| Alishtahan | |
| Founded: 643 CE | |
 | |
 | |
| Government Kritarchy | |
| Judicar of the House | TBD |
| Capital and largest city | Alish |
| Territory | |
| Area | 2 million km2 |
| Land | 98% |
| Freshwater | 0.25% |
| Sea | 1.75% |
| Mana Springs | Time spring |
| Air spring | |
| People | |
| Demonym | Alishan |
| Population | Expression error: Unexpected > operator. |
Alishtahan is a country in Central Xersia. Alishtahan is bordered to the north by AAA; to the east by BBB; to the southeast by CCC; to the southwest by DDD; and to the west by the Strait of EEE. It is part of the Sabur region of Central Xersia. It has a semi-arid geography, with most of the population living in the fertile west and the Defersi dominating the geography of the east. Alishtahan covers an area of 1,087,769 square kilometers, making it the second largest nation in Xersia. With a population of 3.4 million, Alishtahan is the x-most populous country in Xersia, and the y-most populous country in the world. The capital and largest city is Halish, located in the northwest on the EEE coast.
The vast majority of Alishtahan’s population is Alish and use the official language of Saburan. However, Bo-čho is more common among the Fersi and the Halmurra speak a regional dialect of Saburan. Alishtahan is a kritarchy, with Judicars in charge of legislation, judgement, and enforcement across each of the 27 provinces. Alishtahan is a regional power in Central Xersia, and a middle power in global affairs. It has one of the largest economies on the continent, based largely on air mana exports from the world's third-largest air mana spring. The Defani Guild is one of the most powerful mage guilds in Xersia, controlling the supply of air crystals to FFF and the rest of Xersia.
- Alishtahan's military is one of the largest in Xersia, and has the largest defence budget on the continent. - It is a member of the African Union, the Arab League, the OIC, OPEC, the United Nations, and the Arab Maghreb Union, of which it is a founding member.
Geography
Alishtahan is the x-largest country in Xersia. Its south-eastern part includes a significant portion of the Defersi. To the north, the vast HHH Mountain range forms a barrier to Northern Xersia and creates the conditions for the dry Defersi Desert. The highest point is Mount Rahat (3,003 metres or 9,852 feet).
Alishtahan lies mostly between latitudes 10°S and 10°N (a small area is north of 10°N and south of 10°S), and longitudes 105°E and 125°E (a small area is west of 105°E). The northern coast is hilly to mountainous with a few good natural harbors, while the southern coast levels out and has fewer harbors. The northern coast is the most fertile, with arable land dwindling further south. The sands of the Defersi Desert cover most of eastern Alishtahan and encroach on the fertile west.
The III Mountains are a highland region in central Defersi, eastern Alishtahan. They are located about 1,500 km (932 mi) east of the capital, Halish, and just south of Far Sadah. Halish, Defani, and Grathalal are Alishtahan’s main cities.
Climate and hydrology
In this region, midday desert temperatures can be hot year round. After sunset, however, the clear, dry air permits rapid loss of heat, and the nights are cool to chilly. Enormous daily ranges in temperature are recorded.
Rainfall is fairly plentiful along the coastal part of the HHH Mountains, ranging from 400 to 670 mm (15.7 to 26.4 in) annually. Precipitation is heaviest in the far north-western part of Alishtahan, where it reaches as much as 1,000 mm (39.4 in) in some years.
Farther inland, the rainfall is less plentiful. Alishtahan also has sand dunes, among which temperatures can go up to 43.3 °C (110 °F).
Climate change in Alishtahan has wide reaching effects on the country. Alishtahan was not a significant contributor to climate change, but like other countries in the Mena region, is expected to be on the front-lines of climate change impacts. Because a large part of the country is in already hot and arid geographies, including part of the Sahara, already strong heat and water resource access challenges are expected to get worse. As early as 2014, scientists were attributing extreme heat waves to climate change in Alishtahan. Alishtahan was ranked 46th of countries in the 2020 Climate Change Performance Index.
