Found in the south-west of Anarkand, Dumatra is a land of striking contrasts. Its landscapes range from rocky deserts and ochre plateaus to lush, fertile plains fed by deep rivers and hardy flora. To the untrained eye, its terrain may appear harsh, but to the Dumatran people, it is the embodiment of prosperity, a land that mirrors their identity.


From its earliest days, Dumatra was shaped by its philosophy of balance between freedom and reverence. On one hand, it grew into a constitutional democracy, granting its citizens broad freedoms in law, trade, and speech. On the other, it bound itself in near-religious devotion to its eternal symbol of unity: Empress Sujira. Though assumed long dead due to a lack of sightings, Sujira’s legacy and spirit are treated not as history, but as an ongoing presence in daily life. To honour her is to be a true Dumatran; to reject her is to risk social exile. This duality, liberty under faith, has defined Dumatra for millennia.



Early Relations with Kabal

Dumatra’s earliest challenge was its volatile neighbour, the Union of Kabal. Border disputes, cultural tensions, and competition for fertile river valleys led to centuries of skirmishes. While Dumatra never matched Kabal’s militarism, it earned a reputation for clever defence and shrewd diplomacy, holding its lands without seeking to expand beyond them.


Yet despite the clashes, the two peoples remained entwined. Trade flowed across their borders, and Kaballan philosophers even influenced the Dumatran democratic assemblies. This uneasy dance of rivalry and exchange became a rhythm that endured across the eras.



The Crisis of the Red Hex

The turning point in Dumatra–Kabal relations came with the damage to the Red Hex above Kabal in the 10th era. War broke out between the lesser nations of Kabal ( as they were known before they formed a union ) and an alliance that contained Marrakis, Murdu, and Dumatra. The war lasted some 70 Earth years and resulted in extensive damage to the Red Hex above the lesser Kaballan nations. This damage resulted in the single biggest tragedy in Anarkand's history, resulting in the deaths of over 100 million inhabitants between all the nations.


The fallout from this war, known as the Southern Strait War, meant that the physiological capability of the Kaballan people was heavily affected. The air was impure, pollution became a major issue, the weather systems that they had been dependent on for centuries had began to fail, and even the most basic of lifes requirements, such as breathing, became difficult.



The Marakai and the Dumatrans who were sworn enemies of the Kaballans, performed one of the greatest u-turns in Anarkian history by aiding their enemies. They helped restore parts of the Red Hex, afforded the Kaballan people much needed food and water, clothing, engineers and builders, to try to save the country from complete annihilation.


When the skies faltered and the protective energy grid initially failed, Kabal was struck by famine, drought, and cosmic threats. Waves of refugees fled southwards, desperate for survival.


Many nations turned them away, fearful of unrest. Dumatra, however, opened its borders. Entire provinces were transformed into refugee sanctuaries, and while resources were strained, the Dumatran belief in Sujira’s guiding hand demanded compassion. For the first time in centuries, Dumatra became not just a neighbour, but an ally.



The consequences of this aid were profound:

Dumatra earned global admiration, elevating its status within the Temple of Anark. Its economy swelled, as refugee labour revitalised agriculture and infrastructure. Yet, it also sowed unease as many Kaballan communities retained loyalty to their homeland, creating cultural enclaves within Dumatra.



The Fanaticism of Sujira

At the heart of Dumatra lies its paradox: a people who cherish freedom but brook no dissent when it comes to Sujira. Her cult is not violent by nature, but it is absolute. She is remembered not merely as a sovereign but as a sacred mother, a figure who led early Dumatra, amongst other nations into prosperity during its formative eras.


Statues of Sujira dominate city squares, and festivals in her honour are woven into the fabric of civic life. Citizens can speak freely in parliament, criticise leaders, or challenge policy, but a word against Sujira is considered a betrayal of the nation itself. This belief has occasionally caused friction with outsiders, particularly the Kaballans who carry different traditions and gods into Dumatran lands.



Modern Dumatra

Today, Dumatra stands as a curious mixture of peaceful democracy and quiet fanaticism. It has little appetite for expansion or war, preferring to guard its borders and prosper through trade with southern Anarkand. Its fertile lands and advanced irrigation systems make it an agricultural hub, its rivers lined with water flora that sustain both people and wildlife.


Yet Dumatra remains watchful. The Union of Kabal has never been entirely trustworthy in Dumatran eyes. Refugee integration continues to shape the cultural and political landscape. And as the Council of Anark debates the repair of damaged Red Hexes across the world, Dumatra quietly asserts itself as both a sanctuary and a reminder that peace, while noble, is always fragile.