Court of the Mamaleek of Egypt & Syria

[unmerged(31994)]

Court of the Turkic Mamelukes

Bilad Misra wa Sooriya​

Realm: Mameluks
Head of State: Barquq Bahri Mamluq
Player: Calipah
Religion: Sunni
Culture: Arabic
Stats: 7/4/7/10/6 --> [7/4/7/10/6]
Provinces: 28
Ports: 5
Owned: Cairo(4), Acre(2), Aleppo(3), Alexandria(5), Amman(2), Antioch(4), Arabia(1), Aswan(1), Asyut(1), Benghazi(1), Cyrenaica(0), Damascus(3), Damietta(3), Gizeh(2), Jaffa(2), Jerusalem(3), Jordan(1), Judea(2), Lebanon(3), Medina(2), Mekkah(2), Pilusia(3), Quattara(0), Rosetta(3), Sinai(0), Suez(2), Syria(3), Tyre(2).
Caliphate.

 

[unmerged(31994)]

History of the Mamelukes

Mamluks (also Mameluks, Mamelukes) comprised slave soldiers used by the Muslim caliphs and the Ottoman Empire, and who on more than one occasion seized power for themselves.

The first Mamluks worked for Abbasid caliphs in 9th century Baghdad. The Abbasids recruited them from enslaved non-Muslim families captured in areas including modern Turkey, Eastern Europe, and the Caucasus. Using non-Muslims as soldiers helped partially overcome Islamic prohibitions on Muslims fighting each other. The rulers also desired troops with no link to the established power structure. The local warriors were often more loyal to their tribal sheiks, their families or nobles other than the sultan or caliph. If some commander conspired against the ruler, it was often not possible to deal with him without causing unrest among the nobility. The slave-troops were strangers of the lowest possible status who could not conspire against the ruler and who could easily be punished if they caused trouble.

After being converted to Islam, they were trained as cavalry soldiers, while technically after training they were no longer slaves they were still obliged to serve the Sultan. They were kept by the Sultan as an outsider force, under their direct command, to use in the event of local tribal frictions. Many Mamluks rose to high positions throughout the empire, including commanderships. Status remained non-hereditary at first and children were strictly prevented from following their fathers. The intensive and rigorous training given to each new recruit helped ensure a great deal of continuity in Mamluk practices.

The Arab Conquest

Perhaps the most important event to occur in Egypt since the unification of the Two Lands by King Menes was the Arab conquest of Egypt. The conquest of the country 639, by the armies of Islam under the command of the Muslim hero, Amr ibn al As, transformed Egypt from a predominantly Christian country to a Muslim country in which the Arabic language and culture were adopted even by those who clung to their Christian or Jewish faiths.
The conquest of Egypt was part of the Arab/Islamic expansion that began when the Prophet Muhammad died and Arab tribes began to move out of the Arabian Peninsula into Iraq and Syria.

Muslim conquerors habitually gave the people they defeated three alternatives: converting to Islam, retaining their religion with freedom of worship in return for the payment of the poll tax, or war. In surrendering to the Arab armies, the Byzantines agreed to the second option. The Arab conquerors treated the Egyptian Copts well. During the battle for Egypt, the Copts had either remained neutral or had actively supported the Arabs. After the surrender, the Coptic patriarch was reinstated, exiled bishops were called home, and churches that had been forcibly turned over to the Byzantines were returned to the Copts. Amr allowed Copts who held office to retain their positions and appointed Copts to other offices.

For two centuries after the conquest, Egypt was a province ruled by a line of governors appointed by the caliphs in the east. Egypt provided abundant grain and tax revenue. In time most of the people accepted the Muslim faith, and the Arabic language became the language of government, culture, and commerce. The Arabization of the country was aided by the continued settlement of Arab tribes in Egypt.


The Tulinids and the Ikhshidids

A new era began in Egypt with the arrival in Al Fustat in 868 of Ahmad ibn Tulun as governor. Ahmad ibn Tulun inaugurated the autonomy of Egypt and, with the succession of his son, Khumarawayh, to power, established the principle of locally based hereditary rule. Autonomy greatly benefited Egypt because the local dynasty halted or reduced the drain of revenue from the country to Baghdad. The Tulinid state ended in 905 when imperial troops entered Al Fustat. For the next thirty years, Egypt was again under the direct control of the central government in Baghdad.

The next autonomous dynasty in Egypt, the Ikhshidid, was founded by Muhammad ibn Tughj, who arrived as governor in 935. The dynasty's name comes from the title of Ikhshid given to Tughj by the caliph. This dynasty ruled Egypt until the Fatimid conquest of 969.

Both the Tulinids and the Ikhshidids brought Egypt peace and prosperity by pursuing wise agrarian policies that increased yields, by eliminating tax abuses, and by reforming the administration. Neither the Tulinids nor the Ikhshidids sought to withdraw Egypt from the Islamic empire headed by the caliph in Baghdad. Ahmad ibn Tulun and his successors were orthodox Sunni Muslims, loyal to the principle of Islamic unity. Their purpose was to carve out an autonomous and hereditary principality under loose caliphal authority.


The Fatimids

The Fatimids were an Islamic dynasty that reigned in North Africa and later in Egypt from 969 until 1171. The Fatimid Caliphate was the political pinnacle of the Ismailis, a group of Shiites who expected the appearance of a messiah descended from the marriage of Ali, the fourth caliph, and Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad.

Their new capital founded in Egypt, al-Qâhirah, "the Victorious," becomes the capital of Egypt, Cairo. While Fatimid control soon extended into the Levant and to the Holy Cities of the Hijaz, this proved to be the Fatimid high water mark. In the Fatimid decline, North Africa broke away, the Crusaders arrived in the Levant, and the Fatimid succession itself passed to a collateral line that lost the numinous status of Shi'ite Imâm. The last Fatimid Caliph, a sickly child, was allowed to die a natural death by the occupier of Egypt, Saladin before the regime was deposed.

