Ankhar

Structure

Sutaran: A leader presiding over the Pre'Khara (the Pride Sovereign), the Sutaran could also be called a High-King for the Ankhari.
Khar: A King of their respective pride, the Khar are granted a place on the Pre'Khara and answer only to the wisdom of the Ankhar.
Sethu: The speaker of the Khar, chosen from among the most loyal advisors of the Khar to speak on their behalf in the Pre'Khara when the Khar can not do so themselves.
Heket-To: High-Priests of the Esu. The Heket-To were in charge of the temples and religious practices associated with the faith.
Ti'Mat-Khar: A governor of a region within the lands of the Pride. Each region has two Ti'Mat-Khara, to embody the Twin Gods.
To: A Lesser Priest of the Esu. They performed rituals and acted as intermediaries between the people and the gods in local communities.
Khef: Scribes of the Pride. They document the history of Ankhar and ensure clear communication amongst the Prides.

Demography and Population

Total Population: 5 million people.

Territories

Eitak (The Sunburnt Plains)

Region: Expansive, arid grasslands on the northern edge of the desert, with intense sun exposure and dry air.
Culture: Known as fierce nomadic warriors, the Akhrat have a deep reverence for the sun, believing it to be a guardian spirit that illuminates their path. Their society is structured around hunting and herding Sha, their long-legged jackal mounts, which allow them to traverse the harsh terrain. They wear lightweight, sun-reflective armor and keep few permanent settlements, moving with seasonal water sources. They are skilled with lightweight spears and javelins and practice a martial form of dance honoring the sun.
Symbol: A blazing sun disk, often worn as an amulet.
Unique Traits: They’re excellent trackers, capable of navigating the arid plains with little water. The Akhrat are also renowned storytellers, recounting tales of bravery and survival under the sun’s gaze.

Mautjar (The Red Stones)

Region: Rocky, mineral-rich highlands with red-hued cliffs and canyons. These regions have sparse vegetation but unique flora that thrive in dry, rocky soils.
Culture: Known for their mining and crafting skills, the Mautjar see the earth as a source of life and livelihood, worshipping an earth goddess who they believe gave birth to the mountains and valleys. They mine valuable metals and minerals and are the primary blacksmiths and armorers for the region. Mautjar artisans craft armor that resembles the cliffs, with reddish tones. They also fashion intricate jewelry and sculptures in homage to their mountainous homeland.
Symbol: A red mountain peak, often crafted from local stones.
Unique Traits: They’re known for their endurance and resilience, often seen as guardians of the land. Their warriors are skilled in close combat, wielding short swords and shields made from local metals.

Hereth (The Oasis-Keepers)

Region: A series of lush oases surrounded by arid desert, with hidden springs and small pockets of fertile land that sustain the clan’s villages.
Culture: The Hereth are caretakers of the sacred oases, seeing water as a divine gift to be protected at all costs. They have a strong agricultural tradition, growing fruits, herbs, and grains, which they trade with other clans. The Eitak also serve as healers and herbalists, using plants unique to the oasis. They are known for their rituals around the conservation of water, and their priests practice water divination. Due to their stewardship of rare resources, they maintain a position of neutrality in most conflicts. The Khar of the Hereth is the current Sutaran of Ankhar.
Symbol: A water droplet encircled by palm fronds.
Unique Traits: Their diplomacy skills are highly respected, as is their knowledge of healing. They avoid physical conflict when possible, focusing instead on their role as providers.

Akhrat (The Sand Sea Nomads)

Region: The vast, shifting sand dunes of the deep desert to the west, a harsh and sparsely inhabited region with little vegetation.
Culture: The Akhrat are masters of sand navigation, living as traders and travelers across the unforgiving dunes. Their society is matrilineal, with leadership passed through the eldest women of the clan, who are known as the "Daughters of the Dunes." They worship a god of winds and believe that spirits guide them through the desert storms. They rely heavily on Spinosaurus as pack animals and often travel in caravans for safety, trading goods across the land. Their art often features abstract patterns reminiscent of wind-carved sands.
Symbol: A spiral, symbolizing the eternal, shifting sands.
Unique Traits: Akhrat scouts are known for their stealth and ability to move through the desert unseen. They specialise in archery and short, curved swords designed for quick, lethal strikes.

