Caliph's Harbor
The Caliph's Harbor is the home of the Admiralty, as well as the Grand Caliph's personal barge. The barge is a huge vessel, decorated in gold and platinum. Its crew is in readiness for a trip at any time, for one never knows when the Grand Caliph will need to get away from the pressures of court life. The Grand Caliph goes out on the river frequently; scarcely a week passes when he does not take a least a short trip to relax and see the world away from the court.
The Admiralty also maintains extensive repair and refitting facilities here. Four or five capitol ships can be seen at any time, undergoing preparations for the next voyage.
The Admiralty maintains a dozen or so launches, as well as a galley and a dromond, for the inspection of incoming ships. Such launches have a platoon of guards, a sea mage or two, and a tax inspector. All ships wishing to dock at the Trade Harbor must submit to a search. The standard tax rate is low, only 5% for natives of the Land of Fate, 10% for outlanders. Depending on the current needs of the treasury, and the richness of the ship, the term outlanders can include ships from the Pantheist League; it always includes ships from Qudra.
Collections of goods are trundled off to the Grand Caliph's warehouses in the Warehouse District, or directly to the military units that will use them. Chief of all tax collectors is Kayid al-Azzazi, a nephew of the Grand Vizier.
The harbor master is one Keyfa al-Parid, an elf of impeccable honesty who has a love for the sea. Keyfa spends all her time at the docks. Her living quarters, located at the top of the Inn of the Sea Bass, overlook the harbor.Keyfa is served by the masters of the respective harbors, her lieutenants. They are Sardi al-Danafi who oversees the Trade Harbor, and Tarna Calfi who oversees the Caliph's Harbor. Sardi is the youngest son of the powerful Al-Danafi family, and ships carrying goods for the Al-Danafi's are usually accorded the best docks and quickest landings. He is generally fair, although ships wanting the best facilities have discovered that a small bribe, or a large one, can grant them quicker service. Tarna is not an adventuring type, but she is a genius at ship repair. She has risen through the ranks, as she was once a barnacle scraper working for a few bits a week. Now she coordinates the Admiralty's repair facilities and manages the Caliph's Harbor as well.
The Grand Caliph's great barge is a vessel of wonder and elegance. The crew consists of 100 well-equipped mamluks of the Dauntless, the leading society in Huzuz. Several dozen servants also maintain their residence here, prepared to serve the Grand Caliph and his guests at a moment's notice. Rare delicacies are prepared here, and the chef on the great barge has been trained personally by the Grand Caliph's chef. One sea mage is always on board; if the Grand Caliph is present, three members of the Magical Legion also accompany him. The barge has three levels and measures over 120 feet in length and 60 feet in width. Quarters for the troops and servants are on the bottom level, below the waterline. The main level includes the Grand Caliph's quarters, rooms for his harim, and quarters for guests, as well as the kitchen and dining room. The upper level has a large hall, used for parties and entertaining important visitors of state.
The barge is also home to three small winged cats; These are pets of the Grand Caliph'though they show more loyalty to the cook. The cats help keep the vermin on the barge under control. They consider themselves part of the crew. Only jana-qitat (lesser winged cats) are present, and all are from the same litter. They have flat faces and long hair of a rare golden color; they are considered quite valuable. The cats also make able guardians, and they have alerted the guards to more than a few thieves trying to help themselves to the treasures of the great barge.
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