Many years ago, a merchant ship was on its way to deliver cargo to the ports of the Old World, when a great tempest swept it far off course. After the storm passed, the captain spotted something shining on the horizon—an undiscovered country. He named it Nyasia, after his daughter, though the imposing mountains bordering the coast earned it another name, “the Shadowed Land.”
Soon, the great nations of the Old World launched fleets of ships to claim territory. This period of frantic colonization would last a few score years. Suddenly, the ships stopped arriving, and those that set sail for the Old World never returned. Then came the Dark.
A shroud of black cloaked the heavens, blotting out the sun and raining down ash. Time was lost. Horrors untold crawled and clawed their way from the dark places of the earth. Social and spiritual upheaval followed as humanity began to despair.
Finally, the clouds broke, the sky cleared, and we looked on with bated breath.
The Long Dark is ended. Now is a time of change and opportunity, for those with the strength, cunning, and passion to make their own way in Nyasia, the Shadowed Land.
Soon, the great nations of the Old World launched fleets of ships to claim territory. This period of frantic colonization would last a few score years. Suddenly, the ships stopped arriving, and those that set sail for the Old World never returned. Then came the Dark.
A shroud of black cloaked the heavens, blotting out the sun and raining down ash. Time was lost. Horrors untold crawled and clawed their way from the dark places of the earth. Social and spiritual upheaval followed as humanity began to despair.
Finally, the clouds broke, the sky cleared, and we looked on with bated breath.
The Long Dark is ended. Now is a time of change and opportunity, for those with the strength, cunning, and passion to make their own way in Nyasia, the Shadowed Land.
Chapter 1: The Adventure Begins
Our tale begins on the 11th day of the 1st Moon, in the 3rd year After Dark, in the great port of Rhakosis, capital of the Ash-sh’b territory.
Sitara binte Nasim Hariri, a young freelance captain, had recently returned to the City of Sails...a bit later than her client was expecting. She had again followed a fruitless rumor concerning her father, a merchant-sailor who had disappeared during the Long Dark. And while the trader was sympathetic to her circumstances, this was simply bad for business. Sitara left with her payment but her contract unrenewed.
Upon returning to the Purple Lantern Inn where she was staying, Sitara received an invitation from the renowned shipwright Syd Alssufun Alim bin Takumi Urashima to discuss a business opportunity. Naturally intrigued, Sitara accepted. She and her first mate Kannuki, a giant Minzokan man, arrived promptly at Alim’s home at the twelfth bell for dinner.
Alim explained he was searching for a captain for his most recent work, a caravel called Viz Leany, and he thought Sitara would make a fitting captain for her. She would be free to sail where she liked, encouraged to follow her exploratory inclinations, and bring back information and items of interest; Alim would be their patron, receive a portion of whatever they found, and Viz Leany would be well taken care of each time she returned to port.
Thoroughly excited by this prospect, Sitara accepted the position. Alim invited her to visit his shipyard the next day to see the vessel for herself. He had already hand-picked a crew he was confident in to fill all necessary shipboard functions, but he also recommended she seek out individuals with any specialized skills she thought might be useful on her adventures.
Upon leaving Alim’s residence to return to the Purple Lantern, Sitara spotted a strange figure floating above the street.
...*...
Ratna Katara Akash Darsham Rakshasa bin Ba’al was working at his shop in Rhakosis and waiting on this month’s shipment of gems from his mine to the north. Upon hearing a knock at the door signifying it had arrived, he got up to meet his men.
As they were unpacking the cargo, one of the boxes fell over, as if of its own accord, and five stones lay on the floor: a sapphire, a ruby, an emerald, an obsidian, and a jade. When he asked his men, no one could seem to recall where they came from. Finally he discovered in a note from his foreman that they were all recovered from the same cavern in his mine. though Akash knew simply from the array of stones how unlikely it was that they all formed there naturally. Opening his senses, he felt that they all radiated a slight magical presence, and when he took each one in hand experienced something rather extraordinary.
Parts of the jade stone felt smooth as silk, while other areas were as rough as sharkskin, giving him the strange sensation of both comfort and harsh reality.
While nothing seemed strange about the emerald’s appearance, upon touching it, he was flooded with feelings of fear, hope, and relief.
As he went to examine the triangular obsidian shard with red impurities, he drew his hand back in pain as the edge sliced his finger, seemingly absorbing his blood. However, when he finally picked up the stone and looked at it through the light, he could find no blood. He was filled with confusion and curiosity, but he was unsure if it came from the obsidian or the event itself.
Next he inspected the ruby, beautiful beyond compare, warm to the touch, and light for a stone of its quality and size. As soon as his fingers touched it, he felt a sense of regalness and awe.
As his fingers finally touched the sapphire, he was unprepared for what came next. Looking into the gem was like looking into the depths of the sea itself. Overcome with wonder and terror all at once, he felt it would rip him open until his shuddering hands dropped the stone. He was back in his shop. Though Akash felt both a pressing need to “open” the gem and an intense fear of what that could bring, he was unable to touch the stone again without his hands shaking, unable to grip it. After a few hours of studying it, he was left with a sense of restlessness, feeling as though he could do more, with either the gem, or himself.
Wrapping the stones, he took them up to his home above his shop and placed them upon his mantle, spending the rest of the evening in prayer and study, trying to figure out what message the Jinn were trying to send him.
The following day was a special occasion. Durai Ranbir, the man as close to a father as Akash ever had, had arrived in port, and they were meeting for supper. Captain Ranbir brought some, shall we say, good spices from up north that one could enjoy on something other than food. He also updated Akash on recent news that the world’s greatest shipwright, Syd Alssufun Alim bin Takumi Urashima, had built a new ship and was in search of a captain for her.
Upon hearing this, Akash knew he had to be a part of this. He had long wanted to go out, and search the world for relics of the Jinn. He thanked Captain Ranbir, paid for the meal, and then ran out. As soon as he was outside, he took to the air, using the blessings bestowed upon his blood by the Jinn, and flew to Alim’s place.
After seeing the captain below walk out of Alim’s residence Akash flew down to introduce himself. The captain, and her first mate, were understandably concerned upon seeing a man fly down from the sky only to hover before them for a few moments. Landing gracefully, Akash introduced himself as but a humble gem merchant and Jinn-blooded of the air. Having heard she would be captaining Alim’s newest ship, Akash offered his services and demonstrated his powers by lifting up the three of them and turning them around in the air. Before their feet touched the ground, Akash knew what the Captain’s answer would be. The look of excitement on her face was all he needed to see.
...*...
Arata Kasumi was born into a wealthy Minzokan family: his father a politician, and his mother a high ranking guard, as well as an older sister with whom he was rather close. Bored with a life of relative luxury, Kasumi didn’t follow in his father's path, working the rather mundane job of accounting; however, he later joined the criminal organization the Brotherhood of the Watching Eye, and took up the trade of a thief.
The precepts of the Brotherhood were simple: do not reveal your true self, your dual-nature, to the unenlightened, and whatever you do, do it well. Though these commandments led to a diverse set of practices, there were some commonalities across the peoples of Nyasia. Few of the Brotherhood were exclusively crooks; most maintained legitimate businesses or occupations, some quite prosperous. Being caught practicing on the far side of the law was the ultimate failure, while being a suspected yet unproven criminal was considered the highest success. As long as a thing is done well, it is done in the Brotherhood’s name. Success and skill were the determining factors, not some abstract concept of right or wrong.
