Barakhún

From Almeopedia

Barakhún
Native:	Barakhun
Verdurian:	Barahin
Characteristics
Capital:	Barakhina
Government:	Absolute monarchy
Language:	Barakhinei
Relative prosperity:	40
Population:	600,000
% Pagan:	68
% Eleďe:	32
% None:	0
Currency
Gold	khurind 9
	ôkhek 3
Silver	ilôdil .8
	pelant 1/3
Emur	kharshi 1/9

Barakhún [ba ra ˈxun] is a country in the Rhânori range; its capital is Barakhina.

Organized 2830 by Caďinorian princes following the occupation of Ctésifon by the Curiyans, in its classical period it was a pure feudalistic state, dedicated to the martial virtues. The Barakhinei cultivated a tough, laconic manner, and disdained scholarship and trade, activities left to foreigners. (These might become wealthy, but the money could always be confiscated— and what more proof did you need that the sword was mightier than the ledger?) The other major industry of Barakhún, mining, is similarly left to the elcari.

Ironically, in this male-dominated society, literature was first the activity of women, who were taught to read and write but not Caďinor, the language of men.

Barakhún remains largely Caďinorian pagan, but Eleďe learning, spreading after the local acceptance of the Union of Eleďi and Arašei (3225), has had an impact: most Barakhinei are educated in Eleďe schools, and scholarship is no longer considered unmanly. There has been no political loosening, but there is now a lively bourgeois life in the towns.

Neighbors: Mútkün (to SE), Lácatur (to NE), Rhânor (to SW), Hroth (to S), Elkarinor (some ways to W)

Etymology: Bar. Barakhun ‘mountain realm’; the accent is added in English to suggest the correct pronunciation.