Binsada is a Kingdom ruled by Queen Banira el-Reshid. The Kingdom is bordered by the Harrowmarsh and the Sphinx, with the Harpy starting trouble for Binsadan shipping lanes. The queen is dealing with a zealous populace who is being led by a High Priest who is exorting her to take up the sword. An exortation which could mean expansion into Anuire and the taking of the Iron Throne itself.
Binsada is a land of both civilization and wilderness. It is a land divided between nomadic tribes and civilized peoples. The Queen has a tradition of traveling her land as a bedouin herself, her presence is symbolized by the Red Tent of Binsada.

The Khinasi in distant domains regard Binsadans as barbarians. To the Aftanese and people of Khourane the Binsadans are illiterate and without mathematics, medicine, or decent food. However, the people of the East Wind cherishes the same values as their Khinasi cousins: fidelity to one's family, piety, courtesy, story telling, and sayim. Unlike other Khinasi, the Binsadans place great emphasis on horsemanship and camel riding, which is a sensible value for a nomadic culture.
In so far as a government, it could have been called a loose Oligarchy. The people belong to eleven clans, and the clan mothers make laws and mete out justice. Ostensibly, as far as the civilized peoples are concerned, it's a Monarchy. In another sense, its a theocracy. But really, the whole country is on the brink of Anarchy. The nomadic clans that wander the lands often safely ignore the law unless it is the weather or the herd. The Queen is recognized as the most powerful ruler, but the reach of her Law extends just so far.
The clans prosper in each of the provinces of Binsada. The clan mothers each handle routine duties of governing their province. They levy taxes, administer the Queen's laws, and resolve disputes. Each clan also have a larger duty to the domain, such as regulating trade routes or protecting caravan routes. For the six most powerful clans, however, they must provide one unit of cavalry to provide for the common defense of the realm. This also includes the clan of el-Reshid.
The justice of Binsada is fairer than it once was. Although it is still "eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth" justice, a criminal may pay restitution to the clan of the man he offended. Acceptance of payment removes the stain of guilt. Refusal to remit payment may mean mutilation, exile, or death. If the criminal flees before his sentence is carried out, the victim's clan is honor bound to pursue the individual. Fortunately, Binsada suffers little from crime.
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The Binsadan nomads live in a matriarchal society. Their whole government is based around the clan mother, the matrilineal line of genealogy, and women inherit and control property. Clan mothers also have the ability to arrange marriages. Most of the clan leaders are women, although men of sufficient age and wisdom may become a clan elder. Although the law does not specify the regent's gender, all el-Reshid rulers have been and are women. In the Binsadan temple, however, most priests are men as are most of the army troops.
One of the important past times of Binsadans is kite flying. Although kite flying is used for serious purposes other than just recreation. The Binsadans built an entire telecommunications system based on kite flying. Master kite crafters, the Binsadans have made box kites, diamond kites, round kites, serpentine kites, and racing kites. Using kites, they can rely messages quite quickly. For instance, a red lion kite signals the Queen's approach, while a kite in the form of a white hawk indicates danger nearby.

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Like the other western Khinasi domains, Binsada occupies a flat grassy savanna. With only a small region of rolling hills to the east, topped by small groves of trees. The grass is esparto and tall grass. The esparto is known as needle grass that is green brown and resistant to drought. The grass is great for cordage and baskets, but doesn't make good rope. Binsada is bordered by water and dust.
The border with Zikala is marked by the wide brown Moura River. The Asarwe River, in contrast, is a blue river that is a fast rushing river that marks the border between the Harrowmarsh and Binsada. To the south is the Sea of the Golden Sun. To the Northeast, the plains give way to the domain of the Sphinx.
Each nomadic clan controls one of the provinces of Binsada.

Andujar is controlled by the el-Djebel clan. It's clan mother, Qadr bint Saniyah el-Djebel; has organized an all women cavalry. This all women cavalry lends one of it's units to the national defense.

Ber Dairas is controlled by the el-Rashid clan. The ruling clan, the el-Rashids also control the army. The most powerful army unit is the Lions of Dusk. Banira is thinking about restoring the fortifications around Ber Dairas and may even construct a fortress using the ruins of a Roele era fortress (called Fort Roelae) as a foundation. For right now, the Reshida provides all the protection the Queen needs.

Deishél is controlled by el-Layune. The clan protects trade routes through Deishel. Also, the Red Witch controls a source, a spirit cave, here.

el-Tasri is named after the clan that controls it, clan el-Tasri. The clan provides one unit of cavalry, the black watch, for the common defense of the realm.

