Lashiek, also spelled Lasheik, known as the "City of Corsairs," is one of the four great cities of Araby. Its surrounding lands forms an independent principality ruled over by a sultan who lives in unimaginable luxury.[6a][7a]
History[]
The Dowager Concubine (-1147 IC)[]
Unofficial map of Lashiek
In -1147 IC, during the Wars of Death, the most influential figure in Lashiek was known as the "Dowager Concubine," and she was the ruler of the city in all but name. The Dowager Concubine allied herself with the Vampire Lord Neferata, who had arrived in the city on her way to the pirate isle of Sartosa.[3a]
The Dowager Concubine gave Neferata a northern slave, Ilsa, who spoke the language used in Sartosa. Together they tried to destroy Neferata's former enemy, the rival Vampire Lord W'soran, who had taken up residence in Lashiek. Their servants faced W'soran in his hideout, and once defeated he was forced to abandon his experiments and flee out to sea.[3a]
Siege of Lashiek (15th Century IC)[]
During the Arabyan invasion of Estalia, in what soon became the Great Crusade Against Araby, Estalians were enslaved and sent across the seas to the infamous slave markets of Lashiek.[13a]
At the time of the crusade, the city was in the hands of those loyal to Sultan Jaffar. During the Siege of Lashiek by the crusaders, soon after the walls had been breached, the Duke of Aquitaine disappeared and was though lost. For days rumours buzzed through the crusaders' camp about his fate until at last he was found, grievously wounded and delirious, but alive.[9a]
The duke's loyal retainers cared for him, and even when he fell into a deep coma they would not abandon him. Instead, they made their way back to Bretonnia and their homes, across burning deserts and through Orc and Skaven ambushes. All the time they bore their ailing lord with them on a shaded litter, where he would become the feared Red Duke.[9a]
During the Siege of Lashiek, every pirate found was dragged into the streets and beheaded.[4a]
Marco Colombo and the Scroll of Araby (15-16th Century IC)[]
While stopping off in Lashiek, Marco Colombo, the Tilean explorer who "discovered" Lustria, made the usual foray of foreigners into the bazaar looking for maps. One map, although uninteresting in itself, was written on an old scroll marked by the partly obliterated arcane writing of High Nehekharan used in ancient Khemri on the reverse.[14a]
The scroll gave Marco magical protection against the effect of any spell. However, part of the ancient scroll crumbled to dust each time it was used.[14a]
Al Muktar the Chosen One[]
Werner Glook, known as Al Muktar, captain of the Desert Dogs.[15a]
Years after leaving his homeland, Werner Glook, a young man from Marienburg, arrived in Lashiek aboard a Tilean merchant ship. Drawn by his eagerness to explore the Known World, Werner found himself in the heart of the greatest city of Araby. The streets of Lashiek were alive with activity, from swarthy-skinned boys scampering about to merchants peddling their wares. Werne's fluency in the coarse vernacular of Araby astonished the locals, especially the street urchins who initially tried to pick his pockets. His surprising command of their language sparked whispers among the townsfolk.[15a]
Unbeknownst to Werner, Lashiek was steeped in legends of "Al Muktar," the Chosen One, whose arrival was prophesied that very year. The city's residents began to believe Werner might be the fulfillment of that prophecy, but he remained oblivious to his growing fame.[15a]
After spending time in Lashiek, Werner decided to venture into the surrounding desert to explore famous ruins. His departure from the city marked the beginning of his transformation. During his journey, he was captured by bandits led by Sheikh Almed Shuffti. However, Werner's resilience and ability to endure torture impressed the bandits, who began to believe he was no ordinary man. Stories from Lashiek, coupled with Werner's defiant cries of "Al Muktar," convinced the bandits of his identity as the Chosen One.[15a]
Lashiek’s culture, legends, and bustling life set the stage for Werner's rise. The city was where he first gained the reputation that eventually led to his leadership of the Desert Dogs. This band of mercenaries, composed primarily of Arabyan corsairs and desert raiders, would go on to become infamous across Araby and beyond. Their exploits included raiding, skirmishing, and even being hired to fight the Undead, all of which added to Lashiek’s renown as the origin of Al Muktar's legend.[15a]
Geography[]
Lashiek, located on the west coast of Araby in the Bay of Corsairs, is a massive and wealthy port city, surpassing even Copher and Al-Haikk in riches. Known as the "City of Corsairs," Lashiek exemplifies the Arabyan tendency to exchange fishing and trading for piracy, with many pirates operating in the surrounding seas.[7a][1a][11a]
Slavery is rampant in Araby, and the slave markets of Lashiek and Al-Haikk stand as grim testaments to this practice, with those sold there enduring miserable conditions.[10a][8a]
Despite this, the High Elves maintain a longstanding mercantile presence in Lashiek and Copher, as they have since time immemorial.[7a]
The Sultan Harem[]
The Royal Harem Guard has been active in the harem of the sultan of Lashiek since approximately -1150 IC. During that time, they were an elite force distinguished by their unique armour.[5a]
Notable Inhabitants[]
- Dowager Concubine - Legends say that the Dowager Concubine was an Arabyan woman from the city of Lashiek who lived around -1147 IC, and the de facto ruler of the city at the time of the Wars of Death.[5a]
- Ebn Al-Azir - Once a citizen of Lashiek, Ebn Al-Azir is the Chief Alchemist of the the Guildhall of Apothecaries of Middenheim. Al-Azir proudly displays his heritage, often crediting his alchemical expertise to having consulted with desert spirits about the divine design of the world.[12a]
Trivia[]
The principality of Lashiek shares some elements with the Regency of Algiers. The regency succeeded the Kingdom of Tlemcen as an infamous and formidable pirate base that plundered and waged maritime holy war on the European Christian powers through the early nineteenth century.
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Sea of Claws (RPG)
- 1a: pg. 139
- 2: Warhammer Armies: Bretonnia (6th Edition)
- 2a: pg. 33
- 3: Neferata (Novel) by Josh Reynolds
- 3a: Ch. 12
- 4: Warhammer: The Red Duke (Novel) by C. L. Werner
- 4a: Ch. 10
- 5: Time of Legend: Master of Death (Novel) by Josh Reynolds
- 5a: Ch. 12
- 6: Warhammer Fantasy: Rulebook (6th Edition)
- 6a: pg. 167
- 7: Warmaster: Armies (Specialist Game)
- 7a: pg. 48
- 8: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st Edition: Core Rulebook (RPG)
- 8a: pg. 105
- 9: Circle of Blood (5th Edition)
- 9a: pg. 6
- 10: Town Cryer 20
- 10a: pg. 17
- 11: Citadel Journal 43
- 11a: pg. 4 (Map)
- 12: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Middenheim - City of the White Wolf (RPG)
- 12a: pg. 83
- 13: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Tome of Salvation (RPG)
- 13a: pg. 198
- 14: Warhammer Armies: Bretonnia (6th Edition)
- 14a: pg. 67
- 15: Warhammer Armies: Dogs of War (5th Edition)
- 15a: pp. 40-41