Liham
City of Soldiers
Located where the Al-Sari River spills into the Great Sea, Liham is the southernmost point in the lineup of Free Cities. Following the coast, a sailor would journey about 200 miles to the southwest to reach Qudra. The Free City of Umara lies about the same distance to the northeast. Though Liham's strong military force - which includes mamluks from Qudra - has earned it the title "City of Soldiers," it is also called Liham the Red, because crimson is a prominent color in the clothing of its residents.
Features of the City: Red is the unofficial color of Liham. Fashionable men wear red fezzes and, to a lesser extent, red turbans. Many also wear red sashes at the waist. The women of Qudra don a riot of red shades in their gowns, shirts, and pants, accented with black and white. As the residents mill through Liham's Grand Bazaar, they form a wavering, flickering red mass, after which the bazaar has been dubbed Al-Mauqida, "the Hearth."
Some folk have another name for this city: Liham the Lapdog. Because of its proximity to Qudra, Liham is closely scrutinized by the powerful mamluks. It is said that Liham's caliph won't even comment on the weather without first checking with Qudra's emir. Qudra's mamluks maintain a strong presence in Liham; units of the Valiant, the Dutiful, and the Faithful regularly visit the city. While this adds to Liham's protection, it also severely limits its autonomy.
Government
The Ruler:
Caliph Harm al-Hayif is a timid soul who writes poetry of great quality. The caliph is rarely abroad, confined to his own court by his advisors.
The Court:
The caliph's chief advisor is Marshal Imar Abd al-Amin , a mamluk of The Faithful . Al-Amin's orders come directly from Qudra. Members of the The Faithfull serve as palace guards, insulating the caliph from external dangers.
Defences
- 6,000 foot soldiers
- 600 cavalry
- detachments of mamluk units from Qudra - typically three units of 200 mamluks each, more in times of crisis; mamluk palace guard, representing the Dutiful.
(The city has no native mamluk or mercenary organizations.) Seafaring forces include a three-ship coastal navy.
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