<div align="center"><strong>Nestemată</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/2/29/Nestemat%C4%83%27s_border.jpg)<br/><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/b/b8/Sacred_outskirts.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Country:</strong>Nestemată is a small desert land that hides itself in the mound of red sand, it's border is completely bare and travel on for miles before it reaches the vast population; the long travel is a means for defense, tiring out wondering travelers and killing the unprepared. Even though small and secluded, Nestemată prosper for its beauty and tranquility. Created off the legend of the pearl goddess, the country is known for its black pearls, and many other valuable gems. Nestemată gems are used fondly in their medicine, the Mată people take the harvest gems and grind them into smooth powder, the powder can take on many forms, from food, for internal purposes; rubbing paste, for superficial wound healing; or even rubbed over one’s body. A rare, but traditional, remedy is the black pearls, the finely crushed calcium carbonated stone is thought to be a healer for every, and any, thing—only royalty possess such an item. Nestemată is a vain golden country, living in lavished beauty, gems are easily attainable in small caves or even a few feet under one's backyard, so almost every resident drapes themselves in them.<br/><br/><div align="center">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/2/27/Nestemat%C4%83%27s_village.jpg)<br/><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/1/12/Nestemat%C4%83%27s_path.jpg)<br/><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/8/8c/Nestemat%C4%83%27s_bay.jpg)</div><br/><br/><strong>Religion:</strong>The Mată people believe in reincarnation, karma, and a vague unique form of fate. They believe that everything is set in stone, that if something happens, then there is no way of changing it, and if it ever was foreseen and altered—then the alteration was supposed to happen in the first place. They take great pride in spiritual healing, and that if one wish to be healed, then they will.<br/><div align="center">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/9b/Ancient_scultpure.jpg)<br/><br/><em>Indira</em><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/1/18/Indira.jpg)</div>The country harbors a legend of an ancient woman who once ruled over the land, it is not known if the woman ever even existed, though the legend is widely known, and highly worshiped. It is told that a female child was birth from a giant clam that washed up from the watery cavern, a cave that houses a deep lake inside it; it is now called Nestemată bay. The baby from that clam was found by a woman name Dara and her fellow Vestal Virgins nursed the baby into adulthood. The pearl child's name was only known as Indira, training now in the ways of the vestal, Indira began to construct medicine out of the gems in the land. She began to use foreign new pearls in her care, seemingly curing every illness, even the unknown; the Vestal Virgins began to grow jealous of her healing and followed her to her watery cavern. There the giant clam she was birth from provided the pearls to her in bulks; stealing the pearls for themselves, the Vestal Virgins commence to drowning her in the deep black waters. The act was found by Dara, minutes too late as Indira's body began to sink below the surface. Dara banished the maidens, and return to the cavern to see the decades old giant clam gone, and a pile of black pearls left in its spot.<br/><div align="center">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/1/14/Vestal-Virgins.jpg)<br/><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/7/7d/Indira2.jpg)<br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/b/bd/Dara.jpg)</div>To this day, a legend has blossomed that any female child found in that cave is the reincarnation of Indira; and a 'Dara' would be chosen to care for the child. It leaves a lot of room for any unwanting mother to desert their child in such a way, but the hot barren trek to the miles away sacred grounds takes desperate families when they could easily place the child on any doorstep—this supernatural abandonment seemed to happen only once every thirty to fifty years.<br/><br/><strong>Population:</strong>30,000<br/><em>pyramid is out weighted by the elderly, slender some to the adults, and bust again to the children<em>.<br/>     Army: 3000<br/><br/><strong>Surplus:</strong><br/>Medicine<br/><br/>Exotic greenery<br/><br/>Spices<br/><br/>Cereal grain<br/><br/>Livestock<br/><br/><strong>Exigencies:</strong><br/>Water<br/><br/>Various fruit and vegetables<br/><br/>Metal<br/><br/>Wood<br/><br/>Many raw material<br/><br/><strong>Luxury:</strong><br/>Gems<br/><br/>Resin<br/><br/>Clothing material (Silk, cotton, flax, leather, jute, ect.)