Geb'al-Din

Geb'al-Din is the Islamic Holy City on Yrth, found in the Great Valley within Fence of God mountain range, in western al-Haz. It is known colloquially as "The City of a Hundred Mosques" (indeed, it has more than that),Banestorm, p.126-127 and is sometimes referred to as "The Hidden City of Geb'al-Din",Banestorm, p.67Banestorm, p.84 evoking its position in the mountains.
== Founding ==
Long ago, around 555 (1160 by Christendom's calendar), wandering tribesmen found a great valley in the Fence of God, and within that valley, a great black rock that jutted up from the valley floor. Passages of the Koran were carved upon its surface, and upon it sat an ancient man. He greeted the tribesmen in Arabic, and said he had been waiting 60 years to show the Muslims of Earth where to build their holy city. The tribesmen, awed, promised to return with as many mullahs as they could gather. This would be a long journey, however. Several months later, as the tribesmen returned, the old man was dead--but his corpse was pristine, undecayed and untouched by scavengers. The mullahs pronounced this a sign, and founded the city upon the spot.Banestorm, p.66
== Cultural Significance ==
Geb'al-Din, is for all intents and purposes, the Mecca of Yrth. It is a place of pilgrimage, and is the qibla (literally "direction") for many Muslim religious rituals.
== Notes ==
* Location first discovered circa 1100
* Founded in 1160
* Assuming the current date of the setting is 2005,Banestorm, p.15 then the city of Geb'al-Din is 845 years old!
== References ==