The Ayyubids

The Ayyubids were members of the Islamic dynasty founded (1171) by Saladin, which ruled Egypt, Muslim Syria-Palestine, Upper Mesopotamia, and Yemen. During the Ayyubid period, Egypt became the main base of Muslim military strength in the Middle East; subsequently, the Ayyubids were able to reduce the Crusader states substantially. The dynasty also promoted a strongly orthodox religious and educational policy, which aided the revival of Arabic learning.

At Saladin's death in 1193, the empire was divided among his family, but central control was kept by his brother al-Adil and his brother's son al-Kamil. Under them, Saladin's activist policy gave place to one of detente with the Crusaders; it allowed, particularly, for increased trade with Europe.

After al-Kamil's death, the dynasty was rent by internal quarrels caused mainly by the Turkish slave army, the Mamelukes, who seized power and ended Ayyubid rule in Egypt in 1249.


The Mamelukes

The Egyptian Mamelukes emerged to prominence in 1250 when they overthrew the Ayyubid dynasty. Thes Mamluke sultans presided over an unruly but culturally brilliant era until the Ottoman conquest of 1517. From their capital in Cairo they ruled parts of Syria, Arabia, Libya, and Sudan. An awesome cavalry force when united, the Mamelukes checked the Mongol invasions of Syria, defeated the Crusaders, and suppressed the Assassins. When no outside threats loomed, however, they divided into quarreling factions that seldom cooperated. Most of the sultans had short reigns ending in violence.

Mamlûk Egypt for many years was the principal state of Islâm. The defeat of the Mongols in 1260 and then the establishment of an Abbasid line of Caliphs in Cairo gave the regime a respect and status that others could not match.

 

[unmerged(31994)]

(reserved)

 

[unmerged(31994)]

1 - reserved

 

[unmerged(31994)]

2 - reserved - court open

 

[unmerged(31994)]

Part 1

The Sons of Abbas

​

Faced with challenges from within, the Abbasids decided to create an army loyal only to their caliphate, drawn mostly from Turkish slaves, known as Mamluks, with some Slavs and Berbers participating as well. This force, created in the reign of al-Ma'mun (813 - 833), and his brother and successor al-Mu'tasim (833 - 842), prevented the further distintegration of the empire.

It also, however, led to the ultimate eclipse of Abbasid rule. The creation of this foreign army and al-Mu'tasim's transfer of the capital from Baghdad to Samarra created a division between the caliphate and the peoples they claimed to rule. In addition, the power of the Mamluks steadily grew until al-Radi (934 - 941) was constrained to hand over most of the royal functions to Mahommed bin Raik. In the following years the Buyids, who were Shi'ites, seized power over Baghdad, ruling central Iraq for more than a century before being overthrown by the Seljuq Turks. In the same period, the Hamdanids, another Shi'ite dynasty, came to power in northern Iraq, leading to a tremendous expansion of Shi'a influence. In the process the Abbasid caliphs became no more than figureheads.

Centuries past, Baghdad was burned to the ground in 1258 and the Abbasids took refugee in Egypt where a shadow of their former ruler presided under the Turkic Mamelukes.Al-Wathiq the II , the current Caliph, took the mantle of the ghostly Caliphate when his brother Al-Muttawakil abdicated.

*********************​

The day of Ashura was not celebated in Egypt, as it symbolized the Shia mourning to the death of Ali.Umar or al-Wathiq as he was nicknamed by his clan obligated himself to the Mosque of Al-Babari, a shrine within the palace of Al-Azzfar, designated to them by the "generous" Turkish Sultans.Although Umar was not a shia, and still adhered to the sunnah, he ritually prayed every year on the day of Ashur, more of a tradition really than a religious practice.

Wearing his Abbasid turban ( an old practice still kept alive by the Caliphs ) he prayed with the Ismaili and Shia followers within the Mosque.It was not uncommon for Al-Qahirah to have such a wide following of Shiitism, for the influence of the Fatamid Caliphate still plauges Egypt, even at the best efforts of the Sunni Clergy and Imams.Joining the faithful, he was submerged into prayer.Once the Salat (prayers) ended he secluded himself to one of the corners of the Mosque to read the Quran in peace.

Hypnotizied by the verses of the sweet God above, he didnt reply to at first to the friendly "Assalam Alekum" ,on which the greeter insisted again until the Caliph awoke from his trance."..Sorry brother, Wa Alekyum assalam wa ar-Rahma.May I inquire what do you wish?".The man before him, of average height and build, clad in a black robe and turban , seated himself gently beside Umar.

"Can brothers not enjoy each others company?" Umar put the Quran aside, he had a strange feeling that he knew this man "No...there is no ill, what name do you go by?" the Arab before him comfortably leaned on the column of the Mosque "By Abdul Qadir bin Munthir, from the city of Anna in Iraq".The Caliph sighed, the mere mension of Iraq saddened him.Abdul Qadir squinted his eyes at the Caliph "Lord al-Wathiq, I come bearing a message from the Governor of Dimasq (Damascus) , he has arranged a transport for you to come to Syria, he has an important matter to discuss with you my lord ".

"Dimashiq?" the Caliph was confounded, what could the Emir of Al-Sham want with him?he didnt have any political power to partake anything within the court of Barqûq al-Yalburghâwî and he wasnt exactly blessed by Allah in terms of wealth "what ever for?what is this matter you speak of?".

"Mylord, I am nothing but a herald carrier, you are to come to Syria at the earliest possible moment" the Caliph bit his lower lip "What will I tell the Sultan?I cant go to Dimashq so suddenly, he may suspect something, and you must be aware of his ruthlessness".The Arab arose "You are the Caliph of Islam, surly the Mosque of the Ummayeds needs a tabarra" and with that, the man disappeared into the throng of worshippers.

