Lahore, seat of Qutb-ud-din Shah

**Oznerol** · April 09, 2014, 11:31 AM

LAHORE

Lahore, the pearl of the Ghaznavids, lays at the banks of the Ravi river, beautiful and adorned with the glories of long deceased sultans; it is the Ghazni of India, a seat worthy of a Persian Shah like few can boast to be. The proud city is crowned by an strong fortress, its walls encircling a magnificent palace, like a shell protects its pearl. Singing waterways, colorful exotic birds and delicate flowerbeds surround marble pavilions, where poets and wise men gather to discuss about poetry and astronomy.

Lately, and after the violent death of his former holder, Muhammad of Ghur, the city is hold by Qutb-ud-din Aibak who has now proclaimed himself as Shah and postured as one of the main pretenders to inherit the mantle of the man who he served for decades. The Shahdom of Lahore holds many bountiful lands, the core of the once-great Ghurid empire, including those of Kasmir.

As a well-known scholar now philosophers, artists and poets flock from Persia and the Middle East to enjoy his patronage, protection and liberality at Lahore's court.

RULER

ARMY

REALM

**Nesimî** · April 09, 2014, 02:04 PM

After the meeting, Imam Sadreddin headed to the palace of Qutb-ad-Din Shah, as he was now known. He informed a courtier he wished for a meeting, and began to wander around court, beholding the works of the artists that had come to Lahore. The works were few but magnificent, Sadreddin thought it was truly a shame to waste such talent simply because an artist had drawn some inappropriate pictures, or written an unfriendly poem about someone's ancestry. He supposed Aibak's methods of censorship were more subtle than throwing people into a moat.

**Oznerol** · April 09, 2014, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Nesimî

After the meeting, Imam Sadreddin headed to the palace of Qutb-ad-Din Shah, as he was now known. He informed a courtier he wished for a meeting, and began to wander around court, beholding the works of the artists that had come to Lahore. The works were few but magnificent, Sadreddin thought it was truly a shame to waste such talent simply because an artist had drawn some inappropriate pictures, or written an unfriendly poem about someone's ancestry. He supposed Aibak's methods of censorship were more subtle than throwing people into a moat.

Still wearing simple clothes as symbol of mourning, Aibak waited reclining at his divan, in the great hall of Ghurids, with all its pomp. He was talking to a white-bearded man seated nearby, near blind, clearly an ascetic man. Courtiers were organized around in following the rigid Persian protocol, some of them were clearly foreigner, a lot looked Persian, artists, poets. But next to them soldiers, mamluks, he had not forgotten his origins. A young man, of Turkish origins, approached Aibak and whispered to his ear, he answered and the old man left.

"My most pious and revered Iman, please, come and tell me what has brought you to this place"

He could notice a Qur'an laid near his left hand in the divan.

**Nesimî** · April 09, 2014, 02:38 PM

Sadreddin answered in his native Turkish, "I have come to be better acquainted with yourself, Qutbaddin Shah. The freedom of thought and piety you display are rarely found together these days, unfortunately."

**Oznerol** · April 09, 2014, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by Nesimî

Sadreddin answered in his native Turkish, "I have come to be better acquainted with yourself, Qutbaddin Shah. The freedom of thought and piety you display are rarely found together these days, unfortunately."

He switched to Turkish.

"Ah! That are joyful words, indeed, Sadreddin. I tolerate art, for art is a bless from Heaven to man, only God himself could bestow such grace upon us. I see no sin on it. Like I gardener I take care of the art, and it is slowly blossoming like a rose"

"Tell me more, wise one"

**Oznerol** · April 09, 2014, 02:53 PM

ooc: More detail and insight on this the following days!

Aibak looked as the smith nailed iron spikes with hooks into the formidable new gates, making it resemble a menacing hedgehog.

"Are you sure that will be able to stop an elephant, master smith?"