<br/><br/>Clay dye<br/><br/>Glass<br/></em></em><div align="center"><strong>Castle Grounds</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/6/60/Nestemat%C4%83%27s_Castle_grounds.jpg)</div>A grate portion of the country is the castle grounds, the peasants’ city surrounds it like a mote; the royal land is border off by a great wall as the castle itself sits in the center. This is where the wealthy of the population reside, and even the royalty themselves. Hardly anyone is welcome within it unless they can afford the homes inside them, or have been summoned and granted entrance by the sultan; this is where the royal army and their family lives. Some peasants, however, do work inside the castle grounds, but when their shift is over, they must immediately return back to the city.<br/><div align="center">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/7/74/Nestemat%C4%83%27s_Hotel.jpg)<br/><br/><em>Mubariz</em><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/5/54/Mubariz.jpg)</div><br/>The General of the royal army, Mubariz grew up alongside the sultan, but him being the kings best and most trusted friend was not what owed him the place as general; Mubariz have grand strategical skills, has fast eye sight and reflexes, though his body is growing bridle and rigid, it is becoming harder for him to fight in war. He can create a full proof strategic plan, however, it is greatly hampered when he's not fully there to fight it. Mubariz is a fifty two year old married man who has three daughters and one son—the youngest. He also trains the prince in the art of fighting.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Nabhasi</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/b/bf/Nabhasi.jpg)</div><br/>Nabhasi is one of the few, but greatest, female warrior in the royal army. She is Lieutenant, and just recently taken up after her husband with his poor health; though a woman of her statues is highly disrespected. She is future general, though she plans to pass the title over to Aagneya. A forty five year old married woman, the wife of Mubariz, Nabhasi has three children with him; three daughters and one son.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Aagneya</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/0f/Aagneya.jpg)</div><br/>The strongest warrior, Aagneya is new to the royal army, and even to Nestemată. A wondering traveler that managed to survive the harsh desert without an ounce of supplies. He's a mute who keeps to himself, causing people to distrust him. Mubariz does not approve of him being in his army, and Nabhasi wishes for him to take over when her husband retires. A thirty four year old man, Aagneya has not made clear of rather he accept her offer or not, and seems to be waiting it out until the time comes.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Wayland</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/4c/Wayland.jpg)</div><br/>Indeed a warrior from the royal army, he is placed as the messenger who mainly sits out on wars and is there to past the news of their failure or successes to the sultan. A thirty two year old man, Wayland has abandon his family into the main city to live by himself in the Castle Grounds, he places himself with Aagneya, as his powerful skill makes him feel safe.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Army</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/a/a0/Army.jpg)</div><br/>Mainly all of the royal army dresses as such. They live on the castle grounds with their families; they are treated much more fairly than the people who live in the city.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Castle</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/1/15/Nestemat%C4%83%27s_Castle.jpg)</div><br/>The castle itself is also bordered off with a great wall, here, only royalty and servants may roam the grounds without suspicion; these peasants, however, will not return home. Here, the sultan lives with his wives and children, and all of their servants; the priest and healers also resides in the castle.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Jagadev</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/d/d2/Jagadev.jpg)</div><br/>Sultan of Nestemată, he was born into royalty just like every other before him. Jagadev isn't really classified in any special section, he rules over adequately, like any other, he feeds into the wealth of his land, saving all the best for himself, the finer for his army, and the rest for the city peasants. Jagadev is the nephew of Baasu, the castle highest priest; he's a fifty five year old man who has nine wives, the first of which is his ruling queen. A great population of Nestemată takes on polygamy, but it’s not always practiced; though it is a common tradition in the royal bloodline. Only the first wife is allowed to bare children, unless barren—then the second takes on the role, unless she too is also barren, then it moves on to the next, and so on—The other wives undergo a special remedy to make themselves infertile. Jagadev has two children with his first wife, one is the first born, a son, and the other is a daughter.