Chakari's page

While you are finishing your breakfast a well dressed boy of about sixteen summers approaches your table and addresses Ishta, "Miss Khosiv? Archivist Jenkins sends his greetings, he has found something in the archives he thought you might want to see. He didn't tell me the nature of his discovery but he suggested it was important."

The village elder speaks to each man in turn hearing their story and what their trade is. He then confers with some of the others and tells the assembled group, "All right, we're willing to give this a try. It'll be hard work and no mistake getting housing built for y'all, but honest work and I dare say you'll find it rewarding. Once we used to have more traffic from the boats, and earned coin selling smoked fish and handicrafts. With the extra man power maybe we can do so again."

"Has something bad happened here recently?"

A suppressed shudder runs through the man, "Depends what you mean by recent... Last few months? Been quiet till now. Fast few years? Yeah we've had more than our share of ill fortune. What with Razmiri tax collectors collecting men when there wasn't enough coin for their liking, and the elves murdering kids who camped on the south shore for a lark."

"I assure you these men just want a new start. They were slaves to the Razmiri, and hold no love for them. Zandomir here is no spy either. I have known him for years, and he isn't from anywhere around here.

It looks like you could really use some help here, and these men just want a place to call home. I think you could help each other if you gave them a chance. Why don't we set up some interviews for you? You can talk to them, and if you don't want them in your town, then we'll take them elsewhere. I think you will like them."

Mollified by the way Zarine put it the man sighed, "Well truth be told we could do with some new blood around here. Still we need to meet them, can't make any promises a'fore that."

"I'm not an elf, but I do have elven blood."

The man runs his hand through his thinning hair and replies frankly, "Time was none of us would have cared what you look like. We knew they liked their privacy, knew they'd shoot loggers. Didn't reckon they'd do it to a bunch 'o teenagers on a lark but now we know. The knowing of that ripped the heart out of the village, afterwards we couldn't bear to think it could happen again and sent all the little ones away to live with cousins and uncles and so on." You get the sense he could break out in tears any moment.

"He does!" replied the elder pointing at Zandomir.

One of the village elders, a man who despite having no grey hair could be anywhere from fifty to eighty, asked suspiciously "No offence Captain Skywin, but how do we know they're not agents of Razmiran or Kyonin? Neither of them have any love for us!"

This was met with murmurings of, "Aye! Stomp on us given half a chance."

As the conversation continues the crowd of curious onlookers grows.

A little while later there's a knock at the door, "Lady, Gentlemen - I hope you've been enjoying your stay? Transportation is going to be a bit trickier today, but might I recommend a trip up to the High Holy district? It's the focus of festivities today and it will be quite the spectacle. Of course if you have any alternate destinations in mind we'd be happy to help arrange it."

I'll try to make sure nobody gets left behind :)

Chakari bows to the group, "Very well, consider it done. Your carriage will be here in half an hour."

Any last minute actions or shall we move to the next scene?

"Ma'am that depends on the seats. Prices range from 10s for the stalls to about 15g for a box, you're unlikely to get a cheap seat at short notice however." He considers for a moment and suggests, "You could probably share the same carriage, at least on the way out."

15g is ridiculously expensive, but you lot can probably afford it.

At the mention of Irori, Chakari brightens up, "Why yes Sir, I shall let the concierge know, it would be our honor. Would a carriage in half an hour suffice?"

He then turns to Lilly waiting for her response about the play.

Red faced he stammers, "I uh, I'd advice you... Yes I'd advise you not to ask about the old cults, that would be most awkward for they are shameful."

There's a pregnant pause when he attempts to steer the conversation back onto safer ground, "So uh ma'am, would you like to see Muskar's Shadow Dance? We may be able to get you a box... Sir do you wish to visit the houses of perfection?"

I.e. best seats in the house, or at least the most expensive ones.

Chakai seems very uncomfortable about discussing this, "Uhm yess Miss I believe so and indeed it would be logical for the watch to do so."

Chakari looks troubled and replies, "Kind sir, I uhh... Sir this has been going on for some time. I have heard rumors. Shameful rumors, of bodies being found violated from within. Sir I sense you wish to help but I implore you, leave this to the watch. Begging your pardon sir, but nobody will talk to an outsider about this, the shame is ours to bear, the problem ours to fix. Have no fear Sir, the watch are efficient and the perpetrators will be caught and justice done."

You get the sense that he is deeply embarrassed (for Jalmery) that the murders are still continuing.

Chakari nods and replies, "Sir the Mayra-Rahm district is the seat of government, very grand. Well worth a visit in the day, but you'll find the area quite deserted in the evening. As for the Houses of Perfection they stand open at all times, although all of the demonstrations are held in the morning. If you wish to travel there now just let me know, although there'd be more to see and do in the morning. If you decide to go tomorrow, you'd be well placed to see some of the initial Yolarati celebrations from there."

As the dinner winds down Chakari comes by your table and asks, "I do hope you enjoyed Dinner? Oh you did, excellent Chef will be delighted! Anyway Master Bivwani asked me to enquire if you needed any concierge services tonight? We'd be happy to hail you a carriage and arrange for a visit to the opera, or perhaps a play. I believe the Muskar's Shadow Dance is on at The Oval Theater. Or perhaps you'd like to pay your respects to the gods up at the High Holy District? Whatever you require we are at your service..."

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.