Ibaran

An ancient realm of Men, Ibaran is a strange and exotic country, ruled by powerful sultans and desert sheiks. Ibaran is located south of the Endor, west of Nehekhara. It rises across vast expanses of desert.  

Overview

  Little is known about Ibaran compared to Aiandell. Its merchants travel and trade extensively throughout the world, establishing trade networks that span every sea and nation. Their society is notoriously focused on commerce and piracy, both of which, carried out on a global scale, bring them fabulous wealth: their sultans and caliphs are said to be richer than the Dwarfs. This trade is carried beyond the sea thanks to its dhows, fast ships with triangular sails. They have a remarkable interest in science, medicine, and magical knowledge, and their nobles invest large sums to fund research of all kinds.   On many occasions, the Ibarians have tried to establish themselves outside their homes, occupying territories such as Estalia or the northern kingdoms. Such would be the case of Luyt'ama Rah'slyn, Fatandira or Abdul Al'Shar. In addition, it maintains colonies in many distant cities, such as in distant Marienburg, where a prosperous and ancient Ibarian community, known as Ibariastead, has formed.   Ibarian cities are exotic and extravagant, where massive vaulted palaces, filled with wealth beyond the imaginations of the dwarfs, loom over adobe and stucco houses in winding streets. Its lively and bustling nights, street performers, music, alcohol, narcotics, fiery food, and concubines make Ibaran a charming and irresistible place for many travelers. The Ibarians are colorful people, who live every moment with passion, because vitality runs wild through their veins, as hot as the sun itself.   Most of the Ibarians are an impious people, who do not feel much devotion to the gods, especially among their leaders. Although the common people of Ibaran worship the powerful Djinns with offerings and idols. It is said that Ibarians can be greedy and cruel, but they are always involved in some exotic adventure.   The toughest warriors come from the nomadic desert tribes, who are highly feared by the more civilized merchants who roam the caravan routes through the vast deserts. The most notable warriors of Ibaran are the Dervishes, warriors and religious fanatics all too willing to die for their faith. Other very famous are the Eunuch Warriors, individuals trained from birth to serve as soldiers or guards.   In the bazaars and markets of Ibaran, crowds often gather around a seated Ibarian mystic playing a flute. Hypnotizing through music, though some say using his rhythmic swaying, a deadly poisonous snake. Snake Charmers generally survive on the money they earn as artists, but often some offer their services, and that of their snakes, as warriors.   The Sultan of Ibaran claims to rule the whole peninsula, but has little real power over the independent coastal city-states or over the fierce nomad tribes who wander the Great Desert of Ibaran. The power wielded by the Great Sultan, now Padishah the Great, from Al-Haikk, the capital of all Ibaran, is supported by the fickle loyalty of the nobles. The Ibarian Princes and Emirs, the noble class among the Ibarians, tend to be very independent, as well as the rest of the Sultans, ruling their cities with impunity.   Even the Sheiks and Emirs of the land are constantly warring with each other. The fierce Sheikhs of the desert are local leaders, being renowned warriors and military men. In most cases they are the Viziers, personal advisers of the Sultans, those in charge of commanding the armies on the battlefield, with the notable exception of the Great Sultan.   This is so because the Sultans of Copher, Lashiek, Martek, Ka-Sabar, Aiir, and El-Kalabad live in unimaginable luxury. They are served by hundreds of slaves who will fulfill all their whims, their harems are full of voluptuous beauties from all over the world and their treasure chambers with all the splendor and wealth of this distant land. That is why they are reluctant to step on the battlefield, preferring to delegate their viziers to command their armies. Ibarian women have the same inheritance rights as men, and can rule cities as princess, or even become Sultans. Among nomadic tribes there is also this norm, since they have no major problem being led by a woman, both in government and on the battlefield.   Crowds of nomads and adventurers from Ibaran venture into the Lands of the Dead to loot the tombs and obtain their treasures. Such as the famous treasure hunter Ibn Sullan, they long for the wealth forgotten in time, risking their lives among the sarcophagi. Occasionally, a young Sheikh, eager to prove his worth and that of his people, will venture into the Land of the Dead to claim treasures for himself and discover unknown riches. Frequently, the leaders of Ibaran send their forces towards the pyramids of Nehekhara, with the mission of looting the tombs and burning the evil and ancient scrolls they find, thus preventing the dead from rising again. Sultans often hire mercenaries for these types of missions. They return to Tilea covered in wealth and valuable relics, though many fail to escape the wrath of the desert.   Piracy is a fundamental pillar in Ibaran, sustaining many of its commercial activities. The corsairs are in charge of ending the rival fleets, thus monopolizing the trade routes. Furthermore, the corsairs are mostly slave owners, bringing new shipments of slaves to the markets of Ibaran, enriching themselves enormously in the process. These corsairs orbit mostly around the city of Lashiek, being their base of operations, and the city where they can sell their loot of slaves. If Ibarian corsairs are renowned for something, it is for their discipline. They are cruel warriors, experts in navigation, who do not allow themselves to be intimidated in any sea.  

