In it's history, Bar Al Dur has been assaulted twice, but never captured. The first assault saw the walls breached, but the invaders were forced to retreat due to their diminished troops by that point. The second assault was more successful for the Ghanbarans, and their walls stood fast. Ghanbar is on its way to equalling Sedoria's power in the region.
The majority of Ghanbar is taken up by the Hajimet Sumat (lit. Hajim's Savannah)
Ghanbar occupies much of South Kalatoria's arid land. It's northernmost influence reaches the bottom of the Sram Mountains, circling the Akaz Basin - which provides essential farmland and timber to the rest of Ghanbar.
Many northern Ghanbarans have perished seeking the elusive gemstones of those caves, often with their bodies never being found; lost to the dark, moaning depths of the cthonic earth. Other delvers have had greater luck: Striking it rich by finding a single Black Sapphire. If successfuly sold, it can set their family up for generations of sustenance.
Over 100 000 people occupy the territory belonging to the Kingdom.
ᴘᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄᴀʟ sʏsᴛᴇᴍ
- Across the whole kingdom, Ghanbar's highest position is the King.
- Beneath him are penultimate offices for the Emir (General) - who controls the army, and the Wazir (Chancellor) - who manages civic affairs. The Emir can be anyone and is chosen personally by the King, while the Wazir must be a Core Royal (closely related to the current King) and is chosen by the previous Wazir.
- Other offices exist, that can be formed or dissipated by the King. These administrations are called Diwans, and are led by Nabobs that are almost always members of the Royalty, though sometimes non-royals with truly exceptional merit are appointed. All Diwans are managed at the highest level by the Wazir, and all Nabobs must be approved by him
- Within the city level, governing is collectively handled by the ruling class.
- These elites are made of families with massive personal wealth. These people are colloquially referred to as nobility by commoners, but that is not perfectly accurate; see below.
- This means, once you reach a certain level of wealth or legal influence, you and your relatives become unavoidably burdened with the responsibility of rulership.
- These elites are made of families with massive personal wealth. These people are colloquially referred to as nobility by commoners, but that is not perfectly accurate; see below.
- There is no royal peerage system in Ghanbar, so an elite family is only officially considered 'Nobility' if they meet at least one of these conditions:
- The head of the family is a Nabob (note that any individual who becomes a Nabob, becomes the head of a new family and can never return to their old family. This prevents conflicts of interest, or a single family having more than one Nabob)
- A significant number of the family's members hold important roles within a single Diwan.
- The family has been bestowed a Royal Advancement Certificate by the King himself. This is usually limited to commoners who have vast wealth but no familial power or entry into governance. It is also rarely given to commoners who have through sheer circumstance personally supply aid to Core Royalty.
- Any member of the family holds an Adjutant-rank military title, which can only be assigned directly by the Emir. There are different Adjutant-rank titles, highest of which is the Lieutenant-Deputy who basically has the right to command the army in the Emir's stead
- A member of the family has married into royalty.
- The head of the family is a Nabob (note that any individual who becomes a Nabob, becomes the head of a new family and can never return to their old family. This prevents conflicts of interest, or a single family having more than one Nabob)
History
Rᴜʟᴇ ᴏꜰ Hᴀᴊɪᴍ (282 AV - 322 AV)
A monarchy founded approximately 130 years ago when the Wise King Hajim Ghanbar unified the local tribes of the northern Kalatorian Coast, and built the fortress city of Bar Al Dur, sagely anticipating future conflict
After the Wise King served for forty years (dying at the wizened age of 61), the fourth son of the Wise King was given the throne in favor of his siblings, who were given appointments underneath him that fit their talents.
Little knowledge remains about Hajim, as he had never thought to leave behind any written records or oral traditions. To some Ghanbarans, he is nearly revered as a heroic ancestral figure
Rᴜʟᴇ ᴏꜰ Jɪʀᴀʟ (323 AV - 351 AV)
Since then, Ghanbar has survived two Incursions from the neighboring state of Sedoria - and have now switched to the offensive! This was made possible due to the second King Jiral Ghanbar, a masterful smith.
