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Syl-pasha of Calimshan - Ralan el' Pesarkhal
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What is known: Ralan el' Pesarkhal first entered the political theater of Calimshan while serving as a Vizir for the Sultan of Manshaka. This was Ralan’s first introduction to Syl-Pasha Rashid el' Djenispool, the Caliph of Calimshan.
During the advent of the Time of Troubles the sultan vanished from Manshaka- presumed dead. At this time a number of guilds run by the magic using community and rich merchants raised a number of candidates under their power as would-be sultan of Manshaka.
The conflict between members of these powerful guilds in Manshaka opened up many opportunities as well as a void in city leadership. In the chaos Ralan el' Pesarkhal swiftly assumed the mantle of sultan of Manshaka where he immediately began to consolidate his power in order to gain complete control of the city in all aspects. He used this increased power and influence to forge alliances between factions within Manshaka and in Calimport, including sinister and benevolent groups in order to strengthen both his own power among the high class of Calimshan and re-stabilize the city from the ground up. Ralan was a great proponent for a mageocracy government.
Shortly after gaining the ear of Syl-Pasha Rashid el' Djenispool, el' Pesarkhal was made the spymaster for the Table of Sultans in Calimport during the
post-Time of Trouble events of the Darkstalker Wars. His position at this esteemed Table of ruling Sultans granted him access to Calimport politics as asll as many of the Syl-Pasha's servants and resources.
After Syl-Pasha el' Djenispool's death at the hands of his most beloved harem wife, his heir Punjor el' Djenispool was called from duty to take the throne. A welcoming party was assembled on the new Syl-Pasha's flagship, the
Sultan's Scimitar. Unfortunately the food and drink aboard the ship poisoned, killing Syl-Pasha Punjor el' Djenispool and everyone else aboard, ending the Djenispool family line.
El' Pesarkhal immediately used his contacts and personal talents to bring forth an indictment of a pair of scoundrels, each with previous criminal activity, who had poisoned the food. Found guilty of regicide the two scoundrels were beheaded and quartered. Their gruesome remains scattered across the planes.
Without any political enemies willing to risk social or political self-destruction against el' Pesarkhal, Ralan became Syl-Pasha in 1359 DR and ushered in a new prosperous age for Calimshan.
In last twenty-six years Ralan has set himself towards strengthening his total political control over Calimshan installing many of his siblings and offspring in positions of power, while gaining strong allies in Tethyr, and rebuilding Calimport into a more profitable and defensible city.
el' Pesarkhal- Venerable house of aristocrats, tacticians, arcanists and wizards from Manshaka dating back generations.
El Pajabbar- Ralan el' Pesarkhal is protected at all times by no less than twenty-four large El Pajabbar which translates as 'those of the horns' in Alzhedo. Ferociously strong and fiercely loyal these black-skinned minotaurs who are specifically bread with oreads as the personal guard for the Syl-Pasha.
Other powerful and affluent Calishite Houses include:
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el' Anvari- A wealthy house of scholars, cryptologists, and authors and spell traders. They are well established followers of Oghma.
el' Dasanm- Affluent house of import merchants, caravan traders, information brokers as well as enforcers in the Caravans Ward.
el' Esarn- Stuffy house of stylistic ink-mages, scroll masters, and camel traders from the Quill Ward.
el' Eradsari- Secretive, one of the oldest families of aristocrats in Calimport dating back hundreds of years. Many members from this house are clergy of the dark goddess. They are one of Calimport's first Damphir Clans.
el' Kahmir- A house whose members are known for their physical beauty, intellect, and social prowess. This house trades in perfumes, silks, and boasts four generations of Mask and Sharess followers adherents and acolytes. Many social influencers come from this house.
el' Khateera- A rich house dating back decades. Many great warriors, military leaders, and tactical (gaming) minds have come from this house. Former followers of Bane, they converted to Cyric after the Time of Troubles.
el' Namor- This eclectic house of Calishite spice merchants, market hagglers, wizards and spell casters is widely known in political circles. Their patron deity is Azuth.
el' Shaheed- Secretive, another first Damphir Clan with ties to the Church of Shar who controls much of the Muzad and the Black Markets. One of the oldest families in Calimport.
el' Sufontis- A long established affluent house and trade consortium. Calishite merchants, who gained their fortunes brokering and trading Calishite silks around the world. This house claim to be founders of the exclusive Tailor’s Guild.
el' Viilam- A rich house of shrewd distrustful livestock breeders, traders, as well as talented shipwrights and ship builders originating Almraiven.
el' Vjinn- A rich moneylender house dating back decades with many individuals in positions of city leadership. Many accomplished military and political minds have come from the training yards of this great house. Steadfast followers of Bane.
el' Vyrsatyr- House el' Vyrsatyr is another moneylender house with ties to local government as well as the Silversmith's Guild. Before the Time of Troubles his house was known to organize the Dark Bazaar - Calimport's extemporaneous invitation only black market.
The damphir clans (Shar's Children):
Before the Time of Troubles there were two powerful damphir families in the
Temple of the Old Night; both revered the Dark Goddess albeit in different ways. A third damphir clan was known to exist during the
Shoon Imperium but this clan fell to base excess, loss and internal conflicts centuries ago.
The el' Eradsari clan focused on Her aspects of darkness and the night whilst clan el' Shaheed placed their emphasis on Her aspects of shadow magic and obtaining power. Both houses controlled much of the Muzad and traded across planes of existence.
During the Time of Troubles, it was purported the Dark Goddess took on three Avatars in Calimshan, each of them capable of creating complete new vampiric damphir bloodlines: Elsura el' Shaheed the 'Hand of Shar', Irtemara el' Eradsari the 'Dancer before Dawn', and Her war-general the succubus Nemeezka.
For months these avatars reveled in the erratic jockeying of power while testing certain city leaders, social influencers and major houses for transformation in to Shar's children.
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