[A lightly edited log from the RPT that took place on April 5, or Pavana 5th 799, just a few days past the start of the Avaria New Year. The point of view is that of Tifah, a 13-year-old Tessouare girl whose family runs a local Omrazi caravanserai, The Sign of the Simurgh.]
With the opening of the Adelantean sailing season, one bold merchant ship refused to be cowed by storms or sea serpents! Contracted by the fabulously wealthy al-Murayd family, the Windskipper was scheduled to pull into Omrazir's docks with a fine load of treasures from the lands around the Sea of Sala'ah. But all did not go as planned....
[City of Omrazir, Bazaar of the Nine Winds, Via Magna Gate]
The Via Magna enters the great bazaar here through a bronze gate hardly any less massive or ornate than the Nthanda gate to the south. High overhead lofts the vaulted ceiling that encloses the entire market, allowing the city's commerce to proceed regardless of winter rains or intense summer sun. Twin halls packed with vendors open up to east and west, while the main avenue itself is just as densely lined with merchants eager to dispose of their wares.
Cardinal Exits: south, east: iron gate with a peacock in the center (open), west: iron gate with a calligraphic alif in the center (open), and north: burnished bronze gate with double doors (open)
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair walks over from the south.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair starts towards the frame of the open burnished bronze gate with double doors. (Stand - near the frame of the open burnished bronze gate with double doors -)
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, looking rather sweaty and hot in the weather of the day and with his smith's things on, is in the midst of walking through the Bazaar, with some intended destination, apparently, north along Via Magna. He does pause momentarily though as he notices you, and gives a loft of his hand in greeting to the young girl.
Tifah looks as if she's just arrived herself, a little out of breath and bright-eyed with anticipation. When she spots a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair making his way along, she perks up a little more and raises one hand in greeting. "Oh, hello, Sayyid Yasin!" [in Sirdabi]
"Good afternoon, Tifah!" [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair calls out with a smile. "Are you headed to the docks, to watch for the arrival of the Windskipper?" [in Sirdabi with a calm and quiet bass-baritone] He pauses after this to wipe at some of the sweat from his brow, though it doesn't appear to accomplish much.
Tifah manages to tamp some of her eagerness down into a polite smile, but at that question she gives a quick shake of her head. "Not at all, Sayyid Yasin. I'm going to the -best- place to watch a ship come in. I want to be the first one to spot it!" [in Sirdabi]
With a curious and sparkling-eyed look, Tifah asks, "Do you want to come there too?" [in Sirdabi]
"The best place?" [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair asks, sounding amused. He looks thoughtful a moment, and then asks, "Would that be the beach?" [in Sirdabi]
Tifah laughs as if a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair were pulling her leg. "Of course not! You need to be higher up to see far enough." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah frowns more seriously at a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair now, as if suddenly realizing he too must be serious! "You really don't know?" [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair laughs, clearly out-witted in this regard, and seemingly fine with it. He shakes his head. "Up upon the cliffs?" [in Sirdabi] He guesses.
Tifah also laughs again, though she quickly puts a hand up to cover her mouth. "No! Wrong again. The cliffs are too far away." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair simply grins. "You have me at a loss, young Tifah. Where is the best place to see a ship come in? And yes, yes, I should very much like to see it from this *best* spot, though I was about to search for some of my friends." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah "Oh!" [in Sirdabi] she exclaims, impatient and laughing both. "I can't believe you don't know. But--" [in Sirdabi] She tilts her head a touch to one side as she looks at a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair thoughtfully. "Do you want to find your friends, and we can all go over there?" [in Sirdabi]
Tifah shifts her weight from one foot to the other, clearly more eager than she wants to let on to show off THE BEST ship-watching spot.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is still grinning, and only shrugs his shoulders at the first comment. To the latter, he nods his head. "That sounds like a very fine plan. I will send a courier, at least. They'll probably beat me to the work, yes?" [in Sirdabi] And yet, there is an *obvious* note of curiosity in the young man's gaze -- what, he simply MUST be thinking, is the best ship-watching spot?
And so a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair shifts his feet as though to continue on in that northerly direction, towards the courier outpost, leaving a moment for confirmation or otherwise.
Tifah agrees, "All right," [in Sirdabi] with a partly-suppressed smile. "But we can look around as we go, and see if we find anyone else who doesn't know." [in Sirdabi] She grins, with smug thirteen-year-old superiority. "-And- who I want to tell." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah starts towards the frame of the open burnished bronze gate with double doors. (Stand - near the frame of the open burnished bronze gate with double doors -)
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair walks away through the burnished bronze gate with double doors.
You walk through the burnished bronze gate with double doors.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair laughs at this latter comment from you, and then says in a mock-conspiratorial aside to the young girl, "I feel fortunate to be included among the told, then." [in Sirdabi]
[City of Omrazir, Via Magna, Gate to the Bazaar of the Nine Winds]
The building crescendo of commerce reaches its climax in the jumble of booths sprawled out in exuberant chaos before the gate to the Bazaar of the Nine Winds. A closer look reveals at least some method to the apparent madness, with the booths and tables laid out according to a rough grid, overhung by the usual bright awnings and additionally shaded by paired lines of lime trees. Meanwhile camels, donkeys, mules, and pedestrians of all kinds stream in a colorful, noisy flow through the gate itself, coming and going from the greatest market of the western caliphate.
A green-painted booth with a golden kestrel is set up amidst the other stalls and tables.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: north and south: burnished bronze gate with double doors (open)
Adding to the general commotion, the River Tamrasset emerges in a bubbling rush from a channel running directly beneath the bazaar.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair then wanders over to a green-painted booth with a golden kestrel and begins to have a word with the courier.
Tifah says earnestly, "You should, Sayyid Yasin. I think most people forget about it. Or they just don't think, and think being down on the docks must be best just because it's closest to the sea." [in Sirdabi]
(At a green-painted booth with a golden kestrel): A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair requests a courier from a green-painted booth with a golden kestrel to relay a verbal message: "According to young Tifah, there is apparently a very good spot to watch the Windskipper come in. The best, I am told. If you or the others would like to join us, we're either waiting at the courier, or walking along Via Magna." [in Sirdabi].
A lively, buff-skinned courier emerges from a green-painted booth with a golden kestrel.
With a smile, a lively, buff-skinned courier takes the payment of 6 follies from a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair and sets off.
