Najer

The Emirate of Najer is a nation-state located in the Wandering Desert in the north-eastern portion of Nieden. It was founded on the 7th of April, 2021, as a successor state to the now-dissolved Sterling Crownlands. It is currently led by Emir Hirudo.

Pre-Emirate (10/16/2020-4/06/2021)
Najer's origins can be traced back to the year 1 AB (October 16th, 2020), to the foundation of the great city of Najera'jad. The Najer people had existed as a loose collection of nomadic tribes for thousands of years, with early settlements as old as 20,000 years ago present in core Najer territory. However, in modern times, a greater need for group security had pushed the nomads closer together.

This need was solidified during the bank crash of Gold Wednesday. A massive economic downturn led to worldwide chaos, with people all over losing their entire savings. As a result, many turned to banditry, and a wave of crime exploded from population centers, eventually reaching the northernmost parts of Nieden. Bandits swept through the nation, pillaging and killing the peaceful nomads, causing panic and fear throughout the wandering desert.

Several of the most prominent tribes organized the others, and they took refuge in their desert temples, which were more defensible than the average Najer settlement at the time. Using their new position, they mounted a defense, using hit-and-run tactics to counter the raiders superior technology, successfully driving them out of the desert.

There was another effect to the shelters the Najer had taken; within the temples, they discovered and decoded ancient Najer writings, full of records of their culture. Once the pillagers had been expelled, this ignited a cultural renaissance among the Najer people, who united over their shared heritage and history. This eventually led to a decision to found a city, one that would house the greater part of the Najer and act as their stronghold and pride. They began building this city on a mountain, and named it "Najera'jad" or people's mountain.

This city-state would effectively comprise the entire nation, going on to be a founding member of the Silver Coalition and later part of the Sterling Crownlands. The ruler of Najera'jad, Avreham Basha, became the first High King of the Sterling Crownlands. Following his murder, the passing of the crown, and the First Coalition War, Najera'jad grew out of focus internationally.

Internally, however, they prospered. Several new cities were founded, including Kijaro in the south-east (3 AB) and Wobambi-on-Sea in the far east. (15 AB) The Najer continued to study and learn about their culture, and grow their population. Najer was recognized as a hub of culture within the Crownlands, along with Noxnorr. People commonly held their honeymoons in Najera'jad, due to the city's idyllic beauty and friendly people. Najera'jad housed the regional headquarters of several organizations, including the Rovers of Rathnir, and did a booming business in flowers.

When the Crownlands were dissolved by the son of Avreham, Baram Basha, Najera'jad reformed into the Emirate of Najer.

Early Emirate (04/07/2021-05/10/2021)
Without the support of the other nations in the Crownlands, and with the death of their first king, the Najer were uncertain, but hopeful for the future. The leaders of Najer took inspiration from the Crownlands governmental structure, preserving the positions and procedures as best they could, only on a smaller scale. They abandoned the old system of the Seyohs and decided to crown a monarch, who would act as the new sole leader of the nation, in 25 AB. (April 7, 2021)

Dmitrio von Sturgeon was the first monarch, the Emir. A veteran of the Sterling Crownlands, he had helped engineer much of the road system that stretched across the north, and had helped to quell the Steel Compact rebellion. A good friend of Baram, the last king of the Sterling Crownlands, he quickly gained respect as a quintessential Najer, who made friends easily and loved peace. He moved the capital of Najer from Najera'jad to his home city of Wobambi-on-Sea.

Early in his reign, the Vulpur people, who had been driven from home to home for much of their early existence, came to settle down in the far western peninsula of Najer in the year 29 AB. (May 6th, 2021) They established two cities, Neavulpur and Captainia, and planned several more. Later, (May 11th, 2021) Emir Sturgeon would lead a party that would make contact with the Vuls. He invited them to Wobambi, where they discussed the future of Vulpinia, and eventually agreed to make them an autonomous vassal. Thus, the Vulpinia province was established.

Shortly before this, the Emir established contact with the Sicarian people, who had lived on an island off of the coast of Najer for many years. They had had relations with the mainland, but generally had remained separate. Their massacre of the already-small Lizardfolk population had not endeared them to the Najer. Despite this, they had prospered, building a fortress within which they lived.

The leader of the Sicarians, DragonTypes, met Emir von Sturgeon and the Vulpinian Frogycraft at the gates of Sicaria and offered to buy the island officially. Although he declined, in 30 AB (May 15th) negotiations were underwent, and Sicaria officially joined Najer.

