Nabiya

Great Arani महाअरणी
Flag
Anthem: ""Mother, I praise thee!"" "Arani Mataram"
Capital	Sonaghar
Largest city	Sindhu
Official languages	Thakur
Religion	Aranianism
Demonym(s)	Aranian
Government	Monarchic feudal stratocracy
• Arani	Bhandishtha IV
• Senapati	Chandragupta Dhibar
Legislature	None
• Upper house	Vriddhasangha
• Lower house	Samsad
Establishment
• Sonaghar Kingdom	~2000 BCE
• Declaration of the Empire	265 BCE
• End of the Republic uprising	1937
Population
• Estimate	112,000,000
Currency	Purana

Nabiya, officially the Arani Empire, otherwise known as the Great Arani (Thakur:महाअरणी), is a semi-feudal theocratic-monarchic stratocracy located in central Nabaia. The Arani Empire is one of the most populous states in Levillion with a population of 112 million. The capital of the empire is located in the spiritual city of Sonaghar, whilst the most populous city in the empire is Sindhu, located on the empire's southernmost coast. The Arani Empire covers a vast territory with multiple climates. Much of the empire is covered by tropical savanna climate, with very hot temperatures for most of the year and dry winters. To the south, the Arani Empire lies within the tropical rainforest climate the majority of which is made up of the vast Purana Rainforest. Much of the country's population is centred in the coastal regions as well as the two main rivers which run through the country, the Indranila and the Survanar Rivers. The Arani Empire was historically one of the most powerful actors in the eastern hemisphere, with large levels of influence in Nabaia and the neighbouring continents. However, within the modern era the Arani Empire has seen its influence decline considerably due to the impact of Auressian imperialism as well as political and economic instability. The Empire's de jure ruler and spiritual leader is the Arani, or 'Great Mother', currently Bhandishtha IV. The Arani is also the head of the empire's official faith, with the position boasting of an allegedly uncontaminated bloodline and descendance from the firstborn of Levillion.

Very little record exists of the civilisations which inhabited Nabaia prior to the rise of the empire, nevertheless, records that do exist tell of a number of dynasties which existed along the continent's coasts. Much of the inland however was believed to have played host to several nomadic peoples who mostly engaged in raider customs against their coastal neighbours. Sonaghar society quickly sprouted a powerful warrior culture with strong religious overtures. Soon the Sonaghar began to conquer and colonise much of their neighbouring territory, soon engulfing much of Nabaia. In 265 BCE, the Arani Empire was declared, with its domain extending across the rainforests and deserts of the continent. Despite its newfound power, the Great Arani soon found itself embroiled in conflict with its powerful neighbours, and internal disputes over succession and territory. However, in the Eighteenth century with rising Auressian influence and declining authority of the Arani, a group of military vassals, under their leader the Senapati, launched a successful coup to take over the governing duties of the Arani. As a result, much of the real governing power of the empire is vested in the Vriddhasangha, the Senapati and the warrior classes of the empire, whilst the Arani herself is merely a spiritual and figurehead leader.

Today, the Great Arani remains a influential, albeit economically poor nation with widespread inequality and poverty. The growing dominance of the warrior classes of the empire has led to fragmentation within the central government leading to the outbreak of a communist-inspired insurgency within the twentieth century which continues to threaten the dominance of the Sonaghar-led regime. The economy of the country is considerably underdeveloped, partially owing to the lack of foreign investment leading the Arani Empire's economy to be dominated by the agrarian and resource extraction sectors. The Empire is known to be a particular hotbed for precious gemstones such as sapphires, rubies and emeralds, as well as silver which played a major role in the Arani economy historically.

The Arani Empire maintains a strong level of isolationism within its foreign policy with the government holding a strong scepticism of foreign interference in its affairs, a legacy of the colonial period. Despite this, the Empire does fervently assert its authority across its traditional sphere of influence in greater Nabaia. Though owing to the underequipped and outdated nature of its military, Arani authority remains limited across the wider region with the government even struggling to maintain a foothold over its own territory.

Geography

Khadakya mountains in southern Rajatakhand

Magkura lake in the Abhrankasa mountains

Nabiya lies within central Surucia within the subcontinental region of Nabaia from which the common name of the country is derived. Nabiya is flanked by the Abhrankasa mountains to the north-east which largely form much of the country's easternmost border with Mathastan, whilst to the north-west lies the Khorandian desert. With a total land area of ???,??? km², Nabiya is the largest country in Nabaia and the fourth largest in Surucia by total area.

Nabiya is home to a number of prominent rivers which have played a major role in the country's religious, economic and religious development. The two most prominent rivers within the country are the Survanar and Indranila rivers, the latter of which was home to some of the oldest recorded human civilisations in Levilion. Both rivers have great cultural significance for the Nabiyan people given that much of the country's population lives within their vicinity. Both are also directly mentioned within sacred Jyani and Aranian texts as a site for purification and reflection, as such numerous religious shrines and sites line these rivers dedicated to either faith. The largest cities within Nabiya are located on these rivers, with the cities of Sindu, home to over 6 million people, and Sundalore, another city of considerable size, both located on the Survanar River. The capital of Sonaghar is located within the north-west of the country on the Apala river, a tributary of the Indranila.

