Azgami

From Almeopedia

Azgami
Native:	Azgami
Verdurian:	Azgami
Characteristics
Capital:	Saikn
Government:	Kingdom
Language:	Ismaîn
Relative prosperity:	20
Population:	430,000
% Pagan:	62
% Eleďe:	23
% Gelalhát:	14
Currency
Gold	elŕyn 8
	sasavi 2.67
Silver	glure 0.83
	meşu 1/3
Emur	alasi 1/12

Azgami is a country on the Mišicama littoral, sandwiched between Ismahi on the west and Érenat on the east. The language spoken is Ismaîn, and it was originally part of Ismahi, but broke away in 3197 due to Dhekhnami intrigues.

In 3197 the Dhekhnami encouraged the eastern third of Ismahi to rebel, under Nyzebese, the firstborn son of the elŕyn; the Dhekhnami convinced him that his father would not let him inherit, and that it was better to rule a portion of Ismahi now than to take his slim chances at ruling the whole of it later on. The new country, Azgami, was of course under close Dhekhnami supervision, and served as a base for subversion, espionage, and piracy. Nyzebese and his heirs even converted to the worship of Gelalh, though they were not emulated by many of their subjects.

Today, Azgami is even poorer and "more decadent" than Ismahi. This is due in no small part to the fact that as a Dhekhnami client state, it has poor relations with Érenat and Verduria, as well as Ismahi, from which it originally rebelled; these surrounding nations are reluctant to trade with Azgami, except for Érenat, which feels it has to because of its being on Dhekhnam's doorstep. (Although, Érenat seems to be getting the last laugh by adopting the Kebreni tactic of selling expensive manufactured goods to the Gelalh-worshipping elite in exchange for cheaper agricultural products, keeping Azgami's GDP low for the region.)

The Ismaîn language in some remote areas of Azgami is closer to Ismaîn orthography than the standard dialect; î and û are pronounced as nasalized i and u rather than the same as ê and ô. In general, Azgami dialects are more conservative and less subject to foreign influence. On the other hand, it has more Dhekhnami influence, mainly in military and diplomatic terms and some slang and terms of abuse.

Neighbors: Érenat (to NE), Ismahi (to SW), Kara Desert (to SE)

Etymology: Keb. Hazigami ‘land of the proud’.

Author: BGMan