Dam Shaq (Duhm-Shahk)
The Eternal Kingdom has four major cities, the largest and most prominent being Dam Shaq, a metropolis with a population of roughly 35,000 people (not counting the Shahadeen, which outnumber the other classes combined nearly three-to-one). The Aqueducts of Dam Shaq are massive structures that run through the city, providing beautiful marble fountains and cascading architectural waterfalls along its route to the royal palace, where the aqueducts empty into an artificial lake which the Grand Shiif Zef Al-Akalam keeps stocked with rare fish and waterfowl from the region.
The city is divided with great walls into several districts, each housing the members of one or more casts. The Shahadeen, as the serving class, can be found throughout every district, as they must live near their masters, though a very large population of them live in the Lower District, and the slums (located outside the city walls). There are presently Seven districts in Dam Shaq, the Royal District, The High District, the Bazaar District, the Sea District, The Middle District, the Low District, and the Slums.
The center of the city is where the primary palace is located, with the second and smaller palace where Grand Shiif Zef Al-Akalam keeps his 6 wives and their children is within a few minutes walk. The outer districts of Dam Shaq are where the majority of the population lives. Some of the Shahadeen rent their homes or are housed by their masters to whom they are indentured, usually several families are crammed into one compound. The Lower quarter of the city houses both Shahadeen and Fukara; the Fukara typically own the more spacious compounds. Each compound houses at least three living spaces, a kitchen, a sitting room, and an inner court where a small garden may be kept.
The Slums District is located inland, toward the mountains, and they stretch from inside the district out through the northern gates of the city where most of those living ‘in’ the district actually live outside the city. The dwellings in the slums consist of a wide variety of construction methods, from sandstone blocks similar to those used in the making of most of the city, to wood-framed tents of old cloth. Very few of the Fukara live in the Slums, and all of them live within the city walls.
The Low District houses a majority of the Fukara, who earn their living in the nearby Bazaar District, where most of the city’s trade occurs. The Fukara constitute the majority of the district, supported of course by their hired Shahadeen workers and slaves, depending on the economic means of the Fukara. The Fukara typically will hire workers, unless they’ve managed to amass enough to purchase a Shahadeen slave or indentured servant.
The Bazaar is the life-blood of the city. The Fukara operate and own the shops, using the Shahadeen as hired or indentured help to maintain or assist in the operation of the shop. Shahadeen are never allowed to operate their own shop, as it is illegal, but they may assist their master or employer (depending on if the Shahadeen is free, indentured, or enslaved). Another interesting location within the Bazaar district is Blood Square, which is located near the weapon kiosks – a place where wealthy shop owners will bet their money on Shahadeen gladiators, or where the Jafan will carry out punishments for crimes. Occasionally Blood Square is used for duels, the right of any equally ranked citizens to settle a dispute, should they so choose. A higher ranking citizen may opt to duel in the square, but this is generally considered undesirable, as the higher ranking citizen has the right to simply take what he wants from the lower ranking. It has happened on occasion though, when a higher cast citizen orders a lower cast member to duel in Blood Square – usually because this is the only method by which the shedding of blood is permissible under the Laws of the Great Shiif.
The Sea District houses many of the mercantile trade families, and the Sheriif in charge of the district overseas all trade with the other villages of the Eternal Kingdom. A law from the Great Shiif was handed down that every ship must have at least a Jafan aboard to ensure that no smuggling occurs. For this reason, the District Sheriif will assign Tola to select their more reliable of their Jafan to monitor individual ships. The Neighborhood Tola is also responsible for rotating the Ship Jafan from vessel to vessel, to help assure that no corruption occurs, as the punishment for corruption often times extends up to the Tola and possibly to the District Sheriif himself. Obedience to the Grand Shiif’s laws with regard to sea trade has often led to the advancement of Tola to Sheriif. The Ship Jafan, if faithful in their duties, can expect to be promoted to Street Jafan, or in some cases a chance to move to the Middle District.
The Middle District houses the Jafan and Tola who are not assigned to rule any particular region. These Jafan and Tola are typically those who have helped the city through their profitable mercantile ventures, and the Shiif, Aliif, or Sheriif above them have decided to reward them with the title of Jafan or Tola (if they are spellcasters). While non-spellcasters may never advance beyond the title of Jafan, they can be honored with the privilege of purchasing houses in this district, and many Jafan are lavished with privileges nigh unto those of a Tola, but the cases of this are rare.
The High District is home to the Sheriif and Aliif, presently Abduman ibn Zef Al-Akalam. The Sheriif that live in this district have no responsibility for governing the city, unless they so choose – though involving themselves in a district in which another Sheriif presently rules may result in a duel between the Sheriifs in Blood Square.
The Royal District is only populated by the Grand Shiif and his Shahadeen servants and slaves, as well as his personal guard, the Shiifguard. The two palaces stand next to each other, one slightly smaller than the other, but only by a small amount. The Shiifguard answer to no one except the Shiif, though they have no authority beyond that of their own individual station in society. The Shiifguard is comprised of members of the Tola and Sheriif, with Aliif Abduman at the head.
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