Capital: Zakresh (population: 53,000)
Population: 921,000 (95% human; of which 96% Hakeen, 4% Eloysian. Also 4% Wood-Elves, 1% other)
Government: Republic
Current Leader: Sultan Dimos Al-Din
Coat of Arms: a silver seahorse on a bright blue field
Exports: fruits, herbs, fish, lace, mercenaries
Located on the Styrian Islands, Styr is one three Hakeen Sultanates spread across the Vhan Myr ocean
The second most powerful of the three Hakeen island nations, Styr is most famous as the largest fruit producer in the known world.
Huge crops of pineapples, oranges, blood oranges, lemons, and limes are harvested every year and their sales have made the islanders both wealthy and powerful.
In addtion to their fruit exports, Styrians are also famous for their wonderfully crafted weapons and the skills of their warriors. Every year large mercenary levees are drafted to serve around the known world. Styrian mercenaries are chosen for their martial skills, their unswerving loyalty, and their fanatical devotion to their employers.
To protect its mercantile interests, the Sultan of Styr maintains a large and capable navy of 25 warships to protect his seaports, and a standing army of 6,000. The Styrians can also field an army of nearly 40,000 in time of war. In any event, conflict is usually unnecessary because Styr is also allied with Sultanates of Ilsenene and Rhaygos, as well as the powerful kingdom of Orel.
Styrian warships are distinguishable by their bright blue hulls of painted oak, large silver seahorses on their prows, and their lateen sails of pale blue silk. The Styrian navy deserves its nickname, ‘the Blue Fleet.’
In addition to its navy, the Styrians are famous throughout the sailing world for their unique "Ice-Galleys." These huge ships, with insulated hulls packed with ice, are propelled by strong rowers and are extremely swift.
The ice-galleys transport valuable cargoes of perishable fruits and vegetables from Zakresh to a hundred different ports of call across the Vhan Myr. The sight of these giant "frozen" ships is common in every port on Azoria, Corwyn, and Za'har.
The ruler of this island nation has always held the title of "Sultan," an ancient rank hailing back to the days of the Xholar Empire." The current Sultan of Styr; Dimos Al-Din, rules from the famed "Blue Palace," located within the capital city of Zakresh.
Apart from its famous capitol, other noteworthy, Styrian cities include: Maderu, Reskara, and Novari.
Local History
Long ago, when the ancient Hakeen Empire of Old Xhola was thriving on the Continent of Za'har, its rulers; the Dragonfly Emperors, sent many explorers west across the Vhan Myr in an effort to discovery new territories to expand their Empire.
In the year AR -1191, Hakeen explorers first discovered the Styrian Islands and soon after, discovered vast groves of rich fruit trees which grew there
Over the next several centuries, the Hakeen people colonized the island chain and the Xholar Empire of Za’har became fabulously wealthy from the lucrative trade in Styrian fruits.
Styr was the largest and the most profitable of the Imperial colonies, and was considered vital to the Dragonfly Emperors of Old Xhola. It became commonly known as the “the Imperial Garden.”
For many centuries, the Dragonfly Emperors became obscenely wealthy from the trade between the peoples of Za’har and the three island colonies.
Later Hakeen rulers desired ever more wealth and power. Eventually, fleets of Hakeen ships sailed even further west and, in the year 507/3, landed upon the eastern coast of Corwyn, where they founded a settlement called Zhin.
From their fledgling colony on Corwyn, Hakeen explorers expanded west across the Vakara Grasslands to the shores of the Grafenmyr, where, in the year AR –945 they established tow more settlements Zocolo, and Ashkavan, which would soon grow in their greatest city on the Continent. The establishment of these three cities was considered the zenith of Hakeen power on the world of Oris.
By this point, the Hakeen Empire was so immense that it became impossible to administer effectively, and essentially became two empires. The first Empire became known as “Old Xhola,” which was based on Za’har and centered around the ancient, imperial capital of Abu-Zhin.
The second Empire became known as “New Xhola,” and consisted of the three island colonies of Ilsenene, Rhaygos, and Styr, as well as the cities located on Corwyn: Ashkavan, Zocolo, and Zhin.
Sadly, this glorious period of Hakeen power was not to last. About four centuries later, in the year 1050/3, Abu-Zhin was captured by called the Deskari. Ten years prior, these demon-worshiping barbarians had invaded the empire and waged a long and brutal campaign against the Hakeen. With the fall of the capital, the entire Hakeen civilization on Za’har collapsed, and the Empire of “Old Xhola” was destroyed.
When Old Xhola was destroyed by the Deskari, most of the remaining Hakeen population on Za’har fled to the island Sultanates of Rhaygos, Ilsenene, and Styr. Some sailed as far as the city of Zhin. At this time, the former colonies all experienced a huge population boom.
With the collapse of Old Xhola, its former holdings became independent. The three island nations and the three cities located on Corwyn became known as the "Xholar Empire."
This new Hakeen Empire continued to thrive for many years, until an Üthrari Warlord named Zhang the Terrible began an invasion of Xholani territory. The three island nations of Ilsenene, Rhaygos, and Styr sent military assistance, but it was not enough.
In the year 325/4 (AR -98, the Xholar Empire on Corwyn was destroyed when its capital city of Ashkavan was captured. The Hakeen city of Zocolo fell soon after.
Zhang the Terrible finally turned his attention to Zhin and marched his armies east. Luckily, Zhin had high walls and a strong garrison and was able to successfully resist the Üthrari siege.
With the destruction of Ashkavan and Zocolo, tensions rose between Zhin and the three islands states, causing them to break into three independent Sultanates, while Zhin declared itself an independent City-State. For the three island nations, this proved to be tragic for less than a century later, a new threat was on the horizon.
Subject of the Eloysian Empire
Around the year 650 of the Fourth Age, the Eloysian Empire began expanding east across the Vhan Myr in search of new conquests. In fact, the Eloysians had already captured the island nations of both Al’Kethai and Malvatis.
In AR 255, Emperor Damodar led a gigantic fleet of Eloysian warships against the three Hakeen Sultanates. First to be captured was Ilsenene in AR 255, followed soon after by Styr, which was conquered in the year AR 266.
Rhaygos was much stronger militarily and resisted much longer. Eventually, in the year AR 358, the last Rhaygosi Sultan surrendered to the Eloysian Emperor Farshad.
For the next 1,700 years, the people of Styr were subjected to the rule of Hamanid governors, appointed by the Emperors in Sanjakar. When the Eloysian Empire finally collapsed in AR 2079, the Styrians overthrew their Eloysian masters and declared Independence once again.
Emergence as an Independent Power
For the last seven centuries, the Sultanate of Styr has remained a fiercely independent state, vowing never again to be under the control of another race.