In order to differentiate himself from his father, who lives risk-free as a politician, Kasumi had joined the Minzokan Brotherhood as a way to test himself and keep his skills honed. He had recently been hired on by an Ash-Sh’b member of the organization in Rhakosis as a personal accountant and assistant. After receiving a message from his new employer, he had to chase down a street urchin whom he realized had also absconded with his money (and definitely didn't almost escape this professional thief). His pride intact after the ordeal, Kasumi set out to on a ship to Rhakosis.
After arriving in the City of Sails, Kasumi found a small inn where he could bide his time, waiting for news of his employer and relax.
...*...
Now with a position on the ship’s crew soundly tucked away it was time for Akash to meet with his Minzokan arrival. Finding him was rather easy, though Akash could have sworn he gave the man enough money to hole up in a better inn than the one he was walking into. Maybe the exchange rate on the gems he sent as payment had changed, he wasn’t sure. After asking around, the wind blown craftsman found Kasumi in one of the upper rooms. The man was very bland, too plain to be Akash’s assistant.
The two conversed about the trip here before Akash let Kasumi know about the plan to use this new venture to hunt for rare treasures and improve the Brotherhood, and their influence, wherever they would go. After discussing their plans, Akash moved his new partner and personal assistant out of this horrid place, and got him some clothing fitting both Kasumi’s style and Akash’s flare. Kasumi quickly turned down the first three outfits. The following morning, they went to tour the ship that would be the stage for their new shenaniganry.
...*...
Meeting at his shipyard, Alim took Sitara on a tour of the ship which she was to captain. A striking ship crafted of a deep red wood, it seemed more a work of art than a sailing vessel. Similar in style to a caravel, the two-masted design promised speed and maneuverability. Her name, Viz Leany, seemed somehow familiar to Sitara, though she could not place it. The figurehead, that of a beautiful woman with her arms outstretched, hair flowing behind her, struck a chord in Sitara’s heart.
Investigating the Captain’s Cabin beneath the quarterdeck, Sitara found the rear windows to be paneled entirely in stained glass. Realizing the panels could be moved to create different abstract scenes, Sitara spent some time becoming familiar with her new room.
Joined by Akash and his personal accountant Arata Kasumi, the trio continued their tour of the ship. Though Kasumi found little of interest on the ship, Akash struck up a lively discussion with Alim, one craftsman to another.
As they were led to what would be their quarters, Akash realized there was more to this ship than meets the eye. Covered in scrolling woodwork that initially appeared decorative, Akash discerned that it was actually prayers in a number of different languages, including Mizokan, Oami, and Ash-Sh’b. Realizing that this ship bore invocations to the gods, Akash experienced something of a revelation and dedicated himself to the journey he is about to undertake.
...*...
Khalifa Mesi was a sergeant of the city guard in Al Qura. Like many others, she was raised in the military academy, and began intense training in combat at a young age. Over the years, she had watched how terribly the people of Al Qura treated each other, leading her to question her beliefs and the military dictatorship.
One day, she received orders from her commanding officer to bring in a rabble-rouser named Kosey Farouk, who was speaking out against the inequality created by the dictatorship. Mesi could not bring herself to go through with the arrest, as she secretly believed he was right. She warned Farouk of the warrant, and helped him and his family escape by sending one of her guards away and knocking the other unconscious. Knowing the consequences of her actions would be dire, Mesi knew her only choice was to flee Al Qura.
Mesi spent the next two months traveling by foot and caravan until she finally made it to Rhakosis, the City of Sails.
...*...
Due to some personal tribulations, Dasha left her tribe, the Larinovna, to see the wider world. Making her way from the depths of the Oamre Forest, Dasha found herself in the Dascean village of Calica on the forest’s southern edge.
Not long afterward, an Ash-Sh’b ship came to the village to resupply while on its way back to Rhakosis. Endearing herself to the grumpy captain, Durai Ranbir, Dasha agreed to work for her passage to the Ash-Sh’b capital city. Once arriving in the City of Sails, Ranbir gifted Dasha with several bolts of cloth for her to sell in the bazaar in order to establish herself as a successful merchant.
...*...
After viewing the ship, Captain Sitara, Akash, and Kasumi ventured into the Grand Bazaar of Rhakosis where, so long as you had the coin, you could find anything you wanted. They were strolling the streets, innocently window shopping and buying bits and bobs, when they encountered a truly sinister creature of nightmares. It dove from the sky with a blood curdling screech and absconded with Akash’s gem-tipped sword cane.
The trio, led by the nettled Jinn-blooded, followed the feathered thief deeper into the market until the peregrine falcon finally alighted upon the stall of a traveling trader. The purveyor, a giant Oami woman who was as beautiful as she was tall, introduced herself as Dasha. After taking a moment to recover from the shock of seeing someone as pretty as he, Akash confronted the woman. He had to admit, to himself at least, that her scam was rather novel. How ingenious it was, to train her bird to “hunt” the belongings of unwary shoppers and lead them to her booth, only for the Oami merchant to return the item and offer a small discount on her wares, if they purchased now, of course.
Upon discovering that Dasha had gained the trust of Captain Ranbir, Akash was about to buy her bolts of silk before Sitara stayed his purse hand. The Captain, who was half Oami herself, was curious to see the woman’s salesmanship. With not one, but two skilled traders on her crew, their business deals could prove quite lucrative indeed. Besides, the Grand Bazaar of the City of Sails was the perfect stage to demonstrate the mercantile prowess that was something of a point of pride amongst the Oami.
Dasha did not disappoint. The three watched for about an hour as she hawked her wares, her skill surprising even the Ash-Sh’b craftsman. Apparently the Captain was also sufficiently impressed, enough to offer Dasha a position on the ship, which she gladly accepted. To herself, Sitara quietly wondered at having come across another Oami who appeared to have taken to wandering outside the spires of the great redwood forest.
...*...
After becoming acquainted, Dasha invited Captain Sitara, Kannuki, Akash, and Kasumi to lunch at the Purple Lantern Inn. As they arrived, Mesi came down from her room to have lunch alone in the corner of the dining area. Moments later, three armed and armored Ta Atouan men entered the inn.
They confronted Mesi, revealing themselves as bounty hunters, and the tension escalated quickly into a brawl. Although Mesi proved quite capable of protecting herself, a group of strangers jumped to her defense.
With a flourish, the Captain drew her scimitars and struck one of the men, nearly severing the muscles in his arm. Kasumi, with extreme subtlety, equipped himself with a pair of shuko hand claws. As Akash drew his cane sword, it felt as though a gust of wind followed, while Dasha also drew a short sword to aid the party. Kannuki with his brute strength swung around his tetsubo, causing substantial damage both to the bounty hunters and the inn. Realizing they were outmatched, the bounty hunters fled the inn.
Once the excitement died down, the party went their separate ways to make preparations for their journey. Akash set his business affairs in order and Dasha acquired a dozen crates of figs as Viz Leany’s first cargo. Captain Sitara sought out Mesi and they had a lengthy discussion regarding her fugitive status, before inviting her to join the crew. Although Mesi agreed, she warned the Captain that her presence could potentially put the crew in danger.
