AD&D - Birthright - Player's Secrets of Ariya (2e)

• Y our empire once stretched beyond the
horizon. Now your power barely extends
Qfll}Q beyond the city walls. Rival domains and
monstrous rulers gather strength on every side,
table of contents and your people have grown complacent and
negligent. But take heart! In its long history,
Vizier's Report ..................................................2 Ariya has known terrible times, yet always a wise
History ........................... ........................ ..........4 leader has appeared to guide the realm back to
The Land and the City......................................8 strength. Are you the next such ruler?
Government and Culture................................ 12
The Magnificent City...................................... 16 what you need
Notable Citizens........................ .............. ....... 18
Holdings .................................................. .......24 to pluv
Rumors, Secrets, and Plots .............................28
Strategy and Advice ........................................32 This domain sourcebook is an accessory for the
BIRTHRIGHTTM campaign setting. You or your
credits Dungeon Master needs the BIRTHRIGHT boxed
set, as well as the AD&D®Player's Handbook
Written by Allen Varney and DUNGEON MASTER® Guide. Your DM will
Edited by Carrie A. Bebris find the Cities of the Sun campaign expansion
Creative Direction by Karen S. Boomgarden helpful but not essential.
Cover Art by Dana Knutson
how to use this
and Tony Szczudlo sourcebook
Graphic Design by Dee Barnett
This book details the people, provinces, customs,
and Renee Ciske and landmarks of the domain of Ariya, a Khinasi
Interior Art by Dave McKay state on the southern coast of Cerilia. You may
Page Backgrounds & Frames by Dee Barnett play either Prince Gerad ibn Farid el-Arrasi, the
Cartography by Paul Hanchette ruler described here and in Cities of the Sun, or a
new character of your own. This book assumes
Typesetting by Nancy J. Kerkstra Prince Gerad has abdicated and named your PC
his lawful successor, but players of nonregent
Art Direction by Bob Galica characters who live in or come from Ariya will
also find this domain sourcebook useful.
Graphics Coordination by Paul Jaquays
Change anything about the following descrip-
ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, AD&D, and DU NGEON tions that you don't like, then pass this book
MAsTER are registered trademarks owned byTSR, Inc. BIRTHRIGHT, along to your DM and explain what you want to
and the TSR logo are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. All TSR keep or change about the kingdom. Point out the
characters, character names, and the distinctive likenesses thereof adventure ideas that are important to your char-
are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. C opyright ©1995 TSR, Inc. acter. Remember, if something here doesn't fit
All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. the campaign, the DM is free to reject it. The
DM is also free to create a few surprises-after
Random House and its affiliate companies have worldwide dis- all, even the Prince-Paladin of Ariya doesn't
tribution rights in the book trade for English-language products of know everything about his city-state.
TSR. Inc. Distributed to the toy and hobby trade by regional dis-
tributors. Distributed to the book and hobby trade in the United Ariya has knoWI1 far better times, but a regent
Kingdom by TSR Ltd. with vision and leadership can restore it to glory.
The key lies not in bullying or violence, but in
This material is protected under the copyright laws of the persuasion, fairness, and hard work. Ten thou-
United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use sand blessings on your path!
of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without
the express written permission of TSR, Inc.

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UNITED KINGDOM

1

To the Resplendent Prince-Paladin of Ariya, predominance. In that age of glory, three dozen

who is like unto the Sun! provinces revered the prince-paladin in his Tower

For the indomitable Prince-Paladin illumi- of Morning. Every harbor on the Sea of the

nates Ariya the Impregnable, City of Temples, Golden Sun welcomed ships with the Ariyan flag,

and the light of his power shines also on the Khi- and every market took our silver shetel over other

nasi states and all realms of Cerilia! Their rulers lands' debased
TTTJZ I· e·r sVTo the Prince-Paladin, Guardian and
• currencies, which
Preserver, who is li~e unto the Rain Cloud! ,
are like the stars, extinguished in the brilliance • were not worth the
of the Prince-Paladin's radiance! word of a bard.
., But as Lord
.A -··. . ~
For AthveansitalitveeoifnAthneyaesatnedemtheedtrPurienAcer-iPyaalnadTienm's- ·. Korkud
ple of the Mag-
shadow, deriving from him life and protection from o··,.~·~ep·. r. t
nificent
i_ : ·

the fiery hatred of our enemies! The Prince-Pal- ·, ·· (may his

adin inspires poems and artwork of transcendent memory

beauty, as the rain cloud casts off rainbows! survive the ages!) declared two centuries ago, "A

To the Excellent Prince-Paladin, who is like life concerned with mere influence is a life poorly

unto the Earth and the Sea! lived!" As a child grows up and puts aside the

For immeasurable and imponderable are the games of childhood, so we of Ariya have in matu-

limitless glory and strength of the illustrious rity loosed the reins of power. No empty outlying

Prince-Paladin! provinces can rival our city; why should Ariya

Your Sublime Majesty! On the splendiferous seek to control them? "Prosperous within our

occasion of your ascension to the Thousand invincible walls, we inspire envy in other

Jewel Throne, ordinarily the noble Vizier of Ariya domains," said Lord Korkud.

(praise upon him!), one of the seven deputy Ariya's wise monarchs have endorsed this senti-

viziers (wise and honorable!), or any of the six- ment through the generations, down to your pre-

teen ~eputy assist.ant viziers (trusted colleagues decessor, Prince Gerad ibn Farid el-Arrasi (revered

alH) would describe for you the condition of our and beloved!). Duty compels me to report that

mbeloved state. Sadly, these worthy official.shave irresponsible citizens still speculate on Prince
Gerad's motive for abruptly abdicating the throne
tempoq~.rily fallen aft~r your coronation feast,
.:wherec'ajl·ate goat nl1tterthat, we now believe, and retreating to the wilderness last month. Fortu-

had turned ·rancid. I alone-your humble servant, nately, even these louts still honor Prince Gerad so

Fethiye Kalhat Hawwat Nishtun Burumbini al- far as to resist questioning him directly. I will not

Hufuf, junior deputy assistant vizier-foreswore report their scurrilous gossip, having greater

taking the butter due to a digestive ailment of a respect than they for a ruler's privacy, and restrict-

personal nature, praise Avani! So spared, I ing myself solely to unadulterated facts presented

respectfully offer this concise summary, in hopes for Your Superb Majesty's benefit, without concern

that its succinctness, meticulous accuracy, and for reward or personal advancement.

eye for vivid detail will not go unnoticed.

y~ucdomuin threats und

ou come.to power as the 43rd prince- weaknesses
·}·!>~~ ~~.orious,Ariya, most ancient
T he fanatical, expansionist Red Kings of
eV:ei··ect ·6f the ..Khinasi states. Your Aftane clearly pose the greatest threat to
the state. After a decade-long rise to
e.genty 'descends from el-Arrasi him- power, the veiled rulers to the east show no sign
self (hallowed is his name!), the of having sated their ruthless ambition. A cen-
·. Great ~i~g'·~ho freed these tury of war with Aftane has already ravaged a
lands•fromthe oppression hundred towns and exhausted our countryside,
':tlt~ Anuirean Empire. and now war looms again. Although rumors tell
For centuries all the of disunity among these seven my;steifous mon-
Khinasi lands archs, the Red Kings may trouble Ariya greatly
before they destroy themselves.
acknowledged
Ariya's With Aftane to the north and east, Ariya
needs no other enemies. To the west, however,
religious extremists have subverteo: neighboring
Zikala. The fanatical priestess Shandare , leader ;,.•:

of the one to question those of superior wis-
dom and station, l agree! Yet palace
misguided
gXury represents the greatest strain on
Zikalan ·our state's resources. If the esteemed

Temple of · prince-paladin can find a new, less
expensive, more financially responsible
Avani, inces- . way to assert power and quell unrest, all
Ariya may benefit.
santly preaches To my mind the gravest danger facing Your
Majesty is our calcified, stagnant civil service,
conquest and subju- which discourages promotion of its most gifted,

gation of our true and clear-sighted, energetic, and loyal workers. Some

righteous Ariyan Temple. high officials object to bringing certain kinds of

Up.fortunately, the weakling problems to Your Majesty's attention, such as the
problems I have mentioned here. To gain Your
@randYizier of Zikala, Omar.ibn Tuarim el-Ziset, Majesty's ear, concerned individuals (naming no
names) sometimes attempt desperate measures.
begms"to heed her sermons. ·
Even the south-the Sea of the Golden Sun

(Bair el;..Mehare)-holds peril for Ariya. In recent

years our fleets of dhows and dhouras have suf-

fered a resurgence .of piracy, by both the notorious

Black Arrow and the enigmatic, sinister Brother-

hood of Khet. These scoundrels operate from

secret bases along our coast, but their locations stren~hs !l!ld
o_p_poiiun1hes
remain a mystery. Rumors credit the pirates with

unusual powers-survivors of plundered ships say

that the Black Arrow, to all appearances a normal

ship, attacked from underwater.

Dangers on all sides; dangers, too, within.

Passionate intrigues, and sometimes assassina- A riya remains the jewel, the great p.9wer of
the Khinasi states. Our economy is'strong,
tions , historically have .accompanied succession our armies adequate for defending-,,t he

to the Thousand Jewel Throne. Conspiracy runs impregnable city walls, if not the sparsely popu:. "

rampant inside the palace, the sanctum of the

current and previous royal families. I warn Your lated provinces beyond. The state collects an exc~l-~

Majesty that some in Prince Gerad's rqyal family lent income, and Your Majesty's many palaces ·~

may not greet your ascension with unalloyed joy. temples contain colossal wealth. ;;: ; ~-c, ' ..

I cannot give names, for my informants refused Ariya gains security from its long allianc~wit
the western domain of Binsada, and we ~ ·
to speak them. I will not speculate and thereby

compromise my yearning for spotless truth. cordial relations with Mesire, beyond

I hesitate to mention what I perceive as a east. We have powerful secret allies e

deeper trouble. Ariyan citizens have grown com- in the provinces that once belonged to

placent, absorbed in our magnificent city while Your Majesty's greatest strength lies"ifi ,,,,_.
of regency: the authority and ability to ~peak
neglecting important niatters beyond our walls.

Many officials have developed a rarefied taste for the people. No one else commands this{.)<)~

soft, idle living-always excepting my superiors advice from your predecessor, the wfs:et

and colleagues, honor upon them! Gerad, Youi Majesty can guide }-!§ to §'~.~
glory. Praise on your p~th! · · '"° - ?f
This complacency also extends to the Swords of

Avani, the elite troops who protect your palace.

()yer the gent!ra,tipns they have assumed evet

greater diiti~s ; so that now they exerci~e power

that perhaps rivals your own. Yet they "do m>t act

to expand Ariya's dominion, but exert their ener-

gies in training our youth, maintaining civil order,

and even supervising street cleaners! Worthy

c~~.ses, to be sure, but what of otir , ~tagnanft
a!ihd~edSbwyq~a~n~"e. ~n~fXre~ri~cth1!e£d9<n>ornoli}lfif,try"esainsdt_e:d_,·~
d o m a i n. ?.
reforms,

forgiv;~ my ca11dor; :Your .M.aJe~ty~~ ;·e~~Il.?:so
pdesis :in 9urvenerated Ariyan Temple; ·:-; · c <x

The treasury represents another s6

alarm. The.worthy viziers senior to me ·

pei;su~s!y~lythatJa:vish ~pending,QI\ ;:•

Subli.tn~ '..Majesty's court keeps the i_.

str.ppg .a;nd ·st:iftes qissent among Yo

Majesty's envious relatives. Never

T he Khinasi use the Masetian And so it came
Arrival (MA) calendar, which . to pass that
takes as its starting point the first while many

appearance of the Masetian people on the Basarji children

continent of Cerilia. Dates in Haelyn's had Masetian

Count (HC) , which begins with the cataclysm blood coursing

at Mount Deismaar, follow in parentheses. through their veins,

the number of true

ancient duvs Masetians declined.
The War of Shadow and

its climactic battle on Mount Deismaar in 515

T he City ofTemples entered history as a sim- (0 HC) proved disastrous for the Masetians.
ple Masetian port town, Saria. Saria stood Never numerous, the Masetian people were all but
as the first town founded in the region, and annihilated by the cataclysm; the few survivors

possibly the first in Cerilia. Although tradition says could not prolong their race beyond several ever-

that the Masetian calendar dates from Saria's found- dwindling generations. Many left their cities along

ing, the town was probably built in 12 MA (-503 the coast of the Bair el-Mehare to consolidate in
HC) , a decade after humanity's Flight from the
Shadow across the primordial land bridge from the southeastern islands.
As Masetian influence in Saria declined,
. Aduria into Cerilia.
· Sailors of bold and Basarji influence increased. The wanderers
began to trade their nomadic lifestyles for more
h . ·o· r y· .i impetuous character, permanent settlements.

Is. · _ ·11 . • .. ., Masetians explored the Taking advantage of this transitional period,

' , land and founded small looters and bandits descended upon Saria. After a

· city-states as far west as few years of their sacking, pillaging and plundering,

PJQdern-day Binsada and as far east as the Saria lay in ruins. In 523 (8 HC) , the Basarji rallied

)~l<tnds of the Ajari Deeps. History records few to drive the bandits out of the region. The victori-

prior inhabitants in this land; elves kept to their ous Basarji rebuilt the city, naming it Ariya.

