[b]Name:[/b] The Nuktid Shahdom
[b]History:[/b]

Generally speaking, the Nuktids are only the latest of a series of powerful dynasties to command an empire based on the Dailamite plateau. The first one being the fabled Kanativans, who rose to prominence some 1200 years ago by unifying the Dailam tribes of the region and then establishing the first great Empire in the Western Sirjan. The Kanativans ruled for roughly 450 years before falling to the combined pressures of civil wars, rebellions and Orcish migrations into the plateau itself. The divided lands of Dailam were then taken by the great Uckian warlord Ubelar who established his own empire in the region, bringing stability and peace to the war torn region.

Unfortunately, Ubelar died without a son and soon his empire fragmented between his generals. The "Successors" would spend the next 50 years fighting among themselves before the four most powerful of them managed to establish their own domains. It was during this chaos that Arteshin Sahibzadi Lavak, a relatively prestigious field commander of one of the Successors, managed to kill her liege and establish herself as the leader of a restored Dailamite kingdom.

The Lavakid dynasty was short-lived, enduring only 80 years. 50 of which were under the rule of Arteshin, her son Sorbhen ruled well for the next 25 years, but his daughter Boran died relatively early into her reign. She was succeeded by a Satrap of Taumarchian origins, Shervin bin Ardeshir al Saladid. Who was elected by a council of nobles. Thus started the reign of the Saladid dynasty. It was in this period that the Dailamite state restored some of its former glory, as Shervin and his sons embarked into ambitious campaigns to conquer his neighbors. Eventually coming to blows with the rising Golerian Republic.

The reign of the Lavakids ended 190 years after Shervin's crowning, when the charismatic general Singhan Begzada Lakhmin, toppled the weak Lavakid ruler and once again restored an ethnic Dailamite dynasty to the throne of Dailam. The Lakhmids main efforts were focused on the West, where their armies either subjugated or exterminated the nomadic Orcish peoples who once commanded the lucrative trade routes to the Far West.
 
The most recent dynasty to occupy the lands of Dailam, the Nuktid family seized the throne some 200 years ago after Nuktur Sarahanzada defeated the armies of the Bavandid dynasty in the battle of Keravan. Since the Nuktids have mostly refrained from aggressive campaigns, preferring to reform the government structure and the bureaucracy to curb the power of the local Satraps and increase the centralization of the state. Nevertheless, border clashes are common, specially with the human and Orcish nomads living in the western reaches of the Shahdom. Plus, there's always the occasional rebellion.

[b]Military:[/b]

The Nuktid military machine differs from the one of their predecessors mainly in the organization area. Before the Nuktids, armies of the Dailamite states were mostly composed of levies raised and paid by the local Satraps and complemented by a core of elite soldiers maintained by the crown. With the reforms implemented by the Nuktid Shahs, the military aspect of the nation has been placed entirely under control of the Crown, acting through the [i] Dailam Spahbod[/i] "The Commander of the Armies of Dailam". Now, every Satrap must simply provide a number of recruits each year, these recruits are assembled in one of the many great fortresses spread through the Shahdom, where they are housed, trained and army. The entire process is paid by the Crown with the heavy taxes lifted from the Satraps (The official reasoning is that now that they have no responsibility to raise forces themselves, they won't feel as much by paying indirectly for the Royal Army). Nevertheless, each Satrapy is allowed to maintain a self-defense force, but more often than not such forces are small and/or undersupplied, due to the costs associated.

In combat, the Nuktid army's core is formed by the Saravan, a unit of super-heavy cavalrymen supported by mounted archers. The role of the Saravan is to act as shock troop, destroying the flanks and rear of the enemy with overwhelming force. In recent years, the Nuktid Shahs have started to import elephants from the Far West, and while they have yet to be officially implemented into the order of battle, training is already underway. The remaining cavalry forces are used to harass enemy formations, raid supply lines and run down routing troops.

The Nuktid infantry, unlike those of predecessors dynasties, fights with standardized equipment and in structured regiments commanded. Unfortunately, the lack of a true infantry tradition among the Dailamites hampers the effectiveness of the infantry corps, the focus of the Dailamite military doctrine has always been the cavalry. And it has been only with the rise of the Nuktids that the infantry is receiving more attention from the generals. In combat the Nuktid infantry is expect to pin the enemy in place while the cavalry maneuvers to strike at the flanks or rear.

At sea, the Nuktid Shahdom relies on the Royal Navy, mostly based along the coast of Kolkhand, to protect its coasts and traders. During times of need, the Navy is capable of conscripting civilian ships to further complement it's effective strength. 

[b]]Relationship to the Gods:[/b] The only God worshiped by the Dailamites, and the official patron deity of the Nuktid Dynasty is Nahatur, the All-Father. However, the Dailamite way of worship is slightly different than the "mainstream" one. Mostly thanks to the prophet Mazdak, who spread the word of Nahatur in the Dailamite plateau during the days of the ancient Kanativans. The Dailamites also consider Nahatur as the Giver of Rains, Holder of Truth and the Lord of Justice, and as Creator of Mankind, the only god worthy of being worshiped by them. 

