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For the last few weeks you’ve all been passengers in the Tea Clipper Endurance sailing direct from Absalom to Niswan. Apart from a few squalls and a distant sighting of the occasional whale pod, the journey has been uneventful. You arrive in Niswan with the morning tide. Before long the Endurance is safely berthed and the ship's complement is unloading its cargo of wool with great alacrity. As you walk down the ramp to dry land, it feels momentarily strange that the ground is not swaying. As you look around you see a huge pile of crates ready for loading. The ships master Alliorm plans to return with the tide to Absalom with a hold full of the finest Jalmeray tea, from plantations deep in the interior.
As you walk down the jetty, you are assaulted with a sense of otherness. Everyone is wearing strange clothes suited for the hot and steamy climate, the men in loose fitting toga style cotton robes and pristine white turbans, and the women in beautifully patterned silken saris. There is a bustle of activity as dock hands and stevedores rush two and throw with large crates of goods. The hubbub of a hundred tongues greets your ears all in exotic languages, accents unfamiliar to most of you. Numerous street children crowd around you and the various other sailors on shore leave, yammering something excitedly in heavily accented Vudrani, apparently they attempting to sell everything from spices and tea, to fruit, small macaque monkeys, the location of upmarket restaurants and inns, and even tours of the red light district.
Welcome to sun-blessed Niswan! As you push your way through the crowd, you realize you are hot, hungry and have no where to stay. Before you left the Endurance, master Alliorm recommend an inn called Sāgara kā ināma, although he warned it would be pricey, what with the week long traditional Yolarati festival starting tomorrow.
The Yolarati is the traditional Vudrani Festival of Colors, the practice has died out in Vudra proper but it remembered here.
During the Yolarati the locals are seen wearing robes that were once white, but are now smeared with a myriad of colored dye. The normally reserved Vudrani citizens rub multi-hued powders on each other’s faces and yell exuberant, joyful blessings. Elaborate illusions of rainbow patterns, flowing auroras, and sparkling bursts fill the sky or liven otherwise blank walls. Laughing children splash each other with dyed water. The air is a heady cloud of fragrant flavors, and sounds of music and celebration are all around. Mouth-watering delights are generously available, as well as large mugs of thandi, a local drink, to wash them down.
The third day of the Yolarati is known as the Ātmā'ōṁ kī parēḍa or theParade of souls in common.
The Sāgara kā ināma is in the northern part of the city, well away from the docks.
The Sāgara kā ināma is located in the exclusive Maurya-Rahm ward with convenient access to the legendary houses of perfection.
A swarthy man is loitering by a coil of rope. Unlike all the busy stevedores and street hawkers he appears to be reading a book.
The book is upside down, he is watching you.
To be revealed if anyone actually gets this.
Lilly stretches herself, one arm up and the other around the head grabbing the elbow.
"Hnn....aah, disembarking at last. Speaking of which, no kidding on the crowded-factor. It was kind of the captain to name the inn, but he could have mentioned where it was exactly."
Knowing that when in new places, orientation is important, Lilly casts guidance on herself.
"Say, see that guy down there, with the book? He's holding it upside down, we're being watched."
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Alwyn appears to be looking everywhere at once or at least attempting to. Trying to take it all in. While he has traveled extensively, this is his 1st trip to Jalmeray in which he has left the ship and dock area. "Don't you just love all of the smells, the teas from the stands over there, the spices the inn over there is using, oh well there is the smell of rotten fish but I'm sure it will disperse with time as we move further into the city, The Inn the captain mention is a long ways from the dock. But that's OK because it just gives us a chance to check out all the things around the city. I mean just look around, here we are on the docks and with all the hustle and bustle going on around here that guy is just sitting around reading a book. He really doesn't strike me as a guy who would be reading a book around here."
Alwyn continues talking not quite non-stop but pretty close. Describing what he has seen but also stopping occasionally to sketch out parts of the city as he sees them
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Hmm Irori blesses my steps, I'll have the opportunity to witness the Parade of Souls. Another rare smile drifts along his lips. But Lilly's warning stirs his awareness of the man reading his tome incorrectly.
