Araby
Araby is a sub-continent of the Southlands, located to the south of the Old World, and bordering Nehekhara. It is a huge and decadent empire, composed of many theocratic Caliphates, all ruled over by the Sultan of All Araby.
Araby is made up of several ethnic groupings and a number of states, although all are loyal to a single religious and secular centre of power controlled by the Sultan.[1]
The cities of Araby are build along its prosperous and fertile coast lands. Meanwhile the lands of interior Araby are arid and infertile, and peopled by nomadic camel-borne raiders who prey upon the caravans plying their dusty trade. Humans are the dominant race of Araby, although there are a number of other, declining races who survive in the remote areas.
The Sultans of Araby are said to be more wealthy than the Dwarfs and its cities are rich in spices, gold and slaves which are traded with the Empire and Norsca. The principle cities of Araby are Lashiek, the Corsair City; Copher, the Spice Port; Martek; and Al-Haikk, the City of Thieves.
Contents |
Society
Arabians trade and travel extensively, but have made little attempt to settle outside their homelands. Their society is most notably focused on trade and piracy, their fabulous wealth coming from worldwide trade, piracy and conquest. Arabians have some knowledge of gunpowder weapons, but their religious dogmas prevent them from developing socially and technologically.[2]
The toughest fighters come from the nomadic tribes of the deserts, who are greatly feared by the more civilised traders who ply their trade along the caravan routes through the great deserts.
Arabians worship a single god, who is manifested on the world by his chosen prophets.
The most notable warriors of Araby are the Dervishers, fanatic religious warriors all too willing to die for their god. Another famous type are the Eunochs, individuals trained since birth to serve as warriors or guards.[2]
Not much is known about the society of the people of Araby, but from the few merchants and explorers who made their way into the kingdoms and Empire of the Old World we can assume that Commerce and Trade are an extremely important part of their society, they were able to establish and monopolise the trade routes into the lucrative jade and spice lands of the Far-East such as Cathay and Ind, as well as trading with the barbaric Norse tribes establishing the largest slave market in the city of Copher, all this is thanks to their unsurpassed mastery in their navigation of the seas. The economic growth of Araby has lead their peoples to the pursue of the fine arts in poetry, alchemy, medicine and architecture thus producing some of Warhammer's most notable poets, doctors, sorcerers and architects.
The principal cities of Araby are:
- Lashiek, Corsair city
- Copher, the Spirit Port
- Martek
- Al-Haikk, the City of Thieves.
History
The early years of Araby's history is not well documented, but it is known that it was devastated in the Wars of Death, a period of invasions by Arkhan the Black, following the fall of the Nehekharan civilisation.
Around a thousand years ago, the Sultan Daryus-e Qabir launched a series of religious wars against the Old World, but without any lasting success.[3]
Later background sources blame a Skaven conspiracy for this conflict: in 1448 IC the Skaven convinced Sultan Jaffar, a powerful sorcerer, to invade Estalia, sparking 200 years of conflict and crusades between the Old World and Araby, and initiating the foundation of the Imperial Knights Panther (among other Knightly Orders).
It was also in 1150 Ibn Jellaba, a famous explorer of Araby, discovered the lost Lizardmen city of Zlatlan. There he was welcomed (since the Slann predicted his arrival) and was able to barter with the peaceful Lizardmen and exchanged the pearls and spices of Araby for gold to which the Lizardmen agreed very happily since gold held no meaning to them. He returned to Araby, a very rich man after establishing the first trade agreement between Lizardmen and humans.
Army
The Arabian Army List is made up of many different, well trained troops supported by various exotic mounts such as Camels and Elephants as well as powerful Magic including Djinns and Flying Carpets. They are analysed in the Arabian Army List.
Game information
In the early 2007 Specialist Games published a complete Arabian Army for the Game Warmaster.
