Dahabi

[Jewel]

With the reduction of the Sultan to a figurehead the Houses of Dahab are likely the most powerful force within the Jewel after the Caliph herself. Trade and commerce are the lifeblood of Medinaat al-Salaam and no trade or commerce happens that is not touched, in some way, by the Dahabi merchant houses. Were it not for their internal conflicts and bickering some whisper that they could even challenge the Immortal Caliph in power. Though such an opposition seems unlikely, the expense not worth the profit even were they united, even the Caliph still takes the time to heed the opinions of the Houses of Dahab something few others can claim. This respect, and concern, can be seen in the fact that, while other powers have a single Khadi delegate assigned to them if at all, each of the major houses has received this honor and many of the Khadi have been drawn from their ranks.

Unknown to most the power of the Dahabi extends even further than the obvious as their history is fully interwoven with that of the Qolat. While many, perhaps most, of the Dahabi are unaware of this relationship - as are many of the Qolat themselves - the leadership of the two have always overlapped.

Theology: Few Dahabi are particularly devout. Most are too focused on the material world to care much about the spiritual beyond lip service - if even that. There are, of course, always exceptions and many shrines and mosques within the city would not afford to operate without the boon of a Dahabi benefactor. However Dahabi who are part of the Qolat also often position themselves publicly as devout to better distract from their true intentions and some of those shrines would be very surprised and disturbed to learn what view of the divine their donors held. The majority of those who are truly devout follow most of Medinaat al-Salaam in careful reverence of Shilah and following the tenets of Mekhem though there are exceptions who pursue the worship of other faiths.


The Dahabi are made up of myriad houses though currently seven are the most prominent, the major houses, and are what most think of when they hear the Houses of Dahab. Houses rise and fall and through the centuries they have numbered more and fewer but currently these seven hold the most sway and power though another, House Hazaad, is quickly growing in wealth and influence.

House Asmari
The youngest of the current merchant houses - though that is not saying much given they have held that status for almost four centuries now. House Asmari serve as liaisons between the various houses and trade representatives of other nations and are often viewed as the ambassadors of the Houses of Dahab even though internecine squabbles mean that many other houses are often making deals and contacts behind their back. Before the rise of the Immortal Caliph House Asmari was granted the authority to dictate which items could and could not be sold within the city - a key to their power and profit. Hanan has not rescinded this authority, and House Asmari still profits greatly from it, but they are careful to judge what changes may raise the ire of the Caliph.

House Basiri
The second largest of the current Houses of Dahab they control the trade in luxuries within Medinaat al-Salaam. They have also been granted permission to levy taxes on their trade and holdings a right held by no other power within the Jewel other than the Sultan (ostensibly, in reality such decisions - including granting the right to the Basiri - are now controlled by the Caliph).

House Enour
One of the founding Houses of Dahab, House Enour doggedly clings to that power and acclaim despite their reputation. They control mining within the area controlled by Medinaat al-Salaam, and even some holdings beyond, and are known for the terrible conditions faced by their workers. Even with their ranks bolstered by slaves and prisoners there is concern they may not be able to continue managing their holdings in their current state - yet the thought of losing profits over such trivial matters is also anathema.

House Haffit
Despite controlling the waters of the Nahr'umar River House Haffit is one of the poorest of the Houses of Dahab. However, as this is due to being surprisingly equitable in terms of distributing said water, they are the most popular house with non-Dahabi by far. While the decision to charge by income rather than by demand may earn them scorn in the eyes of some of their brethren the support it builds among the farmers and other classes of Medinaat al-Salaam leaves House Haffit nearly unassailable.

House Mendadi
House Mendadi controls the majority of forges, and many other means of production, within Medinaat al-Salaam. They earn great wealth selling weapons and armor to guards, mercenaries, and the bandits that plague them. While not, in general, warriors themselves they make great profit from war, violence, and hardship.

House Menjari
The Houses of Dahab take their name from Dahab Menjari, who earned them their standing within the Jewel, and his legacy holds strong to this day. House Menjari has always stood as the largest and wealthiest of the houses though that does not mean that the other houses follow them in lockstep. If anything their prestige is a target on their back and struggles within the houses are often based on trying to claim some of that wealth and power. House Menjari focuses on making money through money and controls or influences most of the banks, lenders, and money-changers within Medinaat al-Salaam.

House Rashid
House Rashid, similar to House Haffit, has found power in the love of the common people - something they have earned through honest and forthright dealings with them. Of course this is due to the fact they long ago learned that it is easier to profit off of the rich than it is the poor. House Rashid controls a majority of the Jewel's carpentry and construction works and has vastly inflated the cost of infrastructure within the city. As the decisions to build are generally in the hands of the Caliph and Sultan, and because the bureaucracy rarely has a sense of scale of costs and simply does as they are instructed, House Rashid draws vast wealth without needing to bilk the common people.

House Hazaad
Not yet a major house, and viewed with scorn and disdain by its fellows, House Hazaad is one of the most quickly growing houses. Ruled by a Khadi it has gained the sole right to employ and house non-Khadi sahir within the Jewel. This monopoly on legal magic has given them wealth and power they could not have dreamed of before the rise of the Immortal Caliph and it is likely that, no matter how the other houses may feel, they will find themselves among the great houses soon.


Factions:
Any. Though most aligned Dahabi are part of the Qolat their centuries of history within the Jewel and great numbers means that their members can be found scattered among any group to some extent.

Schools & Paths:
Dahabi Bargainer
Dahabi Enforcer
Dahabi Merchant
Hazaad Sahir
Path: Dahabi Sybarite

Advantages & Disadvantages:
Allies
Gentry
Servant: Merchant (2 less)
Blessing of Yanad the Trader
Wealthy
Khadi's Hound

Disbeliever
Greedy
Khadi's Dog