1001 Adventures: A Flick of the Tail

[Vardaen]

Welcome all players to the Al-Qadim game. Set in the city Muluk the City of Kings in northern Zakhara the Land of Fate. As a nice surprise I?ve provided some introduction theme music. Enjoy!

Intro Theme Music

A world wind tour of Muluk ? The City of Kings.
Muluk is an ancient, cosmopolitan city, with many impressive commercial, public, and religious places of interest for visitors and natives alike. Located along the northwestern coast of Zakhara, Muluk sits watch at the mouth of the Al-Zalim river on the Great Sea.

Although some visitors arrange to stay with friends or family during their sojourn in Muluk, most travelers rent temporary accommodations in the huge caravanserai in the south, just outside the city walls. Visitors such as the desert riders out of the Haunted Lands, and corsairs from the islands of the Great Sea. The caravanserai is a vast structure, capable of housing up to six large caravans, including their mounts and cargo. In addition to sleeping accommodations, the caravanserai contains a small mosque, private baths, and a wide array of small shops, coffee houses, and restaurants that cater to the exotic and expensive tastes of traveling merchants.

Just outside the caravanserai, Muluk?s grand bazaar sprawls under the open sky. Visitors quickly become lost amidst the chaotic array of covered stalls and bewildered by the disorienting overload of sights and smells. Food of all kinds can be purchased here: dates, wild honey, roast mutton, olives, steamed rice, pomegranates, sweet breads, and succulent fruit juices. Eating at the bazaar seems much cheaper than sitting down to a meal at a restaurant in Muluk.

Besides food, the second best bargain at the grand bazaar is indigo dye, which is sold here by plantation owners directly to the cloth dyers. Finally, all kinds of trade goods from the Free Cities can be obtained at the grand bazaar: exotic potions and magical scrolls from Qadib, agate from Hafayan merchants, coffee and red glazed pottery from Liham, and finely-crafted metalwork from Qudra. As well as the distinctive purple clothing of Muluk can be purchased at the grand bazaar.

While merchants in the grand bazaar sell all manner of items, there are other bazaars in Muluk as well. A cloth bazaar in the eastern part of town, a spectacular covered bazaar in the center of the city, fish markets near the wharves, and opposite the caravanserai of the grand bazaar are the slave markets.

Although the city walls are undeniably Muluk?s greatest public monument, the Caliph?s palace is arguable the most impressive. Located at the center of town in the middle of the wide royal lagoon, the grand palace can only be reached by a spectacular, bridge-like fortress named Krak al-Yinangi, or ?Castle of Conveyance.? The grand palace is ringed by a three-story wall, punctuated at short, regular intervals with five-story minarets, topped by purple banners.

Although Krak al-Yinangi is Muluk?s most graceful work of military architecture (it appears to float on the royal lagoon like a sleek galley), the Citadel of the Respected is certainly Muluk?s most foreboding fortification. The citadel stands upon a man-made mount at the mouth of the Al-Zalim River, protecting the approach to Muluk by sea. Three massive siege engines rest on the citadel?s tower-tops, capable of lobbing small boulders at enemy ships over a quarter-mile away.

While the outer wall is only breached by four great gates, each marvelously carved, the Gate of Lions, the Gate of Elephants, the Gate of Eagles, and the Gate of Dragons, the city center is dominated by four impressive mosques. The Mosque of Jisan overlooks the covered bazaar. The Tower of the Moon, a spiraled tower-mosque is dedicated to Selan. The Mosque of Honored Elders is dedicated to Kor and faces the Plaza of the Ancients where two impressive monuments are dedicated to the city?s legendary rulers, Amakin Ibn Issad and Aswar al-Mutiq. Kor?s mosque also houses a open hospital where for a small donations the sick and injured can be tended. The Mosque of a Thousand Fountains is dedicated to Zann, and sprawls over a large portion of the walled city. It includes a private university and public library which is open to city residents six days a week.

Just outside the city, travelers will pass the Mount of Forgiveness. The city?s honored dead have been buried on this hill for centuries and the mount?s surface is completely covered with impressive tombs and sepulchers. A small funeral hall is also perched at the summit.


Continued on next post?

[Vardaen]

Continued from the previous post

It is here, in this grand city that our tale begins with four unlikely heroes. Yet fate moves the world, and when her hand reaches out, one must take hold of it or be lost. So let us look, my esteemed friends, down at the grand bazaar, with its maze of covered stalls, and throngs of merchants, beggars, barbers, rawuns, and even mamluks. Let us gaze down at the mortals as the marvelous genie do from their elemental homes, and see what we may see.

