![[komal.png|250]] *Her Gracious Majesty, Razdula, Malikah of Komal, Mistress of the Gulf of Ghayar, Protector of the Western Reaches* **Government:** Matriarchal theocracy **Capital:** Komal (pop. 39,000) **Major Towns:** Baysiya, Tulbiliya, Shidar, Salarida **Provinces:** None **Resources:** foodstuffs, cloth, gold, gems (III) **Coinage:** djinn (pp), dao (gp), marid (sp), efrit (cp) **Population:** 190,000--Kobolds 45%, Lizardfolk 25%, Tabaxi 17%, thri-kreen 8%, Hybsils 4%, Other 1% **[[Languages for Genies & Giants|Languages.]]** Baklunish (low, ancient), Murian, Suh **Allies:** Risay, lizardfolk and merfolk of the Gulf of Gayar, Mur (sometimes), some thri-kreen tribes **Enemies:** Zeif, some thri-kreen tribes, Khanate of Sa'han (in theory) Komal is an ancient land, one of the first to be established after the Invoked Devastation. It maintains peaceful relations with its neighbors north and south, but has a strategic rivalry with Zeif, as both seek to dominate the Gulf of Ghayar and the larger Dramidj Ocean beyond. Komal is sometimes called the Western Reaches, as it represents the westernmost outpost of Baklunish civilization. Komal is a matriarchy, with its rulers being the high priestesses of Istus. In theory, they claim religious suzerainty over all the Baklunish, and several important sites of pilgrimage lie within their borders. In practice, their influence among the faithful is only one voice among many, albeit an important voice. The fabled Brazen Horde originally hailed from the plains of southern Komal. Long a thorn in the side of the Malikahs, the Horde was lured away by Sultan Melek II (“the Restless”) in 2958 B.H. to protect his southern borders against the ravaging Paynims. In one fell swoop, the Sultan not only eliminated a strong counterweight to Komal (itself a rival of Zeif), but also brought a formidable threat to his own border. The vacuum was soon filled by hordes of thri-kreen coming across the Tyurzi Mountains through the Nalwa Pass and the thriving Hybsils who fight them. The merfolk have been allies with the Malikahs of Komal for centuries, having proven themselves indispensable in the Battle Beneath the Waves in 3095 B.H., which broke the naval power of Zeif in the Gulf of Ghayar. The Malikah maintains a strong naval force in the Gulf of Ghayar, and regularly sends expeditions to clear out pirates and Zeif naval elements in the Dramidj Ocean. It maintains a strong land force as well, with 6,000 light cavalry constantly patrolling its borders in search of marauding thri-kreen bands from the Narrow Desert, in addition to fine infantry garrisoning towns and fortifications. Quite a few thri-kreen tribes have been brought into Komal as allies, and these are often used against the newcomers.