Extracted from The Chronicles of Al Shir-Ma, written approximately 8 years before today:

You must guard your wealth carefully if you wish to stroll the sprawling markets of Al Shir-Ma. Beneath the hot canvas you might find delights beyond imagination, lost treasures, or even a momentary fancy, but in either event you will, in all likelihood, leave the markets much poorer. Do not let the friendly banter of the merchants fool you however; it is said that even the machinations and politics of the court are nothing compared to the ruthless scheming and plotting of the merchants guild of Al Shir-Ma.

The Merchants

First among the success of Al Shir-Ma has been the remarkable commerce that the town has attracted. It is often remarked, across all the enlightened lands, that if a thing exists, it can surely be brought in the fabled markets of Al Shir-Ma. The riches of the merchants are breathtaking, but fate is not always kind, and for every merchant who makes their fortune in the great markets of the town, another may be ruined.

Even among the rich and powerful of the merchants, two great families struggle for dominance. Asaim abu Halwa is head of the merchants guild, a man so powerful that even the Sultan frequently seeks his advice, while his main rival Rashad abu Diyab owns the Caravan Sarai and is privy to much of the new business and visitors to the town. A visit to the markets of Al Shir-Ma would not be complete without stopping to visit the barber Yezeed al-Gana, who can reliably tell you everything from what the Sultan had for breakfast, to the best place to buy a love potion.