| Region | |
| Sîrayn | |
|---|---|
| General Information | |
| Location | Southern Middle-earth |
| Type | Region |
| Major Settlements | Tûl Isra, Tûl Harar, Charnesra |
| Map | |
In Middle-earth Role Playing, Sîrayn (Ta. "Land of Rivers"), also known as Greater Harad, was a region encompassing the basin of the Sîresha river and the northern slopes of the Yellow Mountains. It was a land of extremes, ranging from lush river valleys to inhospitable deserts. Sîrayn served as the intellectual and economic hub of southern Middle-earth, boasting a larger population and more extensive lands than its neighbours Near Harad and Far Harad.
The region was historically volatile, marked by the rise and fall of numerous dynasties, shifting climates, and frequent wars. By the Third Age, it was dominated by the city of Tûl Isra, which sought to subjugate the other six cities of the region under the influence of the Akhôrahil the Ringwraith's agents.[1]
The region is the titular subject of the Greater Harad supplement.
History
Second Age
In the first century of the Second Age, Apysaic-speaking nomadic tribes from the north and east settled the fertile valleys of the river Sîresha. Transitioning from a nomadic lifestyle, they developed a sophisticated agricultural society featuring irrigation canals, dry farming techniques, and domesticated livestock. As the population grew, craft specialization, writing, and a priestly hierarchy emerged, leading to the establishment of thirteen self-governing cities by S.A. 600 along the river.
The peace of the region was shattered in S.A. 1929 when Akhôrahil launched a conquest of Sîrayn. Commanding forces from the neighbouring kingdom of Ciryatanor, his general Wyatan systematically razed resisting cities. By S.A. 1933, major centers like Rask, Tûl Isra, and Tyarett had fallen. In S.A. 1935, the city of Charnesra was destroyed in a battle against the Sorcerer's forces, though the resistance won a pyrrhic victory. However, by S.A. 1999, Akhôrahil had fully subjugated Sîrayn and Harshandat, ruling the South for nearly three centuries.
His reign ended in S.A. 2280 when a Númenórean army defeated Akhôrahil, forcing him to flee to Mordor. The following year, a massive uprising by the people of Sîrayn overthrew the remaining puppet rulers, though the conflict resulted in the destruction of most remaining cities in Isra and Chennacatt. Only the seaport of Tûl Harar survived the Second Age intact.
Third Age
The region remained sparsely populated until the Third Age, when Haradan tribes resettled the river valleys. By T.A. 83, Tûl Isra was refounded by Clan Másra, followed by the reconstruction of Tyarett and Charnesra. Prosperity returned with the discovery of rich ores in the Yellow Mountains, but it was short-lived. After T.A. 1100, Akhôrahil returned to his fortress of Ny Chennacatt, unleashing Orcs and demons upon the region.
In T.A. 1201, Obed I of Clan Másra united the peoples of Sîrayn. He successfully drove back the southern hordes, establishing the political entity of Sîrayn and marking the first year of the Sîranean calendar. He eventually perished in the final battles near Horse-head’s Peak, were he was entombed.
The following centuries saw a power struggle between Clan Másra and the rival Clan Bulgan. In T.A. 1380, Bazaud Izain of Clan Bulgan seized the throne of Tûl Isra in a bloody coup, becoming the new Tarb (Ta. “Might-lord”). His regime was heavily influenced by Tartas Izain, a sorcerer who became his Taraskon (Ta. "Wisdom-lord") in T.A. 1385. Tartas Izain introduced the worship of the “Silent One”. Clan Másra regained power in T.A. 1436, forcing Tartas to flee to Charnesra, engulfing the region in civil war. In T.A. 1457, Tûl Isra and Tyarett destroyed Charnesra, ending the immediate threat from Tartas Izain and his uncle Shuftas Gabar.
