| Beyhan | |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 16°35'S |
| Longitude | 34°31'E |
| Founded | 840 |
| Ruler | Sultan Jahm Bazei |
| Population | 291,500 |
| Religions | Karaslaa |
| Languages | Raumdari |
| Exports | fish, boats, nets, ropes |
Inhabitants of Beyhan | |
Beyhan, the capital of the Sultanate of Diqaan in the Kaspari Empire, is well known for its fishing industry. The waters off the coast of Beyhan and surrounding the island of Diqaan are teaming with swordfish, turbot, grouper, drum, and croaker; and the shallows are alive with skates, mullets, and small blue octopi. The scales of the larger fish are often as big as silver coins, symbolizing the great wealth they bring to Beyhan.
The people of Beyhan live from the sea. Dress is informal and suited to their occupation. Men usually go bare-chested and wear loose; lightweight pants. Even the female crew-members don little more than a light blouse and billowing pantaloons. This carries over into the city itself, where there is little cause for pretense or ostentation, save for great feasts.
The mainland settlements to the north and south of Beyhan are wealthier and more powerful, and Beyhan's residents feel somewhat threatened. They are thin-skinned about the notion that any way of life may be superior to their own. The mainlanders scatter lies, say Beyhan's fishermen - lies claiming that Diqaani sailors smell of their catch, and that they send less-than-fresh fish to the Caliph's palace. To insult a native of Beyhan is to insult his or her family, boat, and entire people, and the natives react accordingly.
Rumors and Lore[]
Two mysteries are currently troubling the city of Beyhan. First and foremost, a public attempt on the life of Sultan Jahm Bazei has been made. This occurred when the Sultan was among the people, and only the heroic action of a guard spared the sultan's life. The assassin was caught and killed, but further investigation - led by the Sultan's sister, Imam Tiqua Bazei - has proved fruitless. No one knows who hired the assassin or why.
Beyhan's second mystery concerns a shipwreck. Word has it that the remains of a single ship or multiple ships, whose origin and age are unknown, were recently discovered by adventurers in a sea cave on the coast of the island of Shahan. The wreck allegedly holds many skeletons, and many great technological wonders. Prince Maquez Bazei is overseeing the exploration and recovery of the wreck: Whether this is in any way connected with the attempted assassination is unknown.