Middle Age (05/11/2021-06/07/2021)
Shortly after, troubles from the south began to reach upwards. The Order Müvielle was highly expansionist at the time, and had sought many land deals from its neighbors all around, but to little success. In 32 AB, (May 22) they officially announced that they had laid claim to a sizeable portion of Najer's southeastern territory, going almost all the way up to the capital, and including Kijaro, which had fallen into disrepair since the Sterling Era. This was done quickly and covertly, so that by the time of the announcement, the cities within the claimed territory had already been taken and Muvielle troops had already moved in to the region. They named the area "Aruwbar." Despite Muvielle's sometimes tense relations with their neighbor Floramia, they both participated in and supported the land grab.

While Najer forces mobilized for war, word soon came in from Najers allies in foreign lands. The Second Empire of Uldarash, the Third Bardonian Empire, the Magisterium, and even the Imperial Archonate of Viodoxa, with whom Najer had no formal alliance, all denounced Muvielle and threatened war should they retain their claims over the lands.

Reluctantly, knowing that going up against every world superpower at the time would be suicide, Muvielle abandoned the territory. Shortly afterward, (May 25) the Treaty of Kijaro was signed and published, ending the war. The two nations entered into a non-aggression pact and vowed to mutually forgive each other for their actions.

The same year, Najer would undergo further reforms as the Emir began an election to determine who would fill the offices of the provincial Governors. Dragontypes of Sicaria won the election for Najera'jad province. He changed the namesake capital to his own city, both becoming Sicaria. IronJaw of Ahjejeko Thesehi became the governor of Jakeh'adh. (Known at the time as central Najer)

The other two governor positions were not chosen by an election. The people of Vulpinia chose their representative via their council, and Hitomi Numachi was personally chosen to be the governess of Andamooka by the Emir.



In 33 AB, (early June) the Vul would migrate back to their ancestral homeland of Serrona, in Eldham. They returned the land to Najer, and the Vulpinia province was dissolved and merged with Sicaria province. The governors official inauguration was held shortly afterward in 34 AB. (June 7th)

Formative Era (06/08/2021-07/29/2021)
Since their conflict with Najer, Muvielle and Floramia had ironically bonded over their shared defeat and merged their nations to become the Simulami Empire. They had expelled an interdimensional traveling group known as the Order of the Red Quarterstaff from their lands in 37 AB. (June 26th) In need of a new home, the governor of Jakeh'adh province, Ironjaw, invited them to settle in his province. Certain individuals from the nearby city of Pomjad, who coincidentally were also refugees from Simulami, were alarmed at the Order settling near their city, and attacked. Shortly after, the Order was fully integrated into the nation so as to not cause confusion. Using the precedent the Vuls had set, they became a semi-autonomous group within Najer.

Around this period, an anti-Simulami sentiment began brewing among the nation. Many groups had come to Najer to escape the wrath of their southern neighbors, and this common experience led to hostile feelings towards Simulami, not helped by demeaning comments and discriminatory policies implemented in the earlier Floramian era.

Emir Sturgeon saw this, and felt it was incorrect and unhealthy for this hate to brew between neighbors, so he and ZenoHUN of Simulami began talks, discovering that each of their nations were not so different. In 40 AB, (July 22nd) they signed the Pisces Fellowship, a full mutual defense pact. This treaty brought the two nations even closer together, and although old grudges remained, they were put aside.

During the events of the Third Coalition war and The Battle of New Dorasterrock, (41 AB) Najer entered a state of readiness, anticipating a call from Bardonia for aid. Although such a call never came, what little military Najer has was rallied, with the Najer Coast Guard forming into a navy and many Najer towns enacting defenses against potential raids. After the Coalition victory at New Dorasterrock, Najer forces returned to a wary state of peacetime.

Golden Age (07/30/2021-9/27/2021)
In 42 AB, (July 30th) Najer was invaded by a group known as the "Kingdom of Salem." They seized control of the abandoned fortress-city of Neavulpur on the Vulpinian Peninsula, and began aggressive negotiations, bombing the nearby city of Najera'jad and attacking Najer citizens. They arrogantly tried to buy their sovereignty after refusing to integrate into the nation.

A scouting party was sent, led by two Najer citizens, Shivareh Basha (Just_Shooter) and Hirudo Hijam's-son. (Hirudo6) They went to survey the land and scout out the invaders. After being shut out, they rallied the Najer military, calling on their ally Irabella, and launched a raid on the fortress. They easily overwhelmed the ill-trained and arrogant Salem forces. The leader of Salem, Splycerz, attempted to taunt the attacking forces, until he was shot and fell off the wall. The strike team quickly breached the fort, chasing down the would-be king and executed him. The rest of his lackeys fled shortly after, thus ending the Salem invasion.