Clan Bulgan returned to power in T.A. 1555, initiating a campaign of conquest that subjugated Rask, Tyarett, Baud Selen, and Tartaust. By T.A. 1632, Tartas Izain had re-infiltrated the government of Tûl Isra, manipulating the weak Tarb to further the Dark Lord's designs. Under his influence, Tûl Isra conquered six of the seven cities of Sîrayn, leaving only Tûl Harar independent due to its geographical isolation behind the Sára Bask forest and Kirmlesran hills. This lasted until T.A. 1640, when a popular uprising finally overthrew the Bulgan government and restored Clan Másra, coinciding with Akhôrahil's departure for Mordor.[1]
Fourth Age
After the defeat of Sauron, the evil cults in Sîrayn briefly declined. The cities became independent again, with an uneasy peace fueled by mutual trade.[2] In Fo.A. 61, the Taryb of Sîrayn signed an agreement with the rulers of Tûl Harar, and in Fo.A. 66 they all united militarily under the Warlord of Tûl Isra.[3]
Geography
Sîresha
The Sîresha river rose in the Káraskon Ravine south of Ny Chennacatt, fed by glacial meltwater and mountain rains. Its waters were notably yellow due to the mountains' sediment. The upper river was fast and unnavigable, dropping through two major rapids: the Skara Riskál (Ta. “Wraith’s Teeth Rapids”) and the Skara Sársus (Ta. “Cougar’s Gullet Rapids”). The river was crossed at its narrowest point by the Môra Gaib ("Bridge of the Old-settlers").
The lower Sîresha was a tamer stream. Near its delta, it was joined by the Sîrsis river and flowed through the ruins of Charnesra. The river finally emptied into the Mard Isauba, an arm of the Bay of Ormal, at Tûl Harar.[4]
Isra
Isra was the agricultural heartland of Sîrayn. It consisted of gently rolling lands along the Sîresha, the Sára Bask, and the foothills of the Yellow Mountains. Formed by ancient erosion from the mountains, the yellow topsoil was deep and fertile, particularly in the Sîrsis valley. While farming along the riverbanks was easy, inland agriculture relied on extensive irrigation canals and wells. To the west, Isra was bounded by the Brû Isra, a dry region where rainfall dropped significantly.[4] Wheat, millet, and nutty fragaub were commonly grown, alongside legumes such as mezikast and karnet. Golden isaha flowers, dark green tulgan shrubs, and stunted olive and fig trees dotted the landscape. The region was also home to herd animals, including sheep, goats, onagers, and gazelles, as well as water buffalo near the rivers. These herds were preyed upon by lions, wild dogs, and vultures.[5]
Sára Bask
The Sára Bask was a forest stretching from the confluence of the Sîresha and Sîrsis rivers to the coast of the Bay of Ormal. While dry and dependent on mountain runoff, it supported hardy vegetation such as cork, olive, fig, and date palms. The riverbanks were lined with magnolia and willow, while the coast was thick with coconut and marauha palms. The forest was patrolled by Torbusaud (Ta. “Greenbarks”), herb-picking barges that harvested the forest.[4]
Kirmlesra
North of the Sîresha lay Kirmlesra. The Kirmlesran Hills were eroded badlands of red-streaked rock and alkaline soil where little grew but cactuses and thorny scrub. The Dalad Kirm was an extremely hot plain to the west that merged with the great desert of the Haradwaith.[4] Vegetation was sparse, consisting mostly of deep-rooted, thorny shrubs and tough, springy grasses that rarely grew taller than a foot. The local wildlife adapted to these arid conditions by obtaining moisture from morning dew or the plants they consumed. The Quaquam (Desert Mouse), for example, got all its water needs from seeds. Most animals in this region lived in burrows or scrubs.[5]
Chennacatt
South of the Sîresha and west of Isra lay the plateau of Chennacatt. At a height of 500 to 1,000 feet above the river, this flat tableland was formed by ancient volcanic activity. It was largely arid, rarely receiving rainfall.[4] Because the plateau lacks sufficient rainfall for extensive agriculture, the inhabitants relied on domesticated herds of goats, sheep, rabbits, and cattle. Wild fauna included ground squirrels, foxes, predatory birds, and large cats.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 William E. Wilson (1990), Greater Harad (#3111), pp. 6-8
- ↑ William E. Wilson (1990), Greater Harad (#3111), p. 75
- ↑ William E. Wilson, Gary D McClellan, Robert J. McCarter (1991), Nazgûl's Citadel (#8205), p. 6
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 William E. Wilson (1990), Greater Harad (#3111), pp. 8-10
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 William E. Wilson (1990), Greater Harad (#3111), pp. 11-14