Magic

  Ibaran lies far from the world's poles and therefore from the ultimate source of the magical winds that blow from the north. As a result magic that is common in Aiandell is far more diffuse in Ibaran so it is much more difficult for sorcerers to work their spellcraft. Ibarian magic has therefore developed quite differently than that of other men. Ibarian sorcerers use their powers to control elemental Spirits of the Desert, Djinns, Efreets, Genies and such-like spirits. These spirits are worshipped by the superstitious and the common people of Ibaran.   These so-called elemental creatures are all daemons of a kind, but so far removed and isolated from the source of magical power in the north that they rely upon the close presence of powerful magical artefacts to maintain their existence. They also sometimes cling to local áreas where a vestige source of magical energy may be found, but in such cases their power is not usually great. Much Ibarian magic is based upon creating and using forms of magical containment such as cages, boxes, or crystals, which are used to capture and enslave these Daemons.   In Ibaran, the Djinns are used as a source of magic, since the Winds of Magic are extremely weak in this region. The wizards of Ibaran have created gadgets to help them control these Winds of Magic. Strange flasks are used to lock the Djinns inside, and to extract their magical power.   Mystery shrouds the study of Necromancy. To learn the Dark Art, an aspirant must either seek a Necromancer and become an apprentice or acquire one of the Forbidden Tomes such as the Book of the Dead, written by the mad Ibarian prince Abdul ben Raschid. He travelled to the Land of the Dead in the east of Ibaran, and driven mad by his experiences, he wrote his blasphemous masterpiece. He did not live to see the widespread public revulsion of his work, or the great pyre where the Caliph of Ka-Sabar burned all the copies he could find. Unfortunately, the Caliph did not find them all.   In Ibaran, knowledge of necromancy is not suppressed, and so they do not suffer from the ignorance that allows Vampires to gain footholds amongst them as in the Empire. Only the Blood Dragons have a presence there, and that is in the western desert. Works such as the Cursed Book, by the Ibarian necromancer Har-Ak-Iman, remain a remnant of this dark art among the dunes.   Magic items are common in Ibaran. Being a society closely tied to magic, powerful relics and magical items are common among the people of Ibaran. Ibn Naggazar was one of these renowned sorcerers, who in his brilliance, and also in his madness, wrote the Black Book of Ibn Naggazar. A tome where he compiled formulas to create intoxicating elixirs, influenced by the whispers of demons. Others speak of Kaphamon, an Ibarian magician skilled in the Lore of Death, who created a multitude of magical artifacts of incredible power, such as the Staff of Kaphamon.  