Tifah's already fierce-looking brows lower further as she looks down the street. "I wonder if Sayyid el-Emara is around? He was nice..." [in Sirdabi]
The sun is a brilliant gold orb ornamenting the cloudless sky, its radiance too bright to even glance upon.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair finishes speaking to the courier, offering a, "Thank you, Rubaydi--" [in Sirdabi] as the man darts off at high speed, then looks back to you. "I in truth do not know the best spots in this city, yet. I should probably do more searching around, and less working, yes?" [in Sirdabi] He smiles, then looks thoughtful at your question. "Well, I could send for him, too." [in Sirdabi]
(At a green-painted booth with a golden kestrel): A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair requests a courier from a green-painted booth with a golden kestrel to relay a verbal message: "S----d K-m-n-s, w- s-v-r-l -f -s -r- h--d-ng t- wh-t - -m t-ld -s th- b-st sp-t t- w-tch th- W-ndsk-pp-r c-m- -n, b- ---ng T-f-h -f th- S-m-rgh. W- -r- -t th- c--r--r's b--th j-st n-rth -f th- b-z--r, -r w-lk-ng -l-ng V-- M-gn-, -f --- sh--ld l-k- t- j--n -s." [in Sirdabi].
But, of course, there is no courier available yet, as a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is informed gruffly by the attendant at the booth. He nods his head and waits patiently.
Tifah says seriously, "Well, working is important. And.. it probably takes a long time to try to learn the -whole- city." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah waits with definitely much less patience than a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, though she tries to feign it by clasping her hands tightly together and seeming to hold her breath.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair smiles at this comment from you, though it is a more subdued sort of expression than earlier. He nods his head. "It does, yes. A... lifetime, I'd imagine." [in Sirdabi] He shifts his weight from side to side, and fills in the moments of waiting with, "Your family is well? I've been enjoying staying at the Sign of the Simurgh." [in Sirdabi]
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad walks through the burnished bronze gate with double doors.
"Hello, sayyid Matty!" [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair calls out to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad. The young burly smith seems to be waiting near the courier's booth, in conversation with you.
Heat waves shimmer gently upon cloudless horizons as the sun moves slowly across the sky.
"Very well, thank you sayyid," [in Sirdabi] Tifah replies politely to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair. "I'm so glad that you and Sayyid Ighlaf both--" [in Sirdabi] But then she cuts off, spying a rawboned, sandy-haired lad.
Tifah raises one hand in greeting to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad. "Hello, Sayyid Mathias," [in Sirdabi] she says politely, though there's an impatient note to her voice that speeds her words up as she goes. "How do you do today? Do you want to come watch the ship come in?" [in Sirdabi]
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad saunters and slinks his way down the street out of the bazaar. He pulls up short and blinks, though, at a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair's greeting, swinging his attention that way to find the young man and you both. He cracks a crooked smile and waves. "Good day, sayyid Yessy," [in Sirdabi with a scratchy, youthful baritone] he offers in return, stepping over a bit closer.
(At a green-painted booth with a golden kestrel): A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair requests a courier from a green-painted booth with a golden kestrel to relay a verbal message: "Sayyid Kamenes, we several of us are heading to what I am told is the best spot to watch the Windskipper come in, by young Tifah of the Simurgh. We are at the courier's booth just north of the bazaar, or walking along Via Magna, if you should like to join us." [in Sirdabi].
A lively, buff-skinned courier emerges from a green-painted booth with a golden kestrel.
With a great smile, a lively, buff-skinned courier takes the payment of 5 follies from a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair and sets off.
Eyeing you and then breaking into a quick grin, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells you, "Yes! Want to come watch a ship, yes." [in Sirdabi]
The moment the poor courier comes back from his mission, a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is chatting with him and the attendant again, paying a small number of follies, and then watching him rush off. He grins and says to you, "Well, messages have been sent. I suppose we can either wait here, or begin the walk. I... am thinking now that I must finally know the location you have in mind." [in Sirdabi]
"Tifah has promised us the best spot to view the ship's arrival," [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair explains to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, looking more than a little excited.
Tifah has to tighten the clasp of her fingers -very hard- so as not to do something overly juvenile like clap her hands. "Good! Let's go, then." [in Sirdabi] Then she tilts a curious smile at a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair. "Do you, sayyid?" [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair falls in with you.
Tifah beckons eagerly as she begins to edge further down the street.
"Oh! Best spot, this is good, uhm. Good thing for knowing," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad nod-nods quickly at a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad falls in with you.
Tifah doesn't wait another moment, and strikes off at a brisk pace that she manages to keep from becoming a run.
You walk north.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair walks over from the south.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad walks over from the south.
[City of Omrazir, Via Magna]
The Via Magna follows close by the west bank of the River Tamrasset as the one channels travelers and the other frothy water down towards the distant bay. The gentle arch of a sturdy stone bridge spans the river to the east, leading to the wealthy Kingfisher District that overlooks the road from the security of a low bluff. Off to the south the vaulted roof of the Bazaar of the Nine Winds soars high, gold-tiled domes and arches announcing its importance for all to see.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: south, down to the north, and east onto a gently arched bridge
You walk down to the north.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair walks down from the way up to the south.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad walks down from the way up to the south.
[City of Omrazir, Via Magna]
Though less densely packed than the booths visible further down the street to the south, this close to the bazaar the Via Magna is still lined on both sides by the outdoor shops of a variety of merchants, with an extra line straight down the center of the avenue. Stone benches scattered in tree-shaded spots along the street provide respite for passers-by and help to supply a stationary audience for the advertisements of vendors.
A brass-framed slate menu stands on the front counter of a refreshment stall.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: down to the north and up to the south
The air is fragrant with the sweetly sour smell of limes from the fruit trees along the street, as well as from a nearby refreshment stall.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair shifts his feet to fall in line with you -- she is clearly in charge, here. "I am thinking now one of the bridges that views the sea to the north, spanning the Tamrasset. High up, but not too far, yes?" [in Sirdabi] He doesn't wait for an answer, though, and simply follows along.
The hot radiance of the sun is impeded by nary a cloud.
Tifah's eyes glint with a secretive and satisfied air - she seems to feel her secret is still secure.
You walk down to the north.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair walks down from the way up to the south.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad walks down from the way up to the south.
[City of Omrazir, Via Magna]
Set in the middle of a half circle of paving that arcs out from the Via at a tiny bend in the riverbank, a sundial faithfully tracks the hours of the day. Simple stone benches curve around that focal point, lining the low stone wall that makes a barrier between pedestrians and the vigorous flow of the narrow channel. A grandly vaulted iwan faces this charming seating area from across the street, a purple and golden silk banner draped welcomingly above the entry doors.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: up to the south and down to the north
Other: a grandly arched iwan
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad would probably keep up just fine even if you did run - his own long strides eat up the ground easily, and with a definite eagerness to him as he follows.
You walk down to the north.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair walks down from the way up to the south.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad walks down from the way up to the south.
