Drogol
Where the vipers bid their time
Drogol is a blend of two cultures. The western side is covered in a dune sea, and holds the tribe of Drog, the rulers of this land, under their Zultan. The east is grasslands, with many farms and ranches raising good crops and herds of sheep and cows. It is said that while the eastern villages work their farms, the western dunes hold men waiting for their chance of revenge against those that would do them wrong. The Drogs of the dunes are a suspicious and temperamental lot that do not trust outsiders, and would rather stake you out to die than give you a drink of water. But the Zultan rules over both sides, and the Drogol that most people see is friendly and welcoming to all.
Structure
The Zultan rules with the advice of a few advisors. Unlike Zelcel, which has many tribes, Drogol only has one. But it also has non-tribe members that live in the eastern half of the territory. The eastern Drogs live in small towns and villages, and are allowed to select their lord-mayors for approval by the Zultan.
Culture
The western half of Drogol is very similar to Zelcel, in that it is a desert with several important oasis, and seasonal streams. The Drogs live a migratory lifestyle living along the banks of the river Atbuton River in summer, and them moving into the deeper desert in early fall through late spring when the oases and streams are full.
The western Drogs, for are culturally different, are farmers, artisans, and craftsmen who work the land and run their businesses in place.
Assets
Drogol benefits from the it's rich grasslands in the east, and it also has some mineral resources in the south western hills, mostly copper and iron. These resources are mined and shipped from Bolkod.
History
The Zultans family, and the tribe called Drog was once part of Zelcel, but in a failed attempt to take over that Zultanate, they were forced to retreat to the lands they now control. For many years, Zelcel and Drogol fought each trying to bring the other under their own domain. Eventually, the Emperor stepped in and forced a peace upon them, and defined the borders. Since the Drogs lost a significant portion of their former desert homelands, the Emperor gave them the lands surrounding the upper Altontave River river.
While outright war has not happened in a few generations, border raids between Zelcel and Drogol continue as each still claims the others lands amongst themselves.
Demography and Population
Most of population of Drogol is dispersed, either in small villages throughout the eastern side of the Zultanate, or in small nomadic groups in the western desert.
Bolkod is the Zultanate's major port and trade center, but it is still just a middling sized town. There are other villages further upstream, but none of them have the means or resources to load and unload cargo effectively, so almost all of the boats on the Altontave River stop their travels here. it is also considered the capital for most of the outside world, but the true capital is where ever the Zultanate pitches his tent that night.
Ibagha is a small town in the north-east of Drogol near the border with Brog. It is often raided by the horse clans of the north, and so a fortification has been constructed. A wall was planned, but initial construction was destroyed during one of the raids.
Mabraz originally a fort built against the invasions of the horse clans, a small trading community exists here under the protection of the fort.
Kigruron was the original location the Drogs retreated to after their failed attempt at gaining the Zelcel Zultanate. here they built a fortification, and continued their raids against Zelcel until the peace was imposed.
Military
The Drog tribal force consists of about five thousand warriors based in the nomadic units of the western desert. The eastern villages and towns each have smaller militias that they can muster, with the norther border areas having the best trained and experienced men.
Foreign Relations
Relations with Zelcel are always strained as the border raids continue. Some people believe that the Zultan is secretly negotiating with the Zultana of Zelcel to marry and re-unite their lands, but since the Zultan is approaching 60 years old, it is more likely that his son may put that plan into action.
Drogol has good relations with Brog and the two often cooperate to retaliate against the horse clans after a raid.
Relations with Crisla are good, but the recent rise in taxes on the unprocessed ore that is sent south are beginning to cause friction.
Maps
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Drogol
Demonym
Drog
Leader
Leader Title
Economic System
Mixed economy
Major Exports
Iron and copper ore. Grain and vegetables.
Major Imports
Tools, lumber, weapons.
Parent Organization
Controlled Territories
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