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'''Emir''' ({{Gender|f|emira}}<ref name="LoF.AGtZ-p21">{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|21}}</ref><ref name="LoF.AGtZ-p105" /><ref name="RK.CG-p16" />) or '''amir'''<ref name="GV.HP-p30" /><ref name="MCAA" /><ref name="SotL-p34" /> was a title used for positions of authority across several different cultures.<ref name="GV.HP-p30">{{Cite book/Golden Voyages/Home Port|30}}</ref><ref name="AA-p156">{{Cite book/Arabian Adventures|156}}</ref><ref name="drag233-p41">{{Cite dragon/233/Campaign Classics: Scions of the Desert|41}}</ref><ref name="A-p13">{{Cite book/Anauroch|13}}</ref> The state and territories ruled by an emir, as well as their office, were sometimes referred to as an '''emirate'''<ref name="LoF.AGtZ-p78">{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|78}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book/Corsairs of the Great Sea/Campaign Guide|31}}</ref> or '''amirate'''.<ref>{{Cite book/Monstrous Manual|126}}</ref>

==Faerûnian Titles==
In the desert of [[Anauroch]], the title of "emir" was used by the [[Bedine]] to refer to a provisionary position used in times of crisis. An emir was the leader of a union of several tribes, acting as an army against outside threats, such as [[asabi]], [[lamia]]s, and the [[Zhentarim]].<ref name="A-p13" />

In [[west Faerûn]]'s nation of [[Calimshan]], use of the title "emir" began in the [[Second Age of Calimshan]] under the [[Tavihran Dynasty]],<ref name="EotSS-p16">{{Cite book/Empires of the Shining Sea|16}}</ref> used to refer to those who governed the territories north of [[Coramshan]] on behalf of the [[syl-pasha]] of [[Calimport]]<ref name="LoI.T-p22">{{Cite book/Lands of Intrigue/Tethyr|22}}</ref> and later the [[qysar]].<ref name="DoF-p135">{{Cite book/Dragons of Faerûn|135}}</ref> This included the [[Purple Hills]] and the land of [[Tethyr]].<ref name="EotSS-p16" /> During the [[Third Age of Calimshan]], this expanded to include the eastern kingdom of [[Mir]], the northern kingdom of [[Iltkazar]], and the lands further north that were simply known as the [[Calishar Emirates]].<ref name="EotSS-p16" /><ref name="LoI.T-p22" /> This vast expanse of frontier territories included [[Amin]], [[Meiritin]], [[Minsorran]], [[Valashar (kingdom)|Valashar]], and the [[Ralamnish Ridings]], reaching as far north as the [[Greenfields (Western Heartlands)|Greenfields]].<ref name="LoI.T-p22" /> Also during this time, in {{Yearlink|-1700}},<ref name="LoI.T-p22" /><ref name="EotSS-p40">{{Cite book/Empires of the Shining Sea|40}}</ref> the seat of Emir of Tethyr was created by the [[Cajaan Dynasty]],<ref name="EotSS-p16" /> establishing it as a traditional post for the syl-pasha's lesser sons.<ref name="LoI.T-p22" /><ref name="EotSS-p40" />

These emirs governed largely as they pleased, so as long as their subjects obeyed the qysar's dictates, paid their taxes, and supplied troops for the imperial armies as needed.<ref name="DoF-p135" /> Sometime around the [[Shoon Imperium]],<ref name="SK-p102">{{Cite book/Serpent Kingdoms|102}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book/Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition|153}}</ref><ref name="TGHotR-p69">{{Cite book/The Grand History of the Realms|69}}</ref> the title of emir was supplanted by "[[satrap]]",<ref name="EotSS-p59">{{Cite book/Empires of the Shining Sea|59}}</ref><ref group="note" name="satrap">It is not stated directly within the text of ''[[Empires of the Shining Sea]]'' that the title satrap supplanted emir, though it can be inferred by the latter being completely absent from the book's list of Calishite titles, whereas satrap is present with the defined relative rank of "provincial governor".</ref> being bestowed upon the provincial rulers of the [[Tashalar]], [[Thindol]], the cities of [[Lapaliiya]], and the major settlements in the vast plains of [[Shaar]], as far east as the [[Landrise]].<ref name="SK-p102" /><ref name="TGHotR-p69" />