[City of Omrazir, Via Magna]
A broad bridge crosses the River Tamrasset here, simple in design yet practically exuding refinement from its carved stone rails and clean-swept cobbles. Across the water is the Kingfisher District, abode of Omrazir's most aristocratic families, where the stone and adobe buildings in their elegant classical style can look down in aloof reserve from the sanctity of a walled bluff. In concession to the overall air of wealthy gentility, the merchants' booths on the west side of the road feature more decorative and permanent construction than most while also boasting tapestried awnings in place of the usual canvas.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: up to the south, east across a broad bridge, and down to the northwest
You walk down to the northwest.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair walks down from the way up to the southeast.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad walks down from the way up to the southeast.
[City of Omrazir, Via Magna]
On the far side of the river the general downward trend of the hillside is interrupted by the rugged but neat terraces of Kingfisher Bluff. A favored residence in winter for the birds that give the landmark its name, its crest is also the year-round home of the city's old blood. Although a good view of the neighborhood is prevented by a mosaiced wall, the upper stories of the buildings showcase an elegant style of molded arches and intricate brickwork evocative of the golden age of the caliphate. On the west side of the Via, the minaret of the Midtown Mosque rises with equal dignity and grace above its handsome entry gates.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: down to the north and up to the southeast
Other: the Midtown Mosque: handsome entry gates (open)
You walk down to the north.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair walks down from the way up to the south.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad walks down from the way up to the south.
[City of Omrazir, Via Magna]
Like so much of Omrazir, the western side of the avenue is bordered by the tall mud-brick walls of buildings that adjoin one another almost seamlessly, making it difficult to tell where one structure ends and the next begins. Going further north down the street, languid lomombi trees begin to crop up along the river in small clumps, their drooping branches brushing the scraggly grass of the bank and impeding passage along a beaten earth path leading closer to the river.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: up to the south and down to the north
Other: a beaten riverside path
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair looks even MORE intrigued when your reply seems to communicate to him that his guess was still wrong. "Huh," [in Sirdabi] he voices, but follows along with curious excitement in his heavy-footed steps.
While most people in Omrazir go about their business just the same as usual this afternoon, there's a little extra hum of low-key excitement that underlies the running of errands and the performance of jobs and chores. A ship from the Sala'ah is coming! Those whose business brings them within sight of the sea peer out across it with interest, before their busy footsteps lead them away. Meanwhile it's the curious and the idle, children and elders, who look for a place to sit and watch in hopes of the first sight of those sails.
You walk down to the north.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair walks down from the way up to the south.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad walks down from the way up to the south.
[City of Omrazir, Via Magna]
An arcaded recess fronts a tall section of archaic stone wall on the western side of the Via, a reminder of the long-ago days when Omrazir was a part of the Ruveran Empire. Whatever its original purpose, the sheltered area now furnishes the perfect venue for some of the more fortunate street vendors to set up shop, its shaded depths now packed with racks of vividly dyed fabrics and cases of interesting trinkets. A half-wild thicket of untrimmed sherbetbush and wiregrass separates the street from a narrow strip of park to the east, between river and street.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: down to the north and up to the south
You walk down to the north.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair walks down from the way up to the south.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad walks down from the way up to the south.
[City of Omrazir, Via Magna]
A tall stone wall beginning just to the south merges neatly with the adobe brick facades of the buildings that form a solid barrier on the west side of the avenue, though contrasting sharply with them in color and style. Swallows swoop with frenetic yet graceful energy over the river, their momentum sometimes taking them in hairpin turns across the Via as they wing swiftly back and forth.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: down to the north and up to the south
A snatch of song from a masculine voice comes down to the street from an open window high in one building.
You walk down to the north.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair walks down from the way up to the south.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad walks down from the way up to the south.
[City of Omrazir, Via Magna, Tamrasset Terrace]
The incline of the long cliffside upon which Omrazir perches is relatively moderate to the south, but steepens noticeably in the opposite direction. A flight of steps running the full width of the avenue eases passage northward, while a raised platform set against one of the structures on the west side of the street provides ample excuse to stop and rest while enjoying the entertainment of dancers and musicians. Meanwhile several stalls of refreshment vendors strung out on a terrace over the river appear to do a thriving trade, in spite of or perhaps aided by the distractions from the stage.
A framed slate menu is propped eye-catchingly near the front of a riverside terrace.
A lean, ink-eyed man is here. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: up to the south and northeast down a flight of steps
Tifah seems to be holding herself tightly in rein in order to keep from just bolting off down the street with a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair and a rawboned, sandy-haired lad in tow. But she skids to a sudden halt as soon as she notices a lean, ink-eyed man.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features walks over from the way northeast down a flight of steps.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman walks over from the way northeast down a flight of steps.
"Ah, wonderful!" [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says, stopping in his footsteps behind you when he spies a lean, ink-eyed man, a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man and an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes. "Sayyid Ighlaf, Ziyad, Sayyida Marwa. So you received my message?" [in Sirdabi] He gestures for the trio to follow you.
"I'll have to see how lessons at the Magisterium goes, and how busy I'll be, but I do intend to do more of that now that the weather's starting to warm up more," [in Sirdabi with a light, airy tenor] a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man tells a lean, ink-eyed man with a nod while he waits for his drink to arrive.
"Hello, Sayyid Ziyad. Hello, Sayyid Igluff. Hello, Sayyida Marwa," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad waves to a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man and a lean, ink-eyed man and an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes in turn as he toodles along with you and a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair down the hill.
A lean, ink-eyed man is lingering near a framed slate menu with an expectant expression, attention turning for a greeting, "Good afternoon. I did receive your message." [in Sirdabi with a subdued countertenor] giving a smile.
Tifah smiles at a lean, ink-eyed man, eagerly if with more than a touch of impatience. "Hello, Sayyid Ighlaf! Oh." [in Sirdabi] And she spots a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features too, and raises her hand up in greeting. "Hello, Sayyid el-Emara! We're going to the best place to be the first ones to spot the ship!" [in Sirdabi]
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man turns to wave at all the people converging on the location at the sound of their voices. "Good afternoon, peace and harmony to you all," [in Sirdabi] he greets warmly, sketching a bow at the group.
A sassy Salawi waitress sashays over to serve a tall copper-rimmed glass to a lean, ink-eyed man, then goes back to other business after taking payment.
A lean, ink-eyed man falls in with you.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is no longer following you.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man falls in with you.
Two more figures, rather ironically coming down the Via Magna in the wrong direction - a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features in the lead, walking with swift strides despite his air of heavy-eyed dishevelment. He sweeps a shallow half-bow to the collected group, expression impassive as ever. "I am grateful for the guidance, sayyida," [in Sirdabi] is murmured for you. "Lead on." [in Sirdabi with a gravely quiet monotone tenor]
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features falls in with you.
A sassy Salawi waitress sashays over to serve a tall copper-rimmed glass to a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man, then goes back to other business after taking payment.
