Rihal
Rihal is the most populous nation of Zada, and in ancient times was the only state capable of rivalling the hegemony of Bagara. In modern times, Rihal is the only nation (other than Nelkhetia, where the World-King himself is sovereign) with the privelige of possessing its own monarch. Rihal is divided into lower Rihal, which is fertile and populous, and upper Rihal, where the waters are less placid, and desert engulfs the land.
Culture
Although all peoples within the World-King's dominion are of course free, the Rihalites prize their liberty to a greater degree than most. Other than Nelkhetia, which is governed directly by the World-King, Rihal is the only nation to be ruled by its own monarch, rather than a governor appointed by the World-King. While the King of Rihal is still a loyal servant of the King of Zada, many Rihalites celebrate their autonomy within the Empire, won by their ancient leader's wisdom in submitting to his better.
The people of lower Rihal have historically been rather agrarian, though more recently the region has become urbanised, as factories open up throughout the nation's cities. Upper Rihal is somewhat less developed, and many of its people still follow a more traditional way of life, including the use of Rihalite longbows. Regardless, the two groups are fairly similar culturally, taking pride in the Toshk River and the great pyramids of Kubra, where the kings of old are laid to rest.
History
Prior to Zada's unification, Rihal was the single strongest state in the world. However Bagara, with its system of tributaries and martial culture, could often muster greater armies. As such, the two were perpetually locked into a struggle for dominance over the Takhreib, with most of their conflicts taking place in Birinia, which was constantly fought over.
When the World-King first came to Zada, the Kingof Rihal at first was deceived by the treachery of the other monarchs, and marshalled his forces against the righteous might of the World-King. When coalition after coalition was smote down, eventually only Rihal remained to stand before the King of Zada's majesty. It was then that the sovereign of the river-folk realised his error, and fell to his knees before the World-King, begging his forgiveness. Thus it was that Rihal's monarch was spared, and kept his throne under the lordship of the World-King, who has watched over his lineage to this day.
Agriculture & Industry
Rihal is the primary breadbasket of Zada, with the floodplains of lower Rihal, and the Toshk Delta in particular, growing an abundance of food crops. In addition to this, Rihal has a large manufacturing sector, being one of the most industrialised nations within the Nelkheti Empire.
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Demonym
Rihalite
Leader
Subsidiary Organizations
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
Comments