The Kingdom of KashfaIndex | Time Under Chaos | Concerning Amber | The Golden Circle | Kashfa "I spent the next hour or so exploring. There were four large buildings and a number of smaller ones within this central walled area. There was another walled sector beyond it and another beyond that-three roughly concentric zones of ivy-covered protection. I couldn't see any signs of heavy damage, and I got the feeling Dalt's troops hadn't met with much resistance. No indications of pillaging or burning, but then they'd been hired to deliver a property, and I'd a feeling Jasra had stipulated that it remain relatively intact. The troops occupied all three rings, and I got the impression from a bit of eavesdropping that they'd be around till after the coronation. There were quite a few in the large plaza in the central area, making fun of the local troops in their fancy livery as they awaited the coronation procession. None of this was in particular bad nature, however, possibly because Luke was popular with both groups, though it did also seem that many individuals on both sides seemed personally acquainted. The First Unicornian Church of Kashfa, as one might translate its title, was across the plaza from the palace proper. The building in which I'd arrived was an ancillary, all-purpose adjunct, at this time being used to house a number of hastily summoned guests, along with servants, courtiers, and hangers-on." (Merlin, Knight of Shadows) Head of State: King Rinaldo Kashfa is a desert kingdom, spotted with patches of life. Water is scarce in most places, but plentiful in the cities that sprung up around the oases and where the few broad rivers wind down from distant, barren mountains. Its capital, Jidrash, has grown fat on trade with Amber and the plight of Begma, and is now an enormous metropolis with the largest merchant fleet outside Amber itself. Jidrash is the oldest city of Kashfa, a vast sprawling mecca that is a cross between ancient Arabian-style construction and the more 'modern' medieval architecture favoured by Amberites. There are so many side streets and back alleys that even the mapmakers despair of cataloguing them all. New construction is slowly altering the look of Jidrash, though remnants of the original city survive. The poor areas are almost entirely Arabian in nature, due to the lack of incentive for rebuilding. Many buildings have remained standing simply due to tradition, with it being unthinkable to demolish such sites. The palace was badly damaged following the political instability of Jasra's coups and counter-coups, and has now been completely rebuilt in classic Thelbane style, making it look more than a little odd. Though the weather in Kashfa is normally hot and dry, Jidrash's coastal location and seaborne breezes do much to alleviate the harsh conditions. The Winter storms are fierce, however, and trade is suspended during these months while the city copes with high tides, flooding, sandstorms and cyclones. The poorest people inevitably suffer the most, but the slum dwellings themselves are notably resilient thanks to the city's drainage systems and high walls. The Kashfan Sorceror's Guild was established many centuries ago, and though practitioners are regarded with awe, they are also granted respect. The Guild historically tried to take a neutral stance in Kashfa's foreign adventures, with limited success. Guild members have been embroiled in conflict, tempted by promises of power from political rivals. Since Amber's fall, they have proved extremely loyal to Rinaldo, and he has returned this loyalty by lavish patronage. As the current monarch with absolute authority, Rinaldo's will is law. He also has some enthusiastic praetorians, the Mameluks, to impose his will if there are signs of dissention. Slavery is still relatively common in Kashfa, despite some attempts by reformers to stamp it out. The Mameluks are hand-picked heathen slaves trained to protect the sovereign and be loyal unto death. With no link to the established political structure or tribal loyalties, the Mameluks can be relied upon to deliver where mercenaries or local nobles may not. These slave-troops are foreigners of the lowest possible status who cannot conspire against the ruler and who can easily be punished if they cause trouble. The intensive and rigorous training given to each new recruit helps ensure a great deal of continuity in Mamluk practices. |