'\forests, dwarves and goblins to the mountains . Though the Masetians wrote an ancient chapter

:;,~ln the wide , grassy savannah and rocky island in Ariya's history, symbols of their rule survive in
'~-coasts' the Masetians found few rivals. many forms-notably in the Seal of Ariya and the

i~~f1-cro~ t~e gulf of millei:uua, only a few Mase~ian prince-paladin's Scepter of Office. Their role in his-
g_y.mes s~ve. Maltos Sana, founder of a long-lived tory also is evident in the faces of Ariya's people,
~ ""'""' '· many of whom favor their Masetian ancestors.
ed in Saria, reigned over an empire of

southern Cerilia and the islands of the

~a. His people worshiped the ancient the t~mple of

de i%,p f the sea, Masela. Maselan doctrine QVQfil

lli:age'U followers to teach the lore of the sea to A s the Basarji took over the Masetians'
.rtie:~el sought it, and so the Masetians, finest cities, they also adjusted to the new
gods who emerged from Mount Deis-
• ,7\,s_ailors of the ancient world, taught their
"=' fore to a tribe of nomadic seafarers and
')nage~. from lands across the Sea

· ~ .-- -~f Dragons-the Basarji. .
'The tw9 peopl~s share_d the

~- · d:~ll se~ ~acefajly for maar. In their new homeland the Basarji gradu-

eii:tiries. I ntermafriage aUy ·tnoved away from sea worship, butthe tran-

¥1;;.'}Vas not uncommon, sition did not happen smoothly.

~ though J?asarji In 524 (9 HC), Nurida el-Deyfr, a charismatic

culture di.s~ted ; priestess of the old faith, fell afoul of bandits while

that inter.flicial · - traveling with a caravan between Zikala and Ariya.

ctiuple(must The bandits slew the caravan's guards, then moved

ado tthe to attack the unarmed travelers ~ . Nurida, like all

priests stifl serving "dead" gods_after Deismaar,

had1;~0 n;ic;jpr spells .to protect herself. N onethe-

less:-,s:ne 'stood against the bandits and tried to per-

suau~ them from murder. In the extreme circum-

- es,sJ.ie appealed to "the light of reason," and

, drew the first manifestation in Basarji

-lands of the goddess Avani.

After incinerating the bandits, Avani

enlisted Nurida to teach the virtues of reason

throughout the land. N urida spent the next 40 years his childhood, all know that Rashid doune Arrasi
preaching first in Ariya, then throughout the region. was born in 1249 (734 HC ), battled with his
Late in life she journeyed east to Djafra. Her activi-
ties there are unknown to Ariyans, but two Djafran brother Eirat for the throne in 1270, and
provinces are named for Nurida el-Deyir.
emerged as ruler of Ariya in 1271. Custom dis-
Nurida's message found a cold reception in courages the use of this heroic leader's birth
Ariya. Worshipers of the old gods remained stal- name: Ariyans call him simply "el-Arrasi. "
wart, convinced that their deities' apparent death
was only a test of faith; meanwhile, priests of the El-Arrasi's rise to fame began in 1279 (764
new gods competed for followers on the newly HC) , when the Anuirean Empire ruled all the
leveled field. Persecution of Avani's earliest disci- Basarji states from Ber Dairas to Djafra-all the
ples forced them to retreat to the unoccupied lands , that is, save the city of Ariya, where el-
provinces, where they created huge underground Arrasi reigned as mage-king. Anuire had a tyran-
cities in which to practice their faith. nical (and mad) new emperor, Alandalae, who

Eventually, Avani's children could once again conquered western Khourane. In response, the
feel the warmth of her sunlight: In 760
(245 HC), the Ariyan ruler Lord Orhan con- mage-king began uniting the Basarji to oppose
verted to Avani's faith, thereby making the Tem- Anuire. Displaying his superb grasp of diplo-
ple of Avani the official creed of the city-state. macy, intimidation, local custom, and logistics,
Today, the abandoned underground cities remain el-Arrasi led a series of lightning strikes against
potent sources of magic. the Empire's land and sea forces. In the two
decades of war that followed, the mage-king dis-
el-orrusi und -tinguished himself as a master of guerrilla tac-
t h e ,empire
tics, naval strategy, espionage, and realm magic.
T ·he · leading figure of Khinasi history was The war reached its climax in 1299 (784 HC)
born ih and ruled the city of Ariya, a fact
which has remained a source of endless wheI¥Alandalae personally led a land assault on
pride for Ariya's citizens. Though legends shroud Ariya, while his nephew Caercuillen commanded
a supporting navy. Aboard the Basarji flagship
Sehare el-Resheir, el""Arrasi defeated the navy in
the Battle of Kfeira. He captured Caercuillen,
then lan_sJ.e_d and attacked the imperial army in
wMlt -is I1ow called the Battle of Kings. After
intense fighting, el-An«lSi marspC!Jed th:~ :r;nagic <;;,
of his land and burrfed the enemy legiP,ns with

explosive flames , roasting the emperor alive.

Rather than ensure the war's continuation by the rightful heir's siblings. To remove some of the
competition, one winner marked his victory by
killing Caercuillen, el-Arrasi offered peace. The sitting on the Thousand Jewel Throne and watch-
ing as his brothers and sisters were publicly
new emperor, impressed with el-Arrasi's courage strangled. To Ariya's shame, this barbaric act -
became tradition.
and wisdom, agreed and withdrew his troops
Outside the palace, the city-state found itself
from the region. The following years of friend- beset by feuds between geirbou , clan-like

ship between the two rulers helped heal the rift extended families who each pursue a single craft

between their people. or trade. The geirhou jealously guarded their-
occupational secrets and believed they had a tra.,,-"'
El-Arrasi ruled the Basarji until only 1311 ditional right to monopolize their chosen occu.o1;
pation. Midnight turf wars between rival ban'ds
(796 ti€), when an assassin struck. Sent by the of cobblers or glassblowers destJ.!oyed whole ·

Serpent, who feareo el-Arrasi's growing influence anneighborhoods.
These uncivilized-practices came to end in
along the Sun Coast, the assassin bypassed the
Sf1495 (9~0 HC) With t~e a~~en~ion l<_at?n~ 15int, J
<:;reat King's formidable protections by infecting
el-Arrasi. Before taking up tHe scept~n;>f;J·ule, ~
11ifiii with a magical wasting disease similar to a Fatima serve~ with Ariya's p~laClins, the~SwordSRof ' -~
Avani. Rather than destroy Her many si:blihgs, she
potent curse. The mage-king's magic could not confined them to house arrest in the~ royal palace;·
beginning a tradition that surVives to ,,thi~ day:;
stcfp th'e disea-se , but before it killed him, he
Even as ruler, the Lady Fatima maintaine.d her
plarced l}imselfin a temporal stasis. El-Arrasi's service.to the Temple of Avani. However, when
she rose to become its lady high matria ~~ h --
viziers fai~th:eir lord's body in a secret chamber (supreme authority), she clairµed th_e o(fic~ n~t; ~

benea,th ~tfre Tower of Morning and searched for las a paladin but as regent of Ariya, calling: heFse lfr°'

a.cure. After weeks of effort, they found one- "lady-princess."This marked the beginning""o' f·
theocracy in Ariya. Subsequent rulers also were - '
-wnonut the :body had vanished. No one ever discov-
priests or paladins of Avani, at least in name, and
ere;cl took the Great King's body, nor why, maintained authority over both temporal and
nof wliat l:fecame of it. If the stasis has not been spiritual domains.
.aispellect ~l-Arrasi may still live,~transfixed, per-
Fatima ended the geirhou battles by granting
' etually on the brink of death. ' monopolies to one family in each trade. Rival
families left the city and moved to new settle-
:J:in } everence for their lost ruler, the Basarji
ments in the countryside. There they founded
c_tenamed their region Jh ~. khir-aften el-Arrasi,
villages and maintained their crafts. This isola-
: 1Clf!ds u!!der the protectlo, ,; of el -Arrasi. " In time
thil -ph~se b~cam~ e~Jd((d ·!nfo Kb~nasi. tionism explains why the rare traveler in Ariya's

•·,"fie ·<Solden a'5e remote provinces may find that all residents in
one village are toothless but wear boots of stun-
·T· he century that began with el-Arrasi's ning craftsmanship, whereas residents of a
victory in the Battle of Kings, now retro- neighboring village may sport perfect teeth but
- spectively called the Golden Age by go barefoot.

Ariyah scholars, seemed no more golden at the The Lady Fatima faced her first crisis in 1497
(982 HC) , when adjacent Aftane invaded and
time than any age does. Without the leadership
seized Ariya's four northern provinces. Her
"".,of the Great King, the Basarji Federation sur-
~ -'.!ived only a few years beyond him. Yet Ariya counterstrike ended in disaster, for in the cen-
-- emerged.from the breakup with 11 provinces and tury since el-Arrasi's death Ariya's army had
grown incompetent. Fatima responded by exiling
cJ. cg mmanding prestige everywhere on the Sun all commissioned officers and founding a new
~~as:t j'Efr five generations it led the other army, led by her fellow paladins in the Swords of
:j{liinasi states through influence , if not authority. Avani. After two years of preparation, the Swords
·_~ Q~_spife Ariya's influence abroad, however, the tried again to reconquer the northern provinces.
~~ffei~te - faced ugly problems within. The contest Though Aftane's court mage threw them back
· · for the throne between el-Arrasi and his
with overwhelming power, the Swords made a
brother had created resentful
feelings among Eirat's heirs much better showing than they had before. Earn-
and set an unfortunate
precedent: The death of ing the respect of the citizens, and drawing on a
each ruler sparked a strong power base in the Temple of Avani, the
fierce internal succes- Swords became the chief military and police
sion war, not only force on land and sea throughout the domain.
with Eirat's

descendants but

_also among

the lon~ £ull 1965 (1450 Hh iCm),._.F6e.badr iunlagz-tihz actapl l1eide set sv ei rnyApfrtia'el§iej: ~
would curse
11
and healer in the land to the Tower of ~orning:

T he Swords of Avani have served with While they stood by his-bedchamber_~selessly,
honor for five ce.nturies. They have, how- smallpox ravaged the countryside, followed _hj~~a,
ever, had to o'pen their ranks to non-pal-
plague of locusts and-the nexf year-an ea~n:..

adin figHters in order to maintain a sufficient quake. Scholars have sought a magical explana:

IU::ilitary presence throughout the -domain. In tion for these catastrophes, but determined tlieir

'15.:7'6 (1061 HC), jurisdiction over the Swords cause as muhdane bad luck. Regardless, Abdu-
laziz's mismanagemen{ plunged-the domain itit~
traµsferred from the Temple of Avani to the state

g9:verP-1l1~nt (primarily a technical distinction, as chaos. Rescue came with -his successor, Prince
tn~ PHhde of Ariya heads both institutions). At
Sehinsah the Wise, who painstakingly rebuili>the
t time,j"" the _Swords established a policy that
state and replenished its treasury. ~·

rs and cayalry members must be paladins of . "' ' - -
i_Byt- _. i, in£i ntry men and members of the _~ " · ,,,,.,•
~!--~..,
confIThU:fftO.:..~~:.':lden _N~v..y.n~ longer had to practice such ~ l1c (T~ ,

as_s1duous d1sc1plme. rn --~., .'
bl ·_ - ·For ;too many years, the Swords were
p_eo e m sengaged.in a tug-of-war with Aftane over the c{

A- The SwoTds launched repeated campaigns to -~ ~
four provinces seized during Fatima's reign.

"refake th~ lands; one hundred years ago they riya seems as far away as ever from its

~~lly '¥~n. Unfortunately, the victory occurred Golden Age. The Red Kings of Aftane,

_ seven anonymous warriors named for the

iJHrig t he rule of Selima I-the first of the red veils they wear, have spent a decade achieving

Nf~e . Ba(! Sultans. joint rule of Aftane. Now they show every sign of

_,;:~~~tarting in 1938 (1423 HC), the once-power- renewing the age-old war with Ariya.

fuf_Ariya ~declined under a century-long sequence Zikala's Exalted High Priestess Shandare

~. offfePoor r.µlers. The policy of house arrest for a (FKh; Pr9, Avani; Ba, major, 39) wields tremen-

ruler's siplings, though motivated by kindness , dous influence over the weak young Grand Vizier

producea generations of royal families who were Omar ibn Tuarim el-Zisef (MKh ; W4 ; An, major,

to varying degrees insane. Nine madmen, one 36). Shandare has pledged to bring the Zikalan

after another, drained the treasury, announced Temple of Avani into all surrounding lands, by

cruel or senseless policies, and-neglected outly- word or by sword.

ing villages. Though the title of "s ultan" has - To the south, piracy plagues the state.

never been used officially for the ruler of Ariya, Although Prince Geraci personally killed the self-

these regents are nonetheless known today as styled "pirate king" Bedize the Soulless over a

the Nine Bad Sultans-historians agree that such decade ago, the pirate's daughter, Sari, has

incompetent regents do not deserve'the·honor- appeared off the Ariyan coast to begin a new

able title "prince." wave of piracy.

When the Swords of Avani reconquered Ariya has endured disasters, but to date has

Ariya's lost provinces, Selima refused to release always recovered through wise rulership. Still, it

enough money from the treasury to properly has never regained that Golden Age of influence,

administer them. Aftane, taking advantage of seven centuries g~st. All eyes now tum with hope

Selima's foolishness, easily recaptured the to the new regent.

lands; the Swords were then ordered on another

mission. And so it continued for nearly a cen-

tury: the Swords would conquer, a few years

later Aftane reconquered. Historians now refer

to the four provinces as "the ricochet lands, "

because their allegiance bounced back and

forth between states.

To many, the fruitless fighting over the rico-

chet lands serves as just one symbol of Ariya's

fall from glory during the sultans' reign. Under

Abdulaziz IV, the mismanagement culmi-

nated in the disastrous Plague Year of

the dynasties create unrest in the countryside

and divert citizens from watching the borde_rs.

