they view as being the only Saint to have gained their status entirely on their own strength and family, without the need for the help of Godric or the other Saints. This fierce pride has kept them semi-independant through the Calradic empire period, but also tends to result in significant infighting between the different arms of the tribes, who all lay claim to Asera's legacy.
The population of The Battanian Confedracy is divided by race as follows:
- 72% Human
9% Dwarven
7% Elvish
13% Gnomish
1% Halfling
The Aserai pride themselves on flexibility and their armies are the closest thing to a generalized army on the continent, with a reasonably balanced mix of archers, infantry, and medium spear cavalry, although the focus is greatest on cavalry that are able to swiftly travel the desert sands and harass opponents.
The Aserai are almost unanimously followers of the Saints of Order, and
Saint Asera is the most widely worshipped. It is common for merchants, nobles, and peasants alike to sacrifice a portion of their household wealth to Asera every month, as thanks for his blessings. It is said that those who donate and keep to their faith, stay true and honest in their dealings, and care well for the families and friends will have their sacrifices multiplied tenfold in the afterlife. The temples have magical plinths upon which the sacrifices are laid, and they magically disappear when the supplicant prays over their sacrifice.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
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