"It will, Shah, nor a single beast could crumble those gates without impaling his limbers or forehead"

"All right, make sure the gates are installed properly in their place"

Aibak then resumed his walk around the city and castle's fortification. Many works were in place, using a sizable part of the vast wealth available at Lahore's treasure.
Nor only foundations of new layers of wall have been laid but intricate defenses were being build at the castle.
Every major tower was being rebuild, a talus added to each one, made of stone, vertical along its lower part and abruptly coming to an end, preventing being taken by escalade or using ladders. The main gates of the city were being reinforced, by building new octagonal towers with box machicolations.
The fort's main gate, looking to the Friday Mosque is being rebuild too. Hundreds or workes dig a deeper moat at the entrance.
Crossing a newly erected bridge and barbican, after passing through a narrow tunnel, enemies would enter a courtyard surrounded by walls. In front of the fort's walls a new layer, smaller than the former, an outer line of defense, with merlons, reinforced with few circular towers. As the now-inner walls were higher than those being erected, archers could very well decimate any foe daring enough to face the new defenses.

Thousands of workers would me employed on that task for months. Thanks the All-Mighty the Ghurids had fortified their capital good enough. But now, and with God's help, Aibak was turning slowly the city into a fortress, a durga few could take by force.

------------------

When Aibak finished his walk around the walls he headed to the building site of his personal project. A vast land was being dig, lines were drawn with strings, architects with long beards discussed ardently, including few Indians. A layer of something great was being drawn in the sand of that soil.

The sun was high in the sky and a eagle flied before the sun.

God is great!

**Nesimî** · April 09, 2014, 04:13 PM

"I have rarely found people who appreciate poetry to be pious, like I said. The sufis are only now taking hold in the land, and most people ask me if it is alright to wash their left hand before their right. I have brought you a gift," Sadreddin offered a book, a small one of some two hundred pages. The cover was simply yet elegantly decorated, and in calligraphy the title of the book was displayed in the center of the cover, "Divan-i Hikmet."

"Perhaps you have heard of the Khoja Ahmed Yesevi. This is a collection of his poems."

**Oznerol** · April 10, 2014, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by Nesimî

"I have rarely found people who appreciate poetry to be pious, like I said. The sufis are only now taking hold in the land, and most people ask me if it is alright to wash their left hand before their right. I have brought you a gift," Sadreddin offered a book, a small one of some two hundred pages. The cover was simply yet elegantly decorated, and in calligraphy the title of the book was displayed in the center of the cover, "Divan-i Hikmet."

"Perhaps you have heard of the Khoja Ahmed Yesevi. This is a collection of his poems."

Aibak gestured to one of his servant who handed him the book. The Shah inspected it with joy, reading few pages, clearly delighted.

"One of the first and finest poets in my mother tongue, its excellence and greatness has no parallel under the sky or the moonlight"

He bowed his head

"It is a magnificent gift, there are here poems I had never read before; my father, shall God have him by his side, did not have his works"

He waved his right hand

"As a symbol of my gratitude you may ask me a favor or something you desire, wise man"

**Nesimî** · April 11, 2014, 12:03 AM

"I know a man of learning such as yourself cannot be bribed with a book of poems, no matter how eloquently written they are. I wish to ask your opinion on an idea. I had imagined some sort of confederacy between these new muslim states such as those of the tribes of our ancestors. The governance of each province would be left to the local leader, however each member would be obliged to provide troops against an outside threat. A series of agreements on trade, currency, language could also be implemented."

Sadreddin hoped this man would support him. Aibak's words would carry weight with the other leaders.

**Oznerol** · April 11, 2014, 05:24 AM

Originally Posted by Nesimî

"I know a man of learning such as yourself cannot be bribed with a book of poems, no matter how eloquently written they are. I wish to ask your opinion on an idea. I had imagined some sort of confederacy between these new muslim states such as those of the tribes of our ancestors. The governance of each province would be left to the local leader, however each member would be obliged to provide troops against an outside threat. A series of agreements on trade, currency, language could also be implemented."