[b]People:[/b]

-[i] The Dailamites[/i] (39%): The dominant ethnicity in the Shahdom, the Dailamites inhabit the Plateau of Dailam, a large region crossed by two large rivers, the Jaxartes and the Sogdan. Most of the population is concentrated along these rivers as the terrain tends to turn into a semi-arid steppe the father you go from the rivers. The steppe is inhabited by semi-nomadic tribes who provide excellent riders for the Royal Army. Speaking of the army, the Dailamites are the ones that provide the largest number of recruits mostly due to loyalty reasons. It should also be noted that due to their origins as nomadic horsemen (a time where every member of the tribe had to contribute equally to the well being of the group) it's not completely uncommon for women to be drafted to meet the quotas, specially among the nomadic tribes.

-[i] The Uckians [/i] (25%): The second largest ethnic group in the Shahdom, the Uckian homeland is the region of Kolkhand. A land of fertile coastal plains surrounded by craggy mountains. As a result, most of the troops drafted from there end up fighting in the infantry due to the lack of tradition in horse-riding. Though the biggest contribution of Kolkhand is to the Royal Navy, no other people in the Shahdom has such rich naval tradition, and a such, the bulk of the naval effective (from sailors to the craftsmen who build the ships) are provided by the Uckian people. Due to their relation with the sea, the Uckians are devout worshipers of Nahatur

-[i] The Nemetones [/i] (22%): The Nemetones inhabit the region of Avrote. A land of thick forests, rolling hills and fertile plains called Nemetonia. The region of Nemetonia has always been a popular target for conquerors due to its fertile ground and mineral riches. More recently, the region was conquered by the penultimate Lavakid Shah. Since then the Nemetones have proved themselves to be restive subjects. Their tribal traditions making them averse to the centralizated nature of their Dailamite conquerors and the imposition of the Cult of Nahatur over their own native beliefs (that are more animistic in nature). To remedy this, the Nuktid Shahs have taken the decision to build dozens of smaller castles all over Avronte, these castles allow smaller garrisons to control large amounts of land. Besides the castles, the Dailamite rulers have also started the construction of several new cities settled by Dailamites, including a new provincial capital, Arteshur. A policy of religious and cultural tolerance was also adopted to earn the good graces of the locals. Overall, the Nemetones provide the second largest amount of recruits for the Royal Army (given that the Uckians also have to man the bulk of the navy). Nemetonian recruits are often considered unruly and undisciplined by the standards of their commanding officers. Though once said officer has managed to earn the loyalty of the troops, the Nemetones will gladly die for him.

-[i] The Orcs [/i]: (14%): The Orc tribes of the Nuktid Shahdom can trace their origin to the distant lands of Karadan, in the Far West. Currently, they inhabit the Western Steppes, called Urtesh by them. The region of Urtesh is the poorest in the Shahdom, as the Orcs prefer the nomadic lifestyle, going from grazing ground from grazing ground with their herds. Most settlements are based around oasis or the few rivers that run through the region. The real value of Urtesh is its location, standing on the fabled Ruby Route that stretches to the almost mythical nations of the Far West. Control over this region provides an important source of funds of the Crown, and as such the region is littered with military outposts.

The Orcs themselves are seen mostly as untrustworthy raiders and are treated as second-class citizens in the settlements. Their refusal to covert into the Cult of Nahatur is a major source of frustration for the local governors. The Orc tribes provide the least amount of recruits for the Royal Army, mostly due to concerns about their loyalty. Those who are drafted are organized mostly into scouting and harassment units. As a result of this (mostly) baseless discrimination, the Orcs are the most restive subjects of the Shahdom.

[b]Important persons: [/b]

-Sahansah Khorsau III Danush Shanryarzada Nutkid: After reigning for more than 56 years, Danush is so far the longest living Nuktid Shah. A benevolent monarch by all accounts, Danush's policies of tolerance in Avrote have managed to bring a measure of peace to the normally restive and rebellious region. Danush also proved to be a patron of arts, it was during his reign that the so-called "Dailamite Renaissance" started. The early years of his reign were also marked by repeated conflicts with the Grand Duchy of Polnar to the East.

-Shahdokht Shiren Danushzadi Nutkid: The firstborn daughter of Khorsau III and designated heir to the throne. She made her name by commanding the Royal Army in several campaigns against enemies both rebels and invaders. Her true moment of glory, however, came during the siege Khermata. The city was the capital of the island of the same name, a haven for pirates off the coast of Kolkhand. Boran's army landed on the island and within a fortnight had already stormed the city and overwhelmed the stunned defenders. The massacre that followed cemented her reputation as a ruthless and merciless leader. 

-Shahzada Karaman Danushzada Nutkid: The Shah's second child and first son. Karaman was fostered by the Satrap of Khernesharan, the richest of the Kolkhandi Satrapies. As a result he's looked down by the traditional Dailamite elements of the court due to his mannerisms and customs. Nevertheless, he's popular with both the commoners in Dailam and the Uckians. And thanks to his natural charisma he's often the first choice of emissary to treat with foreign powers