"To Syria Allah takes me, let us see what the heavens have in store for me..."

 

[unmerged(31994)]

The Sons of Abbas

​

"Umar, why do you leave the confines of the Palace?or do you tire of the fine Jawari (slave women) and refreshing wines we serve?" the Sultan bellowed a laugh, though he was rarly in such a randy mood.The "Caliph" submissive as usual gave the Mameluki Sultan a slight bow, an ironic twist in history where the master is now but the slave "I seek to visit the shrines of Sooriyyah (Syria) , might I add I wish to visit the Ummayed Grand Mosque, of course, by your lease oh Sultan of Sultans".The Turk Barqûq petted the concubine hugging his leg, and sipped some wine, acting as if he was contemplating the matter deeply "...Granted, though I expect your return to Al-Qahira not surpassing the flight of three moons".The Caliph bowed again and left the throne room, the ''escort" the Emir of Syria has provided him arrived yesterday, a caravan of Persian soldiers so it seemed led by Abdul Qadir, the messenger of the Emir.He entertained them in villa as guests, until he was granted leave by the Sultan.Now he would go to Damascus, safely.

The caravan set off at sunset ( the best of times as the desert was far more bareable and less moisture consuming than at day ).Upon two days crossing, they reached the borders of the harsh Sinai desert.Thus, they decided to take the coastline route as it was far more sustainable than the heart of the desert.In three days they crossed the boundless Sinai and reached Judea, where they rested in the bustling town of Jaffa.From there they traversed the Tyber to Holy jeruslem and, after crossing the Syrian Athkala mountains, they reached their destination Damascus.

The caravan entered through the Bab al-Faraj ("the gate of deliverance") on the eastern part of Dimashq.The old city of Damascus, enclosed by the city walls, lies on the south bank of the river Barada. To the south-east, north and north-east it is surrounded by suburban areas whose history stretches back to the Rum Ages: Midan in the south-west, Sarouja and Imara in the north and north-west. These districts originally arose on roads leading out of the city, near the tombs of religious figures. In the 8th century outlying villages developed on the slopes of Jabal Qasioun, overlooking the city, already the site of the Salihiyye district centred around the important shrine of Sheikh Muhi al-Din ibn Arabi. These new districts were initially settled by Kurdish soldiery and Muslim refugees from the Byzantine regions of the former Fatamid and Abbasid Empires which had fallen under Christian rule for a short time. Thus they were known as al-Akrad ((the Kurds)) and al-Muhajirin ((the migrants)).

Damascus is surrounded by an oasis, the Ghouta , watered by the Barada. The Fijeh spring, west along the Barada valley, provides the city with drinking water.In the end of the 14th century, the city was already recovering from the temporary Mongolian rule and was returning to its former splendor, though the Greco-Roman aspects of the city were already in quick decay and were being replaced by the more common Islamic fixture of Islamic civilization.

Passing through the congested and crowded narrow streets of the city, evading the bazzars as best as they could, their goal was the Emir's citadel far in the north western edges of the city.Upon reaching the formidable gates of the city, obviously relics of the long gone crusader age , Abdul Qadir roughly ordered the caravan to a halt.He turned to the Caliph "We have reached the Emir, he awaists you inside oh honorable lord of Islam". With that, the messenger barked orders in Persian for the soldiers and , in an orderly fashion left the courtyard.

 

[Hawkeye1489]

A return letter arrives in the Lands of the Mamaleek.

 

[unmerged(31994)]

The Sons of Abbas

​

The Caliph was led by a group of emasculated enunchs, black men from the Zanji lands , though they had nubian facials by his reckoning.They escorted him through the maze of columns and rooms of the Damascian citadel, the fort of Emir Jadi of the ancient Gassasina tribe, the old and traditional defenders of Persia from the arabs of old, before even the rise of the crescent over Mecca.The Gassasini taste for Persia seemed obvious everywhere, Shirazi columns, Isfahani rugs and Yazadi pottery.

Umar expected meeting the Emir of Syria in an opulant room of gracious and overly generous hall or chamber, but to his shock and confoundment he was led into a Sirdab.Upon entering it, one of the Nubians revealed with the flick of torch a secret spiral staircase.The large oaff gestured with his hand that the Caliph would be the first to go first.Reluctantly the Abbasid descended on the stairs, the flickering of the torches held by the nubians behind him danced on the walls.In the end of the stairs, (which to Umar seemed endless) they reached a labyrinth, lavishly furnished in the recognized princly manner of the Arabs.Though to the Strong Muslim Umar, the strange trinkets and manuscripts scattered and stacked carelessly throughout the room made him nervous.

"So the Caliph of Islam graces my humble Gazir" the voice of the Emir echoed throughout the room.The Caliph turned his head to the source, a finely dressed Arab Emir with strong Persian blood in him, en eminent trait in all the Gassasina."Ahhh Emir Jadi, may I ask what is this matter of great importance that you wish to discuss with me?It is no easy matter to drag me half of Goddamn Assham without any reason".The Emir grinned, Umar identified a slight sinister tone "Oh but it is my Caliph, you must put Thiqa (trust) in me as your nickname suggests oh al-Wattiq (that he who trusts)" the Caliph frowned "I trust only Allah".The Emir circled the Caliph several times as they conversed, like a hawk keeping its eye on a prey."Allah...yes, he is supreme.Come my Caliph, let us take comfort, your trip must have been hardous and tiresome." Umar complied and seated himself on the feathered pillows , the Emir joining him with complacancy.