==Genie Titles==
Among the [[genie]] races, emir was one of many common titles held by [[noble djinn]]<ref name="MCAA">{{Cite book/Monstrous Compendium Al-Qadim Appendix}}</ref><ref name="SotL-p21">{{Cite book/Secrets of the Lamp/Genie Lore|21}}</ref><ref name="MM-p127">{{Cite book/Monstrous Manual|127}}</ref><ref name="MotP-p70">{{Cite book/Manual of the Planes 3rd edition|70}}</ref> and [[noble efreet]],<ref name="MCAA" /><ref name="MM-p128">{{Cite book/Monstrous Manual|128}}</ref><ref name="MotP-p75">{{Cite book/Manual of the Planes 3rd edition|75}}</ref> who served the [[Great Caliph of the Djinn]]<ref name="SotL-p21" /><ref name="MotP-p70" /><ref name="LoF.MS" /> or [[Sultan of the Efreet]], respectively.<ref name="MCAA" /><ref name="MM-p128" /><ref name="MotP-p75" /><ref name="SotL-p24">{{Cite book/Secrets of the Lamp/Genie Lore|24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book/Manual of the Planes 1st edition|40}}</ref> They often commanded the mighty [[warmonger genie]]s.<ref name="MCAA" />

Among the djinn, emirs could be addressed at court by the additional titles of "the Imponderable" or "Worthy of the Heavens."<ref name="SotL-p37">{{Cite book/Secrets of the Lamp/Genie Lore|37}}</ref>

Emirs were a rank above [[bey]]s in efreet society. The best of beys, or "Lord of the Black Flames", would be promoted to the station of emir if they did well on a field of battle.<ref name="SotL-p37" /> Both stations were responsible for a ''thurgur'', or military area, distant colonies across the vast [[Elemental Plane of Fire]] that could contain one to four fortresses.<ref name="SotL-p22">{{Cite book/Secrets of the Lamp/Genie Lore|22}}</ref> And whenever the Sultan of the Efreet visited the [[Prime Material plane]], a single emir had to accompany his military escort.<ref name="SotL-p7">{{Cite book/Secrets of the Lamp/Genie Lore|7}}</ref> The efreet emirs viewed these two services to the Sultan as a necessary burden for the good of their whole race. However, they kept their ''thurgur'' strictly functional and spartanly military, affording the people under their command few comforts.<ref name="SotL-p22" />

On the Prime Material plane, [[jann]] tribes were commonly ruled by amirs,<ref name="LoF.MS">{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Monster sheets}}</ref> such as the [[Jann of the Haunted Lands]],<ref name="SotL-p34">{{Cite book/Secrets of the Lamp/Genie Lore|34}}</ref><ref name=LoF.AGtZ-p44">{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|44}}</ref> the [[Jann of the High Desert]],<ref name="SotL-p34" /><ref name=LoF.AGtZ-p39">{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|39}}</ref> and the [[Ubar|Lost City of Ubar]].<ref name="SotL-p36">{{Cite book/Secrets of the Lamp/Genie Lore|36}}</ref> Whether they ruled a city or a mere wandering tribe, jann culture dictated that an amir always lived in "Resplendent Magnificence."<ref name="SotL-p38">{{Cite book/Secrets of the Lamp/Genie Lore|38}}</ref> 

Additionally, the [[Great Padisha of the Marid]] was sometimes referred to as "Emir of All Currents".<ref name="MCAA" /><ref>{{Cite book/City of Delights/Gem of Zakhara|6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book/Secrets of the Lamp/Genie Lore|8,30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book/The Inner Planes|58}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book/Manual of the Planes 3rd edition|79}}</ref> [[Marid]]s of all sorts laid claim to titles such as "emir", though as they had no set order to their various self-professed rankings marid society was plagued by a hodgepodge of conflicting hierarchies, precedents, and honorifics that were not officially recognized by true [[noble marid]]s.<ref name="LoF.MS" />

==Taangan Titles==
In the [[Hordelands]], prior to the 15{{th}} century [[DR]], the title "emir" could be found in use in the nations of [[Murghôm]]<ref name="TH-p38-39">{{Cite book/The Horde/Volume I|38-39}}</ref><ref name="TH-p92">{{Cite book/The Horde/Volume II|92}}</ref> and [[Semphar]].<ref name="TH-p45-46">{{Cite book/The Horde/Volume I|45-46}}</ref><ref name="TH-p61-62">{{Cite book/The Horde/Volume I|61-62}}</ref>

In both nations the title was used to refer to those appointed to act as a governor of a city or village.<ref name="TH-p38-39,45-46,61-62">{{Cite book/The Horde/Volume I|38-39,45-46,61-62}}</ref><ref name="TH-p92" /> In the 14{{th}} century DR, the emir of [[Delbyl]] was served by sheriffs known as ''maliks'' (chiefs), who in turn commanded the civil watch.<ref name="TH-p38-39" /> Emir [[Abi Talid]] in Semphar's [[Iliphanar]] was granted a far larger number of troops, a garrison of 500, as well as his own spy network in order to protect the [[Silk Road]] from bandits.<ref name="TH-p61-62" /> Whilst [[Abui Fiydah]], Emir of [[Estanil]], was granted little authority, unable to defy the will of the Semphari town's [[Council of Loggers]].<ref name="TH-p45-46" /> And Murghôm's Tarman the Old, Emir of [[Phannaskul]], was a demented man of old age who did little for the city and allowed the merchants to run amuck.<ref name="TH-p92" /> From these examples one could conclude that the powers of the emir varied on a case by case basis.<ref name="TH-p92" /><ref name="TH-p38-39,45-46,61-62" />

