The Theocracy of Medina

[/b] Medi, Medini
Capital: Medli
Location: West Ciredia
Neighbors: Asnor, Gardenia
Size: Second Smallest
Age: 200 Years[/ul]

Summary:
In western Ciredia is a vast desert. It is the home of the citizens of Medina. These people spend their days traveling from oasis to oasis trading wares and information. Others travel by night taking out large beasts while they are at their weakest. Medina is based on a mixture of middle east and tribal influences.

History:
It is unknown how long intelligent creatures have been living in the desert. It is unknown when the lizardkin first set foot there. It is unknown when the Medi Elves first settled. Living in the harsh desert, Medina's people do not have the luxury of worrying about the past. Everyone here focuses their eyes on the future. On surviving another day. However, this is not to say they do not take some things from the past.

Medina religion, for example, has stuck around for centuries. Medi believe in the Goddess of Fire and the Goddess of Wind. They believe that the Goddess of Fire scorches the land and then the Goddess of Wind cools the earth. They believe that it is a mistake to displease one or both of these goddesses, and frequently make offerings to them. Their religion is actually the most accurate though. What they describe as the Goddess of Fire is the Goddess of War, and the Goddess of Wind is the Goddess of Life.

Most people that travel the desert do not doubt the Medi religion. Oasis have been known to appear suddenly in the desert. Many adventurers have been saved from dangerous situations thanks to events that could only be described as miracles. Then there is the Chosen One. This will be covered in more detail in the politics section.

Geography:
Medina is a mixture of deserts, oasis and dry wastelands. There are many mountains and rock structures in the desert, but they are sparce. Small foliage and cactus line the sands, and now and then there will be holes in the ground. Those who hunt in the desert know to avoid these holes -- they are the dens of sometimes savage beasts.

Medina is split in two by a massive gorge. Many bridges cross its lengths to connect to the two sides. It is unknown what happens to those that fall into the gorge. Its depth is unbelievable, and it is impossible to climb its walls. Medina religious figures have come to think of the gorge as a place of offering. Some tribes and villages will offer sacrifices in return for good forture or the end of terrible events.

Politics:
Medina is a theocracy. It is ruled by its religion. What the Gods say is absolute, and only a select few are able to interpret the Gods' will. The leader of Medina is also chosen through a religious and supernatural event. Most lizardkin resemble common reptiles that exist in the world. However, once every century a dragonkin is born. Medina's religion says that the dragonkin will be the country's next leader.

That belief is not just something spouted by religious fanatics. The events leading to the birth of a dragonkin are supernatural. Even more supernatural is what happens when a dragonkin is killed before they can lead. In those events a seemingly random lizardkin will wake one morning to find that they have become a dragonkin.

This system guarantees that there will always be two dragonkin. There is the elder dragonkin that leads Medina. Then there is a younger dragonkin, the next to lead.

Common Classes:
Medina is home to the Black Market and Thieves guild. Rogues, Assassins and thieves will be able to make a pretty penny selling their loot there.

Many explorers come to the region as well. Ancient ruins are their target as they attempt to gather riches.

Hunters exist everywhere, and the same is true for the desert. There is a bounty system in the desert where hunters are commissioned to hunt monsters that block trade routes.

Common Professions:
Medina is lacking in natural resources. Even so, valuable gemstones and metals have been found in some locations. Those materials then can be crafted into clothing and accessories that travelers will buy.

Places of Interest:
There are many oasis in Medina. It is not wise for adventurers to travel through the country without knowing where the closest ones are. Otherwise they might die of dehydration.

The deep gorge is seen as a religious site where sacrifices can be made to please the gods.

Ancient ruins are common in the desert. Some believe that the desert was once vast grasslands and jungles. How they have dried out like this, archaeologists are still trying to answer that question.

Races and Species:
The lizardkin are a proud race that stand up to twice the height of a human. As their name suggests, they resemble different reptiles such as iguanas, alligators, snakes and bearded dragons. The name lizardkin was chosen by Gardenians traveling through the region. The lizardkin did not have a name for themselves. All lizardkin refer to themselves and their people as 'we' and so a formal name does not come up in conversation. Asnor and Kagano now use the name that Gardenia invented. Lizardkin live 80 - 100 years.

The dragonkin are a rare race with a population of two. Dragonkin tend to be much larger than lizardkin, and they have wings on their backs. It is unknown what would happen if more than two dragonkin existed at one time. It is also unknown if twins could be born as dragonkin, or if only one of the twins would become a dragon. Dragonkin live 100 years.

Medi Elves are also known as dark elves, night elves or dusk elves. They have darker skin than their cousins in the other countries. These elves are nocturnal and sleep through most of the day. When it becomes night time they will travel the desert in search of large beasts that have fallen asleep. They then attack the beasts while they are at their weakest. Medi elves are about 6 inches shorter than humans and seem frail. They live between 70 and 80 years.

There are lesser races in Medina, as well as other races. The lesser races include goblins, orcs and ogres looking for work and trade. Some tribes of these races have lived in the desert for centuries. That is their origin.

Site Updates:
If there are any major Medi updates, they will be placed here.
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