Jiral is known by the populace as the Bronze King due to his development of the Smith's Guild, a royal institution in Ghanbar where young Ghanbaran apprentices learn how to work and wield Bronze.
Bronze weaponry was instrumental in ending the first Sedorian Incursion, which began during the Wise King's final years.
Jiral served for 28 years, and died of natural causes while claiming the throne.
Popular myth says that Jiral brought about the Bronze Age in South Kalatoria, but this is a misnomer. Although he did much to support and popularize the advent of bronze weaponry and technology, bronze was already being discovered across the continent, specifically in the Caerish city of Rosscantel.
Rᴜʟᴇ ᴏꜰ Aʙᴀʀɪᴏɴ (352 AV - 375 AV)
After Jiral the Bronze King, there was Abarion the Wealth King, Jiral's only child who brought great wealth to the kingdom through developing trade with the Twin States of Cantel and Andorry who guard the border of the Eastern Road. Since King Jiral's rule, Ghanbar has had solid relations with their foreign allies.
Abarion also made fair and reasonable deals with the villagers of the Kalatorian Coast. This act of kindness and humility has earned Ghanbar many decades of good trade with those folk, who are also ethnically Jakadi. In recent years, it has even given them access to rare resources within the exotic and mysterious Credi Isles, through the village of Hakirrash.
Abarion served for 23 years, and may have served longer had he not died of an untreatable infection.
Abarion had numerous children, many of which were strong contenders for the throne. Abarion ultimately gave the throne to his least ambitious son, as he foresaw a time of war to balance the tide of peace during his rule, and thus believed excessive greed would act as a vice for the new king, not as a strength.
Rᴜʟᴇ ᴏꜰ Zᴀᴋᴀʀ (376 AV - 399 AV)
King Abarion was followed by his son Zakar the White King. Zakar was not as talented in any field as his forebears, though he was by no means a wastrel. He was also the youngest king, taking the throne at the age of 15.
Simply being a mediocre ruler, Zakar struggled but ultimately managed to handle both the internal politics and external warfare that threatened Ghanbar. The second Sedorian Incursion began during his lifetime, but was unfinished by the time he died. Zakar's rule was a time of political instability and strife, as his numerous siblings schemed and fought to take the throne from him, or to unduely influence his royal decisions.
Zakar was called the White King because of his tendency to exclusively don that color of dress. In modernity, white flowers symbolize high social status, and are often worn by Ghanbaran nobles.
Zakar served for 23 years, but died young (for a royal) at 38 due to a heart disease caused by extreme, prolonged stress
Zakar had two children, a son and daughter. He chose his son to inherit, not wishing to subject his daughter to the harsh life of Ghanbar's first queen.
Rᴜʟᴇ ᴏꜰ Rᴀᴢ Kᴜʙɪʀ (400 AV - ᴘʀᴇsᴇɴᴛ)
The current king, Raz Kubir is known as the War King due to his defeat of the Sedorians in their second Incursion, as well as his rampant increase of military spending.
Raz Kubir is beloved by his people, though the wisest in the Kingdom silently worry his penchant for violence may not be a good thing for the kingdom in the long run.
The War King's first act upon taking the throne was the announcement of the Knight Order, which would personally serve the incumbent regent, rather than the General of the army. These individuals would face extreme and dangerous training, but should they come out on top, they would be given the title of Knight - and would be given great honor in the upcoming assault against Sedoria. Many of the current commanders within the Knight Order were peasants who were drafted to fight back the Sedorians in their last Incursion.
Raz Kubir's sister, the Remorseless Princess Zarah Alfateena is publicly known to be well respected by the king, and he often hears her thoughts on matters before making any major decisions.
Settlements
- Bar Al Dur - The capital city of Ghanbar, though not the most populous. The old city is home to about 24 000 residents (most of which are soldiers or their families) and the great fortress Al-Hajima, which has never fallen, having held steadfast against the Sedorians for centuries! Bar Al Dur is where most of Ghanbar's military power is centralized.
