Ahala
Ahala, also known as the Sea of Gold, is a country to the north west of Primus. The province is noted for its desert, most notably the Sea of Gold, a vast and expansive desert that consumes nearly all of Ahala. Oasis are dotted throughout the Sea, but much of the terrain is rocky and full of sand. Towards the coast, to the North, are fertile lands that boast much of the civilization centers. The Northern Deep is also home to many of Alaha's trade fleet which scurries along the coast visiting every province both at home and abroad. It is predominantly Human.
Ahala is a urban, maritime country. The majority of its population resides in the cities dotted along the coast, with few settlements near oases out in the Sea of Gold. It borders Farscape to the East, Tarys to the South, and Yveni to the West.
Ahala is sparse in terms of varied, natural architecture. Sand dunes and vast desert valleys form the majority of its landscape. Dotting along this desert are crags and buttes, though every year they tend to get smaller and smaller as the sand rises. The greenery of Ahala is located along the north, supported by the nearby sea as well as the rare spring rains that carry in from the north.
The north sports few fields, but what is there is utilized in irrigation and arable farmland. The most important aspect of Ahala, however, is its rich mineral presence located underground. Not just in the caves, but in the ancient ruins that lay buried beneath the sand.
Geography
History
Ahala tribesmen were originally nomads. They would wander from oasis to oasis, scavenging for food or otherwise hunting game. Back then, the Sea of Gold was expansive and all-consuming. Sandstorms and terrible sand-devils would wreak havoc on any settlement that attempted to be founded. Legends say, however, that a group of Ahalan explorers ventured into an ancient ruin uncovered and activated magic that brought life to the desert's coast. From there, Ahala as a nation was born. Grateful for either divine intervention or in the legitimacy of their legends, they kept to themselves; intent on surviving the desert. Yet as time grew and relations were established, they found themselves increasingly on the laughing stock of the world stage. They were poor, had little exports, and any more ancient ruins were simply delved by adventurers before they could lay their stake. That would have very well continued were it not for Haleem Bandaari. Haleem had made a small fortune adventuring and traveling with merchant caravans abroad. He took this knowledge back to his homeland and begun to teach, believing that if they started from the bottom they would have a foundation to which to establish a trading legacy of their own. They employed this knowledge in addition to selling the few magical artifacts plundered from the ruins nearby to attract both clientele and money. As the wealth of the Ahalans grew, as did their capabilities for expansion and further security of their merchandise. With higher demand came higher prices, higher prices began to price out many clientele which created the need for 'exclusivisity' which in turn boosted their reputation and renown.
Faith
The Alahans believe in their own pantheon. The details are as follows:
Omir - God of Destiny, Duty, and Fate. Many attribute the life given to Alaha as destiny, the rise of Bandaari as Fate, and the continued support of the merchant company as their sole duty. Omir's worship is prevalent to any and all Bandaari, with many temples and shrines dotting even in the most remote parts of the desert. Quick prayers and rituals are said before many commonplace tasks.
Itin - God of Night and Day. Steeped in tradition, Alahans also believe that the moon and sun are simply celestial beings that require taming and appeasement; least they stop appearing at all. So for the good graces of the cool night and to pray for a less hotter Day, many evening and early morning prayers are dedicated to Itin. A ritual of hope and optimism amidst their dreary conditions.
Takla - Goddess of Commerce and Trade. There are many who believe Takla came to Haleem in mortal form to teach him the ways of negotiation. That she wedded him and gave birth to the great fortune masters that were the Bandaari. There is little evidence to support it, yet those who could so easily refute it fail to do so. Thus, it has become commonplace to conduct a prayer between two Alahans to Takla before a mutual negotiation, or a quick one when dealing with foreigners.
Huddite - God of Death. Legend has it that Huddite disapproved of Takla's conjoining with Mortals and bestowed a curse. It is a common belief that there will come a time that the Alahans must pay in due the holy wealth they have reaped and that will be in the form of life, for what need does a God have for coin? Funerals are dedicated to Huddite, in an attempt to appease him so that he may forgive the transgression and ask no more of the Alahans who believe they have suffered enough.
Politics
While normally ruled by a Sultan, Haleem Bandaari changed Alahan politics forever. Holding no office or power of his own, he utilized his vast financial network and many connections to secure himself a prominent seat in government. From there, he spread his coin and influence as far and wide as he could, ultimately taking on projects and funding for the Nation under the guise of dedication to his role. This created the Bandaari as the Alahan financial lifeline.
The usurpation of the Sultan was easy from there. Though the role still exists, it is no secret that Alaha moves and breathes the way the Bandaari tell them to. No act from the Sultan nor decree from the House of Wisdom is done without the explicit say-so of the Bandaari. Yet, few prefer it otherwise. The inexplicable wealth and general increase in quality of life in such a short amount of time has done well in squelching many dissident voices.
Yet, there are some that see past the veneer of gold and wish for true, radical change.
Rulers
Muntasir el-Hanif : The current Sultan. Weak-willed and a puppet, the man cares nothing more than to indulge in the pleasant luxuries of life. Decadent and lazy, he is more than content to be the Bandaari's puppet while indulging all of the fine delicacies that he made others work for.
Maajid Bandaari: Current Bandaari Caravan Master and head of the Bandaari clan. He is a man that sees everything as a negotiation and would be glad to buy at a normal rate if only to turn it around and sell it at a marked increase to those that vie for his goods. Though not a man of violence, he uses wealth and connections to see through to his means.
by Silva
Flora
Fauna
Notable Places
House of Wisdom - Located in Ilahan, the House of Wisdom is where many of the country's envoys, diplomats, ambassadors, statesmen, and various other political workers convene to discuss and decide matters pertaining to the country. Most day-to-day political work is also conducted here. The Great Bath - An infamous bathhouse that doubles as a brothel. Located on the outskirts of Ilahan, on one of the few inlets that lead into Ahala itself. It has earned a great reputation by admitting only rather wealthy clients, its services, features, and price matching the wealth level of its patrons. The Sea of Gold - An expansive desert that swallows up much of Ahala. Buried beneath its dunes are ruins of old cities, as well as mysterious relics from an empire shrouded in mystery.Notable People
Coin begets Life. Life begets Coin.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
Bandaari, Coinpinchers.
Demonym
Alahans
Leader
Leader Title
Location
Controlled Territories
Related Ethnicities
Alahan Golden Sailor
"They prowl around the sands, believing they can find the next treasure. They crawl around on the dunes, hoping to find a sign. I find their corpse, dried like a husk, weeks later. They are nothing but fools, chasing gold like the Bandaari."
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