Fauna and flora
The varied vegetation of Alishtahan includes coastal, mountainous and grassy desert-like regions which all support a wide range of wildlife. Many of the creatures comprising the Alishtan wildlife live in close proximity to civilisation. The most commonly seen animals include the wild boars, jackals, and gazelles, although it is not uncommon to spot fennecs (foxes), and jerboas. Alishtahan also has a small African leopard and Saharan cheetah population, but these are seldom seen. A species of deer, the Barbary stag, inhabits the dense humid forests in the north-eastern areas. The fennec fox is the national animal of Alishtahan.
A variety of bird species makes the country an attraction for bird watchers. The forests are inhabited by boars and jackals. Barbary macaques are the sole native monkey. Snakes, monitor lizards, and numerous other reptiles can be found living among an array of rodents throughout the semi arid regions of Alishtahan. Many animals are now extinct, including the Barbary lions, Atlas bears and crocodiles.
In the north, some of the native flora includes Macchia scrub, olive trees, oaks, cedars and other conifers. The mountain regions contain large forests of evergreens (Aleppo pine, juniper, and evergreen oak) and some deciduous trees. Fig, eucalyptus, agave, and various palm trees grow in the warmer areas. The grape vine is indigenous to the coast. In the Sahara region, some oases have palm trees. Acacias with wild olives are the predominant flora in the remainder of the Sahara. Alishtahan had a 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 5.22/10, ranking it 106th globally out of 172 countries.
Camels are used extensively; the desert also abounds with venomous and nonvenomous snakes, scorpions, and numerous insects.
The Alish are the coastal people. They are the most populous and the ruling elite of Alishtahan. The Grand Judicars of each province are almost all of Alish descent. The only exceptions are the 4 provinces in the GGG mountains, whose populations and Judicars are primarily Halmurra. The Fersi, despite being the original and majority inhabitants of many of the provinces in the Defersi Desert, are regularly denied opportunities to become Judicars, and thus Grand Judicars. Many of the provinces with a majority Fersi population have high rates of crime and violence, especially towards government workers and officials.
Judicars have three levels of seniority. Apprentice Judicars (or Judi) are appointed upon passing a series of difficult verbal exams about laws, interpretation of laws, and proper enforcement of laws. The verbal exams are run by Senior Judicars, and their decision in who to accept and who to pass are a large part of why Fersi Judicars are so rare. A Judi will often remain in the role for decades serving multiple roles including clerical duties; judgment in minor cases; providing legal consul and representation; and law enforcement. Not all Judis serve all roles throughout their career, but any that wants to become a Senior Judicar must demonstrate themselves in all areas of law.
Senior Judicars (usually referred to as simply Judicars) are those who have distinguished themselves in some specific area of law, and are appointed to fill the seat of a retired or dead Judicar, or to fill a newly created seat. The Grand Judicars appoint new Judicars based on their achievements in some area of law. Usually the Judicar will be placed in a role where they excelled and remain in that role for the rest of their career. Judicars can draft laws, judge any provincial case, consul and represent high profile cases, and head a local or provincial law enforcement division. Judicars are viewed with a mix of fear and respect by the people. Their word is held in absolute terms in a court, and being accused of something by a Judicar could be a life sentence. Most Judicars will remain in their role for the rest of their career, often a lengthy one at that, collecting a significant salary and reaping the benefits of their position.
Grand Judicars are in an exceptional role, having been appointed to serve on a small panel representing their province in national affairs. Grand Judicars are only appointed by a unanimous vote of Judicars from that province when a seat becomes empty. Each province has either 3, 5, or 7 Grand Judicars, depending on the influence of the province. The longest serving Grand Judicar is the Judicar Dar Heziil, or Judicar of the House. Grand Judicars approve provincial laws, draft and vote on national laws, and command the military, including the national police. Grand Judicars are often required to travel between provinces to fulfill their role, and are very handsomely compensated for it. Grand Judicars are the richest people in their province, living in lavish villas and enjoying all the earthly pleasures they have time for. Allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and outright theft against Grand Judicars are met with swift retaliation, and the accuser is often the one who suffers.