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Sultana</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/97/Sultana_Wife_one-mother.jpeg)</div><br/>The first wife, a thirty six year old woman who is assigned queen to Nestemată. Sultana is a bride of war spoils; she is not native to Nestemată and was won over once her father's country was raided. She is the only wife allowed to bare children, and have given birth to two of them; her son and daughter. She has more say over the ruling with her husband than the other wives, and doesn't waste a minute to remind them that she is more important.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Vidura</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/7/78/Vidura_Wife_2-wet_nurse.jpg)</div><br/>The second wife, a thirty nine year old woman who was once the sultan's first fiancée, she was hastily pushed to the side as Jagadev chose to marry Sultana first. Vidura was born from a highly respected family, catching the eye of Jagadev, but suddenly he brought home Sultana and married her on the spot; no one knows why he gave Sultana the spot of first wife, but in Vidura's respect, she was assigned second, months after, and given the title of wet nurse, as she is assigned medication to lactated for the royal children; thus growing a special bond with the prince and princess.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Neha</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/5/59/Neha_Wife_3-botany.jpg)</div><br/>The third wife, a forty three year old woman, Neha was spotted by the king when she brought over bred plants to use in the castle medicine, though her intelligence in plant medicine was far better than anyone in Nestemată, her beauty is the only reason he married her. She also teaches the princess the art of medicine.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Sahila</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/8/82/Sahila_wife_4-tour_guide.jpg)</div><br/>The fourth wife, a thirty five year old woman, Sahila was a spur of the moment bride, her fiery attitude and bold nature sparked a fire in the sultan. Her loud nature and fast knowledge of the land lead her to be a guide to those who are new as warrior or castle servant. She is difficult and at times don't seemed to want the attention of her husband, so she hardly ever gets it, unless her cat and mouse game becomes too enticing.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Purna</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/1/1a/Purna_Wife_5-choreographer.jpg)</div>The fifth wife, a forty two year old woman, Purna was a great dancer of the Castle Grounds; her dance was highly admired by the sultan, until he grew jealous of her audience and wanted her dancing only for him. Purna teaches the princess how to dance in her culture.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Mela</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c8/Mela_Wife_6-holistic_healer.jpg)</div><br/>The sixth wife, a thirty nine year old woman, Mela was a spiritual healer training to be a Vestal Virgin before the sultan claimed and demanded her as his bride. She once healed the sultan after one of their wars, and he claimed her on sight, marrying her only three days after his recovery. She was one of the first to not willingly accept his marriage, but as the years passed, she became comfortable. She teaches the princess and other Vestal Virgins the ways of their origin.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Narani</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/5/55/Narani_Wife_7-cosmotologiest.jpg)</div><br/>The seventh wife, thirty three year old woman, Narani has sought the courtship of the sultan, being a child of a wealthy family, she found that she deserved to be his first wife, though she was ten years too late for such a position, she settled for her current spot, and lavish herself in the royal attention of the sultan. She is a cocky woman who usually causes trouble for the first wife, though that angers the sultan, so she keeps it to a minimal.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Kakanda</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/b/b1/Kakanda_Wife_8-trainer.jpg)</div><br/>The eighth wife, a woman of forty, Kakanda is the only fighter of the nine wives, she tried to go for a position under Nabhasi and add to the growing female warriors; though she was tossed over to the sultan as he requested her service instead. She was placed into marriage two weeks later and was granted the luxury of training partial warriors; she teaches all the women in the castle how to defend themselves.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Pramodini</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/03/Pramodini_Wife_8-youngest.jpg)</div><br/>The ninth and last wife, a woman of twenty five years old; Pramodini is the youngest wife. Her naïve and young manner causes her to be a mockery of the other older wives, they know and taunt her for being the sultan's leash on youth. She gains the respect she deserves, just like all the other wives, though her mother disapproves of her choice of a husband and marital status. The middle daughter of Mubariz and Nabhasi, she was just recently married into the royal family six months ago.