We were unable to procure jobs at the shindig. There is however another gathering by the docks at the same time. Ula! Ulo and I and will find out what we can there.
"It's weird, but I can't shake the feeling that we're involved in something. I mean, I know we are, but... I have a feeling. We're missing something."
I tried to talk my way in, and it might have worked but Asmund being the one of steady mind and sensebility talked me out of it. We shall be at the docks and see what can be heard...
Turning to Ade.
A wise point, I feel as if we are but leaves upon the wind, we need to learn more lest we blown afar.
So Ade, and Sayyid will be attending this party with the high brow folks, and attempt to learn what they can of these people. While Asmund and I, tell stories and drink with the common folk down by the water. Our goal is to hear what words we might, of the comings and goings on. maybe catch some lose words on what is known of our burnt ship.
If there is nothing else, i'd like to get my drink on...
"Aye, nobody gossips like a bunch of drunbk sailors. Im sure we can learn something. Although ones credibility tends to plummet at the same speed that their lips loosen. We'll find out what we can, might at least narrow down our possible players in this s#@+ situation."
You spend the next few days taking in the city, seeing some sights, waiting for the big occasion.
Sayyid and Ade see the tailor who fixes them up with appropriate clothing. He does a commendable job fixing you up in "wanderer-chic" attire. Sayyid is fitted with loose, flowing sand colored pants of the Paijan style with an elegant blue vest, with a rippling pattern embroidered to evoke the waves of the sea, the crests done in silver thread and a wide, loose coat of a handsome brown cloth. He leaves you your sword, but fits you with an elegant, yet functional leather sheath with gold trim.
Ade is fitted in a style meant to sit halfway between Sayyid's garb and a more northern style. A long, narrow skirt of dark blue with a similar, but more subtle, rippling pattern sits below a similarly functional, yet elegant bodice in a light purple color and finished with a flowing shawl of light blue and silver cloth.
Asmund + Ula!:
AU 1189, 15th Day of the month of The Sun.
You part company from Ade and Sayyid in the late morning and start wandering the city. The mood is festive from an early hour and already many are cavorting and drunken in the streets. You make your way to the large plaza sitting before the city palace where the voting takes place. Any person of Brestlor owning property in the city of who can prove 7 years of continuous residence is eligible to vote and the square is filled with long lines of citizens waiting their turn. Numerous mead and wine merchants with push carts work the crowd and the mood is festive, though you gather there is little doubt of the outcome.
Sayyid and Ade:
AU 1189, 15th Day of the month of The Sun.
You rest a while longer after your compatriots depart, before heading to a public bath house to ensure appropriate cleanliness and donning the attire provided for you. The clothes are exceptionally well cut and of very fine material, you already feel more comfortable with the though of rubbing elbows with the city's elite. As late afternoon gives way to early evening you start making your way through the boisterous crowds in the street to Ardashir's residence.
"We should make it as close to the palace as possible. People are like to talk the longer they have to wait in this line. Then we can make our way to the docks."
A fine plan indeed, but first let us see if one of these merchants might have some palm wine on them, would you care for some? perhaps we should get a big skin of it? it would assuredly loosen and wet the tongues of others, plus i have become mighty thirsty in this month of the sun!
Ula! Ulo grins wide and chuckles in amusement.
Flagging down a wine merchant.
Hello friend, might you have palm wine in your stock this day?
Asmund + Ula!:
You move through the crowds, and after trying a few vendors, you purchase a sizeable skin of a chilled date wine for a copper piece, its been watered down, but only moderately.
As you continue to walk by the crowds milling about the electors standing in their queues and merrily mocking those stuck in line. As your moving by, a man of medium height and greying hair calls to you in a voice clearly betraying a Gwuaran accent.
Greetings cousin of the sands, can you spare a drink for a thirsty man waiting long hours to do his civic duty?
"Now remember Ardashir may be willing to use us but if he discovers who you are we may be in for a different sort of evening. I am your lover for the night and you mine, perhaps we are accosted with too many questions we should sort out a few important details?"
Sayyid strolls confidently through the streets, Ade on his arm and a half dozen knives cunningly hidden about his person.
= 31
Ula! Ulo glances around and sees the man, grinning he calls back.
Certainly my cousin, come and wet your tongue.
Ula! Ulo holds the large skin allowing the man to drink from it.
Tell me cousin how did you come to find your self so far north?
A momentary pause
Ahhh how rude this gesturing to Asmund is my friend and the captain of the ship I now travel upon
Asmund and Ula!;
Well met friend, and many thanks. I am called Aglashan, a humble trader from Gwuara. I have found good fortune sheparding carpets and glassware from my home to the north. Because I purchased a warehouse here in the city this year I am now eligible to partake in this curious custom. And yourself?
Interesting, we are only recently arrived carrying cargo, just in time for festivities it seems. That business concluded we decided to stay a few days to attend some of the festivities and see these strange sights. Also congratulations on your good fortune in business.
