Aserai Sultanate Guide
November 21, 2025
Strengths, weaknesses, and roster analysis for the Aserai.
Overview
The Aserai Sultanate dominates the southern Nahasa Desert, a vast expanse of dunes and oases that serves as a natural barrier to the northern kingdoms. Led by Sultan Unqid, the Aserai are masters of trade, camel warfare, and desert survival. Inspired by the Arab and Berber cultures of the early medieval period, they combine swift cavalry with resilient infantry to control the flow of goods across Calradia.
For players, the Aserai offer a unique playstyle focused on economic supremacy and high-speed maneuverability. Their lands are rich in dates, grain, and horses, making them an ideal starting point for a mercantile empire.
Culture & Bonuses
The Aserai cultural heritage is built on the pillars of commerce and mobility. Their faction bonuses reflect this:
Cheaper Caravans: Caravans are 30% cheaper to build. This allows you to establish a trade network much earlier than other factions, snowballing your economy.
Trade Penalty Reduction: A 10% reduction in trade penalties means you buy lower and sell higher, maximizing profit margins on every transaction.
Desert Speed: Perhaps their most tactical advantage is no speed penalty in deserts. While invaders trudge slowly through the sand, Aserai parties move at full speed, allowing you to dictate the terms of engagement.
These bonuses make the Aserai the undisputed kings of the early-game economy.
Geography & Economy
The Aserai lands are stretched along the southern edge of the map, protected by the "great salt waste" or desert belt.
Sanala: Often considered the jewel of the desert, Sanala has immense grain production and high prosperity. Controlling it is a major economic boon.
Askar: Famous for its date production.
Husn Fulq: A key fortress city guarding the eastern pass.
The Golden Loop: A popular trade route involves buying dates and horses in Askar and Sanala, then travelling north to Vlandia or the Empire to sell them at a premium, returning with furs or tools.
Troop Roster Analysis
The Aserai roster is versatile, featuring strong skirmishers and shock troops.
Infantry
Aserai Mameluke Palace Guard: These are terrifying shock troops armed with two-handed executioner axes. They lack shields but can decimate enemy lines in a flank.
Aserai Veteran Infantry: Solid shield-bearers with good armor, useful for holding the line while your Palace Guards flank.
Archers
Aserai Master Archer: While not as long-ranged as Battanian Fians, they are well-armored and effective in mid-range engagements.
Cavalry
Aserai Vanguard Faris: These are the stars of the roster. Equipped with javelins and fast horses, they excel at hit-and-run tactics. They can soften up enemy heavy cavalry with thrown weapons before charging home.
Camels
Camel Riders: Often found in minor factions like the Jawwal or Ghilman, camels receive a bonus in desert terrain and scare horses, though they are generally slower than top-tier warhorses.
Strategy & Tactics
Desert Warfare
Use the terrain to your advantage. If you are being chased by a larger Vlandian or Imperial army, retreat into the deep desert. Their speed will plummet, while yours remains high. You can kite them until their food runs out or their cohesion drops, then turn and fight them on your terms.
The Javelin Skirmish
Aserai tactics revolve around the skirmish phase. Don't just charge. Use your Vanguard Faris to circle the enemy (Cantabrian circle style if possible) and unleash a volley of javelins. This breaks shields and kills horses. Once the enemy formation is disrupted, send in the Mameluke Palace Guards to clean up.
Early Game
Start by farming Looters near Sanala. The high prosperity means good loot prices. Invest your first 10,000 denars into a caravan immediately to leverage the 30% discount.
Conclusion
The Aserai Sultanate is a faction for those who love gold and speed. If you want to buy your way to the throne or run circles around heavy knights in the sand, the Sultanate awaits.
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