Qadib
City of Wands
A visit to this northerly city on the river Al-Haul can be magical, for Qadib is home to more sorcerers, elemental mages, and sha'irs than any other locale in northern Zakhara. In the entire Land of Fate, only Huzuz and Rog'osto boast more residents of a magical bent.
As noted, Qadib is a city of sorcerers, elemental mages, and sha'irs. It is also a city known for its universities, for which it is often called the City of Sages. Qadib's universities are dedicated not only to each of the elemental-provinces but also to legends, alchemy, astrology, divination, optics, algebra, and all the arts of civilized people.
This city has a third distinction as well: its dyemakers produce and export a fiery yellow-orange pigment called Uther, which residents use to dye fabric, especially felt. In the city streets, natives can be identified by their yellow fezzes and golden robes. In general, the natives of Qadib are intelligent, conversational, and well-informed, as one would expect in a center of learning. They may be too much so, however, for a Qadibi rarely uses one word when seven are possible. Quite often, even simple questions spur great debates in the streets. The people of Qadib are also noted for presenting their own opinions as stated facts. There is a saying on the northern coast: "If you want answers, seek them in Qadib. If you want truth, seek it elsewhere."
Government
The Ruler:
Sultan Kamal al-Hadi is an ancient, skeletal half-elf who has outlived several wives, his children and grandchildren, and is likely to outlive his great-grandchildren as well. His slowness in movement and speech conceals a mind that is still among the greatest in the Free Cities, and he is usually two steps ahead of everyone else as a master planner and conspirer. "The Hand of Fate strikes all," he wrote in his biography, "but most fortunate are those who can help direct its touch." He has shown a preference for human wives, and as a result all of his offspring have been human.
The Court:
The sultan's court is expansive, comprising representatives of all the magical universities and colleges. Two individuals of importance are the leader of the University of Flame Mages Badiyah al-Sa'id al-Sahim and Prince Anir al-Walad al-Hadi , the current heir apparent to the sultan's court. The prince is decidedly nonmagical in attitude, preferring to hunt and hawk rather than attending affairs of magic. The court believes that Sultan Kamal will (or must) live long enough to bring a more suitable heir into the picture.
The sultan's court also hosts a large number of genies, in particular jann, who are owned or hired by the sultan's family. These jann often serve as the sultan's eyes and ears in the outside world.
Defences
- 2,000-man city guard
- 100-jann sultan's personal guard
- 500 man cavalry outriders under the command of Prince Anir
- Five-ship navy
- 700 mamluks of The Studious military society
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