Ula! Ulo takes a drink of wine and a momentary look of wistfulness crosses his face and fades.
Perhaps you being a man more familiar with this city have some ideas as to where two humble sailors should seek festivities this day and well in to the night.
A pleasure Aglashan, name is Rashe. What do you think of this whole voting situation? You called it a curious custom?"
Ha! Well where I come from the Shah is Shah and the Satraps are Satrap's, unless the Shah says otherwise. No man ruled over me ever asked my opinion on the matter before I came here. But it's not such a bad idea I'd say, a man might as well have a say in who has power over his life. If nothing else, they do through a fine party.
Once the voting wraps up here you'll want to make your way to the docks, the harbor races are well worth seeing and wagering. After that, simply let the night take you where it will.
Well then my cousin, We shall be as leaves upon the wind and see where this night takes us.
Ula! Ulo smiles broadly.
Do you have plans for this night? or do you wish to wander with us?
Ula! Ulo glances at Asmund hoping the invitation is alright by him.
Enjoy it friend! I must stand in this line a while longer, but mayhaps I shall see you again this night. Many of the Paijan merchants in the city may be found at an alehouse called Birqual's Oasis near the harbor, be welcome if you wish to stop by.
A name I shall remember! If we do not meet again, it was nice to see a face from the homeland, take care.
Ula! Ulo offers another pull from the wine skin, before smiling and heading off to wander some more.
"perhaps we should stop by that alehouse? Could be info to be found there."
A sound plan, shall we head there now?
+ = 9
Ula! Ulo starts up a song as they walk.
+ = 10
Ula! Ulo walks up to the bar in Birqual's Oasis and drops the last of his coin upon the counter.
When you have a moment, all the ale that this will get me, I feel it will be a long day and I have acquired a mighty thirst!
You make your way back out of the crowded square and make your way towards the harbor. Crowds of cheery citizens move past you, bedecked in their gaiest attire, ribbons streaming from sleeves and flowers adorning every manner of head. As you come to the harbor you see the cities fleet of proud ships similarly bedecked, and a flotilla of small, sleek sailing vessels gathering at one of the docks.
You find the alehouse mentioned, but notice that the bars and alehouses generally are quite sparsely populated, the party is in the streets.
Asmund, should we stay or should we go?, the party seems to be in the streets.
"Perhaps we can return here later. For now lets collect what info we can out here. Tonight when spirits are high and lips are loose we will come back."
Being a bit paranoit Ula! Ulo looks about to see if they are being followed.
+ + = 13
Ula! Ulo keeps his ears open and eyes wide as they travel the streets talking, singing and joking.
+ = 11
Unless anything of note happens or catches his eyes, they wander the streets returning to Birqual's Oasis as the party starts to heat up.
Ade greets Ardashir.
You are introduced to his friends.
Quen Xhera - A banker from Rhasan Khanate.
Herstor 'Redsail' - Captains a small mercenary flotilla
La'aman - A contract broker
Ade talks trade to Selwen.
After some conversation with Selwen on the in's and out of futures and predictive market models based on past spoke-wind locations, the Pajian contingent of Ambassador Kazem Kamran and his associates Nozar Diba and Pejman Deljou is introduced.
Nozar Diba begs permission of Selwen to demand satisfaction of Sayyid, and she seems "totally down with this sort of thing, yo."
The challenge is issued and agreed to, with Pejman and Herstor Redsail serving as seconds.
100
100 points
player 1:
player 2:
player 3:
player 4: - 1000 points! WINNER!
100
player 1: - 150 points
player 2: - 600
player 3: - 150
player 4: - 100
150
300
+ = 15
24 copper they finish in the top 5
8 copper they finish first
Odds on the Sea Ghost:
14:1 to win
4:1 top 5
1.5:1 top 10
After meeting up with a group of sailors from the House of Blue and Gold and the Seven ships company, Asmund and Ula! enjoy the party, make small talk, the like. Eventually being joined by some sailors from Selwen's Konpen Company Ula! mentions a story he heard about a ship burning down after receiving a strange treatment in Yeza. This prompts a story from one of the newcomers who says that a friend of his got re-assigned from a ship that was to head north from Yeza recently at short notice, and that this happened to a number of people from the crew.
Later Breilen and Denman "Plankton" show up, trying to find their missing third sailor for their boat in the harbor race. Failing to find the missing sailor or another volunteer, Asmund is presented as a suitable candidate. After a close fought and mildly treacherous race, the manage 4th place to much acclaim and celebration and moderate winnings from Ula!'s wagers.
Back at the party:
A space on the veranda is quickly cleared and an area marked. The crowd gathers around the demarcated area, their excitement palpable. Your seconds quickly agree on the rules, which are standard.
- You are to use a rapier, and no other weapons.
- If you leave the marked area you forfeit.
- Duel ends when one party forfeits.
You both shed any extraneous clothing and square off in the circle.