The following year (August 10th) during a national meeting, Governor Ironjaw retired. As the first of the original three governors to step down, this was surprising to many. He passed the governorship of his province, Jakeh'adh, to Hirudo, a seyoh of a large town there.

In the year 48 AB (September 15th), Najer's neighbor nation of Solitudinem was abruptly invaded by a barbarian group known as "Dixie." Najer answered their call for help and began organizing a military campaign against the invaders. Though rarely ones to go to war, the Najer army was restless from a lack of any conflict for years. They took to this task with gusto, obtaining the supporting of a half-dozen other nations in a Najer coalition.

Negotiations with the invaders were short, and plans for an invasion were drawn up. This marked the start of the War of Solitudinem.



While uncertain of the situation at first, the Najer coalition began planning. Although Dixie claimed to have the support of Tortuga, the Frosterium, and the Second Empire of Plagatéa, diplomatic visits with each country confirmed that this was not the case. Their lies discovered, they went on the defensive and hired the Sweet Berry Bandits.

However, due to Dixie's disreputable behavior, the Berry Bandits switched sides, and began working with coalition leaders. Provided with intel on Dixie war plans and troop strength, a battle finally occurred the following year, in 49 AB. (September 19th)

Coalition forces gathered at the Solitudinem town of Purgatio, massing outside the settlement and preparing for battle, before marching to a Dixie base known as the Hills of Bhaldor. They quickly set up entrenchments, camps, and siege engines surrounding the Dixie forces. Led by the Berry Bandits, the Dixie army was hesitant at first, but soon led an assault on the coalition lines. The Berry Bandits obscured their intentions and let Dixie get routed. They quickly fell back, retreating into their fort.

Soon thereafter, scouts reported that the main Dixie army had fled Bhaldor using secret tunnels and fled to a more defensible fort to the north. The coalition began moving to meet them, and launched a second assault at the fortress. The Bandits fully turned on the Dixies, turning the battle into a bloodbath. They and the coalition army massacred the fighters while not suffering even a single casualty. The remainder surrendered or leapt off their fortress walls in defiance, and the fort was taken, ending the war.

Shortly after this war, Governor Dragontypes would be killed under mysterious circumstances. Leonardo "Leo" Grey would take his place as governor of his province.

Sapphire Era (9/27/2021-01/10/2022)
The Sapphire Commonwealth was founded the following year, in 50 AB. (September 28th) The Emirate was one of its three core members. A mere two years later (October 16th) Emir Dmitrio von Sturgeon passed away, and the crown passed to Hirudo Hijam's-son.

Throughout the time in the Commonwealth, the people of Najer attempted to promote peace and a greater knowledge of Sterling Crownland history, although often with little success. The Commonwealth would become embroiled in wars, often involving the Second Empire of Plagatéa or The Kingdom of Mithra. Najer would play a minimal role in conflicts due to their pacifistic nature, involving its military only when the future of the Commonwealth was at stake.

Internally, Najer thrived. New towns were founded or revived. The people broadened their connections with their neighbors and became friends with their fellow northerners.

Eventually, however, in 64 AB (January 10th), Emir Hirudo and the other monarchs of the Sapphire Commonwealth decided to dissolve the Commonwealth. A series of unwanted wars had tired them, especially aggravating to the Najer. Thus, they decided to go their separate ways once more. Later that same year, Hitomi Numachi, governess of Andamooka, stepped down, passing the title to Shivareh Basha. This would mark the last of the original three governors to leave their position.

Government
The Emirate functions with a similar structure to the Sterling Crownlands federal government, with an absolute monarch, the Emir, at the head, and an advisory council, the Wobambi forum, to aid in managing affairs across Najer and beyond. In order to most efficiently manage the land, the Emirate is divided into three provinces: Andamooka, Jakeh'adh, and Najera'jad. Each province has a governor who oversees it, essentially governing however they choose.

Officials
Emir
 * Hirudo6

Governors
 * Najera'jad: TSCLeo
 * Jakeh'adh: Azzar
 * Andamooka: Just_Shooter

War Councilors
 * WardenX2
 * BackToTheHub

Ministers
 * Infrastructure and Development: Cowboy_Catboy
 * Cultural Affairs: RaptorTheOne

Relationships and alliances
Najer is a heavily isolationist nation, rarely engaging in affairs outside their borders. If they do engage in war, it is to defend themselves or their allies. Najer has a strict "take no land, give no land" policy, refusing to either conquer or sell land. Despite this, the Emirate often engages diplomatically with other nations. It is also part of the Sapphire Commonwealth, a union with two neighboring countries. They have several alliances, detailed below:
 * MDPs
 * Simulami Empire
 * Skjoldrbrodir
 * Second Empire of Uldarash
 * Fourth Empire of Bardonia
 * NAPs
 * Holy Kingdom of Gertonia
 * Tovarisha

Culture

 * Main Article: Najer Culture

Najer culture is deeply rooted in its rich history, stemming from their role as a land of nomads and traders, to the people's heavy involvement with and support of the Silver Coalition and the Sterling Crownlands. This fusion has led to a mosaic of shared ideas and a diverse population, who commonly accept those who are different and exchange ideas between each other.