Culture and Society

  Most people think that the mysterious land of Ibaran is a barren land, ruled by savage heathens. And to an extent it is. It is well known that the populous is godless and bereft of faith. Their ways surely differ from the ones in Aiandell, but there is much to admire. Ibarians are proud. They speak in loud, quick voices and vibrancy runs hot in their veins, heated by the burning sun. They are energetic people, overflowing with passion and indomitable spirit.   Ibarians are not savages. They possess a proud civilisation, and have made great advances, especially in science, medicine and architecture. They champion the arts, It is only when one enters the southern portion of the land that civilisation ceases. The great sand desert, mountain ranges and valley passes are crawling with warring hill tribes and bandits. It is as if the land is divided in two. But for those who visit their cities, the colours, sounds, smells and people remain forever in their minds and their hearts.   Physically, Ibarians are described as short, dark, slender, with hooked noses and dark hair and eyes. Ibarian women are characterized by their curly hair, their full lips and their voluptuous curves. It is said of them that they have a very fierce, proud and passionate character.   The Ibarians are a very jovial people, as they adore festivities and bustle. Narcotics and alcohol are not lacking in their celebrations, livening up spicy meats and other delicious foods. One of the most famous beverages in Ibaranis Tialva, which is similar to beer, but made from sorghum instead of wheat. Another very common drink is Arag, made with anise, very powerful. Although, without a doubt, the most sought-after Ibarian drink is coffee, which is exported to all the ports of the world in huge quantities. Narcotics are consumed in shishas, being frequent in taverns and pleasure palaces. The Ibarians have a custom to sit on low chairs and pillows, and chairs are really rare in Ibaran. Comfort is something that is essential for the people of the desert.   Justice is fierce in Ibaran. Some of its leaders fiercely punish those criminals they manage to capture. Mutilation is a very common penalty, which deters many from even attempting to steal. Slavery is another common penalty, thus avoiding physical punishment, serving as a slave for as long as his new master deems necessary. The desert sheiks are especially famous for the cruelty of their sentences, which is why many bandits prefer to die in battle before being captured by the terrible rulers of the dunes.   Marriage unions among Ibarians are somewhat different from Aiandell inhabitants. For the common people, a simple ceremony unites a man and a woman in marriage, swearing "by the spirits of the wind, of the earth and of the water, to unite us in marriage, according to our will, and to love each other forever." Among the nobles, marital relations are somewhat diverse, marked especially by polygamy.   Like the common people, they maintain technically monogamous relationships, since the nobles can only marry once, also swearing "before the people of Iabaran, to rule and serve justly". But that does not mean that noble men and women do not have relationships with other people, especially those who have a harem of their own. In Ibaran they have a more permissive sexuality, and they do not look down on same-sex relationships, or a liking for both sexes.   The Ibarians are great sailors and have for many centuries fished the adjoining seas and traded south along the coast, northwards to Aiandell, and eastwards as far as to Eodros. The High Elves do not permit Ibarian vessels to travel further east tan Eodros itself, their high-prowed dhows are a common sight in the outer harbours of Lokhtar.   Being not only capable seamen but also bold and adventurous, Ibarians will eagerly exchange fishing and trading for piracy, and nowhere is this more the case than in Lashiek which is consequently known as the City of Corsairs. The greatest slave markets are in Ibaran, and the lot of those sold there is a miserable one; in the Aiandell, some people are enslaved by the courts, for non-payment of debts or similar offences.   The economic growth of Ibaran has led their peoples to the pursue of the fine arts in poetry, alchemy, medicine and architecture thus producing some of the world's most notable poets, doctors, sorcerers and architects. Ibarian philosophers observe the night skies to discover the secrets of the world, a practice brought to Borinth by the Crusaders.   Ibaran coins named Rials, and we can find different types depending on the value. Gold pieces from bearing crossed scimitars, silver pieces showing rearing stallions, and bronze pennies displaying a crescent moon.  

Clothing

  The Ibarians dress mostly with elegant turbans, baggy sleeves gathered on upper arm by armbands, jewelry, ornaments and decorated pieces of silk. Many protect themselves with tough leather boots, crossed daggers, whose handles carry jewels and precious stones, and high shoulder pads.   Ibaran merchants, on the other hand, wear long robes of dark cloth, elaborate turbans, and incorporate jewellery when they can. The Ibarian women have the tradition to wear exotic hairstyles, with headbands and ornaments of gold and silver, dress in baggy pants and wear their bellies exposed, wearing a bedlah. The Ibarian women often wear a bracelet or anklet, a piece of jewellery worn on the wrist or ankle. They can be solid metal or supple chains studded with gemstones. Bracelets are popular among the Tilean and Estalian ladies as a result of the Ibarian influence in these lands.   For the Ibarians, clothing is extremely important. Dressing properly, and also wearing certain trinkets and ornaments, is a sign of composure and decency. Those civilized peoples must dress as such, and breaching this rule is an insult to all their compatriots, for this reason the Ibarians take great care in taking care of their appearance and clothing.  

