Head of the Order of Psi and a top-20 member of the Psion's Guild, Prince Alazam Sandinar Duri is a delightful, charming member of Spurian's elite society. After a short exchange with one of his admirers previous to our interview, we relaxed in the comfort of Spur's own Rose Eternal tavern; and as we sipped hot mint tea, I was graciously allowed a look into the personal life and thoughts of this most interesting gentleman.

Alazam says to Reason, "Sorry to keep you waiting my dear"

Reason says to Alazam, "Think nothing of it, you're just fashionably late."

Alazam says, "Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way"

Reason says to Alazam, "Thank you for consenting to be interviewed.

Alazam says to Reason, "I'm honored you asked me, I love the paper, it's very amusing"

Reason asks Alazam, "Would you like a drink?"

Alazam says to Reason, "Why thank you, I'd love one, I'd normally have my ladies attend us, but they are back in Sandinar attending the festival of the Golden sands"

Reason asks Alazam, "Tea, liquor?"

Alazam says, "Tea, I don't care for this crude substance they call drinks here"

Reason says, "We are a bit of travel from Aerhauven, sad to say."

Alazam exclaims, "Ah but you haven't tasted ale until you've had the golden hopps brew made by the desert Hithuals!"

Reason asks, "Desert Hithuals?"

Reason says, "I'm embarrased to admit I didn't know there were clans living in the desert."

Alazam says, "Tanned skin cousins of the ones we know and love"

Alazam says, "They work the desert mines"

Reason asks Alazam, "The mines are near your home?"

Alazam says, "Sandinar has several up in the Arzan mountains, they shield our oasis valley from the harsh desert climate"

Alazam says, "Diamonds, rubies, gold, and silver, and several other rare minerals"

Reason asks, "And you trade with them extensively?"

Reason says, "Your family, I mean..."

Alazam says, "Oh yes, in actuality many of them reside in our valley and are citizens of our kingdom"

Reason says, "It must be a beautiful, thriving community with such riches behind it.."

Alazam says, "We mostly trade farmed goods, water, and fine arts and crafts, Sandinar valley is one of the few fertile areas in the eastern wastelands, so we have many customers"

Alazam says, "Oh yes...my homeland is truly a sight to behold..."

Reason says, "Describe it for us, please...your childhood must have been almost magical, growing up in a place like that..."

Alazam says, "Imagine, crosing several weeks across the great dune sea, then arriving at the Arzan mountains. As you climb over to the inner side of the valley your breath is taken away..."

Alazam says, "Your vision is suddenly flooded with the deepest greens and blues of a thriving oasis valley. Large flowing spring rivers and lush fields and orchids as far as the eye can see, with several small farming villages"

Alazam says, "It's hard to believe such a place can exist when just on the other side of the mountains lies the harsh desert"

Alazam says, "If you glance further to the east your vision is blinded by the sparkling rays of the sun flickering off the waves of the ocean"

Alazam says, "If you look hard enough you will see the shining spires of the palace of Sandinar surrounded by the capitol merchant city of Ansibah"

Alazam says, "Ansibah was built at the edge of the ocean where the flowing great Arzith river meets the sea"

Alazam says, "I miss home"

Reason asks Alazam, "Why did you leave?"

Alazam says, "Our legends say the very first Sultan, my ancestor created the valley with the help of an eternal genie"

Alazam says, "I left to persue my studies as a Psion, back home my mentor was not skilled enough to train me in the ancient ways so he wrote a letter to his old friend Sordum Corinth to take me in as a pupil"

Reason asks, "So you studied under Sordum? That must have been quite the experience."

Alazam says, "My father also wanted me to venture to other lands and learn the ways of different cultures so that when I one day take the throne I will be prepared"

Alazam says, "Oh yes, training under master Sordum was a very unique experience"

Alazam says, "He was definately not what I expected from one of the most powerful Psycians in all the realms, he is a very warm and caring man, I came to call him mentor and friend, he's like a second father"

Alazam says, "I still love to tease him"

Reason says, "Sordum's got a great sense of humor, I've always liked that about him."

Reason asks Alazam, "So you are the heir to the throne?"

Alazam exclaims, "We'd sit for hours and just have the most interesting and humorous conversations, especially with and just have the most interesting and humorous conversations, especially with Squeek!"