Justice in Alishtahan is often swift and merciless. For petty crimes Judis are often eager to demonstrate their tough stance on criminals. Harsh punishments including public imprisonment, dismemberment, forced labor, exile, and execution are not uncommon. Appeals are possible and occasionally successful, but few Judis are willing to represent a person who has already been found guilty. Although brutal, the Alishan justice system is effective and usually quite accurate. Judis are well versed in law, so when they apprehend, prosecute, and represent an accused criminal, the trial rarely ends in a false positive.
The most notable provinces are the Halish, Defani, and Grathalal provinces. Halish is on the coast and home to the capital of Alishtahan. It has 7 Grand Judicars, the largest population of any province, and is the seat of international relations. The Defani province is important for its mana spring, which is operated by the Defani Guild. The province’s 5 Grand Judicars are all members of the Guild. Grathalal is located to the north, and home to the largest Halmurra population in Alishtahan. Grathalal has a substantial mining economy, and the 5 Grand Judicars maneuver to keep most of the wealth in Halmurran hands.
Alishtahan is a country in central Xersia.
Cities
Brainstorming
Alishtahan is a country mostly encompassed by desert. There are cities constructed around the coast, the mountain ridge, and a few large oases. The capital, Alish, is a coastal city. The main ethnic groups in Alishtahan are the Alish, the Defersi, and the Mer-horan. The Alish are mostly descendants of conquerors and settlers from afar mixed with some native blood. The Alish are the ruling class, controlling the politics and major cities of Alishtahan from the coast. The Defersi are a native population of nomadic desert people. The Defersi typically avoid the major cities, opting for temporary settlements at smaller oases. When Defersi nomads and Alish caravans meets, a battle usually ensues. The Defersi still see the Alish as invaders, and wish to reclaim their stolen land. The Mer-horan are another native population localized in the mountains to the north. Their local territories, while officially under the rule of Alishtahan, are mostly self governed. The Alish and Mer-horan engage in trade and cultural exchange. The relationship between the Mer-horan and the Defersi is peaceful, but there is some tension due to their dealings with the Alish.
Alishtahan has 2 mana springs: an Air spring and a Time spring. The Air spring is in the Defersi desert and causes sandstorms. It is a holy site for the Defersi people and the Alish have pushed them out of that land and claimed the spring for themselves. The Time spring, while very powerful, is also incredibly dangerous. The area near the time spring is not advised to go to, as random bursts of time magic can age a person 100 years instantly or send them into the past or future. Nobody goes anywhere near it or attempts to harness its power.
There are several cities of importance in Alishtahan.
- Alish is the capital city, located on the coast. It has the largest population despite not being the closest to a mana spring. The city is very spread out, coving a large area surrounding the central, walled district. Being a coastal city reduces the threat of siege and being far from the nearest mana spring dampens magical attacks. Guarded by Alishtahan’s small but capable navy and substantial wealth, the city is at low risk of being captured.
- Another important city is Zelpheir. It is the closest city to the air mana spring, used as a research post and mana generator for the country. The city is mostly underground, due to the constant windstorms above, and populated almost exclusively by mages. A small number of non-magic residents (mostly family members of the mages) live and work in service rolls. The city has a small well and limited food, so most resources have to be brought in from the nearest stable teleport location, a small outpost about 3 kilometers out.
- Horan is a city in the mountains, the most populous city of the Mer-horan. Built with gorgeous architecture carved into the mountainside, Horan is stunning to visit. The gorgeous vistas aren’t the only reason to go there,
- Far Saada is an oasis town out in the Defersi desert. The town serves as a seat of power for the Alsih far from their capital, but it is not nearly as tightly governed as Alish. The oasis tucked into a mountain valley provides a bounty for the locals and is used in a thriving market for exported wine, spirits, honey, and mead. Far Saada also has a famous winter solstice festival attended by people fromall over the world.