Royal Treasury (Zaclaria)

The Royal Treasury of The Sultanate of Zaclaria (Zaclaric Audonian: خزانه سلطنتی سلطنت زاکلاریا), also known as the Royal Treasury, is a of Zaclaria. Established as a financial institution to manage the vast wealth accumulated by the Al-Fassara Dynasty, the Royal Treasury functions as a unique blend of state-owned fund and royal assets. The Royal Treasury is controlled by the Sultan of Zaclaria and operated by the Ministry of Finance. The origins of the Royal Treasury trace back to the late 16th century during the reign of Alatah Al-Fassara, who, after leading the successful Āshahvār Revolt, began accumulating wealth from Zaclaria's vast natural resources and trade. Recognizing the need for a centralized institution to manage these assets and secure the financial future of the sultanate, the Royal Treasury was officially instituted in 1598. During the 20th century, the Royal Treasury began to make investments in international markets, acquire foreign assets, and participate in joint ventures with leading global corporations, which helped position Zaclaria as an influential player in global financial circles. Today, the Royal Treasury plays a pivotal role in Zaclaria's economic strategy, focusing on long-term investments to diversify the nation's wealth, while also ensuring the fiscal stability and luxurious lifestyle of the Sultan and the extended royal family.

While it operates largely as a traditional sovereign wealth fund, it also maintains a private personal fund within, exclusively accessible to the Sultan and designated members of the royal family. This fund, often referred to as the Sultan's Fund, allows the reigning Sultan direct control over a significant portion of the assets, ensuring personal financial autonomy while still being nested within the larger framework of the Royal Treasury. Though it operates under the purview of the Ministry of Finance, the Royal Treasury enjoys significant autonomy, with major decisions often requiring the Sultan's direct approval or decree. A council, comprising esteemed financial experts, nobles, and members of the royal family, oversees its operations, ensuring a blend of traditional wisdom and modern financial expertise.

The Royal Treasury controls approximately $480 billion in assets and is administered by the Ministry of Finance and the special Financial Council of the Sultanate. As of 2022, the Sultana's grand-uncle Ismar Al-Fassara has effective authority over the Royal Treasury as the Head of the Financial Council. The Royal Treasury's structure and decision-making procedures have been characterized as non-transparent, and it has been characterized as among the least transparent sovereign wealth funds in the world. The governance structure of the Royal Treasury has been called into question, specifically with respect to how much control the Sultan holds on decision making. The fund's domestic investments tend to go to firms owned by elites with long-standing personal connections to the Al-Fassara Dynasty.

Background
The formation of the Royal Treasury is deeply rooted in the geopolitical and economic events of the late-Renaissance, particularly the Truffle Races from 1574 to 1602, which inadvertently positioned Zaclaria as a strategic asset in global politics. The Truffle Races initially commenced as a trade conflict over the lucrative truffle resources between the Caphirian and Burgundie powers. With the majority of the earlier conflicts localized to the Odoneru Ocean, Sea of Canete, and Sea of Istroya, the realignment occurred in the 1590s when the Caphirian explorer, Barcarico Barani, stumbled upon truffle-rich terrains in the Emirate of Zaclaria. This ignited an aggressive geopolitical battle for control over the southern gateway to the Aab-e-Farus. Zaclaria's geographical location and truffle reserves meant it became a pivotal point of interest for these powers. With the collapse of the Oduniyyad Caliphate in 1517 and the subsequent rise in Occidental dominance over the Audonian regions, Zaclaria’s position became even more critical. The former balance of power seen during the Crusades had shifted, setting the stage for Audonia's colonization.

As Caphiria ramped up its exploration endeavors during the late 1570s, mapping vast oceanic territories to assert control over strategic trade routes, Zaclaria found itself amidst this rivalry. The extensive Caphirian investments in their Imperial Naval Fleet and the introduction of galleons to replace carracks brought unparalleled attention to Zaclaria's coastlines. Burgundie, seeing Caphiria’s explorative advances as a direct threat to its interests, also bolstered its naval and exploration activities.

Amidst this, Alatah Al-Fassara rose to power, leading the Āshahvār Revolt. Recognizing the immense economic potential of the nation, especially in the wake of the Truffle Wars, Alatah began amassing wealth from not only Zaclaria’s native resources but also by positioning Zaclaria as a key trading intermediary. Given the state's newfound importance in global truffle trade and its strategic position, there was a pressing need for a centralized institution to manage these vast assets and ensure the region's fiscal future. This led to the formal establishment of the Royal Treasury in 1598. Alatah’s vision for the Treasury wasn’t just limited to truffle trade. Drawing inspiration from the explorations and naval advancements of the era, he envisioned the Royal Treasury as an institution that would safeguard Zaclaria’s interests in the long run, making investments in maritime endeavors and establishing trade partnerships, thereby amplifying Zaclaria's influence on the global stage.

1598-1650: Formation and early days
From its inception, the Royal Treasury was primarily a repository for the vast riches amassed through truffle trade and strategic position as a trading intermediary. Sultan Alatah, recognizing the geopolitical shifts and the role truffles played in world economics, crafted a strategy of reinvestment; a significant portion of the income from the truffle trade was channeled into the Treasury. This wealth was not just hoarded; the funds from the Royal Treasury were strategically deployed to usher in an era of unparalleled development within Zaclaria. Sprawling urban centers, adorned with intricate architecture and bustling marketplaces, began to emerge. The coastlines of Zaclaria, once serene, witnessed the construction of state-of-the-art ports, designed to accommodate the increasing volume of trade ships that anchored daily. Perhaps the most ambitious of Sultan Alatah's projects financed by the Treasury was the creation of a formidable navy. Recognizing the need to protect Zaclaria's maritime interests and trade routes, shipyards were commissioned to build fleets for use.

