User:Soranin/Sandbox4

Judge and Executioner

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• Basim: The Mazalim courts are close. Dervis once told me it is where the commons can appeal when justice itself is dealt unjustly. My father once said, to know the measure of a man, ask those who work beneath him. These judges must know the Governor better than most.

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• Basim: Greetings, sayyidi. I wonder if I could ask you some questions about the Governor, Muhammad ibn Tahir.
• 'Adil ibn Munsif: I am not underpaid to answer questions. I suggest you make this worth my time. Otherwise...

He motions for Basim to leave.

(Offer token to Bribe)Never mind.

• Basim: Would you accept this token of appreciation from a humble citizen?
• 'Adil ibn Munsif: Hmm. I would. As a start.

[this should be inside the other tabber, but i'm not looking for that code rn]

(Offer another token to Bribe)Seriously?

• Basim: You drive a hard bargain. Too hard.
• 'Adil ibn Munsif: Wait. A rival has uncovered documents that could see me dragged before my own court. Bring them here and I'll answer your questions.
• Basim: I will see what I can do.

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• Civilian: Abu 'Abdallah should be tried for treason. If her were in my court, why I... Well, it is better left unsaid.

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• Basim: A little ill for a greater good. But it leaves a bad taste.

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• Basim: I have what you asked for.

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• Basim: Now ... what do you know about the Governor?
• 'Adil ibn Munsif: He's feared. Respected. Dedicated to the rule of law, order.
• Basim: That is all you know? You were here. Muhammad ibn Tahir keeps office at the courts!
• 'Adil ibn Munsif: At the Shurta Courts, not the Mazalim. He does keep spies here. One scuttles back to his office every day at noon. Goodbye now.

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• Basim: That messenger could lead me to the Governor's office ... and whatever secrets he buries there.

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• Basim: There you are, just as I thought.

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• Messenger: Stay alert ... something is amiss.
• Soldier: Yes, sayyidi.

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• Basim: Good. Now stay where I can see you, would you?

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• Basim: Dervis always warned me I would be dragged to the Shurta. Who would have imagined I would walk in willingly?

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• Soldier: Has the governor returned?
• Soldier: I am not sure. I did not see him go upstairs.

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• Soldier: It's been mad in the streets today. If it's not Abu 'Abdallah's thugssowing chaos, it's the damn rebels!
• Soldier: It's all we can do to keep riots from breaking out. The Governor has a plan. He will see us through this storm.

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For the Governor's Eyes Only

Some still clamor for the claim of Abu ‘Abdallah. They are not many, but they are loud and determined to drown out any voice of reason. It seems that every time the outcry ebbs and the dust threatens to settle, an unseen hand rakes itself through the dirt, clouding our sight and prompting fresh outrage. Whose hand I cannot guess, but I would stay it and staunch this chaos.

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• Basim: Muhammad ibn Tahir's office, at last.

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Resignation of Abu 'Abdallah

With a heavy heart, I, Abu 'Abdallah, swear allegiance to our Caliph regnant and avow that I will not seek the throne while he is living.

Signed Il Shawwal.

• Basim: Abu 'Abdallah swears allegiance to the Caliph, and that he will not seek the throne himself...

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"Ocean, Desert, Cobra, Dove"

Rage as the Ocean,
I'll sweeten your storms;

Scorch as the desert,
I'll bathe in your heat;

Strike as the cobra,
but plunge in my breast;

Soar as the dove,
but alight in my nest;

Where you go, there I'll go;
Where you rest, there I'll rest.

• Basim: "Ocean, Desert, Cobra, Dove." It seems he is an admirer of Arib the Poet.

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Letter from the Tahirids

Cousin, per your request all terms with Alamut are hereby voided; our pledge of protection revoked; our offer of asylum rescinded.

Abdallah ibn Tahir

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• Basim: A man who puppets the powerful, who seeks to purge the Hidden Ones at Alamut... I have seen enough.

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13:53 - 16:10 [137]

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• Basim: Letter or no, Governor Muhammad is no friend to the Hidden Ones.