The savannah also ~supports herds of wild

horses-, beautiful lightly -built animals with bay,

chestnut, or brown coats >Ariyans capture _and

domesticate these horses , which are adni1red
m·-' .for stamina,-,

spee_:_d, and · -,
acroS:s Cerilia -- ""

inteJlige~ce. e. • ." · .' ,··.

Olidfhe ·

_Once herds of oryx and red antelope roamed eicot the tcouhleso-~
-~
_the dry savannah, preyed on by cougars, packs
Ordinary sea and shore life presents little:thi-
of hunting dogs, and vultures. Today, little Ariya. On the long beaches, travelers can-see __ _ _

wildlife remains except hares, partridges and wellgoanna lizards, pelicans, black-win.ged gulls, fr(fgs, .,·
other game birds, and monitor lizards. Larger
animals have moved west to Binsada or north to and turtles. Jn the ocean, salmon abounQ., as
the Tarvan Wastes , unable to compete with as ~luefin tuna, huge_colonies of shellfish (preyed
gigantic herds of cattle. on by mako sharks), blue-ringed octopi, and pqiso-
nous crayfish. Fishermen sight a ki:aken evety
Ariyans live on beef, and the Ariyan economy decade or so; but the main threat to ocean travel is
- selcfom mentioned·, for it was unintentionally cre-
rides on the backs of cattle-brown short-horned at~d -by elS4frasi himself.

steers of lar_ge size and colossa l stupidity. The ,_;~}J.en. el-Arrasi claimed leadership of the
herds roam fr~e, tended ·by rancher~ oD:horsehack.~' Ba:s~kji Fedenation seven centuries ago, the
Great -~ing's younger brother, the mage Eirat,
}'.,'fo~e ranc:4ers" b,¢long to five dispute d'.his claim. The two brothers met in a
, families ,.,tfi~ scr_~lled Cattle sorcerers' duel during which el-Arrasi defeated
Eirat. Rather than kill his brother, el-Arrasi
sti~S ,· Who fOIDp~te fiercely transformed him into a turtle and freed him in
for territory. Through their the ocean, decreeing that no Basarji could kill

struggles to gain the the turtle. (This sibling rivalry helped justify later
'. best grazing "'rulers ' practice of destroying all relatives upon
land, ascending to the throne.)

'In the seven centuries after el-Arrasi's death,
Eirat fed on fish and then on sailors, always growing
ever larger. Now he has become enormous-30 feet
from snout to spiny tail-and mad with loneliness.
Desperate for human contact, he occasionally
assaults ships and threatens to capsize them unless
their crews pay him a tribute of fish.

_The Khinasi, still respectful of the Great
King's edict, do not attack Eirat. In fact,
sailors find the whole subject of Eirat as
troublesome as the turtle himself, and
speak of him rarely. Only the ruler of
- Ariya has the authority to defy el-
Arrasi's command and attack

Eirat, yet prince-paladins have lived out long 1ouds und _routes _
reigns without ever having to deal with the
Troublesome One. A riyan roads are made of dirt, wide and -
solidly packed from centuries of carts
Eirat the Troublesome (Dragon Turtle): and caravans. Each year half a dozen
AC 0, MV 3 (Sw 9); HD 12; hp 72; THACO caravans travel the Coast Road east or west;
9; #AT 3; Dmg 2d6/2d6/4d8; SA capsize another three or four head up the North Road to
ships; SZ G (30' diameter shell); ML Shoufal during those periods when control of the
fanatic (17); Int 18; AL NE; XP 8,000. northern provinces seesaws back to Ariya. Cur-
rently those provinces belong to Aftane.
Notes: Capsizes ships under 20' 95% of the time,
20-60' 50%, 60+' 20%; ships not capsized ai:e dam- Free ranchers, royal couriers, and the occa-
aged but seaworthy. Bloodline: Ba, great, 38. Blood sional army use the road, but most travelers are
abilities: Alertness, detect illusion, elemental con- farmers. Thousands of carts bring whe~,,.vegeta­
trol, long life (major). bles, and livestock from adjacent provinces-to
feed the hungry city of Ariya. City dwellers,
Eirat is a 12-HD dragon turtle, except that he however, traverse these roads little. Ariyans
has an Intelligence of 18 and no breath weapon. travel by sea when they travel at all,
El-Arrasi marked Eirat's shell with gold calli- and few ever leave the city.
graphic letters reading "traitor," which are still
visible.

Eirat cannot cast spells in turtle form, but he
can communicate telepathically. Before assault-

ing a ship, he asks if a mage is aboard. Eirat

seeks to regain his human form, then take his
late brother's throne and gain terrible revenge on
all the Khinasi.

provinciul dozens of stately temples and shrines to Avani,
refugee mothers with babes in arms beseech
ys. city life worshipers on their way to prayer.

-~ A-~-- -_- _ riya's provincial towns These refugees soon learn the truth and
falsehood of their views about the Magnificent
' and villages have never City and its citizens. Festivals every few days
- · played important roles confirm the fixed provincial belief that city
dwellers are improvident and frivolous-
in the state's culture or his- although every festival celebrates some saintly
figure from temple history, worthy institutions
tory. Now, ravaged by fre- like parenthood, or a virtue such as familial loy-
quent wars with Aftane, settle- alty, charity to the sick, or hospitality. Try as
they might, refugees see no one drink liquor or
ments in the outlying provinces become intoxicated, and contact between men
(including Kouzir) have practically and women stays rigorously innocent. Piety is

vanished. The Cattle Dynasties Above·eXt~a'\'tt;pinary and universal.
occupy the ruined huts on their fre- all, the refugees see. instantly that the
quent drives across the savannah, having paid city is not unclean. No cityjp. Cerilia has fresher
rotection to Aftan~'s forces for safe passage. paint on its buildings. Each winding street in the
.ast _ rul~rs~tr~~!Lth~ loss of the·_prq_vinces as Old City, each wide avenue in the New City,
rfvial, but Prince ·cerad became alarmed when, each pavilion in the Lord's City, is spotless. The
three dumps outside the walls hardly deserve the
Jatein his reign, the Red Kings of Aftane asserted name, for civil servants cover the trash heaps
; control in all but name over Assarif, Azedas, and with fresh soil daily. Every citizen bathes as often
"' Djef el-Kadir. The sparse populations remaining as feasible. Cleanliness is a cardinal virtue in
most temples of Avani, but in Ariya cleanliness
in these eastern provinces pay their taxes as has transcended mere virtue to achieve the
usual, but the payments unfailingly get "stolen by status of a near-fetish.
bandits" and find their way to Aftane. Prince
Gerad intended to reassert Ariya's authority in the tower of mornin~

these provinces, but he abdicated for mysterious Built by el-Arrasi shortly after his rise to power,
the royal citadel earned the name Tower of
reasons before carrying out his plans. Morning for its perfect view of summer sunrises.
The Great King built a companion Tower of
Though poorer and less educated than citizens Evening in western Binsada, but after the
in the city, provincial residents live, think, and breakup of the Basarji Federation the tower
. worship much like their urban counterparts. No stood empty. Now it survives as a haunted ruin
cultural gulf separates them. However, urban beside the monster-infested Harrowmarsh.
Ariyans seldom think at all of the rural people. In
general, the urbane sophisticates of the city The Tower of Morning stands sentinel at the
think of anyone who lives outside the City of city's harbor. In times past it served mainly as a
Temples as unlettered, unimaginative, and bor- stately, impressive monument to Ariya's greatness.
Now, as pirates grow bolder and other states con-
ing. Ariya's neglect of the provinces has caused sider aggression by sea as well as by land, the
tower's defensive function grows more important-
bitterness among the remaining farmers and vil- hence the presence of army barracks nearby.

lagers. They view the city of Ariya as a den of The tower is the nexus of a large complex of
irresponsible (true), immoral (false), unclean law courts, armories, spacious guest houses, ser-
·;~totally false) spendthrifts (very true). vants' quarters, and the Golden Menagerie-a
collection of exotic live animals from all over
Thousands of refugees from plundered farm- Cerilia. Just outside the palace complex sits
steads have fled to the Magnificent City, where beautiful Regent's Park, with an enormous
-fhey: have erected crude dwellings outside the library, a temple, a fountain, and a statue of el-
Arrasi. The elite Two Hundred Families, Ariyans
city's pristine white walls. In Ariya's loud and of high status, gather here four times a year to
mingle with ambassadors of foreign states and
crowded bazaars, where merchants sell hear the prince-paladin speak on the condition of
the domain.
pots and plums, glasswork and
The tower's interior provides a brilliant exam-
horses, the refugees beg copper ple of Khinasi architecture, lavish yet tasteful. Its
coins. Seeking work, they
invade the bathhouse
steam rooms where
sweating merchants
discuss business.
Even in the

lovely-Court of Royal '.Vfrtue featuteia~"po~l ,

stocked with exotic carp,-bred through the cen..c
turies for beautiful scale patterns or interesting
eye deformities. The carp live very long lives , and

the death of any one of the carp signals change

for Ariya. One carp in particular, unimaginatively
called "Old Man Carp ," was bred by el-Arrasi
himself. Legends say that if Old Man Carp dies,
Ariya itself will undergo tumultuous change.

The House of Silent Servants: The regent's
living quarters take this name because , by
unbreakable custom, no servant may speak to
one of the royal family unless the family member
speaks first.

The house, actually a complex of four floors

atop the Tower of Morning, boasts opulent fur-
nishings: red velvet divans, walls decked in glass
globes,_crysta! cpa~deliers , sweeping staircases
with gota nalusters ;-ana vases filled with peacock
feathers ..--Rooms smell of cinnamon and sweet
incense, and servants wave ostrich-plume fans to
circulate the air. Musicians quietly pluck 30-
string zithers or strum a short-necked lute called
the oud. Palace eunuchs stand guard, ministering
to the royal family's every need. Few other ruling
houses in Cerilia enjoy such luxury.

In marked contrast to the richness of the
house's other rooms, the regent's own chamber
seems understated. The paladins who rule Ariya
generally have no taste for luxury, finding truer
comfort in devotion to Avani.

The Chamber of Whispers: Deep below the

House of Silent Servants, deeper than the palace

dungeons, past the oubliettes and treasure

rooms, down nine guarded flights of stairs and
past three doors (the first of steel, the second
onyx, the third obsidian) lies the prince-paladin's
most secret room. Beneath an unmarked obsid-
ian dome 20 feet across, the regent sits in total
silence. After 15 minutes, a gentle breeze rises,
and he begins to hear things: snatches of conver-
sation in tea houses, distant cries of merchants in

the bazaars, gossip around a village well. In the

Chamber of Whispers , the regent hears the
voices of his domain.

The listener cannot control what he hears; he
can follow no more than a few moments of a
given conversation before the whispers move
elsewhere. At the regent's invitation, others may
accompany him to the chamber, which holds up
to eight people. All musVremain absolutely
silent, oi th~ whts e1~K fed~ :~~

~ouernment luwffiukin'S und

A riya is a theocracy, meaning that political enforcement
power resides with the Ariyan Temple of
Avani and its priests. The prince-paladin, The prince-paladin initiates laws in both secular
highest official in both civic and temple matters,
is presumed tcFt-ule by the authority of Avani. and temple matters. Usually these take the form
of highly specific rulings on individual cases
c1irne uhd
brought to him by priests or the palace's large
< punish~ent
staff of viziers.
t Ariya's legal code, liKe so many of the state's insti-
Others in Ariya exercise power of their own.
tutions, originate with el-Arrasi. Soon after
. defeating the Anuirean Empire, the Great King Provincial governors, called beys, may enact laws
~ pr_opounded the "Khin~si Law," a civil code mod-
in their territories subject to the prince's
el_~d on Anuire's. Howe~er, because the Temple of
Avani preaches that all"'thinking beings are equai- approval. The Swords of Avani and the Golden
Navy hold separate courts-martial for crimes
,'!overruµent
committed by soldiers or sailors. The Ariyan
~· and culture
:\ Temple holds annual councils of the highest-
ui:ider Avani, the Khinasi Law djffers from most
.Anuirean legal codes in one important respect: It ranking priests. In closed ·chambers they formu-
ants no special status to noble~""priests, or even
ill;~ prince-paladin. Additionally, th~ law considers late 'temple laws~ then present them to the regent
Afiyans "citizens," not "subjects." '''
In practice, though, Ariya's rich:-and powerful for approval. - --
citize~ gain special treatment through the twin
pillars..of the Khinasi Law: scripture and prece- Making a law and enforcing it are entirely sep-
dent. Juqges rule based on their interpretations
of temple-teachings and on the rulings of previ- arate matters in Ariya. Civil servants and the
ous judgesAtp similar cases. The rich ~an afford
lawyers intimately familiar with botlr bodies of priesthood often place their own interests ahead
lore; in effect-y the wealthy buy examples that of the public good. If a new law restricts those
absolve their crimes. interests, they can avoid obeying it by a pretense
Many poor Ai1yans cannot afford lawyers, and
so they mete out private justice in duels, lengthy of ignorance of the law, confusion over its fine
vendettas, and occasional lynch mobs. For'"lesser
offenses, injured parties may resort to a cqning details, or failure to see instances of violation.
contest. They adjourn ·fo a public bazaar, s~and
ten- ~ t~r·-• -neach _a-t/hesr.apBayrstt, aanndd~ia_:1_~fi4ag_t_e_e-.l~y~·-·-~hurera_l_tiinvsiutyltas padt- One tactic involves "tabling" a law while a select
'=~o ' nee of th . - at\r! e ~re - ~~ed)y
committee investigates possible conflicts with

scripture or precedent. Laws have remained

tabled for generations.

trunspoq un.d
cornrnun1cut1ons

Within the city, ordinary citizens travel on foot or

pay a few coppers to ride in "share-carts," ox-

drawn carts that travel fixed routes around the
city. Rich citizens ride horses, carriages, or even
palanquins. Each horse owner must pay a tax
that funds the city's street cleaners.

