Difference between revisions of "Irzal"
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Spreading across a large area south to north and featuring sweeping changes in elevation across that expanse, Irzal is a land of great topographical and climatic variation. The province is conventionally divided into Upper, or northern, Irzal, and Lower, or southern, Irzal, reflecting not just the respective positions of these two regions on the map but also the increasing elevation of the province from south to north. Irzal is predominantly a land of mountain and steppe plateau, but it also encompasses desert plains and hills, fertile river valley, and lush forests, which altogether create a uniquely diverse flora and fauna. During the days of the empire it was customary to divide Irzal itself up into several provinces, called ostan, and these administrative divisions have been retained under the caliphate. | Spreading across a large area south to north and featuring sweeping changes in elevation across that expanse, Irzal is a land of great topographical and climatic variation. The province is conventionally divided into Upper, or northern, Irzal, and Lower, or southern, Irzal, reflecting not just the respective positions of these two regions on the map but also the increasing elevation of the province from south to north. Irzal is predominantly a land of mountain and steppe plateau, but it also encompasses desert plains and hills, fertile river valley, and lush forests, which altogether create a uniquely diverse flora and fauna. During the days of the empire it was customary to divide Irzal itself up into several provinces, called ostan, and these administrative divisions have been retained under the caliphate. | ||
Irzal is desert on its southern margin, in '''Almahd''' Ostan, where scorching sand and gravel plains bleed into Rahoum with little sign of any official border. The river town of [[al-Bilaal]], on the banks of the Ennescu, has served as something of a gateway between the two lands since long before the caliphate united them, and has been the scene of frequent strife and skirmish as well as a locus of cultural exchange during more peaceful times. '''Khurbad''' Ostan to its | Irzal is desert on its southern margin, in '''Almahd''' Ostan, where scorching sand and gravel plains bleed into Rahoum with little sign of any official border. The river town of [[al-Bilaal]], on the banks of the Ennescu, has served as something of a gateway between the two lands since long before the caliphate united them, and has been the scene of frequent strife and skirmish as well as a locus of cultural exchange during more peaceful times. '''Khurbad''' Ostan to its east benefits from its proximity to the [[Gulf of Khurum]], which provides some small relief from the baking heat as well an outlet for maritime commerce, although the harbors for both the city of [[Awrazat]] and smaller [[al-Siraz]] are naturally poor ones. Awrazat is, however, known for being a very pleasant place to spend the winter, thanks to the moderating influence of the Gulf and the arid bulwark of the [[Aterousa Mountains]] that deflect aside the last currents of the cold winds that ravage the northern regions of Irzal. | ||
'''Enneskul''', ''Yerand''', and '''Anjand''' are considered the heartland of Irzal, and together make up the region containing most of the province's population and farmland. This is a temperate region overall, hot in the summer and chilly in the winter, with moderate precipitation. Enneskul consists largely of the valley and upper floodplain of the Ennescu River, and the [[Valley of the Emperor]] in the south is especially fruitful. Grain crops flourish here, along with fruit trees, melons, and a wide variety of vegetables. The modern-day capital [[Fazhali]] sits at the northern edge of the valley, just where the [[Horsebreaker Hills]] and the foothills of the [[Tin Xubarya Mountains]] nearly touch, and the land begins to rise up in rolling hills towards the [[Plain of Coils]] and the great bend of the Ennescu. | |||
Across the Horsebreaker range, Yerand Ostand lies upon a broad plain embraced by the Aterousa Mountains on the south and the lower reaches of the great [[Tin Chalun Mountains]] on the east. Yerand is more arid landscape than Ennesukul and lacks the additional irrigation of any major rivers, so the crops grown here tend to be grains and root crops better adapted to the drier conditions. This is also excellent country for the raising of livestock, and large numbers of the lyre-horned Irzali cattle as well as sheep, goats, and horses are raised here. Defying the productivity of the rest of the ostan, the [[Plain of Bardaya]] is actually a small pocket of desert tucked into the southwestern corner of Yerand, filled with drifting white sand that melds almost indistinguishably with the dusting of snow that sometimes settles upon it in winter. East from the market town of Nandahr is [[Nishkol Pass]], which cuts through the southern Tin Chalun to connect present-day Irzal with the land of Nishkol which once was also part of the empire. | |||
==People== | ==People== | ||
Revision as of 20:39, 7 June 2024
| Allegiance | Sirdabi Caliphate |
| Capital | Fazhali |
| Governor | Ya'qub ibn Yeshrab al-Tawwila Bey |
| Demonym | Irzali |
| Official Language | Sirdabi |
| Official Religion | Azadi |
| Currency | fals/dirham/nour |
| Native Heritages | Irzali, Sirdabi |
Formerly the heartland of one of the greatest empires of ancient times, the province of Irzal is still a proud and prosperous land whose culture and learning have played a vital role in the Sirdabi Caliphate. Occupying an expansive territory east of Eladjit and north of Rahoum, Irzal has always served as a crossroads between different cultures, uniting influences from Riendu and Altaruleska with Near Ruleska and the Adelantean Basin. It is the second-largest province of the Sirdabi Caliphate after Rahoum itself, and much more heavily populated despite the challenges of its arid and mountainous terrain.
