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Of Bethar Garmak
Bethar Garmak, meaning House of Bones, but called also Garmak in brief, is a moniker which when leveled at Garmak's ruling mages, who by their designs sundered the Ssianid Empire, became a name many took for their own use with great pride, much to the surprise of those intending to besmirch them. It befits also their land, for it is built splendidly now over the dust of Ssianid, yet remains awash in the stench of betrayal and decay, and with the mages' rise has come a deathliness to the land, for several of them dabbles greatly in necromancy, it is said. Yet another moniker was coined for these men, that being "mage-king," and this too they have embraced.
Little occurs now in Bethar Garmak which is beyond sight of these mage-kings, and they are each of them retreated to grand towers, which were built by magic, or else by slaves drawn from the survivors of the Ssianid Empire, and whom Bethar Garmak yet retains and trades in. The towers are numbered seven, and spread many leagues from one another, divided between the seven trade roads of Bethar Garmak. From each tower guards a mage-king his territory, and he does so jealously. In this fashion Bethar Garmak is carved into city-states, much like Belerat, and for this they are sometimes called "free," though any peoples disposed toward freedom avoid this country.
On Mage-King Nevrass Alair
Northernmost of these is the Tower Alairat, named for its ruler Nevrass Alair, and so too is the territory of his dominion, called Alair-Dina. Alair chose this domain for its remoteness from the others of Bethar Garmak and the other lands, for he is a secretive ruler and eschews company. Thus he well likes his neighbors to the east in Daedina, who being Dwarves keep to themselves and trouble him not. The tower of Alairat looms little over the surrounding valley, which is large but barren, being as the tower is but few stories high, and it is wrought of obsidian-colored stone carried overland from Gwathia with much toil, and it is said its true base lies not on land but deep underground. What affairs Alair conspires with in his subterranean chambers are not known, excepting that he surely does not conspire with mortals. During the war Alair practiced the necromancy by which Ssianid's own armies, once razed from above, rose against their emperor, and for this he is most reviled outside of Bethar Garmak, and even oft within it. It is to be expected that of all regions in Bethar Garmak it is Alair-dina which bears the most reports of undead, and this expectation proves true, such that caravans passing through it hire always a cleric or two to travel with them. Arising also are tales of grotesque demonkin, and devilkin, which overmatch even these clerics, and pose a challenge which the caravans only resolve by paying tribute to Alair, which afterward mysteriously stays these creatures from attacking. Alair's appearance is no longer known, for he never leaves his tower, but he was once tall and proud ere he withdrew to isolation, pallid for his kind among those of Sulgate, and gaunt also.
On Mage-King Lorill Methumid
South of Alairat is the Tower Methumat, named also for its ruler, and here emerges a pattern which shall hold forth in all of the territories of the mage-kings, save one. Lorill Methumid is he who rules from Methumat, a wide tower of large brick and without embellishment that stands over the coast of Methumidina, acting as a light to the ships of the sea, in a small territory which borders Emrahbi to the east. But though small it is of great worth, containing a port, called Khal Ma'analu, the Bay of Sweet Water, for curiously does it resist the salts of Rhunaear and offer drink to the people of the land. Methumidina thus sees many visitors from the other countries of Sulgate which are eastward-facing, and so Methumid is grown rich, but he humbles himself, dressing simply and casting much of his wealth to his people. For this he is much beloved in Methumidina, and described generously as a man of proud stature in brown robes, simple-spun, handsome with a great white beard and bronze face under a circlet of gems, which is his only concession to wealth and worn only seldom. But wise men know this show of poverty is no doubt a ruse, so as not to provoke the other mage-kings in jealousy. His specialty also is in the magics of charms, and thus does he otherwise preserve himself under the watchful suspicion of his fellow mage-kings. He is also much feared among the learned, for it was the honeyed tongue of Methumid which summoned forth the dragons from the Blasted Wastes, that they may ally with the mage-kings in war, through a pact which none can guess, though it is surely terrible.