Travelers leaving Ariya go by sea when possi-
ble. Overland, caravans of 200 to 600 pack ani-
mals (usually mules, horses, and oxen) travel 15
tQ 20 miles a day. To encourage trade, past

rulers of the Khinasi states have built large shel-

ters called caravanserais all along the road, one

or two days' travel apart. Each caravanserai is
an open-air fortress with well~, watering
troughs, a temple, stables, and living quarters

· _(often in the
stables). Some

ravanserais near
:Ariya even have

bathhouses and

shops.Guards and

workers live in _pr near

~each cara'\ianseitai; in :retll@<-
"' - for their protectidti ·

and maintenance, they are exempt from taxa- Sphinx. Sea trade has so far

tion. In times past, large towns grew around compensated for the lost

some caravanserais, but almost all of these overland trade. .

towns are now ruins. - _ As .a strong-manufacturing

The Prince's Exalted Couriers carry diplo- - ·_ center, -Ariya i.l'1D~1ts-.raw

matic messages and urgent warnings between - materials such as ore·, timber,

Ariya and foreign capitals. They ride in gilded and raw silk from many
saddles on the fastest horses in Khinasi. If a rider sources. Rich citizens prize

bears good news, he wears a royal blue sash; if he Zikalan pottery and Djafran

bears bad news, he wears a black sash. hardwoods.

• Production ~

QfinieS Most farmers serve as vassals of

Primarily a sea_power now, Ariya commands the noble family who owns their Ian~~--
the impf,e_ssive Gold~n Navy:._The navy'$ main-de ?. --though farmers in lawless outlying?~

force c_onsists of s~ ·zebecs (large three:;inastect · provinces are independent pioneers. Nearly all

war vessels with lateen saiJs t flghting·crews of other arts, crafts, and trades in Ariy~~ society

200 fo 250 sailors, and catapults <ind light ar~__rµonopolized by the_geirhou. -Less;S!' Tingent

artillery'). The navy also uses eight dhouras than guilds, Ariyan geirhou nonetheless

(two-masted coastal cargo vessels that carry achieve the highest skill and quality in A: he,

100 to 200 tons of goods and a crew of 30 to western plains.

80) and four small, sharp-bowed dhows (for A geirhou comprises an extended family

scouting and diplomatic missions) . (which can grow quite large) that raises its chil-

Most of these ships come from the city's ship- dren to continue its chosen occupation,

yards, but the state purchased several from the instructing them in trade secrets and sometimes

matchless shipwrights of Suiriene, the island even reshaping the children physically. For

kingdom to the east. The dhows, one zebec, and instance, a childhood accident in ancient Ariya

one dhoura are in port at any given time, while left Sokollu Feridun with a concave fingernail
the rest patrol the Sun Coast. [For sea movement that could hold liquid ink. He developed a
rules, see the BIRTHRIGHT Cities of the Sun cam- unique finger-painting calligraphic technique
which became so influential that he founded the
paign expansion.J

The Swords of Avani form all six army units. Feridun geirhou of painters, all of whom had to

They are stationed in the city of Ariya, in bar- be disfigured as children or youths in order to

racks near the Tower of Morning. Almost all sol- finger-paint in his style.

diers in the four medium cavalry units (Horse Not all geirhou hold a monopoly. In active

Companies One through Four) and two infantry trades , especially clothing and transport, rival

units (Footman Companies One and Two) are families vie constantly for control.

human, and all are male except the 200 women

of Horse Company Three. Coinage

The companies drill regularly to maintain bat- Each Khinasi city-state coins its own money, and

tle readiness, emphasizi ng defensive and siege merchants trust native coins far above those ef

tactics suited to protection of the city. Unit cap- other states. The silver shetel of Ariya has wider
tains speak privately of the futility of expansion acceptance than~· some , perhaps because it

into new provinces: "The Red Kings will just take depicts el-Arrasi. But the farther one travels

them back again." from Ariya, the less reputable the shetel

Instead of conquest, the Swords concentrate becomes. Depending on currency and bargaining

on community service: police duties, sport pro- skill, prices vary between 60% and 150%

grams for children, and missions that provide of the values given in the
food and shelter to the city's poor. They do a fine Player's Handbook.

job, and crime and poverty in Ariya are minor

problems. Still, the Red Kings grow in strength

along the northern border.

theeconomv

Ariya exports leather, beef, and some dairy prod-
ucts to Binsada, Mesire, Zikala, and the island
states to the east. Recently, caravan trade to the
west halted because of raids by minions of the

c.ultu1e Sayim in Ariya sometimes also means the

A riya prizes its sophisticated and wide- same things it does elsewhere in the Khinasi
spread culture, unmatched in the Khinasi
states. Ariyan scholars have gained lands: the achievement of honorable status
renown throughout Cerilia for their advances in
astrology, mathematics, and medicine. The city's through virtue. Acts that injure sayim, such as
great thinkers have produced many oft-quoted
treatises on philosophy. And centuries of fine oathbreaking, poor hospitality, or gross displays
chefs have developed Ariya's delicious cuisine: a
hundred lavishly spiced dishes of beef and lamb, of anger, may provoke the offender to admit his
wheat, rice, and eggplant-cooked with garlic
and olive oil, and served with fresh fruit (dates, disgrace in public. "I am without face," the
grapes, pomegranates, some citrus), honey, and
yogurt. shamed person says, then leaves his home and

wm;s of life possessions to undertake a voluntary exile of

The Khinasi culture stresses piety, equality, fam- months or years.
ily, wisdom, courtesy, honor, grace, eloquence,
and artistic accomplishment. Each state ranks The previous ruler of Ariya, Prince Gerad,
these somewhat differently; in Ariya, piety ranks
as the cardinal virtue. Ariyans call it sayim, using made such an admission at the end of his reign.
a word that in other Khinasi states means "sta-
tus" or "face." Displaying their deep connection Despite entreaties from his viziers and many citi-
to Avani, Ariyans sprinkle their everyday speech
~· with invocations such as "the Lady willing" or zens, he abdicated the throne and went into soli-
"but only the goddess knows." The law forbids
blasphemy, and taking a god's name in vain is tary exile. A great mystery trailed after him: How
shocking rudeness.
had he lost ,(ace? No one knew (or admitted

knowing) th.ir cause. Khinasi consider inquiry
into such det~ils unspeakably rude, so the mys-

tery remains.

Love and marriage: Most marriages are

arranged between patriarchs or matriarchs of

two families who seek alliance. The Ariyan Tem-

ple's scriptures permit polygamy, so long as one

can support all one's spouses in equal comfort.

Extended families can grow to enormous sizes

with intricately tangled relationships; genealogy

is a common hobby. Despite the cultare's con-

doning~o.f pql amy; J1owever, romance outside,;
f,~ )<, ~··~ •
' '

~

marriage-in fact, even casual contact between-." Priests of the Ariyan Temple often learn

the sexes-is considered shameful and strictly authentic astrology. Nothing in temple doctrine

prohibited. restricts its use in any situation. Nonetheless,

Fashion: Ariyans of all classes strive to dress custom has conferred moral sanctions on "friv-

well. They favor bright colors , tastefully harmo- olous" foretellings. Most priests keep close

nized. Men wear thin, loose linen breeches, tight watch on the sky for omens, but resort to

high-collared shirts with loose half-length active forecasting only when in danger or in

sleeves, colorful sashes, and sometimes embroi- spiritual crisis.

dered, buttonless vests. Women dress much the Dance: Social dancing is unknown, but

same, except that their sleeves are fastened at troupes of professional entertainers known as

the wrist for decency. Married women wear loose "whiteslippers" (for their footgear) perform at

shawls or capes. weddings, confirmations, and festivals. Though

Ariyans of both sexes cover their heads with each troupe includes both men and women, they

caps, scarves, or light veils. Poor people of both never dance together on the same stage. Instead,

f sexes go barefoot, but the wealthy spend ludi- women first perform a repertoire of graceful, sin-

crous amounts on fancy shoes. The rich also , uous dances , then give way to the men, who leap

wear silver bracelets, bangles, and ankle rings, as into hig1t'-spirited, whirling jigs full of kicks and
well as jewelry set with sapphires, topaz, emer- "acrobafic~'flips.

alds, and pearls. Tradition lets the smallest woman in each
I In battle, Ariyans wear improved mail or chain troupe dance with the men. Masked and dressed
mail, open-faced helms, and scimitars or sabres. in a tight blouse and shorts, this acrobatic
They carry medium shields and heirloom dag- woman always plays a mythical trickster called

!_ gers. Outside the city walls, sailors or herdsmen Jackal Boy. During the dance, Jackal Boy capers

may wear leather and carry cutlasses, slings, and back and forth, leaps over enemies, and commits

sometimes bows. pranks that deflate the prestige of his perennial

the ,urts nemesis, the pompous Bogoni the Dwarf.
Because they are women dancing with men,
Tra ditio fi frowns on the depiction of living
Jackal Boy dancers have an unearned public rep-
utation for scandalous conduct. Despite tP.is (or

;.things in painting or sculpture, although scrip- perhaps because of it), popular Jackals move

ture does not explicitly forbid it. (Historically, freely at all levels of society. More than one

J\riyans have made a single exception: monu- prince has invited the latest celebrity Jackal to a

· ents to eJi:>Arrasi.) Instead, the decorative arts palace dinner.

'velop, ~~borate abstract patterns of mathe- Games: Ariyans of all classes play chesslike

01aticalpx'eZision, and have elevated calligraphy board games, especially those which feature a
;~>Ci high[<i:rt. Music, written for ensembles of
~(:," ,., ·-- ,nd cymbals, can be austere or sen- moral motif. Children play a simple game,
Purit~rthat tea.c~es the vii;-tues oLth~ iA.riy~tr-'•~""~""'C""'•·-~---=
,.1~ua qing on the proximity of a priest. Temple'~ Each chth;,l moves ia ..tek~n,.,a;~ross thet~

AriY:a's stinctive and highly developed archi- board; trying tO -avoid the ·"Unclea.n'' penalty

i ~ecture is"based around pointed arches, pillars, spaces (Debt, Scandal, Odor, Vice, Dishonor)
f flo111es, cupolas, central courtyards, and, wher- and touch all five Virtue spaces (Charity,
· ·1¥~~ .,,,~•..ever possible,ffountains. Hospitality, Family, Cleanliness, Sayim}. ~--··'"'-""--,,__""~,...~-"'~"""""'_,,,,~
~t!o!2_gy: S~:;w~Jehing ~i§;apopul~r·l?~s~irpe, 'f T_he winner is "croWI1etl" Prince-
if legentls propcrgat~d by tHe Atiyan.-I~rnple of·:.,., xPaladh)-,_opAriya.

-~..,,,,.,> Avani hold that Avani's light is visible day or

night to the devout worshiper. Astrology, accord-

ingly, has pervaded Ariyan society. Citizens plan

:;::::-~~ their festivals, weddings, and rites Of passage

based on omens that astrologers find in the

stars-or that would-be astrologers claim to find.

Many so-called astrologers in Ariya, espe-

cially in the provinces, are old women, lunatics,

or other unlettered people who may mean well

but who lack proficiency in astrology. People

believe their foretellings to the degree that

these pronouncements endorse the opinions

they already held.

A riya the Impregnable lies above a narrow
peninsula on the central southern coast.
The port is a small sheltered bay blocked
by a white marble seawall. The wall, 20 feet high and
ten thick, earned the name "Dolphin Wall" for its
antique murals of porpoises at play. It terminates in

the prince's palace, the Tower of Morning, a strong

marble citadel that protects and lights the harbor.
At the wall's far end lie the remains of a gigantic

statue of el-Arrasi erected shortly after the Great
King's death. A rare earthquake destroyed

t he the marble statue in 1488 Ma (0 ~R). At
that time temple mystics warnecUagainst
j rebuilding it, and now the construction

technique- ~-:J!lav;!:.~h -en;lost. ''

The city's white walls, ancient

but well-maintained, are 20 feet
thi~k and 30 feet high. In general, the

poorestparts of the city are those

closest to the walls, because of their

assoCiation with low-status soldiers. The richest

home~s lie toward the city's center. . .

All parts of town are spotlessly clean. Because
of the Temple of Avani's emphasis on cleanliness,
Ariya boasts a water system unusually advanced
by C~_rilian standards.

·Ariya has no clearly defined wards or districts,
but rather a patchwork of tiny, diverse neighbor-
hoods organized around the extended families

called geirbou. Most geirhou have held the same

hereditary homes and shops for centuriesi and these

locales have an air of great age. Because the geirhou

try to m~nopolize their particular craft or trade~ a

itizes triust"go to one neighborhood to bll,y a gold
tf!teamng and:;a~other;to· gettbootS"m~nqe~t,A day's
errands can"take one all over the-city. .~ .

Outside the walls stands Ariya's only new con-

struction, a shantytown of refugees from the war-

~__ t>.L ~~---4£U:ll,,,~. \!ntryside. This dirty m~ze of shacks has
~--~-; ~$'·. ~"" ~"--become known ~_a. 1sa!t~!hf>e!l~,,":Ttr':~T~I.r.:imi-e-ivn~e.asc~-l-'M~-aflrll~\.J!e':Pt{"GC-j·l' l"9';r'.·er~ ISi.J,..:,.,s.~~_f=a
"' $'!< !ll';i4l .• • ;_;
· ~~.

F .•
· ··1l>{'rotl~ a~~~-9iS~~~eCl Ariyans- -
<'· ~'.;;;.unaceustomed to Western

faults ! find depravity in

those~ WhP fail to bathe

ieguiarly. A visitor

from a large

ean city would

n the Thieves'

l rket quiet, its

J·eves inept, its
vices tame.

