Marauders

In the vast expanses of the Saharan desert, groups of pillagers and bandits moved around in small groups, taking whatever they needed from villagers and caravans unlucky enough to cross their path. Wherever they came, they took able craftsmen and beautiful women as slaves and forced them to work for their captors in various ways. As time passed, these small groups started to assemble in larger clans that fought amongst each other over water, food and fuel for their vehicles.
When the first Padisha, Walid Ibn al-Tagin, united the clans under his rule, the Marauders’ society started to show first semblances of discipline and order. The unified clans established a council of six of their mightiest warlords that answers directly to the Padisha and carries out his orders. Yet the barbaric ways of their past still carry much sway in their daily life, and violence, backstabbing and vicious plots are still very much the order of the day in their political life. The current Padisha, Muhammed Al’Quin, has risen to his position through ruthlessness and brutality; years of wealth and idleness have made him fat and slow. He manages to hold on to his power through the fanatical devotion of his troops.

“We were weak. We were separated by the winds. Then came the Ruler, Ibn Al-Tagin, the Great One, the Exalted One. He united us. He gave us power. He prepares us for the ultimate fight. He prepares us against the mother of all evil.”
-Legend of the Marauders

Over time, the Padisha’s city has become the heart of the Marauders’ society, and this is also their weakest point – for while the city’s defenses are formidable, it holds not only the head of their administration, but it also serves as their central depot for food and fuel. Marauder bands often come to the city after their raids to revel in their victories, to drink away their loot and to visit the city’s many brothels.
To retain a semblance of control over the city’s population, the Padisha decreed that nobody inside the city walls shall be allowed to carry firearms, with the exception of the city guards who have the duty of keeping up law and order with every means necessary. Even though firearms are illegal, noone in the city leaves his house unarmed.

“Here she lies, like a raw diamond. We will shape her, we will give her new value. She shall be our stronghold.”
-Ibn al-Tagin’s words before capturing his city

The Padisha and the council reside in an old palace where all pleasures known to man can be found in abundance. The palace is guarded by the Padisha’s best and most loyal troops.