The Caravan District
Since it is located on a very favorable seaport at the mouth of the Golden Gulf, it might be thought that Huzuz does all its trading by sea. The fact is, while sea trade is very important, the slow-plodding land caravans bring almost as much trade to the City of Delights. A pilgrim on his way to the Golden Mosque may have no means he can afford but his feet. A trader from Talab or Wasat would rather travel the swift sea voyage, but certain goods (like camels, for instance) do not travel well by sea. Ship captains are notorious, at least to many traders, for overpricing the value of their services.
Literally thousands of caravans arrive at the four great Gates of Huzuz each year. They are met by the ever-present tax collectors. All merchants agree that the tax collectors put too high a value on their services. The mamluks on duty prevent any actions other than loud grumbling, and there is plenty of that. Once the caravans have paid their taxes and entered the city, they must find lodging for people and beasts and storage for their goods. They also need supplies for the next trip. The Caravan District serves all of these needs. It is the first district most see when they enter the City of Delights, and they are not disappointed. Even here, in what should be merely a workers' section, the towers and buildings shine with gold and silver. Glass set into the walls and roofs glistens in the sunlight. A visitor truly feels that he has come to the city at the center of civilization. The merchants and caravanserais agents quickly bring one down to earth; while this is a beautiful city, it is a busy one as well.
The routes to Wasat, Qudra, Halwa, Hilm, and points beyond are long established; even a fledgling caravan master can follow the routes. However, the dangers and trials of these routes may challenge even experienced caravaneers, and a foolish leader can mean the destruction of a caravan. The trade routes are also used by thousands of pilgrims making their oncein- a-lifetime trek to the (Golden Mosque. Some pilgrims arrive at the Gates with nothing but their clothing, while others arrive with a flourish of trumpets, riding upon white camels-but all of them come to Huzuz sooner or later.
The Caravan District is not actually one district. Rather, it is the area surrounding each of the gates. They are areas populated with caravanserais, inns, taverns, hostels, and traders in horses and camels. A veteran caravaneer may enter the town, spend a week celebrating, resupply, load a new caravan, and never leave the district around that gate. Most do, but everything really necessary can be located within the area around the gates. Many temples even have mosques near the gates, so the faithful do not have to travel far to worship.
Industry & Trade
Infrastructure
The Caravanserias
Of prime importance to the trade of Huzuz are the many caravanserais that dot the districts. Caravanserais cater to the caravans, offering food, lodging, storage space for goods, shelter for the animals, and all the services needed to get the caravan ready for another trip. Most such establishments try to offer the full range of services. A metalsmith, leatherworker, wainwright, and harness-maker are all considered standard. Entertainers perform at the cafes within. Some caravanserais even offer sages, magical healing, or spellcasting for an additional fee.
Rooms can be had for all in the caravan. Some rooms rival those of the better hostels in Huzuz. Unlike the caravanserais in remote locations, those in Huzuz are often beautiful, with glistening towers and golden designs on the walls. Large windows open on both sides, offering a view of the inner city, especially the Golden Mosque and the Palace of the Enlightened Throne. All the caravanserais of Huzuz are at least two storys tall; most can accommodate several caravans at once. Some of the best-known caravanserais are:
Districts
Caravan Gates
A small wall surrounds the City of Delights, really A more of a nuisance than a defensive fortification. Numerous open archways and alleys lie all along the wall, and it is guarded by moving patrols, not regular stationed guardsmen. Though the wall prevents most large-scale smuggling, a single smuggler can easily gain access to Huzuz, provided that what he wants to smuggle is small. Caravans must pass through the gates, as must all honest folk who seek admittance to the City of Delights. At the gates, the tax collectors and city guards await them. Most people find admission quite easy to obtain, even the ajami from far away, though merchants constantly grumble about the taxes they are charged. There are four gates in the wall, each similar in makeup and personnel:
Four platoons of The Vigilant mamluks are always on guard. A tax collector and his staff are present as well, as is a (usually) bored mage.
Guilds and Factions
Traders
The other feature of the Caravan District that immediately strikes a new visitor is the mass of traders waiting to offer a newcomer "the deal you will tell your friends at home about." Nearly everything is for sale in the Caravan District, and many people have trouble believing that the Grand Bazaar offers more, at least until they see it. A few samples are listed below, but the DM should feel free to offer as many traders as the players can handle. Libraries, mage schools, mosques, sages, and more are all available in the Caravan District. They may not be as large or as well-equipped as some in other parts of the city, but they are available.
Cela Jardi deals in camels. Cela grew up in the desert, a member of the House of Bakr. She came to Huzuz on her pilgrimage at a young age, and she never left. She has found her niche as a dealer in good camels. Her background gives her the ability to judge their condition and worth, and her ten years in the city have given her the haggling skill to succeed against the competition.
She does not buy or sell poor quality camels, and she takes good care of all the camels she has in stock, keeping them well-fed and healthy.
Mandrake Trollbane makes custom wagons. Mandrake is a northern barbarian who has been a citizen of Huzuz for the last six years. He specializes in providing wagons made to order, for clients who can pay well. One of Mandrake's wagons usually sells for twice the normal price, a price he can get with ease. He can make wagons that are cushioned by special springs for hauling delicate cargo, wagons that are watertight for fording rivers, and heavy wagons that can hold twice as much cargo as normal. He can deliver in as little as a week if the customer is willing to pay for speed.
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