OEPT1: Jakalla Harbor

[greentongue]

As the feeling of an intense electric shock passed your senses cleared and you began to focus. Slowly you became aware of being in a boat and its surroundings. Your body feels strange and you are each wearing a loincloth made of linen with a regular pattern imprinted in it. Around your necks is a thong with a thumb size rectangular pendent. On each side of this pendent is a column of fancy script and at the bottom of each is an unique stamp pattern.

The morning sun beats down with a scorching heat. The foul smelling brown green water undulates under the boat. In the distance the wall of a city rises in colorful splendor. Domes and spires tower in the distance behind the mural painted wall.

Scattered before the city wall is a flotilla of various sized boats. Many of the boats moored together in clumps to form floating clan buildings. Many more single boats of all sizes are interspersed between these pseudo building. The boats fly pennants and are painted a multitude of colors but, the predominate color is blue.

Cargo boats weave through the tangle carrying goods to and from large merchant ships at anchor in the deeper water of the harbor. A discordant mixture of sounds permeates the air. Music, shouts, screams, clattering, whistling all in an ever moving stream.

The passenger boats all seem to originate and return to an area between a pair of towers covered in bright blue figures. These towers are at the middle of the wall, from where you are. Just to the right of this is a large tower with a weathered red dome. Far to the left, where the wall takes a sharp turn away, the murals have a ominous look and boat traffic leaves a wide berth around the docks thrust into the water. Far to the right the wall bends around the city and fades from sight.

The carvel-style boat that you are in is worn but sturdy. It has a single mast Lateen-rigged and a rowlock in the transom for the scull. The scull is attached by a long rope from the handle end to the deck. Currently the sail is furled. A fishing net is neatly folded on the left side of the boat with the well box down the middle and a few small covered baskets fastened along the right side.

Huruyan is gripping the scull with the fishing spear propped beside him. Kumahl is sitting on the well box in the shade of the sail.

Your boat is separated from the mass of other boats outside the city. Close to your boat you can smell the stench of rotting flesh. A short distance away is what looks like a bloated human corpse floating in the water.
It is drifting closer.
=

[greentongue]

Huruyan:
since I am already gripping the scull I will try to move the boat close enough to the body to pull it from the water. if the boat appears to be close enough to the body for it to be reached by hand I will do that but if it's to far then I will try to use the net, being careful to not loose the net.

[greentongue]

Huruyan maneuvered the boat until the body was along the port side of the boat. There was a slight bump felt through the boat at the impact.
As the body slid along the side there was a scratching sound. The scratching stopped when a dripping hand grasped the gunwale near Kumahl.

[greentongue]

Kumahl--a portly fellow with a genial expression--sat up abruptly.

"What in the nine pits is going ON here?" he thundered.

He looked around. "Huruyan, what is happening? I don't…I can't think…oh my!" The young man's fuddled train of thought is interrupted by the grasping hand, which Kumahl instinctively reaches out and grabs, trying to pull the person onto the boat to help them out of the water.

[greentongue]

With grasping of that hand, the putrid smell, the clammy feel, a memory stabilized for Kumahl. The children's tales came rushing back.
Lord Thumis must have smiled.

This must be a Tsoggu!
In parallel with this realization, a second hand appeared on the gunwale.

[greentongue]

Huruyan:
Upon seeing the second hand I grab it and say to Kumahl, I don't have a clue, but maybe this guy in the water can help with that.

[greentongue]

Kumahl's eyes go wide. "Aiii! It is an evil creature! A tsoggu! Don't look in its eyes, whatever you do! AGRAVAH BASH!"

These last words are almost an eruption from Kumahl, and the air seems to shimmer and pulse around his head. Likewise, the air around the head of the creature shimmers...

They hear a popping sound and then, the inhuman strength of the hands returning their grip ends.
Huruyan and Kumahl both feel the weight of what they are holding, and had been held by, go slack.

If they thought the putrid stench of the thing could not get stronger, they were wrong.
The gentle morning breeze slowly waifs away a stench strong enough to make eyes water.

