Gana
City of Riches
Like Jumlat to the northeast, Gana is a true "City of the Pearl," devoting five months each year to the pearl-fishing industry. Because this city also lies near the Realm of Bleeding Trees, its inhabitants can turn to the frankincense harvest when the pearling season has passed. Its people are generally wealthier than the residents of Jumlat. Even the lower classes of Gana are proud to call their home the City of Riches.
In addition to its successful pearl business, Gana is Zakhara's trade center for frankincense and other aromatic gums' that are harvested from the Realm of Bleeding Trees to the west. The wasteland in which the shrublike trees grow is good for little else. It is inhabited by herdsmen who bring the gum into Gana for trade. Gana has a looser control over its pearl trade than Jumlat; its captains are more independent and its merchant class is larger. The quality of captains ranges from fair to average (instead of harsh to horrid, as in Jumlat). Most of Gana's captains practice the type of economic slavery that is common in Jumlat, but Gana also has a few progressive captains who practice more humane methods of pearl diving. There are even several cases in which Gana's captains have retained a sea mage to cast airy water around the divers, allowing them to remain beneath the surface for prolonged periods without ill effect.
Such regular use of magic is not cheap. As a result, the independent captains often break (or at least severely bend) the vow that keeps them out of the pearl beds seven months a year. Gana's ships and divers are sometimes caught by the sea elves and locathah that migrate into the pearl beds from the west. Such divers work at their own risk.
At the close of the pearl season, Gana holds a threeday celebration known as the Festival of the Pearl. This is the time when accounts are settled between the pearl divers and captains, and a great feast is distributed among the people by the sultan and the mosque officials. The celebration is marked by dancing in the street, skyrockets, and the occasional breaking of the Law (such as public insobriety or lewdness)- giving Gana a reputation as a wild city. Once the pearl season is officially over, a number of ships and their crews become available for hire to adventurers and merchants
Still poor, most divers join such crews or migrate to harvest frankincense. A handful will have saved enough money to support themselves until the next pearl season. Very few will have saved enough to afford a small boat and become a captain themselves. The end of the Festival of the Pearl marks the official beginning of an annual challenge or contest conducted by the sultan: the Great Task of the Pearl. The "task" is to bring some wonder or marvel from abroad to the city and present it to the sultan. Those interested have seven months to complete the task before the inauguration of the new pearl season. During this period, a number of adventurers and other wonder workers pass through the court, bringing all manner of strange beasts, fantastic treasures, and mighty and unique magics. The chief judge verifies that the items are safe and secured before presentation. Whoever produces the most wonderful item is awarded with great treasures, magics, positions in courts, or favors from the sultan. (For example, one noted pirate gained a full pardon upon delivering the head of a sahuagin queen.) All other items become the property of the sultan, regardless of their value. (That's the price one pays for participating in the Great Task of the Pearl.)
Government
The Ruler:
Sultan Yusef bin Ahmad al-Wadi known as "Yusef the Just" for his wisdom in matters of the law. This venerable ruler encourages trade and industry in his city. He discourages power from concentrating in anyone else's grasp for an extended period of time. As a result, talented individuals, adventurers, and merchants continually pass through his court, with few of them remaining there long.
The Court:
The only permanent member of Al- Wadi's court is his chief vizier, a human sea mage named Al'ia bint-Hazir. She has served at the sultan's side for several decades. According to a well-known rumor, the sultan once proposed marriage to her, but she responded that she would rather serve at his side than at his feet. The sultan has never married, nor has he officially recognized any of the sons and daughters from his harim (a matter which many find disgraceful). Rumor also says that Al'ia has secretly borne al-Wadi several sons over the years, and that she has spirited them away for training in far lands. Now as old and wizened as the sultan himself, Al'ia continues to rule at his side. She often advises compassion over harsh justice.
The position of chief judge has been held by a long series of people in short succession. Justice cannot be bought in Gana, but it can be rented for reasonable rates. As a result, when there is a scandal or outcry, the chief judge is quickly replaced (and banished). The smart judges serve about five years, then retire. The current chief judge is a dwarf named Ghaliyah bint Borga min Suq, Gala of the Marketplace. She has held her position for three years. While Ghaliyah can see the truth, she does not always speak it.
Finally, there is an honorary position within the court, awarded to those who complete the Great Task of the Pearl (see below). Such a position is usually temporary, lasting no more than a year, and may be surrendered voluntarily or upon the will of the sultan. A number of great heroes, male and female, have attached the sobriquet "Warrior of the Great Task" to their names, and served the sultan in this fashion.
Defences
- 5,000-man city guard
- 2,000-man mercenary infantry
- "official" navy of 30 ships, which protect the pearl-diving vessels in the banks
- a supplemental rookery of five rocs with riders, which operate out of the mountains east of the city.
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