History of Kharraat
Kharraat was once a small trade town back in the ancient days of Bataar Khan’s empire, then called Ankhy Suurin. However, the centuries left it in ruins and disrepair. Only a small tribe of semi-nomads, the Ariankai clan, stayed to man the walls of the town. Even after the fall of Bataar’s empire the town still served as a home and a trading center for the Ariankai. Because of how close it was to the mountains, many miners brought back ore for the few blacksmiths the nomads had. There they forge weapons, mostly spear tips and arrow heads, of which the nomads would use for their raids.
It was here that Vidar Khan made his capital. After settling a deal with the chieftain of the Ariankai, Vidar made Ankhy Suurin his capital. Over time Vidar made repairs to the town’s old citadel walls and created a second outer wall to protect the growing numbers of inhabitants settling outside the inner wall.
The road to Kharraat
There are several ports in Osterra that can reach the lands of the Vidarian Khanate. If the sea monsters, cultists, or pirates don’t disrupt your voyage; it takes from days to a few weeks to reach the shores of the Khanate from the Eastern shores of Osterra. Once on the beachhead, you are greeted by warriors on horseback who patrol the shores daily in order to protect the travelers and merchants from enemies.
From the shores you must make your way into the mountain passes of Kherlenga. The pass is also guarded by Vidarian troops as caravans pass onto the roads through the treacherous mountains. Once out of the Sasagaan Mountains, you are met with a fork in your path. One road leads West towards a port where a ship can take you across the Tian Shi lake. While the second road leads south towards the Vidarian Capital of Kharraat. It takes 15 days to reach the capital on foot, but on horseback it would take 3 days. 1 in a half if both the steed and the rider were nomads.
The Capital
The City of Kharraat is the Capital of the Khanate and is considered the Gateway of Vetus Mundi. It sits in the center of the Eastern and Western continents. Serving as a gateway to the lands of Vetus Mundi, what the Nomads call Kuuchin Gazar. To its east the Sasagaan mountain range; and to its west the Bigana Steppe, where the nomads reside. The City serves as a hub for travelers, merchants, and adventurers who wish to see the wonders of the continent.
A day's walk from the City sits the war encampment of the Khanate, warriors from all over the world are encamped here awaiting orders from the great Khan. Some of these warriors are nomads who are more accustomed to living in yurt villages than towns. Other warriors are a mixture of peoples from all over, many of whom just entered the portal, but all of them serve in the great Khan’s horde.
On the outskirts of the City walls sit the markets, merchants, and refugees. Many of whom lost their homes from the ensuing wars in the area between the Osterrans and demons. The Outerwall is a 20 foot high wooden palisade wall manned by several more of the Khans' warriors, with the wood used to build the wall looking as if the wood was just freshly cut. Through the gates you are met with locals, merchants, and refugees who roam the streets of the great city. Taverns, homes, markets, smithies, and shops line the streets leading up towards ancient stone walls. Goods from all over the world make their way to the vast markets of Kharraat.
Within the ancient walls lie the inner city, filled with older and more sturdier buildings that have passed through the tests of time and weather. This is where the residential Ariankai tribesmen live as patrons to the Khan. A library is also present within the inner city, filled with important scrolls, documents, scholars, and philosophers. People from all over can come to this place to study philosophy and/or debate on subjects. Surprisingly, this too is guarded by some of the Khan’s men, but not just any guards. The Khan elite bodyguards, the keshig, can be seen both inside and outside the great library; whether to guard the secrets within or to stop scholars from going for each other's throats after an intense debate. Whatever the case it seems that the Khan values information and knowledge with the utmost respect.
Of course at the center of the inner city, sits the Khan’s palace. An elegant place with a courtyard garden filled with exotic plants from all over the world. Another building serves as housing for the Khan, his wives, and his guests. A small stable was built in his palace to house the khan’s horses. The biggest building is the Khan’s throne room where his advisors, allies, and vassals meet to discuss the ongoing events of the realm. When one presents themselves to the great chieftain, they must do so with respect by bowing and referring to him as “lord khan''.
Thus the Khan’s city of Kharraat serves as the jewel of the Vidarian Khanate.