Istakhr |
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Links to:Aylon |
 Istakhr boasts not only one of the greatest bazaars in the Known
Worlds, but some of the most stupendous buildings. The al-Malik rulers have used much of
their wealth to build pleasure palaces for themselves, awe-inspiring cathedrals and even
museums open to their serfs. The vast amounts of wealth floating around this world have
attracted all sorts of people to Istakhr, from the most ambitious to the most
unscrupulous. |
| Uninhabited when the First Republic discovered it, there were some preadamite ruins found in the region of the southern pole. Settled largely by people of mid-eastern extraction, it was the homeworld of the al-Malik and became their power center after Rahimat's Reconquest. The famous Istakhr Market in the capitol city of Samarkand is the second largest open bazaar in the Known Worlds. Here a teeming economy thrives in the vast mazes of the market. To "know the Market" is a compliment on Istakhr, for it is labyrinthine in the extreme. Great palaces, cathedrals and museums have been built from the proceeds of the Market Tax, making Samarkand "mistress of beauty." The old parliament building remains, and a parliament of representatives can be called at the duke's discretion. Old Second Republic codes survive in the Istakhr legal system, and even serfs possess the right to free legal representation. Civil codes and representation are one thing, but the noble code of the al-Malik is above common law. Only members of the house may sit in judgment of a family member.Najran, the northern province, holds the tempetat3 zone. Here, the city of Tioch overlooks Lake Harat. 1~;4 Afid Desert, south of Samarkand, is home to wanders desert clans. The southern province of Grenada product agriculture and holds great family estates. Native Istald . al-Malik are the most traditional, and retain the legacie of Tarif. The more provincial branches of the family po sess more family traditions and lore. | |