Azara
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| Feudal Status: | Emirate |
| Capital: | Azarkhak |
| Largest Cities: | Azarkhak |
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| Local Leadership Title: | Emir |
| Local Government: | Monarchy |
| Current leader: | Kemal Shervanis |
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| Local language: | Babkhi |
| Local Religion: | Mosque of Zartosht |
Azara, officially the Emirate of Azara, is a small kingdom located in southwestern Eura and centered around the ancient city of Azarkhak, from which the Emirate derives its name. The country is located in an area of hot deserts where, in times past, it was once under the control of Babkha. The rocky outcroppings in the desert are rich with salt formed by ancient seas, and it is near here that the Babkhans had their notorious salt mines. The region is also infested with the giant sandworms that inhabit most of Eura's vast deserts. Azara relies primarily on the export of salt and some limited oil extraction as its main economic source; with the harsh desert offering little else.
History
Azara was originally settled by the Arkaniyah tribes that were hostile to Babkahn suzerainty. This led to an invasion by the Babkhans spearheaded by the army of Baatharz, Babkha's largest and most autonomous Emirate. The Baatharzi were vastly superior in both organization and firepower, and quickly subdued the Arkani people, wiping out most of the population in a series of violent clashes. When the dust settled the Baatharzi instituted a rigorous program of colonization wherein many people from Baatharz migrated south to the new lands. The new region became known as the Emirate of Zsharra and was ruled by a branch of the Shervanis Dynasty, which also ruled Baatharz. After the fall of Babkha the country fell into anarchy and local Sheikhs assumed control over various tribes and lands. Suleiman Shervanis, a descendant of Amir Shervanis, ruled over Azarkhak and began to expand its boundaries. His son Kemal Shervanis succeeded him and further expanded his lands, establishing the Emirate of Azara,
Government
Azara is an Emirate ruled by an Emir, essentially following the same principles of an absolute monarchy. Tribal heritage is an important factor and many tribal Sheikhs pay homage to the Emir in Azarkhak. The Sheikhs sit in council known as the Majlis which in turn advises and guides the Emir on ruling the state.
Culture
While nominally part of the Kingdom of Babkha for many centuries, Azara was settled by Baatharzi, who spoke in the North Euran (Arabic) dialect versus traditional Babkhi (Farsi). Thus the area became an amalgamation of both traditions, though Babkhi eventually came to dominate the language and customs that persist to this day.
Economy
The ancient Babkhan salt mines were taken over by the Azarans and enlarged into to a greater scale more amenable to exportation.
Military
The Azaran military consists primarily of camel riders. While the ancient Babkhans were rumored to ride and command the giant sandworms in battle, the Azarans have lost this knowledge, as the beasts remain at large in the deep deserts.
