Saddle Arabia and The Rahj

(I posted this in the winningverse, and decided to do so here as well)

So cruel is our Mother Desert, and how much she takes, with not a moment respite or quarter, and if her mood truly light then perhaps a foal will remain or if not then we can tend our wife as best we can and pray she can endure to perhaps foal again, or if it is simply too cruel, too still remain with us, whether all our days or for a few hours as we walk together into Mother's embrace. And for those who remain alive in the night, when for a time things still and all there is Her, her Rahj, the stars and the beasts about, we can think... and hear her wind. She laughs, and is glad.

We laugh for Mother laughs, and she laughs for her Rahj are strong sons and dutiful daughters, and we gather and offer thanks for our meal that night and gratitude and prayers safe travels to any guests the Maker sends. So serious, the pony kin, who think a deed done is only of importance if a sun is raised or a warlock made into a pire. So silly to not see that all steps, from ones of titans to the tiniest legs of the smallest of all who creep in the dark, leave a world changed.

"there's a whole continent of gorgeous stallions who don't put out? Time to start up Hurricane legion building and have ourselves a Crusade. HERESY! LOATHE THE PRUDISH STUD FOR HE IS NOT MEANT TO BE LOOKED AT AND NOT TOUCHED!"
-Cloud Kicker

The lands referred to as Saddle Arabia, designation given by Royal cartographers some two hundred years after the Fall, are regarded as a land utterly maddening. Comprised of largely uncharted mountain ranges, unforgiving terrain seemingly made of sand and naught much else, giant scorpions, raiding parties and the wealth of emperors and whole cities with the sirens call of its libraries promising it all for any willing to dig and travel the vast waste, and rich in natural resources, it is most often known solely for the ones who call it theirs, The Rahj.

A people well known for their awe inspiring beauty, the Rahj are a deeply family centric and conservatively minded equine with population variation in the same vein of Equestria, namely two tribes in coexistence and ones who regard themselves under one banner. Comprised of its majority, their orix, a curve horned unicorn equine variant, and their earth pony variant, the wahid latif. Again, much like Equestria, much of their social structure is solely set in the care of a tribe, but seems to be in reverse: the orix act, by and large, as the militia and Janissary and trades, with the Wahid acting as the governing body, for the most part, merchants, and mediators.

It seems to be done both as tradition, and simple sense: like their Equestrians kin, Wahif have the ability to more easily grow plants, speak to animals, and even act as dowsing rods, easily finding precious materials and underground springs. It should be noted that philosophy seems to be a pass time engaged in by both tribes eagerly.

But the Rahj do not merely apply the name to themselves, but hold the position all are Rahj, citizens: it is also home to the Hakim Abn Awaa, the more lanky kin to the Diamond Dog, and those called shariha, the indentured minority in service to the Rahj. A shariha is one either in debt or needing a home who enters into a tribes or towns more affluent, political Rahj, or acting in service to the locals as a whole, and agrees to attend to their keepers upkeep and attending any other duties deemed theirs. It should be of note that to be shariha isn’t regarded as a thing shameful or one named such is a lesser, its either simple duty or an honorable act of contrition for most.

It is also of note that while the Rahj are well known lovers of books and academia, they have no actual works about themselves. Only one anonymous magus has seemed to been able to do so, and while the Rahj do confirm its validity, this dictive has a somewhat questionable place in history. The Rahj themselves merely smile when asked.
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/414405/beauties-of-the-shifting-veil

Government
To understand the Rahj, one must remember that they are a fiercely individualist and self reliant people, ones who see all peoples with sapience as creatures blessed with Free Will, and to impose upon them or others any manner of decree, Secular or Religious, is seen not merely an affront to them, but a insult on the Maker, a declaration that one knows not only better then another how to live but assumes to know better then Divinity. That is not to say, of course, that one if free to do as one whims. One cannot act in ways to harm, or impede anothers will save in preservation and stopping harm, and all lands and people should agree upon the Kahim, the doctrines and laws that one and all follow and are applied to all in equal measure. Laws and customs should be respected, but where the Rahj object is to the notion of ones station and duties as bestowers of virtue or ones anyone can and should be allowed to act in duty or station regardless their personality or actions. And since it is done less deference to an arbitrary concept of worthiness and more seeing their Noblity as elders to consult and venerate as any other, its surprisingly stable as far as ruling powers go. But with that, comes certain caveats.