At the same time, Sultan Alatah also initiated a personal project and secretly constructed Taq al-Fasra - or Al-Fassara's Vault. This fortified underground facility, rumored to be located beneath the Al-Zuqaq Mosque, became the secret storage for his personal wealth. Sultan Alatah ensured that his fortune within the vault was protected by layers upon layers of security measures. Ingenious puzzle locks, which required both wit and knowledge to unlock, were the first line of defense. Those who managed to solve them were then faced with an array of trap doors, designed to disorient and deter even the most determined of intruders. The vault was not just a storage; it was a masterpiece of security and engineering.

As the years progressed, the Royal Treasury's influence extended beyond just the confines of Zaclaria. With its coffers swelling, it began to make strategic investments in foreign ventures. Neighboring kingdoms and city-states throughout Audonia, recognizing the financial power Zaclaria wielded, sought partnerships and alliances. This saw Zaclaria financing explorations, backing trade missions, and even underwriting other nations' infrastructural projects, further expanding its influence and solidifying its position as a global economic power. Internally, the prosperity brought about by the Royal Treasury allowed for advancements in education, arts, and sciences. Zaclaric universities and centers of learning were founded, drawing scholars from across the continents. This intellectual renaissance was financed generously by the Treasury, which set aside special grants and endowments for research and cultural endeavors. The arts, particularly, flourished during this period. Sultan Alatah, being a patron of arts himself, ensured that the Treasury funded theaters, galleries, and artistic societies, turning Zaclaria into a cultural hub within and outside of the Islamic world.

However, with great wealth came its own set of challenges. The lure of the legendary Taq al-Fasra attracted treasure hunters, mercenaries, and rogue states, each hoping to breach its defenses and lay claim to Sultan Alatah's immense wealth. Stories of adventurers vanishing in their quest to find the Vault, or tales of those who met with strange accidents after supposedly uncovering some clue about its location, became part and parcel of Audonian folklore. It was said that the very essence of the Vault was imbued with a protective aura from Allah, shielding it from unwelcome intruders.

1650-1700: The Hunt for Taq al-Fasra and the Majlis Era
The legend of Taq al-Fasra was not merely confined to whispers within Zaclaria; it resonated across the far reaches of Audonia. As years passed, the allure of the vault grew exponentially, giving rise to a plethora of tales that intermingled fact with fiction. Many adventurers, from famed explorers to desperate fortune-seekers, were drawn to Zaclaria, each harboring dreams of unlocking the vault's secrets.

Vercassio de Arceneaux, a celebrated Caphiric Burgoignac archaeologist and adventurer from the influential Arceneaux family, was one of the most renowned figures in the hunt. As the legend of Taq al-Fasra grew in popularity, Vercassio became deeply intrigued. He studied every available account, meticulously cross-referencing tales from distant traders with Audonian folklore. Over the years, he amassed a personal library filled with scrolls, maps, and first-hand accounts of those who had attempted to locate the vault. His breakthrough came from an unlikely source: an old Zaclarian lute player named Ahad, whom he met during one of his many expeditions. Ahad sang of a ballad passed down through generations, detailing a series of clues that supposedly led to the entrance of Taq al-Fasra. Intrigued, Vercassio spent months with Ahad, documenting the ballad and trying to decipher its underlying meaning. Using the ballad as his primary guide and supplementing it with his extensive research, Arceneaux embarked on his journey to Zaclaria. Along the way, he enlisted the help of a trusted team, including his close confidante, Lysandra, a cryptographer, and Nico, an expert in ancient engineering. After several years of searching, they uncovered an ancient doorway, hidden behind cascading waterfalls in the Aqbiyah Mountains. The entrance bore the same inscriptions as described in Ahad's ballad. Arceneaux and his team managed to unlock the first series of puzzle locks, however, as they ventured deeper into the vault, the challenges increased. The deceptive mazes within Taq al-Fasra were not just physical labyrinths but psychological ones as well. Lysandra and Nico urged a retreat, sensing the danger that lay ahead, but Vercassio, driven by obsession, pressed on. Vercassio ventured beyond them and disappeared into the darkness. Despite Lysandra and Nico's desperate attempts to find him, he was never seen again. Years later, a shepherd chanced upon a leather-bound journal near the Aqbiyah Mountains. It was Vercassio's detailed account of his journey, filled with sketches, maps, and personal musings. The journal, which is now housed in the Royal Museum of Zaclaria, remains a testimony to Vercassio de Arceneaux's brilliance and the insurmountable mystery of Taq al-Fasra.

Another notable tale is that of Laila bin Asuphimi, a Zaclaric scholar and cryptologist. Unlike others who sought the vault for personal gain, Laila was driven by academic curiosity. She dedicated decades to studying the rumored inscriptions said to be etched in the vault's chambers. It is said that she managed to decipher a part of these inscriptions, revealing spiritual verses that not only guarded the vault but also bestowed blessings upon Zaclaria. However, she vanished under mysterious circumstances, with many believing she was spirited away by divine forces to protect the vault's sanctity.

These tales of tragedy did not deter seekers; if anything, they added to the vault's allure. The Sultanate recognized the potential threat these treasure hunters posed and this led to the establishment of the Majlis al-Khazana, an elite council to manage and protect the treasury's interests, both domestic and foreign. Under the Majlis era, the Royal Treasury underwent significant reforms.