Hiyal
City of Intrigue
Hiyal's trademark is its smoky pallor and unpleasant odor, caused mainly by its foundries and kilns. Its valley setting creates a peculiar inversion, literally capping the city with pollution. Not even the breezes from Suq Bay can scrub the city clean. Its buildings are in muted shades of gray, covered by dirt and grime. Only the sultana's palace is an exception, because it is continually and rigorously cleaned by slaves.
The people of Hiyal have a reputation for being untrustworthy, duplicitous, and sharp in their business dealings with each other and outsiders. For the most part, this is untrue, but the taint of such a brush acts as a magnet for less-than-honest individuals who are drawn to the city. In addition to legitimate business, Hiyal is often the site for gray dealings, covert transactions, smuggling, and illegal activities-most of which are carried out by transients with permanent connections in the city.
Government
Ruler
Sultana Alurah bint Asrah
established her rule five years ago, just after her husband died suddenly at a state dinner, collapsing unceremoniously upon a mound of mutton and rice. In the brief chaos that ensued, Alurah played one faction against another, while remaining in close communication with her allies in the Grand Caliph's court. (Prince Tannous, who prefers a quiet north, is one such ally.) Alurah convinced the Grand Caliphate that she alone could quell her city's rival factions, provide a sense of continuity to Hiyal's rulership, and ensure the continued enlightened rule of her people. She has accomplished all these things. Indeed, the sultana is a competent, industrious, and wise ruler. She is also a dark-hearted schemer, maintaining her family's power through stealth and guile. The sultana is now 60 and reportedly in ill health. Some attribute her illness to her lavish lifestyle coupled with the city's pollution. Others claim this no more than a rumor-a subterfuge on her own part, designed to lure out those who covet her position.The Court
The sultana's court consists primarily of her immediate family. Everyone else is a servant, pawn, or enemy (or quite possibly all three). The sultana's brood continually squabble among themselves, stopping only when some outside faction threatens them. Then they pull together to wipe out the threat, after which they resume their internal warfare. The prize over which they fight is their mother's blessing and her throne (they hope to gain the latter after she passes on). Alurah has recognized three sons and two daughters. She has been careful to see that other claimants to the noble bloodline have been placated and (or) removed from the scene.
Prince Anjar bin Alurah
is the eldest son and the apple of his mother's eye. Bright, strong, and respectful of his mother's wishes, his one great fault is that he lacks subtlety, being far too direct in his actions. A courtier argues with him and is found the next day face down in the harbor. A coffee house is said to be a haven for malcontents, and it bums down soon after a visit by the prince. A village that hides a fugitive is exterminated to the last being. At best, Anjar is heavy-handed; at worst, he is cruel and tyrannical. However, his mother feels these rough edges can be smoothed and that he will eventually replace her. She has not yet declared Anjar her official heir, but she has appointed him Grand Commander of her armies.Prince Omar bin Alurah
is the second son, a sha'ir linked to the Brotherhood of the True Flame. Both the prince and the Brotherhood seek to use one another to further their own ends. When those ends have been achieved, each side intends to dispense with the other. Prince Omar is short, nearsighted, and exceedingly jealous of his elder brother. He regularly reports Prince Anjar's mistakes and overreactions to his mother, hoping to replace him. Since he has few accomplishments of his own to boast, she usually pays him no mind. Omar is aided by his personal servant, a female efreeti named Jalas.Imam Raman bin Alurah min-Najm
is the sultana's youngest son. He is also the religious leader of the faith of Najm, and the official keeper of its mosque in the city. A staunch moralist, he has connections within the Pantheist League, who hope to introduce their firm beliefs to Hiyal. Gaunt and calm, Raman is regarded as the most dangerous of the sultana's sons, a planner who launches byzantine plots.Princess Hannah bint Alurah
is the best of a bad lot, the white sheep of her family. There is no love lost between the princess and her siblings. In the past, Hannah's relatives and others have used her in petty court intrigues, attempting to dupe her with spies and plants. As a result, she has developed a suspicious, almost hostile nature toward strangers. She speaks when she must, acts when she can. Her greatest concern is that her mother will die (or be killed) without formally selecting an heir, and that the resulting bloodbath will spread into the city. Hannah's current posting is Marshal of the City Guard, and she is dedicated to bringing a just rule to the people. The good citizens of Hiyal are devoted to Hannah, admiring her bravery and wisdom. The sultana knows that Hannah is an unofficial ambassador of good will from her court, helping to appease citizens who disapprove of the two princes.Princess Alurah bint Alurah
is the youngest of the ruling family, exemplifying its worst traits. Greedy, cruel, and conniving, she gets by on her family connections and her courtly graces. She is quick to turn one family member against another. Without hesitation, she will launch an attack on the innocent to cover her own wrongdoing and hide behind her mother's robes when she is in trouble. A 10th-level sha'ir, Alurah is served by a mischievous djinnling (air gen) named Pin, who acts as her spy.Tocka
is the sultana's personal servant, confidant, and hatchet-gnome. He was once a member of the Gilded Palm, a defunct group of assassins dedicated to Jisan. The Gilded Palm sought to right economic wrongs (sometimes by eliminating merchants). The sultana's late husband wiped out the group, but the sultana managed to rescue Tocka. Rumors abound that he was responsible for the sultan's death, but nothing has been proved. It is true that even the beggars of Hiyal know Tocka. The populace stands aside in fear as the gnome strides through the city, usually on some mission assigned by his mistress.Defences
Armed Forces
- 8,000 footmen
- 1,500 cavalry
- 2,000-man palace guard
- 2,000-man city guard
- two mercenary barbarian units - 1,800 strong combined
- five units of mamluk infantry, 5,000 strong combined
- three units of mamluk cavalry, 900 strong combined
Industry & Trade
Coal, iron, steel, weaponry, armor, metalwork, slaves (black market), information (black
market), pottery.
