Chronicles of Sha'Lazar

The al Harim al Malakiu is one of the most important internal powers of the Rash’ani court. The Harem has its own internal organization and order for influencing policies.


It typically houses several dozen women, including wives. It also houses the Amir's mother, daughters, and other female relatives, as well as eunuchs (castrated male slaves) and slave servant girls to serve the aforementioned women.

It is ruled by the Bas Ka’dın, or "Chief Lady", mother of the reigning Amir, who holds supreme power over the Harem and usually the heart of her son… thus a powerful position near Amir’s court.

Beneath the Bas Ka’dın in the hierarchy is the Ras’oul Ka’din, the mother of the Amir's first-born son, who has the best chance of becoming the next Bas Ka’din.

The Amir also has other official wives, or mothers of his other sons, who are each called Haz Ka’dın.

Next in rank, below the Amir's wives, is the Cez’ran, his eight favorite concubines, and then the Go’dze, other concubines who the Amir favors.

Next in rank are the Go’bal, concubines of other court officials.

The women of the Harem, could, and would, indirectly become involved in state politics and through their subtle influence could sway decisions of the Amir. The Imperial Harem also has pupils and novices who are younger women either waiting to be married off to someone or who had not yet graduated out of the Harem School. Amazing what could be accomplished thru pillow talk.


Bas Ka’dın
~ "Chief Lady”; “Queen Mother” ~

Bas Ka’dın, the mother of a new Sultan, came to the harem with pomp and circumstance and assumed the title of Bas Ka’din (queen mother) upon her son's ascension. She is paramount chief and runs the Harem and rules over the members of the Harem. The Bas Ka’din, who has influenced the political life of the Rash’ani during various periods of history, has the authority to regulate the relations between the Amir and his wives and children. The Bas Ka’din is a majestic symbol of the Rash’ani dynasty and wields great power. No concubine can leave or enter the premises of the Harem without the explicit permission of the Bas Ka’din, whose power over concubines even extends to questions of life and death.

Varied, but typically in her middle to late years. Bas Ka’dın rose to prominence within the palace harem through a combination of wit, cunning, and political maneuvering. Her exact origins are shrouded in mystery, with various rumors circulating about her humble beginnings and rise to power. Some say she was once a concubine herself, while others speculate that she was born into a family of courtiers and was groomed for her position from a young age.


Ras’oul Ka’din
~ “the mother of the Amir's first-born son” ~

Ras’oul Ka’din is the mother of the Amir's first-born son. She is second only to the Bas Ka’din, and is next in line of the Imperial Harem.

Varied, but typically in her late twenties to early thirties. Ras’oul Ka’din entered the palace harem at a young age, chosen for her exceptional beauty and grace. Raised within the confines of the harem, she was carefully groomed for her eventual role as a concubine to the Sultan. Despite her humble beginnings, Ras’oul Ka’din distinguished herself through her intelligence, wit, and ambition, catching the eye of the Sultan and rising to prominence within the palace hierarchy.


Haz Ka’dın
~ “favorite wives or mother of his other sons” ~

Haz Ka’dın consists of the favorite wives, or mothers of his other sons.

Varied, but typically in her late twenties to forties. Haz Ka’dın occupies a privileged position within the palace harem, having earned the favor of the Sultan through her exceptional beauty, intelligence, and charm. She may have entered the harem at a young age, selected for her captivating presence and potential to become a favorite wife. Raised within the confines of the palace, she underwent rigorous training in the arts of seduction, diplomacy, and courtly etiquette, preparing her for her eventual role as a consort to the Sultan.

---

Concubines are usually introduced into the harem in their tender age and are brought up in the disciplines of the palace. If a concubine's intimate contact with the Amir resulted in the birth of a son, she would become one of his wives.

Concubines may also be females who volunteer to engage in relationships with the Amir, or his subordinate leaders, to whom they are not, or cannot be, married. The inability to marry may be due to differences in social rank (including slave status), or because the man is politically unable to marry. Children of concubines are declared legitimate as children born in wedlock. Concubines are promoted according to their capacities and became:

• Cez’ran : eight favorite concubines of the Amir
• Go’dze : favored concubines of the Amir
• Go’bal : favored concubines of the Court Official

Cez’ran
~ “eight favorite concubines of the Amir” ~

Varied, ranging from late teens to early twenties. The Cez’ran are a select group of eight (8) concubines who have earned the favor of the Amir through their exceptional beauty, charm, and talents. They were likely introduced into the palace harem at a young age, chosen for their potential to become favorite companions of the Amir. Raised within the opulent confines of the palace, they underwent rigorous training in the arts of seduction, dance, and courtly etiquette, preparing them for their eventual roles as cherished consorts to the ruler.