In short, they have Nobles, but a Noble there is not a heriditary nor permanent station, but has had generations in its service and had Rahj in its ranks until well into old age should they show the werewitall. Any citizen, of course, can be elevated in station, and many who are sent are either elected or a venerated elder, but for the Courts inner circle, its often one groomed for the task. The position of Sultan is granted after a lifetime of study, discipline, and instillment of both the Law and how one should see its use only in compliance under morals. The candidates are often various newborns given over the the Palace care, raised by the Sultans consorts and wife, and are selected by a elder gathering should the current Sultan die, be sickened, or act unforgiveably. Those who are not choosen become his advisors and confidants, their loyalty secured to a sibling they knew for years, and one they know more then any other, and possess certain veto powers and protections by Law.

A citizen, if uncertain one a law or in conflict on a matter, would first ask a Janissary or if they had a moment their Marshal. If not with their authority or one deemed less a legal conflict then a moral one, the Rahj would be sent to the elders. If it is a matter of law, and remains unsettled or simply one cannot see resolved alone, it is then taken to a Nobles envoy. From there, if still unresolved, to the noble of that area.

Rarely does any matter go past this point. To the Rahj, its not merely a matter of honoring a law, but also seeing their Janissary and Nobles as less ones set to lord over them, and more ones sent to act in their well being, as elders, and in the nobles case, as father. And once a noble speaks, its generally seen as bad form to argue further. But should it be a matter to dire, then word is sent to a city, and to the Judiciary. Once there, one may make their own case or seek a counsel.

Any matter brought before a Judiciary is seen as either the act of a petulant foal too stubborn to settle matters civilly, or one so beyond the scope of any Rahj or his family and friends to handle in their own. It means one has reached a point of life and death, ruin, any form of crime heinous enough as too warrant such an appeal, or most often, appeals to paternity. Why will be expanded on later, but the fact that murder and all out inter family war is seen as grave a matter as one appealing to the removal of his obligation to the care of a foal should speak volumes as to how such a thing matter to a Rahj.

The Sultan is the final arbitrator on matters of war, inner conflict, attending to infrastructure, blessing and approval of licenses and mineral right or denial of, and speaks as the peoples voice and acts as their will, or if needed, acts to cease his own from folly. By a Sultan’s word, his blades act as either defenders or executioners, and on him rests the trust of a people loathe to grant any power over them. And as Sultan, it not only falls to him to act ever and only to the betterment of his charges, but to see all their ways and traditions revered and held true.

It is often said it foolish to put such trust in commoners, that a firm hand is needed in all Powers. The Rahj have seen, and done, many a deed to have lived as long as they have, and much of it shameful. But if they have to have one to act as their voice, they have made it clear their right to slit the throat if the voice begins to lower them further.

Of course such a thing has not occured as long as their been a governing body. Their home, as they are proud to say, has a habit of seeing the undisciplined, rogue, and vile rid of long before even the risk of gaining power is feasible. It should also be said, that while theirs is not a life like an Equestrian done in happy complicity and eager to be in Harmony, the Rahj still care deeply for their fellows. Each day the stand upon the rivers of blood, and mountains of corpses, and try as much as they can to not stray. No crown or power can see fixed any peoples fallen nature, but perhaps one can come to place where such things need not be.

The Paradox and matters of gender, reproduction, and Marriage

Perhaps the most prominent aspect of Rahj culture is its regard to near reverence of family. In contrast to Equestria’s seeming regard as it being just an occurance in life or the Nobles use of Marriage in politics, finding a suitable mate and foals seems more a goal and even a symbol of status. This, mind, does not mean that homosexuality is in any way regarded poorly. While overt affectionate displays by either mare or stallion is frowned upon, and in some ways mares are expected to actively avoid physical or even emotional interaction, it is not uncommon for stallions to be seen as unusually tactile with their male companions, often leaning on on another, a sort of equine hand holding, and having no qualms sharing body heat in the night.