Kumahl shrinks back and retches a bit. "Heavens, that is FOUL," he gags.

"What in the world is going on, Kumahl? You seemed to know what that was, but how? And what did you do to it?
It didn't seem to be anything I know about, and you're right that it is really nasty."

"I recall hearing of such things in stories," muttered Kumahl. "Come, let's row to shore before anything else comes."

He is obviously not eager to answer the question about what he did to the thing...

A quick look around confirms that there are no more floating bodies nearby.

Getting to shore sounds like a wonderful thing to do. Huruyan is still curious but decides to leave it for now.

[greentongue]

Back to the scull, Huruyan maneuvered the boat through the thickening mass of boats and barges as Kumahl kept watch.
The smell of too many people living together on water for too long, grew stronger with each stroke of the scull.

The shouts of "Make way!", "Watch where you're going!" and "Back to the dirt with you!" were not always directed at your boat as others also pushed their way towards the pair of blue painted towers.
Eventually you could just touch a floating dock that was connected in all directions by walkways. You could see a path made of these walkways that ended on dry land near the gates that the blue towers flanked.
There is a constant flux of nearly naked people moving bundles, barrels and crates along these walkways. All manner of goods were moving to and fro as well dressed men on shaded raised platforms watched.
Occasionally they directed the scribes below them to make updates to papers.

Near the bottom of the towers were soldiers in blue and gold lacquered Chlen hide. Their scalloped Chlen-hide swords clacked against their thighs as they walked to breakup any clumps of people blocking the flow through the gates they guarded.
The shore was thronged with boats selling goods. There were slaves running errands and several palanquins carrying nobles above the heads of the crowd. There was even a tall blank mantis like creature talking to one of the overseers on their platform.

A man near your boat gives you a hard look. You can tell by the fabric he is wearing and has draped over one shoulder that he is in charge of some of the workmen nearby.
The emblem on the fabric over his heart is of a green mortar and pestle.
In a manner of a superior to a servant he demands, "Why are you here? Do you have cargo to deliver or are you picking one up? Where is your manifest? Hurry up! You are taking up space I need."
His strong accent is strange to your ears. In fact, everyone you hear has an accent and some are barely understandable.

[greentongue]

"Actually, our cargo is the boat and gear on it. Do you know of anyone who needs a fishing boat complete with all the gear?" Huruyan said respectfully, from down in the boat, below the level of the dock.

Kumahl smiled politely but said nothing.

[greentongue]

The man looked sternly at Huruyan then turned to a slave squatting nearby. "You, politely inform Chozal of the Silver Net that Tordo of the Jade Mortar has a business opportunity for him at my pier."

Then turning back to Huruyan, "Move your boat back until Chozal of the Silver Net arrives. You are interfering with my business."
With that he gestures to a boat behind your's to push forward to the dock.

The slave quickly scampered off, weaving his way along the plank pathways among the boats and barges.

[Deleted]

"Ohe, Chirine, ten Kaitars says the fat overseer tries to enslave the fishermen."

"No dice, Glorious General, that's a sucker bet."

[greentongue]

Huruyan smiles politely, gives a little nod and backs the boat back out of the way."Thank you sir".

[greentongue]

"Hey Kumahl, it just came to me that we grew up in the town of Miyel on an island called Llurura which is several days travel south of here.
This may mean that our memories may all come back.
Huruyan is very pleased about this possibility.

[greentongue]

Huruyan's revelation about the home island solidifies at least one of the swirling memories for Kumahl as well.

As you wait, the boat that took your place starts to unload and its cargo carries with it smells that cut through the miasma that clings to the harbor.
Some of the odors start your mouth watering as they bring back memories of the cooking pots of home. Others are even less appetizing than the scum on the water.
One of those smells remind you of the medicine you were forced to drink to cure a malady you had as a child.

