Overview
The Emirates of Ylaruam are a confederation of desert-dwelling peoples united by a common faith and the teachings of their prophet-like founder, Suleiman al-Kalim. This nation, inspired by real-world Middle Eastern cultures, is a land of harsh deserts and fertile oases. The Ylari are a proud and honorable people, known for their devotion to their religion, their skill as horsemen, and their cunning as merchants. The nation's society is currently in a state of flux, torn between the traditional nomadic lifestyle of the desert tribes and a more modern, urban existence centered around its growing cities and trade.
Appearance
The landscape of Ylaruam is dominated by arid deserts and rugged mountains. The Altan Tepes mountain range shields the region, but also makes the climate harsh. Settlements are built around oases, rivers, or trade routes, with the city of Ylaruam itself being a shining jewel of domed buildings and towering minarets. The people, known as the Ylari, are a mix of nomadic herders and settled city-dwellers. They are known for their dark hair and eyes, and their clothing is designed to protect them from the sun and sand, with flowing robes and headscarves being common.
Culture
The culture of Ylaruam is deeply religious, centered around the faith of the Eternal Truth. Their holy text, the Nahmeh, teaches a way of life based on honor, justice, and piety. There's a strong emphasis on tradition, storytelling, poetry, and a unique form of oratory. The Ylari are also renowned as master traders and caravanners, navigating the treacherous deserts to bring goods to and from their neighbors. A key cultural divide exists between the Kin, who cling to a more conservative, isolationist view, and the Preceptors, who advocate for modernization and greater interaction with other nations.
Society
Ylaruan society is organized into a hierarchy of emirs, sheiks, and maliks, with a single Sultan at the top. The Sultan is not a hereditary position but is instead an adopted heir chosen for their wisdom and devotion. This system often creates political tension between the ruling Preceptors and the Kin faction, who support the blood heirs of al-Kalim. Below the rulers, society is divided between the hazar (city-dwellers) and the nomad tribes. While the two groups have historically viewed each other with suspicion, the teachings of al-Kalim have encouraged a degree of cooperation.
Territory
The Emirates of Ylaruam are a large nation, situated between the Ethengar Khanates, the Northern Reaches, and the Thyatian Empire. It is an almost entirely desert region with scattered oases, a single major river, and a rugged coastline. The borders are not strictly patrolled, but the harsh environment acts as a natural deterrent.
Resources
Ylaruam's primary resources are its people's skills and a few key natural goods. They are renowned for their horses and camels, which are essential for trade and military. They also produce textiles, glassware, and dates from their oases. Their greatest resource, however, is their control of key trade routes and their extensive network of shrewd merchants.
Military
The Ylaruan military is famed for its light cavalry and mounted archers. They are highly skilled at hit-and-run tactics and are experts at desert warfare. The nation also has a well-trained and disciplined infantry, which, while not as renowned as the cavalry, is formidable in its own right. The military is a point of pride for the Ylari, as it was instrumental in driving out foreign invaders from the Thyatian Empire and the Alphatians in the past.
Relations
How Ylaruam Feels about Others: The Ylari view the Alfheim elves with suspicion, believing them to be practitioners of a strange and dangerous form of magic. The Kin faction is particularly hostile towards them. Ylaruam has an openly hostile relationship with the Glantrian mages, whom they view as reckless heretics who abuse their power. The Kin faction of Ylaruam is particularly aggressive towards Glantrians, and they are often attacked on sight. The Ylari see the Ethengars as fierce rivals, competing with them for control of the steppes and trade routes. The Ylari have a long history of conflict with the Thyatian Empire, which once occupied their lands. Despite this, they maintain a cautious diplomatic relationship and engage in trade. The Ylari are shrewd traders and have a complex, yet productive, relationship with Darokin.
How Others Feel about Ylaruam: The Alfheim elves see the Ylari as a passionate and honorable people, but they are wary of their intolerance toward foreign magic. The Glantrian mages view the Ylari as fanatical savages with no understanding of true magic. The Ethengars see the Ylari as their chief rivals and a major obstacle to their expansion. The Thyatians view the Ylari as a formidable military power, but they also see them as a potential market for their goods. The Darokinians see the Ylari as reliable, if shrewd, trading partners. They respect the Ylari's business acumen and their ability to move goods through dangerous territory.
Reputation
The Emirates of Ylaruam have a reputation as a land of honorable warriors, skilled merchants, and a deeply religious people. They are both respected for their military prowess and feared for their ferocity in combat. Outsiders often find them to be a harsh and unforgiving people, but those who earn their trust find them to be loyal and unwavering allies. The internal conflict between the Kin and the Preceptors is widely known and adds a layer of unpredictability to their relations with other nations.