Achitecture

  Ibarian buildings often have domed roofs and distinctive onion-shaped arches over doors. A single building is frequently constructed around a courtyard, which may contain a garden if the owner is wealthy; otherwise, it is a storage and work area. Most have only a single floor and are built of brick rather than stone. Decoration almost never includes recognisable figures but can be very elaborate. These swirling, abstract patterns often look like the work of Chaos to men Borinth, though those who know about Chaos can tell that it is not; it is too orderly. This decoration may be painted, in which case it has faded badly, or a mosaic that may be dirty but can still be seen.   Ibarian single rooms are watchtowers or the strong rooms of the main building. Single buildings are normally the homes of the wealthy or small outposts for the military. Some are the keep of a small fortress, or a small part of a larger fortress. Fortresses and small houses are more common than temples or palaces, and are composed of a central keep surrounded by a wall, with outbuildings in the space between the keep and the wall. Villages consist of a number of courtyard homes, while towns and cities are larger versions of villages.   Although without a doubt, if a building stands out above the rest, it is the palaces. Sultans, princes and emirs live in immense palaces built of white stone, topped by gigantic golden vaults. Its size is absolutely colossal, with dozens of gardens and rooms inside. Its splendor rises above the rest of the buildings, reaffirming the power of those who inhabit them.  

Slavery

  In Ibaran there are slavers by nature, forming an essential part of both their economy and their society. Slavery is an unparalleled source of wealth for the corsairs and noblemen of Ibaran, who fill their markets with slaves from all over the world. The city of Lashiek is famous for being the world capital of slavery, hosting the largest known market for buying and selling slaves. This has caused that the simple name of this city produces terror in the navigators and merchants that surround its waters. Many slaves serve in the Palaces of Pleasure, a destiny shared by men and woman, or to be part of the harems of the Ibarian rulers.   Palaces of Pleasure and flesh pits are very common in every city of Ibaran.   Some babies are bought as slaves, and they are trained throughout their lives as Eunuch Warriors, being elite soldiers, disciplined and without the slightest hint of fear. His training takes place on the Eunuch Mountain, where the most famous Eunuch regiment of all, the Guard of Silence, is also located.   Ibarian slaveholders travel to distant Norsca in search of new shipments of slaves, many of them come from Aiandell. Although, even with this constant trade, the Ibarians have not established an active slave exchange with the Druchii, as the High Elves seek to prevent any ships from heading east from their lands. Slaves from distant lands and exotic races are especially sought after. Both harems full of beauties from Cathay and Ulthuan, and Eunuch Ogres who serve as an effective personal guard.  

