Saukania

Confederation of the Saukanians Kuchaxa ka Saghandan
Flag
Capital and largest city	Kula
Official languages	Eastern Saukanian (Kulanian) Western Saukanian (Khodanian)
Ethnic groups (2020)	93.6% Saukanian 6.4% Other
Religion (2020)	79.4% Saukanian paganism 10.2% Christianity 6.6% Islam 3.8% Other
Demonym(s)	Saukanian Sauka
Government	Feudal confederation
• Wushrun	Shadaghar II
Area
• Total	1,116,863 km2 (431,223 sq mi)
Population
• 2020 estimate	27,214,000
• Density	24.3/km2 (62.9/sq mi)
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	left
Internet TLD	.sg

Saukania, formally the Confederation of the Saukanians, is a country in Anteria located on the northwestern side of the continent Thrismari. Situated almost entirely within the Thrismari Desert, Saukania is bordered by Bezuria to its south, Shirua to its west, Sarocca to its north, and Encessia to its southeast. An extremely arid country, Saukania is landlocked, with the most significant body of water being the inland sea the Saukanians call Argal. Sparsely populated, Saukania is home to a little over 27 million people. This population is concentrated however into the small patches of fertile land lying within the oases of the Laxad and Jagartes rivers, known as the 'lifeblood' of Saukania.

Human habitation in Saukania dates back to the Palaeolithic. Agricultural communities began establishing themselves at significant sizes throughout what is now Saukania in the 4th and 3rd millennia BC. At the end of this period, a migratory period ensued, giving rise to the proto-Saukanian culture and language. These invading tribes set themselves up as lords of the lands either side of the Laxad and Jagartes, and mingled with the existing population. Little is known of Saukanian culture or society from this period due to the lack of written sources. By the 1st millennium AD, Saukanian city-states began to emerge. From an early date, these cities were centred politically on Kula, which lies on the leftmost bank of the Jagartes Delta where it empties into Argal. Rarely united however, these city-states were prone to infighting, periodically unified under the lordship of a powerful dynasty, typically based at Kula, Khodan, or Sardasar.

A feudal, clan-based culture emerged in this time which has endured into the present day. A warrior nobility descended from the invading Saukanian tribes of the prior millennia set themselves up in a complex systems of lords and vassals, ruling over estates of peasants and tenants. A city-based merchant and client class emerged as a middle rank between these two extremes. Outside of the scope of these city-states, nomadic tribes traversed the desert. These tribes would both trade with and raid the settled peoples of Saukania, moving from oasis to oasis to graze their herds. To the southwest in the region of Ghuran, ferocious hill-men resisted the authority of the cities nestled within the fertile valleys of its river systems, and launched raids against not only the cities and each other, but over the border into Shirua.

Modern Saukania took shape over the course of the 18th and 19th centuries. Divided again after a period of Khodanian overlordship, Saukania was split among six principalities and their constituent city lords. Kula, long a political and cultural symbol of all Saukania, nurtured an ambition of power yet again, and its laklan (lord or prince), Sarvar, of the ruling Farukhid dynasty, embarked on a series of conquests to bring the rival princes under his authority. Nyalan, seeking to counter the colonial influence of Riamo to the north, and Shirua, desiring a more stable frontier with their fractious and warlike neighbours, backed Kula with modern weapons and logistics. In a mere seven years between 1882 and 1889, Sarvar won the submission of the five opposing principalities, Khodan included, and all swore fealty to the Farukhid dynasty as overlord, wushrun. An uprising against Targhur I Sarvarghal, heir and successor of Sarvar, led by Khodan, was put down in 1904. More rebellions followed, each of which were crushed and led to the further solidification of Farukhid power.

In this model of feudal confederation, Saukania is governed with relative autonomy by the lords of the subordinate principalities. Their princes hold seats in the Royal Council, convened under the leadership of the laklan of Kula, wushrun of all Saukanians. It is a middling economy in the region, known primarily for its domestic exports such as textiles. Saukanian culture has proven resilient to change, remaining feudal and clan-based. Politics and economics in Saukania are dominated by the noblility and their clients. The Saukanian way of life is known as Saghandadret, a code of honour emphasising hospitality, vengeance, and loyalty.