The national animal and symbol of the Emirate is the Zond, a mythical creature from ancient Najer folklore. The creature appears as a horse with an abnormally long neck, a spotted hide, and horns not unlike a dragon. Zond are elusive, like a mirage in the desert. Those who gaze upon its majesty are rewarded greatly with safe travels, clean water, and good trade deals. The earliest known accounts of the creature are depictions in the Qwarakan Archaeological Site, the location of potentially the earliest permanent Najer settlement.

The tribal Poma clan system is the traditional and time-honored system of Najer organization. However, its practice has declined over the years, as increasing numbers of Najers have flocked to cities as opportunities outside their walls grow scarcer. Today, it is seen primarily in Central Najer and the desolate outskirts of cities.

The "stereotypical" blue wandering trader tunic of the Najer people has also adapted with the times, still often worn by Najer and non-Najer born citizens alike, but now using dyes and textile tradition brought from abroad.

Najer culture is proud and protective of its history and ancestral lands. Many Najer travel to protect cultural sites and discover new ones buried in the desert sands, while others roam Rathnir collecting rare goods.

The Najer value sincerity, and have great disdain for deceit. While they do keep secrets, they prefer open discussion in all matters of life. Additionally, the Najer are well known for being gracious and generous hosts that never let anybody go hungry if they can help it.

Geography
The Najer homelands have long been colloquially known as the Wandering Desert, a specific subregion of the Nieden continent. While primarily a mix of deserts and arid savannahs, it contains many pockets of more arable land, and is criss-crossed with rivers and mountains.

Andamooka
Andamooka Province is the easternmost province. It has the largest concentration of towns of any province, and is very active, courtesy of being the current home of the national capital. It is almost entirely desert, save for the Kijar mountains region, where snowmelt from the mountains provides a supply of fresh water than nourishes the area around it, allowing grass and spruce trees to grow.
 * Ajek Point
 * Hicto
 * Kijaro
 * Ohjan
 * Phinos
 * Pom-Nafar
 * Rajadon (Abandoned)
 * Sigtuna
 * Skahashi (Abandoned)
 * Wobambi-on-Sea (Capital)
 * Temple Shi (Defaced)
 * Temple Ahjjarjen (Maintained)
 * Temple Tala'ii (Slight Disrepair)
 * Temple Orhnuu (Maintained)
 * Temple Jaand (Disrepair)
 * Jadnivramhasa

Jakeh'adh
Jakeh'adh Province is the core of Emirate lands. It has the highest overall population of any province, courtesy of many of it's cities being very large. It also contains much beautiful wilderness and smaller builds such as ranches and farms. Jakeh'adh contains vast expanses of unbroken desert, but also much more grassland in comparison to Andamooka. The largest such region of arable land has been used by Najer farmers for generations, and in modern times is used as a joint Jakeh'adh and Andamooka provincial farm, as part of the city of Nahrayn.
 * Campus Ordo
 * Mirwa
 * Murmudas
 * Naduunta (Abandoned)
 * Nahrayn (Provincial Capital)
 * Pomjad
 * Temple Jhai'nu (Maintained)
 * Temple Jumas (Slight Disrepair)
 * Temple Muda (Maintained)

Najera'jad
Najera'jad Province is the westernmost province. As the province containing the first city of the Najer, Najera'jad, it has many historical sights and relics of the past. It is the most rural of the provinces, and has a long history of having squatters expelled from it. It is undeveloped, courtesy of the craggy cliffs that dominate the landscape. The intersection of many rivers has also created a fertile basin in the eastern portion of the province.
 * Asri Vodon
 * Captainia (Abandoned)
 * Chribox (Abandoned)
 * Daedalus Ferry (Abandoned)
 * Fort Basha (Abandoned)
 * Fort Silver (Abandoned)
 * Icarus (Abandoned)
 * Kigea'jad
 * Kreig
 * Malachi (Abandoned)
 * Najera'jad (Cultural Capital)
 * Shahbah
 * Sicaria (Provincial Capital)