Greater Sithim Empire (Grate-Er-Si-Thh-Im-em-Pyre)

The Greater Sithim Empire is one of the Nations present on the Island of Kquimlar. It is located in the South/South-West of Kquimlar, and encompasses parts of the Sithim Desert and the majority of the plains/woodlands of Olaeris, with it's capital city being Al-Hashar. It was founded in PP 1426 due to the Reunion of the Houses, when Hakim Rumar Hashite brokered a peace treaty between House Balthaz-Sudin and House Ashik, ending the Sithimite Civil War. From there, the nation rebuilt after the civil war and became a notable presence on Kquimlar, attracting the ire of The Big Three over the years. Initially, the country did not go beyond the Sithim Desert's western mountains, the Shrouded Peaks, but it's territory expanded after the gifting of Olaeris as a peace settlement with the Elven Imperium after the end of the War of the Silent Blades, where Imperium forces were decimated by the Wahid Makhfiun (known on occasion in Common as Couriers) due to a call for help by Kwey Elf separatists.
  Modern Civilisation in the Sithim Desert derives from colonists from the Bardiyan Deserts in the far-off Continent of Silark. Braving a perilous voyage, these colonists were surprised to find the climate in South Kquimlar very similar to home, and decided to set up a colony there to expand their culture. This colony was called "Al-Sayathum" (Sithim), meaning "Land of Risings" (meaning the rising sun). However, the Sithim Colony fell out of step with the other Bardiyan colonies during the 5th Era with the event known as the "Helicant Heresy", where the colonists abandoned the religions of the Bardiya and began to worship the pantheon of the Native Sithimites, then called Helians.
  The current ruler of the nation is Emperor of Sithim, Olaeris and All Sithimites Shumar Ghaffar Hashite, adopted son of Hakim Hashite. Over Hakim's long reign, the powers of the Emperor were split up between a governmental organisation known as The Cabinet, an advisory body who run the state day to day, filling roles such as Minister of Culture or Provincial Governor. Certain people are given seats on the cabinent that are not necessarily related to goverence, such as Royal Guard Captain etc, but instead serve an advisory role. The Cabinet proposes laws, edicts and state stances/actions on particular issues. However, the Emperor has the right to veto any proposal, and must approve of every one that the Cabinet puts forward personally. The Cabinet is currently made up of the following people:
 

• Emperor of Sithim, Olaeris and All Sithimites Shumar Ghaffar Hashite (Native Sithimite)
• Ashik Province Governess Frida Ashik (Native Sithimite)
• Balthaz-Sudinia Province Governor Zachariah Balthaz-Sudin (Native Sithimite)
• Olaeris Province Governor Leiha Plainstrider (Gray Elf)
• Chancellor and Minister of Labour Mateja Kolev (Human, from Culadur)
• Minister of Culture Qualar Galazir (Kwey Elf)
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Paulo Buchan (Native Sithimite)
• "Head Courier" (Leader of the Wahid Makhfiun) Fara Ristall (Kwey Elf)
• Liason of Elven Affairs Talma Meliomne (Kwey Elf)
• Royal Phyiscian Argith Skywarder (Gray Elf)
• Royal Scientist Jola Dalonasi (Kwey Elf)
• Royal Guard Captain Barris "Archon" Colando (Native Sithimite)
• Royal Steward of the Palace and Advisor "Duke" (Human)

  Militarily, Sithim lacks a standing army, since the threat of wild Desert-Worms (notoriously drawn to loud marching across the desert) made it infeasible to properly maintain one within the Sithim Desert. This is why the Wahid Makhfiun are so well trained and commonly utilised; Sithim relies on this secret group for all it's defence. However, proposals for a military force have been made, as the newly annexed region of Olaeris could be used as a training ground for fresh recruits.
  Demographically, Sithim is split between a few different species, the majority being Native Sithimites (Native is added to distinguish the species from the ethnicity; this species are mostly called Sithimites.), followed by Wood Elves, Gray Elves, Humans and Half-Elves. In the cities, a few other races such as Halflings live quite comfortably, and out in the far reaches of the desert, Nomads, Tribespeople and Hermits are known to wander.
  Religiously, Sithim is tolerant of many different deities. The main one is Helian, God of Light and the Sun. After Olaeris was integrated into the Empire, certain deities from the Seldarine (the Elvish Pantheon), specifically Rillifane Rallathil, patron saint of the Wood Elves and The Moonbow, patron of the Silver Elves and Elven deity of Death. Many different sects worship the Sithimite Pantheon in their own way, eg The Order of the Golden Lance, The Church of Helicant etc. However, only one worships the deities of the Elves: The Rid'Quessir Olaeris, A semi-militant sect that has become popular among the Elves living in Sithim, regardless of subrace.
  The banner of the Greater Sithim Empire is that of the House of Hashite. It features the royal colours, purple and yellow, and has the Sixteen-pointed Sun of Sithim in the middle, a symbol for the nation based on a legend that Hakim once utilised some magic to turn the very Sun blue in order to intimdate the leaders of both House Ashik and Balthaz-Sudin into continuing negotiations.