| Ruler | Jhad Tomak Nirdala |
| Population | 62,700 |
| Demographics | Human (Padashani) 81%, Human (Southerner) 8%, Human (Anquaran) 6%, Human (Juenta) 2%, Juema 2% Other 1% |
| Adjectival/Demonym | Almadan/Almadan |
| Languages | Padashi 88%, Southern 5%, Quaryn 3%, Juenta 1%, Mandalar 1%, Other 1% |
| Nationality | The Great Padashan Empire |
| Year Founded | 954 CY |
| Currency | Padashi |
| Natural Resources | Iron ore, copper, sandstone, gold, precious stones, marble, camels, nupar oxen, hamalka |
| Manufactured Goods | Metal goods, weapons, armor, pottery, woven rugs, tapestries, tea, coffee, herbs, dates, almonds, figs, olives, garlic, potatoes, palm trees, upine trees |
| Wealth | Average |
| Walled | No. |
| Crime Level | Moderate |
| Technology Level | Middle Ages |
| Primary Religion | Hramish (Official State Religion) |
| Other Religion | None |
| Climate | Temperate to subtropical |
| Terrain | Arid rocky hills and highlands |
| Province | Imperial Province of Ofahalin |
Almad sits at the rugged edge of the Great Padashan Empire, between the sun-scorched western hills and the cool, azure waters of the Sapphire Main. A town of contrasts, Almad is a place where the winds of the desert carry the scent of spice and salt and where the rhythm of the waves lulls the city into a kind of timeless harmony. The town's whitewashed buildings, with their terracotta roofs and arched doorways, stand stark against the rolling, golden hills to the south.
As a major port at the northeastern edge of the empire, Almad is a bustling melting pot of cultures and peoples. The streets are lined with colorful market stalls, each brimming with exotic goods from kingdoms far and wide—silks from Aramanda, timber and marble from Anquar, spices and flowers from the Pirate Isles, fine wines from Rukemia and so much more. Merchants, sailors, and travelers from many lands coming to the empire pass through Almad, bringing with them not just goods, but ideas, stories, and beliefs, creating a vibrant tapestry of languages and customs. The air is alive with the chatter of negotiations, the clink of coins, and the scent of freshly caught fish.
As the soil is poor here, fishing is the lifeblood of Almad. The town's bustling docks are a constant hive of activity, with fishermen hauling in their daily catch of shimmering fish, crustaceans, and the occasional rare sea creature. The port is always filled with the sound of creaking wood and the slap of sails in the wind as ships come and go. The fishermen of Almad are known for their exceptional skill and knowledge of the sea, and their catch is highly prized throughout the empire and beyond, with fish markets that stretch down the waterfront, offering everything from smoked delights to freshly prepared dishes for hungry travelers. The town’s cuisine is a reflection of its diverse heritage—spicy, savory, and rich with the flavors of the sea and desert.
However, Almad's history is as rich as its commerce, and perhaps even more mysterious. There are whispers among the locals, passed down through generations, of a vast treasure hidden somewhere beneath the sands or in the deep waters off the coast—a treasure connected to the fall of the old kingdom of Hadrash, a once-mighty kingdom that ruled these lands before the empire formed. According to legend, the treasure was lost during a catastrophic battle between the forces of Hadrash and a powerful wizard. The treasure is said to be linked to an artifact of vast power, a relic of wizards from across the sea. Many adventurers, fortune hunters, and scholars have passed through Almad in search of it. No one has ever found the treasure. The legend persists, drawing the curious and the desperate, and ensuring that Almad remains a place of intrigue, where history and myth blur into one.
Almad is a town on the edge of two worlds—the searing desert and the vast, unfathomable sea. It is a crossroads where cultures and goods converge, and where the line between truth and legend is as fluid as the tides that lap against its shores.
This web site last updated Tuesday, November 12, 2024. Copyright 1990-2011 David M. Roomes.