Saleh
Last updated 2026-09-10
Saleh, also known as the Electrum City of Warriors[1] and the City of the Thamudians, was an ancient city-state in the Land of Lower Setekh, Great Red Sand, Sumeru. Having existed since the time of King Deshret's civilization, Saleh became known as one of the Cities of the Seven Towers and was one of the myriad desert kingdoms during the era of warring city-states after King Deshret's death.
Saleh was located around Thamud Oasis.[2]
History
The city of Saleh was home to a group known as the Thamudians, who were known for their golden eyes.[2] By the time of Parvezravan's reign, it was recorded as being a city that paid annual tribute to Gurabad in recognition of its status as King Deshret's primary vassal kingdom.[3] It was also known for having seven walls.[2]
Saleh's first named leader to appear in historical records, a Khagan named Turan, postdates King Deshret's death.[4] Turan became a minister for Shah Ramshahr, the king of kings in their era. After Ramshahr's death, his young son Artaxir took the throne but later died. Turan became regent and ruled over the region, only for him to later be ousted as a traitor and "bandit" and executed along with his three sons. Turan was succeeded by King Humayun of Tulaytullah, who claimed Shah Ramshahr's throne through a marriage with his princess. However, Humayun was later decapitated himself at Saleh during an event known as the Jinn Uprising.[1]
After several generations, Saleh fell under the rule of Badanah, another tyrant who sought to become king of kings. Badanah was assassinated by Faramarz and Makhaira, and after several power shifts and Faramarz's third ascension to the throne, the people of Saleh attempted to rebel "again" (suggesting that they had previously rebelled at some point) and tried to establish a new Khagan. Makhaira, who had then become the queen regent of Tulaytullah, is recorded as having "pacified" them.[5]
Eventually, Saleh collapsed amidst the wars between the myriad desert kingdoms. By the present day, Thamud Oasis shows little sign of having once hosted a great city of the desert.[2]
Legacy
Some Eremite tribes are descended from the Thamudians. Two of these tribes were the Iab and the Unut, who ended up fighting and wiping each other out in a plot orchestrated by Nefer, who sought revenge for their massacre of the Shimti tribe.[6]
Trivia
- Saleh may be based on multiple Khaganates. One possible reference is the Hephtalites, as Kavad I, the figure that is the basis for parts of Faramarz's character, paid heavy tributes to appease them. Here, they are instead said to be "pacified" by Makhaira.
Etymology
- In the Quran, Saleh (Arabic: صَالِحٌ Ṣāliḥ) was an Arab prophet who prophesied to the tribe of Thamud, which was historically located in the northwestern Arabian peninsula. According to the Quran, the people of Thamud rejected Saleh's prophecies and were destroyed by God for their attempts to kill him.
- Electrum is a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver which is known for its usage in pyramids and obelisks during the Old Kingdom of Egypt. It was also historically used as a coinage metal. Electrum's color is typically described as "white gold" or "pale gold."
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name |
|---|---|
| English | Saleh |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 萨勒赫 Sàlèhè |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 薩勒赫 Sàlèhè |
| Japanese | サレハ Sareha |
| Korean | 살레 Salle |
| Spanish | Saleh |
| French | Saleh |
| Russian | Салех Salekh |
| Thai | Saleh |
| Vietnamese | Saleh |
| German | Saleh |
| Indonesian | Saleh |
| Portuguese | Saleh |
| Turkish | Saleh |
| Italian | Saleh |
Change History
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Interactable: Vaguely-Readable Inscription, Mausoleum of King Deshret, North (Underground)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Sumeru, Land of Lower Setekh, Viewpoint: Thamud Oasis
- ↑ Interactable: Vaguely-Readable Inscription, The Sands of Al-Azif
- ↑ Interactable: Vaguely-Readable Inscription, Mausoleum of King Deshret, East (Underground)
- ↑ Interactable: Vaguely-Readable Inscription, Khaj-Nisut
- ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act IV - An Elegy for Faded Moonlight, Part 2: Dance of Death: Serpent and Scorpion
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