A Bibliography for Storyguides

Modern English translations of The Arabian Nights are easy to find, and most include the City of Brass story. The website www.wollamshram. ca/1001/ compiles texts from various translators: Burton, Lane, Payne, and Speke. "The City of Brass" story is found in the sixth volume of the Burton translation. While colorful, Burton's translation includes sensational elements popular during the time of his writing. The more recent twovolume Everyman's Library edition by Husain Haddawy is considered a more accurate translation.

The single volume Penguin Classics version edited by William Harvey is a reasonable starting place and provides an introduction to the wider corpus of stories. The three-volume set and its accompanying treatise "The Arabian Nights: A Companion", edited by Robert Irwin, is recommended for those who wish to delve into the tales in greater depth.

Further details on the Mythic Middle East, jinn, and sahir can be found in The Cradle and the Crescent for troupes wishing to expand on the level of detail presented here.

to the magi, returning again and again until dealt with. Although relatively weak compared to the magi, their numbers are considerable and the effect they have on the local mundane population provokes a situation that the magi cannot afford to ignore for long. Until the

reason for their visitations is uncovered, these specters haunt and terrorize the area around the covenant, drawing unwanted attention from the local nobility, the church, and possibly the Quaesitors.

Simply handing the tablet over to the ghosts is not an option, for they are

incorporeal and cannot physically return it to its rightful place. Disposing of it elsewhere is problematic. The ghosts follow the tablet, which might cause problems depending on where the tablet is placed. This could be traced back to the magi and may draw Hermetic investigation. A better solution is for the magi to return the iron tablet to the Marble Palace and recap the king's sarcophagus. The ghosts can directly ask the magi to do this, as it is what they want to happen. The ghosts can lead the magi to the Marble Palace, where Prince Keshan's ghost beseeches the magi to retrieve his father's corpse. To rescue King Kush's corpse the magi must enter the City of Brass, and recover the corpse through force or negotiation with the Malik of the 'Afrit. If the magi are unwilling to assist Prince Keshan, he refuses to call off the specters or captures valued members of their expedition and holds them hostage until the magi cooperate.

The iron tablet might be an active Arcane Connection to the tomb of the Marble Palace, or the storyguide might rule that the link has faded during the intervening centuries, depending on which option best suits the troupe and the implementation of this story.

The magi come into the possession of an authentic Brass Bottle of Solomon. This may be a gift from Ibrahim (see The Exotic Visitor, earlier), or acquired in whatever way makes most sense for your troupe. Analyzing the bottle in the lab, the magi may purposefully or accidentally release the imprisoned 'afrit (this could be the result of a "Special or Story Event" on the Experimentation & Extraordinary Results table). If released inside an area protected by an Aegis of the Hearth, the 'afrit's power is limited, which sours his attitude towards the "rescuer." Alternatively, if the bottle is discovered by a curious grog, companion, or apprentice, it may be opened unwittingly. This option may be more interesting for some troupes as it allows the involvement of non-magi in the story, particularly if the 'afrit is released outside the covenant and the magi only learn of it after the fact.

The released 'afrit, Jawal al-'Afrit, is brash but friendly. He enjoys provoking people and instigating trouble. A sly collaborator and selfish opportunist, he has a madcap and reckless zeal for adventure. He claims that he needs the characters' help returning home, and tries to entice the characters to take him there with tales of the riches and splendor of the City of Brass. This is a lie, for he returns to his tower in the City of Brass whenever he is closed inside his bottle. However, if the bottle is left with him in the city, he doesn't have to deal with people conjuring and commanding him anymore.

The bottle is the authentic work of Solomon, and Jawal must obey the commands of whoever releases him, though he can twist the wording and has wide discretion as to how he goes about his task. Jawal is mischievous, not malicious. He likes to see others get into trouble, but not come to grievous harm. However, he gladly manipulates others for his benefit. It takes a clever and powerful magus to tame Jawal.

Tailor the personality and power level of Jawal to suit the capabilities and interests of the players and characters. If they are the compassionate sort, present as Jawal humble and generous, earnestly requesting the magi set him free by taking his bottle to the City of Brass. If they are selfish and callous, make Jawal a clever mastermind who uses trickery to get his way. If they are freewheeling adventurers, then Jawal becomes a magical friend who causes all sorts of incidental troubles. He could inspire this story with his many tales, as well as further adventures in the Mythic Middle East.

The bottle could also be the faulty work of lesser magic, which means Jawal can act as he wishes when released. It may still be possible to befriend or try to tame him, or the 'afrit may feign obedience in order to trick his "master" into serving his purposes or to lure him to his doom. He may simply abduct some of the characters to be sold as slaves in the City of Brass, and the other characters have to travel there to rescue them.