Zajâna

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Zajâna
Region: Kighân
Area: The Gated Vale of Zajâna
Location: [63.0S, 62.5W]
The Zajâna heraldry

Zajâna, often called the City of Scholars and the City of Keys, is an ancient city-state located in the region of Kighân, within the territory of Mûr Ghala. Founded by the Kingdom of Nísaka, it was one of the ancestral realms of the Shagâni people, alongside Hamât to the north and Nísaka itself to the northwest. In the late Third Age, Zajâna is ruled by the Doorwards, who stand in opposition to the forces of the Empire of Ordâkh.

Renowned less for conquest than for learning, trade, and diplomacy, Zajâna has long exerted influence through scholarship, commerce, and the authority of its ruling councils. The people of Zajâna share in the broader Shagâni heritage, descended from multiple realms and traditions. Long accustomed to war, upheaval, and foreign domination, they are known for resilience and adaptability. In earlier ages, their merchant houses shaped the fate of kingdoms through wealth and diplomacy; in later times, their scholars and councils preserved learning and civic identity under occupation. Zajâna thus stands as both a city of trade and a city of knowledge, its history marked by transformation rather than conquest.

History

Zajâna was founded as a khanâg, a humble waystation named Da-gân, established by Shoghór settlers migrating from Jarmát. Over time, Da-gân grew into the Nísakari town of Jaghân, serving as a resting place on the long caravan road between Shagâna and the southern deserts and jungles. As trade increased, the settlement expanded into the great mercantile city later known as Jaghâna.

During this period, Jaghâna became a powerful trading realm, its prosperity derived from control of caravan routes linking the Ikorbân Valley to distant southern and eastern markets. Its wealthy merchant houses, though often rivals, could act in concert to extend influence over foreign courts through loans, treaties, and regulation of trade. Jaghâna relied little on standing armies; instead, its caravans, ships, and accumulated wealth allowed it to shape events far beyond its walls.

Jaghâna played a decisive role during the Madâr, the Realm-cleaving civil war that shattered the Shârate of Hamât. While Ambarûl and the Ikorbâni remained loyal to Queen Luzími and her heirs, aided eventually by Gondor against Khandari-backed rebels, the conflict threatened to consume the entire valley. Acting from Jaghâna itself, merchant envoys brokered a truce that ended the war and divided Hamât into two separate realms.[1]

Under the settlement enforced by Jaghâna, Ambarûl was removed from either realm’s authority and placed instead within the Ibili lands, governed by a council of wise men established by Jaghâna to rule the city as a neutral buffer between Hamât and Erêsh. With Gondor invested in checking Khandari ambitions and Jaghâna committed to preserving its trade routes, the peace endured despite lingering tensions. Though stability was secured, the Years of Joy never returned, and the valley never regained its former unity. In later centuries, this enforced quiet would leave the region vulnerable to conquest by the Empire of Ordâkh.

As Jaghâna’s mercantile power waned, the city transformed culturally and politically. Its name evolved into Zaghâna, the City of Gates, famed for its openness to scholars and lore of all kinds. A catastrophic fire of unknown origin destroyed much of the old city, after which the ruling Ibili established a First Triumvirate to govern the rebuilt settlement. To mark this renewal, the city took its modern name, Zajâna, the City of Keys, symbolizing guardianship of knowledge and passage.

More than a century before the end of the Third Age, Zajâna was seized by the expanding Empire of Ordâkh and renamed Jajân, becoming a puppet fief beneath the Hûl. Under Ordâkhai rule, the Shagâni were compelled to offer worship to Sauron, though many resisted in secret.

After the fall of Sauron, Zajâna’s scholars rose in what became known as the Second Blue Mutiny. They seized control of the western half of the city, advancing eastward until halted by the remaining Ordâkh garrison. Since that time, the city has remained divided: the western districts, reclaimed as Zajâna, are ruled by the Doorwards and have re-established trade along the Road of Riches to Umbar Baharbêl, while the eastern quarters remain under the Jewelled Council, a Triumvirate loyal to Ordâkh.

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Settlements, Areas and Landmarks of Kighân

Areas: Fields of Sârhazai • The Gated Vale of Zajâna • Ghun Shâna • Khadakh Lûr • The Wroth-fells Areas:
Settlements: Ingar-garâsh • Sen Chatâk • Sormedân • Zajâna Settlements:
Landmarks: Bâdrasag • Charganpâta • The Court of Larinâsta • Dân Shatagan • Glúkroz • Groves of Gatúr • Hall of Lajór • Hold of Jalkhíla • Hurum Kâna • Ingar-garâsh • Jag Golód • Jâr Obadal • The Kalmakhíla • Khab Antâx • Khab Kitâx • Khamósh-engar • Khatzâla • Medân Makhai • Pazakhêra • Sâkhazai • Sen Chatâk • Shádhag • Sormedân Landmarks:
Interiors: The Kalmakhíla • The Shorakhúna Interiors:
Dungeons: The Blade-horn • Jâr Obadal Dungeons:
Regions within Mûr Ghala

Adagím • An Shêru • Idagâl • Kighân
  1. ↑ Ornamented Scroll
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