Near Harad

Near Harad is a faction in south of Gondor and Mordor. The peoples in this landscape are varied and rich in identity, origins, and cultures. While Umbar lorewise is a part of Near Harad, for the purposes of the server, it is a separate faction. Near Harad is divided into the hills to the south or Emyn Haecharad, the Great Desert in the interior, and the lush Gulf.

Near Harad is a prominent and active faction in terms of diplomacy, and is a member of the Solar Federation, alongside the factions of Rhudel and the Red Mountains. It is known for its agricultural and trade prowess.

History
In the early days of the server, Near Harad was ruled by Sultan Serukala who waged war Knight's Order. The Sultan lost and was repelled from the lands of Harnennor and Harondor, and subsequently his empire totally collapsed. Later on, the conquered regions became the Harnedorian Empires and later on, just the state of Harnennor.

Sometimes later, the Sultan Azrael came to power and peace reigned for a long time. Sultan Azrael made Siph Crown Prince and abdicated sometime later, leaving the former as Sultan. Siph also reigned peacefully and attempted to codify procedures of governance, but due to faction inactivity these were ineffective. Siph, due to real-life commitments, became busy and the position of Sultan became vacant.

Then Sultan HoningDas came to power and brought with him a great deal of new and active players, revitalizing the formerly inactive faction. Sultan HoningDas then passed the position onto LightMage, who then became inactive and so the former leader claimed the position once again. From that point onward, the power of Harad grew as new players joined. Sultan HoningDas appointed himself King then Calif of the Haradrim, and did a great deal of diplomatic work. When Arnor and Angmar first declared war, Near Harad came to Angmar's aid and launched its own war on Bree-Land for a day, but diplomacy from both sides resulted in a peace treaty and a total cessation of hostilities. visionary ideas also led to the founding of the The Solar Federation. Later on in his reign, he appointed Saglu as Crown Prince and heir. On July 13, 2020 he stepped down and Calif Saglu was crowned.

Calif Saglu continued the work of Calif HoningDas in the Haradrim lands and established the new capital, clad in Black Numenórean brick, called Escabot City. On July 17, 2020, Calif Saglu declared real war upon Harnennor sustained on the casus belli that Harnennor was infringing on native Haradrim territory. He rallied The Solar Federation to come to his aid, and they came and brought their forces in earnest and might. The siege on a fort of Harnennor was unsuccessful, but the resolve to fight was not over. The war was then put on a hiatus as serverwide war rules were being revised. On July 22, 2020, a second siege in Harnennor was held, though this was a fun siege and had no effect on the overall war.

Leaders
The leaders of Near Harad, in order are:
 * 1) Sultan Serukala
 * 2) Sultan Azrael
 * 3) Sultan Siph
 * 4) Sultan Honingdas
 * 5) Sultan LightMage670
 * 6) King HoningDas
 * 7) Calif Honingdas
 * 8) Calif Saglu
 * 9) Sultan Azraël

Bloodline
Most of Harad's leaders are of the same bloodline. First there were the bloodlines of Azrael and Siph, but they have long been forgotten. Later a Sultan named HoningDas came to power, and he was the first of the bloodline of The Black Serpent of the Blood Moon. Then LightMage came to power who was next in the bloodline, but after a while nothing has been heard from LightMage and HoningDas came back to power, he changed the royal title from Sultan to Calif and after a long reign he stepped down as leader of Near Harad and next in the bloodline, Crown Prince Saglu, became the Calif of Harad.

There is not much known about this bloodline due to the distance between Royal Haradrim and the Western world. It is said that they are descendants of their god, the Black Serpent. All though it is only said, it is unclear what their exact origin is. What is clear is that this blood line is not driven by war, but rather diplomacy.

Geography
Near Harad covers a large swath of territory in the southern portions of Middle Earth. It has a variety of landscapes, such as: The capital city of Near Harad is Escabot City, built by Calif Saglu. It is famous for being made completely out of Black Numenórean Brick and for its peculiar name.
 * The hot Great Desert, home to ancient ruins like pyramids and hidden oases
 * Emyn Haecharad, the arid hills that border Morwaith territory and are home to large livestock facilities.
 * The Gulf of Harad, home to the majority of Haradrim and prime area for agriculture.
 * The Red Desert, known for its completely red dunes. This region is home to extensive red sandstone mining.
 * Khand, home of the Variags and other wanderers. This region is on the edge of the faction's control and is currently not home to anyone.

