Capital: Azhara (population: 72,000)
Population: 1,333,000 (75% Eloysian, 11% Thannish, 8% Daroon, 5% other races)
Demi-humans: 85,000: (70% dwarves, 15% elves, 15% halflings)
Humanoids: few
Government: Monarchy
Current Leader: Emir Ekkros Dinah
Coat of Arms: a golden mermaid on a green and blue field
Exports: diamonds, emeralds, lumber
Located on the Ta'lal Islands, only a few hundred miles from the Bronze Coast of Azoria, Al’Kethai is an ancient and powerful nation which was once part of the Eloysian Empire. Today, the Emirate is best known for its rich exports of diamonds, gems, and rare timber.
Long ago, Al’Kethai was conquered by the Eloysian Empire, whose greedy Emperors desired the great deposits of diamonds, precious gems, and huge natural forests of rare timber that make up that largest exports from these islands. At that time, the island was easy to invade because of its close proximity to the eastern coast of Azoria.
The capital of Al’Kethai is the bustling seaport of Azhara, and its native peoples are commonly called the "Azhari." The people of Al’Kethai trade regularly with the Seven Cities of Bronze, the Free City of Quelaara, and the Corwyn nations of Eldara, Thûle, Orel, and Yamada.
Over the centuries, many Thannish and Daroon traders visited the islands, and came to love their climate and beauty. As a result, many people of both races emigrated here.
In addition to humans, many dwarves came here to work the rich diamond and emerald mines scattered across the islands. Even today, there is a sizeable dwarven population.
The Emirate's primary sources of wealth derive from exports of diamonds, emeralds, lumber, and fish. The largest imports to Al'Kethai are grain, spices, and whale oil.
To protect his island nation, The Emir of Al’Kethai maintains a large and powerful navy of 27 warships as well as a standing army of over 7,000 soldiers, and can call up another 30,000 in time of war.
The ships of Al’Kethai are distinguishable by their golden teak wood hulls, their bright yellow silk sails, and their blue and green banners depicting a golden mermaid.
Local History
Nearly 4,000 years ago, the Ta'lal Islands were first discovered by a famous Eloysian explorer named Talalia N'hassi. She founded a small colony there, which she named for her son: Azhara. Following her death, He named the island chain in her honor.
Legend has it; Talalia did not die a mortal death, but magically transformed herself into a mermaid and still lives beneath the waves in a fabulous palace of coral and stone.
For many years, the Ta'lal Islands were known only for their exotic beauty and good fishing, but the discovery of local deposits of diamonds and emeralds changed the small colony of Al'Kethai almost overnight.
Within a few decades, Al'Kethai became a thriving, independent civilization that grew in wealth and size because of its diamonds and emerald trade. That wealth was coveted by the Emperor Zathros of the Eloysian Empire, who ordered an invasion of the Ta'lal Islands in the year AR 53.
After the nation was conquered, it became an imperial province of the Eloysian Empire and remained so for the next two-thousand years. During this period, the island nation was harshly ruled by a series of Hamanid governors, appointed by the Emperors in Sanjakar.
After the fall of the Eloysian Empire, Al'Kethai declared its independence once again, and has remained so ever since.
Wars with Al'Than E'Thai
For the last several centuries, there have been dozens of skirmishes and several major wars fought between Al'Kethai and the City-State of Al'Than E'Thai.
These conflicts have usually arisen over slaving raids on the island or contested sea-trade routes. Neither side has ever been able to achieve a distinct advantage over the other, resulting in a series of bloody stalemates.