Geography & Climate
Spreading across a large area south to north and featuring sweeping changes in elevation across that expanse, Irzal is a land of great topographical and climatic variation. The province is conventionally divided into Upper, or northern, Irzal, and Lower, or southern, Irzal, reflecting not just the respective positions of these two regions on the map but also the increasing elevation of the province from south to north. Irzal is predominantly a land of mountain and steppe plateau, but it also encompasses desert plains and hills, fertile river valley, and lush forests, which altogether create a uniquely diverse flora and fauna. During the days of the empire it was customary to divide Irzal itself up into several provinces, called ostan, and these administrative divisions have been retained under the caliphate.
Irzal is desert on its southern margin, in Almahd Ostan, where scorching sand and gravel plains bleed into Rahoum with little sign of any official border. The river town of al-Bilaal, on the banks of the Ennescu, has served as something of a gateway between the two lands since long before the caliphate united them, and has been the scene of frequent strife and skirmish as well as a locus of cultural exchange during more peaceful times. Khurbad Ostan to its east benefits from its proximity to the Gulf of Khurum, which provides some small relief from the baking heat as well an outlet for maritime commerce, although the harbors for both the city of Awrazat and smaller al-Siraz are naturally poor ones. Awrazat is, however, known for being a very pleasant place to spend the winter, thanks to the moderating influence of the Gulf and the arid bulwark of the Aterousa Mountains that deflect aside the last currents of the cold winds that ravage the northern regions of Irzal.
'Enneskul, Yerand, and Anjand are considered the heartland of Irzal, and together make up the region containing most of the province's population and farmland. This is a temperate region overall, hot in the summer and chilly in the winter, with moderate precipitation. Enneskul consists largely of the valley and upper floodplain of the Ennescu River, and the Valley of the Emperor in the south is especially fruitful. Grain crops flourish here, along with fruit trees, melons, and a wide variety of vegetables. The modern-day capital Fazhali sits at the northern edge of the valley, just where the Horsebreaker Hills and the foothills of the Tin Xubarya Mountains nearly touch, and the land begins to rise up in rolling hills towards the Plain of Coils and the great bend of the Ennescu.
Across the Horsebreaker range, Yerand Ostand lies upon a broad plain embraced by the Aterousa Mountains on the south and the lower reaches of the great Tin Chalun Mountains on the east. Yerand is more arid landscape than Ennesukul and lacks the additional irrigation of any major rivers, so the crops grown here tend to be grains and root crops better adapted to the drier conditions. This is also excellent country for the raising of livestock, and large numbers of the lyre-horned Irzali cattle as well as sheep, goats, and horses are raised here. Defying the productivity of the rest of the ostan, the Plain of Bardaya is actually a small pocket of desert tucked into the southwestern corner of Yerand, filled with drifting white sand that melds almost indistinguishably with the dusting of snow that sometimes settles upon it in winter. East from the market town of Nandahr is Nishkol Pass, which cuts through the southern Tin Chalun to connect present-day Irzal with the land of Nishkol which once was also part of the empire.
People
Economy
Regions
Cities & Towns
- Fazhali, the greatest city of Irzal and sometime capital of the former empire, sprawled elegantly out across the low hills above the Ennescul.
- Al-Niqud
- Al-Siraz
- Anjand, the old capital of the middle Irzali Empire, poised just above the shores of Deepfire Lake.
- Arghaya
- Awrazat
- Chatrud
- Khusrilad
- Lalezah
- Nayak's Crossing
- Raf Jalul
- Nahrbata
- Nandahr
- Sheherbad
- Silent Watch
- Tishabl
- Urdakan