Æzàlar

Old Empire, Kingdom of the Southern Sun

Æzàlar (Nor Kàlas Æzàlar) is one of two Dekàli city-states that lay on the continent Tassèrus. An ancient trading port, many of the city’s inhabitants worship the Goddess of Luck and Thievery, Zalan. The parlors and dens of the City of Æzàlar are known throughout the seafaring world.

The City of Æzàlar and its surrounding lands have been a trading terminus for thousands of years. Some have suggested that this began with the Tassèri slave trade of the 1st century HK. The truth tells a much older tale and can be found in journals detailing the coastal markets of Azal. In pre-Dekàlas times, seafaring treasure seekers were lured to the coastal markets for the unearthed riches of Ziljànir. Today, the ports of Æzàlar host ships from every corner of the world. Perhaps the most telling indicator of the city-state’s mercantile significance, is the adoption of Old Æzàlaric as the common Tradespeak of merchants worldwide. The language and coins of the Æzàlaryr can be found in every major port from the Ring of Saráddir to the ice-choked harbors of Vardū Varsta.

Government

  • Type – Dekàli Monarchy (Sapphire Crown)
  • Ruler – High Lady Illōdor Jun Kàrdam the Second of Æzàlar
  • Capital – City of Æzàlar
  • Cities – Æzàlar (65,320), Shiráddam (15,830), Dur’ajn (12,300), Sammìgir (11,420), Nazzir (11,370), Tirya (10,500), Indra (9,450)
  • Calendar – Dekàli Reckoning (DR)
  • Festivals – …

People

  • Population – Æzàlaryr (650 DR) 1,032,400
  • Races – Yrūn 84%, Gnor 4%, Dwürden 4%, Shul 3%, Sha’al 1%, other 4%
  • Ethnicities – Azàlyr, Eshyr, Nirzìlyr (Ziljànyr), Shiráddyr
  • Languages – Æzàlaric, Trade
  • Religions – Zalan

Trade

  • Currency – Tænār Æzàlari
  • Imports – Gold, iron, raw minerals, silver, slaves
  • Exports -Livestock, spices, textiles, exotic goods

Regions, Geographic

  • Azàli Peninsula. Northern finger of rocky land that contains the provinces of Mandàrim and Shiráddam.

Regions, Political

Regions, Historical

Cities, Towns, and Villages

Landmarks

People

Like any region of size, the city-state of Æzàlar is composed of many different groups. The relationships between these groups are the result of centuries competition, warfare, occupation, and migration. Despite almost 2000 years of Dekàli influence, elements of the original cultures, traditions, and allegiances have survived.

  • Azàlyr. Coastal denizens of northern Æzàlar.
  • Eshyr. Nomads of the southern desert.
  • Nirzìlyr. Scattered descendants of Ziljànyr, a kingdom swallowed by desert sands.
  • Shiráddyr. A simple people from the northern reaches of Æzàlar.

History

Before the conquering of Æzàlar, the Kingdom of Azal had existed for hundreds of years. Believed to have been the remnants of a more ancient empire, the Azàlan (i.e., Azàlyr) lived in small towns along the northern coast of Tassèrus. Traditionally, the people of the area worshiped ancient spirits that were believed to have fashioned the peoples from the desert sands. A pantheon of god-spirits were revered at mountain, coast, and desert shrines. A century prior to the conquering of Azal, people had begun to adopt the Capharan religion of Ajmìralan. This schism was short-lived however, once Irzàla of Kupan introduced the desert peoples to the spirit-god Zalan. Torn between the controlling priests of Ajmìralan and the prophesied invasion of the Dekàli forces, the priestesses of Zalan promised the faithful that she would see her people through this dark time, and restore Azal to its former glory.

Priests of Zalan were summoned to Tor Trèmendūm for the coronation of the first High King. By request of the First Priestess, the Apostles performed the required Letting. She was stabbed with silver daggers by each of her priests, with the encouragement that their cuts would “deliver our people”. This ceremony also had the purpose of ushering Zalan into the Dekàli pantheon. The High King next charged the priests of Zalan with finding a High Lord for the new city-state, which they did. The first Queen of Æzàlar, Āúla I was crowned in 4 HK. In the history of Æzàlar there have been very few male rulers. It is believed that the Zalàni priestesses have seen to it that mostly daughters ascend the throne. Most Lords to be crowned have reached maturity through subterfuge.

Within two generations, all wishes to separate from the Dekàli Empire vanished. The Empire raised and supported armies to defend against the many enemies of the native peoples, both Azàlyr and Nirzìlyr. For the first time in hundreds of years, the people flourished and the threat of extinction was lifted.

By 70 HK, the balance of power had turned across Tassèrus. Azàli armies rode across the Vast Untamed, seeking out the homes of their old enemies and destroying them. Neighboring kingdoms surrendered or fell beneath the Dekàli onslaught. Whole populations were absorbed into Æzàlar’s burgeoning slave trade. The expanding influence went unchecked until 113 HK, when the Dekàli forces first encountered the military might of the Sha’al. Here began the First Sha’al-Dekàli War, a conflict that would not resolve itself for 80 years. Toward the end, Dekàli forces succeeded in landing near Jædð. The slave armies were promised freedom should they be victorious (rf. History of Jædð); few survived to enjoy their manumission.

Centuries later, war returned to the desert city-state. When the chalky dust cleared, Kyrm Oryzálan lie in ruins. The limestone columns lay shattered in the streets, the grand dome reduced to a mountain of white rubble. The remaining priests gathered in disbelief. Despite the enormous ruin, the effects of this war was minimal to the Æzàlaran. Though Shiráddam suffered greatly, the capital was never successfully invaded. After the Dekàli warships were lost, the harbor bombards kept the enemy ships from shore. A few landed along the coasts but met great resistance from desert and mercenary forces. Those land invaders that were not killed returned to their ships and fled. For these reasons, Nor Kàlas Æzàlar did not experience the struggles associated with occupation and rebuilding that other Dekàli city-states did. The only city-state to suffer less than Æzàlar was Jædð, which Acèntyri forces never found.

Time Line

(Dek) Time of War, 120-1 AR

  • 9 AR, 4/539 ER; (Æz) Irzala of Kūpan is imprisoned at Shiráddam
  • 5 AR, 4/541 ER; (Æz) Zalàni Rebellion
  • 5 AR, 4/542 ER; (Æz) Zin Vìrāel declare war against Zalanites
  • 3 AR, 4/544 ER; (Æz) Azàlyr and Nirzìlyr surrender to Dekàli forces
  • 4 HK, 4/562 ER; (Æz) Æzàlar becomes Dekàli city-state
  • 14 HK, 4/572 ER; (Dek) Queen Āúla I is crowned High Queen
  • 18 HK, 4/576 ER; (Æz) Queen Ānàsa I declares war against Zin Vìrāel
  • 21 HK, 4/579 ER; (Æz) Queen Ānàsa I assassinated
  • 23 HK, 4/582 ER; (Dek) High Queen Āúla I dies
  • 85 HK, 4/644 ER; (Æz) Queen Ānùrēa I is crowned High Queen
  • 118 HK, 4/677 ER; (Dek) High Queen Ānùrēa I dies

Dynasties

Dekàlas

  1. First Æzàlari House of Jūn Kàrdam (4 HK – present)

Post-Dekàlas

  1. First Æzàlari House of Jūn Kàrdam (4 HK – present)

Nomenclature: Azalar Dekàlic: Æzàlar (place), Æzàlari (pertaining to), Æzàlaryn (resident), Æzàlaryr (people), Æzàlaric (language)