Religion

  Ibaran was always a very polytheistic land. The gods of Nehekhara were always worshiped in their eastern cities, and the gods of Aiandell have temples and chapels in the coastal cities. Although without a doubt, the Ibarian people especially adore the Djinns. These elemental beings, wild and angry by nature, are the target of offerings and prayers by the common people, who deeply fear their anger, and try to calm the spirits of the desert with gifts of all kinds.   The Cult of the Djinns is led by the Caliphs, Ibarian leaders who rule the cities and their mission is to worship the spirits and keep the balance, to avoid arousing their anger. Over all the Caliphs, the High Priest of Ibaran, leader of the Cult of the Djinns, rules, as well as the influential Wizard Caliph, another figure of great power in the cult. In the temples of the cities you can see many idols of the Djinns, as well as in the palaces of the nobles. They are beings of certainly strange character, and their presence usually brings destruction, but there are many who yearn for their power, and try to subdue them, concurring many times in their anger. The most powerful of all are the Genies, who have demonic power and nature, and whose wisdom transcends that of any mortal being.   Although many Ibarians are not people of gods, and their leaders are not overly concerned with divine mandates, religion remains present in the life of the Ibarian people. Beyond offerings and prayers, in their own culture they hide a multitude of popular sayings that refer to the Djinns, the most popular gods of Ibaran. A common phrase to curse would be: "May their souls be flayed by Djinn." And a popular phrase of surprise or consternation would be: "Spirits of the sky, water and earth". Ibarians deeply fear arousing the wrath of their powerful gods. That is why they detest those who alter the natural order, and disturb and destroy in their wake, shaking the balance of their homeland.   Of all the Djinns that exist, some of the most revered are the Royal Djinns. The most famous them are The Sultan of Flames, seen as a dangerous god of war, the Sea-Monarch, protector goddess of the seas, or the Raging Tempest, wrathful spirit of storms that hunt down the enemies of Ibaran.   In Ibaran they usually pray to the spirits with some regularity, especially at sunset. In the temples of the cities of Ibaran bells ring with some regularity, when people go to the temples to make offerings to the Djinns. Some gods from Aiandell are forbidden in Ibaran. Sigmar is a very rejected god among the Ibarians, and Handrich is associated with usurers and the his worship is forbidden for any Ibarian. Similarly, evil gods related to darkness and chaos are prohibited. Be it the chaotic gods or the god Khaine of the elves.   The Ibarians are meticulous about their burials, and we see their great mausoleums described in the tomb of Muammar the Mad, High Priest of Ibaran. They result in a series of chambers, with different statues, treasures, and canvas inside. The most prestigious Ibarians are buried covered in jewels, attracting crowds of grave robbers.The Ibarians themselves are mummified, a tradition inherited from the lost Nehekhara. Inside the mausoleums there are chapels for prayers, a dressing room with ritual paintings and trunks with the ancient belongings of the deceased.  

Flora and Fauna

  In Ibaran we can find an exotic and varied fauna, lost in the immensity of the dunes. Lions, Giant Wolves and panthers are common creatures in the Southlands, as well as in many regions of Ibaran.   Camels are essential for life in the desert, being used by both merchants and warriors. Jackals roam the deserts, being frequent in mountainous areas. They are a very common pet in Ibaran, also used for dog racing. The Radiant Pegasus, inhabitants of the sunny plateaus of Ibaran. They are dangerous creatures, with the power to burn their enemy with a powerful blaze. Creatures from the southern jungles roam the dunes, such as elephants or great apes. Immense Giant Serpent also inhabit these territories, and many of these beings end up in the private zoos of the sultans, who love to collect strange creatures.   The Ibarian seas are extremely rich in fauna, which is why fishing is an essential food source for the Ibarians. The dolphins hover between the boats, jumping around the bow. Along with them, dangerous sharks are waiting on the prowl, ready to pounce on the most unwary sailor. Their number is such that they give their name to the strait that separates the Land of the Assassins from the Sorcerers Islands, known as the Strait of Sharks. Although in the Ibarian seas, the most dangerous being is the Leviathan, whose jaws can devour the strongest ship with little effort.   The Ibarians are in the habit of using poisons in their weapons, extracted from creatures of the desert. They would highlight, for example, the Green Scorpion Venom, or the Viper's Kiss, which is obtained from the deadly black speckled vipers. Another animal from which poison is extracted is the Tomb Scarab. With a drop of his poison, spilled on an Undead bone placed on a rope, he will form a pendulum. This pendulum will swing in the direction of the nearest vampire, being used by the warriors of Ibaran to locate vampires in their lands. Although those who use the pendulum must be careful, because the poison of the Tomb Scarab never loses its effectiveness, and can be a deadly weapon. Another famous poison is the one that is extracted from the Black Lotus, which grows in a plains in southern Ibaran known as the Black Plains.   Other great creatures roam the lands of Ibaran. The Dragons were masters of forests and mountaintops. Today they are a legend, and few Dragons exist in almost perpetual slumber within deep caverns amongst their ancestral nesting site, the Spine Mountains and Mountains of Mourn. Dragons exist now only in handfuls scattered throughout the world.