Mohktar nods quietly and clasps his hands behind his back. A look to Shiko gives his long time companion the warning to be aware. To Lilly he inclines his head carefully, indicating he too has seen the man.
"Our eyes see the motion of the world when we drift in stillness..." the monk says smoothly in Alwyn's direction and he continues to observe his surroundings as he absorbs the intentions of the observer.
@All I've marked the party's location on the map of Niswan in the campaign info tab. For now this is player rather than character knowledge :)
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Mohktar rolls his shoulders and sighs. There are no borders or oceans to barricade the human nature to steal...desperation is hard to bind with decency...
The monk looks to his group and places a hand out palm up, putting his body between the gesture and the observer. He points to one area of his palm. "Our book reader..." He then points to another area of his palm. "...us..." Then he draws a line to a position east on his palm. "...eastern Avenue from here and his accomplices.."
He steps back and clasps his hands behind him again. "The Raven looks out for his Unkindness. We are prey in a thieves' net."
Mohktar adjusts the straps on his pack to more closely contour his body and raises an eyebrow to the others. "What is your wish?" The gesture asks silently.
A spare eye goes to their observer, Mohktar wondering at the man's countenance. Are you desperate foolish, hunger driving you? Or do you seek the easy meal of foreigners, my little raven?
"Thieves, is that why the guy's eyeing us?"
Lilly looks back down at the man, crossing her arms showing a confident grin on her face, shaking her head.
"He can try if he's feeling foolish, i don't really mind."
The man pretends to ignore Lilly and engrosses himself in his upside down book. A few minutes later he suddenly gets up and leaves, apparently in a hurry.
By now all your things have been unloaded. The street children are getting increasingly insistent about selling you something...
A girl of perhaps 6 winters in dirty once white rags but with bright eyes and a warm smile seems particularly eager, saying "Pān̄ca rajata, lāla battī jilē kē daurē!"
She gets yet more instant... "Cāra rajata? Lambī yātrā Sirs, maiḍama? Dīpā āpa sabasē acchā sthānōṁ kō dikhānē kē!"
After a pause, she looks non-pulsed and adds "Tīna rajata? Sirs! Lēḍīja! Yadi āpa ēka kaṭhina saudā ḍrā'iva!"
A note of desperation enters, "Dō rajata?"
Looking around at the city and crowds after he got his things together, Pratavh sees who was watching them when it is pointed out, "It looks like he is running now, there are guards coming down the street over there, looks like they spooked him."
Hirati looks around at the city and her mischievous little draconic face lights up in joy at the mischief she can get into here. Pratavh, sensing here mounting desire to cause trouble speaks over his shoulder at her, "Don't even think about it Hitari, we don't need any trouble right now." She gives am annoyed draconic sigh and climbs onto Pratavh's head, hanging limply to annoy him.
When the child comes up he lets her go on until she sounds desperate and replies to her, "Maiṁ aisī jagaha misa mēṁ kō'ī dilacaspī nahīṁ hai, lēkina apanī parēśānī kē li'ē yahāṁ cāndī kē pān̄ca ṭukaṛē kara rahē haiṁ. Hama dūsarē baccōṁ sē lūṭā jā rahā binā darja karānē kē bārē mēṁ hamārī jagaha kē li'ē milatā hai agara ēka aura pān̄ca ṭukaṛē kara rahē haiṁ."
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Mohktar takes note of the direction in which the little raven escaped. At Pratavh's words regarding the Watch nearby he nods agreement. Gathered sand in the open palm... He once again looks towards the box-laden cart in the side street. ...is cast away on a gentle breeze.
He considers telling the Watch where they can find the miscreants. But when the little urchin speaks in Vudrani, the monk wonders if such notifications will be rebuffed by the language gap. For now he waits and considers, keeping a weather eye on the ebb and flow of the crowd.
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Alwyn continues to make sketches of the surrounding cityscape, but the talking subsides after the monk's comment. A smile crosses his face as Lilly stands up to the watcher. Always looking for the fight my dear.
