Nation Name: al-Mamlaka al-Za'liyya al-Khaydahiyya (Za'lid Khaydahi Kingdom; Khaydah or the Za'lids for short)
Flag:
Region/color on map: Zharka
Capital: Amrah
Capital Population: 200,000
Other Major Settlements: Qaiqat, Dira, Khudah, Sayunaa
Population: 1,000,000
Racial demographics: 76% ajar, 20% human, 4% other
Social dynamics: Khaydahi society is generally seen as very open to foreigners; most accept outsiders with open arms and hospitality provided they do not prove themselves undeserving of it. However, there is still a rather drastic difference between the rich and the poor and those of lower class are expected to show respect and politeness to their superiors. While most of the less fortunate Khaydahis tend to have lives that are at least tolerable, poverty is not nonexistent. Meanwhile the rich live extravagant and lavish lives of luxury. The society is also built upon slavery; slaves are, of course, considered property by Khaydahi law and how they are treated is dependent upon the disposition of who owns them and what they do for a living. A personal servant-slave may live a life better than a poor freeman, while those forced to do menial labour can be some of the worst off people in the entire nation. The state religion of Khaydah is Haloism, however it is nowhere near as pervasive in their culture as it is in Calxus. Due to the fact that they're located in the center of the continent and are a crossroads of sorts, there are people of all cultures and religions found within the cities. The Haloist nobility do not discriminate against those of other religions, and the populace as a whole is very tolerant.
Fashion: The basic Khaydahi dressis composed of loose robes and turbans, both usually light in colour. The poorest Khaydahis and slaves wear only that, while the outfits of the more well-to-do individuals such as nobles and merchants are more ornate, with elegant and beautifully made jewelry, belts, outerwear, etc. As a general rule the more ornate a Khaydahi's outfit the more important they are.
Calendar: The major holiday in Khaydah is the Thanking, celebrated similarly to how it is celebrated in Calxus though every year. The current Malik's birthday is also considered a holiday, and each of the cities have their own Day of Founding to celebrate the founding of each city.
Art: The most important form of Khaydahi 'art' is their architecture. The most important buildings in the cities are always massive, ornate, and stunningly beautiful. Domes, arches, and minarets are common features, and rarely will you find a room that is not painted or carved in some way. Other than that, the Khaydahi are also rather well known for their intricately detailed rugs, featuring numerous colours and geometric patterns.
Law: Each Wali chooses a Judge who rules on all cases that come to him. Most Khaydahi law is based upon tradition, which is written down with a copy kept within each city. However, the Wali or Malik can overrule any of these decisions, and the Judge for Amrah holds the title of High Judge, and is likewise able to overrule the rulings of any of the Judges. Though his decisions can still be overruled by the Malik.
Education: Education among the lower classes is almost non-existent, and it is explicitly forbidden among slaves. Meanwhile the children of wealthier families are almost all educated; taught by tutors hired by their families. Any sort of state-education is non-existent.
Type of Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Influence and relations: Khaydah prefers to keep positive relations with all nations around it, due to trade involving a large portion of their income.
Important People:
Sa'ah Mee'ah al-Maseebi, Malik al-Mamlaka al-Za'liyya al-Khaydahiyya;
Ahir al-Raydahi, Wali al-Walayah Qaiqat;
Gha'ah al-Habaii, Wali al-Walayah Dira;
Aaseem al-Ri, Wali al-Walayah Khudah;
Mahmee Ma'ma al-Sutafi, Wali al-Walayah Sayunaa
Trading and tax: There is a tax on any kind of goods traded within Khaydah, though they are not particularly heavy. Trade is an important part of Khaydahi commerce, and the cities are the regions hubs of trade. This is the result of most of the region being a barren and dry desert, with the Khaydahi cities being oases of activity and trade.
Major industries: The largest industry in Khaydah is the slave trade, with numerous people being bought and sold in markets. However, the market for exotic Khaydahi trinkets such as jewelry and rugs, as well as for salt, are also fairly large industries within the nation.
Major Associations: N/A
Currency: Khaydah currency comes in the form of metal coins with a square hole in the middle; most are made of metals like copper, tin, bronze, or iron. Though there are coins made of gold and silver, they are usually only used by the richer Khaydahis. In fact, a poorer Khaydahi can go his entire life never seeing a gold coin.
Military:
The Khaydahi consists of approximately 25,000 individuals, 5,000 warriors to each city. It is composed predominantly of slaves trained from a young age to fulfill the role of Khaydah's warriors and protectors. About 15,000 of these warriors are infantry; they wield both bows and blades with shields. Their swords are unique and distinctly Khaydahi, with a long, wavy blade; the shields are small and round, constructed of hardened leather. In terms of armour they do not wear much, lest they succumb to heatstroke in the hot Khaydahi climate; they can usually be seen wearing lamellar armour constructed of hardened leather. The other 10,000 warriors are cavalry mounted on camels, and wear similar armour to their infantry counterparts. However, their primary weapon is the javelin, which they sue for harassing volleys. They do not carry shields, and the only weapon they have besides their javelins is a short blade with a thick forward-curving blade.
Landscape: The Khaydahi environment is barren, hot, and inhospitable. Much of the landscape is nothing but bone-dry sand, though there are large expanses of rocky ground. Though they are just as dry as the sands. The only spots of life are oases frequented by desert nomads and the five Khaydahi cities. These cities are all built on rocky terrain, near to small mountain ranges. The cities utilize a complex series of wells and tunnels built and maintained by slaves to draw water up from the ground. This system allows the great cities to survive in the desert, and even allow the Khaydahi to practice agriculture though they still import and buy much food from other sources.
Wildlife: The wildlife of the desert is mostly found in the oases and cities, though that is not to say nothing lives in the drier parts of the region. In the wide, dry expanse most of what one will find are creatures like lizards, snakes, scorpions, spiders, and the like. The oases and cities are home to crocodiles, birds, certain species of foxes and antelope. Camels are also commonly seen, being the domesticated animal of choice for traveling.
Notable places: N/A
Summary: Five cities in the desert based around trading, a complex irrigation system, and slaves.
History: (Optional)
Strengths: Highly defensible, highly centralized, trading hub
Weaknesses: Low population, population concentrated in few areas, landlocked
Name: Ajar
Classification: Sentient
Appearance: Same basic shape as humans, though with several key differences. They are slightly taller; have dry and rough, leathery grey skin; have no lips and extended canine teeth; their nose are flat against their face, consisting of little more than slits; have sunken eyes and angular faces; their ears are long and pointed; they only have 4 fingers and toes on each hand/foot; and their finger and toenails are long and pointed like claws, though they're no harder than a human's fingernails. Due to their eyes, nose, and mouth some have described their faces as being similar to a skull.
Shared traits: N/A
Natural abilities: Ajar are very resilient to the desert, being more resistant to heat-related illnesses like heatstroke and requiring less water than a regular human. However, they are more quick to succumb to the cold than most others.
Lifespan: About that of a human
Relations with other races: N/A
Lanuages: Depends on where they live; usually Khaydahi
Religious beliefs: Varies
Preferred occupations: N/A
Famous people:
Strengths: Able to survive more readily in desert conditions
Weaknesses: Susceptible to the cold