Sadreddin hoped this man would support him. Aibak's words would carry weight with the other leaders.

Aibak's gaze turned somber, he looked even more like a hawk.

"What do you suggest is not a favor that concerns me only, like building a new mosque, but something that compromises my whole domain, the life and prosperity of these lands"

He leans forward, as a bird of prey.

"What if some of your associates does something against my interests concerning my realm's security? And what if the 'outside threat' is greater than one of your confederates? That would unleash powers we cannot hold, not when our domains have been recently established, and our grip is still weak"

"You must tell me first who are your so-called allies and confederates before I reach a decision"

**Nesimî** · April 13, 2014, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Oznerol

Aibak's gaze turned somber, he looked even more like a hawk.

"What do you suggest is not a favor that concerns me only, like building a new mosque, but something that compromises my whole domain, the life and prosperity of these lands"

He leans forward, as a bird of prey.

"What if some of your associates does something against my interests concerning my realm's security? And what if the 'outside threat' is greater than one of your confederates? That would unleash powers we cannot hold, not when our domains have been recently established, and our grip is still weak"

"You must tell me first who are your so-called allies and confederates before I reach a decision"

"The Afghans and my old student Hasan Shahin come to mind. Cihan Bey might also be willing."

Wonderful, the noble Shah is bipolar.

**Oznerol** · April 14, 2014, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Nesimî

"The Afghans and my old student Hasan Shahin come to mind. Cihan Bey might also be willing."

¨´Wonderful, the noble Shah is bipolar.

-Afghan you say... They are but mere barbarians, that dare to hold the holy Ghazni of the Ghurids. If you colabborate with such heterodoux barbariens is because the so-called conferation is but an empty carcass, something you can control for your own interest. An imán should not hold land as you do either...-

Aibak tasted the following words before muttering them

-You wanted me to be another pawn in your confederation, someone you coud control from the mosque. You speak of unity, but that is suspicious indeed, maybe you intend to be become a caliph. I see that the kind words and presents were but mere flattery-

He waved his hand, a willing slave approached and heard his masters whispered words.

-Religious men as you are always welcomed in my court, and such you will stay here as my personal guest, guest of honor-

I was eager to do this... with Lahore reinforced and allied with Akbar, the time of acting has ended it seems. At least this fool will serve me well.

Ten guardsmen appeared and proceed to scort the iman to his new resting place.

-You will willingly donate your lands to me, iman, if you want to see the world that lays behind my walls, if not... well you will find my hospitality a bit harsh. I want an answer in less than a week-

**Oznerol** · April 11, 2014, 06:17 AM

Now, after a long year of works, the first year of Aibak Shah reign over Lahore, the city fortifications were almost ready.

The new layer of walls, an ample circle around the old city walls in image of Bagdah, was pierced by four gates, East, West, South, North. The new walls were made of bricks and stone, with many towers, who were almost finished or half-done, round and with talus on each one. Each of the five gates were protected with powerful barbicans (with covered gateways) and octagonal towers. The gates' arch were being decorated by the finest sculptors in the court, lions danced around life trees in the East Gate, peacocks did the same in the West, elephants in the South and tigers in the North, all were also inscribed with lengthy prayers to God and praise to Qutb-ud-din Shah. The walls were being crowned with merlons, pierced with loopholes, also there were box machicolations and elephants spikes being put into place. The works had drained a substantial part of that year and the previous income; thanks the All-Mighty the monsoon was kind and its rain had made the crops bountiful.

The new space covered by the wall was now being slowly covered by new neighborhoods, each one around of still in-building mosques, twenty five of them, as the prophets sent by God himself, the All-mighty, the greatest, the Creator. Also Aibak had personally fund the building of a shrine to hold the tomb of one of his closest advisors, who had passed away the last year, a wise holy man.

But his principal project was still far away from being finished.