Makat Clan (The Stone Gardens)

Region: A rugged, mountainous area with cascading rivers and verdant valleys that act as natural fortresses, located closer to the river valleys that lead to Zihira.
Culture: The Makat Clan are defensive warriors and master stoneworkers, known for building fortified settlements and intricate stone gardens that act as sanctuaries. They believe in a balance between nature and architecture, with temples that blend into their rocky landscape. The Makat honor the river spirits and maintain a tense yet respectful relationship with the Nagini, often serving as the buffer between their lands and the rest of the clans.
Symbol: Interlocking stones, representing unity and strength.
Unique Traits: Makat warriors are experts in siege defense and use heavy shields and long spears. They are also highly skilled builders and masons, constructing sturdy fortresses that withstand floods and attacks alike.

Ska-Haret Clan (The Marsh Kingdom)

Region: Swampy lowlands on the eastern edge of the Nagini lands, transitioning between grasslands and the wetlands, full of dense vegetation and muddy terrain.
Culture: The Ska-Haret are known for their ambush tactics and deep knowledge of the marshlands, which they use to their advantage. They respect the Nagini, seeing them as guardians of the marshes, and honor animal spirits, especially crocodiles and serpents. Their warriors are adept at using their environment for cover and rely on short, sharp weapons for close combat. They use ritualistic face paints made from marsh minerals and are known for their herbal knowledge and poison-making.
Symbol: A serpent coiled around a spear.
Unique Traits: Ska-Haret scouts are known for their stealth and their ability to vanish into the marshes. Their herbalists craft potent poisons and remedies, and their warriors are known for ambush tactics and guerilla warfare.

Military

The Sutarian Guard (Personal Guard of the Sutaran):

Purpose: Elite warriors tasked with protecting the Sutaran (the ruler of Ankhar) and enforcing their decrees across the nation.
Composition: Highly trained Tagaran warriors and Griffon-mounted knights.
Role: They serve as a symbol of the Sutaran’s authority and often act as emissaries or enforcers to the clans.
Equipment: Ornate armour and weapons enchanted with blessings from the Sphinxes.

The Kha’ru (Clan Militias):

Purpose: Each clan maintains its own militia, primarily responsible for local security, border protection, and defence against wildlife threats.
Composition: Primarily Tagaran warriors, with some domesticated creatures like Sha for mobility and Akhekh for reconnaissance.
Structure: Each clan’s Khar (chief) appoints a commander, known as the Kha’mar, to oversee their forces.
Role: Defend their territory, maintain internal order, and serve as auxiliary forces during national conflicts.

The Uru’tar (Hunters of the Wilds):

Purpose: Specialists in dealing with dangerous wildlife, such as Carcharodontosaurus, Deltadromeus, and other predatory creatures.
Composition: Small, highly mobile teams equipped with Sha mounts and powerful ranged weapons like bows, spears, and bolas.
Role: Protect trade routes, settlements, and travellers from attacks. They also serve as scouts and trackers during conflicts.

The Rek’hati (River Watch):

Purpose: Protect the waterways and wetlands, ensuring safe transport and trade while defending against threats like Serpopards, crocodiles, and rival factions.
Composition: A mix of Tagaran and Nagini warriors, using canoes, Spinosaurus transports, and amphibious mounts like Serpopards.
Role: Patrol the rivers, enforce water-based trade laws, and ensure no clan abuses its access to the wetlands.
Leadership: Led by a Hati’rek (Master of the Rivers), often a Nagini elder.

The Entekhar (National Army):

Purpose: A standing army under the direct control of the Sutaran, deployed in times of war or national crisis.
Composition: Soldiers from all clans, chosen through a rotation system to ensure unity and avoid favouritism.
Units:

• Lion Guard: Heavy infantry of Tagaran warriors armed with spears, swords, and shields.
• Sky Scouts: Akhekh-mounted archers and reconnaissance teams.
• Riverborne Legions: Units specialised in amphibious warfare, utilising Spinosaurus and canoes.

