Qalistan

Qalistan is a large nation that extends from the eastern edge of the savannah all the way to mountains on the other side of the river to the east. To the north and south there are rocky shores, and in between the river and the mountains there is an expansive desert.

Qalistan's throne city is Istan, and the ruling family is the Qalai Dynasty. The lands around this city (and, indeed, along the whole river) are fertile flood plains, excellent places to farm. This is the 'bed' of the kingdom, the most densely populated region, and the river provides its people access to the northern and southern bodies of water.

It should be noted that not ALL Qalistan is desert. While the desert is very large, there are also plains which are frequented by herds of wild animals and vicious predators, and there are a few thin forests in the region as well. The western foothills and the closest mountains are also considered part of the kingdom, and are home to a hearty, stouter breed of human not originally from this region.

Details on the four tribes are as follows:
 * Alaqir - Also known as the 'City Folk', the Alaqir are the most populous of the four tribes. They inhabit the great cities in the center of the kingdom, especially those along the river. They provide the most soldiers, but their troops are not as skilled as the Nasai or the Benjin. They are the farmers of Qalistan.
 * Benjin - These people are horse nomads, and they truly love their horses. Their horses are so revered, in fact, that they often sleep in the same tents as their owners and eat with them. The Benjin are magnificent warriors, and while they are free-spirited and sometimes hard to marshal, once mustered they are a battlefield terror.
 * Kapachi - Many Kapachi have gone to live in the river cities, but small Kapachi villages still remain along the shores. They are a peaceful people that avoid combat as often as possible, and they depend on small forts of the kingdom's soldiers for protection. Many of them become traveling merchants or caravan guards.
 * Nasai - The Nasai, sometimes called the Hillmen, tend to keep to themselves in the mountains. They export stone, marble, wool and milk to the rest of the kingdom, as well as wine, and in times of war supply skilled irregulars and guerrilla combatants.