Amarrah says to you,"Gracious One, I would like to tell you something about Maj'Dul's Court of Truth."
You say to Amarrah,"Begin."
"The Court of Truth under the direction of Caliph Ishara is very concerned with keeping the laws of the city. You would be wise to watch your step, for the least transgression is punished severely."
You say to Amarrah,"What kinds of transgressions?"
"Any transgression, Gracious One, though the penalties are most severe for those which shed the blood of others. Regardless of who provoked an incident, all are punished alike. The Sha'ir take no sides."
You say to Amarrah,"The Sha'ir?"
"They patrol Maj'Dul from their flying carpets, so ask to keep an eye on both rooftop and street. Though you may think to hide from them, they have eyes everywhere."
You say to Amarrah,"Anything else I should know?"
"You can always settle differences in the arena. Find yourself a champion and advance through the ranks that way. The better your champion, the more prestige you will earn."
You say to Amarrah,"Where do I obtain a champion?"
"There will be opportunities in Maj'Dul. Some say that you can train a champion of your own choice, but it is always best to hire one experienced in the ways of the arena. Perhaps when you are used to the Dervish ways, you will know where else champions can be found other than the city itself."
You say to Amarrah,"I will keep these things in mind."
"This time I shall share with you some information about the Court of Coin, Gracious One."
You say to Amarrah,"Go on."
"Where the Court of Truth deals in laws and the Court of Blade is filled with militant zeal, the Court of Coin focuses on shall we say, resources. Where coin can be made or gained, Neriph, Caliph of the Court of Coin, is there."
You say to Amarrah,"Go on."
"Now, know that Neriph inherited the leadership of the Court of Coin upon the death of his father, Omren. Many consider that Neriph succeeded to his father's position too soon and was not prepared for all that it entails."
You say to Amarrah,"Why?"
"I but repeat stories I have heard, Gracious One. Neriph's detractors no doubt have hidden agendas. The Court of Coin does not seem to be near collapse. It maintains a tight grip on Maj'Dul's economic infrastructure."
You say to Amarrah,"Is there anything else I should know?"
"If you seek riches, Gracious One, the Court of Coin will be a useful ally. It controls commerce, banking and trading throughout the city. Nomads from beyond Maj'Dul's walls work mainly with its adherents. But know that coin is not everything."
You say to Amarrah,"I will keep that in mind."
"Gracious One, today I shall speak of the Court of Blades."
You say to Amarrah,"Go on."
"While life in a large city is never as simple as some may wish, exploring beyond the city walls is always dangerous. To give the lawful citizens some peace of mind, the Court of Blades guards against many of the external threats, such as the bands of gnolls and lizardmen that roam the wilds. And the orcs. Always, the orcs."
You say to Amarrah,"Who leads this Court?"
"Of course, Mudeef is the Vizier of everything, but the militant Court of Blades is led by Dukarem, son of Dukar. The Courts are family affairs, going back to the elder days. Dukarem's son is Dukaris; he may someday inherit this Court."
You say to Amarrah,"Thank you for the information."
"Would you be interested in hearing tales of the Court of Tears, Gracious One?"
You say to Amarrah,"Begin."
"This is not an official Court and yet its influence must not be underestimated. For within any large community, there are always those less fortunate ones who live and die by their own laws."
You say to Amarrah,"Go on."
"This is not to say that all who follow these laws are unfortunate. By virtue of their charisma and prowess, a leader always emerges from the chaff. A leader who is strong in mind and body and who does not hesitate to use any means necessary to bring his influence to even the most formal of governing bodies."
You say to Amarrah,"Who is this leader?"
"I cannot say, Gracious One. No one speaks his name; "he" could be a "she" for all that anyone knows! And yet, there is a dark power and purpose driving the Court of Tears. It is obviously someone of whom you should be forewarned."
You say to Amarrah,"I will keep that in mind."
"My story today is about taking risks, Gracious One. Sometimes risk is obvious and at other times, it is not. Hesitation is the enemy of us all."
You say to Amarrah,"Begin."
"In the eldest of days, there lived a beautiful woman whose form and grace were renown throughout the lands. She was a vain woman and enjoyed the attention her beauty attracted. And yet, she gave not her heart to any of her suitors, lest love weaken her."
You say to Amarrah,"Go on."
"Now, many great men sought her hand in marriage yet she did not wish to marry any of them, finding them beneath her. Until one night, one of her swains left a simple yellow rose before her door. There was no note or any way to know who had left it. The next night, another yellow rose was left and so on for many nights thereafter. She was intrigued."
You say to Amarrah,"Go on."
"Striving to catch the unnamed suitor in the act of leaving the rose, the maiden took to staying up into the night until she collapsed from exhaustion. As time went on, her beauty faded with the stress of her sleepless nights. She locked herself into a tower so that no one would see the changes upon her face. And still, the yellow roses appeared outside her door."
You say to Amarrah,"Go on."
"She went no where, saw no one and eventually grew old as mortals do. As she lay on her deathbed, she prayed that she might die knowing at least the name of the one who left the yellow roses. As she drew her final breaths, before her appeared an erudite male who laughed at her and said, "Perhaps in your next life, you shall not scorn me." And so ends this tale, Gracious One."
You say to Amarrah,"Interesting."