- ARCHIVE - Sultanate court of Aden

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Sultanate court of Aden

Description: Aden is a strategically important city-state on the southern coast of the Arabian peninsula. Seated in the ruins of an ancient volcano, she is a testimony to the industriousness and will of her people. A major trade entrepot, Aden has links to India, Constantinople, and Eastern Africa.

Diplomacy: Aden favors towards neutral because of her status as a trading power, but is a fervently muslim state, devoted to the cause of Mohammed.

(Fort Al-Sinarah in Sad'a, northern Aden)

Religion: As with many merchant powers, Aden does not like to commit crimes against possible trading partners, and is lenient towards Christians and Hindus. However, she will not tolerate the Shi'ite heresy.

(Battle between Rasulids and Yemeni tribesmen)

Cast of Characters: al-Ashraf Isma'il II, 10th sultan of the Rasulid dynasty, rules over a peaceful and quiet nation. His family is well entrenched in Aden, with few competitors. Ismai'il has only one son, Mansur. The sultan is a man of simple wants, more a scholar then a warrior, with tastes in diplomacy.

Salahuddin Ali is the viceroy of Ismai'il. Ambitious, intelligent, and warlike, Ali is the opposite of his acqueisant sultan. He does have one good quality, however. He is unshakeably loyal to the royal family.

Diplomats from Aden:
Muhammed Al-Jabr: Envoy to the conclave of devout nations

Diplomats to Aden:
Sad ibn Mustain: Envoy of the Mamelukes

 

[driftwood]

Mullah Kemal, the Ottoman ambassador to the Hedjaz, sends a note to Aden:

Sultan al-Ashraf,

I am glad to hear that you are becoming more involved in international affairs again. The Sultan would be honored if you would send a representative to the Conclave of Devout Nations in Konya, to stand with your Muslim brothers in this darkest hour.

Mullah Kemal, Ambassador to the Hedjaz for the Sublime Porte of the Ottoman Empire

 

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A letter arives from Genoa,

"Great Sultan of Aden,

I am not sure about your stance on Genoa. But know that my nation has sought active diplomacy with all muslim nations. Genoa who already has lands in the muslim world is fast becoming a freindly name in the muslim lands.

I contact you in the hopes of forming a trade deal. I understand that you are a great importer of Indian goods, and Genoa is the number one supplier for Indian goods to Europe.

If you agree we could easily agree to a lucrative trade pact to increase the wealth of both nations. I await your reply eagerly.

yours in trade,
Doge John II."

 

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A letter arrives form Cairo.


“Honorable Sultan of Yemen,

It is good to see that Yemen once again is interested of the outside world and is governed by a Sultan able to rule it. I thank you for honouring my humble Court with an representative. If it would please you I will send an ambassador to your fine Court to. I understood that you where interested in the Arabian Council so I took the oppertunity to also send you a copy of the Charter of this great Alliance. Feel free to examine it. If it is to your satisfaction you are more then welcome to join us. If you find anything that you would like to change or add, the Council is open for discussions.

Written and signed by

Yusuf al-Zahiri, Sultan of the Mamelukes”

With the letter was also the Charter.


“Charter of the Arabian Council for Unity and Protection

The goal of the council is respect and understanding, security and mutual prosperity and the protection of Islam. May He who is forever Merciful smile upon this treaty.

In its dealings, the member states are to behave with generosity, fairness, honesty, and respect for each other.

Member states pledge not to help enemies to another member.

Member states are obligated to declare war upon aggressors towards other member states, and take actions that benefit the defense of the defenders, if it should turn out that a member is the aggressive one, the members are not obligated to declare war, but has, if willing to, the option of joining the war never the less.

Member states are obligated to, if planning an offensive war, consult and inform its allies before a war declaration is made. “

 

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A letter arrives from The Hedjaz,
"The Great sultan of Aden we in the Hedjaz wish to trade ambssitors with your great knigdom, we doubt if there will be any probleam."

 

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A delegation wearing Mameluke colours enters the Court. It is led by a man named Sad ibn Mustain. As the Mameluke Sultan didnt wanted offend the Sultan of Aden, he send Sad, Sad has extrordinary qualifications for a servant to the Mameluke Sultan, he is sunnite.

“Most honorable Sultan of Aden,

I have come here to work as the Sultan of the Mamelukes representative at your fine Court, with your permission of course. It glads the Sultan that you decided to join the Arabian Council. This will mean greater security and prosperity to us all. The Sultan also wishes to inform you about a trade agreement that have been signed by Omanis, the Hedjaz as well as the Mamelukes reffering the trade with India. An agreement that also involves Genoa. Would you be willing to see it?”

Sad asks and then awaits an answer.

 

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A letter arives from Genoa,

"Great Sultan of Aden,

I am pleased that you will enter into free trade with Genoa. I will contact you again with a letter containing the frame work of our agreement. I hope that this open avenue of commerce can pave the way for better relations between us.

yours in trade,
Doge John II."

 

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Sad, the ambassador from Cairo enters the Court.

