Koumbasat

The great city of Koumbasat is the capital of the Emirate of Koumbasi, which lies at the furthest western extent of Idiri and the Great Hazari Desert. Although part of the Sirdabi Caliphate for the last several centuries, Koumbasat is far enough from the Sirdabi heartland to be considered tremendously remote by most other people of the caliphate, and its name evokes thrilling and romantic associations which tend to be only partially dispelled by an actual visit to the city. But save for traders and curious travelers from neighboring Tessere, few enough individuals from the rest of the caliphate ever make the long journey to the caliphate's most storied western city.

Government

Koumbasat is the seat of Koumbasi government, so the emir makes his home here along with much of the administration of the emirate. Even in pre-caliphal times it had long been customary for the Philosopher-Kings of Koumbasi to reign from this city, having somewhat controversially moved the government from Jalu-Jalo and re-established the palace and administration in what had become the kingdom's most dazzling and renowned center of learning.

People

People of Bissenke heritage predominate in Koumbasat, though this single heritage is represented by a host of different tribes, families, extended lineages, and demi-nations that lend a multicultural air to the city. As in the rest of Koumbasat, those that are native to the city like to refer to themselves specifically as being of Koumbissenke blood, seeing their people as distinct from those of the Cloud Kingdoms or the Gilded Plain. Many Koumbasati also will call themselves Kitabbissenke, a slightly tongue-in-cheek mashup simply meaning "the Book-Bissenke".

Next most common in the city are the Tessouare, many of whom retain strong ties to kin who make their homes in the surrounding desert and mountain country of Koumbasi. Tessouare often act as middlemen in the gold and book trades and as factors for merchants in Tessere or provinces still further east. Typically not as bookish as the Bissenke, the Tessouare nevertheless benefit from the excellent educational system in Koumbasat and sometimes even become administrators in the emirati government.