Reason says, "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."

Alazam says to Reason, "No no, you are interviewing, it's quite alright"

Alazam says, "Yes, I am first born to my father Sultan Alzanir Sandinar Duri and my mother Queen Lylia"

Reason asks Alazam, "Is it something you can easily picture yourself doing...ruling a country?"

Alazam says, "I have two siblings, my younger sister Alziah, and my half brother Alkazar, he was the son of my mother and her brief romance with a Human knight before she met my father, that's another tale..."

Alazam says, "Before I used to dread the thought of being my father, I wanted so much to run away and have great adventures"

Alazam says, "My sister and I would sit and plan our escape, she had connections with the Thieves guild in Ansibah and we would always sneak out of the palace, oh the fun I had"

Reason says, "It sure sounds like fun.."

Alazam says, "It was quite the scandal in the royal court, my sister was seen having a romantic interlude with a common thief, she loved every minute of it"

Alazam says to Reason, "She's very unpredictable, she can be vain and snobby, or she can be the sweetest thing with an adventurous spirit, that's all her thief friend's influence"

Reason says, "I think I would like to meet your sister someday.."

Alazam says, "Oh you just might get your wish, my father has finally consented to letting her come here under my care, if I promised to make her take lessons"

Alazam says, "I believe she is attending the Spurian academy, she hates it"

Reason says, "I can sympathize."

Reason says, "Well..."

Reason says, "Now that you've travelled, and studied with the great Sordum...raised yourself up as a highly respected member of Spurian society.."

Reason says, "Head of the Order of Psi.."

Reason asks, "Does the idea of going home and ruling still seem as daunting?"

Alazam says, "Not really, my father was right, I have grown and matured a great deal, and as head of the Order of Psi, it has prepared me for the day when I will lead my people"

Alazam says, "Ah but there are days when I would trade it all to be free to go where I pleased, not to be burdened by my duty to the Order and to my crown"

Alazam says, "But then the day came...when a small Human child in the nomad village came up to me and gave me a small circle of flowers. The look in her small eyes was that of hope for the future, it was at that point that I knew I would do my best to make sure "

Alazam says, "That she had a future, and my people also"

Reason asks Alazam, "I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut our interview short...one more question, if I may?"

Alazam says, "Duty calls, I know that feeling"

Reason asks Alazam, "Do you have a fondness for Spur, having spent so long here? I know this city must be very different from your home, but will you be glad to see these days behind you when the time comes to return to Sandinar?"

Alazam says, "We can always reschedule a second meeting, I'm sure you're dying to get the juicy dirt on me"

Reason asks, "Who, me?"

Alazam says, "To be honest, I would miss this horrid city a great deal, so much of my youth has been spent here, the violence, the strange invasions, I'll definitely miss this hole in the ground"

Reason says, "Well, it does have its charms...occasionally."

Alazam says, "When I came here I was a spoiled pampered royal brat, now I'm a grown spoiled youngman"

Alazam says, "Yes it does grow on you"

Alazam says, "Sorta the way fungus does..."

Reason says to Alazam, "Well, I thank you, I haven't had an evening so interesting in quite a while."

Reason says to Alazam, "I'll contact you at some other time about continuing, if you're interested."

Alazam says, "Well I hope I haven't been boring you, you have my scribe, we will definately meet again, I'm sure you wish to interview some of my ladies as well, my handmaiden Jaesmyne would love to gossip about me"

Reason says, "That's an excellent idea."

Alazam exclaims, "So it's a date then!"

Reason says, "Absolutely."

Alazam says, "I won't tell Pelian"

Reason says to Alazam, "Have a good evening."

Alazam says, "Same to you my dear"

Addendum

Reason asks Alazam, "Any particularly, um.. special lady in your life right now?"

Alazam says, "Well officially I was enchanted by the lovely Brook Lunaris and we are engaged, but in all honesty, there is a special lady out there that has caputured my heart..."

Alazam says, "But alas it can never be, she is an eternal genie, but oh how she moves me..."

Alazam says to Reason, "Although I do care a great deal for my Brook, she's been away for a long time studying and well...feelings change"

Alazam says, "So until my father arranges a marriage to a princess or my Brook returns, I'm still available"