Aes Unguis Caliphate

The Aes Unguis Caliphate is a reclusive and enigmatic state nestled within the western reaches of Ayinel. Known for its impenetrable mists, arcane traditions, and the shadowy figure of the Sahirah, the Caliphate has long been shrouded in mystery. For centuries, it remained hidden behind magical wards, engaging minimally with the outside world. However, the Cascade, a cataclysmic magical upheaval, tore down these barriers, exposing the Caliphate to the broader world.
Its people, overwhelmingly Lumin, revere the Sahirah as a living deity. Legends speak of her power to manipulate souls, grant miraculous boons, and even repel powerful foes such as the Sovereignty of Arktalas during The Shattered March. The Caliphate’s purpose, as shaped by the Sahirah’s will, revolves around the Prophecy of the Wanderer, a foretelling of a new age tied to the return of a legendary figure from Ayinel’s past and the next great cataclysm.

Government and Leadership

The Sahirah

The Sahirah stands at the apex of the Caliphate’s hierarchy, revered not only as a ruler but as a living deity. Her power transcends mortal governance, encompassing:

• Weaver of Souls: It is said the Sahirah can bind the very essence of a soul, shaping it into tools, constructs, or servants, or releasing it to wander the Veil freely. Some claim the Veilforged are the result of this power, souls of her most devoted reshaped into eternal guardians.
• Veilbound Resurrection: Rumors abound that the Sahirah has brought the dead back from the beyond, but not without consequence. Whispers speak of those resurrected bearing an unsettling connection to the Veil, their voices softened, their dreams haunted by shadows.
• Gifts of Grace: Followers of the Sahirah claim that her touch can transform the faithful, granting them preternatural abilities or blessings. Tales tell of warriors who move like whispers in the dark and mystics who can hear the echoes of long-dead voices, all marked by her shadowed grace.

Every Sahirah inherits the memories of her predecessors through the Binding of the Veil, a ritual that passes centuries of knowledge and power. To the Caliphate, she is the Veil personified, a bridge between past and future.

The Veilforged

The Veilforged are the silent sentinels of the Sahirah, constructs imbued with power that many believe comes from the souls of her most loyal followers. They are more than protectors, they are walking relics, embodying the legacy of the Caliphate itself.

• Enforcers of Will: The Veilforged carry out the Sahirah’s decrees with unyielding precision, often acting as judge and executioner when justice is required. Their presence is enough to quell unrest.
• Keepers of the Sacred: They guard the Caliphate’s most hallowed sites and artifacts, standing vigil at the Hall of Whispers and the Black Mirror Pools, ensuring no sacrilege is committed.
• Advisors Without Words: Through subtle gestures and movements, the Veilforged convey insights drawn from the Veil, their silence lending gravity totheir guidance. It is said they speak only to the Sahirah, in voices heard by none but her.

Voice of the People

Known collectively as the Voices, these community leaders represent the diverse races and towns of the Caliphate. Acting as intermediaries between the Sahirah and her people, they ensure the Caliphate’s intricate society functions harmoniously.

• Governors of the Everyday: The Voices oversee daily life, ensuring resources are distributed, disputes are settled, and towns thrive within the Caliphate’s strict yet balanced framework.
• Mediators of Order: They uphold the Sahirah’s decrees, translating her often cryptic guidance into practical action. To disobey a Voice is to defy the Sahirah herself.
• Ceremonial Guides: Voices lead the Caliphate’s rituals, particularly those tied to the Prophecy of the Wanderer, and prepare their communities for the moment the Veil might tear and history is remade.

Geography

The Caliphate lies within The Veiled Valley, surrounded by towering peaks and perpetually cloaked in dense mists, the Caliphate is naturally fortified and difficult to access. Only a few narrow passes lead to its borders. The valley is perpetually dim, with sunlight rarely penetrating the thick fog. The air is cool and damp, fostering unique plant life. Its geography is as much a part of its mystery as its culture, shaping its people and their way of life.

Settlements in the Caliphate

The Caliphate is a collection of small towns and villages, each with its own role and significance, spread across the valley. The Hall of Whispers, the seat of the Sahirah, stands as the spiritual and political heart of the Caliphate, surrounded by smaller settlements that contribute to the region’s cohesion.
Hall of Whispers: The Hall is located at the valley’s center, a towering obsidian spire visible from nearly every corner of the Caliphate. This structure is surrounded by the Sanctum District, where mystics, scholars, and the Veilforged reside. The area is heavily fortified, with the Sahirah’s influence radiating outward.

Small Towns:

The towns are arranged in concentric rings around the Hall, each specializing in specific aspects of the Caliphate’s culture and survival:

• Mistreach: A border town responsible for monitoring trade and travelers. Its people are the Caliphate’s first line of interaction with outsiders.


• Duskvale: Known for its sacred groves and the cultivation of rare herbs like Veilroot.


• Shadow’s Hearth: A quiet, reflective community where artisans and weavers craft the famed shadow-woven textiles.


• Echo Hollow: A village devoted to rituals and ceremonies tied to the Black Mirror Pools, home to many Dreamers of the Veil who meditate on the Wanderer’s prophecy.

Villages and Outposts: Scattered between the towns are tiny hamlets and lone watchtowers. These settlements often house farmers, hunters, and those tasked with tending the valley’s unique ecosystem.

