The Alborz mountain range, despite being lush and fertile, has been largely abandoned for centuries. The peoples of the steppes would migrate here in the winter, to avoid the freezing inhospitable lands to the northeast, returning in the spring to hunt and live as their ancestors had done for millennia. Little did they know that an upheaval would change the balance of power forever.

The Melakite people of Verkhan and Mamaruncai had grown significantly in population and which caused additional sprawl outside of the ancient fortress city of Amol. New City States would over a 500 year period be established, each vying for power and raiding the other. To the east, the Mamruncai tribes would be in a state of constant war, with thousands fleeing to the fertile lands of the south during the process. By the time the Treaty of Amol was established which resulted in the creation of the League of Verkhana, thousands had already fled the violence and established their own towns and villages in what they called Marifaya Verkhana, or “free Verkhana”.

Scenes of women clutching their children in their arms as they flee the war-torn territories were common during the war, as were former slaves making a run for the border attempting to escape the largely slave-based society. Those in Mamaruncai that were exiled from the tribe, as well as disgraced Auruvanyas, noble nomadic mercenaries, would also make their way to the territory, in hopes of founding new tribes or settling down in the free territories. Many put down their weapons to pick up the plow, only to be attacked by neighboring villages in what was effectively an anarchist state with little security. Nonetheless, the refugees and outcasts maintained their faith in Akatesh, a legendary god of war that would protect them and one day manifest himself in human form, believing that he would protect them from harm.

Marifaya was significantly poorer than their northern counterparts. While the land was fertile, it was treacherous. Several armed bands, bandits, and raiders established themselves in Marifaya making it the epicentre for crime. A veritable hive of scum and villany. They would make a living pillaging Verkhani League city states as well as through trading captured slaves, otherwise the Marifaya were largely agrarian. Escaped political prisoners, criminals, and other “outcasts” would often make their way to Marifaya for a second chance at life should they find the means to free themselves. A significant event in Marifayan history is the great Slave Revolt of Galuga, in which a fourth of the population revolted against their masters in the midst of a Mamaruncai attack and fled southwards, killing many in the process.

Among these escaped slaves was a man by the name of Maylan. Maylan eventually joined a band of raiders for hire, former Auruvanya members, and climbed to the top of their hierarchy, working for various village elders and chiefs and making a living through raiding rival townships. Akatesh smiled upon Maylan’s fortunes as this provided him with great wealth, enough to expand his band and form a proper raiding army, which in turn conquered the city of Tareana, and establishing the Maylanid line. From here, one by one the city states of Marifaya Verkhana were subjugated. Those that did not obey were put to the sword. As generations passed, the Maylanids managed to subjugate every tribe and village, and incorporate them into their realm, building a cult of personality surrounding the “royal dynasty”, believing them to be blessed by the Lord Akatesh.

The once desperate band of refugees, bandits, and criminals had banded together and formed a cohesive state. The battle-hardened sons and daughters of Marifaya had grown strong and took pride in battle and raiding. They now set their sights on the west, a land full of opportunity and villages ripe for plunder. The Marifaya had perfected raiding thanks to centuries of internal strife and warfare. Marifayan cavalry was unmatched and the Marifayans were viewed with fear, with many contemporary paintings and legends depicting them as superhumans, neither man, nor horse, but a combination of both. It is said that the mere presence of their beasts would bring dread and death upon any who stand in their way. Few foreigners had lived to tell the tale of Marifaya, and those that did typically recount their experiences with fear and sorrow, with Marifayan soldiers and raiding parties typically delighting in cruelty towards their victims.

Onwards men of Marifaya, the world is within your saddles, let us take what is ours, and ensure that the entire world will be free

Event Nation formed with Bronze Age, Domestic Horse & Spoked Wheel technologies.

Ran by /u/Tozapeloda77 /u/GlobalWP /u/TrollandFace (ping any for interaction - this post was written by /u/GlobalWP)

Map

“Who are you, who looks upon this dynasty of mine?” The proud lord spoke.

“Oh, Akatesh - are these yours now? Then what of the Dragons or the Azers? I do not care for those fanciful toys of belief.” The stranger answered.

“The Vehrkani worship me - their kings are my children.” Akatesh said.

“Are they really so? Then why rule Daylamanids the north face of these mountains, and Maylanids the south face? They are divided, Akatesh. Set against each other. And now the outcasts will bring conquest wherever they go.” The stranger then said.

“Is it conquest you seek? Truly? Then give me your name!” Akatesh demanded with a bellowing voice.

“Conquest is fleeting. My name is Ranukhay and it is suffering that I bring.” The stranger said.

“You are nothing but a Wanderer! You will lead my people into destruction!” Akatesh cried out.

“And ever so - the Marifayans will not be remembered.”