Crimson Casbah

On the border of Toalla and Roadon is the town of Crimson Casbah. The Casbah was once a Toallan town. During the Second Desert War it was ceded to Roadon. However it was right on the new border and the local Toallans refused to leave their homes. Due to this and its low strategic importance, the Casbah has become a strange hybrid of Toallan and Roadani culture. The West Merchants Association still maintains a warehouse here and a small militia to protect their wares. The militia helps guard the north gate that leads to Toalla. There are markets selling supplies to travellers and weapons to the Roadani. There is still a temple to Cainar and an art house. But the fortress is definitely Roadani. When they took over they rebuilt the walls to suit their needs. They are fifteen feet tall and red with a parapet. They built a huge red tower on eastern end in which the Commandant lives. No one enters or leaves without permission from the military. However this is usually lax as the Casbah is a common stop for people travelling between countries. In recent years, a small community has developed near the Casbah on the Toallan side. It is a common gathering of farmers from both sides of the border. The Casbah has also become known for its unique harvest festival which blends Roadani and Toallan traditions. This is also influenced by the large farming community on the outside which mostly grow rice, squash, citrus fruits, and nutritious bitter Roadani wheat.

Since being ceded to Roadon, Crimson Casbah has gained international attention. In AeP 438 a stolen Roadani artifact called the Vixerahi was recovered there before it could be smuggled into Toalla. Then in AeP 446 it was the site of several attacks by a Sren’Kana which left the Commandant in charge, and a high ranking West Merchants Association member dead.

## Important Locations

1. South Gate: The path that leads to Roadon and the desert. There are two metal gates that can be pulled up above the wall to allow for passage. Both need to be opened to pass through. Soldiers stand attentive on the wall above looking both into the fortress and beyond. There are two check points you must pass to leave. People are occasionally searched on the way out.
2. North Gate: The gate that leads to Toalla is similar to the south gate. However here the papers are checked by the Toallan militia who are much more lax.
3. Roadani Military Quarter: The western third of the town is designated as the military quarter and limited to Roadani citizens. It is full of identical buildings each with a similar purpose. In the back of it all pressed up against the west wall is the Commandant’s Tower. It is nearly sixty feet tall and can be seen from most places in the Casbah. A constant fire burns atop it. In the center of the quarter is a training ground for the soldiers. An entire Roadani battalion is stationed here.
4. Market Street: The main street is lined with stalls covered from the sun by scraps of bright fabric. People here peddle all sorts of goods one would need in a desert. They have food, robes, ropes, and weapons among other things. There are many people here selling blades or things to care for them with. They shout and call to passersbye trying to get them to their stand. During the Harvest Festival most activities center around here as it is is the most open space in the town.
5. WMA headquarters and Toallan barracks: In the eastern section of the town is a large brown warehouse flying high the flag of Toalla. It is the headquarters of the West Merchants Association, the governing body of the country. Stored in this building are the goods of the Northern farmers and other merchants who pay a price for the protection of their goods. Most things that can be bought in the Crimson Casbah can be found here under lock and key. Next door to it is the bunker of the small militia here to protect the wealth of the WMA.
6. Roadani visa office: The visa office is a cubical stone building with several guards posted outside at all hours. Above the doorway flies the flag of Roadon. Inside is a comfortable waiting room where people sit before they get interviewed. The interviewers desk is in the back where all can see. The office acts as a hang out for off duty soldiers from both Toalla and Roadon. They both enjoy watching the people who attempt to gain permission to leave. Except under times of stress, receiving a visa is usually trivial. If all else fails, it is common practice to bribe the Toallan guards in the north and walk far enough away from the fortress to cross the border without being spotted.
7. Cainar’s temple: The only original temple from when the Casbah was under Toallan control. It is a large red building matching the stone of the town’s walls, with four spires of varying heights. It has no door just an arch big enough for a horse to pass through. The inside is filled with cushions and sofas. Several priests walk about in golden cloaks checking on the people visiting. But for help to be given, coin is needed. People who attend a service are given a red ribbon to tie around their arms. This temple also provides a darker service. It is where the ritual of death takes place. The temple has a series of offices underground which are maintained by the priest. They keep their treasure of mind stones here.
8. Rallia’s temple: The first thing built when the Roadani took over. It is circular and made of grey stone. In the center there is a court yard open to the sky. The priests of Rallia are all warriors and carry staves. Rumors speak of a secret supply room kept under this building.
9. Yaerrin’s temple: Yaerrin’s temple is where all non military records of the Casbah are kept. The orange robed priests here are required to answer any questions asked of them so long as it does not violate the security of Roadon.
10. Art house: The art house was a small gallery owned by Elnin Jaral. When he was exiled the house was commandeered by the Roadani. They auctioned it off along with all the art inside. The building was bought by a retired officer, along with some of the art. It has since become his private home.
11. Roadani tavern: The Sandy Arrow is a large but short building. It is made from large brown bricks and has no door but a large piece of red fabric over the entrance. The windows are metal bars. Inside there are many stone tables occupied by Roadani soldiers or citizens in simple robes. There are lion pelts and large weapons on the walls and all is lit by thick white candles. It is a loud place as there are many voices all trying to talk. They serve stew with rice to eat, and drinks from both sides of the border.
12. Toallan tavern: The Boar and Bow is a tavern that has stood in the Casbah for decades. It is a wide wooden house with many incomplete layers of paint over it in many different colors. Inside there are many communal tables as well as seats at the bar. On the side of the room minstrels often play Toallan songs. It was owned by Gilberta Skap and often used as a meeting place for other members of the West Merchant’s Association. While Gilberta owned the tavern it was also a place one could come to buy information. During the Festival of AeP 446, it was the place where the Sren’Kana was driven out.

