Some time ago adventurers set out on a quest from Princess Farhat in search of some Canopic jars. At the conclusion of that they spent some time researching these strange objects, before ultimately deciding to turn several in for the rewards. In particular one Najm ibm Marwan sought to cultivate a relationship with the princess of the Under City. And so it is that this custom relationship track is presented for those interested in what Princess Farhat, and her unknown patron might have to offer.
But first, some information about the princess, and some rumor mill about the goings on in alTaht (as some call the Undercity, for short). Months ago, when the original call to adventure was sent Princess Farhat was quite concerned about the encroaching bandits, undead, and Kzin. Since the party turned in their findings and collected their reward no small amount of rumor has circulated regarding the Medina alTaht.
Most notably is that the Medina alTaht (or, as Princess Farhat and her followers have begun calling it, Cali'quwa) has, for perhaps the first time in more than an age, a largely unified organization. The central space (where Sesel had his wedding party) has been occupied and cleaned up into a sort of Great House court space which Princess Farhat now uses to hold court. While the very nature of the Medina alTaht prevents any kind of total dominion of the space, incidents of banditry and incursion into the city from below have all but ceased. Major corridors are patrolled by the Muharibun 'adnah, the guard force of Princess Farhat’s domain, the tell tale kchunk-kchunk of their armor marching through the stone halls creating a sense of dread for those that would threaten Cali'quwa. Those who have no relationship with Farhat are finding it increasingly difficult to move about unbothered in the Medina alTaht.
Along those same lines, perhaps somewhat obviously, is that the ranks of Princess Farhat’s "banu" have swelled, with nearly anyone welcome in their ranks and the promise of strength and vitality to those who excel. But the princess isn’t unreasonable. In fact, to waylay concerns she sent envoys to the Souffets. While the discussions and content of what might have been communicated are not made public, occasionally a member of the Muharibun 'adnah, in their distinctive silvery armor can be seen amongst the guards of Cothon.
(Scribes note for those familiar with the armor, similar to that previously found in the Facility, the warriors are not seen with the headpiece up, at least not in Cothon)
The Relationship Track
Those who may wish to cultivate a relationship with the one who commands Cali'quwa will need to prove themselves worthy of the princess’ attention, for she has many things to be about. So something more involved than the normal relationship-cultivation rules must be built.
Tick 1 - Visitor to Cali'quwa
(Already achieved for all those involved in delivering the canopic jars)
You have proven yourself able to move about the Medina alTaht without supervision, and so are granted leave to do so at your leisure.
Requirement: To attempt to initiate a relationship with Princess Farhat one must first perform some deed such as exploring a new location, recovering items for Princess Farhat, or other similar activity in the Medina alTaht. This is frequently requested by the princess as a general call to adventure, but she will also accept petitioners to explain how they have accomplished some deed that benefits her domain.
Tick 2 - Courtier of Cali'quwa
(Najm, having spent previous downtimes to build a relationship is already at this level)
You have been in somewhat regular attendance to Princess Farhat’s court, becoming known in Cali'quwa as a person who can be relied upon.
Requirement: To roll for this level you must spend one downtime out of each of three months visiting Princess Farhat, attending her court. After the third attendance you may begin rolling to attempt to advance the relationship by spending a further downtime at court.
Princess Farhat knows you by name and is more likely to reach out with opportunities for adventure to you directly
You have an open invitation to the inner camp and can enter at any time
Tick 3 - Investigator of Cali'quwa
You have spent significant time in Cali'quwa, and have proved to be well capable of discovering the secrets hidden deep within.
Requirement: To roll for this level you must explore the Medina alTaht and return to Princess Farhat with some unknown, valuable information or treasure, unprompted. It is not enough that you are sent on a quest, but that you seek and discover for yourself.
Princess Farhat is willing to share with you information, on a limited basis, from her patron; those who have not yet reached this level can only speculate what that information might include, as Farhat is quite secretive about this patron
Farhat is also willing to share information relating to their explorations of the Medina alTaht, and locations that might be of especial interest to adventurers
Tick 4 - Defender of Cali'quwa
You have proven to defend Cali'quwa and it’s denizens. Those in Cali'quwa, not just Farhat, know your name and face and (assuming they aren’t actively opposed to you) are likely to give you deference.
Requirement: To roll for this level you must perform some defensive act for Cali'quwa or its denizens. This could be as simple as clearing out a nest of bandits, or as complex as protecting some right in the courts of Cothon-Gadeed. Each petition is a case-by-case basis.
You are given a personal token of Princess Farhat, some jewelry to show your station
The princess is much more free with information requested from her patron, though the greatest secrets are still guarded
Princess Farhat knows certain techniques, though the nature of those techniques are only learned upon reaching this level of relationship, and she can be petitioned to act as a teacher for these special techniques
Those forces interested in wresting control of the Medina alTaht from Princess Farhat may take a special interest in you
Tick 5 - A lord/lady of Cali'quwa
You are a trusted confidant of Princess Farhat, and she has awarded you some domain of Cali'quwa as a result.
Requirement: Based upon information received from questions to the patron of Princess Farhat, your trustworthiness will be determined. Likewise, one must attend the court of the Princess once per month for six months. After the sixth month this step can be rolled once per month, assuming Farhat trusts you (a conversation with the DM to determine this fact).
You can learn the deepest secrets of Princess Farhat’s patron
You receive a modest dominion in Cali'quwa for which you are responsible
You may requisition a small number of soldiers to help patrol your domain
You are otherwise responsible for maintaining, defending, and improving your section of the great Under City
Complications (d8)
You have taken a misstep in some manner that has upset either Princess Farhat or her patron, or both. Your relationship decreases by 1 tick and cannot be advanced until you make amends.
You have been selected for some odd, specific mission. May that be anything from coordinating with representatives of the Dual Cities, clearing out some den of thieves in the Medina alTaht, or even simply delivering items, the task must be completed within a reasonable timeframe or suffer the loss of 1 tick of relationship.
The Princess’ patron is disappointed in your behavior. You must spend 1d3+1 downtimes taking lessons from her aids on how to behave in the presence of Princess Farhat.
A third party of the Dual Cities (or surrounding denizens) has decided you are a perfect opportunity to gain insight into the inner goings on in Cali'quwa. They will likely black mail, bribe, or otherwise coerce you to do as they require.
Your actions have upset several members of the Muharibun 'adnah. When interacting with them you are at -1 to reaction rolls, and even if you previously had free passage (or the right to use their forces) they are likely to harass you instead (anything less than a 9 reaction). This will continue for the next six months, unless reparations are made.
You are requested, through anonymous messenger, to take part in a secret ritual. You are sworn to secrecy, with little to no information about what might take place in the ritual. If you do not attend you move down 2 ticks, and cannot advance beyond tick 3 without significant proof that you can be trusted.
Members of the courts above take notice of your actions. Roll 1d6. On a 1-3 they are upset at your attentions to Cali'quwa, and you are at a -1 to improve relationships with the great houses of Gadeed for the next 6 months. On a 4-6 a representative of a great house begins bothering you with a request that absolutely must be taken to Princess Farhat, but none of the members of the house could stoop so low as to go themselves. They will continue to bother you until it is resolved.
Reroll on the table above, or some other circumstance has arisen in which the Referee will take a personal hand to develop.
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