"My Caliph , how is the state of thy dynasty under the Georgians?" Umar was taken aback, the man had insulted his superiors, though he didnt hold any love for them either, coming from an Emir , and one who weilded all of Al-Sham, was shocking "Surly, such an insult would warrent the loss of your tongue?" Jadi laughed "Worry not , only Allah can hear us" the Caliph's eyes lingered on the nubians, alerted by their presence "They are mute my Caliph, rest assured ".Umar sighed "It saddens my heart to have these....barbaric brigades holding the throne of Islam, how can one not fall into the throes of depression and disgust?to think that some meager...Turks sit on an Arab throne boils my blood!Mind you brother, I do not hold bitter hate in my heart, merely anger at the strange change of position without the realms of Islam, how can we accept the rulership of the mere slave over the master?true, the Mamelukes have given us refuge, but have also enslaved us , like puppets we do their bidding!".The Emir nodded approvingly "The words you speak are true, thus my invite, I bear a letter for you, though its penner is long dead, lying in the asylum of Jaddyir in Baghdad " the Caliph cocked an eyebrow, a letter?the Emir handed him a delicatly kept piece of preserved papyrus.The Caliph unraveled it slowly.

The Caliph dropped the scroll, his hands shaking uncontrollably.He looked at the Emir "Is...is..this authentic?" Jadi nodded his head."And you?" the Caliph pointed at him with question, gasping at the mere thought of it.Again, the Gassani tugged his head forward "yes...I am the warlock of Necromon...".Umar sweated purposfully, it was overwhelming , how, what , where?.

"I understand you may have..difficulty understanding this, but we are your allies to power".Umar calmed a bit "Why werent my fathers contacted then?al-Mutasim?al-Qanih?" it was a justified question.The Emir smirked "The stars werent right, Al-Akkad and Shuran smile upon you" the Caliph gasped "Astrology!?Haram!" Jadi dismissed the remark "No it is not, now come, I have much to tell you".

......To be continued

 

[unmerged(21085)]

Arrival of Ambassador of the Ragusa

Emirk Lukarevic​

He jumped on the dock and smiled at the soaring beauty... The hot burning sun made him sweat but it never to cease to amaze him at how beautiful Alexandria really is. As he trotted down the gangplank, his thought focused on his Duke's speech to him before he left Ragusa... After the while, they finally reached the court of Turkic Mamelukes. He asked to see Sultan Barquq Bahri Mamluq about the possible opening of diplomatic link from Ragusa with great lands of Mamelukes and said that he is also the Ambassador of the Ragusa.

 

[unmerged(31994)]

The Sons of Abbas

​

The Caliph was flabber gasted , the whole situation was that of fairytales, like the stories of Sharazad and the one thousand and one nights.To think, his great ancestor Harun Ar-Rashid left him a message from the past!and what was more amazing, the time length was perhaps more or less seven centuries.Emir Jadi , the Syrian Emir led the way into another section of the Zirdab, hidden by the prevading darkness.He lit a torch dunked in oil Zaddir, a powerful elixir the Arabs have mastered for centuries.The torch's fire flickered, and as a composer, forced the shadows of the room to dance on its faint music.

They reached a small library filled with dusty manuscripts and scattered tombs, catching only gabar and cobwebs.The Emir gently fixtured the torch on a handle and sighed."Perpahs it is wise for me to tell you of the Order's history?We were established under the wing of Harun Ar-Rashid, the master of Baghdad.He forsaw all thus after the Shaffar spoke to him, the Star of Kolkat told him of what will happen to Bani Abbas.We are but your loyal retainers my lord Caliph, true master of Islam..." the Caliph was mellow "You speak of a 'We' " the Emir gave a slight laugh "Many have taken the oath, Abdul Jazi of Dimyat, Prince Turkan of Palestine, the Al-Ashraf of Mecca,the Aziddi Imams of Al-Azhar, and others I dare not count.Many from the greater strate of society my Caliph" Al-Wathiq didnt expect this, but then again, what was there NOT to expect?layers upon layers, best just go with the flow of things "Continue then....".

"..Where was I?ahhh yes, the Order was formally founded in 158 After the Higra of the Prophet peace be upon him.We never really functioned as an Order until the time of Caliph Al-Muqtafi, when his life was threatened by the Assasins of the old mountain.Since then, weve taken a pledge of readying ourself against the upcoming dangers.The dynasty became more or less a shell , and we were forced to take more extreme measures with each passing year.It was only through our efforts that the Abbasids still weilded an influence in Al-Iraq, Iraq al-Ajam and Basrah.It was we who directed the Seljuks to partake the Abbasids as friends, and it was we whom formulated the last defence of Basrah against the Mongoloids.It was the Order which saved the Abbasid line may I add...."

"Prior to his invasion of the Middle East, Hulagu asked the Abbasid caliph, al-Muta'sim, the thirty-seventh of his dynasty, to recognize Mongol sovereignty as his predecessors had once accepted the rule of the Seljuk Turks. The prince of the faithful, overconfident of his own prestige, sent word to the conqueror that any attack on his capital would mobilize the entire Muslim world, from India to north west Africa. Not in the least impressed, the grandson of Genghis Khan announced his intention of taking the city by force. Towards the end of 1257 he and, it would appear, hundreds of thousands of cavalry began advancing towards the Abbasid capital. On heir way they destroyed the Assassin’s sanctuary at Alamut and sacked it’s library of inestimable value, thus making it for impossible for future generations to gain any in-depth knowledge of the doctrine and activities of the sect. When the caliph finally realized the extent of the threat, he decided to negotiate. He proposed that Hulagu’s name be pronounced at Friday sermons in the mosques of Baghdad and that he be granted the title sultan. But it was too late, for by now the Mongol had definitely opted for force. After a few weeks of courageous resistance, the prince of the faithful had no choice but to capitulate. On the 10th of February 1258 he went to the victor’s camp in person and asked if he would promise to spare the lives of all the citizens if they agreed to lay down there arms. But in vain. As soon as they were disarmed, the Muslim fighters were exterminated. Then the Mongol horde fanned out through the prestigious city demolishing buildings, burning neighbourhoods, and mercilessly massacring men, women, and children- nearly eighty thousand people in all. Only the Christian community was spared, thanks to the intercession of the Khan’s wife. The prince of the faithful was himself strangled to death a few days after his defeat.Of course, his children were taken to saftey, though Ali, his son, died.Thus the life of Dorriya and Mustasi became ever precious.We had no choice but to take refuge with the Mamelukes, and their uncle Al-Mustasim eventually became the first puppet Caliph in Cairo.The Order , entrenching the Caliphs under the Turks, began expanding in all direction, secretly growing, accumulating wealth , striking alliances, and weilding more power.The stars have spoken to us my Caliph, the time has come to drive out the Turks from the lands of the Arabs and bring back the true Abbasid line.You are of Ahyl Al-Bayet, you are the rightful ruler of the Imamate!.Will you partake this cause?the faithful yearn for a better master, we have the means to shatter the Mongoloids forever!".

