ID: 243

Outcome: Narrow Victory

Open After Story: Yes

Manual Prompt: Yes

Text:

The nobles did nothing when you overthrew the last Sultan. To them, it was merely exchanging one tyrant for another, swapping the names in their pretty hymns. But when you began your reforms, their indifference turned to shock, then rage, then venomous hatred.



You demanded an end to noble privilege, especially their monopolies. Every trade would now face open competition. This wasn't governance; this was reaching into their pockets and stealing their coins. Brothels (how much gold and sweat had Madam Buthayna spilled for her House of Delights license?), gambling dens, silk-dyeing workshops and goldsmith guilds, all now up for grabs by common hands.



So they tried bribes. They whispered in your courtiers' ears. But your Vizier, Alim, the former leader of thieves, handled bluebloods like a cutpurse handles drunkards: polite, but immovable. You replaced every official with loyalists, then turned your axe toward the local bureaucracies... You weren't playing at rule. You meant to be a great Sultan.



And that simply wouldn't do. To those who profited from the old ways, a reforming Sultan was worse than a tyrant. You were an obstacle.



In your second month, fire erupted across the capital's western quarter. The flames spread unnaturally fast. From the palace, you saw the sky turn orange. Iron Guards sent to quell but could not make it.



Something was wrong. Fire doesn't refuse to die. So you went yourself, steel at your side. Heat lashed your face as you stepped through smoke. Then you saw it: an empty oil cask.



Figures wrapped in wet rags burst from burning buildings. Your guards, watching the flames, reacted too late when assassins' knives found your heart.

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