Jalal

Within the dream, Jalal is of apparent Arab descent, a scholar and poet with a generally tender manner with his slaves. Soon after arrival, he set out to create the harem of his fantasies, based more on fictional books than historical accuracy, and enjoy the posh life that Mastery offered. Outside the dream, Jalal was an intelligent but unnoticed individual, working a bland nine to five job in a sea of equally unnoticed Caucasian faces, and spending his free time daydreaming of another life...a daydream whose threads the Weaver drew into the land of Akashat.

Upon arriving Akashat, Jalal began building himself a place among the nobility of the city, having known friendships of one level or another with the Margrave, Lady Aelwynn, and the Emir , Lord Talon , as well as other minor nobles. Many of the learned men of the city came to be familiar with him, and it is said that his personal library rivals all but the Akashat Library in size and scope. Originally dwelling within the city, Jalal moved outside the city into the desert realms of the Margrave, and has created a fortified estate within the great Oasis, Riyad al-Alim, for his own enjoyment and that of his slaves. Those with inside knowledge may be aware of, and variously applauding or appalled by, the fact that several elements of the house were actually suggested by the slaves themselves, and Jalal seems quite free with his money.

With his harem, Jalal has been observed to be very kindly, yet quite protective of his property, allowing none outside himself to make any sexual use of his girls. His slaves are often seen unaccompanied in the main streets of the city, particularly around the market and the city library, where some of them are rumored to check out considerable volumes of books with his permission. None of his slaves have ever been remarked to display indicators of whippings or other physical punishments.

After a time simply sampling of the city's pleasures, Jalal joined the House of Lords at the same time that Taya was appointed Speaker, attending her first meeting and involving himself in the political life of the city. It was during the rising of a dragon to threaten the city that Jalal first came to any prominence, however, calling for a meeting of the House that soon saw the Emir asking Jalal to stand for Speaker, a post he has continued to hold since (as of September 2008). As the Royal Couple began to appoint noble titles within the city, Jalal quickly sped up the rankings, attaining the highest rank of Archduke.

He has a reputation for keen intellect and patient behavior, forged especially through guiding the House of Lords through contentious times, and is known to maintain many diverse friendships from slaves to the highest nobles and males and females of several races. Upon racial lines, he is particularly noted to have had friendships (and rumoredly more than friendships) with several female vampires, yet also rumored not to allow any to feed from him. Rumors of his lovers vary, with more than one wagging tongue noting a propensity towards freed slaves, most prominently as being among the lovers of Isobel, and the protector and later lover of the blind albino Orah, who has long resided in a cottage of her own within the walls of his estate. His harem continues to expand and contract as the city of dreams draws in and releases the various beings that draw his attention, and the silver collar bearing the title of "Jalal's - His Alone" is known through the city as the sign of his favor and ownership.