"You speak of insurrection then?Sultan Yaqub Barquq has no mercy in his heart, he is more ruthless than Timujin Khan of the Orientals.How can we face the Mameluki army?"

"That has already been planned.We shall purify Al-Sham from the Mamelukes and since I am the Emir of Syria, that shall be an easy task, and Al-Qahirah will never know better.I have already dispatched for the followers of the Cult, they shall bring forth the talismans for the ritual of Bodan..."

"Ritual?" the Caliph spitted the word, the idea of using magic means was horrid."Fear not, it is a matter I shall undertake, you can be sure it will not affect thee, nor any good muslim."

"Allah frowns upon this!" Umar countered."Allah frowns not on our just cause.
We are the faithful Mujjahedin.Away from this matter, for us to make the cause known, you shall give a speech in Dimasqh after the Jummha prayers, this will ignite the cause and bring the people of Al-Sham under our cloak.If Syria embraces you as Caliph of Islam, we shall surly be victorious!".

~The Covenant of Dimashq~
*************************

It was but another lazy day in Damascus, the bazzars, awaiting the eminent Call to prayer were already closed.The faithful flocked to the main mosque of the Ummayeds, the focal point of Islam within the ancient city of Dimasqh, home of the Assyrians, the Tajjuk, Persians, Byzantines, and now, the Muslims.When the hasid of Muslims presided into the Mosque, some red the Quran, some conversed on Islamic shariah, others prayed silently.A few moments later, the Azan was raised, and the Muzzien chanted the eternal phrase , the proffession of the greatness of Islam "La Illaha illa Allah, Mohammadan Rasul Allah" - There is no God but God and Mohammed is his Messenger.

Once the Azan ended, the Sheik of the Mosque, an old Syrian of more or less eighty seven years of age arose from the ranks of worshippers, standing in front of the first line.He ushered the muslims to tight lines, lest Shaitan prevails into the line of worship.He lifted his hands into the air , to his ear, and began the prayers.

In unity the Worshippers bowed and prostrated themselves to the lord.Their prayers mixed in the crowd.A merchant prayed for a good profit,a newly wed for fine children, another for more dinari, and one or two for paradise.Their hopes and dreams were attatched to Allah, their sins and guilt to the lord, they cherish him, fear him, and love him.The mood of spirituality was only broken by the Imam when he declared the end of the prayers in his barely audible voice "Salamu Alekum".The faithful shuffled, keeping their eyes on the ailing sheik.He did not move, and instead,a man, of distinguished characteristics stoof upon the Minbar.All the eyes in the Masjid were transfixed on the new speaker.

"In the name of Allah, the Merciful and Great, We thank thee for everything, verily we return unto you, you are the first and the end.All gracious thanks is to you, sustainer of the heavens and the creation.

Ama Bad (and thus) ....

Allah says ~Verily, this Brotherhood Of yours is a single Brotherhood, And I am your Lord And Cherisher: therefore Serve Me (and no other). And verily this Brotherhood Of yours is a single Brotherhood And I am your Lord And Cherisher: therefore Fear Me (and no other) And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves and remember with gratitude Allah's favor on you for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by his grace Ye became brethren and ye were on the brink of the pit of fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make his signs clear to you, that ye may be guided. ~

The Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said:"There will be Nabuwa with Rehma (prophethood with Mercy). The there will be Khilafah with Ba’yah (pledge). Then Allah will change it when He wishes. Then there will be Mulkan ‘Adoodan (Rule by force). Then Allah will change it when He wishes. Then there will be Mulkan Jabriya (against people’s will). Then Allah will change it when He wishes. Then there will be Khilafah Ala Minhajin Nabuwa (on the path of prophethood). The earth and the sky will bestow their treasures.".

People of Dimashq, I stand before you!Caliph Wathiq II of the Abbasid line!of Qurayish, I come from the Sulib of the Prophet Mohammed peace be upon him.I stand before you oh Ahyl Al-Sham in the sake of a pledge. Allah says "O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allâh, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allâh is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allâh is Ever Well*Acquainted with what you do." .

I ask you of faithful of Islam, the Hasid of the Sunnah, injustice prevails everywhere, the Turkic idolters rule the lands of the Arabs.The Mongols, whom Allah has cursed and isolated from his mercy take the title of Sultans and Woolat al-Amir (People of Rule) by force!The hadith I said earlier speaks of their ruler, and now comes the time of restoration, to that of the Nubowa, of the Prophet and the Sahaba al-Kiram!.

Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa'sallam) said: Each of you is a guardian and is responsible for those whom he is in charge of. So the ruler is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects; a man is the guardian of his family and is responsible for those under his care; a woman is a guardian of her husband's home and is responsible for those under her care; a servant is the guardian of his master's wealth and is responsible for that which he is entrusted with; and a man is the guardian of his father's wealth and is responsible for what is under his care. So each one of you is a guardian and is responsible for what he is entrusted with.

You are guardians of the Khilafah!how can you tolerate the Mameluki rule which brings forth only oppression and tyranny?how can you allow that your Caliph" he points at himself " to be strapped in bondage?!I have left Al-Qahirah to come to Damascus, in yearning for the return of he Khilafah.I ask you know oh people of God!.

Thus Allah bestowed on man his special status as the represenatative of Allah on Earth, whose responsibility is to ensure that Allah's Creation continues , in form of the Khilafah my brothers. To do this man must perfect himself in accord with the Will of Allah, perfect all of human society according to the Will of Allah, and to perfect the physical world. Allah Says:

"And when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to place a vicegerent [representative] on the earth, they said: Wilt thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we, we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee? He said: Surely I know that which ye know not."

You see the Dar of Al-Islam in distress, rise up and force the will of Allah upon the Kuffar.Let the Azan rise upon all the domains of Man on this plane.Oh Maáshar al-Muslimeen, do you recognize me as the Caliph of Islam, my authority presides over your lands and Dars, and as such, I am the Master of Al-Islam?".

The old Sheik, weak from the heat of the unforgiving sun, stood up , looking at Umar, the Abbasid "I , Abu Tamam of Dimashq, recognize you as the Caliph of Al-Islam".The Sheik's testimoney sent a rippling effect throughout the Mosque, one by one the faithful gave their covenant.Thus, Dimasq asserted the Abbasid overlord, after five centuries of obliviance.

Thus, the Caliph gave the ending nector of the Baya, the Covenant of Damascus "I have been given the authority over you, and I am not the best of you. If I do well, help me; and if I do wrong, set me right.

Sincere regard for truth is loyalty and disregard for truth is treachery. The weak amongst you shall be strong with me until I have secured his rights, if God will; and the strong amongst you shall be weak with me until I have wrested from him the rights of others, if God will. Obey me so long as I obey God and His Messenger. But if I disobey God and His Messenger, ye owe me no obedience. Arise for your prayer, God have mercy upon you."

 

[unmerged(31994)]

Recieving the Ragusan Merchants

To the displeasure of the Sultan, he was "forced" to meet with dignitaries and ambassadors.His Vizier had informed him of the arrival of a Rag-babasoosian or some such barbarian from the North.He was indifferent to who and where the Westerner came from, they were all....disgusting, and unintresting to him.

The Guards brought the Ragusan forwards, to the throne Room of the Sultan, ever indulgent in fine wines and beautiful women.Barquq yawned "Speak infidel, I tire of your presence...".

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

A ship arrives from the Crimea bearing a message from Sarai, the heart of the Golden Horde.

Unto Barquq Bahri Mamluq, Sultan of Egypt and Lord of the Mamluks​

Unto our dear brother,

I am exceeding glad to write unto you as a brother, for long has it been so between the Khans of the Qichaq and the Sultans, or we are of the same flesh and blood. Long has our court been wanting to reestablish direct relations with you, as I was reminded during my fourth marriage celebrations. We saw no one sent by you as ambassador, but I am sure you shall soon recitify this. There is much to be discussed. Allah be with you and may peace reign in your lands.

Signed,
Toqtamish, Great Khan of the Golden Horde, Overlord of the Grand Prince of Muscovy, the Prince of Ryazan, the Prince of Vladimir-Suzdal, and the Prince of Tver, and Khan of Nogai and Sibir

 

[unmerged(31994)]

Port of Jaffa ....
The man at-arms handed the letter to the Commander, the parchment came from the Golden Horde, and was obvious communication to the Sultan of Cairo and the information it held would affirmatively alarm the Mamelukes that their ambassador never arrived to Sari.Indeed, the diplomat was already buried in some barren wasteland close to Diyarbaker.The Arab Captain smiled and handed the letter to a Rasul "Take this to Prince Jadi, inform him of what we have found".

​

The Arab paused for a second, looking at the Crimean ship of the Golden Horde "Burn it" and thus his soldiers swarmed on the vessel, setting it aflame.The Abbasids loyalists have effectively severed all communication with the Mamelukes and the other Turkic Sultanates.The Captain grinned, this act formented rebellion, at least here, it was a just cause.

 

[unmerged(21085)]

Ambassador of the Ragusa

Emirk Lukarevic​

Emirk bowed suddenly and looked at the Sultan and spoken in rich and simple voice.

Emirk Oh powerful ruler of Egypt and Syria, I am a man of few words, a gift is worth a thousand words so I present this gift of a sword from our greatest swordsmith. All we ask is your blessings about my people trading in your great lands and may peace be forever between our two people. Ultimately, may you alway triumph over your enemies.

A servant bought a long thin wooden chest and he opened the chest before the Sultan. Inside the box is a long sword made from finest steel and with hilt partly made from gold and silver.

Emirk then went silent, giving no indication that he acutally spoken.

 

[unmerged(31994)]

The Masters of Necromon - Interlude

​

The Caliph's memorable speech in Dimashq sent rippling effects throughout the Mameluki realm, even in their heartland citadel of Al-Qahirah,its after effects were felt.With the Masters alarmed at the situation that could spell drastic effects for the realm, Sultan Barquq ordered a full mobilization of the Mameluki Elite guard, the zenith of savagry and war.His advisors warned the Sultan of brining the realm to chaos, especially when he is warring against the Caliph, a most formidable figure within the Islamic world.Back in Syria, Prince Jadi of Dimashq prepared for meeting the Mamelukes in battle.His first action was to dispatch messengers to inform the followers of the Order of the war.