Go’dze
~ “concubines of other court officials” ~

Varied, typically ranging from late teens to early twenties. The Go’dze are concubines who serve other court officials within the palace hierarchy. They were likely introduced into the harem at a young age, selected for their beauty, charm, and potential to become companions to influential figures within the court. Raised within the disciplined environment of the palace, they underwent training in the arts of seduction, diplomacy, and courtly etiquette, preparing them for their roles as consorts to the ruling elite.


Go’bal
~ “other concubines who the Amir favors” ~

Varied, typically ranging from late teens to early twenties. The Go’bal are a select group of concubines who have earned the favor of the Amir through their exceptional beauty, charm, and talents. They were likely introduced into the palace harem at a young age, chosen for their captivating presence and potential to become favored companions of the ruler. Raised within the opulent confines of the palace, they underwent rigorous training in the arts of seduction, dance, and courtly etiquette, preparing them for their roles as cherished consorts to the Amir.

---

Kaph’lista
~ “underaged girls, used as hostess assistants” ~

Typically ranging from late teens to early twenties. Kaph’lista are young women who have been carefully selected to serve within the palace harem due to their exceptional qualities and potential. Introduced into the harem at a tender age, they undergo extensive training in the disciplines of the palace, including etiquette, dance, music, and the art of conversation. Raised under the guidance of experienced matrons, they are groomed to become companions and confidantes to the ruling elite.


Aph’lista
~ “underaged girls, used as hostess”) ~

Typically ranging from late teens to early twenties. Aph’lista are young women who have been groomed from a tender age to serve within the palace harem. Selected for their beauty, intelligence, and potential to excel in their roles, they undergo rigorous training in the disciplines of the palace, including etiquette, dance, music, and the art of conversation. Raised under the watchful eye of the harem's matrons, they are prepared for a life of service to the ruling elite.


Od’lista
~ “underaged girls, used as chambermaids” ~

Typically ranging from early adolescence to late teens. Od’lista are young girls who are introduced into the palace harem at a tender age, often selected from orphanages or impoverished backgrounds. Chosen for their innocence, obedience, and potential to serve, they undergo grooming and training from childhood to fulfill their roles within the harem. Raised under the strict disciplines of the palace, they are taught etiquette, household management, and other skills necessary for their duties.


Role of the Eunuchs

At the court of the Rash’ani Amir, the harem staff commonly included eunuchs. Eunuchs are slaves, either captured in war or recruited within the empire or beyond, whose genitalia were entirely amputated, typically early enough in his life for this change to have major hormonal consequences. Eunuchs supposedly do not have loyalties to the military, the aristocracy, nor to a family of their own, having neither offspring nor in-laws, at the very least, and are thus seen as more trustworthy and less interested in establishing a private 'dynasty'. That is why this castration, usually made them reliable servants of a royal court.

Because their condition usually lowers their social status, eunuchs can also be easily replaced or killed without repercussion. Often donated to the Amir by his Viziers, the castrated men may serve in the palace and rise in rank after serving in a wide variety of functions such as courtiers or domestics, treble singers, guardians of women, or harem servants.

But where physical access to the ruler could wield great influence, seemingly lowly domestic functions, such as making the ruler's bed, bathing him, cutting his hair, carrying him in his litter, or even relaying messages, could, in theory, give the eunuch "the ruler's ear" and impart de facto power on the formally humble but trusted servant.

Men who have been castrated, typically early enough in his life for this change to have major hormonal consequences. In some situations, it is a man who is not castrated but who is impotent, celibate, or otherwise not inclined to marry and procreate. These men were highly trained in the art of combat as protectorates of the harems.

Kız’asi
~ Master of the Girls ~

Kız’asi holds the esteemed position of Master of the Girls within the palace harem. Eunuchs are typically introduced into service at a young age, undergoing castration and training to serve in various roles within the palace. Those selected for positions of authority, such as Kız’asi, undergo further training and grooming to fulfill their duties effectively.


G’Darz
~ Eunuchs used as guards of the harem ~

G’Darz are selected and trained to serve as guards within the palace harem. Introduced into service at a young age, they undergo rigorous training in combat, surveillance, and security protocols to ensure the safety and protection of the harem inhabitants. Their loyalty and dedication to their duties are paramount, and they are entrusted with maintaining the security and integrity of the harem at all times.