"Your charity is touching Pratavh, but you may have just added another to our group. Then again it's also quite possible, that you may have netted us one of the city's best tour guides. She probably knows more ins and outs of the city than most we could hope to find."
To Pratavh's new friend...
"Chōṭē sē ēka āpa sāgara ka ināma bulāyā sarāya kē li'ē hamēṁ mārgadarśana Sāgara kā ināma? Hama jaldī lēkina surakṣita rūpa sē vahām̐ hamārē rāstē banānē kē li'ē karanā cāhatē haiṁ. Hama aba taka kūca kiyā hai aura śahara kē ēka daurē lēnē sē pahalē basē prāpta karanā cāhatē hai."
Shiko keeps near Mohktar as they debark.
He makes shooing gestures to the children. and keeps his hands free.
She blinks in surprise at the coin, but soon one grubby hand darts out and the coin disappears in to a picket faster than you can blink. She nods and says respectfully, "Bahuta acchī taraha sē sara, maiḍama. Maiṁ bahuta ucita sarāya kē bahuta sārē, svaccha, patā hai. Sāgara kā ināma, hām̐ maiṁ usa ghara kā patā hai. Mahaṅgā, kyā āpa vahām̐ jānā cāhatē haiṁ?"
Suddenly she spies the Pseudodragon and she gasps in wonder an delight. She point to Hitari and asks Pratavh, "Usakā nāma kyā hai?"
Pratavh smiles at the child, "Kyōṁ tuma usē apanē āpa sē pūchanā nahīṁ hai."
He looks over his shoulder at Hirati who's attention has been wandering a lot, "Someone wishes to speak with you." He points to the girl and Hirati starts flapping her butterfly like wings and flies around the child speaking into her mind, "I'm Hirati, and I'm a girl, not a guy." She sounds imperious about that fact but quickly lightens up, "Is there anything in particular you wanted to know, or are you just awed by my majesty."
She claps her hands together in delight, "Vaha mērē mana mēṁ bāta kī thī! Mērē dōsta isa para viśvāsa kabhī nahīṁ hōgā."
She then turns back to Alwyn and asks, "Āpa kahām̐ jānā cāhatē haiṁ? Agara āpa kī taraha maiṁ sāgara ka ināma karanē kē li'ē lē jā sakatē haiṁ."
"Well, seems your companion's exotic in this part of the world. Dunno about you, but i reckon there's alot more kids coming to see after she tells others. Then...they ALL want to pet and cuddle."
Lilly holds her hands folded behind her head, laughing at the prospect of the scene.
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Enjoying the child's delight in Hirati and understanding that wonderment Alwyn laughs along with Lilly with the upcoming prospect of Pratavh being surrounded by children the entire trip; all wanting to speak to his dragon.
"Well, it seems the captain is wanting to boost the local economy. According to Miss Deepa here that is one of the more expensive motels in the city. Shall we go or do we wish to investigate other options?"
Shiko checks his pockets to make sure they are still present.
Best to check your pockets Mohktar. These Sutorītoratto have fingers that are sticky.
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Mohktar nods agreement to Shiko's warning. "I have little. Desperation breeds crime, but it can also shed light." He rests a hand on the ninja's shoulder briefly."How would our spirits dwell with poverty and an empty stomach? Let peace not suspicion color your eyes, my friend."
He aids with the gear, considering his own is light. At Alwyn's inquiry he gets a better idea of the conversation. "It is a question of trust and motive, Alwyn. Do we trust the little one to steer us safely? Or do wet trust the Captain and his recommendation?"
He thinks on the child's stance and demeanor, then compares it to what he observed of the captain's during their voyage. Was the captain more interested in gaining favor and coin from his suggested hotel? Or was he only looking to ensure the safety of strangers arriving in a strange land?
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Shiko only answers the two with a raised eyebow. They haven't convinced him.
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"More modest accommodations would draw less attention. Our Captain, it would seem, wished for us to enjoy the accommodations he would have chosen."
The group knows Mohktar well enough to understand he has no need for fineries. But he leaves the decision up to the others.
"That said, i'm not too picky or with high standards. If the room is proper enough and we can get a meal, i'm good. Plus us 'common folk adventurers' tend to have better stories to hear."
