<strong>The Domain of Al-Ahlam</strong><br/><br/>Like any large city, the Imperial City has its outlying villages and towns, great estates, and so on.  Further away, the land to the north, west, and east turns to broken rock and desert sand.  Bandits and vicious predators abound in these hills, kept in check only by pricklish traditions of etiquette and protocol...and the frequent presence of General Aysel.  The only safe routes through here are the royal roads, which are well maintained.  They lead to the three Great Lion Gates that mark the borders of the Empress's realm, each named for the appropriate cardinal direction.  The lands beyond the Gates pay homage and tribute to the Empress, although they are not necessarily under her direct rule.<br/><br/>To the south, an expanse of loose sand opens across the horizon.  Many caravan routes lead through the Sea of Sand, patrolled jealously by the merchants who use them...and the mercenaries their coins hire.  While the Further Cities are only loosely under the Empress, they remain steadfastly loyal to her and the highly profitable stability her reign has brought.<br/><br/><br/><strong>The Great Lion Gates</strong><br/><br/>These are one of Adnan's creations, great triumphal arches of red sandstone covered with reliefs praising the Empress and expressing devotion to the Lion of Heaven.  Their presence is admittedly ceremonial (there are no walls), but they still mark the border of the Imperial lands proper.  Whether they have further significance is not clear.<br/><br/><strong>Lion's Claw</strong>and<strong>Lion's Fang</strong><br/><br/>Two powerful magical swords of masterful craftsmanship and aesthetic beauty, these are said to have been crafted from a tooth and a claw donated by the Lion of Heaven...and are thus holy relics as well.  (Every Pattern must have it's Greyswandir and Werewindle.  Guess what these are!)  They are rarely seen, even by members of the Royal Family, and thus do not count as part of the Imperial Regalia.  Should they be taken from whatever secret corner of the Armory is reserved for them, it would doubtlessly be a sign that the Empress means business.