"It seems messages were received all around," [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says with a smile as he dips his head to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features and a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, as well. "Perfect timing." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah looks with mild curiosity between an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes and a willowy, tawny-complected young woman before saying politely, "Any of your other friends can come too, of course." [in Sirdabi]
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman trails along with a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features as the Amunati pair approaches, a flash of a smile offered to the familiar faces, "Good afternoon." [in Sirdabi with a moderate yet clarion alto]
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man makes a pleased sound as he takes a sip from a tall copper-rimmed glass. "I think everyone must be excited about the ship. It's the only thing I've been hearing for the last few days amongst the other students." [in Sirdabi] (Consumption)
A lean, ink-eyed man now with a tall copper-rimmed glass in hand they step along to follow, "Thank you for the message and the mention of a good place to spot it." [in Sirdabi]
Heat waves shimmer gently upon cloudless horizons as the sun moves slowly across the sky.
Tifah nods quickly to a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man. "Everyone's a -little- excited. Even if there have been others that made it in, this one is from the farthest away!" [in Sirdabi]
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is waiting sedately with a lean, ink-eyed man and a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man when a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, and you come walking down the hill. She looks over to them, and all of them receive a small smile - though you in particular receives a moment's curious study in return. "Peace be upon you," [in Sirdabi] she says to the group at large. Then she looks to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features - whom she looks to for another moment longer - and then a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, and extends the same greeting to them before turning her eyes back to the others. "You must be Tifah?" [in Sirdabi with a low and measured contralto] she surmises of you.
"Omrazir is like St Loomis for needing ships," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad nod-nods to a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man brightly. "Ships most important, for... for life, for heart, for keep a city strong!" [in Sirdabi]
"I am curious if they'll bring things from Yalanbari and other Irulao areas." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman admits easily, indeed looking quite excited at the prospect of the ship.
"Perhaps we'll be getting more and more arriving from afar, with this success to show that our waters are still safe enough for trade," [in Sirdabi] a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man comments hopefully.
"Everyone at Mahmoun's is very excited about it." [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says to a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man, nodding his head. He shifts his weight, but then apologetically says, "Oh, of course! Sayyida Marwa Baz Taa'ha, and Sayyida Sitra Tahan, this is young Tifah, whose family owns the Sign of the Simurgh." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah tones down some of her once again bubbling-over enthusiasm and impatience as she looks back to an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes. With a very respectful nod she answers, "Yes, Sayyida. Tifah bint Amasti. My family runs the Sign of the Simurgh, over on the Via Fortuna." [in Sirdabi] This last bit does come out with noticeable pride, in spite of her deference.
"Oh, yes - and this is Sitra Tahan, a priestess of Nirzali and a good friend indeed." [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features remembers his manners a bit belatedly (as usual), with a sweep of one hand between you and a willowy, tawny-complected young woman. His gaze, hazed a bit by the shadows beneath it, does not drift toward an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes to meet yours. In fact, it seems to notably avoid you, and none too subtly.
Tifah says, "Sayyida Baz Taa'ha. Sayyida Tahan. It's very nice to make your acquaintance." [in Sirdabi] Then, after a pause, she blurts out, "Are you all ready yet?" [in Sirdabi]
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes falls in with you.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman falls in with you.
A lean, ink-eyed man is quiet amidst those introductions sipping their drink. They simply nod to you in answer. (Consumption)
Just answering for everybody with a grin, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad says, "Yes, ready, come for go! Or we miss a ship!" [in Sirdabi]
"We are all ready, and eager to follow you," [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says to you, smiling, then gesturing for everyone to follow along.
Tifah pulls in a deep breath to say, "That is, it will -most likely- be a little while yet, but-- yes, we want to see it first!" [in Sirdabi] Seeing it first is Serious Business, apparently!
In an aside, though, a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair asks a lean, ink-eyed man, "What is *that*?" [in Sirdabi] Gesturing with his eyes to that copper-rimmed glass with fizzy bubbles.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man flashes a grin at a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's enthusiasm and nods his head with feeling. "We certainly wouldn't want to miss it, and seeing it first would even be better!" [in Sirdabi]
And with that, Tifah is off! .. not quite running, but moving at as brisk a pace as she can and still maintain the barest semblance of walking like a proper young lady.
You walk northeast down a flight of steps. You are followed by a large group.
You walk down to the north. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Magna]
A lengthy stretch of broad steps helps traverse a steeper section of the hillside to the north, while the milder incline of the road heading south provides a brief reprieve for the traveler. Off to the side of the road the Tamrasset navigates its own exuberant descent in a series of small waterfalls over a tumble of boulders. Occasionally a silvery flash is seen at the surface of a rock-lined pool above the falls as a fish surfaces to snatch at a low-flying insect.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: north down a flight of steps and up to the south
A fine mist rises from the leaping water, lightly dampening the steps and suffusing the air with a pleasant mineral smell.
You walk north down a flight of steps. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Magna]
The Via Magna continues its long and occasionally arduous climb to the Nthanda Gate at the top of the city, while down to the north the sparkling waters of the strait may be glimpsed through a monumental arch. To accommodate a particularly steep incline a broad flight of steps ascends to the south, which a string of camels can be seen traversing with perfect nonchalance.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: down to the northeast and south up a flight of steps
You walk down to the northeast. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Magna, Grand Gate Junction]
Through the colossal opening of Omrazir's Grand Gate a sizeable plaza can be seen, but on this side the road meets the immense portal without much to-do. The stalls and shops that line the avenue all the way to the Bazaar of the Nine Winds continue nearly right up to the golden granite arch, leaving only a small gap on the west side of the Via for another much narrower street to join it. A small ironwork portal to the right of the main arch remains open at all hours, allowing a trickle of traffic to pass through when the Great Gate itself is closed and locked for the night.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: up to the southwest, north: Grand Gate (open), west, and southeast across a rickety bridge
Crossed at an angle by a distinctly rickety looking bridge, the river is particularly loud here as it makes a sharp bend eastward and seems to disappear straight into a deeply fissured hillside.
You pass beneath the massive arch of the Grand Gate. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Magna, Grand Plaza]
The Via Magna sweeps out to the east to form an expansive plaza here, right before the looming mass of the Grand Gate. Never entirely empty, the golden sandstone pavers can hardly be seen during the day for the crowd obscuring them, and even in the dead of night a trickle of people can still be found braving the darkened streets. Every evening the massive iron portal is shut fast and locked, but a smaller gate off to one side remains open at all hours. A pair of watchmen oversees traffic through it from the vantage point of the gatehouse that is built directly into the arch itself.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: down to the northwest and south: Grand Gate (open)
You head northwest down a broad flight of steps. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Junction of the Via Magna and the Via Maris]
There's an instant of level breathing space here before the broad street becomes an equally broad stairway to the southeast, each step running the full width of the street and low enough to allow them to be easily traversed by the camels and donkeys carrying goods from the docks to the various marketplaces around the city. Not only are these beasts of burden here in abundance, but so are human pedestrians of all ages, origins, and modes of dress, collected briefly in one of the busiest intersections of the city before heading further along the Via Magna or the Via Maris that joins it here.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: up to the southeast, down to the north, east, and west
Bathing the city streets in drowsy heat, the air is baking and dry beneath a cloudless sky.
