PESHMIR (Rajahstan of)
Location: South of the Adri Varma Plateau, southwest of Glantri, northeast of Peshmir. OW
Area: 12,000 sq. mi. (31,080 sq. km.).
Population: 35,000.
Languages: Sindhi, Thyatian (Glantrian dialect).
Coinage: Sindhi Standard: guru (25 gp), rupee (5 gp), bhani (gp), khundar (sp), piaster (cp).
Taxes: The three privileged castes-himaya, rishiya, and jadugerya (fighters, clerics, and mages)-of Kadesh owe annual taxes of 25% on all profits, taxes, services and goods received from others, but this tax may be waived if they offer their services to the government or others of the privileged castes. Members of the prajaya caste (farmers and craftsmen) owe 25% of all produce to their mumlyket, with another 25% going to the rishiyas for spiritual services. The kuliya caste (slaves and unskilled labourers) are not taxed. Additionally, a white-skinned sub-caste (called urdu-varna) must pay a poll tax of one khundar per person.
Government Type: Independent feudal monarchy. The ruler of Peshmir is loosely allied to the Rajadhiraja (King) of Sind, Chandra ul Nervi.
Industries: Agriculture, fishing, mining, trade (salt, silk, cotton, rice, and especially tea).
Important Figures: Hara Rudraksha (Maharajah).
Flora and Fauna: Monsters that are found in this regions of Sind include animal herds, giant ants, bandits (in the desert), basilisks, camels, cockatrices, djinn, red dragons, efreet, elephants, ghouls, gnolls, giant lizards, lupins, manscorpions, mummies, giant scorpions, shadows, sphinxes, and trolls.
Further Reading: Champions of Mystara boxed set, previous almanacs.
Description by Vadin Kalidasa.
Like the other remote northern mumlykets of Sind, Peshmir has long been opposed to the concept of unification. The notorious wealth of its rulers has provided its people with a strong sense of independence from the rest of the nation. Now that the land is no longer a part of the Rajahstan of Sind for the first time in 300 years, it will soon become clear if Peshmir is truly able to provide for itself or not.
The Land
The southern expanses of Peshmir consist of rolling hills and rocky mountains. Most of the populace make their homes in the fertile lands in the north of the province, around Lake Hast. There they farm and fish the clear depths of the lake, which is renowned for its enormous, tasty fish. Farmers in the southern regions grow their crops terraced along the hills. The ash-lined slopes of the volcanic Mount Urapurda in particular are very fertile in soil, though there is a high risk that crops might be lost during one of the its sporadic eruptions. An obsidian mine in the mountains east of the capital city of Karakandar provides much of the nation's legendary wealth.
The People
All around the city of Karakandar can be seen evidence of the wealth of Peshmir. From the elaborate palace of the maharajah to the numerous temples, even the cobbled streets, luxury is in abundance. Merchants from Glantri and distant Wendar commonly ply their trades in the markets, bringing exotic goods from their native lands. The rulers of Peshmir have long held to a policy of civic improvement, believing that if they put their wealth back into their holdings, the people will work all the harder to generate more surplus. This policy seems to have changed somewhat under the current regime, as the frugal Maharajah Hara Rudraksha, appears to direct more funds to his own coffers than to the people. Even more recently, the maharajah's wealth has gone to the purchasing of mercenary forces, to combat the crack troops of neighbouring Kadesh. The faces of Gunjabi warriors and Glantrian sellswords from Sablestone are becoming ever more common sights.
Recent History
The current maharajah, Hara Rudraksha, came to power in AC 1006. When the Master of Hule and his armies arrived from the west, Hara and his father Maharajah Kabir Rudrakshah of Kadesh invaded Peshmir. They proceeded to depose and arrest the former maharajah, Kami Valin, and married Hara to his only daughter. Kabir had reportedly hoped to assassinate his son and take over rulership of both countries, but Hara had other plans, and managed to retain his throne. Though a cruel and ofttimes despotic man, age and children seem to have curbed his ambitions. He arranged for the rescue of the priestess Sitara Rohini when she and her child were kidnapped by his father in AC 1016, and has set his forces against those of Kadesh. Currently, Peshmir and Kadesh are in a state of war.
Rumours
There is rumoured to be a gold mine in the volcano, which could account for Peshmir's legendary wealth. As yet, there has been no proof of such a mine.
The maharajah is
said to be courting the Cult of Kirtanta to his side to provide a means to
counter the assassin cult of the Buraiya. The Kirtanta appear to be a relatively new organisation,
reportedly having dealings with shapeshifters and assassins both. Their goals and beliefs are as yet unknown,
as are the extent of the maharajah's interactions with them.