-"'~



T he Prince-Paladin of Ariya rules one of dream ambitious dreams of rising to a better sta-
the greatest cities in all Cerilia, tion, whether through marriage, good luck, or
unmatched throughout the Khinasi lands prayers to Avani.

and surpassed only by the Imperial City of Professionals: About a third of Ariyans make

Anuire. From the prince-paladin to the merest their livings as artists, craftspeople, merchants,

fisherman, Ariya's 85,000 citizens are unique traders, sea captains, navigators, and soldiers.
no+o''i '"hle-and interesting individuals.

'[.,~~ :~~~;e~;f:h~:tldl~e~l.

free to populate the domam
with their own nonplayer ',1 ~ ~ _' citi_ ,6~,J-en_

characters. Who brings the prince iced coffee in Unlike other Khinasi cultures that rank soldiers

his House of Silent Servants? What are the with laborers and farmers, Ariyans respect the

palace guards like? Players should share descrip- Swords of Avani, who are devout, dedicated, and

tions of NPCs with their DM, who can approve sometimes even educated.

or revise the description as desired. With a little Professionals earn respect according to their

creativity, Ariya can be the most colorful and decorum, dress, and artistic taste as much as

exciting domain in the campaign. from family ties or success. A merchant who

demo~ruphics behaves like a boor or servant is treated as one; a
farmer who speaks politely and wisely earns
respect from all.

Named families (ajazada): A lucky fifth of

S eventy thousand people live in the city of the population has earned the right to family
Ariya; 15,000 citizens are farmers, names. Only the prince can bestow this heredi-
herders, and fisherfolk who live outside tary honor. Many ajazada work as artisans or

the walls and keep the city fed. A small percent- merchants, for their names alone bestow no

age of citizens are nonhumans (primarily income; others are magicians, courtiers, priests,

halflings). N onhumans are not excluded from and military officers. A quarter of the ajazada are

any social rank on the basis of race alone, for the wealthy, landed families. A rare few have minor

Ariyans believe that all beings are equal in the bloodlines.

I sight ofrAvani. Ariyan nonhumans follow much Aristocracy (tamounzada): The elite of

the same customs and practices as humans, min- Ariyan society are the so-called Two Hundred

I imizing friction among the races. Families who bear the name "el-Arrasi" and

Less than 4,500 Ariyans have a character class thereby trace some relationship, however distant

and level; only a few hundred are adventurers and tortuous, to the royal family. A fractional

above 3rd level. Almost one-third of those with a percentage of the populace, these 4,000 exquis-

class are low-level mages, for Khinasi society itely refined idlers compose the vastly extended

esteems the study of magic as the greatest of arts. families of governors, generals, admirals, high

Warriors are also relatively numerous and priests, and royal favorites. Ariyan true wizards

respected (rangers, however, are practically are with few exceptions tamounzada-insofar as

unknown). Though many officials in the Ariyan they care for such petty distinctions. Though

Temple of Avani carry the title of "priest," less than bearing the regent's name, tamounzada wield lit-

500 command priestly magic. Only a few dozen tle political influence: Almost all power resides

" , thieves and bards practice their arts in Ariya, for with the prince-paladin and his bureaucracy.

awbrea~ers are hunted relentlessly and bards are The tamounzada typically bury the el-Arrasi

mistrusted,:-as -idfo degenerates. They often find name in a string of surnames. In this way they

better success as respectable merchants. flaunt royal status without looking dangerously like

Ariyan society makes no official distinction contenders for the throne.

between commoners, gentry, and nobility. In prac-

tice, however, there are four social ranks:

t h e rovul fumilvI ~C9mmoners: Half the popula-
,tion, including almost every-
one outside the city walls, T hough th~ prince no longer strangles all
composes the bottom rival claimants for the Thousand Jewel
ofthe,social ladder. Throne, his siblings still endure lifelong,

Farmers, fisher- if luxurious, house arrest in the Tower of Morn-

folk, laborers, ing. They can do anything they like, have any visi-

sailors, ser- tors, eat what they wish. They just can't leave-

vants, and ever-until they grow too old to build a following

shopkeepers and stage a coup d'etat.

Currently Ariya hawklike vision, great cleverness,
resistance to fire or to evil, the ability to
the tower ~~Ids '":~
detect lies and illusions, and even the
Prince Gefad's ·~bility to step into a bonfire and emerge
· from another flame a continent away.
three wives, These powers work best when the regent

Maryam, Shafika, uses them in service to the realm.

and Temadhur; his ~- people of
aunt Farida (Ba, 1• mportunce

great, 28) and her dull-

witted husband,

Humayd; Salmah and

Ar;nina (both Ba, great, 32), the two surviving

daughters of Murad (Gerad's oldest brother and his

predecessor as regent); the three sons of Gerad's

late second brother, Yusuf-Habar, Harith, and

Haroun (all Ba, great, 32)-and their four wives A ll of these NPCs are humans of Khinasi
descent, unless otherwise noted. These
{Irina, Badra, Zimaida, Aisha); and Gerad's matri- are exceptional figures, leaders in their
· fields, and not typical of the population.
archal step-grandmother Fatima (Ma, minor, 9).
Note: Ariya 's lieutenants (]airo and Hadan)
The third wife of Sehinsah the Wise, Fatima-now have statistics appropriate for serving Prince Gerad.
Adjust their levels to suit your regent PC 's level,
75-still seethes with ambition. following the lieutenant guidelines in the rulebook.

Though they appear to do nothing all day but ~efud ibn focid

eat, listen to music, and engage in light intellectual el-u_crusi

banter, these 15 people (all 0-level Khinasi) gener- Former Prince of Ariya, 7th-level paladin

ate-enough plots, intrigues, and gossip to fill a vil-

lage: Who flirted with the ambassador? Who kissed

which chambermaid? "Did you hear what he said

about the vizier at dinner?" 'Well, it's not for me to

say, but if there's any justice from the Lady of Rea-

son, then there will be trouble from the prince!"

Almost any of them could make a plausible

claim to the Thousand Jewel Throne. However, they S: 14
D: 12
present no serious threat, due to their complete C: 14

lack of ability. No wonder Prince Gerad, following I: 17

an occasional practice of Ariya's rulers, adopted a W: 16
Ch: 18
successor from outside the family: your PC.

Your PC's adoption as heir to the throne has

angered not only the incompetent relatives in the

tower, but even kin with only a distant claim to the AC: 10 (3)
hp: 40
throne. In western Ariya, for example, Gerad's dis- MV: 12
THACO:
tant cousin Lord Khalil el-Arrasi (MKh; W12; Ba, #AT: 14
Dmg:
tainted, 8)-a descendant of el-Arrasi's brother 1

Eirat-has made remarks about the succession Nil (ld8)

that some interpret as hostile. Lord Khalil leads a

powerful family that administers Kfeira and Tegher

provinces, and holds several sources there. Bloodline (former):
Basaia, majoJ:, 36 (pefore ·,,
Your character: This sourcebook assumes that investing his succe}~OE~
Blood abilities (former).~.._
you are playing a new regent whom Prince Gerad Alertness, character read· ·

adopted and invested shortly before abdicating. enhanced sens.e
(ha~l( vision;
You may, however, make your character one of the
major), unr ead-
royal family who has patiently waited out his house
ablethoughts;
arrest until Prince Gerad gave up the throne. Refer

to the family tre~~chart <Lt;iJ he g~~efold of this book. ·
With tneDM~s approval, yqu may play Prince

Gerad and assume he has not abaieated.. The

DM can adjust his level and abilities to fit bet-

ter with other PCs in the campaign. . -~

The royal bloodline: El-Arrasi's descendants

carry in their veins a great bloodline .derived

from Basata, the old goddess of the sun;

light, fire, reason, and logic. Her ener- ·'*·

gies have given various rulers of

Equipment: Amulet of proof against putriurch
detection and location, staff, prayer juirn min uzedus
book, diary. Before he abdicated, Prince
Gerad wore chain mail +2 and carried a 4th-level priest ofAvani
scimitar of dancing.
Typical dialogue: "I am Avani's servant, and S: 9
by her grace the Prince-Paladin of Ariya. Am I
D: 9
to preside over a city that draws behind its walls C: 11
I: 16
like a tortoise into a shell? Be so good as to find W: 16
me a shred of honor inside a tortoise-shell." So Ch: 16
said Prince Gerad shortly before he gave up the
throne. Since his abdication, he has spoken little. AC: 10
Description: 6 feet, 3 inches; 180 lbs.; age 43. hp: 16
Short, straight black hair, clean-shaven, light MV: 12
brown skin. Black eyes, beetling eyebrows, THACO: 18
aquiline nose, long graceful neck, long arms and #AT:
hands. Deep voice, dignified manner. Before Dmg: 1
Nil
abdicating, Prince Gerad wore only the richest
Bloodline: Unblooded.
silks beneath his mail. Now he goes unarmored
and wears a humble merchant's outfit. Equipment: White burnooselike robes, leather
Background: Handsome, well-spoken, well-
read, eloquent in defense of the faith, and skilled sandals, holy symbol (silver sun), book of scrip-
in music and song, Prince Gerad embodied the
ideal Ariyan ruler. Grandson of the famed Sehin- ture, pouch of dried fruit.
sah the Wise, the regent who ended the wasteful
lunacy of the Nine Bad Sultans, Gerad displayed Typical dialogue: "Deliver a declaration of war

,the' same skillful and compassionate leadership. on Aftane? As Your Majesty commands, so will I

From his ascension to the throne 18 years ago, do. In confidence, Your Majesty, may I ask-
he clearly felt that the ruler of Ariya should rule
a,ll tlie Khinasi, by example if not by decree. purely for my own information-why we are to
· Imagine the citizens' astonishment, then, when
·at tffe height of his popularity Prince Gerad struggle over a few miles of empty grassland? Let
enteFed the throne room one morning and called
forJriS:wij:~rds and priests. At his command, they me present an alternative that possibly better
exarfiiv.~d'.hirn for illusions, enchantments, charms,
suits the state's interest."
-or siniilar controls. They found none , and such is
iheir~skill that no reasonable person has since Description: 5 feet, 8 inches; 200 lbs.; age 48.
. u~s"ti~!IBO their findings. Then Prince Gerad, pro-
•oinicing the shameful confession "I am without Short, curly gray hair, dusky skin. Hairless round
ayim," formally abdicated his throne.
face, bright blue eyes. Wears four ornate wed-
's befits such an admission, he left his home ,
, m]ly, and"Qossessions to go into exile. No one , ding rings. .

-., t~e;x ' i ned .Gerad's secret shame. Even Background: A rotund and cheerful gourmand,

-" - o~ers, it it an unthinkable breach Jairo combines piety with a clear appreciation of

ti µette to i nquire into the details the pleasures allowed a priest of Avani: food, ~
- of aiY"a' dm1ssion such as his.
wives, and mathematics. He has risen to the high
"'--Gerad, who now wanders

- the empty grasslands,

speaks litt1e.

-~'

priesthood, and to his position as a respected

diplomat, through his great abilities of persua-4

sion. Jairo first questions opposing parties"

closely to fina out their re~l desires, then out-

lines a scenario whereby tlrey can achieve their

ends by cooperating with the throne.

_· Jairo is basically good-hearted andl

tends to tell people what they want to

hear. However, he sees no strategic impor.."

tance in Ariya's outer provinces, and prefers

dabbling in his hobby of algebra instead ofi

planning war with Aftane.

ruhil the fulcon cuptuin hudun
el-djefe1
Court Mage ofAriya, 7th-level true wizard
Admiral of the Golden Navy, 5th-level fighter
S: 14
S: 13
D: 13 D: 10
C: 14
C: 11 I: 14
I: 17 W: 13
W: 15 Ch: 15
Ch: 13

AC: 3 AC: 4
hp: 21 hp: 25
12 MV: 12
MV: 18 THACO: 16
#AT:
THACO: 1 Dmg: 1
#AT: ld6+2 ld8
Dmg:

Bloodline: Masela, Bloodline: Unblooded.
minor, 19. Equipment: Scale mail +2,
cutlass, heirloom dagger, vial
Blood abilities: Blood of cologne, zither.
history, detect illusion (minor). Typical dialogue: "An attack on our harbor,
Equipment: Cloak of protection +3, staff of thunder Your Majesty? Hah, let them come! I would like
and lightning (mahogany inlaid with gold wire), nothing better than to slice the Red Kings into
ring of mind shielding, potion of healing, dust of cutlets. On another topic, may I interest Your
disappearance (four pinches), high-collared robe Majesty in this new hymn for zither-?"
of deep blue with silver embroidery, gold amulet,
moleskin pouch with spell components and Description: 5 feet, 10 inches; 190 lbs.; age 50.
reagents.
Curly black hair and beard, black eyes, scarred
Spells memorized: Armor and stoneskin spells in stub nose, pouchy cheeks, burly build. Passion-
effect; 1st-charm person, color spray, protection ate but well-spoken. Wears bright silks and
from evil, sleep; 2nd-alter self, levitate , mirror sailor's turban; smells of cologne.
image; 3rd-fly, suggestion; 4th-solid fog. Background: Born to a tamounzada family,
Typical dialogue: "Your Majesty will be pleased Hadan entered service as an under-captain 25
to hear that Hatwa, the young gray I captured on years ago. He gained honor in many battles
the wing in Kfeira, made his first kill this after- against pirates and rose through the ranks by
noon. Your Majesty should have seen him swoop!
That pigeon never knew what hit it-New defen- hard work. As admiral, Hadan has kept the fleet

sive spells on the walls? Of course, you have only to in good repair and its sailors well-trained, and
ask. Is trouble looming?" now seems content to relax. He occupies him-
Description: 6 feet, 3 inches; 180 lbs.; age 44. self with his three wives and with playing the
Long black hair streaked with white, heavy eye- zither. He has developed an admirable musical
brows, stern face. Athletic build, proud bearing. technique and diverts himself composing hymns
Never lets go of his staff. to Avani.
Background: The loyal Court Mage of Ariya
actually comes from a noble family in Djafra. He
studied magic in his youth, as is typical in noble

Khinasi families, and showed unusual talent.