Ghouref

Harpy's Watch

High Asarwe

Khesselim

Low Asarwe

Mermoune

Moura

The current domain of Binsada takes it's name from an early Basarji domain called Binsada that predates the Anuirean Empire. Old Binsada had adopted the Lion as its symbol -- a heraldic symbol that is carried into the el-Rashid personal arms. Sadly, over the generations the Basarji had hunted the lion and other megafauna (such as elephants and rhinoceros) to extinction within their borders. Now, most lions in Khinasi are found in the domain of the Sphinx.
These early Binsadans were probably ancestors of the Irboud, a people who migrated southwest from their ancient land circa 400 MA
(-1088 HC). The reason for their flight remains an enigma. Though the Sphinx did not appear in Irbouda until centuries later, its conquest wiped
out most important historicai records. The forefathers of the lrboud certainly were Basarji. They named the land Binsada, from binsad (?east
wind?), the hot, gritty wind that blows from the northeast each spring.
According to oral tradition, within ten years after their arrival in the region, the old Binsadans exerted authority over all nearby territories, including what are now Zikala, Sendoure, the Sphinx?s lands, and (briefly) the Rohrmarch. The Binsadan nomads conquered these lands with a highly mobile cavalry, ferocity, and resolute resolve. The nomads had no interest in building a dominion, only tribute. The nomads followed three important rules:

• 1. Never intermarry with Settled peoples.
  
• 2. Tolerate all beliefs and practices.
  
• 3. If a village does not offer the required tribute, punish it with destruction.
  

These guidelines did build an empire, but it was short lived. Still unquestionable wealth flowed into the coffers of Medoc for over a century. Sadly, all traces of this camp are lost to history, as are most of its treasure. Only a few trinkets testify of the greatness that was old Binsada.

The first Anuirean Emperor Roele Andu conquered Old Binsada during his first step into his assault into Basarji lands. Roele Andu forged a base camp and used Binsada as his staging area in expanding his Empire. His descendant, Alandalae Roele felt that he needed to do the same to keep his Empire together. He went into Binsada during his assault in 1277 MA. He founded a base camp known as Lectis Magna on the Sun Coast. Two years later, el-Arrasi, a Basarji Regent, had arose to prominence in Ariya. He managed to charismatically unify the Basarji domains and used his power to free Basarji from the Anuirean Empire.
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Binsada, however, remained in Anuirean hands almost until the end of the War, after the Emperor had destroyed most of the signs of the old Binsada empire. Meanwhile, Lectus Magna had grown into a mighty city. El-Arrasi had sacked it in 1296 MA. In latter times, the harrowmarsh grew to engulf the ruins.
Following the Wizard's victory over Anuire in 1299 MA, Binsada and all the other territories became part of the short lived Khinasi Federation. Here, el-Arrasi had built the fortified Tower of Evening beside the Harrowmarsh. That tower was eventually deserted during the end of the Khinasi Federation after el-Arrasi's death. This tower had become a haunted ruin for centuries.

Binsada as we know it was founded by a nomad whose name was variously given as Chengas Zaran or Tengis Rhan. In 1348 M.A. (-140 HC), Chengas had marshalled an army of 12 nomad clans to aid the Ariyan Prince Jamal I, who is the grandson of el-Arrasi. The battle was with the would be usurpers from present day Aftane. In return for his help, Chengas received a land grant of the lands where he had grown up. Though Chengas' aid was very crucial to the Ariyan victory; Jamal wouldn't give him the land grant. He dismissed him from the Tower of Morning -- not fulfilling his promises. Angry, Chengas threw his cap on what would be Binsada -- on the enormous relief map of the Khinasi lands. At that moment, was marked the birth of Binsada.
Chengas died decades later without an heir, and his regency and bloodline passed peacefully to the senior family of his clan, the el-Sharafs. They first fostered traid with other domains, then frowned upon it many years later. Because of this reversal, trading families among the Asarwe River had moved north. With the refugee traders from Irbould, they founded the domain of Sendoure. To this day, Sendoure has enjoyed peaceful relations and honest trade with Binsada.

Five hundred years of prosperity followed Binsada's nomads. Though the monarch was often a man, descent was matrilineal and women controlled the property. This changed in 1820 M.A. The Binsadan scion Dantaverah el-Sharaf, who was called the tyrant, returned from his travels in Anuirean lands to assume the regency after the death of his mother, the queen. Dantaverah, having seen Elinie and several other Anuirean lands, promptly imposed a patriarchal system. The tyrant revoked women's inheritance rights and exiled the clan mothers and installed clan elders to positions of power. Later in his reign, over the protests of most clans, the Tyrant constructed Ber Dairas. Eventually he was assassinated by a cabal of conspirators in 1846 MA. Though evidence indicated only seven people were involved, all eleven of the surviving clans claim some responsibility.

For the next eight decades, the regency rotated among scions of five powerful clans. Each clan elder or mother reigned until death, then the elder of the next clan in the pentad assumed control. Fortunately, this scheme did not last. In 1929 M.A. the Sphinx made a tentative attack into Ghouref, which is Binsada's northeastern province. The reigning queen, Larefa bint Marlassah el-Reshid, had declared an emergency to fight the invasion. Following her victory, Larefa and found evidence of treason among the next clan in succession. As a result, she rejected the rotation of the clans and designated her daughter with her regency. Larefa's prestige, blaanced by the triumph over the Sphinx, allowed this edict to go unchallenged.
Secured in power, Larefa restored the matriarchal traditions. The el-Rashid clan has reigned ever since. Queen Banira bint Hamilah el-Rashid is the eighth, and possibly the most capable ruler of Binsada. Although she is certainly the best loved in the line.