Architecture

The architecture of the Caliphate reflects its people’s reverence for shadows and balance:
Buildings: Constructed primarily from dark stone and wood harvested sparingly from the Shaded Groves, buildings are low and angular, designed to blend seamlessly with the mist and landscape. Many structures incorporate symbols of the Prophecy in their design, such as star-shaped windows or shadow-casting arches.
Bioluminescent Accents: Shadelight Vines are woven into the stonework of homes and pathways, providing subtle illumination that complements the valley’s natural dimness.

Economy

The economy of the Aes Unguis Caliphate is a careful balance of rarity and restraint. Its exports are limited but highly prized, revolving around goods imbued with the mystique of the Veil. Chief among these are soul-woven fabrics, textiles crafted through magical techniques that give them shifting patterns and unmatched utility for both stealth and ceremonial use. The Caliphate also trades arcane relics and herbs like Veilroot and Night’s Bane, essential for potions and rituals. These items are carefully controlled, with trade overseen by the Sahirah’s Veilforged.
On the other hand, the Caliphate imports materials unavailable in its secluded valley, such as metals for tools and constructs, spices for ceremonies, and advanced technologies to support its scholars and artisans. Internally, the economy functions through a mix of ritual offerings and bartering, with resources shared communally to maintain balance between survival and spiritual devotion. Despite its modest scale, the Caliphate’s economic influence is amplified by the unparalleled value of its unique exports.

Culture

The culture of the Aes Unguis Caliphate is built on a foundation of purposeful discretion and an unwavering commitment to secrecy. Every interaction is steeped in the rituals of politeness, with even the simplest exchanges carrying an air of formality akin to a noble court. Conversations are deliberate, measured, and often indirect, with words carefully chosen to reveal only what is necessary. To expose or exploit someone else’s secret is considered a grave offense, tantamount to betrayal.
This culture permeates all aspects of life, from governance to daily activities. Ritual gestures and veiled statements are commonplace, allowing for communication while respecting the sanctity of privacy. Even children are taught from an early age the value of guarding their thoughts and intentions. The result is a society where every action has weight, every word carries meaning, and trust is the currency of relationships. Within this web of guarded truths, the Sahirah and her Veilforged embody the ideal of absolute discretion, setting the standard for the Caliphate’s ethos.

Current Affairs

Tensions with the League: The Caliphate’s inscrutable motives and growing influence within the League of Free Cities have sparked both curiosity and suspicion among its neighbors.
Prophecy’s Whisper: A recent celestial phenomenon over the Black Mirror Pools has stirred rumors that theWanderer’s return is near, deepening both faith and fear within the Caliphate.
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"The Caliphate’s words are veiled, their motives unclear. Yet, when their aid is needed, they stand unyielding. Perhaps their silence is not hostility, but a strength we cannot yet understand."

— Alissara Vyreth, Envoy of Sylren's Gate

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Alternative Names

The Caliphate, The Valley of Umbra, The Bronze Bastards

Parent Organization

The League of Free Cities

Related Species

• Lumin

Related Myths

• The Prophecy of the Veil

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The Black Mirror Pools

These still, obsidian-like lakes are scattered across the Veiled Valley, their surfaces reflecting not only the present but echoes of the past. Mystics known as Dreamers of the Veil meditate here, seeking visions tied to the Sahirah or the Prophecy of the Wanderer. However, legends warn against staring too long into the pools, lest one’s soul become trapped within their depths.
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How They Dress and Act

Attire: Flowing garments in dark hues, accented with silver or violet thread that mimics constellations and shadow patterns. Masks are common during formal ceremonies, symbolizing the layers of identity and secrecy.
Etiquette: Every action, from a greeting to a farewell, carries a sense of deliberate purpose. Silence is revered, and conversations are laced with subtle gestures and hidden meanings. Trust and discretion are paramount
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Notable Landmarks

The Shaded Groves: Sacred woodlands used for Veil-related rituals, where no tree may be felled without the Sahirah’s blessing.
The Veilstone Monolith: A massive, rune-inscribed obsidian stone within The Hall of Whispers, believed to be a fragment of the Veil itself.
The Obsidian Bridge: A jet-black bridge spanning a deep ravine, symbolizing the connection between the material world and the Veil. Its crossing is often part of important ceremonies.
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"The Veil whispers truths too great for the unguarded mind. Only those who walk in shadow may truly see the light of what is to come."

— Sahirah Elasha, during the Night of Whispers

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Rituals and Ceremonies

The Night of Whispers: Citizens offer fragments of their memories to the Black Mirror Pools, preserving collective history. Those who offer the greatest secrets are granted boons by The Sahirah.
The Shadowed Path: A coming-of-age ritual where youths navigate a labyrinth of mirrors, confronting fears and embracing their place in the Caliphate.
Eternal Dusk: A festival marked by shadow lantern processions, celebrating the balance of light and darkness
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The Ceremony of Veiled Names

This practice occurs when someone reaches adulthood or achieves a significant milestone in the Caliphate. Participants receive a “Veiled Name” in a secret ceremony officiated by a Voice of the People. The name, tied to their essence and role within the community, is known only to the individual, the officiant, and the Sahirah. To speak a Veiled Name aloud is considered sacrilege.
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"They claim the Veil guards ancient knowledge, but I suspect it is a cage for something far darker. Beware those who wrap their truths in shadows—such secrets come at a cost."

— Luminaris Teyrn, Archivist of the Solaris Sanctum