“Most Honorable Sultan of Aden,

The Sultan wishes to discuss a proposal. A proposal that would furhter expand the development of trade in our realm of the world. Much goods of varius kinds is traveling between Egypt and the nations of Arabia, both by camel and by sea. It is the Sultans proposal to further promote this “domestic” trade by removing any obstacles that could prevent it. The Mamelukes togheter with Hedjaz has almost agreed on such an agreement, of letting goods and people travel freely cross our borders. It will indead mean greater prosperity to us all. The Sultans proposal is to remove all tolls and tariffs on domestical commodities that is set for one of the signing nations of this agreement, thus creating a great domestical market for our domestical goods. The idea is that Egypt, Hejdaz, Aden and Oman will make out the core of this great Arabian market. Would such an agreement be of any value to Aden?”

 

[driftwood]

A letter arrives from Edirne:

Good Sultan,

Your generosity shall not be forgotten. May the light of Allah shine upon you!


Sultan Murad II

 

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Sad ibn Mustain enters the Court.

“Honorable Sultan of Aden,

The Grand Vizier of Cairo have worked on a name and a charter of this agreement we spoke of. He and the Sultan hopes it is of satisfaction to you.”

Sad hands over a scroll.

 

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After reciving the Sultan of Adens answer Sad continues.

"Wonderfull, this will certainly please the Sultan of the Mamelukes as well bring both our nations even more wealth. Let us celebrate."

 

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A letter arives from Genoa,

"I am glad that we can formalize a trade agreement.

this is what I propose,

Genoan-Aden Red Sea Agreement

Article I Genoan traders in Aden are regaurded as "locals", and as such do not have to pay any taxes or tarrifs except those that Adens merchants pay.

Article II Aden merchants are regaurded as "locals" in any Genoan ports or overland cities, such as Syria. And as such will not pay any taxes and tarrifs except those that regular Genoan merchants pay.

Article III Genoa can build 3 trade posts on the Red Sea controlled by the merchant guild of Genoa, in which Genoan merchants can trade for free without Adens taxes or tarrifs and can control the trade that circulates their.

Article IV In exchange for the trade posts, Aden can puchase grain and olive oil from Genoan merchants for 50% off in addition to not paying taxes or tarrifs on those items.

If this suits you well then send a courier and we will finalize the deal.

yours in trade,
Doge John II."

 

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An arabic man kneels to the Sultan.

"Sultan of Aden,

I am Rashid al-Fati. I am sent by Prince Hasan of Dongola in the name of King Solomon of Nubia. We desire to open diplomatic channels between our two nations.

Despite our major religious and cultural differences we believe that future cooperation is the key to the independence and prosperity of both Nubia and Aden.

We are natural trading partners, based only across the red sea from one another. Though we are mainly christian, we have a large sunni population in our northern regions. My prince Hasan is lord of these regions and a devout follower of the sunni branch of Islam. The true branch.

We respect your neutrality and ask to share ambassadors with one another. By keeping well informed of each others intentions and desires in the area, we lessen the risk of hostilities and keep our traders and ports productive.

We eagerly await your reply in the King's court in Soba."

The man bows deeply and exits the court, perhaps to sight see in Aden.

 

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The representative from Egypt enters.

“Most Honorable Sultan of Aden,

The enemies of the Mamelukes has grown. I ask for you that you join the Mamelukes and Hedjaz in our efforts to punish the Bishop of Rome and his subjects. We ask for you to declare war on Genoa.”

 

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The representative from Egypt enters,

“Honorable Sultan of Aden,

It seems like the Sultan of Hedjaz has decived us, by fooling us into a war that isnt ours. It has severly injured the relations between the Mamelukes and Hedjaz. The Sultan, do however, hope that the Sultan of Aden is a man of honor and still wants to support the Mameluke Sultan aggainst aggressors and decivers. The Sultan also hope that Aden wont declare war against Genoa, as it seems like they havent done any wrong. It was Hedjaz who declared war upon Genoa, not the other way around."

 

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Sad ibn Mustain, the ambassador from Cairo, enters.

“Honorable Sultan of Aden,

Recently the good relations between the Sultan and sunnites have been severed greatly. There is alot of anger in him right now. He have ordered that all ambassadors in Sunnite nations shall be called home, how ever, I have been alowed to stay, due to the Sultans good experience in his dealing with your Sultanate.”

 

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Knesset the rabbi from The Hedjaz arrives in the court of Aden,
"Great Sultan, I have come so as to spread good faith between our nations, we feel we are being potraied as the eveil incarnet. Yes we are at war with Genoa and Austria but we have always seeked peace between Shias and sunnis."

 

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The Mamelukes Sultans representative, Sad ibn Mustain, enters.

“Most Honorable Sultan of Aden,

The Mamelukes have been decived and fooled by Hedjaz. Their actions and broken promises has dishonored the Mamelukes. This must be restored. Hedjaz is now in a state of war with the Mamelukes and we ask you know, as close friends, to aid us in this struggle against evil itself, that have infected the ancient lands of Muhammed. Join us for the glory of Allah and the memory of the Prophet Muhammed.

Sad also delivers a letter.

 

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A message arrives from Oman

"Sultan of Aden, I demand an explanation to your actions. I've received word of troop formations along our border and an increase in military exercises. This is very unsetting and I fail to see a good purpose behind all this. Even more unsettling, Omani traders have complained that your ships have prevented them from entering the Red Sea. What is the purpose of this, Sunni?”

Signed Imam Malik

 

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A message arrives from Oman.

“This is outrageous! Your actions leave us with no other option then to take action. We will have no more of your trickery; we are now officially in a state of war. Truth shall be brought to you, infidels. May He Who Sees All And Knows All have mercy upon your souls.”

Imam Malik, Defender of the Faith and The Prophets successor