Anari

Republic of Anari
Capital	Tahou
Demonym	Anarian
Government	Republic
Ruler	President Toltuda (MS 5062)
Population	61,000 (MS 5050)
Currency	Lune
Resources	Agriculture, minerals, gold, silver, timber, iron ore
Relations	Part of the Vassa nations Kakush (ally) Lourden (ally) Firalond (ally) Slovia (ally) Vassagonia (enemy) Darklands (enemy)

The Republic of Anari is a country in situated in the east of Northern Magnamund. Its capital is Tahou.

History

Anari was once a much larger state that spanned to the borders of Casiorn, but after its defeat against the Black Zakhan, its territories were cut in half. Today, it is bordered by Slovia to the west, Vassagonia to its east, and Firalond and Kakush to its south. Anari, Slovia, Firalond, Kakush and nearby Lourden are allied against their common enemy of Vassagonia.

Anari was initially settled by Vassa horsemen, seeking refuge from the violence of Vassagonia. One of these tribes found a hidden gap in the Chah Mountains and settled the fertile lands beyond, and the gap became a natural chokehold from their enemies across the mountains. This tribe becamme known as the Children of Anar, where Anari's name is taken from. Today, Anari is a nation of nomads.

Its capital, Tahou, was founded above the ancient city of Zaaryx. Legends say the Lorestone of Tahou was thrown inside to keep it away from the Black Zakhan during the Great Khordaim War, and the shaft sealed with the Cauldron of Tahou.

In MS 5061, Anari was invaded by the Darklands and their ally, Vassagonia. At the same time, Lone Wolf arrived in Anari in order to retrieve the Lorestone of Tahou from beneath the Cauldron of Tahou, in the ruins of Zaaryx. Soon after Lone Wolf entered the Cauldron, Vassagonia, led by its ruler Zakhan Kimah, began to siege Tahou. Lone Wolf successfully retrieved the Lorestone, and returned to the surface in the middle of the battle. He was confronted by Zakhan Kimah, and in a titanic battle, slew Kimah, breaking the siege of Tahou. After the battle was won, Archlord Gnaag appeared as an apparition before Lone Wolf and vowed to have his revenge.

Around MS 5064, during the Darklands War, Anari was invaded by Darklords Zhanshal and Khatellu. Anari, still recovering from Kimah's invasion, was in no shape to resist the Darklords, and fell. Zhanshal easily sacked Tahou and the other major cities of Anari, forcing the resistance to operate underground, led by Lord Dorier. Anari was freed after Lone Wolf destroyed the Tanoz-tukor, causing the Darklords' to be unable to survive outside of the Darklands.

In MS 5101, the last of the Crocaryx contacted Anari after an ancient horde of Agarashi from the Suzerainty of Shomazgaar, belonging to an ancient caste long extinct, rose once again and invaded the underground city of Zaaryx. The Elder Magi pressed Anari to respond, and together with their allies Firalond and Kakush, attacked the Shomazgaar Horde before they could establish a bridgehold underground.

Geography

Anari is located to the east of Slovia and north of Firalond and Kakush. To Anari's north and west lies the enemy nation of Vassagonia, with the Chah Mountains helping to protect them from invasion. The River Churdas runs through the country.

Politics

Anari is a republic, with a President as the head of state. Its government is the Senate of Anari, where the President breaks ties. However, due to the nomadic nature of Anari, in practice, the President holds limited power, with most decisions taken at a tribal level.

The President is elected by the eldest males of Anari, although less than half of the eligible population votes regularly. Those eligible to vote are also only eligible to be appointed to positions in government, so strife within families is not unknown, with ambitious younger brothers targeting their elder siblings.

Anari is allies with Slovia, Kakush, Firalond and Lourden, and enemies with Vassagonia and the Darklands. Slovian mercenaries make up about seventy percent of the President's army.

Known rulers of Anari

• President Dabudei (MS 5050)
• President Toltuda (MS 5062)

Economy

Anari's main exports are agriculture, minerals, gold, silver, timber and iron ore.

Settlements of Anari

Cities

• Tahou
• Zaaryx
• Navasari

Villages

• Sidara
• Chadi

In the gamebooks

Anari is the setting of The Cauldron of Fear, although most of the book is spent in Tahou. The player journeys from Navasari, a hundred miles south of Tahou, on foot, in order to avoid arousing suspicion. Along the way, the player may visit the village of Sidara, on the banks of the River Churdas, although this only triggers an ambush. Later, the player makes their way to the village of Chadi, before arriving in Tahou. From here, the player journeys underground, into the Cauldron of Tahou, into the underground city of Zaaryx to retrieve the Lorestone of Tahou.

Upon returning to the surface, they find the siege of Tahou underway, led by Zakhan Kimah. They are confronted by Kimah, and engage him in battle. Zakhan Kimah is one of the most difficult fights in the entire series, especially in the original publications; subsequent publications reduced his Combat Skill to make the fight fairer.