The Eternal Kingdom (Al-Mamlakah Al-Azaliyah)
Al-Mamlakah Al-Azaliyah is the land within the Windy Mountains that few other governments of the world have official relations with. In the common tongue the name is translated to The Eternal Kingdom. It consists of four cities and several dozen smaller settlements along the coast of Bahr Al-Sakakeen (The Sea of Knives). It is ruled by a single family, Grand Shiif Zef al-Akalam and his seven sons, The Aliif. Each major city is managed by two brothers, the elder managing the city and the younger all the surrounding villages. The society is itself a magocracy, with Zef and his sons at the head of the society. Each son of Zef al-Akalam has their own triad of wizards or sorcerers as their personal entourages.
The Eternal Kingdom has a trade relationship with the Kingdom of Durhg (The Dwarven Kingdom, also called Durhga), and also by sea with Saija on a more infrequent basis. Occasionally trade caravans will travel through the Dwarven lands and trade with the Elven or human kingdoms, but these excursions are far less frequent than the sporadic trade which The Eternal Kingdom has with Durhga.
Zef Al-Akalam rules from Dam Shaq, and his eldest son manage the rural area as he learns what is needed to succeed his father. Plural marriage is common in the Eternal Kingdom, and the Grand Shiif has an entire palace just for his other wives. In The Eternal Kingdoms, the most prominent sign of wealth is the presence of multiple wives.
The laws in The Eternal Kingdom are proprietary to the ruling Grand Shiif or Aliif. The Grand Shiif may set down laws occasionally, and they are followed by the Aliif, because the Grand Shiif’s word is law, and woe to the man who defies the Grand Shiif. In local areas, law and order as well as leadership is maintained by the Sheriif. The Sheriif is considered the representative of the Aliif in all matters, and the Grand Shiif in those that pertain to laws given by him. Sheriif are often backed by strongmen, whereas most Sheriif are spellcasters. The Tola is the lowest ranking title of authority, being the lowest degree of spellcaster. They are the peons of the Sheriif in rural settlements. When the Sheriif is not present, however, the word of the Tola is law. Below the Tola are the non-spellcasters – though even spellcasters who begin as Shahadeen must ascend through the non-caster ranks prior to ascending to the title of Tola. These lower caste members used as muscle for the Tola and those above them; they are the Jafan. The Jafan are the most commonly seen members of the ruling class. They are the privileged of the rabble. They often ‘rule’ individual streets within the major cities, or in the smallest of villages or encampments. As a rule, every trade caravan must have a Jafan with them, to ensure that none of the tradesmen are cheating the Grand Aliif.
Thievery is an interesting phenomenon in the Eternal Kingdom; most spell-casting castes can simply approach a lower ranking caste member, and demand services, goods, or equipment from them. The catch is, though, every such transaction is reported to the appropriate authority above the receiver of the good or services. If the receiver’s superior believes the goods were not appropriated in a fair manner, and then the receiver’s superior ranking caste member may simply appropriate that which was in excess. This keeps the system in balance, as typically when a higher caste citizen appropriates in this manner, he’ll take everything down to the last pebble, leaving the original receiver with nothing. Thievery comes into play when greed urges caste members to steal from higher caste members, or from lower caste members through shady means. This can lead to stripping of one’s title and dismemberment of the offending extremity. A Tola can demand a Jafan give the Tola all his coffers, and risk retribution from the Sheriif above him, or he can simply sneak into the Jafan’s home and steal the wealth with no retribution if he’s not caught. Thus there is a fine line between lawful acquisition and thievery in the Eternal Kingdom. Most Player-Characters begin as Shahadeen caste members- unable to own their own land, unable to open their own or operate their own businesses. Shahadeen turn to adventure as a way of proving their worth to those above them, in the hopes that they may become Fukara (which is the highest non-casters can go), or Tola, or even Sheriif. A majority of the people fall into the Shahadeen or Fukara caste – the Shahadeen being seen as laborers and slaves, with the Fukara being seen as the backbone of the economy. The Jafan and those above them see themselves as the rulers of the society, arms of the Grand Shiif.
Social Structure:
Grand Shiif – (Sheef) Ruler of the Eternal Kingdom. There is only one Grand Aliif, and he is a member usually of the Akalam tribe of Humans (with a smattering of half-elf blood). The Grand Shiif Zef Al-Akalam leads the kingdom, levying taxes from the populace through trade taxes and spot appropriations. The Grand Shiif watches those below him to ensure that none of the lower castes abuse their powers of appropriation (under the system of law, spellcasters of any cast can demand things from anyone without compensation – a power easily abused). The Grand Shiif’s word is law. The Grand Shiifs have always been spellcasters for as long as the kingdom has existed.
