Kadar

Kadar was a fallen empire in the land of Zakhara.

Geography
This empire was situated in the jungles around the Nogaro River and the adjacent river valleys, southeast of the Haunted Lands and south of World Pillar Mountains and Jungle of Monsters.

History
Kadar was believed to be older than the other known lost empire in the region, Nog, having been founded a thousand years prior to it by Geomancers. Their rule was eventually toppled by missionaries of the Enlightenment and after they departed the resulting power vacuum was filled by a dynasty of corrupt khedives.

Much like Nog, historians in Zakhara considered the history of Kadar to be convoluted and confusing. This was because it seemed to have gone through several different dynasties, which may or may not have simultaneously ruled different regions along the Nogaro. Some sages believed that Kadarasto was once its capital. Whether or not Kadar and Nog were considered enemies was one of many aspects of their history that historians in Zakhara were uncertain of.

Unlike some regions, both Kadar and Nog resisted the Zakharan faith of Enlightenment. During their empire's decline the rulers recognized the cult of Ragarra to be a subversive element to society. They outlawed the faith, making public worship a public offense, and and laid waste to any of the savage goddess's temples within the empire.

Some tried to claim that genies were created to punish both Kadar and Nog for being sacrilege, or that they were initially unleashed upon the Prime Material plane for this reason. Others proposed that their empire eventually fell due to corruption, greed, and exclusion from the West.

Those who believed in the former told that a minor power among the Zakharan pantheon traveled throughout the cities of both empires in a mortal disguise and warned them that the Great Gods were angry with them. After being met with ridicule and thrown stones, the wisest among the pantheon suggested that they appoint the genies to be their generals and carry out their will. But another minor power among the pantheon traveled to the empires once more and warned them of the cleansing to come. Managing to convince some, he took those few away on ships with their great treasures to what would be known as the Steaming Isles. Some believed that inhabitants of both empires also fled to the island of Jazirat al-Gawwar.

The historical legacy of Kadar was survived by many inscriptions, writings, and magical artifacts.

Religion
The people of Kadar both feared and revered nature, including the Nogaro River itself. Living idols were considered to be remnants of their civilization's faith.