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Shahzad</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/Shahzad.jpg)</div><br/>The Prince, A twenty three year old man, Shahzad is the heir to the royal family, he is well on his way of taking over the throne once his father decide to retire, though the sudden taking of a wife is a sure sign that he plans to stay ruler for a much longer time. Shahzad is very laid back and seems to follow in his father's footsteps; he did not train to be a priest, but just like his father, Shahzad was train in the art of leadership by his great uncle, Baasu. Before his crowning of king, Shahzad has taken on a wife, now the couple waits for their father to turn over his position.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Martirika</strong> <em>(my character)</em><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/8/88/Martirika.png)</div><br/>The princess, Martirika is nineteen years old; she is the second child of Jagadev and Sultana. She studied after all of her mothers as they found it would be useful if she variegated in skills; most actually enjoyed imprinting themselves onto her and teaching her to act like them. She was taught the art of fighting by Kakanda, though never placed in battle, or even have any intentions in going into one, but she enjoys mixing the style with Purna's dance skills. She spent time with Neha, but didn't quite understand, or even enjoy, plant breeding, though healing was a favor of her's, so Mela was the main influence in her training into a Vestal Virgin. Even though Martirika was breast fed only once by her mother, and mainly looked after by Vidura, she grown to take after her mother in more than just looks.<br/><br/><div align="center">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/b/b9/Martirika_2.jpg)</div><br/>Martirika was in the middle of training to be a Vestal Virgin when she was proposed to by Akhilesh, the relationship was highly influenced by her family, so she accepted; however, a child was found inside the sacred cave of Indira, and she was suddenly titled Dara of the little girl. She was forcibly placed back into the life of a priestess, and now her wedding is placed on a sixteen year halts.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Aanetra</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/7/7c/Aanetra.jpg)</div><br/>The wife of Shahzad, a twenty year old woman married into royalty; Aanetra was a childhood friend of the princess, as she grew up, she planned to become a Vestal Virgin with the princess, but was claimed as the fiancée of the prince. It was granted as the sultan was nearing the beginning of his retirement, but then the sultan remarried, claiming a young wife that gave symbol to a longer leadership. This action placed Aanetra in a position that if Shahazad decided to marry after his kingship, their marriage would be void and they would have to do the ceremony over again, or she would be pushed to second wife.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Baasu</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/d/d9/Baasu.jpg)</div><br/>The first and live uncle of the sultan, a seventy nine year old man, he is the head priest and holds a great rein of power over Nestemată, he was the second son of the king before his brother, placing him to where he'd never be king. He was a mighty adviser of his older brother, and carried this helpfulness down to his nephew. Baasu never had to attempt treason as he got what he wanted through the kings, even without the fear of being assassinated. Though many decisions he imply on the sultan is of his own selfish gain, he does also help in the proper caring of Nestemată.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Akhilesh</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/7/70/Akhilesh.jpg)</div><br/>The grandson of Baasu, a twenty four year old man, Akhilesh is following the path of his decease father and highly respected grandfather. He is the fiancé of the princess and desire to gain favor in the sultan and take crown of the throne, it have never been done to take a crown while the heir is still alive, but Akhilesh and his grandfather feel that the prince must have upset the Sultan in some way to make him drastically restart his reign over Nestemată.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Durra</strong><br/>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/3/38/Durra.jpg)</div><br/>The child of the clam shell, a two year old toddler; Durra was found in the sacred bay when Mela and Martirika went to the grounds with the other Vestal Virgins. Mela was the one who found the child asleep in front of the dark water with black pearls splayed around her, but when the child awoke, she would shrink into Martirika side like a frighten cub; they never told anyone that Mela was set to be the Dara, the title was quickly placed onto the princess. Durra is a quite child who doesn't ever speak, she has spoken before, so she isn't mute, but her silence has left some to believe she is. Though she could very well be the daughter of a desperate peasant, Durra is highly honored and respected by default of tradition.