Binsadans value competency and courage over familial inheritance. The people believe if someone is strong enough to take the Red Tent and do a better job, then they should simply take it. However, regents have forestalled all challenges for the Red Tent by taking hostages. Fostering seems to be a better way, though, as the regent will often entertain a young son or daughter from one of the clans.
Although the daughter of a very ambitious clan mother would be held for months or years to ensure the clan's loyalty. Currently, Banira is holding Rasha bint Qadr el-Djebel, the daughter of Qadr bint Saniyah el-Djebel, for longer than the current month. Banira is keeping Qadr's loyalties and ambitions in check by holding her hostage. Qadr has been showing signs of ambition lately, such as her all female Cavalry being organized from her clan.

Banira bint Hamilah el-Rashid (FKh Ftr 4, Basaia Major 22) is the current ruler of Binsada. She recieved the regency from her mother, Hamilah. She rules as a capable Queen of Binsada. Currently, she is courting two nobles from Sendoure and Khourane, but her heart secretly belongs to Gaered Vorduine. She is also the best loved. It is rumored, however, that dementia runs in her family.
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Medina bint Hamilah el-Rashid (FKh Rog 3, Basaia Major 15) is the princess and designated heir should the Queen never produce one. Medina advises her sister on diplomatic and trade matters. She currently is talking with the Temple of Zikala, and finds Rahil the Falcon to be quite stunning. She is one of those urging her sister to take a husband.
Haswan Mandil (MKh Clr 4 (Leira), Vorynn Minor 9) is the patriarch of the Binsadan Temple of Leira. He presides over the Binsadan School of Laermeism and unfortunately, or fortunately, he is a firebrand preacher. He's been urging the Queen to take up the sword and to expand into Anuire and become a capable contestant for the Iron Throne.
Gaered Vorduine (MAn Ftr 5, Reynir, tainted, 8; CG) is the Queen's general. He served the queen loyally. No one really knows why, because he's unreadable. A stormbringer, he comes from Osoerde and traveled much of the land before settling in Binsada. He is very skilled and very intelligent and has secured Binsada more than a few victories.
Delia of Coeranys (FAn; Ftr 4/Rog 4; Anduiras, Minor, 12; CG) is a business woman who is competing with the commercial interests of the Hydra and the Extraordinary Traders of Turin. The former of which controls most of the trade routes in Binsada. It is unknown if she has Binsada's best interests in heart.
Corazón bint Rilni (FKh; Wiz 9; Vo, major, 27; N) is known as the Red Witch. She controls many sources in Binsada via Spirit Caves in the plains. She wanders the land, but sometimes she stays at court. She has some understanding with other wizards in the area except for the Sphinx and the agents of the Hydra. She is currently contesting the agents of the Hydra.
Kort Bregeden (MBr; Rog 8; CE) is quite oily and represents the Hydra's agents. He has gained much control of the trade on the Asarwe River and now seeks to corner the market in Ber Dairas.
However the prince Dauod ibn Mustaf el-Reshid (MKh; Rgr 6; Basaia, minor, 19; CG) is charged with protecting the realm against the Sphinx. As the queen's cousin, the prince has some mixed opinions on the queen's rule. His desire is to stop the Sphinx once and for all and he is always asking for more troops to deal with the Sphinx's minions.

Domain Table: Binsada

Province	Law	Temple	Guild	Source
Andujar (3/2)	BR (1)	ZTA (2)	ETT (2)	RW (2)
Ber Dairas (4/1)	BR (2)*	BTL (3)*	Hyd (1)	RW (1)
			SC(3)*
Deishél (1/4)		BTL (1)	SC (1)	RW (2)
Ghouref (1/4)		BTL (1)	SC (1)	RW (2)
Harpy's Watch (1/4)	---		SC (1)	RW (4)
High Asarwe (3/2)	BR (1)	BTL (2)	Hyd (2)	---
Khesselim (1/4)	BTL (1)	BTL (1)	SC (1)	RW (4)
Low Asarwe (3/2)	BR (1)	BTL (2)	Hyd (3)	RW (1)
Mermoune (2/3)	BR (1)	BTL (1)	Hyd (1)	RW (3)
Moura (3/2)	BR (1)	ZTA (1)	ETT (2)	RW (2)
el-Tasri (2/3)	BR (1)	BTL (2)	SC (1)	RW (3)
Abbreviations: BR=Banira el-Reshid (Binsada); ZTA=Zikalan Temple of Avani (Shandare min Jibal);ETT=Extraordinary Traders of Turin (Yolanda Serif); RW=The Red Witch (Corazon bint Rilni); BTL=Binsadan Temple of Leira (Haswan Mandil); Hyd=the Hydra; SC=Saere Consortium (Delia of Coeranys).