The highest point in Nabiya is Mount Adonis, or Tirthakara (तीर्थकर) as it is known in Nabiyan sources, located in the Abhrankasa mounains. The Abrankasa mountains contains some of the highest peaks in all of Levilion and forms a part of the wider Surucian mountain chain. The Abrankasa mountains were formed by the subduction of the Antonesia tectonic plate below the larger Auresurican plate. As a result of this, northern Nabiya is home to considerable seismic activity in the form of earthquakes and active volcanoes within the region.

Several islands outlying islands within the Nabaian sea are also part of the territory claimed by the Empire, including the islands of Antapala within the Nila Bay and the island of Kasama, the latter of which is home to an active volcano. Additionally, Nabiya claims sovereignty over the island of Vivikta which is currently within the territory of Kaona. Nabiya's claims to the island are largely historical are widely disregarded within the international community.

Temperatures within Nabiya generally range between 0^ºC and 40^ºC, though temperatures can regularly reach highs of 45^ºC in the summer months, with a record high of 51^ºC recorded within Bandaluru in 2014. Much of the south however experiences warmer winters which do not regularly drop below 10^ºC. Colder temperatures can be experienced within the north-east of the country, largely within regions that lie within the Abrankasa mountains.

Climate

Tropical savanna climate covers the vast majority of Nabiyan territory, ensuring the country is home to long dry seasons and vast grasslands. Nabiya's southernmost territories lie within the tropical rainforest climate with some coastal areas also covering the tropical monsoon climate leading to extraordinary wet seasons for select areas of the country.

Politics

Arani

Mural depicting Arani Abhitha V with her descendants

The Arani is the head-of-state of the Empire and acts as the spiritual head of Aranianism, the Empire's official faith. As the Arani's authority stems from her alleged direct descendance from the mother of creation and her first children. As a result it is believed that the Arani bloodline is superior to that of mortal humans and as such is required to remain pure. Therefore, the royal family have historically practiced consanguinity in order to maintain the purity of the imperial bloodline, unless the fostering of an offspring outside of the family is absolutely necessary to secure the royal family's future. The Arani is forbidden from any direct marriages, as it is believed she is spiritually married to both her country and people, though there is the expectation that the Arani would foster an offspring with a member of the Imperial family. As a result of many centuries of inbreeding, the royal family has become plagued with a number of genetic defects resulting in physical and mental deficiencies in its members, greatly impacting their ability to govern; a major factor in the seizure of power by the Senapati in the Twentieth century. Additionally, the level of inbreeding present in the royal family has led to significant problems in fostering offspring, with many rulers being rendered infertile as a result. Therefore, in recent years an increasing number of Arani have taken to fostering their offspring outside of the royal family with members of the nobility.

Although nominally ruling as an absolute god-empress, the authority of the Arani is vested in the Vriddhasangha and the Senapati. Nevertheless, the Arani is still required to uphold her religious duties as the head of the church and to ensure the upbringing and posterity of the royal family. The religious duties of the Arani include giving a yearly spiritual address and religious service across each of the empire's provinces, distributing blessings or spiritual healings, as well as regularly praying for the future prosperity of the realm. Historically, the royal family has been known for its spiritual connections, with many of its members traditionally believed to have various mystical abilities which would be displayed for a chosen few at private imperial ceremonies.

Government

Vriddhasangha

The Vriddhasangha or Council of Elders is the ancient advisory council to the Arani, which is tasked with enforcing the Arani's will and providing advice as to the best way to govern the realm. Whilst the Arani no longer serves any governing function in the empire, the Vriddhasangha still maintains its position, though as an advisory body to the Senapati for political matters, and the Arani for matters spiritual. Since its inception, the Vriddhasangha has been made up of Court Eunuchs, brought up through the ranks of the country's civil service. Most court eunuchs were kidnapped as young boys from their families either within the empire, or from foreign lands during wars. The practice of utilising eunuchs was twofold: eunuchs held no personal familial or territorial connections, making them prime candidates to govern in the interest of the realm; and as eunuchs, there is no risk of contaminating the royal bloodline from their close connection to the royal family.

Each member of the Vriddhasangha is placed in control of specific Governing ministries of the Empire, these being the Ministries of Personnel, Revenue, Rites, Justice and Works. Whilst the Ministry of War was traditionally served by all members of the council during wartime, under the current administration, the Senapati is appointed as head of the Ministry of War. Official sessions of the Council of Five are held every season, for a total of four each year, or for emergency sessions under special circumstances. Official sessions involve the attendance of both the Arani and Senapati. However, when not in session, the Vriddhasangha meet on a regular basis to discuss the business of government or any outstanding issues within the Empire.