I would prefer a place where someone is not able to slip knife into spine. Shiko says, thinking of the dives that he has stayed at in the past.
She ponders for a moment, wondering 'Where will still have rooms? The festival will make this hard.'
"Āpa tyōhāra adhikāra kē li'ē yahām̐ hō? Bēśaka āpa tyōhāra kē li'ē yahām̐ , pūrī duniyā mē hai. Śahara phōa karanē kē li'ē pūra hai, āpa dūra mandirō aura parēa sē jagaha kī jarūrata hai.Caāna sē kucha, mai nāvika kē bākī patā hai! Āpa pasanda karēgē. Pŏśa, lēkina yaha hai ki ēka dūsarē kī taraha bhī pŏśa nahī. Mālika acchā ādamī hai, maa'ī vilē rasō'ī bacā lē. Dhyāna dēnē yōgya bāta barbāda!"
She extolls the Seafarers's rest's virtues at length, you get the impression the Seafarer's rest mostly caters to foreigners. Its right across the city from here but you get the impression its in a nice area close to the palace.
Do you wish to go there?
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Mohktar inclines his head in agreement and hefts one or two of the packs if there's a surplus of supplies to carry. Along the way he maintains watch over the group by walking in the back.
(watching for trouble)
Shiko walks alongside Mohktar as they make their way to the Seafarer's Rest.
This place. The colors assault my senses...and the smell. Shiko is jesting of course, he has been nearly across the world in an Imperial Junk, and seen some interesting things.
The trip from the docks to the SeaFarer's is one of contrasts. Like most ports, the docks are vibrant yet seedy. Where everything is seemingly built from wood, and every square foot dedicated to one kind of commerce or another. The sheer variety of it all makes your head spin, from streets specializing in the finest teas and multi-hued and fragrant spices, to another selling bolts of silk and cotton, to another taken up by a farmer's market the one constant is the frenetic business as everyone urgently stocks up ahead of the week long Yolarati festival. The urchin Deepa, winds her way assuredly through the crowed streets and shoos off several bands of young boys who apparently wanted to be your porters.
She seems to know her way around town exceedingly well, ducking and diving into small alleys to avoid knots of people crowded around a popular street vendors cart here or a congested avenue there.
Before long the brothels and low taverns of the docs are left behind, and the buildings seem of better quality made of dark brickwork. The people seem better dressed the watch patrols more frequent, and the shops more luxurious but the same frenetic buying is everywhere, with queues going round the block for particularly popular food stalls. The smells from which make your stomachs growl, for Jalmeray cuisine is legendary for it's richly spiced gravies with well marinaded bite sized chunks of meat, vegetable and a type of cheese called paneer.
You press on and again the surroundings change, the land starts to rise and brickwork gives way to stone and formal gardens start to appear. The crush of pedestrians gives way to a press of horse drawn carriages with a stone sidewalk. As you follow the road up towards the distant Thakar's palace you notice the cliffs command an excellent view of the bay, which is dotted with fishing boards heading out with the tide. As you squint you see what you think is the Endurance being piloted out a short way behind the crescent arc of the fishing boats.
And suddenly you are there, Deepa points to a large stone built residence, with a well tended garden and a stone path leading up to an ornate 15' double door. Your hearts sink a little, it looks rather more expensive than you might have liked, but judging by the sheer volume of visitors everything cheaper will have gone. You console your selves that while posh, it's not as ostentatious as some of the other palatial Hotels further up towards the Thacker's palace.
You walk in to the large and richly appointed foyer. The walls are oak panel with several tasteful paintings, and the floor is a subtle mosaic overlaid by beautifully woven rugs. Ahead is a large mahogany desk. Behind it a well dressed portly man, with a neat goatee and an impressive turban coughs discreetly and rises to get your attention, "Sirs? Madams? May I be of assistance?"
Probably, you seem to already be capable of assistance to yourself, considering your figure.
"Good day sir, we seek rooms to spend the night while we are in the city. How much do your charge here and would it be cheaper if we should choose to stay longer than a day or two?"