Role: Maintain national unity, protect Ankhar’s borders, and suppress rebellions or large-scale wildlife incursions.

The Order of the Sphinx:

Purpose: A semi-mystical group responsible for maintaining balance and upholding ancient traditions.
Composition: Sphinxes, Hieracosphinxes, and their attendants (both Tagaran and Nagini).
Role: Act as mediators during disputes between clans, advisers to the Sutaran, and powerful allies in battle when the nation faces existential threats.

Religion

The Ankhar value a denominative variation of the Esu faith, worshipping the same Gods but also revering the contributions of Setafloren (the Wanderer of the Forest) and Ameluna (the Daughter of the Moon) who are known as Dalli and Faera by the Dallans. As well as Nero, the founder of their lands and grand-son of Ameluna.

Foreign Relations

Zihira

Pragmatic Coexistence: Though culturally different, the Tagaran and Nagini would respect each other’s territorial boundaries and skills. Trade between the grasslands and the riverlands involves exchanging woven goods, animal products, and medicinal plants.
Diplomatic Exchanges: The Tagaran send emissaries to the Nagini to maintain peaceful relations and organise joint festivals or exchanges. Emissaries, who often come from warrior lineages, travel in small, ceremonial groups and may exchange ritual gifts with the Nagini.

Laws

Legal Principles

The legal system is built upon the philosophy of Hoth (balance), truth, and justice. Key tenets include:
Restorative Justice: Punishments focus on restoring harmony rather than retribution. For instance, crimes of theft might require reparations to the victim’s family and a symbolic act of penance overseen by the Et-Hoth.
Oaths of the Sun: Witnesses and those accused must swear an oath to Sol, the lion-headed sun deity, invoking divine judgment should they lie.
Sacred Scales Ceremony: Major trials involve a ritual where evidence and testimony are symbolically weighed on scales to determine guilt or innocence. The outcome is declared by the Sebet-Hoth.
Clan Autonomy: Each clan maintains its own minor courts for resolving internal disputes, presided over by the Sebet-Hoth. Inter-clan or national cases are escalated to the Pre'Khara.

Agriculture & Industry

Riverine Farming
Main Crops:

• Papyrus: Used for writing materials, textiles, and trade.
• Grains: Millet and sorghum for bread and porridge, essential staples.
• Lotus and Water Lily: Edible roots and seeds, symbolic in religious practices.
• Vegetables: Onions, leeks, and cucumbers thrive near wetlands.
• Fruits: Figs, dates, and pomegranates are grown in drier, irrigated areas.

Wetland Farming: Utilises canals to cultivate crops resistant to flooding.
Grassland and Savannah Farming
Livestock: Herds of domesticated Aegyptosaurus, providing transportation, meat, and hides.
Small Game: Managed populations of herbivorous dinosaurs like Iguanodon for sustenance.
Foraging and Wild Cultivation: Indigenous grasses are collected for food and brewing.
Desert Fringe Cultivation
Irrigated Oases: Date palms, hardy shrubs, and medicinal herbs are cultivated in desert-adjacent regions.
Salt Harvesting: Desert lakes and oases produce salt for preservation and trade.

Textile Production
Papyrus Fibres and Reeds: Processed into rope, mats, and light fabrics.
Hide and Leatherwork: Derived from Aegyptosaurus and other grazers for clothing, armour, and trade.
Fishing and Aquatic Resources
Primary Species: Abtu fish, used for food and oil production.
Medjed (Elephant-fish): Cultivated for ceremonial purposes and oils.
Serpopard Hunting: Their scales and pelts are valuable commodities.

Mangrove Timber: Harvested in wetlands for building stilted homes and boats.
Stonework: Sandstone and limestone quarries support the construction of monuments, temples, and infrastructure. Metalworking
Copper and Bronze: Extracted from mines in the desert hills, used for tools, weapons, and art.
Gold and Gems: Mined in desert regions, forming the basis for jewellery and wealth.

