Hiyal

The soot-covered, industrious city of Hiyal lay in the valley of the river Al-Wahl, at the opposite, inner end of Suq Bay from its rival Huzuz. It was considered one of the three great cities of Zakhara. Many foundries and kilns shrouded the city in smoke, and this dark atmosphere seemed to nurture the trades of smuggling, stealing and underhanded dealings, earning Hiyal the name City of Intrigue. The ruler was Sultana Alurah bint Asrah, aged 60 and in ill health. Some considered her a wise and fair ruler, while others considered her a dark-hearted schemer. A city of 600,000 or so, Hiyal was noted for its crime, pollution, foundries, coal, iron, steel, weaponry, armor, metalwork, slaves, information, and pottery. Hiyal's foundries turned out some of the finest weapons in Zakhara.