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The Servant and the Impostor

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• Basim: They say the Harem is home to hundreds, secluded and kept from sight of men. This place may be more secret than Alamut.

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• Basim: They say no man may enter the Harem unless he is a Eunuch ... or the Caliph himself. I am neither, so this could be interesting.

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• Farah: Her influence wanes, her followers dwindle by the day!
• Makira: Qabiha is a great woman, Farah.
• Farah: Hm, she was, while Al-Mutawakkil lived. But her son did not suceed him, and her time has come and gone.
• Nasrin: When her tide ebbs, will you be swept with it to the sea?
• Makira: I do not like to get involved in politics, Nasrin.
• Nasrin: Please. We know what you are.
• Farah: Enough. The new Eunuchs will be arriving any minute. Meet them at the gate, Makira, and try not to make a mess of it. Come, Nasrin.
• Basim: New servants mean new faces in the Harem... If I had a Eunuch's uniform, I could slip in among them.

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• Basim: That man seems happy to bask in the sun... Perhaps I should spare him the trouble of dressing for duty.

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• Eunuch: No, no, no! Give that back!
• Basim: We will all be naked on Judgement Day, brother!

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• Basim: A bit tight across the chest ... and gut.

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• Basim: Hopefully this will work.

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• Abbas: Tamahhal! (Slow down!) Do I know you?
• Basim: I doubt you would, this is my first day. I would hate to be late!

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• Basim: Makira! As-salamu 'alaikum!
• Abbas: You know him, Makira?
• Makira: Um. I...
• Basim: What? You have forgotten me already?
• Makira: No, no, I ... I'm sorry, it has been a long--
• Basim: That is all right, fair one. My face is quite forgettable. Unlike your own. Farah is expecting me. Between us, she terrifies me! Please do not make me late for her.
• Makira: Let him in, 'Abbas.

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• Basim: Baraka Allah feek (May God bless you), sayyidati.

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05:00 - 06:47

• Basim: Eye paint and magic potion ... seriously?

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• Basim: Bigger eyes might add to my disguise ... No, focus, Basim. You need the key.

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• Basim: So what is this magic potion? ... Ah. I see. Alcohol.

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07:50 - 08:38

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Serpents in the Sanctuary

When they took me from my mother's arms, the only consolation was the promise of sisters. Of a world of women who would be my sanctuary and strength. And so they were, for a time. But a sickness has spread. The cruelty and ambition that dominate the world beyond root within our walls. My sisters have become serpents. I would not turn predator, bur neither will I be prey.

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On the World to Come

Sisters,

Farah the Umm Walad forbade us to speak of the rebels, but can you not conceive of the future they promise? We could walk in the world beyond these walls. No man here would dare to hold us. We could dance unbidden, sing when we're moved to, read whar we care. to, no man's vassal or vessel. No longer any man's to own, our bodies, our choices, our fates our own.

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09:04 - 09:14

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A Word from the Fallen

Young one,

My rivals will soon oust me. I had urged ambition, caught them to climb. I cannor complain at being outstripped.

You can only rise or fall: there is no clinging to the wall. If the wind does not knock you from your perch then others will on their ascent. Do not lose your footing: the maw of chaos gapes below. I suffered its jaws. I'd spare you the same.

- Qabiha

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09:28 - 09:42

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• Child: Why do I need to learn algebra? I am never going to need it!

[] 10:29 - 10:39

*Basim: Quarters fit for a Caliph.

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• Basim: "The garden and its Mysteries." Not much spice to the title. I guess that was the idea.

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• Basim: There you are. Enjoy. Let us hope she does not come up with any more tasks. I think I have created a monster...

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12:48 - 13:29

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• Basim: Back where you belong. The potion is put back, all is right in the world. Now I will get that key from Makira if I have to pry it from her hands.

[] 13:52 - 14:02 14:15 - 14:40 []

• Basim: I remember this perfum... I smelled it in the Bazaar. And perhaps in the Harem ... but on who?

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• Basim: A hairpin .. Ning's. When did Qabiha get it?