Aegyptosaurus and Sha (Jackal Mounts): Domesticated for transport, ploughing, and military use.
Griffins and Akhekh: Raised by specialist clans for scouting, transport, and warfare.

Caravans and River Barges: Goods are moved across Ankhar using domesticated creatures and boats, facilitating trade between clans.
Export Goods: Papyrus products, stone carvings, spices, and dinosaur-related commodities.

Trade & Transport

Currency

Sunstone Coins: Made from a rare, golden-hued stone found only in the Red Stone regions (home of the Mautjar Clan), these are the highest denomination. They feature a stylised image of the sun on one side and the lion-headed deity Ra-Het on the other. Sunstone Ra-Maat are highly valuable and often used only in large transactions, ceremonial gifts, or as tribute to rulers or temples.
Electrum Beads: Small beads made from electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver, form the middle denomination. Electrum is abundant along riverbeds and is valued not only for its material worth but also for its connection to the river gods. Each bead has a symbol of prosperity etched into its surface, like a river wave or a grain stalk, and is threaded onto a string for easy exchange. These beads are used for everyday transactions, such as food, clothing, or local services.
Obsidian Shards: Polished black obsidian fragments serve as the lowest denomination. These shards are carved with simple markings that denote their worth, symbolising both wealth and protection. Given their low value, obsidian shards are common among everyday trades for smaller items and are often exchanged in small pouches.

Infrastructure

Regional Infrastructure

Eitak (The Sunburnt Plains)

• Roads and Pathways: Sparse but durable stone waypoints mark seasonal migration routes for nomads. Sha corrals and watering stations exist at key intervals.
• Water Infrastructure: Underground cisterns and wells store rainwater. Small seasonal camps include simple canals or troughs for livestock.
• Defensive Structures: Temporary wooden palisades are erected at camp sites. Few permanent settlements exist.

Mautjar (The Red Stones)

• Mining Infrastructure: Extensive mines and tunnels with stone-reinforced entrances. Pulley systems and smelting forges are scattered across the highlands.
• Transport Routes: Carved paths and switchback trails for transporting mined goods. Use of Sha and heavy carts pulled by Aegyptosaurus for logistics.
• Fortifications: Mountain strongholds with red stone walls, blending into the cliffs.
• Workshops: Centralised blacksmithing and armouring facilities.

Hereth (The Oasis-Keepers) Agricultural Infrastructure: Irrigation systems with intricate water channels to distribute oasis water to fields. Granaries and storage silos built into natural rock formations for cooling. Trade Hubs: Markets near major oases serve as neutral grounds for inter-clan trade. Water Sanctuaries: Sacred pools surrounded by walls, guarded by priests and warriors. Medical Centres: Small clinics staffed by healers and herbalists.
Akhrat (The Sand Sea Nomads)

• Nomadic Camps: Portable tents reinforced with durable textiles. Centralised feeding troughs for Spinosaurus pack animals.
• Caravan Waypoints: Small, sheltered stone outposts where caravans can rest and resupply. Often equipped with water storage and storm shelters.
• Trade Routes: Extensive trade networks marked by natural landmarks and maintained by the Akhrat’s scouts.

Makat Clan (The Stone Gardens)

• Fortifications: Complex stone fortresses with layered defenses and water diversion systems.
• River Dams: To control flooding and direct water flow.
• Stone Gardens: Sacred spaces blending architectural beauty with nature. Serve as gathering places for rituals and community events.
• Bridges and Roads: Stone bridges spanning rivers and connecting valleys. Sturdy pathways for transporting goods and personnel.

Ska-Haret Clan (The Marsh Kingdom)

• Defensive Structures: Elevated wooden platforms and treehouses to avoid marsh flooding. Hidden pit traps and palisades to deter intruders.
• Canals and Boatways: Small canals for navigating dense vegetation. Lightweight boats used for travel and fishing.
• Herbal Gardens: Cultivated spaces for growing medicinal plants and poisons.
• Camouflaged Camps: Semi-permanent settlements hidden within dense vegetation, blending with the natural environment.