A lean, ink-eyed man answers a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair as they follow along, "A spiced sweet drink of some sort. The menu mentioned vanilla." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah is just moving -just- slowly enough that her sandals don't skid in making a quick turn to the east. "Have any of you ever sailed the Sala'ah?" [in Sirdabi] she wonders as she speeds along.
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
The Via Maris loses nothing in either grandeur or traffic as it moves east away from its intersection with the Via Magna. If anything the avenue seems to have acquired a bit of extra flair from a number of persons wearing the brightly-striped headscarves favored by the residents of the nearby village of Al-Sakhna. A number of more serious and scholarly looking individuals indicate two of the other notable attractions along this route: the famed Elucidarium Academy on the west side of town, and the equally revered Temple of Storms to the east.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: east and west
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair's brows lift a little at a lean, ink-eyed man's answer, and he nods his head. "Let me know if it is any good." [in Sirdabi]
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
The clamor of voices and braying of indignant donkeys is joined here by the roar of the River Tamrasset, where it comes barrelling down the hillside from the south. Rather than continuing straight on to the sea, however, the turbulent stream is channeled abruptly eastward in the direction of a craggy knoll, vanishing mysteriously beneath it through a rough-hewn crevice. Whether this is a peculiar natural phenomenon or the work of human engineers is left to the contemplation of passers-by.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: west and east
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
Ferns and succulent viny plants drape themselves gracefully down the steep crag that rises just south of this stretch of the busy Via Maris. The otherwise perfectly ordinary reddish-brown stones have taken on a darker hue here and are slightly damp to the touch, and you can almost convince yourself that the air feels fractionally cooler. A boulder tumbled from the cliffside long ago now furnishes a rustic seat for those inclined to pause and watch the traffic flow by.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: west and east
A softly mossy scent tickles the nose, an olfactory evocation of cool and subterreanean depths in the midst of the open street.
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
One of the city's characteristic rocky outcrops lofts above the south side of the street, where the buildings perched on its crest must have an impressive view both of the sea and of the wealthier enclave descending the hill to the north. A small brick-paved path winds unobtrusively over to the enclave's golden granite wall, where a wooden gate with an ornate grille in the top restricts admission to the chosen few.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: east, west, and north: wooden gate set with an ornate grille (open)
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Junction of the Via Maris and the Via Aspera]
While the Via Maris continues its arrow-straight course, a smaller street arcs off to the northeast following the walls of the Dockside neighborhood. This in fact seems like the more natural path to take, given that the land can be seen dropping off sharply into a steep gorge just to the east. But the wider avenue is clearly determined to defy the dropoff and continues on with no deviation whatsoever from its route.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: northeast, west, and east
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
Heading due east, the Via Maris meets the foot of a long and graceful bridge spanning the gulf of a narrow gorge. The shining stones of the bridge so perfectly adjoin the pavers of the street that it would be difficult to tell where one begins and the other ends, were it not for the visual contrast between flagstone and brick. Northwest lies the busy harbor, while westward the parkway continues towards the city center.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: west and east
As they walk, a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features drifts toward a lean, ink-eyed man, lowering his voice to share a few whispered words. Then, at a more conversational if still soft tone: "No. I have never sailed... anything, beyond some short ways up the Tamarat." [in Sirdabi]
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Lemnis Span]
One of the most remarkable features of the Via Maris, the Lemnis Span soars over the narrow slash of the gorge below, conducting travelers surely across the perilous gap. Between openwork stone rails that rise in undulating waves from only mid-thigh to near chest height, the path of the span is paved with exquisitely fitted blocks of some pale stone that seems almost to harbor some silver radiance beneath its polished surface.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: west and east
A lean, ink-eyed man shakes their head in answer, "I've only sailed westward from here, myself." [in Sirdabi] then they answer a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, "It is very good. It was why my walk to meet you all delayed." [in Sirdabi] flickering a smile.
(Quietly): A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features shifts closer to a lean, ink-eyed man.
(Hidden) A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features whispers to a lean, ink-eyed man, "- s-- - s------ -ff --- ---- -f S---s --s- - s---- ----- ---. - ---- -----s-." [in Sirdabi]
"I have not." [in Sirdabi] is a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair's answer to you with a shake of his head. "As I have only been on two notable sea journeys in my life. Westward, and... back." [in Sirdabi]
(Hidden) A lean, ink-eyed man blinks at that then frowns to murmur back, "- ---- -- s---s ---- f-- ---- s---s." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah does pause quickly on the span to shade her eyes and peer off northward to the harbor - just in case the ship managed somehow to slip past while they were lollygagging along, maybe.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is really doing her best to keep up with their fearless young leader, abaya and thawb fluttering in the breeze. As such, it's only a very short, "Indeed," [in Sirdabi] which punctuates the smattering of answers otherwise.
"Only the Adelantean." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman confirms with an easy nod, hands clasping behind her back as she walks, "I told Sayyid Kamenes that maybe I shall meet some Irulao prince from the ship." [in Sirdabi]
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man takes a sip from a tall copper-rimmed glass.
Tifah sighs and says, "Well, I haven't either." [in Sirdabi] She sounds as if she'd very much like to, though. "But, I do know the captain!" [in Sirdabi] Conscientiously, she adds, "A little." [in Sirdabi]
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features whispers something, involving a lean, ink-eyed man.
Shaking his head, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells you, "No! I only sail - *sailed* - once, for coming here, from Ensor. Do you?" [in Sirdabi]
Tifah frowns seriously at that remark from a willowy, tawny-complected young woman. "A Jalanit prince would be more likely - they've got lots and lots of princes, I think! Because they've got so many kingdoms." [in Sirdabi]
"Hardly a delay, since we came upon you on our way here, anyway." [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says to a lean, ink-eyed man with a smile. He pauses to glance at the whispered exchange between a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features and a lean, ink-eyed man, but is distracted by your announcement. "You know the captain of the Windskipper?" [in Sirdabi]
With a sudden laugh, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, "Another prince?" [in Sirdabi]
Tifah nods eagerly to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, but then kicks herself back into motion.
"You do?" [in Sirdabi] a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man asks, eyeing you with interest while trying not to spill his drink. "This ship comes to port fairly often then?" [in Sirdabi] He sounds rather intrigued, but also slightly distracted, eyes constantly flitting to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features and a lean, ink-eyed man.
