Shai’Khal is a massive continent empire home to millions of citizens. There are 33 cities within the four main provinces of Shai’Khal. Hundreds of small towns and thousands of villages dot the countryside. To maintain order, each province is governed by an Amir or Amira who answers directly to the Shah. In the northeastern tip of Shai’Khal is the province of Kuzen, governed by Amir Navin Afolayan. Stretching the northern coastline from the border of Kuzen to the West Osmiti River is the province of Kaitan, governed by Amira Jin Nakano. From Kaitan’s border to the west coast is Ydeba, the province governed by Amir Xolani Iherjirika. In the center of Shai’Khal, bordered on three sides by the other provinces and the southern coast on the other is the desert province of Raudhah. While Raudhah is governed by Amir Olumide Attar, it holds the empire’s capital city: Madiar. The seat of power and home of the Shah.

Noble Hierarchy

In order of political power:

• Shahanshah/Shahbanu: the ruling monarch of Shai’Khal

• Khan/Khanum: the consort to the Shah. It’s also the honorific given to abdicated Shahs.

• Shahzade: Heir of the Shah

• Amir/Amira: Provincial governors; the title given to non-inheriting children of Shahs.

• Duq/Duqa: Spouses and children of Amirs/Amiras; city governors.

• Alkont/Kontess: City governors & their spouses.

• Albarun/Baruna: City governors & their spouses.

• Rabbs/Sayidas: City governors & their spouses; the honorific of given to the children of Duqs, Alkonts, Albaruns, and Rabbs/Sayidas. The most prolific noble title.

• Merchant Rabbs/Sayidas: Wealthy citizens who purchase their noble titles and renew them periodically. The title grants them the same privileges as hereditary Rabbs/Sayidas, but neither their spouses nor children inherit the title upon death.

Noble Houses

There are thousands of noble houses that make up the various governing bodies in Shai’Khal. Below are the most important due to either the population they rule or the armies they control.

Madiaran: The ruling house and bloodline of the Shah’s. Their crest is twin rearing horses on either side of crown with an Akhenic Sun. Royal colors are crimson and gold.

Attar: The family governing Raudhah, the main Yahidah province of Shai’Khal and home of the capital. Their crest is a leopard of dark blue and bronze, snarling in profile. Notable household members are Amir Olumide, his wife Duqa Emilia, heir Duq Rashad, and youngest son Duq Hasad.

Afolayan: The family governing the northeastern province of Kuzen. Their crest is a tawny hawk on dark green. A prolific household, they are interwoven with most of Kuzen’s city nobles. Notable household members are Amir Navin, his wife Duqa Aminah, and his brother Rabb Mahdi.

Iherjirika: The family governing the western province of Ydeba. Their crest are two bull horns curving upwards. The Amir’s symbol bears two spears crossing between the horns. Like the Afolayans, the Iherjirika bloodline covers several cities. The notable members are Amir Xolani Iherjirika, his daughter Duqa Adanna, and his sister Baruna Azmera.

Nakano: The family governing the northern province of Kaitan. Their crest is a silver fish leaping from blue water on black. Their prominent members are Amira Jin, her wife Duqa Iseul, and her daughter Duqa Myeong.

Neredi: The family governing the city of Abadan in Raudhah. Their crest is a leaping silver antelope of pale blue. Abadan is the third largest city in Raudhah, ruled by Duq Alaziz. He is most notable for having the best horses and best cavalry outside of Madiar. The prominent Neredis are Duq Alaziz, his wife Duqa Jasira, and daughter Sayida Loralee.

Bhengani: The family governing the city of Tanga, the unofficial capital of the western half of Ydeba. Their crest is a crocodile on a riverbank, its jaws open and tail curled around itself on purple. An ardently religious and rebellious house, Duqa Enitan has been quietly undermining the current Shah since his coronation. Prominent members include Duqa Enitan, her husband Duq Oji, and daughter Sayida Munashe.

Government

The day-to-day governance of Shai’Khal within the Madiar palace is shown above. The three councils are made up of numerous advisers to the Shah. Each council may consult with the Khanum before speaking with the Shah, but usually it’s the Shah’s seal required to make law.

Vizier Council

Led by the Grand Vizier, there are numerous other Viziers. While some Viziers are staple positions (such as the Vizier of Treasury, or the Vizier of Agriculture) there have been many positions that come and go depending on the Shah. Shah Mansur has a Vizier of Entertainment — a position hastily removed by Shah Merikh. The Viziers meet often, usually without the Shah and leave the Grand Vizier as liaison to the Shah.

Security Council

During peacetime, the Security Council rarely meets. The Royal Guard have standing patrols around Shai’Khal to aid in keeping the roads safe and handling disputes in small villages that don’t have the protection of a city guard. The Ajir Guards keep the Royal Family safe. During war, or the eve of war, the Security Council will meet and consult the Shah directly. They consist of the Sardar-Generals who head the army, as well as the Ajir Sardar-Captain (though the head captain is rarely referred to as such).

Legate Council

The Legate Council are the representatives of the major noble families in Shai’Khal. Legates present their master’s or mistress’ desires and concerns to the Shah and Khanum, as well as keep their master appraised of the goings-on in Madiar. The Legate Council rarely meets as a whole, as legates generally bring their concerns to the Shah singularly. When they do meet, it usually for a pronouncement from the Shah to the entirety of the Empire such as the birth of the Shahzade, declaration of war, or succession.

Provincial Politics

The above structure trickles down through the provinces and cities. They have a similar structure, where Amirs have viziers, security councils, and legates from cities and villages.

Succession

Laws of inheritance differ between the common people and the noble. Commoners have a great deal of freedom when deciding which child will inherit whatever land or valuables they own. The nobility, on the other hand, have strict purity-of-blood laws to follow.

Heirs are firstborn, regardless of gender. Successive children inherit nothing, with the expectation they will find their own vocation or marry upward.

Marriage is required to produce an heir, as bastards are extremely frowned upon for succession (particularly the higher the rank). While same-gender marriages have been acceptable for the common folk, it is only under Shah Merikh’s reign that they became acceptable within the nobility. A true-blood heir is required, meaning a child must be born of the higher ranking noble and a nuclear family member of their spouse — be it their sibling or parent if no sibling of the correct gender is born.