...*...
On the eve before Viz Leany’s departure, Sitara, Akash, Kasumi, Mesi, and Dasha shared dinner at the Purple Lantern. Kasumi, having noted with some bewilderment that Sitara referred to her looming first mate as “little brother” in Minzokan, politely inquired after their not-so-apparent familial bond.
Sitara explained that a couple of years ago, she had been hired by a small Minzokan village to hunt down an ogre. She tracked down the monster only to find a giant of a man living alone in the forest. Realizing the villagers had misjudged him based on his frightful appearance, she befriended him instead. Kannuki had been traveling with her ever since, and she had adopted him as her brother, which, she remarked, was perhaps something of a family trait.
Kasumi commented that while Kannuki referred to Sitara as “little sister,” he had been a bit more confused by her use of “little brother.” Though Sitara was uncertain of Kannuki’s exact age, she had used the term believing it had simply meant “brother,” and chuckled at her linguistic error.
The crew continued conversing jovially over supper, when suddenly a young boy arrived to inform Akash that someone was attempting to steal the ship.
The question of why exactly their esteemed jeweler associate had someone watching the vessel was quickly forgotten as the crew rushed to defend their new ship. Upon arriving at Alim’s shipyard, they discovered the guards had been taken out and found themselves face to face with five armed ruffians.
Just as they seemed to be gaining the upper hand, a tall, cloaked figure appeared from the shadows, plunging a long knife into Dasha’s back. Recognizing his voice, Sitara called him out, and their crewmates ceased their fighting to look on in confusion as she identified him as her brother—her other “brother”—Stig. Though the red-headed young man, dressed in an eclectic mix of Ash-sh’b, Skenden, and Oami styles, bore about as much familial resemblance to Sitara as Kannuki did, the almost childlike bickering that ensued left everyone with little doubt as to their connection.
While Sitara had heard Stig had been associating with, shall we say, rougher crowds, as of late, she believed he was attempting to commandeer Viz Leany to spite her, while Stig contended that it was nothing personal...after all, it was a really nice boat. The best, really. Their arguing concluded with Stig begrudgingly agreeing to take his men and leave.
The crew checked on the guards, who fortunately were all alive and would recover from their injuries, before returning to the inn to retire for the evening. Sitara, however, went off into the night, determined to track down her wayward brother. She rode along the coast south of town until she came upon Stig just as he and his men were about to pull out to sea in a longboat.
Sitara extended him an invitation to join her crew, which, after his initial puzzlement, Stig declined with some disdain. Seemingly unruffled, but also unsurprised by his response, she asked if he had heard any news of their father, to which he replied he had not. Hiding her disappointment and knowing she would not be able to sway him, she cheerfully bid her disgruntled brother safe travels.
...*...
The next morning, the command crew assembled at the shipyard and Alim introduced them to the ship’s crew. The specialists were:
Mlah Kamal bin Ender Yilmaz, the ship’s pilot, a melodramatic Ash-Sh’b man;
Emrys Hadwyn, Master of Tops and the ship’s bard, an extravagant Dascean man;
Parsara Jyotish bin Omar Kalkari, the ship’s purser, a soft spoken Ash-Sh’b man;
Skalla Ragnvaldr Vendela Skeppsbyggare, the ship’s carpenter, a powerfully built Skenden woman;
Zhu Jian, Master of Arms, a severe Minzokan woman;
Cheirourgos Menkeres Diallo, the ship’s surgeon, a large Ta Atouan man with soulful eyes and voice;
and Tabbakh Bassim bin Salah al-dir Tawfeek, the ship’s cook, a jovial Ash-Sh’b man.
The men before the mast were comprised of experienced Ash-Sh’b sailors who were specially trained to control the elaborate rigging of Viz Leany. These sailors, all holding the title Bahar Sydi, or Master Sailor, were:
Adam bin Junaid Abdulrashid,
Bassam bin Dana Ajam,
Nimat bin Junayd Saab,
Sajjad bin Boutros Saqqaf,
Shakeel bin Nabil Nejem,
and Wasi bin Maram Karim.
With introductions made and possessions stowed, the ship made ready to set sail. Kannuki and Sitara stood at the figurehead leading a ritual of good fortune as Viz Leany, wreathed in incense, broke water and made for the horizon.
...*...
That night, Sitara woke from her sleep, slipped out of her hammock, and left her cabin. As she wandered through the ship, there was not another soul in sight. She was alone, though she could have sworn she heard someone calling for her.
Continuing to search, she moved deeper into the hold, and realized the sound was coming from somewhere off the ship. Returning to the deck, she saw the ship was surrounded by giant bones jutting out from the sea.
She rushed to the wheel, trying desperately to avoid them, but found herself hemmed in. The voice called to her, stronger now, and somehow familiar. Without thinking, she dove overboard.
As she hit the water, she saw something else beneath the bones, something she couldn’t quite make out. Just as the cold water began to flood her vision, Sitara awoke in her hammock, drenched in a cold sweat.
...*...
Akash awoke to find himself alone on the ship. As he wandered the lower decks, he heard the waves slapping against the sides of the ship. As he searched, he realized the sound of the waves was getting louder and louder.
He went to the upper deck to see the ship sinking lower and lower into the waves. He started to climb the rigging, and as he looked back, he saw the waves rising over the rails of the ship. It took him a moment to realize that while the waves were rising above the deck, they were not washing over it, seemingly suspended around the ship.
He launched himself off the mast, calling upon the winds to hold him while he marveled at this spectacle, but found himself falling. As the deck rushed to meet him, he saw the waves break over the rails. Just as he crashed into the wave-tossed deck, he woke to find himself rising above the cot in his room onboard ship, drenched in a cold sweat.
...*...
Kasumi awoke to find himself alone on the ship. As he moved quietly through the ship, he could have sworn he heard the sounds of people, though nothing but the briefest glimpses of shadows could be seen.
As he moved to the deck, he saw crates of cargo scattered about, their contents spilled. Picking through the piles, he saw smears of red in the debris that seemed to disappear when he looked directly at them.
Suddenly Kasumi was almost thrown from his feet as he felt the ship lurch. Looking out, he saw ice piling up around the ship. Rising higher and higher, it rose over the sides of the ship and spilled across the deck. Kasumi started to climb the rigging but was quickly overcome by the ice.
As he felt it close around him, he heard the sound again, though whether it was the tinkling of cracking ice or the laughter of children, he could not be certain. With a last gasp of air, the ice closed over him, and Kasumi bolted awake in his cot onboard ship, drenched in a cold sweat.
...*...
Mesi awoke to find herself alone on the ship. Rushing to the wheel, she attempted to steer the ship, only to realize that although the wheel turned, the ship would not respond to her direction.
Heading belowdecks, Mesi found the ship armed for war, with row after row of weapons on racks. Hearing a raucous sound from above, she returned to the deck to find the ship thrashing about, caught in a whirlpool.
Despite her best efforts, the ship continued slowly towards the center of the vortex. Looking overboard, Mesi could have sworn for a moment that she saw figures whirling about in the waves before the ship tipped over and plunged into the maelstrom.
As she felt herself being thrown from into the crashing waves, she awoke, springing from her cot in her room, drenched in a cold sweat.
...*...