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
(Hidden) A lean, ink-eyed man nods slowly with a small frown, "T-- c----t--- --- ---w -t -- c----s-t- -f --t---g --s-." [in Sirdabi]
[City of Omrazir, Lemnis Span]
This bridge that stretches straight and level off to the west is a magnificent piece of both engineering and design, giving the impression of hovering weightlessly in air despite the piers that can barely be seen to support it. Fine views are to be had to either side, with the city itself spread across the rising ground to the south, and the majestic Temple of Storms presiding loftily over the harbor northward. Directly below, glimpsed over the stone balusters, lies a dizzying drop into a very deep ravine.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: west and east
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes asks you curiously, "Who is the captain?" [in Sirdabi] She glances aside to whatever is happening between a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features and a lean, ink-eyed man, but after a momentary study of them both she returns her eyes forward.
Tifah says, "Yes, sayyid - fairly. And Captain Kannareth is from al-Sakhna." [in Sirdabi]
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
A few more whispered words, but a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features looks up at the sound of his name. Issuing a single rasp of flat laughter, he notes, "I wish Sayyida Tahan all the luck in the world in her dreaming, even if it is not the most likely outcome." [in Sirdabi]
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
Clinging close to the edge of the cliff, the Via Maris entirely takes leave of solid ground to the west where it crosses a sheer gorge by means of a delicate looking bridge. Although the top of the bridge is as level as the road that meets it, its low stone balusters undulate in wave-like curves that echo the triple arches of the underside of the span, just visible as the Via sweeps towards it.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: west and southeast
You walk southeast. You are followed by a large group.
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
Continuing to follow the natural ridgeline in a sweeping curve, the Via Maris continues on its graceful way linking the city center to the northeastern Maysa Gate. The tile roofs of a wealthy neighborhood can be seen clinging to the cliffs above the docks some ways to the northwest, separated from the Massif of Storms by a small inlet that narrows into a steep-sided gorge. Through a weathered archway northward, a cloistered terrace overlooks the water.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: west and northeast
"Do they? I don't know so much about the Jalanit." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman nods thoughtfully at you, smiling amusedly at a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, "Another? Did I miss the first one?" [in Sirdabi]
You walk northeast. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
The broad avenue angles elegantly to the northeast and southwest, bounded by a very old looking vine-draped arcade on the side facing the bay. Tall houses, discreet behind their prettily brickworked walls, line the street on its landward side. But even in this pleasantly sheltered space the wildness of the crashing inlet makes itself felt, presided over with austere beauty by the Temple of Storms on its high cliff.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: southwest and northeast
You walk northeast. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
The Via Maris sweeps an unerringly straight course along the cliff overlooking the bay, diverging only to the southwest where it cuts an angle between the neighborhood on the slope and a weathered arcade that clings precariously above the inlet's crashing surf. A carved stone balustrade, eternally dampened by sea spray, follows the north side of the avenue and ensures the safety of its many travelers.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: east and southwest
A soft whispering of wind comes through the vines draping an archway in the arcade.
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
With an even bigger laugh now, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, "First is Prince Demetrius!" [in Sirdabi]
An insistent heat fills the dry air beneath pale blue skies.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
The two- and three-story forms of adobe buildings form a wall on the south side of the street, their weathered surfaces brightly limewashed as protection against sea spray and storm. Across from them a narrow inlet is filled with noisy surf, churned up between the cliff on whose edge the Via Maris runs, and the looming Massif of Storms. The sea wind cuts sharply across the avenue, pushing the film of sand upon the paving into ever-shifting patterns.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: west and east
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
The westernmost edge of the Massif of Storms looms due north across a surfy slash of inlet, casting the water below into dimness. A series of terraces lie strung out along its heights, embracing the shimmering temple walls whose polished and patterned stone tiles are easily admired from the Via Maris. Protruding from the topmost story of one structure on the south side of the street, an awning-covered balcony overlooks the majestic view.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: west and east
Other: a small public dining house: set of double doors (open)
A lean, ink-eyed man draws from that whispering themselves with a curious expression and a smile to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, "I figured you may come across us on the way, thankfully." [in Sirdabi]
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman with a soft sound at a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, "Oh, I see. I only met him once!" [in Sirdabi]
Tifah is definitely far less interested in princes than ships, and she keeps up a good quick pace along the Via Maris, staring excitedly and determinedly ahead.
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
The smell of the breeze is fresh and briny, carried in fitful gusts across the brick-paved street. Beyond the balustrade guarding against the sheer drop into the inlet, the greater bay can be seen spreading out in glimmering blue-green around the docks to the northwest. The soaring dome of the temple directly north appears to bestow a gracious benediction upon the traffic progressing along the Via Maris as it continues west and east.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: west and east
With a reassuring sort of nod, speaking as though this must be the only concern, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, "He is a good prince." [in Sirdabi]
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
Curving to the northeast, the Via Maris follows the contour of the land as it makes its way past the Massif of Storms and the temple atop it. Meanwhile the adobe buildings that line the road's southern margin abruptly take on a different character with the bend in its course. Instead of sitting with their sides flush to the low curb, they now present their weathered corners to the street, forming a soft zigzag painted in pastel shades. To the west their neighbors show a much more uniform face of white limewash brilliant in the light off the sea.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: west and northeast
You walk northeast. You are followed by a large group.
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris, Intersection with the Via Nubilis]
An unceasing flow of traffic streams beneath the soaring regard of the temple, robed temple functionaries and locals intent on their errands mingling with porters and camels hauling heavy loads to and from the port of al-Sakhna. The Via Maris continues to zigzag slightly as it emerges from between the Massif of Storms and a smaller outcrop of rock to the northeast. Slipping past the edge of the latter, a smaller street leads southeast towards an open-air market strung out along the foot of the bluff.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: northeast, west, and southeast
Tifah speeds up -even more- as they pass the Massif of Storms, which ever so rudely cuts off the view of the sea.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair looks thoughtful a moment, distracted. He is pulled out of that by a lean, ink-eyed man's answer, and nods his head slowly. Looking to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, he says, "He is," [in Sirdabi] his voice quiet for some reason. "Though he's the only one I've ever met." [in Sirdabi]
You walk northeast. You are followed by a large group.
You walk northeast. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
Despite the heavy masses of reddish-brown stone that loom steeply to either side, the avenue loses none of its breadth as it travels at an angle below Omrazir's magnificent temple. This is a good thing, as the amount of traffic traveling the Via Maris only seems to increase at it heads further west into the city. Taking advantage of the almost perpetual shade here, a few benches have been hewn straight out of the vertical flanks of the smaller outcropping on the southeast side of the road.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: southwest and northeast
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman informs a rawboned, sandy-haired lad with a wink, "Irulao princes are descended from mystic snake people." [in Sirdabi]
You walk northeast. You are followed by a large group.
