Note (v): Cairo and the Faithful followers of Khalid

 

Khalid maintains the purity of his cadre ruthlessly; any of his Faithful that fail him or acquire high levels of Dissonance and especially any Discord are Gimeled in case their disharmony pollutes the euphony of the others. Only through the most exceptional exploits are they allowed to return and be cleansed of their Sins. Most are either banished to (or end up in) Cairo. Not only the foremost centre of Islamic culture and learning in the Near East but also the best place to defeat the Enemy: Saminga, Baal (or Marc!)

If this Scenario occurs after the events as set out in The Final Trumpet and if Khalid has fallen, then there will be a sharp division between the former Servitors of Khalid and the current Servitors of Dark Khalid. It is up to the D/M to decide the relative balance of power after these apocalyptic events. Nevertheless there will be a major conflict between these two fanatical forces to further complicate the delicate balance between the more traditional opponents.

The banishment is seemingly reinforced by Khalid's refusal to appoint a full Seneschal of the Faith to his weakening Tether at the Mosque of Sultan Hassan believing that better, purer, Tethers will develop of their own accord. He has more pressing affairs elsewhere, being happy to let this one go in what he considers now to be a decadent Gimel of the Faith.

Some highly Discordant Soldiers of the Faith argue that Khalid has lost Faith in the City of Cairo and at any time of the Day there will be 2D6 of the Faithful deep in discussion and argument over what to do next. Note these forces will be split between this Mosque and its more modern neighbour.

The truth is however stranger than these fictions.

 

 The Tether of the Mosque of Sultan Hassan

Mosque of Sultan Hassan (Left) and Rifai Mosque Right) Note: The Tether to Khalid's Cathedral flickering into operation is Celestially visible from the Battlements of the Citadel!

The Tether had been growing weaker by the year until the fateful assault and ambush set up by the new Seneschal of the Citadel in 1992 by which point it had been reduced to only three Forces! During the bitter fighting the elderly Seneschal Hassan was captured and personally dismembered by Baal's Commander in the Field.

The following will not be known to the Team or any of the Faithful indeed it may not even be known by Khalid!

However all was not Gimel as apparently two Ethereal Forces of Hassan were saved and attached to the Tether which has now become (barely) Sapient (Liber Castellorum .p. 15) The Tether still has three Forces being reduced to one Force during the conflict, and has appointed a Mundane 'Caretaker' in the form of Avvam Qmin Hassan the Muezzin. According to the latter "the Spirit of Sultan Hassan" appears on the Balcony during the call to prayer. Courtesy of the newly acquired Songs of Spirit Speech (secretly taught to the Tether by a kindly but pagan protectress of the City: Bast or Isis or if a Celestial source is required Roriel from his Song of Droppings).

Naturally no-one believes him.

The Tether is located on the Gimel and is Three Forces wide with a weak flow of one point of Essence per hour. It is now: Intermittent: only during the Muezzin's call to prayer; totally Inelastic; Noisy and, if Khalid has fallen, Forked!