Dasha awoke to find herself alone on the ship. As she came up to the deck, she looked to the horizon and saw, in the distance, giant spears stabbing out of the sea. As she turned to call out, she suddenly looked back and found herself sailing amongst the spears.
Moving from bow to stern, she couldn’t quite make out if the ship was sailing through a forest on land or if the spears were sprouting from the water. As she moved back and forth, trying to get a better look around the ship, she felt a presence, both before and behind her.
Torn, she felt herself pulled forward to chase what was seemingly just out of her vision, and pushed to run from whatever was behind her. As she looked back and forth, she saw giant spears bursting up around the ship, nearly impaling her, and she woke in her hammock with a start, drenched in a cold sweat.
...*...
The next morning, Sitara discovered she had not been the only one plagued with strange dreams the previous night as the new crew shared their respective nightmares over breakfast.
The pious Dasha and the Captain were both struck by this incident. As followers of Visatori, they ruminated on these dreams, though neither were accomplished dream-readers. Sitara knew, as all Oami do, that it is easier to divine the meaning of a stranger’s dream than that of a friend, and one never interprets one’s own dream. Nonetheless, Dasha’s nightmare left her deeply unsettled and questioning the origins of the redwood used in Viz Leany’s construction.
Sitara binte Nasim Hariri, a young freelance captain, had recently returned to the City of Sails...a bit later than her client was expecting. She had again followed a fruitless rumor concerning her father, a merchant-sailor who had disappeared during the Long Dark. And while the trader was sympathetic to her circumstances, this was simply bad for business. Sitara left with her payment but her contract unrenewed.
Upon returning to the Purple Lantern Inn where she was staying, Sitara received an invitation from the renowned shipwright Syd Alssufun Alim bin Takumi Urashima to discuss a business opportunity. Naturally intrigued, Sitara accepted. She and her first mate Kannuki, a giant Minzokan man, arrived promptly at Alim’s home at the twelfth bell for dinner.
Alim explained he was searching for a captain for his most recent work, a caravel called Viz Leany, and he thought Sitara would make a fitting captain for her. She would be free to sail where she liked, encouraged to follow her exploratory inclinations, and bring back information and items of interest; Alim would be their patron, receive a portion of whatever they found, and Viz Leany would be well taken care of each time she returned to port.
Thoroughly excited by this prospect, Sitara accepted the position. Alim invited her to visit his shipyard the next day to see the vessel for herself. He had already hand-picked a crew he was confident in to fill all necessary shipboard functions, but he also recommended she seek out individuals with any specialized skills she thought might be useful on her adventures.
Upon leaving Alim’s residence to return to the Purple Lantern, Sitara spotted a strange figure floating above the street.
...*...
Ratna Katara Akash Darsham Rakshasa bin Ba’al was working at his shop in Rhakosis and waiting on this month’s shipment of gems from his mine to the north. Upon hearing a knock at the door signifying it had arrived, he got up to meet his men.
As they were unpacking the cargo, one of the boxes fell over, as if of its own accord, and five stones lay on the floor: a sapphire, a ruby, an emerald, an obsidian, and a jade. When he asked his men, no one could seem to recall where they came from. Finally he discovered in a note from his foreman that they were all recovered from the same cavern in his mine. though Akash knew simply from the array of stones how unlikely it was that they all formed there naturally. Opening his senses, he felt that they all radiated a slight magical presence, and when he took each one in hand experienced something rather extraordinary.
Parts of the jade stone felt smooth as silk, while other areas were as rough as sharkskin, giving him the strange sensation of both comfort and harsh reality.
While nothing seemed strange about the emerald’s appearance, upon touching it, he was flooded with feelings of fear, hope, and relief.
As he went to examine the triangular obsidian shard with red impurities, he drew his hand back in pain as the edge sliced his finger, seemingly absorbing his blood. However, when he finally picked up the stone and looked at it through the light, he could find no blood. He was filled with confusion and curiosity, but he was unsure if it came from the obsidian or the event itself.
Next he inspected the ruby, beautiful beyond compare, warm to the touch, and light for a stone of its quality and size. As soon as his fingers touched it, he felt a sense of regalness and awe.
As his fingers finally touched the sapphire, he was unprepared for what came next. Looking into the gem was like looking into the depths of the sea itself. Overcome with wonder and terror all at once, he felt it would rip him open until his shuddering hands dropped the stone. He was back in his shop. Though Akash felt both a pressing need to “open” the gem and an intense fear of what that could bring, he was unable to touch the stone again without his hands shaking, unable to grip it. After a few hours of studying it, he was left with a sense of restlessness, feeling as though he could do more, with either the gem, or himself.
Wrapping the stones, he took them up to his home above his shop and placed them upon his mantle, spending the rest of the evening in prayer and study, trying to figure out what message the Jinn were trying to send him.
The following day was a special occasion. Durai Ranbir, the man as close to a father as Akash ever had, had arrived in port, and they were meeting for supper. Captain Ranbir brought some, shall we say, good spices from up north that one could enjoy on something other than food. He also updated Akash on recent news that the world’s greatest shipwright, Syd Alssufun Alim bin Takumi Urashima, had built a new ship and was in search of a captain for her.
Upon hearing this, Akash knew he had to be a part of this. He had long wanted to go out, and search the world for relics of the Jinn. He thanked Captain Ranbir, paid for the meal, and then ran out. As soon as he was outside, he took to the air, using the blessings bestowed upon his blood by the Jinn, and flew to Alim’s place.
After seeing the captain below walk out of Alim’s residence Akash flew down to introduce himself. The captain, and her first mate, were understandably concerned upon seeing a man fly down from the sky only to hover before them for a few moments. Landing gracefully, Akash introduced himself as but a humble gem merchant and Jinn-blooded of the air. Having heard she would be captaining Alim’s newest ship, Akash offered his services and demonstrated his powers by lifting up the three of them and turning them around in the air. Before their feet touched the ground, Akash knew what the Captain’s answer would be. The look of excitement on her face was all he needed to see.
...*...
Arata Kasumi was born into a wealthy Minzokan family: his father a politician, and his mother a high ranking guard, as well as an older sister with whom he was rather close. Bored with a life of relative luxury, Kasumi didn’t follow in his father's path, working the rather mundane job of accounting; however, he later joined the criminal organization the Brotherhood of the Watching Eye, and took up the trade of a thief.
The precepts of the Brotherhood were simple: do not reveal your true self, your dual-nature, to the unenlightened, and whatever you do, do it well. Though these commandments led to a diverse set of practices, there were some commonalities across the peoples of Nyasia. Few of the Brotherhood were exclusively crooks; most maintained legitimate businesses or occupations, some quite prosperous. Being caught practicing on the far side of the law was the ultimate failure, while being a suspected yet unproven criminal was considered the highest success. As long as a thing is done well, it is done in the Brotherhood’s name. Success and skill were the determining factors, not some abstract concept of right or wrong.
In order to differentiate himself from his father, who lives risk-free as a politician, Kasumi had joined the Minzokan Brotherhood as a way to test himself and keep his skills honed. He had recently been hired on by an Ash-Sh’b member of the organization in Rhakosis as a personal accountant and assistant. After receiving a message from his new employer, he had to chase down a street urchin whom he realized had also absconded with his money (and definitely didn't almost escape this professional thief). His pride intact after the ordeal, Kasumi set out to on a ship to Rhakosis.