After a time a small group of men approach from the direction the slave left in. You spot him trailing behind them.
An imposing figure strides in the middle of the group with a slave holding a parasol to keep him always shaded. He is wearing a blouse and a short skirt of a fine material.
His hair has a layered cut that makes it look like he has multiple small caps stacked on his head. His sash is a pale blue with a netting of silver thread and on his blouse above his heart is the same color in a diamond shape with a silver crosshatch.
Ahead of him are two warriors with skirts and spears.
While following him is a slave carrying a small chest and to two more warriors with maces. Behind them is a man with a skirt and a sash as well as another slave carrying a square basket.
They all have the pale blue and silver sashes.

He goes directly to Tordo and they talk privately while glancing in your direction.
Soon Tordo returns with one of the spearmen and summons you closer.

"Chozal of the Silver Net is interested in your boat but wants his man to inspect it", he states. "He also wants to know where you got it from?"

[greentongue]

Huruyan:

Inspect all you want it's a good boat. We've had the boat for years, and I can tell you she is fine and sturdy. Aside from a few personal items and this basket to put them in it all goes with the boat, sail, oars, all of it.

[greentongue]

The spearman stepped aboard and started poking and prodding the boat.
He opened the well and unfurled the sail enough to get a good look at it. While he didn't display any respect for the occupants, he did show some for the boat and net.
After grabbing up several handfuls of the net while inspecting it, he restored it to neatness.

Grunts as he made an appraisal of each item and the clacking of the chlen hide strips making up his skirt where the only sounds.
Though he was wearing serviceable sandals, you notice his flame painted toe nails are well pedicured. His fingernails are also.

He made no attempt to strike up a conversation with the occupants of the boat.
A quick glance in the baskets on the right to confirm that they contained your personal belongings, foodstuffs and spare gear, then he was done.

Returning to Chozal he bowed and made his report. Chozal and Tordo spoke together quietly and then Tordo strode up to your boat.
"Overseer Chozal of the Silver Net has graciously offered to purchase your boat for one hundred gold Kaitars," he stated formally. "If you accept, remove yourselves and your baskets."

"Payment and sales document will be given by a servant of Overseer Chozal."
With that he turned away without waiting for a reply.

[greentongue]

"Pardon me sir," Huruyan calls after Tordo, "that seems a very low price for such a fine boat and equipment. Is there someone else who might give us a better price?" When Tordo turns around (assuming he does) Huruyan gives him a large smile.

Supervisor Tordo slowly turns at Huruyan's hail.
From his expression he is annoyed at having his work interrupted again.
"I'm not sure why you are trying to sell your clan's boat but not many would be willing to be involved with such a transaction.
Overseer Chozal is willing and can compensate your clan if it turns out you do not have permission to sell it."
"He is not willing to pay you more and also have to pay your clan later."

He motions towards the mass of moored boats outside the wall.
"There are many who would be willing to take your boat and make it disappear, but it is unlikely you would be pleased with the transaction."

He then turns and yells at one of the dock hands that he thinks is not moving fast enough.

[greentongue]

"We accept the offer of 100k" Huruyan calls out to Tordo. With that, Huruyan grabs his side of the large basket with one hand and his spear with the other and urges Kumahl to grab his side and leave the boat.

After initial hesitation, Kumahl grabs the other side of the large basket and helps Huruyan lift it out of the boat.
"It has served us well as it will others," he said.

Looking around then heading towards where Overseer Chozal's men are waiting he states, "we need to locate our clan house in this city. Our money will not go far here."

"Yes, we should ask when we get our money, and if he doesn't know then others as we go," said Huruyan.

[greentongue]

With your basket between you, you approach Chozal and the people surrounding him. As you get near, the man with a skirt and a sash you saw earlier motions you towards an impromptu desk made from the square basket the slave had been carrying. He has two small bags, one bulky and the other mostly empty. He is just finishing the second document which he then offers both of to you.

Sitting the basket down, Kumahl takes the offered papers.
When Kumahl finished reviewing he took his seal from around his neck, touched it to the offered ink pad and pressed it to the bottom of each paper.
Kumahl told Huruyan that each copy of the sales document was in order, even though more elaborate then the ones back home. There were many more evocations of the approval of the Emperor and the Gods then necessary.
Huruyan followed Kumahl's lead and then handed the papers back.