Ah yes, there among the crowd is a local of the city, a rawun of growing skill and talent, a man born and raised in the city who dreams of being in the sort of adventures that he sings about. His zither plays loudly, yet few actually listen to him, so many singers, poets, and musicians fill the grand bazaar is it difficult to hear one in particular, unless one listens closely. So it is that Kasib ibn Khalid ibn Farhaan Al-Fatu goes unnoticed except by our own curious eyes. The bard, while talented has yet to turn any profit in the city since striking out on his own, and his purse is rapidly depleting.

Behold! Another child of fate also born of Muluk and raised within its grand walls. Moving in and out of the crowd, passing only a few unwary feet from Kasib, dressed in the dolman of the current fashion is one Ka'im bin Mustafa bin Ghassan Al-Sayya. He bares himself proudly, confident in his newly growing talents, certain that one day he will be a great man among his peers. A stiff wind blows down the bazaar, perhaps the breath of Hakiyah of the Sea Breezes (praise his enlightened wisdom and might). The wind, no matter its source, blows the small red fez off of Ka'im's head and to the ground. There to scoop it up is a small stout figure. Standing no more than a foot tall is Orman al-Safwan, an earth Gen. The creature is a slate gray in color, heavily muscled, and bald. Its thick fingers grab the fallen fez, and lift it into the air. The minor genie kin takes to the air as well, flying rapidly to the height of his master before plopping the hat back on Ka'im's head. "Your fez returned master!", he delares.

Grabbing hold of his own head cloth as it flutters in front of his face, the newly arrived corsair (OOC: Need a name Wargie) in Muluk does not notice the flying fez. The man, obviously dressed in the garb of a sailor looks around bewildered at the size and chaos of the grand bazaar. His first trip to the City of Kings will prove to be an adventurous one should fate have her way. Unknown to the hundreds of people that come and go up and down the bazaar, this man, this Corsair is a wanted man on the run from the Mamluk's of Qudra, the City of Power. His own pockets, like those of many here are nearly empty. His feet while on dry land rest uncomfortably without the sway of a sambuk beneath them.

Look! Another sways as well, yet this one comfortably so atop her mount. A bold woman, dressed in the classic garb of the desert riders of the Haunted Lands sits at the edge of the grand bazaar. Yasirah bint min Al-Hotek's first trip to a large city has already been full of adventure. Sent by her adoring father, and disapproving mother, to learn some customs of the Al-Hadhar. She has set out across the desert and the mountains to come here to Muluk. Only the pure white Arabian horse Sariyah has been her companion on this trip. Such an expense on one's purse and one's spirit one could not be known ahead of time. She finds herself the fourth of our heroes.

Ah, do not despair brave adventurers for we all know: We have no fate but the fate we are given (by the DM)! Welcome to the grand bazaar of life! Please feel free to further describe your characters so all might see their beauty and grace.

[TetNak]

Amongst the great chaos of the bazaar, Kasib ibn Khalid ibn Farhaan Al-Fatu picks his zither rapidly. The descent of some ancient song, learned long ago, finally comes to a close.

His youthful fingers bend each note from the strings and frets, sounding in perfect harmony with his own singing. But the noise of the great city drowns out much of these tones, alas, Kasib plays for his own ears.

Perhaps twenty five years old, no older, Kasib has played and sung his songs for nearly a month straight. Grand tales he has spun, and grander tales has he heard from the old Rawuns.

His dark hair shimmers in the heat of the sun, as he wears no headpiece of any sort. The beard that has started to cover his face looks unnatural, as hair sprouts in patches, where some spots cannot grow a beard yet. Surely he is young and naive.

But his smile is wide and bold, which each song and note played, his face beams with excitement and glee.

Even though his close are average, and dirty these days, he wears them with the pride each song and tale gives him.

Currently, his pack of goods rests by his side, the contents hidden from the rest of the bazaar. Kasib slows his songs finally, taking a rest while other Rawun spin tales and sing their songs in his stead.

[Brynn]

Upon entering the city Yasirah quietly dusts herself off from any dirt and sand that have imbedded itself into her clothing. Now within the Grand Bazaar area, she scans the area thoroughly, still wearing her keffiyah on her head and over her nose and mouth. All that can be seen of her face is her intense dark green eyes. The trip through the desert and mountain proved harsh but a sheer delight to her. She is eager to tell her father of the trek to Muluk, but not so eager to learn the Al-Hadhar customs.

Her father told her that the mission was of great value...To help plan for any future dealings with Al-Hadhar. He further convinced her of the mission's value by implying that she would get the glory if she were to help with those plans to stop the evil tyrant from subduing his people.