On Mage-King Samas Dabbar
South still of Methumat is the Tower Dabbarat, named for the mage Samas Dabbar, over his dominion of Dabbardina. Dabbar was he who enchanted the armies of the mage-kings as they went to war, and rose also from the ground great machines and forts and towers from which they might make battle. Thus Dabbarat is the most intricate and glorious of all towers, being fine-wrought from many precious ores, as gold and silver, and at its peak is a crown, as if it rested over the head of a king, upon which are mounted jewels of such size as few could believe. Dab-Dina is smaller across even than Methumidina, and flat and dry, with little to offer ere the rulership of the mage-kings, but springs from it now many plants of intricate design, and rivers have refilled their beds, and herds of animals have returned to graze, and all of these deeds are attributed to Dabbar. Of all mage-kings he is least concerned with the affairs of the other countries, or even those within his own land of Bethar Garmak, and sees most to his works, which he arranges much as an artist where his canvas stretches o'er the land itself. It is said that Dabbar emerges oft, grinning and clean-faced, and clad in great robes of many colors, shining all at once, and with his staff hewn from the branch of a magic tree called Yorthak, and when thus armed he spreads his power over the land with hands outstretched, and proceeds to transform the ground to satisfy his whims. Many gather to watch in awe of these events, though they dare not interfere, for Dabbar cares little for their lives and his wrath is as malevolent as his art is marvelous.
On Mage-Queen Mavia Ghazir
Southwest of Dabbarat is the Tower Ghazirat, named for the mage-queen Mavia Ghazir, who rules Ghazadina. Ghazirat is tall and narrow, made from dusky metals, and ends in a fearsome blade, as though a spear aimed to resist some charge of riders from the sky. Ghazir herself is said to be alike in appearance, darkly-skinned and standing tall even among men, with severe expression, and crowned always with a spiked band, pointing upward in eight peaks. Her robes are bright red and of finest silks from Gwathia, or of intricately made linens from Nuumalon, though as oft she wears much less, for it is said she fears nothing. It is Ghazir who engineered the destruction of Ssianid's mighty palaces in the empire's final days, as she is a sorceress of great power, and bends all the forces of nature to her will, and thus she is most feared in direct conflict among the mage-kings, having the least need for recourse to deceitful machinations. Among the realms of Bethar Garmak Ghazadina is not so small or barren, but neither is it especially large or fertile, and it is well peopled, though mostly by slaves.
On Mage-Queen Zenobia Lazos
Southernmost of all the towers in Bethar Garmak is Hajarat, and an exception in this, as its name means The Tower of Stones, and refers not to its ruler. Hajrat is less alike to a tower, being moreso a fortress, and widest of all in Bethar Garmak, with thick walls girding it mightily from attack. Its ruler is Zenobia Lazos, who is called also the Even-Handed, for of the mage-kings she is least feared, though not so beloved as Methumid. Lazos rules over Nymia, which rivals Alair-Dina for largest in size, and of all country in Bethar Garmak bears the most free peoples, though they toil hard also, for much of the land beneath them is barren and relinquishes fruit only by much labor. But Lazos, being wise, employs many devices for the preservation of grains and waters, which are then distributed to the people of Nymia, so that while they may never enjoy plenty, they also never suffer for want. Nymia borders both Caeor to the west and Thamun to the south, and with these Lazos maintains good relations, which extend even to Myultaoh, and it is only in her court that any rulers or officials of those nations deign to meet with a mage-king of Bethar Garmak. During the war Lazos remained ever behind, and oversaw the defense of the mage-kings' gains, and for this was she rewarded with the barren Nymia, but she was never considered equal to them, though her powers in magecraft be great, and by this power guards against predation by the other mage-kings. She is not so tall, but dresses much like the kings of Linothor, wearing a tabard emblazoned with her sigil, which is a fortress alike to Hajarat, crowned with laurels, and when not hodded from sun her gray hair she wears aloft over her face, which is said to be patient, though swarthy. To battle and on patrols she is always well armored, having been long enough beside the other mage-kings to see treachery in every shadow, and of all of them, it is said, she is the most martially adept.