After a long adventuring career, he arrived in
Ariya just as its court mage died. The mage's two
wretched apprentices tried to take magical con-
trol of Prince Gerad, but Rahil foiled them. In
gratitude, Gerad made Rahil his court mage, and
Rahil has served faithfully ever since.

Rahil's nickname comes from the silver falcon
embroidered on his robes, a family emblem. His
sharp insight and ruthless combat tactics inspire

thoughts pf falcons as well, and he raises falcons
as a hobBy.

udClfu hint reshoud as cruelly as she says. Until information comes
from a more reliable source, no one can be sure.
8th-level true wizard
Adara is much older than she looks. Many
S: 9 know that she was born into a powerful Shoufal
D: 10 family, and that she spent years studying elven
C: 12 magic in the Sielwode. Adara has revealed little
I: 17 beyond that, but she seems sincere in her hatred
W: 15 of the Red Kings.
Ch: 16
omudi the quick
AC: 5
hp: 30 Guildmaster of the Gold
12 Coast Coster, 6th-level thief
MV:
THACO: 18 S:
#AT:
Dmg: ~1 D:

ld4/by spell C:
I:
Bloodline: Vorynn, major, 22. W:
Ch:

Blood abilities: Alter appearance, resistance

(major), unreadable thoughts. AC: 6
hp: 24
Equipment: Robe of blending, wand of enemy detec- MV: 12 -

_,,~;;tion, 1_'ing of protection +1, ring of x-ray vision, leather THACO: 18
#AT: 1
shoulder bag, heirloom dagger. _ Dmg:
ld4
Spells memorized: Annor and stoneskin spells in

effect; same spells as Rahil the Falcon (see above)

plus these: 3rd-non-detection; ~tect scrying.

Typical dialogue: "I hope the gods may bring Bloodline: Anduiras, minor, 8.
Blood ability: Unreadable thoughts.
upon these soldiers of Aftane tl1e same fate we Equipment: Leather armor, heirloom dagger,
philter of glibness, stone of good luck, pouch of
have known. That their children-may live in fear betel nut.
Typical dialogue: "Ah, Your Majesty, a very fine
as ours do. That the best of their youth may die cape you wear today! I could get you a cape still
finer, ermine pelts from Djafra, for a picayune
like dogs, as ours have. That their old and wise price, and all the profit to go to the orphanage in
the beggar's quarter! Can you fail to support
may starve for want of food, slowly, as ours do. such a worthy cause?"
Description: 5 feet, 4 inches; 170 lbs.; age 30.
And that they may seek help from all their neigh- Short black hair (balding), brown eyes, clean
shaven, light tan skin. Quite fat; dresses in volu-
bors, as I have, and on every side meet blank
minous silks. Sparkling expression, nimble fin-
rejection. That is what I wish for them." gers, pleasant attitude.
Background: As guildmaster of a strong union
Description: 5 feet, 8 inches; 140 lbs.; apparent of merchant houses, Omadi controls guild hold-
ings in four Ariyan and four Zikalan coastal
age 30. Black hair, black eyes, dark skin. Face provinces.

thin and drawn, angular features. Emaciated; Omadi was born in Ariya to poor parents who
died of illness when he was young. He grew up a
wears beggar's rags and veil. Intense manner. footloose urchin in the beggars' quarter, surviv-

B~ckground: Adara is the greatest wizard of ing by his wits and fast tongue. One day a pass-
ing magician discerned Omadi's bloodline.
Shoufal, the city founded by Ariyan settlers but Intrigued by the guttersnipe's scion status, he
took the boy on as an apprentice. But Omadi,
now occupied by Aftane. She has led a covert though bright, had no talent for magic. The
magician passed him along to a merchant friend,
resistance effort against the Red Kings, and she and there Omadi excelled.

often asks help from Ariya. Prince His talent for negotiation and salesmanship
brought him wealth and eventually leadership of
Gerad always sent what help he

could, short of risking war,

but his efforts never satis-

fied Adara. Some in

Ariya secretly ques-

tion whether

Aftane actually

treats the

people of

Shoufal

the Gold Coast Coster. It also brought him the S: 6
enmity of the malevolent Brotherhood of Khet, D: 10
C: 8
which seeks dominion over all guild holdings in I: 17
the Khinasi lands. Despite several assassination W: 9
attempts (their failure earned Omadi his nick- Ch: 7
name), the Brotherhood has not destroyed
AC: 10
Omadi's -enthusiasm. hp: 4
· ~~He has earned the friendship of many Ariyans
Bloodline: Unblooded.
tlito1,1gh;llis charitable works in the beggar's quar- Equipment: Sheaf of
paper, quill, ink, books.
ter-wheFe .he grew up. Omadi now believes he was Description: Fethiye is a
.th~:i:ll~gititp.ate son of an Anuirean adventurer, and young, ambitious, and some-
what talented civil servant.
dreams of finding his blooded parent some_day to Short, very thin, unable to grow a
beard, and a bit squirrely, the 26-year-old pro-
show offtlie success he has made of himself. jects an unimpressive appearance. He resents
_--3-PmadiHs unmarried , pious , and seemingly what he perceives as slow advancement, although
interest~Cl -only _in business and charity. His only his diligence and encyclopedic memory have in
vi~e is a taste for betel nut, a palm seed imported fact propelled him far.

ffo tn the island domains to the east. Chewed Some of his insights , such as his warnings
about Ariya's dangerous complacency, may serve
· with a rpii ture of lime , cardamom, and spices , the regent well. However, Fethiye lacks tact,
., betel nut:produces a mild stimulation similar to snoops into everyone 's business , and is too out-
spoken for a vizier. Fethiye 's perpetual attempts
strong coffee. Omadi has been trying to quit to draw the regent's notice (see pages 2-3) work
·well as comie- relief.
since the Brotherhood of Khet attempted to poi-
son him w,ith adulterated betel.

-~~urn bukubussi

8
16
13
13
12
16

AC: 10
hp: 6
MV:
THACO: 12
#AT: 20
Dmg:
1
ld4

Bloodline: Unblooded.
Equipment: Oud (stringed instrument).
Typical dialogue: "Best we move carefully down

this alley, Your Majesty. Old Hurban, he lives in
that crate there, sometimes he gets a bit con-
fused and thinks he's fighting pirates."
Description: 5 feet; 90 lbs.; age 18. Short straight
black hair, blue eyes, brown skin. Clothing varies ,
but always offers freedom of movement. Manner
may vary dramatically, though often impish.
Background: This small, lithe woman is cur-
rently Ariya's most fashionable Jackal Boy
dancer (see page 15). Though young; she
speaks and carries herself with adult poise
and seems completely at home in every
level of society. She has kept her own
origins a secret, but she encour-
ages speculation.

T he print ;;paladin holJ s a law (4) in the
city of Ariy,a~ the Swords of Avani , six

army units with police and civic duties.

In coastal Kfeira, a law -~2), and Kouzir, a law (1),

the regent's authority derives from constables at

roadside caravanserais and from the Golden temples ,

Navy, which makes regular patrols and landings T he prince-pa.ladin is Lord High~atriare
of t he Any~n Temple of Avan1 and, as .
as necessary. One fortified caravanserai (of level such, conkols most of the temple hold-

2) in each of these provinces provides quarters ings in Ariya: a temple (5) in Ariya ·province, a
(2) in Kfeira, a (1)_in Kouzir, and a (1) in Tegher.
for troops on the march. The prince also holds a . These holdii;]gs rep£esent regional temples (one
or two per~ptovihce) of up to 100 priests,
law (1) in_ Tegher: acolytes, scribes, and attendants; smaller shrines
sc~tt,~red ~c!pss each province; and the giant
In Kfeira and in Tegher, a collateral branch of Central Templ<{ in the city of Ariya.

the el-Arrasi family governs in the prince- The~'Temple of the Ancients , a small and

paladin's name , although the family leader; Lord benig!i.-.:Sect of Nasri (the sea goddess, known in

Khalil el-Arrasi, is no friend of the regent. Khalil %mire as ·N~sirie), has a holding (2) in the Mag-

(MKb; W12; Ba, tainted, 8) is a distant cousiq of nificent City and a (1) in eastern Azedas. More
threatening is the holding (1) in Assarif of the
the royalJamily, descended from el-Arrasi's J ifemple of Khirdai, god of storms and conflict
·· (known as Cuiraecen in Anuire). The Red Kings
brother Eitat (see page 8). For centuries, Eirat's of Attane support this temple, and its work is
.~their work.
progeny have resented el-Arrasi's line for what
No one has temple holdings in Djef el-Kadir,
they perceive as the Great King's insulting and which is nearly empty after centuries of war with
Aftane.
unwarranted treatment of the~r forefather. Like
the afi-g~n temple
many of his ancestors, Khalil has voiced ambi- of QVQfil

tions for the throne. He says o!¥y a ruler wise in One of many Khinasi faiths that follow the
goddess of the sun, light, fire, and
magic can guide Ariya through' its current trou- reason, the Ariyan Temple of Avani
bles. Khalil stu~ies magic, buf few ai-e aware of emphasizes purity of body, mind,
· . ~ his- - e >' ,a,nd ability. <c~ _ - and spirit. Followers try to burn

"The neai:ly empty eastern

;$. ces·it_v longer obey the

·;· p.rfice:;paladin's rule.

Alfhvfigh Assarif, Aze-

t das, and Djef

_el-Kadir

away impurities through diligent prayer, moral delivering babies, and cremation of the dead.
conduct, and unyielding denial of the Five Riza died of poisoning when, during an especially
Tempters: debt, family shame or betrayal, dirti- strenuous spring cleaning of the Central Temple,
ness, vice (a large category including theft, intox- she accidentally swallowed ammonia.
ication, laziness, and adultery), and dishonor
(including blasphemy and failure to pray). Prayer
In Ariya, temples to Avani feature a large central
Intoxicants stronger than coffee muddy the dome surrounded by four vaulted halls called
mind and are therefore prohibited. No physical eyvans. In each eyvan stand many pillars, their
_contact of a sexual nature is permitted outside number and type dictated by omens discerned
marriage, although the temple condones the during the temple's construction. Because all
practice of having multiple spouses-so long as beings are considered equal in the sight of Avani
one can support them all equally well. Lying, (the reason for the prohibition of slaver;r-4, tll"e'
notably, is not prohibited. The temple does not temple features no altar, pulpit, or dais. The
discourage greed nor prohibit moneylending or priest must preach while standing among the
other business practices, except that one must faithful. A beautiful fountain bubbles at the
wash after engaging in them. center of the floor under the dome.

The Prince-Paladin of Ariya has ultimate Outside the temple stand more
authority in the temple, but subordinate priests fountains, with benches where
exercise great influence. During her influential the faithful may wash their
tenure, a charismatic priestess named Riza hint hands, face, and feet
Nisanyan (1997-2028 MA) brought the Third before entering. By law,
Tempter-dirtiness-to new prominence. She the prince-paladin
established complete physical cleanliness as the must wash at the
mark of piety, and preached that the most awful same fountain
fates awaited followers who allowed soil in the the citizens
home or on the person. Fountains had always use, but
been an important symbol in the Temple of Avani,
but under Riza's command they became essential
everywhere in Ariya. She also popularized hospi-
tal care, the extermination of vermin, maternity
houses (set well apart from other buildings) for

the temple's priests may clear Ariya province. Since the time of el-Arrasi, the

others from the courtyard before city-state's ruler has enjoyed a monopoly on the

the regent washes. construction of fountains and waterworks.

A library pr scriptorilim often Despite its huge range of activities across

· stands near the temple, for eight provinces, the Gold Coast Coster does not

Avani encourages learning. own a single ship. Rather, suppliers from a dozen

Soldiers, expectant moth- domains use Omadi as a middleman. Through

ers, and the ill or disabled personal charisma, shrewd politics, and good

are exempt from mandatory markups, Omadi keeps his consortium of three

prayer but all other citizens dozen small guilds in tight order. He dislikes

pray to Avani at dawn, noon- large meetings of all these guild heads, preferring

tide, and sunset. The priest to confer with one or two at a time in his bath-

calls them to prayer from atop house. Omadi spends so much time in the bath-

the tallest eyvan. To pray, one first house that, his friends claim, he is now perma-

stands quietly facing the sun (or, at ,,pently immune to dirt. .,

noon, looking up), then bows, kneels, and

ih~~·buthhousefinally lies face down, murmuring invocations
~· all the--yy_hile. Aft~Lperforming this rite five _
~times, the worshiper rises, drinks from the cen- · Temple scripture calls business "the work of this

tral"' fountain, and leaves quietly. world, like grubbing in the soil," and states that

·- ~ilds participants must wash away the spiritual stain
of materialism. Because of this edict, many busi-
ness owners have taken to negotiating in bath-

houses.

B ecause the prince prosecutes thieves An Ariyan bathhouse is a spectacular fantasy
mercilessly in Ariya, rogues run legal of white marble walls, bronze columns, and
merchant houses as covers. Often these glazed ceramic tile. It consists of an antecham-

operations become more lucrative than thieving, ber and adjacent disrobing room, a cold room

although even the most respectable guilds prac- with swimming pool, a warm room, and a steam

tice a certain amount of espionage against rivals. room, as well as storage rooms and an office. In

A merchant union called the Gold Coast some houses, servants oil or massage the bathers.

