Introduction to Calormen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Calormen is an Arabian country, far to the south of Narnia, past the 
mountainous Archenland and the Great Desert. It is a large country,
approximately four times the size of Narnia, with a wide diversity
of cities and towns. It is a hot, dry land, but Calormen is not all 
desert, as some rumors would have it. An empire, ruled by the Tisroc, 
it is often at war with its smaller neighbours.

The culture is very stratified. At the top is the Tisroc, a man who
claims descent from Tash, the Calormene god. Lord Tarkhaans rule
the many cities and provinces in the Tisroc's name. Other Tarkhaans
are the very wealthy, or influential, or officers in the army. 
Tarkheenas are the wives of Tarkhaans, often much younger, and often
beautiful. Further down the heirarchy, merchants trade goods between
cities and towns, and peasants farm the lands owned by the Tarkhaans.
Slavery is abundant, and most Tarkhaans own many slaves. Lord 
Tarkhaans own armies of slaves.

The Calormenes worship a Trinity of gods: Tash, the Inexorable, and
embodiment of evil, and supreme god of the Calormene, from whom the 
Tisrocs claim descent; Zardeenah, goddess of the moon, night, and 
unwed maidens; and Azaroth, the twice-sexed god of union and 
difference. The Calormene fear their gods, and worship is often 
accompanied by sacrifices of animals. Minor gods and desert
spirits like the Efreet and Jiin, are also known to exist.

The economy of Calormen is agriculture based, but also includes 
fishing along the coast and at some of the interior lakes. They are
fearful of the ocean, and their ships are not very well constructed,
the largest warships being tiny by Narnian standards. They do ply the
waters between five islands near the coast, and trade slaves and 
other goods. 

Storytelling is an art form among the Calormene, and long, flowing
narratives are both entertainment and education. Tales are often
embellished with wild fantasy, but often there is an element of
truth to the tales.

...

Noted Cities:

Tashbaan   - City of the Tisroc, and Capitol of Calormen, at the northern
             edge of the country. It lies on the Tashbez river, which 
             separates Calormen from the Great Desert.
Mezreel    - In the Valley of a Thousand Perfumes lies Mezreel, and the
             lake which shares the name of the beautiful resort.
Teebeth    - Religious center of Calormen, site of many temples.
Zalindreh  - A port city, the center of trade with the islands.

Tehishbaan - A remote border town, said to be involved in freeing slaves.

Other well known sites:

Oasis      - In desert, midway between Calormen and Archenland.
Pugrahan   - Salt mines, where enslaved Narnians are sent to work.
Lagour     - A flaming volcano in the Western Mountains.