Sabirid Empire

"Our position is wholly lost. When the barbarians arrive at our gates, we lack the strength to resist for even a day. We are given the opportunity to elect our own ruination, and we will pay for our choice with the blood of our people. Thus, esteemed councilors, we must choose. Gökhan, or the red rivers of death?"

— Saqr el-Halaby, councilor of Ridayda in the 200th Year of the Prophet

The Sabirid Empire was a short lived polity, stretching from the western shores of the Heriz all the way to what is today Milarat land at its height. A confederation of Beirhamin tribes united by the legendary warlord Sabir, the fledgling empire had designs to dominate the greater part of the steppe as well as the Runberi city-states in its neighborhood.
Though the Sabirid Empire was only a real force for about 30 years from when Sabir proclaimed his empire, and only controlled Ridayda for a few months, the empire left a deep mark on history. The Three Cities Pact that would become the dominant power in the bay was founded to resist their influence, and even today the lessons of Sabir weigh heavily on the minds of the emirs when they deal with the Beirhamin in their periphery.
The sacking of Ridayda in the 200th Year of the Prophet was not the last time a Runberi city-state would be attacked by the inland nomads, but it has been the most enduring in the imagination of the Runberi. Since Sabir, there has not been a great confederation of Beirhamin peoples, and the emirs work tirelessly to ensure that there will not be again.

Structure

A confederation of Beirhamin tribes, the Sabirid Empire was nominally one great tribe. Ruled by the Kagan Sabir, with the chiefs subjugated by Sabir turned into Baigs under his command. In practice, tribal structures were left intact in many places, though in some cases Sabir would give one of his own loyalists the title of Baig over a subject tribe or region. Envisioning a mixed system of tribes and towns, all led by Baigs loyal to the Kagan alone, Sabir was not quite able to fulfill his designs. The traditional tribal councils retained a say in the election of chiefs and Baigs, and ultimately an acrimonious council of the tribes would lead to the fall of Sabir's empire.
Sabir also employed treasurers, generals, and scribes in his government, the administrators often drawn from Runberi towns. However, most of these figures served at the pleasure of the Kagan, who had absolute command.

History

"One man makes a weak glue, be he a great man or not."

— Su, shaman of the Sabir

Founding and Expansion

According to legend, Sabir Adal Safak Aysu (later known as Sabir Adal Safak Sabir) was born in the 143rd Year of the Prophet, the son of a prominent warrior in the relatively insignificant Aysu tribe in the west-central Beirhamin steppe. Poorly positioned to defend their pastures, the Aysu were under constant threat of being pushed south by their stronger neighbors, the Olsan and the Cavad.

The relationships between these tribes were always complicated, amity and trade punctuated by raiding and war. At the age of 24, Sabir had gained renown as the one who slayed a monster that threatened the flocks of every tribe in the area. He became known as a great warrior, and 2 years later would marry Ahu Saruhan Kadin Cavad, the daughter of the chief of the Cavad. An alliance of sorts was forged, but not an equal one. The Cavad chief sought to make Sabir into his own right-hand man, and Sabir did not object. Eight years later, when the chief lay dying, Sabir staked his claim. He should be chief of the Cavad, and the Aysu too. A power struggle erupted, and Sabir won. Directing the Cavad to finally subjugate the tribe of his birth, Sabir declared that a new dynasty had risen. The dynasty of Sabir.
He would defeat the Olsan next, and absorb their lands and peoples. The Sabir tribe expanded, soon bordering the coastal Runberi. When Sabir added some of the towns of the Runberi to his network of subjects, he had loftier plans than most Beirhamin warlords. Seeking not only to extract, but also rule. He appointed administrators and left garrisons in the towns he conquered. The tribe of Sabir was becoming a true empire, and its chief was drawing up plans to conquer Ridayda and Al-Hawat when he suddenly died in the 199th Year of the Prophet.

Two Chiefs Invade

The council of tribes was called, and Sabir's son Xylil and his brother-in-law Gökhan arose as likely candidates. Though Sabir had unified the tribes in name, many old divisions still bubbled under the surface. Ahu saw that the opposing claimants would plunge her late husband's empire into civil war, and turn its strength to dust. Thus, she challenged the two claimants, not to battle eachother, but to compete. Compete to see who could fulfill Sabir's design, and prove himself a worthy inheritor.
Gathering their supporters, Xylil and Gökhan rode for the coast. Routing the forces of the Three Cities Pact in two decisive battles, Gökhan's host gained a head start towards Ridayda. Xylil, eager to claim glory for himself rode southwest to take Al-Hawat. Ridayda was less defended than Al-Hawat and Xylil was confident that taking the harder prize would secure his candidacy.

"It cannot be within the gift of this chamber to desecrate its very foundation. It is our duty to vote no."

— Awda el-Saade, councilor of Ridayda in the 200th Year of the Prophet

When Xylil turned his host, Gökhan sent a rider ahead of his main force armed with just a letter. In it, Gökhan demanded that when he arrived to Ridayda, he would be greeted as Emir. Otherwise, he would sack the city and level the chambers of the Ridaydan Assembly. With great acrimony, the Ridaydans did as he demanded. The Emir of Ridayda abdicated and Gökhan ascended to the palace.
As Xylil struggled to maintain his siege of Al-Hawat, Gökhan organized relief supplies to Al-Hawat to further tie up his rival. Meanwhile, his army fed on the stores of the Ridaydans. Gökhan ruled with an iron fist, turning the Ridaydan Assembly into a rubber stamp for his decrees. Al-Hawat sought a Marching Horde to help break the siege, and Xylil had heard of what Gökhan had done. Calling his rival a coward and traitor, in his eyes taking the Runberi title of Emir was no victory at all. He suspected Gökhan was sabotaging him, and broke the siege, riding back for Ridayda.
Gökhan welcomed the news, confident that Xylil had been weakened by the unsuccessful siege. His well-fed troops and fresh horses against the spent host of the chiefling. He ordered his host to muster at the gates of Ridayda, ready to ride out against Xylil in battle.
It was the 18th of September on the 200th Year of the Prophet when a knife in the night broke into Gökhan's private chambers. In the morning when the commanders of Gökhan's host came looking for their chief, they found a corpse. Pandemonium broke out, as Gökhan's host began to fracture. Some of the host began looting the city, another part broke away and headed back towards the home steppes of Sabir. A significant portion stayed under the command of Garip Elgin Roza Sabir. When Xylil arrived in the evening, the remnants of Gökhan's host were routed. Xylil sacked Ridayda, and rode back to his homeland, victorious.

The Fall

"Envy poisons the great works of man."

— Ahu Saruhan Kadin Sabir

Xylil was the new chief of the Sabir, but he did not return to fanfare and celebration. The Cavadid faction that had supported Gökhan accused Xylil of having had his rival assassinated, and revolted. As civil war swept the empire, the Marching Horde hired by the Al-Hawati made short work of the Sabirid garrisons in the satellite towns of the Three Cities Pact, repelling the Beirhamin from Runberi land. Though Xylil would continue to claim the chieftainship of the Sabir, lesser chiefs broke away in droves. Even today, Sabir's tribe survives. However, only 30 years after Sabir had founded his empire, his successor had lost it for good.

177 - 205

Type

Geopolitical, Nomadic tribe

Demonym

Sabirid

Leader

Sabir Adal Safak Sabir

Government System

Tribalism

Power Structure

Confederation

Related Ethnicities

• Beirhamin