- Abarion - A great trade city, the wealthiest in Ghanbar. Also the most populous, with 35 000 residents, though the number of people in the city at any given time can be significantly more due to being a popular destination for travelers and traders alike. Among the arid savannahs rests a sprawling maze of flat-roofed homes and market stalls, built with sandstone and acacia. The city is named after it's founder, Wealth King Abarion. The city is always bustling, and has the most foreign activity in the kingdom. The pleasant scent of incense and the unpleasant scent of live animals drift through the streets. Flashes of color mark the unique streets, as well-dressed merchants flit to and fro, ever eager to make a profit. Houses in Abarion (and most Ghanbaran cities) are flat-roofed and made from sandstone. Sandstone is most often gathered from the base of the Sram Mountains, but it can also be mined in abundance from nearby open-air caves. Abarion's population density ranges from very sparse to rather dense, depending on one's location in the city.
- Kuracos - A mid-sized town with a focus on commerce (especially trading with the Kalatorian Coast). Like many cities in Ghanbar, they have exclusive trade deals with Abarion directly, rather than the throne. Population is between 2000 and 2500.
- Benashter - A very small border town in the Kingdom of Ghanbar, with an economic focus on rearing horses. It is very arid, and gets little traffic. Many things have to be imported from the nearby town of Kuracos. The city only has one noble family in charge, the Muharak family, a group of humble leaders who manage the town and it's people, but have few greater ambitions. Between 500 and 800 people live here.
Society
Social Attitudes (Gender and Sexuality):
Ghanbar only recognizes two genders: Men and women. Sex and gender are usually conflated. Some exceptions might occur among the nobility, but it would just be seen as 'queer (strange) behavior'.
Ghanbaran gender norms vary depending on the city one is raised in. In Abarion for example, being good at making money may be considered a masculine trait, while being persuasive and diplomatic may be considered a feminine trait.
The main gender role that stands true across all of Ghanbar is that only men are considered to be capable soldiers. Neither the military nor the newfound Knight's Order accepts women into their ranks.
Heteroromantic heterosexuality is presumed. A homoromantic, homosexual, aromantic or asexual person would not find society accommodating for them.
There is no concept of virginity in Ghanbar.
Social Attitudes (Nudity):
Among lower class families, clothing their very young children is rarely affordable. Once a child begins to play outside, if they still do not have any clothes, they will have to wear a rag before going out into the city.
The higher class would think of it as perverse or neglectful if one of their own let their children be naked, even if they are crawling toddlers who do not yet leave the manor. Most members of the nobility - if they saw an unclothed child - would consider the commoner parents of that child to be uncivilized and animalistic. A scarce few would recognize the financial deprivation they must be suffering.
Male toplessness is considered crass and low-class behavior in Ghanbar. Usually men will only be seen topless if they are performing heavy labor. It's not particular prohibited.
Female toplessness is not acceptable in Ghanbar. As an exception, lower class women would not be shamed by their peers for nursing or public bathing. Noblewomen would find it humiliating to be seen doing either of those activities.
Nudity for adult of either gender is taboo in Ghanbar. You'd likely get in both social and legal trouble.
Social Attitudes (Family):
Creating a family is considered an obvious thing to do, and is a major part of life. One who does not at least attempt to start a family would be suspected of being severely lacking in some way.
Monogamy is widely practiced in Ghanbar, specifically they have the concept of Union Ceremonies, as well as Memeds and Medinas. The extent of the ceremony depends on the wealth of the couple. Unlike in the south Kalatorian Coast, where the tradition originates, Memeds and Medinas do not have particularly deep cultural meanings.
Plenty of commoners don't bother with a Union Ceremony and just start families with whoever they please. Leaving a partner - especially if you've had children - is socially discouraged, but not an absolute taboo.