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"Ocean, Desert, Cobra, Dove"

Rage as the Ocean,
I'll sweeten your storms;

Scorch as the desert,
I'll bathe in your heat;

Strike as the cobra,
but plunge in my breast;

Soar as the dove,
but alight in my nest;

Where you go, there I'll go;
Where you rest, there I'll rest.

• Basim: A signed book of Arib's poems: The Ocean, the Desert, the Cobra and the Dove.

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• Basim: A map of the Caliphate ... and Alamut.

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• Basim: Yet for its grandeus, the room is all but empty. Things look to be missing ... including Qabiha herself.

[] 15:38 - 17:00

• Makira: One dead, the other disgraced. No one will hear them now.
• Basim: Ya si'la' (treacherous hag), what are you?
• Makira: Loyal. In Qabiha's absence I defend her throne from those who would supplant her.
• Basim: Her office is empty. She has abandoned you, Makira. You serve a faithless mistress.
• Makira: She will return from the Palace when the danger has passed.
• Basim: You really should not have told me that.
• Makira: It makes no difference. You will never find her. Now, play nice, those are children present.

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• Makira: Nice uniform, by the way. Suits you.

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• Basim: I can do nothing for Farah ... but if Qabiha is the Head of the Order, I could still spare those who have yet to suffer at her hands.

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The Serpent's Nest

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• Basim: So many dead, or disappeared. And each trail of blood leads back to you. Al-Bahamut. The last mask to be lifted. You set Wasif on the rebels, unleashed Al-Ghul, sold your son's corwn to seize Alamut. And all for what? Some worthless token of a long-forgotten age? No matter. I will see you at the palace. And I will cut the Head from the Snake.

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01:52 - 02:08 [16]

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• Basim: I must be quick and quiet, Qabiha will be on her guard.

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• Basim: Chaos be my friend. Mask my steps.

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• Basim: Finally. Now to find Qabiha ... and save Alamut.

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The Traitor's Journal

Sayyidi,

Your rival Abu 'Abdallah was slow to conceal his journal from me yesterday and I discerned the following words within: "The stranger couched the object, light bloomed and strange figures appeared, crying in foreign tongues... I told my mother. I have never seen her so excited, so pleased, not for any deed or word of mine..."

Does this mean anyching to you, Sayyidi?

[] 08:42 - 08:45 10:00 - 10:40

• Basim: Makira will warn her mistress. Let us see where she leads.

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• Basim: The library. Qabiha must be within.

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12:00 - 12:16

A Calling

Do you dream of a world where rulers lead not by accident of blood or birth but by wisdom and by strength? Do you question trifling truths? Do petty mores drudge your days? Do you serve when you should master? Do you tire of forcing your knees to bend? Then come and seek us among the books Rise a shepherd to an errant flock A shining beacon of order and light.

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"Ocean, Desert, Cobra, Dove"

Rage as the Ocean,
I'll sweeten your storms;

Scorch as the desert,
I'll bathe in your heat;

Strike as the cobra,
but plunge in my breast;

Soar as the dove,
but alight in my nest;

Where you go, there I'll go;
Where you rest, there I'll rest.

• Basim: What was it Arib recited? "Rage as the ocean, I'll sweeten your storms... scorch as the desert, I'll bathe in your heat ..." Many volumes by Arib. Qabiha is an admirer... Blue, Black, White and Yellow tomes...

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• Basim: Which book would Qabiha choose to mark her path? She had Arib's book in her office...

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• Basim: Someone took great effort to hide this place.

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• Qabiha: Hidden One!

[] 15:49 - 16:12 16:24 - 19:04 []

Missing

Judge and Executioner

13:53 - 16:10 [137]

The Servant and the Impostor

05:00 - 06:47 [107]
07:50 - 08:38 [48]
09:04 - 09:14 [10]
09:28 - 09:42 [14]
10:29 - 10:39 [10]
12:48 - 13:29 [41]
13:52 - 14:02 [10]
14:15 - 14:40 [25]
15:38 - 17:00 [82]

The Serpent's Nest

01:52 - 02:08 [16]
08:42 - 08:45 [03]
10:00 - 10:40 [40]
12:00 - 12:16 [16]
15:49 - 16:12 [23]
16:24 - 19:04 [40]