The emirs of Murghôm were appointed to their posts by the [[Bey of Murghôm]],<ref name="TH-p38-39" /> whilst those of Semphar were appointed by the nation's Caliph.<ref name="TH-p45-46" />

==Zakharan Titles==
In the vast lands of [[Zakhara]], "emir" was a common monarchical title used for either the reigning monarch of a sovereign principality,<ref name="GV.HP-p30" /><ref name="AA-p156" /> or something roughly analogous to a "prince" or "princess".<ref name="AA-p156" /> It was also a title commonly assumed by Zakharan [[paladin]]s of some prestige,<ref name="GV.HP-p30" /><ref name="LoF.FaF-p10">{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Fortunes and Fates|10}}</ref> roughly translating to "lord", though this only occurred whenever there were no other available landed titles.<ref name="LoF.FaF-p10" />

Zakhara's use of emir as a monarchical title dated back long before the discovery of the [[Law of the Loregiver]] and the founding of the [[Enlightened Throne]].<ref name="LoF.AGtZ-p76">{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|76}}</ref><ref name="ADaOA-p7">{{Cite book/A Dozen and One Adventures/Campaign Book|7}}</ref> Under the Enlightened Throne they were a step below the [[Grand Caliph]], granted parcels of land by him to rule over some of its many city-states and small empires.<ref>{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|14-15,18,25}}</ref> Emirs had the power to provide grants to still lesser magistrates,<ref name="LoF.AGtZ-p15">{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|15}}</ref> such as [[qadis]],<ref>{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|18}}</ref> or to individual farmers.<ref name="LoF.AGtZ-p15" /> Where they ranked socially and politically amongst the plethora of other lesser rules in Zakhara, like the [[khedive]]s or [[padishah]]s, was a matter of debate and personal opinion.<ref>{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|25}}</ref>

Some of the emirates of Zakhara included [[Dihliz]],<ref name="LoF.AGtZ-p105">{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|105}}</ref> [[Muluk]] of the [[Free Cities]],<ref name="LoF.AGtZ-p76" /> as well as [[Jumlat]]<ref name="C&S-p14">{{Cite adventurers league/Cloaks and Shadows|14}}</ref> and [[Qudra]] of the [[Pearl Cities]].<ref name="LoF.AGtZ-p76" /><ref name="AA-p12">{{Cite book/Arabian Adventures|12}}</ref><ref name="LoF.AGtZ-p25">{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|25}}</ref> The emirs of Dihliz were always appointed by the Grand Caliph, at the recommendation of the padishah of [[Afyal]].<ref name="RK.CG-p16">{{Cite book/Ruined Kingdoms/Campaign Guide|16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|106}}</ref> The emirs of Jumlat were some sort of ruling council,<ref name="C&S-p14" /><ref group="note" name="Jumlat">''[[Cloaks and Shadows]]'' does not specify what role emirs play in the city of Jumlat, only mentioning in comparison to the way of life in [[Mulmaster]]. As Mulmaster was ruled by the [[Blades (Mulmaster)|Council of Blades]], it can inferred that a similar structure was present in Jumlat. However, prior lore established Jumlat as being ruled by a sultan.</ref> beneath the rule of its sultan.<ref>{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|89}}</ref> The emirs of Qudra were uniquely elected by [[mamluk]]s among the city-state's mamluk societies,<ref name="LoF.AGtZ-p76" /><ref>{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|27}}</ref> a tradition that began after they had overthrown its evil emir and selected one of their bravest leaders to take charge.<ref name="LoF.AGtZ-p76" />

Among the cities of the [[Pantheist League]], emir was a unique title, held by only one individual. This emir was the dominant force on all matters religious and secular for the Pantheists, being the head of the [[League Conclave]], his authority rivaled only by that of the Grand Caliph. He and his fellow [[moralist]]s held court at the capital city of [[I'tiraf]].<ref name="LoF.AGtZ-p99">{{Cite book/Land of Fate/Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara|99}}</ref>

==Trivia==
* [[Crimmor]], a city in Amn's region of [[Zehoarastria]], had a tavern by the name of [[Emir's Court]],<ref>{{Cite book/Lands of Intrigue/Amn|31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite interactive atlas|3960 Crimmor}}</ref> harkening back to its past as an emir-ruled territory under the [[Calimshan Empire]].<ref name="LoI.T-p22" />

==Appendix==
===Notes===
{{Notes}}
===External links===
*{{Wikipedia_external_link|Emir}}
===References===
{{Refs}}
[[Category:Calishite titles]]
[[Category:Genie titles]]
[[Category:Zakharan titles]]
[[Category:Titles]]
[[Category:Year of Machinations]]