Ruler: Various tribal authorities
Government: Independent tribalism; no central authority exists; each tribal unit is led by a sheihk, emir or some minor noble
Rule of Law: Neutral. Country is morally ambiguous with a moderate amount of written laws. Actions are neither evil nor good and tend to remain distant from international affairs.
Notable Figures: Pasha of the Sands (NE male genie [dao])
Capital: None
Major Towns: None
Population: 240,000- Human 90% (Zj), hobgoblin 3%, orc 2%, thri-keen 3%, gnome 1% (dune), other 1% (includes various humanoid tribes)
Major Religions: Anu, Khorda, Jocasta, Karnak, Noghri
Major Resources: None:
Military: None
Allies: None (Anubia sometimes)
Enemies: Angharad, Nimeiria (sometimes)
Coinage: Common standard
The region of Hyerune known as the Domains of the Desert Nomads is a vast expanse of desert along the great Dune Sea in southeastern Sahelia. Here the various nomadic tribes have lived and thrived for centuries raising herding animals as well as a special breed of horse adapted to desert living. No central authority exists in this regions and the nomads are known to be fiercely independent. The various tribal groupings are each led by a clan elder, shiehk or perhaps even an emir. The human population is said to have emigrated into these lands from the nations of Nimeiria and Anubia to the north. The region is hot and dry all year round with very little precipitation. Since few regions of the desert are capable of sustaining life for any length of time, the majority of the inhabitants are nomads constantly on the move. As a tribes animals consume an areas plantlife, the nomads will pack up and move to a new area while the former area grows back.
Of course, with such an unforgiving environment, tribal groupings maintain vvery stricit boundaries. Any violation of territorial rights is generally viewed with great disdain. However, since strangers are a rarity in these parts with such vast amounts of territory, many of the nomads observe special codes of hospitality with both visitor and host remaining at least civil while following practiced forms of etiquette.
The humans of this area dwell mainly in tents often divided with a central hanging rug called the "ma'nad" forming two smaller "rooms." One half of the tent is used by the men of the family and most of the guests and is called the "mag'ad" or "sitting place." The other half of the tent is used by the women and is called the "maharama" or "place of the women." Here the women sleep, cook the meals and receive any female guests. All human communities share a great love of coffee and will serve and drink great amounts of fresh, cardamom-spiced coffee. Larger communities, often closer to the shore will sometimes live in large, more semi-permanent homes built on stone floors. The walls will be made of sun-dried brick and the roofs made of wood, reeds and mud.
In addition to the human majority, a great number of humanoids also dwell in these lands, many being refugees or rebels from Angharad to the west. The mighty thri-kreen are perhaps the most significant group and control vast tracks of the desert, particularly toward the central areas where few humans dwell. They are highly protective of their tribal territories and have been known to kill trespassers on sight.
The humans are not much better but have been known to trade with the more "civilized" nations in the north from time to time. All creatures though tend to stay clear from the eastern fringe of this land which is said to be controlled by a powerful dao genie known as the Pasha of the Sands.