Anbar

Anbar was a city to the South-West of Umbara's Peaks.

Governance
Anbar was governed by the Anbar noble family.

Anbar was ruled principly by its Archduke, who enjoyed a king-like status, and this Archduke title continues in New Anbar. The Archduke's legitimacy stems from a shared lineage with the King of The Shield.

The Archduke's personal guard are the Red Throats.

Iconography
A black Tower of Anbar against a white sky.

Founding
Anbar was established as the Eastern gate to the prosperous lands of The Shield. It was small but militarised city, strategically located near the south-western end of Unabra's Peaks. Through establishing Anbar, its great fortress tower, The Shield were able to create base from which to combat the brigands who had traditionally come down from the mountains and plagued the towns and villages of the region.

Establishment of the Archduke
The Shield outlawed slavery, and decreed that slavery was an abomination. Slavery underpinned the industry of many Dwarven mining city-states, particularly the deeper Dwarves, many of whom were once slaves to Drow. Some Dwarves accepted this decree, and many 'mines' abandoned mining altogether, turning to other industrial means. However, some refused to acknowledge the ban on slavery and continued as before. The Shield labelled these Dwarven communities as Duergar.

The Mayor of Anbar at this time was a cousin of the King. He was instructed to lead an expedition to disrupt newly established Duergar trading routes with the south facilitated by trade companies. Despite lacking the resources to lead such a campaign and still protect Anbar, the mayor's loyalty to his King and cousin won out and he agreed.

The campaign went poorly: the Duergar simply retreated back to their Underdark strongholds. Deals broken, angered trade company mercenaries began ransacking the towns and villages surrounding Anbar. Lacking the soldiers to combat the guerilla-style tactics of this small groups of mercenaries, many communities were destroyed, and when Anbar forces were finally forced to return from their Duergar blockade, the Duergar trade networks simply resumed operations.

In penitence for forcing the mayor into a situation with such dire consequences, and showing such loyalty, the King gifted the mayor with the title of Archduke. Whilst this was initially meant as a somewhat meaningless title, successive Archduke's gained increasing influence, until, with the establishment of New Anbar, the Archduke is the constitutional leader of Umbara.

Flooding
Anbar was slowly drowned as the waters rose during the great floods. Anbar citizens, now refugees, migrated to the edge of Umbara's Peaks and began establishing New Anbar, preserving the culture of and traditions Anbar.

Institutions
The Archduke's residence was the (old) Tower of Anbar, with its distinctive two peaks ( like this: |\/| ).

Anbar had a fledgeling Arcane college.