Tashibar

Upon the blighted shores where the Disparate Sea crashes against the Parched Sea, under a sky often bruised with unnatural hues, lies Tashibar. A nation born from exile and steeped in the dark worship of Set, it stands as a testament to the insidious reach of forbidden magic and the cruel ambition of its founders. Its existence is a scar upon the face of Apenrike, a land built on the backs of the enslaved and ruled by the iron fist of Set's shadowmancers.  The only mannish nation of the Arabic culture on the continent of Apenrike, Tashibar was founded by the cultists of Set. The cult, under the leadership of the priestmage Ahkenamses, briefly took over the kingdom of Telmand but were thrown out by the king in exile who received help from the Archadians. Ahkenamses and the reamaining cultists, necromancers and priests fled Ankomst and sailed north across the Disparate Sea, settling in Apenrike where Set guided them and raised a city from the desert floor for them to occupy. There, they founded the theocratic dictatorship of Tashibar around the city of Ma'Qead Sith, on the northern point of the Withered Coast, where the Disparate Sea and Parched Sea meet. From this seat of power, the Tashibaris expanded and founded the cities of Madinat Al Harb and Mina Alraqiq along the coast line. Their navy patrols the nearby waters in sleek and fast-sailing corsairs, raiding the Hesterherre coastlands and Greek settlements of new Apollia in order to take slaves, who make up the labor force of the society. The desert nation also sends raiding parties eastward into the mountains to make slaves of gnomes from the neighboring kingdom of Kishpa. Gnomish illusionists are especially prized as the shadowmancers, as the preist-mages of Set are called, have no ability with illusory magic. The people of Tashibar are despised by the elves and will be attacked on sight by the forces of the elvish kingdoms of Darthorion and Mariarion. Tashibar is no ordinary kingdom; it is a theocratic dictatorship ruled by a secretive and immensely powerful cabal of wizards and priests utterly devoted to the serpent god Set. This inner circle, known only as the Veiled Concord, operates from the shadowed depths of Ma'Qead Sith, their identities largely unknown to the common populace. Their decrees are absolute, interpreted as the will of Set himself. While the Veiled Concord rules collectively, a figure known as the High Shadowmancer often emerges as its most prominent voice. This individual, typically the most powerful and influential priest-mage of Set, acts as the de facto leader, though their authority is always subject to the Concord's consensus. The current High Shadowmancer is rumored to be a descendant of Ahkenamses, possessing formidable necromantic power and a chilling charisma. The numerous temples dedicated to Set throughout Tashibar serve not only as centers of worship but also as bastions of political power. The priests and priestesses who serve within their shadowed halls act as local administrators, enforcers of the Concord's will, and recruiters for the cult. There is no true nobility or secular government in Tashibar. All authority flows directly from the Veiled Concord and their priestly representatives. Loyalty to Set and obedience to his shadowmancers are the sole tenets of power. The populace is kept in line through a potent combination of religious fervor and fear. The power of Set and his servants is constantly demonstrated through displays of dark magic, the undead legions that patrol the cities, and the swift and brutal punishment of any dissent. Tashibar's economy is a parasitic one, built almost entirely upon the exploitation of slave labor. Raiding and the subjugation of other races form the cornerstone of their wealth. The primary labor force of Tashibar consists of humans captured from the Hesterherre coastlands and the Greek settlements of New Apollia, as well as various demi-humans. These slaves toil in the fields surrounding the coastal cities, in the construction of monuments to Set, and as menial laborers within the cities themselves. Their lives are brutal and short, their worth measured only by their ability to work. The necromancers of Set place a particularly high value on gnomish illusionists captured from the kingdom of Kishpa. Lacking any innate ability with illusory magic, the shadowmancers covet the gnomes' talents, forcing them to create deceptive illusions for their rituals, defenses, and psychological manipulation of the populace. Limited Trade (Under Duress): While Tashibar's primary focus is on raiding for resources and slaves, they engage in limited trade with other nations out of necessity or strategic gain. This trade is often conducted through heavily armed convoys and is marked by suspicion and hostility. They may trade captured goods or excess slaves for resources they cannot readily acquire themselves. The coastal cities of Tashibar also rely on fishing and limited agriculture sustained by the harsh environment. However, these local industries are secondary to the constant influx of wealth and labor derived from their raiding activities. Plundered goods from their raids – gold, silver, artifacts, and valuable resources – further enrich the coffers of the shadowmancers and fuel their dark ambitions. Tashibar's military is designed for swift aggression and the enforcement of the Veiled Concord's will.  Tashibar's navy is composed of sleek, fast-sailing corsairs that patrol the Disparate and Parched Seas. Manned by ruthless sailors loyal to Set, these vessels are adept at raiding coastal settlements, capturing slaves, and engaging in piracy. They are feared throughout the nearby waters for their speed and brutality. The necromancers of Set command legions of undead – skeletons, zombies, and more powerful, magically animated horrors. These tireless and fearless troops form the backbone of Tashibar's land forces, used to garrison cities, suppress rebellions, and conduct raiding expeditions into the eastern mountains for gnomish slaves. The priest-mages of Set themselves are formidable warriors, wielding potent necromantic spells and often surrounded by their undead servants. They act as elite shock troops and officers within the military, their dark magic capable of turning the tide of battle.  While they enslave gnomish illusionists, the shadowmancers also utilize their captives' talents to create deceptive defenses for their cities and strongholds, making Tashibar a difficult target for direct assault. Illusory armies, phantom fortifications, and misleading terrain can deter even the most determined attackers. Tashibar's culture is entirely dominated by the worship of Set and the oppressive rule of his shadowmancers. The Cult of Set: The serpent god Set is the supreme deity, worshipped through fear and ritualistic sacrifice. Temples dedicated to him are often dark and foreboding structures, where unsettling ceremonies are conducted by the priesthood. The serpent is a ubiquitous symbol, adorning architecture, clothing, and weaponry.  Tashibari society is rigidly hierarchical, with the shadowmancers at the apex, followed by loyal priests, corsair captains, and those who serve the cult directly. The vast majority of the population consists of slaves, who are treated as property with no rights or freedoms. Strength, ruthlessness, and devotion to Set are highly valued within Tashibari culture. Acts of cruelty against their enemies and the enslaved are often seen as demonstrations of faith and power.  While the shadowmancers are masters of necromancy and dark magic, other forms of knowledge and artistic expression are often suppressed or twisted to serve the cult's purposes. The focus is on power and the glorification of Set. Tashibar is a nation built on aggression and fear, and its people are generally distrustful of outsiders. Their hostile relations with the elves and their constant raiding of neighboring lands have made them pariahs in the region, further reinforcing their isolation. Tashibar stands as a dark stain upon the map of Nyverden, a constant threat to its neighbors and a grim reminder of the insidious power of evil. Its shadow-drenched cities and the cries of its enslaved populace paint a picture of a nation forged in darkness and sustained by cruelty, a land where the will of a malevolent god is enforced by his terrifying servants.