Nationwide Infrastructure

• Roads and Trade Routes: Stone and sand-packed roads connect major regions, particularly Hereth and Mautjar. Trade caravans frequently traverse routes maintained by the Akhrat and Mautjar.
• River Infrastructure: Rivers are the lifeblood of Ankhar, with Hereth and Makat clans maintaining irrigation systems and dams. Ferries and small docks allow transport of goods and people.
• Religious Sites: Temples to major gods are scattered across Ankhar, with Hereth housing the most prominent ones. Pilgrimage routes connect sacred sites.
• Military Infrastructure: Fortified outposts and garrisons in Mautjar and Makat regions defend Ankhar’s borders. Hidden training grounds exist in Eitak and Ska-Haret for guerrilla and ambush warfare.
• Communication: Smoke signals, horn calls, and trained runners (often using Sha) enable rapid communication between clans. The Akhrat use specialised wind patterns to carry coded messages via long-range horns.
• Water Management: Hereth leads the nation in water conservation, with its irrigation expertise shared selectively among clans. Wells and reservoirs are maintained by the oases clans and supplemented by Makat engineering.

Type

Geopolitical, Clan

Capital

Te'At Hett

Demonym

Ankhari

Leader

Sutaran Hett

Ruling Organization

Herethi

Leader Title

Ankhar

Founders

• Sutaran Nero Faetos

Head of State

Sutaran Hett

Head of Government

Sutaran Hett

Government System

Kratocracy

Power Structure

Confederation

Economic System

Barter system

Gazetteer

Akhrat
Eitak
Hereth

• Te'At Hett

Makat
Mautjar
Ska'Haret

Currency

Sunstone Coins
Electrum Beads
Obsidian Shards

Legislative Body

Laws are set by the Khar and apply to any of those that live within their clans, but all Khars answer to the Sutaran and are bound to rise up in support of them in times of need. As a result the Sutaran is seen as the highest authority in Ankhar.
The Sethu can sometimes make desicions on behalf of their Khar when representing them on the Pre'Khara, however only when their Khar is absent, and they can never set laws for their clans.
The Sutaran and the Khars are advised in their decisions by a series of religious officials, governors, warriors, and scribes, though ultimately only the Sutaran and the Khars have final authority.

Judicial Body

The Et-Hoth serves as the primary judicial body in Ankhar, operating under the principles of balance, truth, and justice as embodied by their spiritual and cultural beliefs.
Key Figures in the Et-Hoth
Sebet'Hoth (Judges of Balance): The Sebet-Maat are highly educated individuals chosen for their wisdom, impartiality, and deep knowledge of the laws and spiritual teachings of the Tagaran. They oversee legal disputes, criminal cases, and the interpretation of laws. Each Sebet-Hoth is assigned to a particular region, answering to the region's Ti'Mat-Khar.
Heket'Hoth (Guardians of the Scales): The Heket-Hoth are ceremonial enforcers of justice who oversee the ritualistic weighing of evidence, symbolised by literal scales used in trials. They ensure proceedings are conducted fairly and act as the moral compass during contentious legal disputes.
Se'Pat (Voices of the People): These representatives are chosen from among the common people and serve as advocates for their communities. They bring cases to the Et-Hoth, ensuring that even the poorest or least influential citizens can access justice. Their role reinforces the principle that balance and truth are universal rights, not privileges.

Executive Body

The Enforcers of Balance: The "Sekhem-Hoth" (Strength of Balance): The Sekhem-Hoth is the official law enforcement and peacekeeping organisation within Ankhar. It operates under the supervision of the Et-Hoth (House of Balance) and the rulers of the region that they are in, be they the Ti'Mat Khar, the Khar, or the Sutaran . Members of the Sekhem-Hoth are highly trained individuals who combine physical prowess, tactical skill, and an understanding of Ankhar laws and values.

Official State Religion

The Esu

Official Languages

• Ankhari

Neighboring Nations

• Zihira

Related Species

• Tagaran

Related Ethnicities

• Ankhari