Prince Turkan of Al-Quds reinforced the walls of the Holy city and sent his Marmaduni Guard to the Wadi of Sadik al-Ahid.He knew he had little or no chance at all in stopping the Mamelukes, but he would at least make their arrival painful.In the Hedjaz, the Al-Ashraf dictated a formal act of disobediance to the Sultan of Al-Qahirah, and urged pilgrims and other tribals to take up arms.In Aleppo, the Patriarch franatically sent letters of burden to the Pope informing him to "remain faithful to the deal" with the Arabs.Other princes, Naibs, and Wolat followed in their disobediance throught the Oriental provinces.

Al-Wathiq continued giving sermons in Damascus in spite of the dangers, and urged the Muslims to Jihad against the Mamelukes.The Khatatin copied one of his most famous fatwas against Barquq that eventually led to the rebellion of Misr and Nubia.

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. O People of Islam, "Who turns away from the religion of Ibrâhim except him who befools himself?" When the Lord says to a learned man, "Submit!" He says, "I submit myself as a Muslim to the Lord of the 'Alamîn, of all that exists. Allâh has chosen for me the true religion, I fear to die except in the Faith of Islâm, as a Muslim. I shall worship one Ilâh - Allâh, the Ilâh of my fathers, Ibrâhim, Ismâ'il, and Ishâque. One Ilâh, and to Him I submit in Islâm."

I say to thee O People of Egypt that the Mameluke Barquq, the so called Sultan of Misr wa Sooriya is of the Al-Mushrikûn, those who worship others along with Allâh! He has conspired with the Christians to take you away from the Straight Path of Allâh, leading you to suffering in this world and torment eternal in the next. He has laid waste to his lands and his people. As he refuses to submit to Allâh, and as he destroys the gifts given to him by Allâh, so it is the will of Allâh that on this day he is cast down and lo! He is twice cursed, bankrupt of all authority secular and spiritual, he and all who stand by him. His commands, without the blessings of Allâh, are as of air, invisible and of no weight. For his great crime he is to be slain on sight, and his head brought and mounted on a spear at the gates of Alexandria!

Allâh will suffice you against all opposition, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. Our religion, our Sibghah, is the Sibghah of Allâh, called Islâm, and which Sibghah can be better than Allâh's? And we are His worshippers, so rise up! Join the Mujahidin, the Fighters in the Way of Allâh! Take this city of Al-Qahirah, and this land of Egypt, all of you who are able to take up arms! Spread the word to every last Arabs, that on the Day of Judgement will Allâh question each of you as to your actions on this day, and woe to those that followed the Al-Mushrikûn, or did nothing! But surely shall blessings be heaped upon those who rise up and retake Egypt, and make it holy once again!

Signed, Caliph al-Wathiq billah.

This proclamation led to severe rebellions throught the western flanks of the empire, forcing the Mamelukes to partition their strength in order to quell the revolts.Back in Dimasqh Prince Jadi prepares for the ritual and heads for Jeruslem, leaving the Caliph within the confines of his citadel.The true Cross, the cloak of the prophet, the book of Necronomicon and the Scepter of Peace are hailed to most Holy Quds....

......to be contined

 

[unmerged(31994)]

The Masters of Necromon

​

Prince Jadi and his loyal retainers had barely entered the city before the arrival of the victorious Mameluki army, whom have succesfully vanquished Emir Turkan's forces.The double Gates of Al-Quds were locked tight and the contagent guards manned the towers , ready for the inevitable siege.The Turkish Prince helped the Syrian Emir unmount from his mare "How long can the state sustain itself?" asked the worried Jadi."A full passing of a moon, no more, no less" the Syrian smiled "Perfect, come Turkan, we much to do " Jadi tilted his head and looked at the acolytes carrying the artifacts "Hail the Holy relics to the Dome of Rock, we must begin the ritual at once!".

Jerusalem, by virtue of the number and diversity of people who have held it sacred, may be considered the most holy city in the Universe. To the Jewish people it is Ir Ha-Kodesh (the Holy City), the Biblical Zion, the City of David, the site of Solomon's Temple, and the eternal capital of the Israelite nation. To Christians it is where the young Isa impressed the sages at the Jewish Temple, where he spent the last days of his ministry, and where the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection took place. Also greatly venerated by the Muslims, it is where the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. While highly charged with intense religious devotion and visited by countless pilgrims and sages, Jerusalem has also been ravaged by twenty centuries of warfare and strife. It is a place of beauty and divinity, mystery and paradox; a sacred site where all the spirits were channeled into the ether.

The acolytes carried the relics; the true cross, the cloak of the prophet, the sceptor of peace and book of the mad poet.Quickly the Emir led them into the Zirdab secretly under the Mosque , the Dome of Rock.They descended deep into the earth, until they reached a large stone basement, most likely a past construction of the Templars as it stilled had the wicked crusader taint.Thus its perfection, an unholy wazag within the confines of the House of Allah.

"light the candels" barked the Emir as he produced a small scaiber from his belt.He proceded to cut off his thumb.He took use of his severed part and began to draw a star of David on the cold stone using his own dam (blood).The acolytes lighted the candels in a circular order around the star and awaited in the shadows.Once Jadi finished from his bloody task, he threw his thumb into one of the corners, discarding it as any rubbish.

He then grabbed the True Cross from its holder, the cross upon which Jesus was crucified. According to legend, the True Cross was built from the Tree of Jesse (father of King David), which became identified with the Tree of Life that had grown in the Garden of Eden.Regardless of its sanctity, the Syrian threw it into the eye of the Star of David.He then proceded to throw the Prophet Mohammed's cloak and the Sceptor of Peace used by King Solomon of the Jews.

