Araby
From Lexicanum
Araby is a realm of men to the south of the Old World bordering the Land of the Dead, Nehekhara. Araby is a huge and decadent empire, composed of many theocratic Caliphates, all ruled over, at least in theory, 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 center of power controlled by the Sultan.
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 Spirit Port, Martek, and Al-Haikk, the City of Thieves. The cities are nestled on the coast of the continent, the centre being dominated by the Great Desert of Araby where nomads dwell.
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Society
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 monopolize 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.
History
The early years of Araby's history is not well documented, but it is known that it suffered invasions from the Land of the Dead after the fall of the Khemri civilization at the hands of Nagash.
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.
Later background sources blame a Skaven conspiracy for this conflict, in the Imperial year 1448 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 the Imperial year 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) he 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.
Religion
So far, the only mention of religious practise in Araby is a mention in the campaign setting "Relics of the Crusade" article by GW's Specialist Games, dealing with a deity known as "The One". The One seems very influenced by the real world Arabic faith, according to the article at least, yet wether or not Araby is supposed to be the only monotheistic human culture in Warhammer is not quite clear. The One may also be the highest ranking god in a pantheon of arabyan gods, albeit where the pantheon is more hierachical than the Old World pantheon, leading to The One being praised as the highest.
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 powerfull 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.
Sources
- http://specialist-games.com/assets/RelicsofthecrusadesPart1.pdf
- Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, 1st edition
- Warhammer Battle Bestiary (2nd edition WHFB)
