Zelfan Desert
The Zelfan Desert is the largest desert on Zada, and separates the Takhreib and Rihal from the central southern regions of the continent, such as Touzir and the Gaanheib. It is sparsely populated by the Zelfanites, hardy nomads who travel between oases on the backs of their camels. The Zelfanites have historically been isolated from the rest of Zada by the geography of their homeland, but the advent of the locomotive has begun to change that.
Culture
The Zelfanites are a primarily nomadic people, a lifestyle necessitated by the geography in which they live. There is very little water in the Zelfan, and so its inhabitants must travel between the various oases, most of which are too small to support a permanent population. Each Zelfanite clan possesses a number of oases, which they travel between in a months- or years-long cycle to avoid depleting them of their resources. Every clan is part of a larger tribe, and all the tribes together form a confederation. Each tribe sends representatives to regular confederal meetings, where they work with the governor of the Zelfan to carry out the World-King's will. There is no formal capital of the Zelfan, with meeting places instead moving between the current residence of each tribe, in a cycle laid out by the World-King himself.
The Zelfanites are famed for their hospitality, and guests in the tent of a Zelfanite Clan- or Tribe-Chief can expect luxuries and gifts to rival the most elaborate Nelkheti palaces. For a Zelfanite to break the rules of hospitality with anyone, even a fierce enemy, is for them to be ostracised, and exiled into the desert, never again to recieve succor from another of their nation. The Zelfanites are also known for their camels, which act as beasts of burden, war mounts, and sources of meat, milk, and hair for textiles.
History
Although the Zelfanites are now united into a single great confederation under the World-King's guidance, they were once a less harmonious people. In ancient times, the Zelfanites were fragmented into a number of competing tribes and confederations, and would often raid each other, as well as the Zourani, Birini, and Zelfanites. They were also often employed as mercenaries by the Bagarans and Rihalites, usually in an effort to counter any Birini riders that were being employed by the other side in their numerous conflicts with one another.
During the wars of the second, third, and last coalitions, many Zelfanites attempted to defy the World-King, while others supported his inevitable rise to domination. Once the traitors were soundly defeated, most of the survivours submitted to the World-King, while others fled deeper into the Zelfan Desert. Following the unification of Zada, the Zelfanite tribes were themselves united into a single great confederation, subject to the World-King.
In 479 it was discovered by Rihalite explorers that a number of traitorous Zelfanites had fled south to the region now known as Touzir. An expeditionary force was immediately dispatched, and construction of the trans-Zelfan railway commenced to provide logistical support for the army. The rebels were defeated in battle, and Touzir secured for the World-King's empire. This event caused continued exploration and expansion, resulting in the entirety of the continent now being mapped, many railways constructed, new towns raised in far-flung lands, and governors appointed to new Imperial Regions.
Agriculture & Industry
The Zelfan has very little in the way of industry, and what agriculture does take place is limited to small-scale oasis farms. The Zelfanites rely primarily on hunting, pastoralism, and trade for their economies. The latter of these has been made easier in recent decades as a result of the construction of the trans-Zelfan railway, along which numerous trading towns have been established. Small numbers of Zelfanites have even abandoned their nomadic lifestyles and permanently settled in these towns, facing no conflict with their more traditional kinsmen whatsoever. There is ever harmony in the World-King's domain.
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