You walk north. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris, Beneath the Bridge of Tears]
Casting a deep shade onto the avenue, the Bridge of Tears passes directly overhead as it links the temple plaza to the southeast with the Massif of Storms and the temple itself to the northwest. The stone piers whose bases stand on either side of the street include built-in benches, allowing pedestrians to rest out of the sun, enjoy the breeze funneled beneath the bridge, and perhaps contemplate the mysteries of the divine.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens outside the shelter of the bridge.
Cardinal Exits: south and north
The noise of passing traffic and voices from the bridge above fill the afternoon air, borne on the breeze.
You walk north. You are followed by a large group.
You walk northwest. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
A long block of two-story brick buildings pushes out from the east, nudging the course of the road into a gentle curve. The Massif of Storms also bulges outward here, though it remains separated from the street by a narrow gash of ravine that fills in with frothy water at high tide. The sea itself glimmers enticingly a short ways to the north and the scent of it fills the air.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: southeast and north
The muted crash of waves echoes across the avenue.
You walk north. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
The Via Maris bends to the south here, following the outer walls of the hospital district that lies to the east. It also presses close up against the towering crag whose heights house the Temple of Storms, one of the chief landmarks of the city. Hemmed in on either side, the way is freshened by lively breezes that push vigorously across the brick paving and flutter the garments of the many passers-by.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: south and northeast
You walk northeast. You are followed by a large group.
You walk northeast. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
Skirting along the edge of the hillside and past the patterned brick of the hospital district walls, the Via Maris veers into a gentle curve to the southwest. The sparkling expanse of the sea spreads out in an aquamarine embrace of the city, the white crests of its breakers smashing with frothy exuberance against the base of the mighty Massif of Storms looming to the west. Eastward past the press of fellow pedestrians, the city walls can just be made out.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: east and southwest
The voices of travelers and seagulls blend harmoniously with the steady crash of surf.
This fact, it seems, a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair did not know. He raises a brow as he looks to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman. "Huh," [in Sirdabi] is all he says.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad blinks at this from a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, quite obviously not having expected to hear *that*. "This is true?" [in Sirdabi] he blurts a moment later, though it's with rather less excitement and more apprehension.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man glances around the group and comments, "I never even thought I'd ever meet any princes prior to our ill-fated journey. But now that I -have- met one, I don't find it as unlikely that we'd end up meeting more." [in Sirdabi]
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
The Via Maris pushes straight east and west, seemingly balanced upon the very edge of the long hill across which the great city of Omrazir lies spread out. A small plateau can be seen rising above the walls of the hospital district and its deeply recessed gate to the south, and beyond that row upon crooked row of brick and adobe buildings, untidily spanning the hillside. Past the stone balustrade on the north side of the road, the sea unfurls itself in an expansive blue-green banner.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: west and east
Other: the Patients' Gate: gate (open)
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features has fallen silent as they walk now, trusting his long legs to keep up without great difficulty. He does not join the conversation further, gaze tipped downward rather than out at the distant expanse of the sea.
Tifah slows just enough to catch a little more breath and announce, "We're -almost- there!" [in Sirdabi]
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
"The Naga." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman confirms with a nod of agreement, "The royal clans are said to have married with the Naga." [in Sirdabi]
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris]
As the Via Maris sweeps east and north towards the Maysa Gate, the throng of pedestrians and burdened beasts suddenly finds itself threaded through the center of a chaotic rainbow. Numerous blankets lie spread out upon the brick pavers of the avenue, making a vibrant background for an entirely incoherent collection of wares. These run the gamut from small pyramids of fruit mingled with lengths of turban fabric, to poorly bound guidebooks half buried by cheap baubles and souvenirs, all apparently spilled over from the market just to the east.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: west and northeast
Adding to the general clamor of afternoon traffic, hawkers who raise a vigorous cry in praise of their treasures.
A lean, ink-eyed man simply nods along to a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man's words, catching their breath as well as they follow.
You walk northeast. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris, Maysa Gate Plaza]
Wooden stalls and awning-shaded blankets spill colorfully out on all sides of this expansive terrace plaza, which sits just before the graceful Maysa Gate leading northeast out of Omrazir. Some people in the crowd pause to inspect the goods and services noisily on offer, while still more flow in either direction along the broad curve of the brick-paved Via Maris, headed outward to the village of al-Sakhna, or southwest into the city. A guardhouse is built into the wall on the south side of the gate, keeping watch over the plaza and the market proper to the south.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: southwest and south
Other: the Maysa Gate: bronze-plated gates (open)
"I have gone this way before," [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says as he walks along, just little puffs of breath in between some of his words, but otherwise no difficulty, in spite of his shorter stature. "But I did not think of it at your announcement of the best spot to watch. But it makes sense. The ship will need to come around this way in order to reach the port, yes?" [in Sirdabi]
Tifah is back to zipping along, even if she has to zigzag speedily around the various obstacles placed by the market. Managing to get past these without more than a single shout from one vendor whose rug she trips over, she heads for a shady potted palm.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad seems rather deeply unnerved by these revelations from a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, rather than excited. He nods, but frowns heavily. "I do not want to meet these ones," [in Sirdabi] he says carefully. "I do not want them for come here." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah looks over her shoulder to nod her eager agreement to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair. "That's right, sayyid. And just... up... here... we'll have the best view.." [in Sirdabi]
You walk up a flight of brick steps. You are followed by a large group.
[City of Omrazir, On the Northeast Wall, Above the Maysa Gate]
Just above the busy Maysa Gate, this view from the top of the city wall is quite a fine one. On one side the cheerful chaos of the plaza market sprawls out, and you can look down on all the wares spread colorfully below. On the other side, gazing northeast, the al-Sakhna Road winds its dusty way overlooking the coastline. Northward the Adelantean itself unfurls, blue-green and majestic, hinting enticingly of far-off lands. Here is an old wooden bench pushed up against one parapet.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here, holding a tall copper-rimmed glass in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits:
Other: a flight of brick steps
Bathing the city streets in drowsy heat, the air is baking and dry beneath a cloudless sky.
Tifah clutches her abaya in both hands to lift its hem out of the way of her feet as she doesn't -quite- bound up the steps. "This is it!" [in Sirdabi] she says, with a proud nod, as if she were directly responsible for the existence this perfect viewing spot.
Tifah appends after a moment, "Sayyids and sayyidas." [in Sirdabi]
"Probably there are not royals on the ship. The common people don't usually have Naga blood." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman assures a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, soon looking at you.
You peer towards the northeast parapet...
[Via Maris, Outside the Maysa Gate]
The ground is heavily trampled all around the graceful span of the Maysa Gate, the northeastern entrance to the great city of Omrazir. Little clouds of dust arise with every step of the numerous pedestrians, camels, and donkeys making their way between here and the port of al-Sakhna to the east, filling the air with a light haze that mingles with the brine off the sea just to the north. On the south side of the Via Maris, the terrain rises steeply in a ruggedly rocky expanse of thorn scrub and stunted trees.
