Sikak
City of Coins
This city takes its name not from any thriving trade in coinage, but for its most famous industry, fishing. The waters off the coast of Sikak and surrounding nearby Maribar Island are teaming with swordfish, turbot, grouper, drum, and croaker; and the shallows are alive with skates, mullets, and small blue octopi. The scales of the larger fish are often as big as silver coins, symbolizing the great wealth they bring to Sikak.
Like Tajar to the north, Fate has blessed Sikak with a series of artesian wells, which provide most of the water for the city. These wells began to fail some 40 years ago, and only through careful negotiarion with a group of dao and marids has the supply of fresh cool water been maintained.
The people of Sikak live from the sea. Dress is informal and suited to their occupation. Men usually go bare-chested and wear loose; lightweight pants. Even the female crew-members don little more than a light blouse and billowing pantaloons. This carries over into the city itself, where there is little cause for pretense or ostentation, save for great feasts.
The settlements to the north and south of Sikak are wealthier and more powerful, and Sikak's residents feel somewhat threatened. They are thin-skinned about the notion that any way of life may be superior to their own. The outlanders scatter lies, say Sikak's fishermen - lies claiming that Sikaki sailors smell of their catch, and that they send less-than-fresh fish to the Grand Caliph's palace. To insult a native of Sikak is to insult his or her family, boat, and entire people, and the natives react accordingly.
Government
The Ruler:
Sultan Magar al-Azim is the fifteenth gnome to sit on the Throne of Coins since his family first came to power during the First Caliph's rule. Al-Azim spent his boyhood working with fishermen, as his ancestors did before him, and as his children do now. This training taught the sultan the value of work, honesty, and fellowship. He is a popular ruler, and when he appears in the streets, he is often swept up in crowds of well-wishers. Ten ogres serve as his bodyguards, protecting him at all times.
The Court:
Sultan Magar al-Azim maintains a harim of the most beautiful women in Zakhara, all gnomes. His children number over 20. Indeed, Magar comes from a large family himself, and his uncles, cousins, and siblings handle most of the paperwork and bureaucracy in the city. In addition, Magar's relatives hold high positions in the clergy and the armed forces.
The heir apparent to Magar's throne is Prince Jeygar , a dashing young figure who heads up the fishing fleet on its voyages to Huzuz. He is said to be a favorite in the Grand Caliph's court.
Also of import is the sultan's sister, Imam Reya al-Affif, caretaker of the mosques and priestess of Hakiyah. She is known for both her impassioned speeches and her distrust of strangers to the land.
Defences
- 2,000 infantry
- 3,000 mercenary barbarians in three units
- 500 cavalry
- an imperial palace guard of 200 ogres, armed with halberds and long bows
- a 20-ship navy, which includes mostly small for shore patrol
- 400 marines trained in shipboard fighting.
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