Therefore, she was given the coin and instruction to make her way to the city, Muluk. The plan was to observe and find those that would teach her the ways of the Al-Hadhar. But to stay clear of adventure that would take her away from her main mission. Well, let's see if she can abide by that, since often she's has been known that Fate moves her along in uncommon directions.

Yet, she is ready for whatever may come. She looks formidable wearing a very tight studded leather outfit. Most in varied arrays of brown. Some portions of the leather are dark faded green. Flecks of golden brown hair show through her keffiyah.

Sariyah, the stallion, shuffles a bit. He's uneasy being in more confined quarters. He snorts in dismay of all the exotic smells he's unfamiliar with. Yasirah chuckles and leans over to say something soothing to her only companion.

[Wargie]

Rambad ibn Marwan the newly arrived corsair is standing in his greatness on the edges of the bazaar, he is bulky and muscular and quite a piece of hardware on his own. He appears to be bartering, and the objects involved appears to be golden rings and some earings which he is currently removing from his ears.
The trader is grinning most happily as he appears to earn the most out of this trade, while Rambad carries a face of disslike and annoyance. In the end the tinkering of gold is heard as a few coins trade hands and Rambad clasps a sturdy hand around them before walking into the bazaar with seeking eyes. Seeking both the guards and soldiers that might be seeking him, and a place in the background where wine and food might be found.

Did that man recognize me? Wasn't it fear in his eyes? I am getting too nervous...I need to relax, switch clothes, a bath, a shave and a job...

[Brennor]

As his Gen rises to his head, Ka'im smiles to Orman, "Ah, thank you, Orman. It is appreciated." With that, he glances around, hoping to find some direction in the mass of confusion that is the Great Bazaar.

Speaking to the Earth Gen again, "You haven't happened to see a carpeting stall around here, have you, Orman?" As this is said, a few others nearby cast a glance towards the short man conversing with the Gen. The familiarity these two show speaks of Sha'ir.

Ka'im finally notices the strains of music coming from gathering of Rawun. He stops in his tracks, and listens for a few minutes, before heading on. He leaves a dirham behind in his place as he continues his search for a carpet seller.

[Vardaen]

The sites and sounds of the Grand Bazaar are overwhelming, thankfully there area few loud voices that draw attention away from the chaos to themselves. Chief among those is a large barber. The man shouts the praises of his prowess, the skill of his razor, the sweetness of his oils and soaps. The man finishes up tending to a costomer and calls for more.

Sherbert merchants move through the crowd, cold steel tanks on their back selling their desert drink to those that seek refreshment from the hot weather. While other vendors sell roasted lamb, salted fish, sweat meats in flat bread, hummus, and all manner of other tasty delights. At "The best price in Muluk." So they claim.

A coffee vendor offers fresh ground beans, as well as prepaired coffee at a small stall set with dozens of carpets for the comfortable seating of his clients. Next to him, the carpets continue, a merchant sells those very things: carpets of all sizes and quality.


As it happens the collection of our four unwitting heros are gathered in a small part of the Grand Bazaar centered around a public well. There at the well is a small bucket for the watering of mounts, both horse and camel.

[Brennor]

Ka'im ahs as his eyes finally settle on a merchant selling carpets. He begins to make his way through the crowd, closing in on the well. There is a small clearing ahead, which he makes for. He does not see cause for the clearing, which is a white horse. He almost bumps into it, Orman the Gen floating up to Ka'im's shoulder just in time to pull on it and stop him from walking into the horse. "No, master. You'd rather not do that. Head this way." Orman points to the left, from his perch on Ka'im's shoulder.

OOC Note: Anyone can feel free to interject anything here, if you are near the well before Ka'im goes off to the carpet merchant.

Ka'im inclines his head to the horse and anyone nearby. "Excuse me, I did not mean to..." And with that, he is on his way towards the capet vendor again, Orman speaking into Ka'im's ear.

[TetNak]

The Rawun, Kasib stands, pulling his sack upon his back as he makes his way toward the well. He strums his instrument, the zither as he does so.

He sings an ancient song:

The sands, do they roll across the desert
Much of men they take
For a man caught amongst them
The Gods his soul they take!
Be wise o' man
Traveling across the land
For behold the sand
The bane of every man!

He stops, not singing any further, as he sees the woman upon the horse, and man speaking to her.

Simply, he nods, smiling as he does so.

[Vardaen]

OOC: To clear it up. Someone mentioned a fountain, and now everyone is calling it that. There is a WELL in the center of the bazaar area that you are in.

The well in the center of this part of the bazaar has a low three foot stone wall formed into a circle. A bucket on a rope is attached to small winch that can be lowered down into the black well. Along the side of the well is a small square watering bucket for mounts.