Thus the decidedly odd institution of Marriage. While at times ones with a pension for romanticism, the Rahj have a decidedly utilitarian view on it. Its pretty much done in Arabia as a business arrangement between a mare and a stallion with their families eldest mares acting as intermediary and through the vast grapevine learned first if either equine had acted a way that could complicate matters going forward, evaluating personality, temperament, and blood lines. This is often done in the final year of schooling, when one decides whether to enter their trade or pursue studies. Some, of course, opt out of such things, but most at least give it a chance.

However, this is not done for politics. It is done for foals. The suggestion, by Academia, was for a time they could take a book from the Equestrian clans. Pegasus, after all, had little care for a foals heritage… and thats usually when the person speaking is stopped.

While sex itself is regarded as a beautiful thing, promiscuity in general is not. Much of this is curbed since in marriage, a mare or stallion is welcome to take a consort. Many regard this as the same scenario in some zebra nations, a assertion soundly denied by Rahj quite firmly. No one is forced into anything, or shamed or any of what they claim. Its two adults, ones who are at least friends since foalhood, and are there under the clear as crystal knowledge what this meant. If they agreed, it meant she agreed to provide caretaking to both the stallion and foals well being along with managing much of the book keep and home upkeep. He, quite firmly, was expected to remain loyal, provide financial and housing, and provide for any foal until its coming of age.

Once both are thoroughly examined by their families respective elder mares, its agreed to, and after a period where one or both can decide otherwise, the documents are signed, and there they are. From there, one is free to take one another consort with their wives permission if so desire.

Some decidedly less charitable minds would think this an act of puritanism, and many of the societal expectations and customs (namely certain traits exist in gender and most societal roles suited best to them. Meritocracy plays its part, but its generally accepted if you mare acting as a soldier or in matter political, you’re gonna be thought of as a stallion, pronoun notwithstanding) as means of control, but a Rahj never acts without cause. Some cite a simple staple in most peoples, who by and large lack the gender disparity of Equestria, in part due to the biological curve ball Magic of Love. The math is thus: a stallion can see foal born as many mares as needed, a mare can only have so many foals. In short, a mare is, as shallow as it seems, a high value commodity in most nations. Remove that barrier, and, as wretched as it sounds, life is devalued. But the Rahj, as will be discussed in the section on Religion, are a people shaped by their history, good and bad. Thus, much of what is seen has been shaped around a central tenant of their people.

Religion

Religion, like much in Rahj life, is a obscenely complicated beast in their land. While one is, in principal, free to practice or not whatever philosophical or theological pursuit they wish, there is a clear delineation. Right under their hooves, whole temples of ancient empires lay, with the wealth of their kings and their knowledge just waiting. But the Rahj leave it largely untouched. Because more often then not, those empires had fallen to hedonism and the worship of fell powers, and many a tome involves their worship and what they will give in return.

There are, of cults, the usual grab bag of Nightmare worshippers, Discord philosophers, and alicorn devotees who seem to have the odd habit of thinking that Celestia and Luna not only embody a tribal unity, but a gender, and thus would have a massive todger (As portrayed in one particuralry well done fresco, which Luna, upon her return, demanded be removed. The Rahj unsurprisingly refused, citing their right to preserve cultural and societal effigies no matter the tender sensibilities of any one person. They also found it funny as hell.) but most are regarded as harmless or routed relatively quickly.

The most widely practiced faith would be The True Cords cult, a school of religious thought that all that is, seen and unseen, is the work of one being, namely the Maker. An in depth examination of said faith will be covered when the writer finishes their documentation on Cults, but it is largely held as the largest world religion. However, the Rahj, have a decidedly unique sping on matters: Much of their society follows the cult, however it is not simply the result of missionaries and it simply growing, but is part of a larger historical event which lead to the dissolving of tribal identity once held and adoption of their peoples name, the Rahj.

Everything they are as a people, their unity, society, down to simple interaction, has been shaped in ways small and all encompassing by an event called The First Pardon. While a time rarely spoken of to outsiders, it appears to be a point where, due to a near end of their people, the tribes stallions were to gather and hear a offer. All the stallions. As one can imagine this presented a powder keg, so their elders and warmasters made it clear: Full Pardon on all debts, slights, and affronts. Full clearing of the ledgers. From there, they commited some form of people wide atrocity that would lead them to dissolve their tribal affinity and unite under the term Rahj.