"appello caeli!appello caeli!appello caeli!" he shouted it out repeatedly several times."Bring the Necronomicon!" he shouted.One of the acolytes rushed to the Emir with the vile Al-Azif.The Syran recieved it with righteous anger and entered the circle of the eye.He began to chant in an old language, lost in the myst of times."That is not dead which can eternal lie,
And with strange eons even death may die." he screamed again and again.His unnatural outbursts forced many of his followers to flee the catacombs.He continued with his ritual and chanted the hymns of the mad poet Abdul Alhazrad.A strange vibe of unholy character arose in the room, its tempo accelerating with each word the Emir spoke."THE DARK ONE IS HERE!" he shouted in jubilation.

He continued chanting feverishly from the Necronomicon. With his right hand he made the Sign of the Black Goat. The Dark evil appeared before him, writhing in the narrow confines of the stairwell. The spirit towered over him.,it demanded a sacrifice, a stipulation the Syrian did not expect.He gave himself up in exchange for one service; the death of Sultan Barquq of the Mamelukes....

 

[unmerged(31994)]

Siege of Jeruslem

​

After the successful siege of Darvan the south of Jeurslem, the Mamelukes remained in the area for the rest of the month. There was dissent among the princes over what to do next; Prince Abdullah of Hayfa, frustrated, left Darvan to capture the fortress at Ma'arrat al-Numan, an Abbasid stronghold.The majority vouched for a full march against Dimashq. By the end of the month the Sultan was threatening to kill all the nobility if they did not march to Jeruslem.

The siege of Jeruslem....

At the end of Muharam (January) the Mameluki army reached the city of Jeruslem upon the orders of the fuming Sultan.They camped in the region of Huda, a barren land that was in fine proximity to that of the city.As with Daravan the Mamelukes put the city to a siege, in which the Egyptians themselves probably suffered more than the citizens of the city, due to the lack of food and water around Jerusalem. The city was well-prepared for the siege, and Prince Turkan had equipped the towers of the city with siege trebuchets on the Abrag of Zion and Lubna.All this detered the Mamelukes, however Sultan Barquq was presistant, thus no matter how dire his losses were, he would push for victory.The Mameluki Guard assaulted the walls of Al-Quds five times, and with each attack the walls lost their versitality.When all pointed to the eminent victory of the Sultan, a strange blinding light appeared in the sky.

The shocked Mameluki princes called for a retreat, and the stricken soldiers panicked , losing ground to the defenders of the city.Sultan Barquq, angry at the military disorder that had arisen in his ranks, strode forward in his Arabian, barking orders at his men, yet to no avail.Suddenly, the Sultan collapsed from his mount, falling on the ground.His retainers and commanders rushed to his aid, only to find the Sultan shaking purposefully.A trickle of blood dropped his nostrils, followed by greater amounts of blood, gushing forth.His eyes receded, and began to sink deep into the sockets.His whole body blackened, and it was only then, that he stopped shaking.Thus, Sultan Barquq al-Bahri, the Mameluki Sultan who had no successor, passed away, and him, the legitimacy of the Turkick rule.His retainers, stricken by his death carried his wretched body away from the battle field, one that the Mamelukes would have to claim defeat ......

**************​

With the passing of the Sultan, a mystery that would perhaps never be solved, the siege was lifted from Jeruslem, and the Mameluki princes were forced to retreat back to Egypt.The Princes tried franatically to contain the news of Barquq's death, yet such tremendous news would eminently go out and with it blew the powder keg of their demise.His strange death send rifts throughout Egypt and Palestine, the "accursed" has had the worse death anyone could imagine "fighting" the Caliph of Islam.With that notion, the Mosques prayed in the name of al-Wathiq and loyalties changed in Misr.The only option left for the Mameluki princes was to support the Abbasid Caliph and recede their power under him, it would at least, give them protection for their wealth and lands....

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

The Abbasid Connection

Jaffa...

The boats were quickly left behind as the Qipchaq horsemen mounted their steed, who were also tired of the cramped ships they had journeyed upon from Cherson. In total they were about 5,000... half of what the Imam had promised, but they were eager enough to fight, which made up for their small numbers. As they rode into the countryside, one old man emerged at their head, guiding the column in land, toward Jerusalem. There the old man, that Mongol Imam whom a servant of the Caliph had called upon, hoped to meet the man himself. It seemed the once mighty Mamluks had fallen and that all was going for the son of Abbas. "I hope we aren't to late for a bit of battle," said one of the men. The Imam meerly nodded and spurred his horse onward to the holy city.

 

[unmerged(31994)]

The Abbasid Connection

Outside of Jeruslem...

The Arab contagent was startled by the arrival of the Mongolian warriors, a most unexpected attack on the Holy city.The battle had long past, though the bodies of the dead were still scattered and the blood ponds that were formed were still quite fresh.They raised their pikes and swords, ready for the mongoloid offensive, the captain told them to hold their ground and strode forward in his full Dimashqi attaire "Halt!You approach the city of..." he was intercepted by the coming of Lord Turkan, the prince of Jeruslem "How dare you treat Sheik Urgu Sa'dar in the manner of a common surf!?" the Turk smiled at the Mongolian Imam "Forgive his ignorance my shiek, for he knows no better" with a gesture from his hand, the captain bowed and left.

"We have expected your troops earlier, as you can see the battle has already shifted to Egypt...forgive me, garissons and forts are capitulating to the Caliph, the death of Sultan Barquq has been a massive blow to the morale of the Mameluki princes, why last we heard Dimyat had fallen!" he laughed though he immediatly composed himself "Oh where are my manners?I am Turkan, the prince of Jeruslem, though now also the Emir of Al-Sham " he averted his eyes "The martyrdom of prince Jadi in battle has brought sorrow to many..." He smiled apolegetically "Come my Imam, your troops must be tiered, unless of course you wish to meet the Caliph in Al-Qahirah post haste?".