Coster, run by Omadi the Quick (see page 23), Men and women bathe separately. Large

owns the guild holdings of Ariya's coastal houses are split in half, with half assigned to

provinces- a (3) in Ariya, a (1) in Azedas, a (2) each gender, but in small houses men and women

in Kfeira, and a (1) in Kouzir. The Coster also simply bathe at different times. All races are per-

controls holdings totaling 6 levels in the four mitted, but children may not enter.

southeastern provinces of Zikala. Bathhouse servants move unseen through hid-

Holdings in Ariya's outlying provinces-a (1) in den passages or tunnels under the house.

Assarif, a (1) in Djef el-Kadir, a (2) in Tegher, and a Beneath the steam room, in a low area called the

><-,, (2) in the northern reaches of Ariya-belong to an hypocaust, servants heat water from a nearby

- ··"aggressive competitor from Aftane, the mysterious well or aqueduct in a brass boiler or furnace.

and sinister Brotherhood of Khet. Khet coerces Ordinary fire may generate the heat, but larger

merchants into its fold using bribery, strong-arm houses use magical items, spells, or even captive

tactics, and assassination. The Brotherhood has fire elementals. Temperatures can reach 150

enlisted most of the Cattle Dynasties that drive degrees Fahrenheit in the steam room.

vast herds across the savannahs, and its Rumors persist of intruders who eavesdrop on

assassins have made three sensitive steam-room deals by crawling into the

attempts on Omadi's life. No hypocaust below. Without protection from the

one knows who leads the terrible heat, these listeners (if there are such)

Brotherhood. would be roasted alive.

The Prince-Paladin

sourcesofAriya holds a
guild (1) in

A riya's court mage, Rahil the Falcon, con-
trols all the sources in the state. He has
one in each province: a source (0) in
Ariya, a (1) in Assarif, a (1) in Azedas, a (4) in
Djef el-Kadir, a (3) in Kouzir, a (4) in Kfeira, and
a (3) in Tegher. Rahil also controls a source (5) in

the province-of Barsefat ~in southern .Aftifie.- without causing rebellion. The prince-paladin
also receives income from his temple holdings
The sources are ancient underground cities (about 7 GB per turn) and guild holding (about 2
constructed by the early worshipers of Avani. To GB per turn).
escape persecution by the established temples,
whole villages would retreat to these huge Tribute: Omadi the Quick, of the Gold Coast
labyrinths, along with their livestock. The largest Coster, pays the regent a tribute of 2 GB per
ones reached seven to nine levels in the earth,
down to just above the water table. Wide air turn for the lucrative trade route he has estab-
shafts provided ventilation, light, access (by lad-
der) and easy communication (by shouting) lished from the port of Ariya to eastern Khinasi
between levels, and fresh water from below. Sev- domains. The regent collects no tribute from the
eral thousand people could live for months at a tiny Temple of the Ancients, nor from the secre-
time in these colossal anthills. tive Brotherhood of Khet. Trying to collect from
the Temple of Khirdai might provoke a war.
The magicians and wizards of the time devel-
oped ways of drawing mebbaigbl (magical Domain maintenance: The regent's seven
essence), gathered and concentrated from the provinces, four law holdings, four temples, and
plains above, to these cities to power spells that one guild holding together cost 3 GB per turn.
-prevented tqeir detection. When·the-Temple of .
Avani became the domain's official faith, villagers Fortifications require additional maintenance:
closed and eventually forgot about the under-
ground cities. But their magical power remained. The Tower of Morning and the two fortified cara-
Today Rahfl the Falcon believes that he alone
knows their location. He has forged ley lines to vanserais in Kouzir and Kfeira cost an additional
tap their power without visiting them and risking
their discovery by others. 1 GB apiece per turn (tofal 3).
Payroll for Ariya's six army units amounts to 6
Nonetheless, Rahil still must patrol the cities
more often than he likes. The constant darkness GB per turn-1 per unit. The Golden Navy costs
and high magical power of the underground 3 GB to maintain. Total: 16 GB.
cities make them susceptible to breaches into the
Shadow World. Undead walkers from that All remaining revenue goes to maintain the
strange dark land occasionally shamble into the prince-paladin's opulent court. Fine food! Luxu-
cities, temporarily corrupting their magical
essence. To discourage this, Rahil inspects the riant furnishings! Festivals each month! As a pal-
cities every season or so.
adin of Avani, the regent himself disavows this
incomeund
wealth and lives simply. But the large royal fam-
eRpenses ily demands money for their extravagant lifestyle,
and the temple Hriests ask for great festivals to
Einancially Ariya is in perilous shape. The maintain the people's loyalty and piety.
city-state's income amounts to about 23
GB per season (domain turn), a moderate Because of its high expenditures, the court of
sum. But routine expenses-and a lavish court- Ariya is a major force in the city's economy.
consume all these funds. Reducing the court's cost may seem the obvious

Taxes and collections: Assuming moderate first step toward fiscal sanity, but the regent
taxation, the four provinces in which the regent
controls law holdings produce an average of 12 could face grave consequences. [These ponse-
GB per turn. Prince Gerag ceased collecting quences, wbiifn may include loyalty reductions or
taxes in the other three provinces to help boost palace intrigues, are left to the DM's disc1'~tion.]
loyaJty, though the new re~ent could tax lighdy
The treasury: Ariya's treasury holds a mere
18 GB as the new regent takes the Thousand
Jewel Tnrone-it has been slowly, steadily
depletedover generations. Fortunately, Prince
Gerad managed to stop its decline, if not help
rebuild-it.

en the prince-paladin looks out across - and sailed at top speed for Ariya.
his city from high atop the Tower of The evidence indicates that Sari has enlisted

Morning and considers the many crises Eirat to aid her piracy. But how is he aiding
her, and what could she pay him? The turtle
facing Ariya, he may well wonder how the city has wants nothing more than to return to human
survived this long. Some of the following intelli- form. Though a talented rogue , Sari is not
gence, gathered from nobles, priests, and secret known to have magical skills. Has she recruited
informants, presents new trouble, but some a wizard?
offers an opportunity for the city-state to face its
problems and overcome them. Navy morale has dropped at the prospect of
facing notorious pirates in their lair. Captain
1umo_cs und Hadan has suggested that if the prince-paladin

plots

A ll these rumors and plots can lead
PCs into new adventures. Players
' should look them over and indicate to
the D M which ones they; would like to pursue
in a campaign.

u pimte buSe? himself were to lead the raid, his sailors would
rally around their leader. And the suspected
-The piracy problem off the ,Sun Coast varies in involvement of Eirat renders the prince's partic-
ipation even more vital: By el-Arrasi's ancient
'seriousness from year to year, but for the last decree, no one but Ariya's regent may attack
the turtle.
three years one ship, the Black Arrow, has plun-
ancient evil
dered Khinasi vessels with unusual vigor. Some-
beneath the citi;
how it has escaped capture by Ariya's Golden
Ariya is built on the site of a Masetian city called
Navy. Reports claim that the~Black Arrow can Saria. For a brief period during the Masetian's
reign, evil infested Saria. A sinister cult led by
- submerge and move underwater. the high priest Iagostes tried to turn people from
-~ The captain of the navy, H a dan el-Djefer, the true gods by sponsoring state worship of a
series of increasingly feeble regents. One of the
believes that the Black Arrow use~ a secret har- last of these, Rimanos Saria ("the Deranged"),
decreed the construction of secret catacombs
bor somewhere in Kouzir. Despite frequent under the cult's principal temple. Cult priests
used these catacombs, the Labyrinth of Reason,
searches along the province's shore, no one to initiate new recruits into the twisted philoso-
phies of their order.
found ~he pirate harbor-until two days ago.
When the Masetians attacked and destroyed
A nary dhoura was investigating reports that the cult, they demolished the temple without
learning of the catacombs. The labyrinth's exis-
the giant ~urtle Eirat the Troublesome (see page 8) tence came to light only recently, during the reign
of Prince Gerad. An Old City coffee house owner
had move'd. east of the port of Ariya, far"'"°outside his stumbled upon a side tunnel of the labyrinth while
expanding his basement storage area.
usual territory. The dhoura accidentally found
Prince Gerad
Eirat, but he spared the vessel in return for a favor.

Eirat insisted that the ship land on an ingonspicu-

ous stretch of shore and send a sailor inland. "Tell

her I must be pai€t!" said Eirat, but refused'fo iden-

tify "her" or the payxnent he expected.

A detachment of~ailors crossed a narrow bight

of land and found a lagoon. There rested the Black

Arrow, and beside it a camp. The sailors spotted
the--h~- _·_s_'s_ notorious
pfi-rea,-~td-e_ol_ca_p~ta_inw_, ms_ea-mri~oei_n:s.t
Bedi __ , and perhaps t

Ou -,:umbered 1d --~f ~.~~ture~h._~ sailors

flecf;' ' 5ld Eir el·;ye:;re the-met~ e, ·

ifi

tunnels that held nothing of interest. That night, The regent may feel this situation

all four men got into separate arguments, warrants personal attention. If he

declared their honor violated, and died the next investigates the situation in

morning in duels. Shoufal himself, in disguise, he

The next day someone made the connection. ·can determine first whether to

Upon hearing the news, Prince Gerad ordered aid Adara, and then how to·set

the labyrinth entrance sealed, but by that time up a reliable information net-

several groups of coffee house customers, gawk- work there. Of course, getting

ers, and children had innocently visited the tun- into Shoufal, past troops of

nels. All emerged unharmed, but no one knows Aftane and perhaps spies of

their whereabouts and activities since then. That the Sphinx, will prove danger-

was several years ago. ous. And if Adara finds that

A few days ago, Harith (a family member in Ariya's regent seeks alternative

House of Sile~t Servants) found an unsigned sources of information, she Will con-

aote pirwed to a·window sill in the TQwer of , ~ strue his lack of faith as an insult. -

Mornii.)g_:.::.four stories up--:-oh the outsidi¥r · '#fl'/ shundore's
fo;~- -·.~
#'' holg ambition

Philosophy is written in th.is grand book-I mean

· the universe-which stands continually open to our

gaze, but it cannot be understood unless one first

learns to comprehend the language and interpret the For years, particularly in recent seas:0ns, the -~

characters in which it is written. It is written in the Exalted High Priestess Shandare (FKh; Pr9,

language of Masela, and its characters are blood Avani; Ba, major, 39) has promoted her religion

and thought and spirit, without which it is humanly in neighboring Zikala. As leader of the ancient

impossible to understand a single word of it. With- Zikalan Temple of Avani, Shandare controls all

out these, one is wandering about in a dark the temple holdings in Zikala, has expanded into

labyrinth. Binsada, and now wants control of Ariya's tem-

ples as well.

Though it hardly seemed a warning itself, this The doctrines of the Zikalan Temple concur

enigmatic note has prompted some of the new in most respects with those of the Ariyan Tem-

regent's viziers to propose a more serious expedi- ple. Therefore many suspect that, though Shan-

tion into the Labyrinth of Reason. With clues to dare seems sincere in her faith, her urge to

its traps, and to the ways it affects the mind, the expand has less to do with supposed failings of

prince might then be able to track down the peo- the Ariyan Temple than with her desire for

ple whom it has affected-who possibly now con- power.

tinue the work of a long-dead cult. Yesterday one of the falcons kept by Ariya's

sphinR trnuble court mage, Rahil the Falcon, downed a pigeon
flying east over northern Kfeira. A capsule
attached to the pigeon's leg contained a coded

You have received a new plea for help from the message that Rahil has deciphered: Yes on

wizard Adara hint Reshoud in the northern ally/meet 3 d!I of Ghost/E harbor/moonrise/secret.

province of Shoufal. For all her skill in magic, Apparently a secret rendezvous on the Isle of.

Adara shows still greater skill in composing pleas Ghosts will take place at moonrise three days ·

for help. Now she claims the awnshegh called the hence. Through magic, Rahil was able to aivine

Sphinx, whose domain lies a few days' ride Shandare as the note's sender and surmise one or

northeast of Shoufal, has sent spies and assassins more of the Red Kings of Aftane as the pigeon's

to cause chaos in the city. Supposedly the Sphinx destination. ,

hopes to weaken Aftane's control before invading The Isle of Ghosts is a province-sized

with military forces. jungle a day's sail southeast of Ariya.

Adara has proven herself fairly trustworthy, if One of many wooded islands in

a bit self-centered and obsessive. Her powerful the Sea of the Golden Sun, it.

sources of magic could aid Ariya in an emer- has sheltered pirates in the

gency. It is in the state's interest to keep her alive past but, by all

and in power in Shoufal. But she has cried reports, is

sphinx before, causing Ariya to place its forces in currently

danger to no good purpose. Now, with the coun- unoccupied.

tryside around Shoufal depopulated by continual

war, the prince-paladin has no one there he

;ctrusts to deliver good intelligence.

29

An alliance between Shandare and the Red Serpent, and an elite army of Serpent Guards.