The floorplan of his mosque was noticeable, the foundations of the enormous minar were still been dig by the workes, as were those of the pillars that will hold the many vaults and domes of the main prayer hall. Divans, enormous gates to the different arts of the mosque were being erected, slowly being covered by carved stone, engraved with prayers of Allah.

Aibak talked for an hour with his architects, many who brought with them the newest techniques and styled from the Abbasid court and the of Rum itself. They were discussing the minar's shape, Aibak's preferred one was a high red brick shape, rising proud to the sky in many stories, as high that it would be seen everywhere in the city, including it's new outskirts. However that would take many years to be be builded, maybe even two decades of hard work. Aibak desired to see it finished and to pray at its shadow.

He standed at the border of the great pitch were the would-be minar would have its foundations. Men, like ants, walked in an out carrying sand and rock, while architects directed the operation. Aibak quietly prayed for God's blessings, while his gaze looked up to the sky, where one day a red minar would crown his realm.

Aibak later walked away from the works, to the quiet paradise of his palace's gardens...

ooc: In case of a siege I will detail the defenses outlines and the various fortifications, gates, towers and other miscellanea. Including the fort.

**Nesimî** · April 14, 2014, 12:42 PM

OOC: I assume this is a capture roll? This would force us to retcon quite a lot of RP.

"Qutb-ad-Din indeed." Sadreddin spat. "Hypocrite, Khawarij rat."

Sadreddin attempted to flee, knowing he had little chance to do so.

**Lucius Malfoy** · April 14, 2014, 01:39 PM

OOC: I thought I forgot something...rolls for such things as capture and escape. We may just use rolls from GoT.
@Oz: You are asking for a capture roll right?

**Oznerol** · April 14, 2014, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Lucius Malfoy

OOC: I thought I forgot something...rolls for such things as capture and escape. We may just use rolls from GoT.
@Oz: You are asking for a capture roll right?

ooc´Yes, of course, capture rolls.

**Honors Bastion** · April 15, 2014, 03:38 PM

Capture Roll:

Base Roll: 16/20 chance with 1-16 meaning that he is captured.

Modifiers: The roll shall be decreased by 1 to represent the hesitation of the soldiers in seizing a renown holy man.

Final Roll: 15/20 with a 1-15 meaning he is captured.

Rolled a 16, the Iman is able to narrowly avoid being captured by the men of Qutb-ud-din Aibak.

**Oznerol** · April 21, 2014, 12:05 PM

Ten men where kneeling before Aibak, who sat at his divan. He was reading. Then he grabs a quill and writes down a parchment who is quickly sealed and carried away by a willing secretary

"Mercy my Lord, we coul---"

Aibak raised a hand and the muttering soldier shut up his mouth.

Aibak stared, one by one, the men who failed to capture the Iman

"You failed to capture an unarmed man, in my palace, behind my walls. That cannot be repeated"

"But..."

"Silence"

Aibak turns to an armored man nearby

"Flay alive the captain and impale the others. The captain's skin shall be hung above the East Gate. The others corpses will be quartered, their bodies put on display along the roads leading to Lahore. I will not accept failure again, do you understand? I did not raise you from the dust for nothing"

The ten mans start to cry and scream and are carried away.

Aibak hands the guard another parchment.

"This will be copied and will hung from their necks"

"What is my Lord?"

"A message to my enemies; our servants, and imans, will tell at Friday that the Iman tried to poison us, and those men were conspirators, also that Iman is not a holy man, but a heathen, an heterodox, ruled by ambition"

"So be it, my King"

"Now leave. Remember, captain, not more failures. You were a slave, nearly starving when I purchased you, then I freed and fostered you, you are my son. But a father has the right to punish his sons"

"Yes, my King, it won't happen again"

"I hope so... Call my litter, I want to be carried to the mosque's works"

The guard bows and leaves. Aibaks reads again the book, that of poetry the Iman presented. With a smile he throws it to the floor, then raises and steps onto it.

"I'm no turkish, or Persian or Abyssinian, but a Shah"

And then, leaves.