Lilly says this with a cheerful smile.
The normally keen eyed Shiko is too taken in by the city's sights and smells.
The man blows his checks out and makes a hmming noise, "One, two, three, four, five of you right? That's going to be tricky, the entire city is full to the rafters. Well I'll see what I can do." He starts paging through a large ledger of some sort.
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Mohktar presses his hands together in the old style of greeting taught by his grandfather and bows respectfully. "Namaste," He completes the bow and stands smoothly. "Peace upon your house, good sir. Rest assured, our requirements are modest."
(aid Lilly)
The man nods and continues looking through the books, "Oh you might be in luck! The Andorann delegation had to cancel, the Seashell Suite is available. It's a mid sized suite, some of you will have to share I'm afraid. But if that's acceptable, it's available 10g per night although I'm afraid we only rent it out for a minimum of a week. Of course all meals and the bar are complementary, you'll have use of the pool. Should you like to venture out our concierge should be able to arrange fine dining in town, or perhaps you'd like the opera or to see a play or maybe arrange a guided tour of the interior?"
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Mohktar shifts his gear along the shoulder strap to bring one of the pockets of his pack into reach. He swiftly retrieves two tightly wound leather pouches and places them smoothly onto the counter.
"Your offer is accepted. 10 nights, if you please." Mohktar says and stands back awaiting direction to the suite.
"Thank you sir, it is most appreciated."
She turns to the others with a smile that says Sounds promising.
The man smiles and gets you all to sign in. He then rings a small brass bell, and hands you a key saying, "Excellent I'm sure you'll most comfortable, the southern room has a fine view of the ocean. Lunch is served through these double doors to the left until 2pm so you have plenty of to settle in and freshen up. Chakari will be along presently to guide you to your suite he'll also take you on a tour of the facilities should you desire. Ah there he is. Chakari please escort our guests to the Seashell Suite."
A young man in a elaborately tailored bellhop suit addresses you respectfully, "Ladies, Gentlemen. This way please. Allow me to carry your bags Ma'am and you too Ma'am. The Sea Shell suite is on the second floor up these stairs."
You follow the bellhop up two flights of velvet carpeted stairs and then he walks you down the corridor and opens the door with a skeleton key. He holds the door open for you saying, "I trust you'll find everything in order? If you need anything, please pull this rope it's rings a bell down below."
He shows you around the rooms, there are two large bedrooms with walk-in wardrobes and a common reception room. The reason for the name of the suite is immediately apparent, for the walls are covered in shells arranged in artful patters. While most of the shells are nothing fancy, the sheer volume of them is impressive. What is impressive however is the marble en-suites, complete with sinks with running hot and cold water, and commodes flushed at regular intervals thanks to a bound water elemental the roof. He tells you that, "The basement contains a series of bathing pools with temperatures ranging from cold to scalding, which are available for use by guests at any hour. The ground floor contains the sitting room with attached bar, which is available for guests. Since you're in a suite there is a table reserved for your use at all times. We also have a modest library although I recommend the public library on the hill it has a most extensive collection."
Afterwards he stays by the door momentarily looking at you expectantly.
Following along and taking in the sights as best he can, Pratavh seems very intent on keeping track of Hirati who keeps trying to slip away and cause trouble. Once they reach the inn where they will stay, Pratavh takes out the promised coins and gives them to their guide. "Tumhēṁ yāda dhan'yavāda, yahām̐ kā vādā kiyā paisā hai. Āpa kala vāpasa ā ga'ē tō maiṁ niścita rūpa sē āpa kē li'ē aura adhika paisā hōgā, abhī taka phira sē ēka gā'iḍa kī jarūrata hō sakatī hai."
Entering the inn, Pratavh reaches up and starts stroking Hirati's chin as this place is a veritable goldmine of mischief. Realizing what the man wants, Pratavh gets our a few coins and gives them to the man, "Thank you for your service sirah, for your trouble."
Lilly hands the guy a few silvers for the service.
"Thank you for carrying the luggage. I'm sure we'll enjoy the baths, which by the way, are they communal or gender separated?"