Kings can mean no good for Ariya. If the prince- Despite his lack of creativity in names, the Ser-

paladin could arrange an ambush, he might solve pent has shown cunning in infiltrating many Khi-

two problems at once. Or he might find himself nasi domains. Ariya has remained relatively free

badly.overmatched by deadly magic and fanatical of his influence-so far.

enemies. Now an informant, a loyal geirhou cooper

who lives near the Temple of the Ancients in

'5utewuv to the Ariya's New City district, claims that he has
seen agents of the Serpent. Last night the wright

shudow world ventured outside the walls and into the "Thieves'
Market" shanty town, searching for-as he put

it-"companionship." He passed near the Mid-

Rahil the Falcon has reported trouble in one of night's Shadow, a tavern and wine shop (rare

the ancient underground cities from which he and scandalous in Ariya, where coffee houses

derives magical power. This one, in Kfeira (a.k.a. are the usual gathering places). While answering

"the middle of nowhere"), was supposedly a call of nature in the shadowed alleyway beside

deserted like the others. But on a recent visit, the tavern, the wright noticed two slinking fig-

Rahil encountered visitors he believes came from ures emerge from the back, mutter some words,

the Shadow World. and (so the ~qooper says) change into snakes!
Undead warriors now explore the city called They slith e'j~'a away into darkness, and the

Morikuyu (meaning "dark well, " for the deep wright ran altahe way across town to inform the

water supply that has flooded the lowest of its regent, pausing only to pray at every single tem-

nine levels). Although all the subterranean cities ple along the way.

are separated only slightly from the Shadow

World-a parallel realm of endless cold twilight- Tsec1etshe Khinasi speak of giving freely to
in this city a breach has occurred in the thin bor-
der between worlds. If the breach spreads to

other cities, and if the tindead find their way to

the surface. . . . strangers but keeping some thipgs from

The prince-paladin must act quickly but care- one's closest friend:s.;- Like any~regent in
fully. He might want to handle the situation C ~rilia:;"'-a J9t~c:isi rufer '.keeps·state secrets thai
., per~9na(lly to keep it quiet-Rahil has made it m4y\lte)piii:('~~ isiiilR~ie ar,e a few that_ belo ~s

clear·tlfat Ariya cannot affotd..to reveal the to ithe:'princ - alacfin .IJ'h e,,DM may appro ·

secref locations of.the citiesr. ..A small force otners:-so-,.playets shoultl t r)r inventil! ·
'could grobably reach Morikuyu Without attract- ~ ·-. their own-so long as they fakitreare t

·ng,atterition. Perhaps Rahil can somehow seal ..:·the balance oh'.he campaign and don't propose

·he i;hreach if the group can guard him from secret th~t il)sJaQ~lX solves all problems. How

undead.attacks. But if the strike fails, matters " m4ch fun woul'd-·iegency be then?,,. ·
.;will look bleak indeed. i
~ .• .. ; whv ~erud ul;#i,~~t~d~ <

if-Ilerse1penHslith~s'l ii The House of Silent Sei:ya,n\~,las-~.e~;~ei safos

Far to·the east; -among the island domains of-the that open·only at the-teue~£4theor~ghtful0r~ge~ij.: ,-. •·
jftri B eeps, lies the realm of the Serpent. This :After the riew pdnce-paladirvgai!l~~~~I!~ tlron~t>~i!
his senior vizier showed him one ·slldrpsafe·in the _,
ancient awnshegh who claims divinity has spent

centuries developing his skills in magic, diplo- regent's bedchamber, then left the room. Inside

macy, and intrigue. He exerts himself to the was a letter:
scion~ .<incl ..
' "'" suetlmieotsbt.eiinr--ablllotohdrleineeasrteraesngtoth captur e >, fo"my successor:
. - - ~~- ..,._ ·

Unseen within his palace labyrinth, the Serpent I give you the Scepter of Office far sooner than I

commands tremendous resources: a network of had intended to relinquish it. May you hold it bet-

assassins and thieves called the ter than I did!

Society of the Serpent, A secret passage within the wall of the this cham-

a temple known ber leads to an inconspicuous exit outside the

as the Sons palace walls. The senior vizier will show it to you.

of the Four people now know of it: me, the vizier, you-

and one other.

I used this passage often to go unseen into the

city. Once, dressed as a merchant, I met a young

woman who sold spices in the bazaar. When ]-.. . illegitimacy. If el-Mesir speaks truly, Shandare

returned to the palace, I had my magicians and still loves her lost daughter deeply, and wishes to

priests examine me with meticulous care, suspecting reunite with her. What would the high priestess

some kind of magical charm, but they found noth- give for this?

ing. I had fallen prey to an older and subtler magic El-Mesir knows who and where the daughter

than theirs: love. is, but has not told Ariya's prince.

Even this will not seem so absurd as what follows. uchunceut
I, who have three wives and could easily support a thtved kin'5s
hundred more, pursued an illicit affair with this
woman, in violation of honor, piety, and my oaths to
Avani. She never knew my true identity. I believe

the very shame of the affair made the woman all the A voice in the night awakened the new prince-

more appealing to me. paladin. A thin black-clad woman, her face

Ultimately I decided honor required me to veiled, crouched on the high gilded footboard of

marry her, or at least bring her into the House of his bed. "Don't call your guards," she said. "I

Silent Servants. I planned this as a surprise to mean no harm. Call me Turiye. I know how you

delight her. Six days ago I showed her the secret ·can de &f roy th.e Red Kings of Aftane-six of
tunnel entrance and gave her a key, without fthem,efti~ay. Here's the first. Take advantage of
telling her where it led; she was to use it that
thi S:~nd I'U bring you more." She tossed a

night. When she arrived in my chamber, I would packet of parchment on the bed.

reveal all. But she never appeared, that night or Ignoring the regent's questions, she leaped

since, and she has vanished from the bazaar. My nimbly to the floor, then jumped headlong out an

trusted servants sought her across the city without open window. The prince looked for a body

knowing why, but she is gone. below, a flying shape above-nothing.

I had t13e locks changed on the passage entrance The parchment notes identify Arlando el-
Adaba (MK.h; B10; Re, minor, 15), the Red Her-
sand exit, then sought Avani help in prayer. But the

Lady of Reason had deserted me long ago, and only ald, as one of the Red Kings. Arlando has a

in this ct;isis did I realize it. I have forfeited the paramour, whom he meets regularly at her

'~, privilege df~'S,erving he.r, and possibly I have endan- home in lt he Dim Light Quarter of Af).aba.

"'i.gered everyone in the palace. Addresses, schedules, his defenses: The notes

No one, save you and I, knows this sordid story. contain ,all. With this information Ariya's regent

~u ~ndn,st;ind that for the good of Ariya, it must could set up an ambush for Arlando and kill
him-if~the prince-paladin considers such con-
emain,,seeret.
Peace::~'-fpd duct hoii.brable.
G: 'f·•·"·~ . . wisdom on your path, "Six ~f them, anyway," the midnight visitor

Ufe's dou'5hte1.+~.~, ·;,·,£"'--':.. said-sq pf the seven Red Kings of Aftane. Could
herself be the seventh? > ~~""'""$%';~~,;.;.;
this wonian,

~-"'*' · ifhe'\ o cf . age-king of Me sire, the Emir Yousef

~--· Jbn Reghll el-Mesir (MKb; WB: c.&r, major, 26), has
fp uqued fortp.al alliance with Ariya for years
without succ~ss. His honor is beyond question,

t IJ~f!i~y·~.om~in;s ·securi.,µ, r ~s too pr~~arious~~'i.t~ \~~,
At1yafto risk guarantees of protection~

Still, el-Mesir tries. Recently, to impress
Ariya's new regent with his domain's ability to
gather intelligence, el-Mesir offered a tantalizing
secret about High Priestess Sharidare of Zikala:
Shandare has an illegitimate daughter.

Apparently the priestess had a wayward past
before serving Avani. Although the Zikalan Tem-
ple permits married women to become priests,

Shandare never married; perhaps she did not

wish to share power with another. The temple
frowns on parents of illegitimate children, and
so, many years ago, Shandare gave up her daugh-
ter for adoption. Now Shandare has risen so
high that she can simply remove the
temple's prohibition of

riya faces dangers across its borders, but "m.re to th._«
take care that you do not become a

A greater danger as prince-paladin.

aThough its influence has dwindled and enemies
threaten its existence, Ariya embodies one of the
most successful and interesting cultures in Cer-

n e w re'!entilia. Try to achieve more than simply turning your
domain into a war machine.

motivate vour peoRI,e conclude your war with Aftane and fortify your-
self against Shandare's holy armies.
To overcome Ariyan complacency, speak 1t~ them
of their history a!fft -c·ulture, of the gl~rie\that Alternatively, you might find a way to bolster

the influence of Zikala's general, Khasan el-Zisef,

are their legacy,,_and of the injustices:rn eing per- when lie· advises the weak-willed Grand Vizier,

petrated across the -borders. Ariyan citizens will Omar ibn Tuarim el-Zisef (MKb; W4; An, major,

never think of the countryside as worthwhile or 36). Zikalan conspirators undermine Khasan

interesting until they see practical benefits from constantly, and so Omar pays little heed to his

protecting the land-not something sljbtle like wise counsel.

cheaper beef from the Cattle tf>xna[«ties ; but'"· ullv with mesire-
eventuulh;
more dramatic, like the trade goo-ctraat"i"ome

from distant'lands-when caravans travel secure

routes. As regent, you can popularize these ideas

with ceremorties and festivals_. . ·

reduce court spendin~ Ariya's regents have been friendly toward the el-
Mesirs for centuries, and the people of Mesire
hate all the aggressors that Ariyans hate. Given

The state budget teeters on the brink of deficit. Mesire's powerful mage-king and its small but

Your r,elatives will squawk, and the guilds who sur- well-trained military, it should make an excellent

vive off the largesse of the court will moan, and ally. But the tiny two-province state is likely prey .-~

evezy_yizier will off~r twelve cogent re~sons why for Aftane, corrupt Djafra, or the hideous Black /"

the court must be maintained as is-bu! you have Sp~ar gnolls of the Great Yhan, Garak zu J;

to trim expenses. This step calls for original think- Turbun (MM; F9; Az, minor, 12). Perhaps yon

ing. Try to devise face-saving ways to r~uce your should wait a few seasons to assess the domaitfist-,

own expenditures and get others to do tlie same. prospects before making a commitment·yc1u ~~
cannot~r _would prefer not-keep. · ""~ ,
ovoid u two-front:wor
wu_r with uftune
t thi~~'point, wa,~~\tj~bAftane loob inevitable. To
to the deuth
v.the we~t.~li9jV~v~j5~~itf:~ap-''stillfes~ue -, ·:' ation
-in Zikala. The·pro6lein'lies airnosf en , th the

High Priestess Shandare's zealous religious cru- You can achieve _nothing lasting in Afiya whil ·
sade. With the Sphinx's impregnable domc(m to the longtime enemy, Aftane , grows to the easij~ I! " -

~----'-'"""'~-,-~llQ.rth_,_Shandare has nowhere to expand except north. Now that the Red Kings }iave achieved__,,
,...._,, ,,.-;-into Ariycror yout" allr,B W&ada. PQ.J\'.:eriher~ , Aftane r~1~re;,s~n~--s ari even grea

:Y()u 01ight cl,elay~heE~militacy. .~ U:hieat~::-Yotalready hal e ample cause for wa; :,

Jt foifS::by~authorizing her to long-standing grievance over your four northern

·""estabHsh the Zikalan Tem- prpvinces, which Aftane has stolen a dozen times.

ple of A\tani in your bor- When you have pacified Zikala, build your forces,

der prpY.Jpce$ of Kfeiia strike:iqili~kly: and seize Affiilie's capital. (You might ,~,.,
find help in Mesire.) Find, fight, and dethrone the
and~T~gher. Pacifica-

- - n of a fanatic Red Kings. (You will certainly need aid from adven-

-snot work in turers of proven talent.) If possible, destroy the mys-

png term, but terious Brotherhood of Khet. (You may need help

!t might quiet from characters who know the ways of rogues.)

handare long Aftane abuts the Tarvan Wastes and several
~gh for you to monster-haunted regions. Rather than extend

,'3'· Ariya to these perilous borders, you may elect

;
,;f to let Aftane stay as a puppet domain

under leadership of your choosing.

I
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THE ToihrER OF MORNING

11XRE1401

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Ariyan Temple Grove Fortified
of Avani Caravans

Temple of the Water Hole Ley Line
Ancients
fl# Trade
Temple of Route
rmirdai

iinar.a?- ADA AriYo
Obruk
Founded: Circa 525 MA,. original
arit.bra-.E6'ac Masetian city, Saria, founded circa

12 MA'

TeITain: Plains.

Population: 85,000.
Government: Theocracy (Ariyan Temple

of Avani).

Ruler: The Lord-Prince, a paladin, is
Lord High Patriarch of the Ariyan Temple
of Avani and controls most law and
temple holdings.
Capital: City of Ariya (pop. 70,000).
Other Regents: Rahil the Falcon, Court
Mage (sources); Omadi the Quick,
Guildmaster of Gold Coast Coster;
Brotherhood of Khet (guild); Temple of
the Ancients, sect of riasri (temple);
Temple of Khirdai, based in Aftane

(temple),. Red Kings of Aftane (law).

Economy: Beef, leather, dairy products,
crafts, manufacturing.
Treasury: 18 Gold Bars.

Provinces:

Art:ua {7]0}.. Population: 7 4]000.

Cities and towns.. ALr±ya (70,000); HZLra
Dag (200),. Ordu (1,000); Patnos (800);
Solhan (2,000).

AssariF {1J4}= Population..1,000.
Towns.. A few unriamed villages.

Az€dLa\s {1|L\).. Population: I,000.
Towns.. Sebinkara (400). HLijr]s.. Kuzluka

(large town); Obruk (trading post).
Djef el-Kadir ( 1/4): PopL[/afjon.. 500

nomad herders. Towt]s.. rlone. fiLzjris..
Ceyhan (village).

TEE:drra {3|4).. Population.. 3,000.
Towns.. Darenda ( 1,000),. Tarabulun

(I,ZOO); four unnamed villages.
Ftouzir {2|3).. Population.. 2,500.

Towt]s.. Hakkari ( 1,000),. eight villages.

Tegiher {2|3).. Population: 5,000.

Towr]s.. Cucursa (I,000); Sifrit (800);
six villages.

(Based on a dozen and
one adventures by
Steve Kurtz, a 1993
sourcebox for the AD&D®
Al-Qadin Campaign. )

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