The Isolated Vizier takes place in Karadria, a continent to the east of Terranor where the first two books took place. There are some similarities and differences between each place.

The nations of the former Karadrian Empire are ruled by sultans. Using MidJourney, I have created portraits for each of the sultans. Below you can see an image of each one, in the style of a painting, along with a description.

Sultan Al-Mu'tazz Almohadi of Abbasud

Sultan Almohadi is a miserly older man who has ruled over Abbasud for decades alongside a small class of oligarchs who have exclusive access to the rich resources of Abbasud: the lumber to the west, the fisheries to the north, and ores to the east.

Though he is married, he has never had a child. He is known to be a womanizer and rumors suggest he is not faithful. Yet nobody would dare to say that in public.

Many people fear the sultan’s wrath and are often inundated with high taxes to keep his friends successful. Abbasud, with its various terrains, has small pockets of discontent that don’t interact with each other.

Sultan Ma'mee al-Jy of New Karad

Sultan al-Jy embodies the gritty desert lands of New Karad. He frequently goes on hunting trips riding his giant lizard. When he has to rule, he does so with pragmatism.

Politically, New Karad is a loosely connected set of small towns ruled by local emirs with a relatively weak sultan. Ma’mee does not engage in political theater, so has not solidified strong alliances.

The people of New Karad do not like this arrangement, especially how they are at the mercy of local political fights. However, the harsh environment has meant survival is more important than revolution.

Sultan Shervan Jafai of Mahjarak

At an early age, Sultan Jafai began studying magic under the tutelage of the best sorcerers. He also learned much about politics so that once he ascended to the throne he would be effective.

Mahjarak is nestled along the western side of the Fyskoon Mountains , where humans and dwarves live and work together. Shervan is a deft politician who has managed to keep both sides from banding together for many decades.

Dwarves are often angry at laws that restrict their freedoms, but have been unsuccessful in changing that. Shervan prefers to resolve matters quietly rather than by the force of a large army.

Sultan Mehmet Azardan of Old Karad

Sultan Azardan is young and inexperienced, having just ascended to the position of sultan. He admires his father and wishes to be just like him. Old Karad is where the original Karadrian Empire began and he grew up with lots of traditions dating from that time.

Old Karad is in a poor state, with many of its finest cities in a state of disrepair. The wealthy and well-connected have tried to extract as much wealth as they can. Many politicians want to use this opportunity to take the impressionable Mehmet under their wing.

Resistance groups in Old Karad have trouble agreeing on what actions to take. Should they focus on improving communities first, or political changes? The nation is so wide and vast that letters take a while to be delivered. Leaders spend most of their time writing one another.

Sultan Karana Avav of Zamek

The emirs of Zamek elect sultans in a quasi-democratic way. Sultan Avav was a famed merchant and wizard, known for selling charmed items to the wealthy around the world. In his new position, he continues to use magic to keep his council honest and maintain trade relations.

As sultan, he is known mostly for his skepticism, asking tough questions to everyone and spending long hours thinking along the shorelines. Outside of his duties, he is known for being loud and boisterous in bars and sporting events. He is often accompanied by his wife, Sultana Kana, who is a skilled painter.

The people of Zamek appreciate their freedom, even if only in relation to the Karadrian mainlands.

To learn what happens next, pre-order The Isolated Vizier.

Pre-Order on Amazon

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The Spectre of War Fantasy Series

Karadrian sultans: Illustrated