Aliif – (Aleef) Ruler of a City, Metropolis, or Province (More than 5,000 population) The Aliif are the birthright of the Grand Shiif. The oldest of the Aliif will always inherit the throne of his father, once his father has ruled him mature enough to assume the throne, at this present time, Abduman ibn Zef Al-Akalam is the heir to the throne of the Kingdom. Aliif are always trained extensively in spellcasting (wizard, ranger, bard, priest, sorcerer, Paladin…), although pure wizard or sorcerer training are the most encouraged. The Great Aliif (the older of the two city leaders) rules the city in which both brothers live, while the regional villages and towns around the city are ruled by the Honorable Aliif, or the younger brother. The Aliif has all authority to exercise his judgments throughout the lands of his influence. He can exact up to the death penalty on criminals, levy taxes as he sees fit on those below him, and appropriate any property he deems needful to him, as long as he does not violate the Grand Shiif’s commands; the Aliif is very nearly the ultimate authority. This is a Spellcaster exclusive caste which must be of the blood relation to the Grand Shiif; presently there are only seven Great Aliifs, two in each major city except for the capital Dam Shaq, which only has one, who is training to fill the seat of the Grand Shiif.
Other Titles: Great Aliif, Honorable Aliif, Aliif Commander
Sheriif – (Shuh-reef) Ruler of a District of a major city, or a town (401-5,000 population). The Sheriif is the lowest authority able to condemn prisoners for dismemberment for crimes (usually thievery), though this sentence cannot be carried out against any member of the cast system except the Shahadeen. In most cases, the Sheriif will seek the Aliif’s judgment against a criminal Fukara, Jafan or Tola, asking the Aliif to demote the caste member to the status of a Shahadeen so that the dismemberment can be carried out. Typically the Jafan are the ones to carry out sentences ordered by the Sheriif. The Sheriif provides general leadership in a more specific portion of the city, and often cooperates with other Sheriif in the city or region if they should need to perform their duties in another district or city. The Sheriif can exact taxes and fines, and may confiscate property and coin from anyone of a lower caste than himself. This is a Spellcaster exclusive caste.
Other titles: City Sheriif, Town Sheriif, District Sheriif, Sheriif Captain
Tola – (Tow-La) Ruler of a neighborhood within the city, a village, or a hamlet (81-400 population). The Tola is the lowest spell-caster caste or class of citizen. They can arrest criminals, and can infer heavy financial fines and jail time as needed without consulting with their Sheriif. In heavier crimes, the Tola will often defer judgment to the Sheriif. The Tola may collect taxes for their support, appropriate wealth from the people as he sees fit, as long as he does not violate the commands of those above him. This is a Spellcaster exclusive caste.
Neighborhood Tola, Village Tola, Tola Lieutenant
Jafan – (Jeh-fahn) Ruler of a single street within the city, Thorp or of a caravan (up to 80 population). The Jafan can arrest criminals and provide security. They are considered to be essentially the guardians of society, captains of the military, they often lead patrols, raids, bands and other military or police entities in the city. This is the highest ranking non-spellcaster caste of citizen.
Other titles: Street Jafan, Ship Jafan, Jafan Captain
Fukara – (Foo-kah-rah) Commoners, may own real property and businesses. The Fukara have no real authority over anyone, other than extra privilege over the Shahadeen. They often hire the Shahadeen as workers for the shops they run, in some cases allowing their hired Shahadeen to manage the business, while the Fukara maintains legal ownership. Fukara are seen as the middle-class of society. The average person in the Eternal Kingdom is a Fukara.
Other titles: Fukara Tradesman, Fukara Commoner, Fukara Guard
Shahadeen – (Shaw-ha-deen) Laborer and Slave Class, may not own real property or conduct trade. These are the most numerous and least privileged caste of society. They are not considered true citizens. Often times when a Shahadeen is punished, it will be with indentured servitude (slavery with an expiration date) or slavery (for life). Shahadeen slaves have even fewer rights than regular Shahadeen. Shahadeen are untrained, but often the front line in any war, given spears and farming implements as weapons, and no armor, they are true levied troops in wartime. Shahadeen that are not under servitude can amass wealth, and with that wealth hopefully earn themselves a move to the Fukara caste. Most Adventurers begin as Shahadeen.
Other Titles: Shahadeen Slave, Shahadeen Indentured-Servant, Shahadeen
Laborer, Shahadeen Levy
Racial Roles: No demi-human can hold a position of civil administrative authority, however they may rise through the various social ranks freely – they typically are left in charge of trade, or used to guard or manage caravans or trade-ships.
Class Roles: Most non-player characters fall into the role of non-character classes, however, figures of authority as well as members of the Thieves’ Guild (called the Society of Nurad by it’s members) have levels in player-character classes. Non-spellcaster characters are in a decidedly lower authority level at nearly all levels of government; however, for example, a Fukara Sorcerer is treated no better than a Fukara Warrior by others.
Gender Roles: Females in the Eternal Kingdom may fill any of a variety of roles in the Kingdom, and it is not uncommon to see women in places of authority. Many tradeswomen operate successfully in the Bazaar district, as well as in the shipping business and military or navy.
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