After arriving in the City of Sails, Kasumi found a small inn where he could bide his time, waiting for news of his employer and relax.
...*...
Now with a position on the ship’s crew soundly tucked away it was time for Akash to meet with his Minzokan arrival. Finding him was rather easy, though Akash could have sworn he gave the man enough money to hole up in a better inn than the one he was walking into. Maybe the exchange rate on the gems he sent as payment had changed, he wasn’t sure. After asking around, the wind blown craftsman found Kasumi in one of the upper rooms. The man was very bland, too plain to be Akash’s assistant.
The two conversed about the trip here before Akash let Kasumi know about the plan to use this new venture to hunt for rare treasures and improve the Brotherhood, and their influence, wherever they would go. After discussing their plans, Akash moved his new partner and personal assistant out of this horrid place, and got him some clothing fitting both Kasumi’s style and Akash’s flare. Kasumi quickly turned down the first three outfits. The following morning, they went to tour the ship that would be the stage for their new shenaniganry.
...*...
Meeting at his shipyard, Alim took Sitara on a tour of the ship which she was to captain. A striking ship crafted of a deep red wood, it seemed more a work of art than a sailing vessel. Similar in style to a caravel, the two-masted design promised speed and maneuverability. Her name, Viz Leany, seemed somehow familiar to Sitara, though she could not place it. The figurehead, that of a beautiful woman with her arms outstretched, hair flowing behind her, struck a chord in Sitara’s heart.
Investigating the Captain’s Cabin beneath the quarterdeck, Sitara found the rear windows to be paneled entirely in stained glass. Realizing the panels could be moved to create different abstract scenes, Sitara spent some time becoming familiar with her new room.
Joined by Akash and his personal accountant Arata Kasumi, the trio continued their tour of the ship. Though Kasumi found little of interest on the ship, Akash struck up a lively discussion with Alim, one craftsman to another.
As they were led to what would be their quarters, Akash realized there was more to this ship than meets the eye. Covered in scrolling woodwork that initially appeared decorative, Akash discerned that it was actually prayers in a number of different languages, including Mizokan, Oami, and Ash-Sh’b. Realizing that this ship bore invocations to the gods, Akash experienced something of a revelation and dedicated himself to the journey he is about to undertake.
...*...
Khalifa Mesi was a sergeant of the city guard in Al Qura. Like many others, she was raised in the military academy, and began intense training in combat at a young age. Over the years, she had watched how terribly the people of Al Qura treated each other, leading her to question her beliefs and the military dictatorship.
One day, she received orders from her commanding officer to bring in a rabble-rouser named Kosey Farouk, who was speaking out against the inequality created by the dictatorship. Mesi could not bring herself to go through with the arrest, as she secretly believed he was right. She warned Farouk of the warrant, and helped him and his family escape by sending one of her guards away and knocking the other unconscious. Knowing the consequences of her actions would be dire, Mesi knew her only choice was to flee Al Qura.
Mesi spent the next two months traveling by foot and caravan until she finally made it to Rhakosis, the City of Sails.
...*...
Due to some personal tribulations, Dasha left her tribe, the Larinovna, to see the wider world. Making her way from the depths of the Oamre Forest, Dasha found herself in the Dascean village of Calica on the forest’s southern edge.
Not long afterward, an Ash-Sh’b ship came to the village to resupply while on its way back to Rhakosis. Endearing herself to the grumpy captain, Durai Ranbir, Dasha agreed to work for her passage to the Ash-Sh’b capital city. Once arriving in the City of Sails, Ranbir gifted Dasha with several bolts of cloth for her to sell in the bazaar in order to establish herself as a successful merchant.
...*...
After viewing the ship, Captain Sitara, Akash, and Kasumi ventured into the Grand Bazaar of Rhakosis where, so long as you had the coin, you could find anything you wanted. They were strolling the streets, innocently window shopping and buying bits and bobs, when they encountered a truly sinister creature of nightmares. It dove from the sky with a blood curdling screech and absconded with Akash’s gem-tipped sword cane.
The trio, led by the nettled Jinn-blooded, followed the feathered thief deeper into the market until the peregrine falcon finally alighted upon the stall of a traveling trader. The purveyor, a giant Oami woman who was as beautiful as she was tall, introduced herself as Dasha. After taking a moment to recover from the shock of seeing someone as pretty as he, Akash confronted the woman. He had to admit, to himself at least, that her scam was rather novel. How ingenious it was, to train her bird to “hunt” the belongings of unwary shoppers and lead them to her booth, only for the Oami merchant to return the item and offer a small discount on her wares, if they purchased now, of course.
Upon discovering that Dasha had gained the trust of Captain Ranbir, Akash was about to buy her bolts of silk before Sitara stayed his purse hand. The Captain, who was half Oami herself, was curious to see the woman’s salesmanship. With not one, but two skilled traders on her crew, their business deals could prove quite lucrative indeed. Besides, the Grand Bazaar of the City of Sails was the perfect stage to demonstrate the mercantile prowess that was something of a point of pride amongst the Oami.
Dasha did not disappoint. The three watched for about an hour as she hawked her wares, her skill surprising even the Ash-Sh’b craftsman. Apparently the Captain was also sufficiently impressed, enough to offer Dasha a position on the ship, which she gladly accepted. To herself, Sitara quietly wondered at having come across another Oami who appeared to have taken to wandering outside the spires of the great redwood forest.
...*...
After becoming acquainted, Dasha invited Captain Sitara, Kannuki, Akash, and Kasumi to lunch at the Purple Lantern Inn. As they arrived, Mesi came down from her room to have lunch alone in the corner of the dining area. Moments later, three armed and armored Ta Atouan men entered the inn.
They confronted Mesi, revealing themselves as bounty hunters, and the tension escalated quickly into a brawl. Although Mesi proved quite capable of protecting herself, a group of strangers jumped to her defense.
With a flourish, the Captain drew her scimitars and struck one of the men, nearly severing the muscles in his arm. Kasumi, with extreme subtlety, equipped himself with a pair of shuko hand claws. As Akash drew his cane sword, it felt as though a gust of wind followed, while Dasha also drew a short sword to aid the party. Kannuki with his brute strength swung around his tetsubo, causing substantial damage both to the bounty hunters and the inn. Realizing they were outmatched, the bounty hunters fled the inn.
Once the excitement died down, the party went their separate ways to make preparations for their journey. Akash set his business affairs in order and Dasha acquired a dozen crates of figs as Viz Leany’s first cargo. Captain Sitara sought out Mesi and they had a lengthy discussion regarding her fugitive status, before inviting her to join the crew. Although Mesi agreed, she warned the Captain that her presence could potentially put the crew in danger.
...*...
On the eve before Viz Leany’s departure, Sitara, Akash, Kasumi, Mesi, and Dasha shared dinner at the Purple Lantern. Kasumi, having noted with some bewilderment that Sitara referred to her looming first mate as “little brother” in Minzokan, politely inquired after their not-so-apparent familial bond.
Sitara explained that a couple of years ago, she had been hired by a small Minzokan village to hunt down an ogre. She tracked down the monster only to find a giant of a man living alone in the forest. Realizing the villagers had misjudged him based on his frightful appearance, she befriended him instead. Kannuki had been traveling with her ever since, and she had adopted him as her brother, which, she remarked, was perhaps something of a family trait.
