Ruler: His Righteous Glory, Zandor the Wise, Grand Sultan of Shafaria (NG male human [Jendi], Wiz 14/Ftr 2)
Government: Independent monarchy with hereditary rulership; each of the various city-states is governed semi-autonomously by its own noble ruler but all are united under the banner of the Grand Sultan
Notable Figures: Khalid of the Silver Bracer, Court Wizard (LN male human [Jendi], Wiz 15); Rashid min Khorda, Grand Vizier (LN male human [Jendi], Clr 9 of Khorda); Prince Ridwan bin Zandor (LN male human [Jendi], Ftr 12); Ziyad of the Four Winds, Djinn Ambassador (CG male genie [djinn], 9HD)
Rule of Law: Lawful Neutral. Strongly ordered and regimented society with many written laws. Traditions and organization are greatly valued often with strict interpretation of the "letter" of the law. The value of order often outweighs morality.
Capital: Shalizan (pop. 74,300)
Major Towns: Deraghad (pop. 22,500), Hissar (pop. 29,100), Mahgreb (pop. 34,900), Njimi (pop. 21,400), Zamfarah (pop. 18,700)
Population: 1,240,700- Human 79% (Jzsha), dwarf 10% (red 60%, brown 30%. barter 10%), gnome 3% (dune 65%, hill 30%, tinker 5%), orc 3%, jann 2%, half-orc 1%, elf 1% (coast)
Major Religions: Khorda, Anarya, Galadine, Karnak, Maya, Aeroz, Arcanus, Jaladhi, Johvi, Khorsa, Nauru, Sursi, Zhinda, Seralise, Dwarf pantheon, Gnome pantheon, Orc pantheon
Major Resources: Platinum, silver, textiles, iron, marble, gems
Military: 62,000 (includes light, medium and heavy infantry, light cavalry and a fleet of 45 warships; some nobles also maintain small private armies not included in this number)
Allies: Jharsol, Anubia
Enemies: Draken Isles
Coinage: Platinum balance scale, gold minaret, silver conch shell, copper tortoise
The Sultanate of Shafaria is a powerful desert kingdom of semi-autonomous city-states held together under the authority of the Grand Sultan in the capital city of Shalizan, the City of Destiny. The city is truly a marvel of art and architechture lined with pristine gardens and sparkling fountains. The land of Shafaria is not known for its hospitable climate. Most of the population dwell in the large city-states along the coast near the more arable lands. The country is lined with a defensive perimeter of mountains, hills and rocky highlands while the center of the country is barren desert save for a few rare oases. The northern desert is haunted by a number of ghuls and various undead. It is the most dangerous of the two deserts. The southern desert contains various nomadic tribes and a few barbarian clans.
The culture of Shafaria is tied the concept of elemental magic and the races of genies. Magic tends to focus on elementalism with a great fascination of the various genies. The more powerful wizards often have genie slaves bound to their service which can be a risky venture since the genies resent this servitude. The throne of the Grand Sultan himself is said to be a minor artifact with ties to the elemental planes.
The Grand Sultan commands two unique forces that help secure his position of power. One is the order known as the Knights of the Desert Wind, a force of fighters that ride magic carpets armed with longbows and javelins. The knights patrol the skies over the City of Destiny and are said to number about 200 warriors. The other, perhaps greater force, is the sultan's personal retinue of jann bodyguards. These powerful genies all swear allegiance to the Grand Sultan and to the Alabaster Throne and number about 500 strong.
Rumors: A mated pair of blue dragons is said to dwell in the small mountain range north of the city of Zamfarah. The Northern High Desert is rumored to hold a lost treasure known as Jordahl's Lamp. This ancient artifact is said to hold the spirit of a powerful efreet with the power to grant wishes. Many treasure-hunters have attempted to find this lost artifact but few have survived the creatures that prowl the desert sands.