Capital: Zhin
Total Population: 92,000 (93% Hakeen, 6% Daroon, 1% other)
City Population: 64,000 (living within the walls)
Government: Sultanate
Current Leader: Sultan Zathros Maz-Dur
Coat of Arms: golden dragonfly on a pale green field
Exports: tapestries, fragrances, pearls, flax, textiles
Located on the Jade Coast, the City-state of Zhin is a large, thriving metropolis and the largest remaining Hakeen community on the continent of Corwyn.
The city of Zhin is situated at the far eastern edge of the Vakara Grasslands, on the western shores of the Vhan Myr.
As a seaport, the city derives most of its its wealth from maritime trade with its three fellow Hakeen nations; Ilsenene, Rhaygos, and Styr.
Zhin also trades with the western nations of Corwyn for its famous markets of exotic perfumes and fragrances, beautiful tapestries, and its exotic textiles.
To protect itself from attack, Zhin has a high walls and a large military of 8,000 well-trained soldiers.
Zhin is accessible via the Vhan Myr and via the Slavers Road which leads west to Ul-Samad.
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 Hakeen explorers west across the Vhan Myr in an effort to discovery new territory to expand the Empire.
Those Hakeen explorers discovered the Rhaygos Islands in the year AR -1191, and later discovered the fabulous spice fields found on those islands. Soon after, the islands of Ilsenene were discovered in AR -1181, and the islands of Styr in AR -1175.
Over the next several centuries, the Hakeen people of Za'har colonized all three island chains and their Empire became fabulously wealthy from the trade of Rhaygosi spices, Ilseni pearls, and Styrian fruits back on Za'Har. The three imperials colonies became collectively known as "New Xhola."
With a profitable trade established between New Xhola and the imperial territories on Za'har, the Dragonfly Emperors grew immensely wealthy.
But later Hakeen rulers desired ever more wealth and power. Eventually, fleets of their ships sailed even further west and landed upon the eastern coast of Corwyn, where they founded the mainland colony of Zhin in the year 507/3 (AR -1095).
From there, Hakeen explorers expanded west across the Vakara Grasslands to the shores of the Grafenmyr, where, in the year AR –945 they established Ashkavan; their greatest city. This is considered the zenith of Hakeen power on the world of Oris.
At this point, the Hakeen Empire was so large that it was 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 Sultanates of Ilsenene, Rhaygos, and Styr, and the Corwyn city-states of Ashkavan, Zocolo, and Zhin.
Sadly, this glorious period of Hakeen domination was not to last. About four centuries later, Abu-Zhin was destroyed after a Deskari invasion which occurred in the year 1050/3. (AR -552) With the fall of that city, the entire Hakeen civilization on Za’har collapsed, and “Old Xhola” was destroyed.
When Old Xhola was destroyed by the demon-worshiping Deskari, most of the remaining Hakeen population on Za’har fled to the island Sultanates of Rhaygos, Ilsenene, and Styr, as well as the city of Zhin. At this time, the former colonies all experienced a huge population boom.
With the collapse of Old Xhola, the three island-Sultanates became fully independent nations and broke away from the mainland Hakeen colonies on Corwyn. Afterward, the three island sultanates kept the title of “New Xhola,” whereas the Corwyn-based territories became known as the "Xholar Empire."
When an Üthrari Warlord named Zhang the Terrible and his hordes began their invasion of the Xholar Empire on Corwyn, all three island nations of New Xhola offered assistance, but it was not enough.
In the year 325/4 (AR -98, the Xholar Empire on Corwyn was destroyed and 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.
The Üthrari eventually retreated and Zhin has endured until the present day.