Kasumi commented that while Kannuki referred to Sitara as “little sister,” he had been a bit more confused by her use of “little brother.” Though Sitara was uncertain of Kannuki’s exact age, she had used the term believing it had simply meant “brother,” and chuckled at her linguistic error.
The crew continued conversing jovially over supper, when suddenly a young boy arrived to inform Akash that someone was attempting to steal the ship.
The question of why exactly their esteemed jeweler associate had someone watching the vessel was quickly forgotten as the crew rushed to defend their new ship. Upon arriving at Alim’s shipyard, they discovered the guards had been taken out and found themselves face to face with five armed ruffians.
Just as they seemed to be gaining the upper hand, a tall, cloaked figure appeared from the shadows, plunging a long knife into Dasha’s back. Recognizing his voice, Sitara called him out, and their crewmates ceased their fighting to look on in confusion as she identified him as her brother—her other “brother”—Stig. Though the red-headed young man, dressed in an eclectic mix of Ash-sh’b, Skenden, and Oami styles, bore about as much familial resemblance to Sitara as Kannuki did, the almost childlike bickering that ensued left everyone with little doubt as to their connection.
While Sitara had heard Stig had been associating with, shall we say, rougher crowds, as of late, she believed he was attempting to commandeer Viz Leany to spite her, while Stig contended that it was nothing personal...after all, it was a really nice boat. The best, really. Their arguing concluded with Stig begrudgingly agreeing to take his men and leave.
The crew checked on the guards, who fortunately were all alive and would recover from their injuries, before returning to the inn to retire for the evening. Sitara, however, went off into the night, determined to track down her wayward brother. She rode along the coast south of town until she came upon Stig just as he and his men were about to pull out to sea in a longboat.
Sitara extended him an invitation to join her crew, which, after his initial puzzlement, Stig declined with some disdain. Seemingly unruffled, but also unsurprised by his response, she asked if he had heard any news of their father, to which he replied he had not. Hiding her disappointment and knowing she would not be able to sway him, she cheerfully bid her disgruntled brother safe travels.
...*...
The next morning, the command crew assembled at the shipyard and Alim introduced them to the ship’s crew. The specialists were:
Mlah Kamal bin Ender Yilmaz, the ship’s pilot, a melodramatic Ash-Sh’b man;
Emrys Hadwyn, Master of Tops and the ship’s bard, an extravagant Dascean man;
Parsara Jyotish bin Omar Kalkari, the ship’s purser, a soft spoken Ash-Sh’b man;
Skalla Ragnvaldr Vendela Skeppsbyggare, the ship’s carpenter, a powerfully built Skenden woman;
Zhu Jian, Master of Arms, a severe Minzokan woman;
Cheirourgos Menkeres Diallo, the ship’s surgeon, a large Ta Atouan man with soulful eyes and voice;
and Tabbakh Bassim bin Salah al-dir Tawfeek, the ship’s cook, a jovial Ash-Sh’b man.
The men before the mast were comprised of experienced Ash-Sh’b sailors who were specially trained to control the elaborate rigging of Viz Leany. These sailors, all holding the title Bahar Sydi, or Master Sailor, were:
Adam bin Junaid Abdulrashid,
Bassam bin Dana Ajam,
Nimat bin Junayd Saab,
Sajjad bin Boutros Saqqaf,
Shakeel bin Nabil Nejem,
and Wasi bin Maram Karim.
With introductions made and possessions stowed, the ship made ready to set sail. Kannuki and Sitara stood at the figurehead leading a ritual of good fortune as Viz Leany, wreathed in incense, broke water and made for the horizon.
...*...
That night, Sitara woke from her sleep, slipped out of her hammock, and left her cabin. As she wandered through the ship, there was not another soul in sight. She was alone, though she could have sworn she heard someone calling for her.
Continuing to search, she moved deeper into the hold, and realized the sound was coming from somewhere off the ship. Returning to the deck, she saw the ship was surrounded by giant bones jutting out from the sea.
She rushed to the wheel, trying desperately to avoid them, but found herself hemmed in. The voice called to her, stronger now, and somehow familiar. Without thinking, she dove overboard.
As she hit the water, she saw something else beneath the bones, something she couldn’t quite make out. Just as the cold water began to flood her vision, Sitara awoke in her hammock, drenched in a cold sweat.
...*...
Akash awoke to find himself alone on the ship. As he wandered the lower decks, he heard the waves slapping against the sides of the ship. As he searched, he realized the sound of the waves was getting louder and louder.
He went to the upper deck to see the ship sinking lower and lower into the waves. He started to climb the rigging, and as he looked back, he saw the waves rising over the rails of the ship. It took him a moment to realize that while the waves were rising above the deck, they were not washing over it, seemingly suspended around the ship.
He launched himself off the mast, calling upon the winds to hold him while he marveled at this spectacle, but found himself falling. As the deck rushed to meet him, he saw the waves break over the rails. Just as he crashed into the wave-tossed deck, he woke to find himself rising above the cot in his room onboard ship, drenched in a cold sweat.
...*...
Kasumi awoke to find himself alone on the ship. As he moved quietly through the ship, he could have sworn he heard the sounds of people, though nothing but the briefest glimpses of shadows could be seen.
As he moved to the deck, he saw crates of cargo scattered about, their contents spilled. Picking through the piles, he saw smears of red in the debris that seemed to disappear when he looked directly at them.
Suddenly Kasumi was almost thrown from his feet as he felt the ship lurch. Looking out, he saw ice piling up around the ship. Rising higher and higher, it rose over the sides of the ship and spilled across the deck. Kasumi started to climb the rigging but was quickly overcome by the ice.
As he felt it close around him, he heard the sound again, though whether it was the tinkling of cracking ice or the laughter of children, he could not be certain. With a last gasp of air, the ice closed over him, and Kasumi bolted awake in his cot onboard ship, drenched in a cold sweat.
...*...
Mesi awoke to find herself alone on the ship. Rushing to the wheel, she attempted to steer the ship, only to realize that although the wheel turned, the ship would not respond to her direction.
Heading belowdecks, Mesi found the ship armed for war, with row after row of weapons on racks. Hearing a raucous sound from above, she returned to the deck to find the ship thrashing about, caught in a whirlpool.
Despite her best efforts, the ship continued slowly towards the center of the vortex. Looking overboard, Mesi could have sworn for a moment that she saw figures whirling about in the waves before the ship tipped over and plunged into the maelstrom.
As she felt herself being thrown from into the crashing waves, she awoke, springing from her cot in her room, drenched in a cold sweat.
...*...
Dasha awoke to find herself alone on the ship. As she came up to the deck, she looked to the horizon and saw, in the distance, giant spears stabbing out of the sea. As she turned to call out, she suddenly looked back and found herself sailing amongst the spears.
Moving from bow to stern, she couldn’t quite make out if the ship was sailing through a forest on land or if the spears were sprouting from the water. As she moved back and forth, trying to get a better look around the ship, she felt a presence, both before and behind her.
Torn, she felt herself pulled forward to chase what was seemingly just out of her vision, and pushed to run from whatever was behind her. As she looked back and forth, she saw giant spears bursting up around the ship, nearly impaling her, and she woke in her hammock with a start, drenched in a cold sweat.
