The Heart

Important Sites

By traveling from the northernmost waves of the Golden Gulf and onward across Suq Bay, adventurers may begin to know the fabled heartland of Zakhara. This is more than a geographical centre, it is also the land’s soul. To the south, the region is anchored by magnificent Huzuz, home of the Loregiver and the Grand Caliph. No other city shines brighter than this golden homage to enlightenment and civilization. To the north, the region is anchored by another great city, smoky and mysterious Hiyal, a study in contrasts. Between them is Wasat, a sleepy oasis for the weary traveller. Finally, to the east lies the last city of the heartland: bustling Halwa. Perched near the fiery rim of the Great Anvil, this city still bears the traces of Zakhara’s wilder, less civilized past.

Halwa, City of Solitude

Located about 200 miles east of Wasat and Suq Bay, Halwa is one of Zakhara’s few major inland settlements. The city is perched on a lonely bluff overlooking the dry bed of the Wadi Malih. With the onset of spring, melting snow from the Ghost Mountains combines with seasonal downpours, turning the wadi into a surging, muddy torrent that washes silt into the low, lands. Within a month, the rains subside and the arid waste quickly returns.

The Ruler: Caliph Hava al-Gatil (hmF/a/12) is a well-meaning but insulated ruler. His main concern appears to be writing his memoirs. Al-Gatil often cloisters himself with his favoured scribes, writing (and rewriting) his past exploits as a young warrior, dwelling on those blithe days before he took his father’s place as caliph. Al-Gatil delegates most of his responsibility to his chief vizier, whom he trusts above all. The caliph has three beautiful daughters-Sikayah, Rajiyah, and Mahabbiyah-triplets who are approaching the age of majority. While the caliph appears to care for them, the depth of his devotion has never been tested.

The Court: The court consists of Chief Vizier Zarad (hmW/sh/15) and his flunkies. Zarad has served Al-Gatil since the caliph was a child, and he continues to maintain a strangle hold on the caliph’s mindset. All of the caliph’s orders come through Zarad. And if Zarad happens to add his own orders, who would deny they’re the truth? Zarad has already made a great fortune through unfair taxation (which he imposed in the name of the caliph and removed two years later in the name of the caliph, without the caliph himself ever detecting it). Now, Zarad lusts after even greater power.
The chief vizier is served by a dao of maximum hit points, who is referred to solely as Zarad’s Pet (and then only in hushed voices). Zarad himself is easy to identify in court: he always wears black-and-white striped robes.

Population: 60,000.

Features of the City: Despite its isolation, Halwa is bustling little city, serving as a chief trading post between settled Zakharans and the desert-dwellers of the Haunted Lands. Both city and wilderness people mingle on the streets. Abas and keffiyehs are more common than caftans and dolmans, and many of Halwa’s merchants have relatives among the desert tribes.
Halwa’s caliph is permissive, allowing all activity that does not bring disgrace upon his wise and beneficent rule. An underground slave trade thrives here, and Halwa is a stopping place for caravans enroute to Hiyal. Similarly, adventurers and would-be heroes use the city as a starting place for expeditions into the Haunted Lands, where many a man and woman has perished in the search for legendary riches.
As a group, the people of Halwa are known for their haggling skill and sharp-witted dealing. Never give what can be sold is their motto, and that applies to favours and information as well as camels and figs.

Major Products: Trade, livestock, slaves, durable goods.

Armed Forces: 3,000-man city guard; 500-man palace guard; 1,000-man mercenary cavalry, hired from desert tribes on five-year contracts. In addition, Zarad has his own 200-man personal guard. In times of need, he apparently can call upon a tribe of 200 jann.

Major Mosques: Hajama, Haku, Jisan, Najm, and Selan. Haku has the largest and most opulent temple, which is a pilgrimage site for the desert tribesmen. A three-day religious festival in Jisan’s name is held on the first clear day after the spring rains.

Rumours and Lore: Zarad is said to be everywhere, running the city with a smooth but iron-willed determination. This chief vizier hates nothing more than disturbances of his pleasant and (to his mind) just rule, and any problems that arise are dealt with quickly and harshly. He is not above selling an enlightened man into slavery (sometimes by producing a previous owner who declares the accused escaped him). Of course, this violates the Law, but Zarad places himself above the Law. Only his marriage to the caliph’s eldest daughter will establish him fully as the city’s ruler. Sikayah is technically the eldest, for she was born just before her sisters.

Grand Vizier Zarad has three goals in life. First, he wishes to keep the caliph happy in his isolation, so he has a free hand to truly rule Halwa. Second, he desires the hand of Sikayah, the eldest of the three daughters, and also the most headstrong and independent. Third, he wishes to ascend the throne and rule in perpetuity. To that end he is seeking a secret of ever-lasting life. He has heard of liches, but prefers a solution that leaves him his looks and sanity.

Sikayah has no love in her heart for Zarad, but is a prisoner in her father’s court, and under the watchful eye of Zarad’s pet. Should she escape, Zarad spares no expense to recover her. If that is impossible, it is with great regret that he has her beautiful mortal form destroyed and wed one of the more malleable younger sisters.