With that, Chozal's man handed over the bulkier bag to Huruyan. It had a nice heft to it. From the sound and feel, the bag was full of gold and silver discs.

Kumahl and Huruyan both noticed the hungry look of many scruffy dock hands and fisher-folk as they followed the proceeding. Some were sly in their watching but others were not.

[greentongue]

"Pardon kind sir, but where might we find a chapter of our clan Emerald Fishers?" Huruyan asks humbly of the man handing him the bag of gold.
"Also where might we find a reliable guide?"

The man gets a thoughtful look.
"Emerald Fishers ... I don't recall hearing of them. Since the Palace of the Realm keeps a central registry of all clans, I'm certain they would be registered there.

From the clan name I would think you could find Emerald Fishers on the waterfront.
'Emerald' being used in a clan name usually denotes a strong Dlamelish preference in the clan.
The Emerald Lady is Jakalla's patron deity so, you could also try at her temple or one of her many shrines.

As for guides, that would depend on where you wanted to be guided to.
There are professional guide for hunting and out of town trips.
A clan member can escort you around the city."

A couple of scruffy boys bounce up from different directions.
"I can guide you sir! I know where everything is!!" they both exclaim.

The man nods towards them, "It seems you will not have to go far to find guides."
With that he begins collecting his belonging to follow after his retreating master.

You notice that the previous spearman has started moving your boat away, deeper into the mass of surrounding boats.

"So" said Huruyan, "which of you is brave enough to guide us, as we look for our clan and possibly some adventure?"

[greentongue]

Before either of the boys can answer another boy, that looks more presentable, pushes his way through the surrounding kids.
"I know where the Emerald Fisher's have their clan boat. I saw it just the other day. I can take you there," he claims.

The first two boys look at this new kid skeptically.
"Where are you from?" one asks.

"I am of the Bronze Hook," the new boy proclaimed proudly. "We know every fishing clan."

[greentongue]

Kumahl:
Looking to the new arrival, Kumahl says, "The fishing clans should know each other. Forgive us young one if we do not recognize the Bronze Hook, but I believe you know what you say."

To Huruyan, "I trust you to work out a suitable payment."

Huruyan:
To Kumahl, "I think I can handle that." Then turning to the boy of the Bronze Hook, "Well young man, what do you charge to guide strangers about this fine city?"

"For two Hlash I, Messenger Dosuri of the Bronze Hook, will lead you anywhere in the city," proclaimed the new boy.
He boldly held out his right hand.

Instead of the other children pressing in and trying to gain your attention like you would expect, they have gathered in a few groups and are whispering together.

[greentongue]

Kumahl:
"I have regained myself, old friend. From the look of things we will be known among many very soon. Let us be off." Kumahl claps Huruyan on the shoulder and picks up his end of the basket.

Huruyan:
"What do you suppose is up with them?" Huruyan whispers to Kumahl, pointing to all the other boys. "You would think there would be a considerable competition for 2 hlash."

Kumahl:
"I think that these boys," nodding towards the non Bronze Hook boys, " have yet to find a place in a clan."

"Our potential guide has claim because as he has status."

Huruyan:
"Ah, yes that would make a difference." Turning to Dosuri, "One hlash now and the other when we are finished, deal?" Sure that this would be satisfactory with the boy, Huruyan held out 1 hlash toward the boy of Bronze Hook clan.

It was obvious that Messenger Dosuri could barely restrain himself for snatching the silver coin from your hand.
"Yes Sir!" his said with conviction.
With that he took the coin and quickly stuffed it in his loincloth then turning with a flourish.
"Follow me Sirs!"

As you pick up your basket to follow Messenger Dosuri, the whispering children around you take off from both sides towards the city walls. They quickly scamper out of sight in all directions leaving a few to watch and tag along at a distance.

You move slowly, because of your burden, and pick your way along the planks from boat to boat angling more or less towards the city.

After a while you notice that you are trending away from the city and the boats are moored in clumps and not in such a solid mass as before.