1. Inn: The bunkhouse most travellers stay at is known for being very cheap. Rooms are communal and there are no meals served but a single regent will get you two nights of sleep. Everyone is given a hard mattress with thin sheets and a single chest to which they are also given a lock.
2. Tea House: The tea house has no name. Above the white painted building is a painted red cup. The room inside is small. There are only a few chairs inside and each table is covered in a red or black cloth. Most people here wear the sun amulet indicating they are Roadani. Much like the Boar and Bow, the Tea House is often used for informal meetings between Roadani.

## Notable Events

In AeP 418 a major battle in the Second Desert War was fought here.

In AeP 438 a stolen Roadani artifact ended up in the fort. It was sold at the art house but recovered by the Roadani. Only some of the people involved were punished under the law. The rest escape.

During the Harvest Festival of AeP 446, a Sren’Kana of emotion entered the town after killing someone outside. The Stone-Eater killed a visiting WMA member and the Roadani Commandant in charge of the town. It was eventually driven out by a continuation of the celebration.

* **For More see A Study in Crimson**

### Harvest Festival

The harvest festival is a yearly event in Crimson Casbah which takes place over a whole week in the month of Mortus. The festival draws attention from both sides of the border with hundreds of people coming to participate each year. Each of the first six days is dedicated to one of the gods. The last day is devoted to mortals. The third day is usually the most popular. It is devoted to Ghuramor and a huge feast is held at night. The feast is organized by the West Merchants Association and food is free so long as one brings a dish to share.

#### Attractions

 Fire Breathers: Common in Tel’Mar and Sar-Makashi, the Harvest Festival is most northerners only chance to see a fire breather. They often perform in pairs where one juggles torches while the other calls out to him in the Roadani language. It is an old act. One where the two fire breathers will use their craft to tell a story of some old battle. The one not juggling, will hold a long torch, meant to imitate a spear. Both fire breathers wear golden paint. Down south, in the heart of the empire, some fire breathers work magic into their craft. Using a day stone they might shape their fire into a soaring dragon or a charge of spearmen. But here by the border that is not common.

Sweets: Temporary stalls where merchants in ostentatious clothing sell candy, cluster around Market Street. There is a wide variety, from cookies baked here, to hard sugar imported from Spring Dale. The merchants call out that their candies have exotic flavors. Some claim theirs are spicy, some claim theirs taste like fruit that can only be found far away. Every piece, from the frosting on the cookies and cakes, to the chocolates, are made of dozens of interwoven colors in delicate patterns.

Scarecrows: Many people in Crimson Casbah, place a scarecrow outside their homes. They vary greatly in size and shape, some merely a foot high. The most elaborate are ten feet tall and placed upright next to the buildings. Each one has different clothes and a mask. Some wear Roadani battle robes, some farmer's shirts, some wear a wide variety of colors. Each mask is painted to match. Some scarecrows have horns and some many limbs. Each is created to be unique. On the last night, the temple of Yaerrin will send someone around to judge each scarecrow and declare a winner.

## People

* Gilberta Skap owned a tavern here.
* Ben, Miles, and Ford, were all here and involved in the events surronding the Vixerahi.
* Elnin Jaral owned the art house but was exiled due to his part in attempting to steal the artifact.
* Jeerlock, Shawn Shotson, and Drake Horngold

## List of Appearances

**Campaigns**

1. The Casbah Caper
2. A Study in Crimson