General
Akam-Osar is a large empire in the far west of Elcea, on the Gulf of Akamia. Little is known of it in Xenthus. What is known is that it is ruled by a sultan whose authority is absolute, and that it is very close to a monotheistic society. They worship a sun god, Akkus (who is also a god of battle), and the symbol of the Empire is a sunburst. In fact, they believe that they are a favored people because they dwell so close to the sun's home in the western ocean.
The Empire is very warlike, and military prowess is valued beyond all other skills, though bards and scholars are also held in high regard. Like Sorothian, the Osarian tongue was originally the Common Tongue of Xenthus, but has evolved into its own language. The Empire is especially advanced in metallurgy and architecture, and those few easterners who have seen it report that the capitol city of Akam-Osar itself is the most beautiful human city in Elcea.
Geography
To the west of the Empire is only ocean, which most Osarians believe is boundless, and the home of the sun. They are competent sailors, but not adventurous ones. To the north their realm is bordered by the western Darkroot Mountains. While poor in gems and precious metals, this part of the mountain range is rich in useful ores, such as iron, which the Osarians use in making their tools of war.
On the east is Ammerdan, the Great River. Osarians do not dwell on the east bank of the river, though they do cross it to raid the nomad tribes of the Plains of Agran, with whom they have a deep and bitter enmity. It is said that no Osarian officer can aspire to rise beyond the rank of Horka unless he has defeated a nomad tribe in battle.
To the northeast is Karnak, a prize that Akam-Osar has long coveted. Every attempt to seize it has ended in disaster, however, fueling the Osarian's belief that their God deserts them if they venture too far to the east.
In the south their borders match those of Soroth. There have been many battles fought with Soroth in the triangle formed by the Ammerdan, Eelwend, and Chandr rivers. They regard the Sorothians as worthy foes, however, and there is also much trade and commerce between the two. Akam-Osar's attempts to invade Soroth usually founder against Soroth's much larger army, while Soroth's attempts to conquer Akam-Osar have been thwarted by distance, logistics, and the superior Osarian cavalry.
To the southwest lies the land of Kerranidor, beyond the rugged Shield Mountains. Though they have access to that land no Osarian will go there willingly, for it has an exceedingly evil reputation among them. Indeed, even their ships steer well clear of that coast.
To the northwest, across the Persh River, is the land of Fornar. The Osarians raid into Fornar on occasion, battling the gnomish and humanoid tribes that dwell there and seizing slaves. They maintain a few permanent settlements on the north coast of the Gulf of Akamia in Fornar, from which they get most of their lumber.
Society
There are two distinct hierarchies of power, the priesthood and the military. Osarus, founder of the Empire, was both temporal leader and High Priest of Akkus; since him the two posts have been separate. The High Priest is called the M'Allak (meaning "closest to Akkar"); he is always of at least 18th level. There are different titles for the different cleric levels, each with its own perquisites and duties.
The high king is the Kha. Currently, the Kha is Dvak, son of Tamal. He is a strong king, and ambitious. Below him is the Surka, general of all the armies. There are descending levels of military rank below him, ending with Horka, a general in command of a Horde. Paralleling them are administrative ranks, from Beymall, governor of a large city or province, down to minor ranks of functionaries.
Osarian society is organized along the lines of status. They keep slaves, and the number of slaves one possesses is a mark of wealth and status. The worship of Akkar is the only one permitted; those who worship other gods are typically invited to join the ranks of the slaves, after a purifying 40 lashes. Clerics of other deities are sentenced to a ritual death of slow dismemberment if they are found or captured.
Above all, of course, are the Kha and M'Allak. Below them are their respective ranks. The highest civilian class consists of wealthy merchants (known as Zertal, as opposed to the Lagar, or itinerant traders and small merchants). At about the same level of status are powerful magic-users, distinguished sages, and the jakar, an order of warrior-bards. Learning is greatly respected in Akam-Osar. Astrology is also highly developed here, and astrologers are accorded the same respect as sages.
After these follow the the military ranks below Horka, lesser government officials, and craftsmen of Master rank. Below them are are soldiers from sarjeant on down, scribes, journeyman craftsmen, the Lagar, tax collectors, and farmers who have acquired a fair amount of land and wealth.
One next finds laborers, farmers, gatherers of wood, and other professions requiring little skill (except farming, which is pretty demanding, but farmers are accorded little respect in Akam-Osar, and to call one a "farmer" is a derisive and deadly insult). Below them are only the beggars, which is a recognized profession, and then slaves. Only citizens convicted of religious crimes may be turned into slaves; all other slaves are captured foreigners, human or not.
Women are generally pampered and kept in the background. They are not permitted to hold office or to become clerics, though they can be members of some (but not all) other professions. They may not learn the use of or carry weapons. A man may have more than one wife, though no woman may be wed to more than one man. Women who find this unacceptable have an option: they may become tamaza, women outside society. The tamaza are formed into companies of warriors, and fight with the armies. They are considered elite troops, and are often used as shock troops, escorts, or bodyguards. They are respected and not really thought of as women at all. They have their own rituals and codes of behavior, about which very little is known.
As mentioned, their society is warlike, even fierce, and they tend to be ruthless towards those they perceive as weak. There is no room in the society for the lame. Children are treated with great affection, but the aged are discarded, and there is a brisk trade in potions and other magical measures to halt or reverse old age.