Ischarra
Kingdom of Ischarra
Overview
The Kingdom of Ischarra (Or Ischurrai, Itscharyen, English name being Atscharia or Ascharia) is a nation located on the northeastern coast of Nieden. It is renowned for it's warriors who excel in all of the traditional arts such as the bow, spear, and sword. In particular, the Ischarri are renowned for their horsemen. The country is divided up into several regions, these regions are Atsuryen, Hijtarn, Nidara, and Tsarin. The symbol of the Ischarri is that of the wolf, a creature native to the plains and forests of the landscape there.Etymology
Ischarra is one of the most debated countries when it comes to names due to the fact it has several accepted origins. It could either mean land of the horsemen, land of the lancers, or land of the poets. This is in part due to the fact it has many pronunciations as it can also go by Asharia, Ischarra, Itschurrai, Ischurrai, Itscharyen, Atschariyen, and many others.History
In the ancient Ingharan age, the people who would come to be the Ischurri were spread throughout a wide geographic area on northern Nirann with no common identity. The first group was that of the Ingharan outcasts who fled northwards to subjugate local tribes and exploit the region of its natural resources, settling heavily around present day Miszur; these Ingharans are known as the Nehngen, meaning "people with firm roots." The Nehngen make up among the largest contributions to the Ischarri appearance and architecture. The next major group was a group of people native to the brich and pines north of Ischarra, in the present day Ukori league who were known as the Terhin; these largely nomadic peoples migrated south, assimilating the Nehngen and becoming known as the Emning tribes. The Emning were rather warlike herders and farmers that migrated all over Nirann, becoming renowned for their ability as mercenaries. The Emning tribes themselves were challenged when they invaded the eastern part of Ischarra, where they mixed with the relatives of ancestors of the Alsivaic peoples there known as the Mannha, who greatly influenced them. As a result, the northern tribes of Ischarra had created themselves a unique identity by the -300s, speaking a tongue that was Ingharan based but many words coming from Terhin, wearing clothes based on Ingharan, Terhin, and Mannha origin. These tribes knew themselves as Ahri, Erhi, or Ahrietsch.In the southern regions that now make up the kingdom, it is said that necromancers ruled while the north was held by magic-wielding warriors who rejected and fought the necromancers. The Ahri confederation eventually formed to do battle with the necromancers, scoring a great victory before the time of aremi where they pushed many of the necromancers south into the hills. Eventually, Aremi and his main enforcer Liiara would invade from the south and subjugate much of the region. Aremi's descendants spent many years trying to subjugate the Ahri, eventually succeeding in creating a vassal kingdom around Miszur. In the years following, many tribesmen would travel south to fight against the Okhotai for the Soranni.
During the Empire, the Ischarri would gain a reputation as master horsemen and excellent loyal warriors across the continent. They would however, undergo their own problems as other groups would migrate into the north and their home was pushed farther south. In this era, some important cities were founded that became important imperial centers of power such as Somsori and Outourin. Many of the last Ingharan refugees would settle the region and intermingle with the Ischurri, leading to some cultural changes.
Eventually, the empire would fall and in the town of Anniste, the Imperial family would flee into hiding. The realms would shatter into warring clans and tribes once more until the birth of one Atshara (Also called Abarann) would change the continent forever. Atshara united his town and the surrounding villages under his rule; however, a great coalition formed to oppose his rise. At the battle of the river Nais, he would defeat his opponents and proclaim himself as King of the Ischarri. At the site of the battle, the city of Lile'anen would be built. Lileanen was set to become the new capital of the realm as he led his armies south to intervene in the great rebellion in Soranna. This raid would sack Ornemere and retake the city of Soranna from the blight. It is here that the Kirrentai would be established to regulate the faith all over the continent.
In his campaigns, Atshara would fall at the hands of an Ogre when he was campaigning in Alsivai. His retainers would build a crypt for him on the site of former monastery. This monastery would grow into one of the most renowned on the continent as it slowly accumulated the bodies of many of the former emperors and kings of the Ilsairi.