Guilds and Factions
Key Figures Outside of Court
Harayah al-Mabhum
, also called Harayah the Unclear, , is a powerful, aged sorceress. She has served, at one time or another, on all sides of the numerous internal conflicts affecting the court. Her specialty is disappearances-making individuals and items vanish (voluntarily or not). In the past, she has removed political opponents, personal rivals, and those who threatened the sultana's immediate family. Most recently, Harayah herself has disappeared, following a visit from Prince Anjar. Immediately after that meeting, Harayah's servants bricked up the entrance to her home from the inside, and no word has been heard since.Kasit al-Galaba
is an elf and a bard. He is known throughout the city for both his dulcet voice and his gossiping tongue. Place a rumor upon his lips at dawn, and by evening it will be known from the docks to the palace and out into the wild. (Or so it seems.) Those seeking to disseminate information near and far could not find a better means than Kasit. He has one standing rule, however: He will not blaspheme the names of the sultana's family directly. In thanks for that consideration, the sultana lets him live.Obok al-Busaq
is a man with two lives. In the broad light of day, he is a pottery dealer. Under cover of night, however, he becomes Obok the Slaver. Al- Busaq operates the heartless black market that deals in "intelligent beasts," from children captured by darkspirited desert raiders to speciality items such as rare sentient creatures and foreigners who are destined to be displayed as curiosities. He operates this business with the unofficial sanction of the sultana's court. As long as two promises are kept, she will not interfere. First, Obok must keep the sultana's own roster of slaves filled (including the harim of her sons). And second, Obok must strive to keep his work as quiet as possible. If proof of his activities were to reach the wrong ears, the sultana would have no choice but to shut down his operation. Obok uses a number of methods to transport his product, including his own great vases.Fuladayah bint Bulad
is the daughter of Bulad the Steelmaker, one of the finest weaponsmiths in the Land of Fate. The blood runs true, for she is as great a weaponsmith as her father, and the mark of the House of Bulad remains a guarantee of fine craftsmanship. Bulad makes long swords, broad swords, cutlasses, and scimitars of such high quality that wielders gain a +1 attack bonus (nonmagical, doesn't enhance damage). Fuladayah was recently orphaned. Six months ago, her father was found dead, with a crudely-made dagger in his neck. Fuladayah has taken charge of the business, and has made it known to all that she wants revenge against those who killed her father. The magistrate declared it a "death by accident," confirming Fuladayah's belief that someone of power or rank-and their toady-is involved.The Beggar Caliph
is one of Zakhara's mysteries. No one knows for certain the gender and race of this legendary beggar-thief, though many assume he is a human male. It is said that all beggarthieves in Hiyal send what they hear to him, and he in turn issues orders and gives them information-such as when a particular caravan will arrive, or if the sultana will declare a day of feasting for the entire city. Rumors concerning this character abound, and many theories are espoused. Perhaps the Beggar Caliph is a genie or a disgruntled warrior prince. Or perhaps he is the surviving sultan himself! As long as the Beggar Caliph causes no harm to the sultana's power-and perhaps as long as he eludes her-she allows him to survive.Points of interest
The Great suq
Much as the mighty bazaar of Huzuz is world-famous, so too is the suq of Hiyal, a maze of covered passageways and enclosed streets. In the main corridors of this labyrinth, all manner of legal goods can be found. In the shadows, all manner of illegal and forbidden goods can be found, too.Foundries
Located upstream on the sluggish river Al-Wahl, these foundries turn out some of the finest weapons in Zakhara. Each year, the mamluks of Qudra commission hundreds of high-quality swords and spearheads from the foundries. Hiyal pays taxes to the Grand Caliph with the proceeds. Many great weaponsmiths and armorers come to Hiyal to practice their craft. Their fires blaze through the night. Among the respected smiths include the House of Bulad.Major Mosque
Each of the three structures has a large number of support buildings, including dormitories, schools, courtyards, and kitchens. The mosque of Najm is the newest of the three, and has seen extensive renovation since the son of the sultana took charge of it.Geography
About 360 miles northeast of golden Huzuz, at the
rim of Suq Bay, lies the gray, industrious city of
Hiyal. Set in the low valley of the river Al-Wahl,
Hiyal is cloaked in the smoky stench of its foundries
and kilns. The shroud seems to nurture the
clandestine, for in the city's dark alleys and back rooms
the deals of smugglers, thieves, and unscrupulous
power brokers are made.
Type
Large city
Population
600,000 - 900,000
Owner/Ruler
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