On Mage-King Eltab Demzar
North of Hajarat is Demzarat, named for the mage-king Eltab Demzar, who presides over Demzardina. Demzar it was, while known as Demzar the Illusionist, who led the mage-kings in war, though none other will admit to being supervised in such a manner, save perhaps Lazos. Demzarat is a great citadel with many factories, in which Dwarves drawn from far and wide produce some of the greatest of all smithwork in the realms. Demzar has little love or patience for whimsy, and his region, though smallest in Bethar Garmak, and most austere, bears also the most industry, in the labor of both slaves and freemen, and by this produce manages much of the wealth which comes through the merchant city of Maedia. Demzar, despite his reputation, suffers no illusions, and insists that all things appear as they are, and thus does he tolerate no ornament in his halls, or anywhere in Demzardina. Being still a great warrior he is oft dressed in the leathers of his people, who hail from Hamiron, which his land was called ere being claimed from Ssianid by Bethar Garmak. He is said to be barrel-chested and very wide, though he eats little, and sleeps less, being always on guard from the other mages, who still fear the expertise of his designs.
On Mage-King Yaphal Odesseir
Finally, in the northwest of Bethar Garmak is Odessat, named for Yaphal Odesseir, who presides over Odessa-Dina. Of all mage-eyes which descry the lands of Bethar Garmak and beyond, Odesseir inspires the most dread, for it was he who spied upon the Ssianid Emperor and the movements of his armies, and by this knowledge assured victory for his fellows. In divination Odesseir has no equal, and he employs also spies and sabateurs of every mundane variety, wherever magic may falter. Odessat is least glorious of all the towers of the mage-kings, being nestled within the hollow ruin of an ancient castle, which previously owed its allegiance to Ssianid. From this he watches over his land, which is peopled by few, for upon his claim many fled his wrath. This is because, while Odesseir is called fair by his people, it is under threat of death, for he tolerates no word spoken against him, even those borne most gently and in jest. In court Odesseir wears the purple robes of a king, and bears the bands and gems of wealth, and from this fashions an air of nobility though he is lowborn. When not astride his throne, he appears as a thief, hooded and shaded from sight by all but his most trusted advisors, and it is said he employs often other men who bear his likeness to distract his enemies, as he is much afflicted by the prospects of rivals acting against him, and seeks to confuse them.
On the Peoples of Bethar Garmak
Men
Bethar Garmak counts most among its number Men, and these claim to be first of all Men in the world. As has been aforesaid much of its people is enslaved, and these slaves dress in the manner that their masters wish, though most oft in silks or rags. They are almost all of them dark of skin, and also of hair, which is oft gray ere they reach adulthood. The freemen of Bethar Garmak appear little better, if they be common, for when slave labor is to be found in excess, little sought are those who demand a wage, and so hatred stirs in many of their hearts towards those who are slaves in name as well as in labor. Beneath the lofty towers of the mage-kings is a wide merchant class borne highly upon the wave of trade which encircles the land from all sides, and surges toward Maedia, its center, with great enthusiasm. These dress much alike in manner to those of Belerat, though they take greater pride in the pallor of their skin, for it is said only the lowest classes of Bethar Garmak bear any color, and thus merchants stay always indoors or under shade, and even powder their faces unnaturally to appear white.
On the Country of Bethar Garmak
Concerning Maedia, Jewel of Sulgate
Bethar Garmak bears but one jewel of Sulgate, and one of few which remain from the height of the Ssianid Empire, this being Maedia, considered now capital of Bethar Garmak, a large and glorious city in the country's center in which the trade roads begin and terminate. Though like Mairmithon of Aer Arnad in this fashion, being a great gathering place for all the land, and some beyond it, Maedia is much unified in design, created from a single plan then administered to slaves, who toil without any thought to addition or subtraction by their own whim. Maedia thus is walled highly, with many towers and defenses, all of great strength, for it protects not only its people and their wares, but those of the other lands. The city within is low, however, for none profit by the shade of others if they exceed them in height, and the sun over Bethar Garmak is as merciless as it stands over any in Sulgate. Unlike all other regions in Bethar Garmak Maedia is not ruled by a mage-king, for none of them would suffer a rival to possess so great a prize, and thus leading it sits a council of men, appointed by those mages, who in their place rule as one body. This council meets in Ayja Lunet, the Halls of Wisdom, which seldom betrays its name, for the council of Maedia hearkens better to its people than the mage-kings far removed to their towers on the outskirts of the land.