...*...
The next morning, Sitara discovered she had not been the only one plagued with strange dreams the previous night as the new crew shared their respective nightmares over breakfast.
The pious Dasha and the Captain were both struck by this incident. As followers of Visatori, they ruminated on these dreams, though neither were accomplished dream-readers. Sitara knew, as all Oami do, that it is easier to divine the meaning of a stranger’s dream than that of a friend, and one never interprets one’s own dream. Nonetheless, Dasha’s nightmare left her deeply unsettled and questioning the origins of the redwood used in Viz Leany’s construction.
The Tale of Leany
Once, there was a young maiden named Leany, who fell in love with a sailor. Her love visited her as often as he could, but as a sailor he was away for months at a time. And though Leany knew her love to be true, her mother wished for her to settle down with a man of local means. When Leany refused, her grandmother cursed her love.
When next his ship came to call, Leany learned her love had been swept overboard in a great storm. Knowing in her heart her love was still alive, she left her tribe and took to the sea in search of him.
She searched for time unknown until, on a tiny island far from any known place, she finally found her love, stranded and alone, save for the memory of her in his heart. When they were reunited, no two people in this world have ever been happier.
They set sail for home, but their ship was overcome by a storm and lost. With the passing of the storm, her grandmother knew her curse had claimed her favorite granddaughter. Cursing herself, she wandered away from her tribe.
But Leany’s love was too strong to be overcome, and she and her love survived the storm. Through many trials and tribulations, they returned to her tribe. When she discovered what had passed, Leany left her tribe and took to the sea with her love, determined no one should ever try to separate them again.
Thus, Viz Leany became a patron of maidens, lovers, wanderers, and those of great passions.
When next his ship came to call, Leany learned her love had been swept overboard in a great storm. Knowing in her heart her love was still alive, she left her tribe and took to the sea in search of him.
She searched for time unknown until, on a tiny island far from any known place, she finally found her love, stranded and alone, save for the memory of her in his heart. When they were reunited, no two people in this world have ever been happier.
They set sail for home, but their ship was overcome by a storm and lost. With the passing of the storm, her grandmother knew her curse had claimed her favorite granddaughter. Cursing herself, she wandered away from her tribe.
But Leany’s love was too strong to be overcome, and she and her love survived the storm. Through many trials and tribulations, they returned to her tribe. When she discovered what had passed, Leany left her tribe and took to the sea with her love, determined no one should ever try to separate them again.
Thus, Viz Leany became a patron of maidens, lovers, wanderers, and those of great passions.
Emrys spotted a set of blue-colored sails on the horizon, heading towards Rhakosis. As the ships approached, Sitara, seeming to recognize it, wasted no time in hailing the vessel.
The two ships came alongside, and Viz Leany extended a plank to invite aboard the famed treasure hunter Nickege Cheg, captain of Nymph’s Delight. They soon discovered he was also a friend of their patron, as Captain Cheg explained he had known Alim was searching for a captain and had hoped to return to Rhakosis in time to see Viz Leany before her maiden voyage.
After taking a tour of Viz Leany, intrigued by her design, Nickege challenged Captain Sitara to a nighttime race. The wager would be half Viz Leany’s cargo and a crew member of Nickege’s choice to spend an evening with him if Nymph’s Delight won, and if Viz Leany were victorious, he offered Sitara “a prize worthy of her new position.” Sitara, not about to pass an opportunity to test herself against her idol, eagerly doubled down, betting the entirety of the cargo for this prize and a tour of Nymph’s Delight.
After the terms were set, the crew of Viz Leany, more than a little uncertain at their captain’s apparent impulsiveness (and some questioning her sanity), rested and prepared for the night ahead. At sundown, the two vessels set off north, sailing by the light of the stars.
When dawn finally broke, the crews could see that Viz Leany had pulled out ahead, no more than a ship’s length in the lead. With doubts about their new captain eased, the crew of Viz Leany relaxed and enjoyed the remainder of the day, as both captains gave their crews a well deserved rest.
Nickege Cheg later joined them for breakfast, during which Dasha shared the legend behind the ship’s figurehead, the Tale of Leany, an Oami story which Sitara could not recall her mother’s clan recounting.
True to his word, Nickege gave them a tour of the legendary Nymph’s Delight. The prize, as it turned out, was a very fine black hat trimmed with navy blue lace, the band set with silver studs and a large buckle. tucked neatly into the band was a rather striking contribution from some unknown exotic bird, with streaks of silver in the iridescent green and purple that glinted as the plume danced in the sea breeze.
That evening, Nickege and Sitara conversed amiably over a bottle of wine by Rokurou Winery, the contest winner from the recent Cherry Blossom Festival in Xien La, his most recent port of call. As Viz Leany was headed there herself, Nickege highly recommended visiting one of the many onsen the City of Mists had to offer, and staying long enough to enjoy the upcoming Fire Festival.
Sitara made mental notes of his suggestions, and took to heart his advice on captaining. They agreed the ships remain together for another day of rest before parting ways and continuing onward to their next destinations.
...*...
On the 12th day of the 2nd moon, the crew noticed ominous clouds swiftly approaching on the horizon. Realizing they could not outrun the storm, Viz Leany stayed the course, bracing for what her crew expected would be quite a wild ride.
Over the day and night, the seas and winds grew rougher and rougher, trying even Sitara’s skills. Riding the waves higher and higher, they could see a break in the clouds in the distance, when suddenly, several rigging lines snapped, whipping a spar into Bassam.
Fortunately, the crew was able to hang on through the last of the swells, and Viz Leany passed through the storm with no other injuries.
...*...
The day after the harrowing tempest, a call from the lookout put everyone in high spirits, though one might say the Captain’s were still soaring from the challenge of the Daughter of Storms. As Emrys had spotted land, Viz Leany headed for the island to resupply and take stock of any damage. After weighing anchor and rowing to shore, the crew spread out in search of resources. Luckily, fresh water, fruit, and small game were plentiful and the crew decided to spend some time exploring the island. Akash seized upon this wonderful opportunity to go spelunking in search for gems and ore. The oddly subterranean-obsessed Jinn-blooded of the air soon located a cave opening, and Sitara, Kasumi, and Mesi followed him in while their giantess waited outside.
As Akash led them deep into the cave, the group was suddenly assaulted by one of the nearby stalagmites lashing out at them. Retreating back a safe distance, they discussed what they had witnessed and how to proceed. Akash decided to use himself as bait and took a nasty blow from the creature, allowing Mesi to slice off a large and very odd tentacle. Writhing violently, the other feelers disappeared into the stone moments before thousands of tiny screams echoed through the cave, and the crew took this as their cue to leave.
They spent some time preparing for their rematch with the strange cave dwelling monster. Mesi donned her armor and shield, Sitara packed a small keg of oil, and Bassim cooked the strange tentacle though only Akash was foolhardy enough to eat the foul meat. Now ready, the crew ventured back into the cave, this time with Dasha. Returning to the cavern, they poured oil into the holes of the stalagmite and took a torch to it. As the rock blazed with fire, they felt a rumble from within the stone, and the same screams echoed from the cavern beyond. Equipped and braced for a fight, the crew ventured deeper into the caves.
