Eastern Desert

Terrain and People
This is a general name for what is mostly the Caliphate. Almost entirely Muslim, the Caliphate allegedly controls the entire desert, approxiamately 5000 km (east-west) by 2500 km (north-south). However, there are good reasons to believe that the Caliphate mostly controls the coasts, as far inland as is fertile, and the river valleys, as well as numerous outposts in the deep desert. Wandering tribes of bedwe (bedouins) probably pay religious loyalty to the Caliph in his role and the successor of Mohammed the Messenger, but are less likely to obey such purely secular commands as the payment of taxes and joining armies when commanded.

The Caliphate maintains a powerful navy, but it is entirely on the Southern and Eastern Outer Oceeans, mostly the Southern, facing the Byzantines. Their navy is not so professional as the Byzantines, and relies on slaves as oarsmen (which the Byantines do not). The desert environment is unfriendly to those not inured to it. Avoid a land war with the Caliphate!

The Caliphate’s northern border is the mountainous southern border of Urgluk. Little is known for certain of this area; however, because orcs of all breeds are natural cave and mountain peoples, it is very likely the Caliphate ends where the sand stops.

Risks (To Combine)
Religious war (jihad) is always possible; apart from that, little.

Military
The Caliphate has a large but mostly peasant levy army, with a small core of professional troops, mostly medium infantry and light cavalry.

Economics
Dates, rare timbers, frankincense, myrhh, magical ingredients. Alsu nuur, a powder burnt to produce visions (in some religions or cults) and also for recreation. Nuur is relatively non-habituating.

Politics
The Caliphate is dominated by the religious requirement of Jihad. Periodically a Caliph decides to practice it;  mostly against Urgluk, who are regarded as monsters as well as targets. The danger of a Caliphate invasion of the European Theme is reduced by their lack of a highly competent, professional navy.

Additional Information

 * There exists a recreation of Mecca, which tries to be as exact as possible.