Noble houses have long been socially required to not let their members undergo Union Ceremonies with individuals of vastly different status. Recently, this has become a legal requirement as well. Thus, the nobility usually treat this as a method to strengthen ties with other noble families as well as to avoid resorting to inbreeding. They usually sign a contract at the same time, called a Coupling Arrangement. The contract specifies things like necessary duration, which house will adopt the Memed/Medina, any dowry/brideprice, how many children are to be eventually expected from this union, whether adultery will be permitted, what to do in case of the death of one party and penalties for violating the agreement.
Attitudes towards courting vary from person to person. Generally, a woman is expected not to have too many dalliances before settling down and becoming pregnant. Men do not face the same pressure.
Commoners form family units of highly varying scope. Some may be as simple as a couple and their growing children in one house, but some may be as large as three or four multigenerational families living communally across a dozen adjacent buildings. Generally, family units are larger in areas of greater population density, though this is not a hard rule.
Social Attitudes (Age):
Commoners usually wait a short time after the birth to name their children. Nobility usually name their children before the birth even occurs.
Toddlers who can't speak yet are generally kept indoors rather than being let out into the city.
In the lower class,
Prepubescent children simply play all day. Depending on their family situation, they may have small tasks.
Children start working as soon as possible. Normally when puberty begins.
In the upper class,
Once they can speak cohesively, children spend most their time in education on various matters. This continues until they are nearly adults.
Ghanbar doesn't have any particular ceremonies for when someone becomes an adult. It's just a general social notion based on the individual's rate of mental and physical growth.
The concept of adolescence somewhat exists in Ghanbar, and usually describes pubescent children who do work but are not considered adults yet. The term is basically synonymous with 'older children' or 'young adults'
The nobility don't share this concept, since their children are 'mere children' until they've finished learning and can begin helping in the family business (whatever that happens to be) or are old enough to be used in a Coupling Arrangement.
Among commoners, if one is lucky enough to live so long that they can no longer work, their families will likely pool their efforts to take care of them until they die. If they can't afford it or the elderly individual doesn't wish to burden their family, they will move out to the streets where they will live as a beggar. Most people do not live this long, and die during middle age.
Among nobility, old people are treated no different from regular adults, perhaps with a bit more reverence for their wisdom and experience - assuming they've had successful careers. As long as one does not go senile, a noble's "work" is possible to perform even as the body withers. If one does go senile, they'll probably be locked up in some manor, kept out of the sight of others due to shame.
Legal System
For minor misbehavior amongst commoners, the community can usually handle things themselves.
For significant or severe crimes amongst commoners, the nobility will send someone to learn the situation and declare a sentence. Sadly, the individuals sent out on this duty usually have little training or prior experience, and they are free to make decisions based entirely on their personal opinions. Extortion and bribery is common among these trials, so one can get a lighter sentence, escape punishment all together, or even have your own innocent victim be painted as the perpetrator - as long as they can curry favor with the judge.
For minor misbehavior amongst nobility, things are handled internally when possible, as quietly as possible. Different families have their own systems for this, and in cases of strife between two members of two families, cooperation and mediation is usually top priority, because it's rare for a feud to benefit anyone.
For significant or severe crimes amongst nobility, there are two options:
- A request is first sent to a member of outer royalty by the injured family, and the person who receives the letter chooses to accept or reject the case. If they accept, someone is sent to closely investigation and dole out a penalty.
- If nobody sends a request but the incident is public enough, the royalty may decide to start a trial by sending someone - this usually only happens if the public outcry is great or if the actions of the nobles are negatively affecting the royalty.
Lore - Miscellaneous
Zajamur - a flesh eating beast-man from Ghanbaran children's folklore
Qhit'al - a stringed instrument used in Ghanbar. A bit like a sitar or a ukulele
Harif - A lightly hallucinogenic drug sometimes used in Ghanbar. It's also a depressant. Harif comes in two main strains, a non-addictive one and a highly-addictive one. The former is used freely by people with some extra wealth, while the latter is generally only used by addicts and has a very terrible image. The more addictive variety is a newer development, beginning to spread within the last generation.