Atshara's son Ditrai Sinso was dedicated to the cultivation of a stable realm; Ditrai's efforts would see castle Saikirisht (Valkeste) become the new seat of authority in the north. He would develop the country's laws and made a stable land. In recent years, the realm has been shattered by the Northern League, who rebelled in favor of more rights to traders and nobles.
Government and Society
Posts of the Kingdom
The government of Ischarra is one which held various different positions and posts, all of which were subservient to the king. The posts in the year 1568 were as follows.Akkerai
The Akkerai was head of state and policy.Oshi
The Oshi, or prince, was the second in command due to their authority as the crown prince.Ministers
The ministers were the hand chosen people who made up the inner circle, these people were of varying backgrounds but they often included only high nobles.Nobles
There existed nine ranks of noble, with one ascending the ranks gradually or through good service. To become a noble, one had to first be an Ishtari.Bailiffs, Sergeants
Bailiffs were those who ensured that the law was enacted in the realms. They commanded guards around cities.Societal Classes
Societal classes in the realm were rather typical with some unique caveats in comparison to other Niranni. Peasants, Merchants, and Craftsmen were often grouped together as the Sishi class, with Sishi meaning common. The Sishi class could be moved between at will. The Organization of Societal Classes was as Follows:Akkerai
The sovereign is the head of the entire realm, and their authority is absolute.Taissen
The Taissen is the commander of all of the armies in the realm in the name of the sovereign. They are charged with the defense of the realm.Fura
The Fura are the nobles of the realm, being those entitled to speak to the king. They are only recruited from Ishtari; all Fura must be Ishtari as well.Ishtari
The Ishtari were the warrior class of the Ischurri, being one of the highest classes that one could ascend to from peasanthood.Craftsmen
Craftsmen were held in very high regard as a class due to the belief that producing things for the people was an inherently valuable task.Peasants and Townsfolk
Peasants, similar to craftsmen, were a respected class due to the belief that being a peasant produced the food that lords and spirits would eat.Merchants
Merchants were looked down on as a class due to the belief that they were greedy and produced nothing for the people.Slaves
Slaves as a class were practically extinct, it was required a slave was elevated to citizenship after three years of service.Culture
Ischarri Culture is one that has various different influences, originally starting off as one related to the peninsular peoples like the Alsivai. Eventually, there was influence from Ingharans that strongly effected the peoples before a final wave from Soranni and Gentari sources. SEE ISCHARRI PAGECities
Ischarra is known to host several notable cities on the continent of Nieden such as Lileanen, Miszur, Miavia, Zatremri (also known as Zannemri), Sarrator, and Loset (Also known as Luset). SEE MAP PAGEMilitary
The Ischurri Military relies on career professional soldiers as well as levy soldiers to do its work. The levy soldiers, or Tashkiha, are often organized into groups of five with the highest ranking being an Ishtari commander. The career soldiers, or Ishtari, act as officers but also have their own units such as that of cavalry.Renowned Unit Types
Zannerhei
The Zannerhei, meaning dark-soldiers, are a group of soldiers dedicated to performing covert operations, most notably in the forests of the north. They wear dark blue or black, and are often used as skirmishers and flanking units. Some of them act as saboteurs and sappers as well. They also go by the name Yerrinten, meaning in the fog.Ileauhei
The Ileauhei, meaning faithful soldiers, are those soldiers recruited from monasteries, and are renowned for their appearance. They rarely take off their masks and coverings and are most skilled with bows and swordspears.Cirishen
Cirishen, meaning falling thunder, is the term used to denote the heaviest cavalry of the Ischurri military. These men are clad in protective suits of lamellar, mail, and plate, wielding lances and carrying sabers. They are renowned for their ability to break into many lines, no doubt due to the fact that many of the warriors are spellswords who can battle even when dismounted.Amorame
Amorame, meaning fleeting rain, is the name used for the traditional mounted archer cavalry of the Ischurri that have been around for many years.
ILSA - Ileauri Sa'ane (Divine and Long Lived)
Founding Date
1300s
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Alternative Names
Asharia, Ischurrai, Asharrai, Eszarrai
Demonym
Ischurri, Ashari, Eszarin, Asharin, Ischurrin
Leader
Notable Members
Comments