Diplomacy
Near Harad is part of the the Solar Federation, along with its allies of Rhudel and the Red Mountains.

Under the rule of HoningDas Near Harad quickly made new friendships and alliances with Mordor and Angmar. After declaring war on Bree, a peace treaty was negotiated between both factions and they now rest on friendly terms. Later with the Easterlings and the Dwarves of the Red Mountains too, and this formed new, strong bonds. Near Harad is known for codifying agreements into treaty texts.

Culture
Near Harad has a significantly different culture from the rest of the factions on the server. Influenced by both northern, southern, and native traditions, Haradrim culture is unique and vibrant.

Feasting Rules
One of the most complex aspects of Near Haradrim culture revolves around feasts and food. Due to abundant food supply year round, Haradrim gastronomy has become elaborate.

Types of Feasts
There are two basic types of feasts: normal and special. Normal feasts do not have any particular rules, and are held between close friends as a casual get-together. Special feasts however, are much more lavish and are bound by various rules of conduct and execution.

There are two types of special feasts: pure and non-pure. Pure feasts serve only vegetarian foods - no meats, and no alcohol, not even of weak potency. Pure feasts can be held for any occasion, but they are also reserved for somber ones - a loss in battle, the abdication of a leader, or the departing of a close friend. Non-pure feasts, which do serve meat and alcohol, can be held for any occasion except for somber ones.

Food Selection and Location
When holding a feast, the host must remember the following principle: feasts should be elaborate and showcase wealth, effort, and prestige. This means that when a feast is held, the host has an obligation to provide a vast range of possible options. This includes both consumable food and drinks. Moreover, the host must also keep in the restrictions and wishes of the guests in mind; if a guest objects or suggests a food, the host must consider it.

Food selection should revolve around current crops and foods available in season, and for what the occasion of the feast is. For example, if the host wishes to celebrate an abundant fruit harvest, then a variety of fruits and other similar foods should be served. Certain foods should be avoided, such as rotten flesh, maggoty bread, poisonous drinks, and draughts. Moreover, lembas should not be served in feasts because of its extremely filling properties; guests will no longer be able to enjoy the rest of the feast. For drinks, consider vessels such as glasses and golden goblets - not mugs or horns.

The location of a feast is also important. It should always be preferably held inside a building, and be large, spacious, and accommodating. The interior should also be decorated with things like banners of leaves or something else that shows the importance of the occasion. A feast should not be held outside where guests are exposed to the elements. Timing of a feast is always important. Pure feasts cannot happen during the night and must begin at sunrise and end by sunset. Non-pure feasts can only begin after sunset and must end at sunrise. Non-pure feasts must also never happen on the night of a full moon.

Of course, good hosts follow all the rules, but great hosts know how to break them and create even more spectacular feasts.

Setting the Table
A feast table's length should always be a multiple of three. So lengths like 3, 6, 9, 12 are acceptable, but 2, 4, 5, 8 are not. A table's width should either be three blocks or five blocks. Three block width tables are reserved for pure feasts, as they do not serve any alcohol. Five block tables are suitable for non-pure feasts, because drinks will be put around the outer edge of the table, and the food in the 3 by X block centre area. For the table itself, wood should be used. Suitable woods depend on the location of the feast and the climate that it is held in. Plates should be used to hold all non-block foods, and they should only be stacks of 6 food items, no more. Second, the table should be split into three or five sections, depending on its length. The length of these sections should also be a multiple of three.

In a three section table, the outer sections (O C O [O = outer sections, C = centre]) should be where foods that are less filling should be placed. This includes fruits, nuts, small drinks, perhaps some bread and meats, all on plates. The centre section or C should have the most filling foods in it. This includes kebabs, meats, pies, and cakes. The middle of the centre section can also have an elevated block with a plate or another food on it as the showcase of the feast. For example, in a feast for a mango harvest, the centre should be a large and tall plate of mangoes.