They came upon a cavern with a large natural pit, deep enough that the lights of their torches did not reach the bottom. Attempting to see farther into the pit, Dasha leaned over and dropped a stone, only to receive cloud of screeching bats to the face. Staggering backwards away from the swarm, she ran into the cavern wall, knocking stones loose and revealing a small cleft in the rock. As the bats disappeared, Akash ventured into the opening to find a cave with several large deposits of lapis lazuli. Laden with stone and their curiosity sated, the crew returned to the surface.
The following morning, the crew fanned out across the rest of the island in search of anything else of interest. While they found no more caves or strange rock creatures, they discovered a landscape of waterfalls, colorful lichen, and beautiful vistas.
That night on the beach, their campfires blazed under a clear, starry sky, and the sounds of song drifted over the waves from a joyful crew. The drink flowed almost as smoothly as Emrys’ hips, swaying sensually to the never-ending songs in his mind. Several curious minds inquired after his scarf dance, and their Master of Tops indulged them with his story. When he was young, he had witnessed an Oami dance troupe perform in his Dascean village. Eager and adventurous, Emrys had run away from home and joined the caravan, where he learned their dances as they traveled across the land.
Surrounded by all this merriment, Akash contemplated what he would do with the lapis lazuli they had found, though for now he simply enjoyed the camaraderie. There would be plenty of time to craft jewelry to give the crew upon their arrival in Xien La.
The two ships came alongside, and Viz Leany extended a plank to invite aboard the famed treasure hunter Nickege Cheg, captain of Nymph’s Delight. They soon discovered he was also a friend of their patron, as Captain Cheg explained he had known Alim was searching for a captain and had hoped to return to Rhakosis in time to see Viz Leany before her maiden voyage.
After taking a tour of Viz Leany, intrigued by her design, Nickege challenged Captain Sitara to a nighttime race. The wager would be half Viz Leany’s cargo and a crew member of Nickege’s choice to spend an evening with him if Nymph’s Delight won, and if Viz Leany were victorious, he offered Sitara “a prize worthy of her new position.” Sitara, not about to pass an opportunity to test herself against her idol, eagerly doubled down, betting the entirety of the cargo for this prize and a tour of Nymph’s Delight.
After the terms were set, the crew of Viz Leany, more than a little uncertain at their captain’s apparent impulsiveness (and some questioning her sanity), rested and prepared for the night ahead. At sundown, the two vessels set off north, sailing by the light of the stars.
When dawn finally broke, the crews could see that Viz Leany had pulled out ahead, no more than a ship’s length in the lead. With doubts about their new captain eased, the crew of Viz Leany relaxed and enjoyed the remainder of the day, as both captains gave their crews a well deserved rest.
Nickege Cheg later joined them for breakfast, during which Dasha shared the legend behind the ship’s figurehead, the Tale of Leany, an Oami story which Sitara could not recall her mother’s clan recounting.
True to his word, Nickege gave them a tour of the legendary Nymph’s Delight. The prize, as it turned out, was a very fine black hat trimmed with navy blue lace, the band set with silver studs and a large buckle. tucked neatly into the band was a rather striking contribution from some unknown exotic bird, with streaks of silver in the iridescent green and purple that glinted as the plume danced in the sea breeze.
That evening, Nickege and Sitara conversed amiably over a bottle of wine by Rokurou Winery, the contest winner from the recent Cherry Blossom Festival in Xien La, his most recent port of call. As Viz Leany was headed there herself, Nickege highly recommended visiting one of the many onsen the City of Mists had to offer, and staying long enough to enjoy the upcoming Fire Festival.
Sitara made mental notes of his suggestions, and took to heart his advice on captaining. They agreed the ships remain together for another day of rest before parting ways and continuing onward to their next destinations.
...*...
On the 12th day of the 2nd moon, the crew noticed ominous clouds swiftly approaching on the horizon. Realizing they could not outrun the storm, Viz Leany stayed the course, bracing for what her crew expected would be quite a wild ride.
Over the day and night, the seas and winds grew rougher and rougher, trying even Sitara’s skills. Riding the waves higher and higher, they could see a break in the clouds in the distance, when suddenly, several rigging lines snapped, whipping a spar into Bassam.
Fortunately, the crew was able to hang on through the last of the swells, and Viz Leany passed through the storm with no other injuries.
...*...
The day after the harrowing tempest, a call from the lookout put everyone in high spirits, though one might say the Captain’s were still soaring from the challenge of the Daughter of Storms. As Emrys had spotted land, Viz Leany headed for the island to resupply and take stock of any damage. After weighing anchor and rowing to shore, the crew spread out in search of resources. Luckily, fresh water, fruit, and small game were plentiful and the crew decided to spend some time exploring the island. Akash seized upon this wonderful opportunity to go spelunking in search for gems and ore. The oddly subterranean-obsessed Jinn-blooded of the air soon located a cave opening, and Sitara, Kasumi, and Mesi followed him in while their giantess waited outside.
As Akash led them deep into the cave, the group was suddenly assaulted by one of the nearby stalagmites lashing out at them. Retreating back a safe distance, they discussed what they had witnessed and how to proceed. Akash decided to use himself as bait and took a nasty blow from the creature, allowing Mesi to slice off a large and very odd tentacle. Writhing violently, the other feelers disappeared into the stone moments before thousands of tiny screams echoed through the cave, and the crew took this as their cue to leave.
They spent some time preparing for their rematch with the strange cave dwelling monster. Mesi donned her armor and shield, Sitara packed a small keg of oil, and Bassim cooked the strange tentacle though only Akash was foolhardy enough to eat the foul meat. Now ready, the crew ventured back into the cave, this time with Dasha. Returning to the cavern, they poured oil into the holes of the stalagmite and took a torch to it. As the rock blazed with fire, they felt a rumble from within the stone, and the same screams echoed from the cavern beyond. Equipped and braced for a fight, the crew ventured deeper into the caves.
They came upon a cavern with a large natural pit, deep enough that the lights of their torches did not reach the bottom. Attempting to see farther into the pit, Dasha leaned over and dropped a stone, only to receive cloud of screeching bats to the face. Staggering backwards away from the swarm, she ran into the cavern wall, knocking stones loose and revealing a small cleft in the rock. As the bats disappeared, Akash ventured into the opening to find a cave with several large deposits of lapis lazuli. Laden with stone and their curiosity sated, the crew returned to the surface.
The following morning, the crew fanned out across the rest of the island in search of anything else of interest. While they found no more caves or strange rock creatures, they discovered a landscape of waterfalls, colorful lichen, and beautiful vistas.
That night on the beach, their campfires blazed under a clear, starry sky, and the sounds of song drifted over the waves from a joyful crew. The drink flowed almost as smoothly as Emrys’ hips, swaying sensually to the never-ending songs in his mind. Several curious minds inquired after his scarf dance, and their Master of Tops indulged them with his story. When he was young, he had witnessed an Oami dance troupe perform in his Dascean village. Eager and adventurous, Emrys had run away from home and joined the caravan, where he learned their dances as they traveled across the land.
Surrounded by all this merriment, Akash contemplated what he would do with the lapis lazuli they had found, though for now he simply enjoyed the camaraderie. There would be plenty of time to craft jewelry to give the crew upon their arrival in Xien La.