Araby

From HammerWiki

Araby is a nation on the western coast of the continent south of the Old World, corresponding to the real world North Africa and middle east. Much of its history is based on the mythology of the Arabian nights.

[edit] Overview

Little is known about Araby compared to the Old World, though its sultans and caliphs are said to be wealthier than Dwarfs and its cities rich in spices, gold and slaves. The merchants of this land have also been known to trade with both the Empire and Norsca. They have the reputation of being most cunning. The Sultan of All Araby claims to rule the whole peninsula, but has little real power over the independent coastal city states or over the fierce nomad tribes wandering the Great Desert of Araby.

The principle cities of Araby are:

• Lashiek, home to the Sultan and his mighty fleet, also feared as the centre of slave-trade through most of the known world.
• Copher, most independent city, famed for its spice trade and home to scholars and magic-users as well as the feared pirates of Copher.
• Martek, rich from mining the Alzim Mountains and surrounding the bottomless lake of Fazoth-Ar, in which are said to dwell sinister forces
• El Haikk, city of thieves and largest trading port
• Bel-Aliad a desert ruin rumoured to hide the treasures of the ancient glory of Araby.

They are all nestled on the western coast of the continent, as the center is dominated by the nomad infested Great Desert of Araby. Beyond the great desert lies the city of Bel Alaik, closer to the Land of the Dead than any other.

Sorcerers in Araby are said to be able to capture genies in bottles who, upon uncorking, rise to immense size to do the bidding of his master, and rumoured to fly upon carpets.

[edit] History

The early years of Araby's history are not well documented, but it is known that it suffered invasions from the Land of the Dead after the fall of the Khemri civilization at the hands of Nagash. Arkhan the Black invaded Araby with his undead army and sacked the city of Bel-Aliad in the year -1149, Imperial Calendar, precipitating what would be known as the "War of the Death", a 1000 years long war in which Arkhan reduced a once mighty and wealthy civilisation to a few weak city states and a handful desert tribes. It is only when Nagash calls Arkhan back that the wars end.

According to Warhammer Lore, a Sultan Jaffar of Araby launched an invasion of Estalia in 1448 IC, the responding campaign consisting of knights from Bretonnia and The Empire drove his forces out in a manner similar to the Reconquista in the real world. The war was brought to Araby itself, precipitating the crusades.

[edit] External Links

A map of The Old World, Dark Lands, The Land of the Dead and Araby