In a five section table: (O I C I O [O = outer, I = inner, C = centre]), things become more complex. Like the three section table, the O sections should serve simple, non-filling foods like fruits and nuts, and juices. The I sections should denser foods like bread, cooked corn, and more filling and stronger drinks. Finally, the C contains the most filling foods, and also the food of focus like a three section table. The showcased food should always be elevated by one block, and if it is on a plate, it can exceed the six times stacking limit for other plates on the table.

Whenever placing an item or food on the table, its placement should be mirrored on the other side too. For example, if a glass of orange juice is placed on the top left corner, then a glass should be placed on the bottom left corner of the table. This creates symmetry and shows sophistication and care from the host.

Etiquette for Guests and Hosts
When someone decides to hold a feast, they become known as the host. The host must first determine the occasion of the feast, gather the materials, and prepare the food. The host should not announce or send invitations to a feast before everything is prepared. The host should send invitations and humbly invite guests to come on a specific time and date to a suitable location for the feast once they have made all preparations. The host should also tell the guests a general idea of what will be served, so that guests may notify the host of any problems or issues before the feast begins. A host can also decide to hold a public feast, where no invitation is required other than an announcement.

For guests, upon receiving an invitation, they should first thank the host for the opportunity and politely inform them of any issues or restrictions. Should the guest wish to the deny the invitation, they must do so in a way that does not harm the dignity of either party. Moreover, guests should not publicly say whether or not they were invited or turned down a feast.

When the time for feasting arrives, the guests must arrive with some kind of gift, and wait outside of the feasting area to mingle. The guests must also come with relatively empty hunger bars so that they can enjoy the feast in its entirety. The host may provide some refreshments and starters before the feast begins if there are many people coming. Unless a feast is public, then only people with invitations should come to the agreed upon location. If one is not invited to a feast but comes anyway, it is a serious breach of conduct and should be considered a great humiliation for the trespasser.

Once everything is prepared, the host shall invite guests into the feasting area. Before entering, the guests shall present their gift to the host, and the host should humbly accept it. There should be no seats for the feasting table; the entire point of the feast is to sample and see the vastness of the host's effort, so guests should not find themselves in one solitary place. Before eating, guests should wait until everyone has entered, then walk around the table once to see the options. Guests should restrain their tongues and not speak ill of the host's efforts upon seeing the feast, if they find the need to do so. Once that is all done, guests should begin from the outer sections and progress to the inner ones. If alcohol is being served, then the strongest alcohols should be near the centre and the weakest near the outer sections. Guests should not breach a section until they have sampled and ate there thoroughly. A guest moving too fast signals hurry and disregard for the feast. As they eat, they should continue to move around and mingle with the other guests; a feast is not just an event for eating, but an event for socializing. Guests should also speak pure words and avoid making insulting comments towards others, or harming them, even as a joke. They should act with the utmost respect to everyone else.

During the feast, the host should walk around and talk to all the guests, and ask them of their opinions on the feast. A host should not leave or disappear in the middle of a feast, because it shows disrespect for the guests and the effort the feast itself. As the feast continues and comes to an end, the host must stay around until all guests are satisfied with eating and they are full. Once the host senses that the feast is over, the guests should be ushered into another room for the Host's Address. In this Address, the host shall express gratitude to the guests and wish them well. After the Address, the feast is considered over and guests should return to their homes. It is rude for a guest to overstay their welcome.

After the feast, the host should then begin the process of cleaning up the feast table and taking down decorations.

Language
Near Harad operates in English and French. All players know English and those who can converse in French often do so. Though lorewise Harad does not speak either Westron or French, the addition of the latter was mostly for the purposes of culture and enjoyment.

Haradrim French, called l'haradrin or Haradrin, differs in common vocabulary from French:

Trade and Economy
Near Harad is known for its trade prowess, especially in agriculture. Owing to rich and varied landscape, a variety of crops and livestock are cultivated. The most commonly grown crops that are grown and sold in Near Harad include wheat, flax, potatoes, corn, and a variety of berries. The faction is also known for its abundant production of kebabs and meat. Buyers of Haradrim goods include peoples from all over Middle Earth, but the chiefly the Mannish factions in the North.

Near Harad is also home to the Bank of Harad, which offers many financial services to all players on the server.