The sun radiates a potent heat from its golden throne in the heavens.
Cardinal Exits: east
Other: the Maysa Gate: bronze-plated gates (open)
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man puffs softly as he follows along, listening to the chatter while sipping from a tall copper-rimmed glass once in a while. He eventually falls in next to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features while ascending the stairs, whom he gives a soft smile while he tries to catch his breath.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair finally takes a rest once they are at the top of the steps, and lets out a gasp at the expansive view of the Adelantean that greets them. "Oh," [in Sirdabi] he says, sounding awe-struck and thankful all at once. "I've never been up here." [in Sirdabi] And he gazes off, while wiping his sweat-covered brow.
Tifah smile at this reaction from a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, looking pleased and smug all over again, as only a thirteen-year-old can.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad takes in that view, distracted from whatever distress he's caught from a willowy, tawny-complected young woman's information for now. He nods to you. "This is very good spot," [in Sirdabi] he agrees. But then he looks back to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, and gives another nod, a bit relieved. "Oh, good. Okay." [in Sirdabi]
"An excellent choice, Sayyida Tifah." [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features dips his head for you in acknowledgment, slowing his pace up the stairs a touch to accommodate a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man. For all the Amunati looks ill and strung-out, his conditioning seems relatively intact. Still, there's a deep breath when he slows to a stop, right at the edge.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes has fallen entirely silent by the time they reach the top of Maysa Gate, and is breathing with a -definitely- forced regularity as she clears the last step and looks out over the expanse of the sea. This, at least, seems to be a refreshing sight, for she manages to spare a smile as she walks up to the parapet and scan the vista to either side.
Tifah looks more pleased yet, though she tries her best to sound completely cool and courteous as she replies, "Thank you, Sayyid el-Emara. I'm very glad you were able to come." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man is catching their breath for a time with their gaze flickering around then settling on the voice of the sea. They add on, "A very good spot." [in Sirdabi] smiling as the speak.
A lean, ink-eyed man was probably looking at views in their staring.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman quiets now, joining the others in admiring the view.
Tifah hoists herself up to sit on the northeast parapet, being careful of the arrangement of her abaya and thawb, and smoothing them down as she settles herself. (Sit - on the northeast parapet -)
"I never thought to come here. I was going to wait by the docks originally," [in Sirdabi] a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man admits after his breath settles. He looks around with interest, rising on tip toes peer over better. Noticing the deep breath, he holds the remnants of a tall copper-rimmed glass towards a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features with a questioning glance.
After standing there for a length of time, a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair walks closer, to lean against the northeast parapet and gaze out at the view. As he walks over he calls out to a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man, "That is where I was headed, when I came upon Tifah at the Bazaar!" [in Sirdabi] (Lean - on the northeast parapet -)
Bathing the city streets in drowsy heat, the air is baking and dry beneath a cloudless sky.
"I would not have missed it. Though I also was conventional enough to simply go to the docks," [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features admits with a shake of his head, "Which would have entirely denied me the pleasure of being among the first to spot the sails." [in Sirdabi] His long frame inclines against the parapet as well, borrowing its support, as he blinks down at a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man. "Oh, ah - yes?" [in Sirdabi] (Lean - on the northeast parapet -)
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man approaches the northeast parapet.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man offers a tall copper-rimmed glass to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features accepts a tall copper-rimmed glass from a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man.
A lean, ink-eyed man goes to stand near the northeast parapet, joining a small crowd.
"Everyone else who's come out to see will just be standing around the docks," [in Sirdabi] Tifah agrees, almost a little scornfully, even as her eyes dance in peering out to sea. "Or maybe the Via Aspera. So they won't see the ship until it gets close. And there's not even any use in just standing there, because it's not as if they'll even be allowed to unload their cargo yet!" [in Sirdabi]
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features takes a drink from a tall copper-rimmed glass.
A lean, ink-eyed man sits down on the northeast parapet.
Tifah says with great satisfaction, "But now you all know where you -should- go." [in Sirdabi]
"That is true," [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says to you while continuing to gaze out at the sea, his eyes squinting against the cloudless, sunlit day. "They'll be waiting for Customs for days, at least." [in Sirdabi]
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes goes to move near the northeast parapet, joining a small crowd.
A lean, ink-eyed man settles carefully into a seat the northeast parapet as well. "And we may catch a little more of the breeze up here in the heat." [in Sirdabi]
Accepting the glass, a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features draws a sip, producing a long, flat sound that is presumably an indicator of... some kind of thought. No visible clue makes it positive or negative. "I... had not thought of customs," [in Sirdabi] he murmurs.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man's smile deepens slightly when a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features accepts the drink, but his grinning reply is for a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair. "I suppose you'd know about places with good views. The Razmani enclave is built on such a spot." [in Sirdabi]
"I wonder where the goods will end up?" [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman wonders as she finds a comfortable spot to watch the sun reflect on the sea below.
"Yes, sayyid," [in Sirdabi] Tifah agrees with a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair. "Everybody always hopes maybe they'll get a glimpse of something, or be the first to get news from the ship. But it's such a-- such a mob, it's really hard." [in Sirdabi]
"And I could use it, on a day like today," [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says to a lean, ink-eyed man. "I made the mistake of spending far too much of the morning in front of the forge." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is distracted by a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man's mention of the enclave, and he nods his head once, saying in a quiet, distant voice, "Perhaps the best view in the city," [in Sirdabi] before turning his head once again towards the sea.
Tifah reaches up to tug lightly at a fold of a delicate tangerine silk headscarf painted with white vines. "This came from one of Captain Kannareth's other trips. I saved up for so long to be able to buy it." [in Sirdabi] Proudly, she exclaims, "It's from Jalanjhur!" [in Sirdabi]
"Customs takes much time," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad nod-nods to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features, helpfully. "When Sea Lynx arrive for Omrazir, takes, uh. Many weeks, I think, for customs is finish and then we move the cargo." [in Sirdabi]
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad pauses though. "Maybe customs did not take this long but only Prince Demetrius was in a palace and not could move the cargo yet." [in Sirdabi]
An insistent heat fills the dry air beneath pale blue skies.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is lifting the drink for another sip when he abruptly shudders, nearly tipping it right over the parapet. His free hand lifts to splay one palm against the stone, as if grounding himself on its solidity. "That... sounds quite tedious," [in Sirdabi] he murmurs to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, eyes sliding half-shut against the day's bright light. "I suppose we will simply have to be patient, then, to find what wonders they bring. A shame." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah frowns over at a rawboned, sandy-haired lad. "That's... a very long time. It usually takes.. maybe a week, for a ship like this. But--" [in Sirdabi] She looks between a rawboned, sandy-haired lad and a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair. "That ship came from somewhere no one had ever heard of." [in Sirdabi]
"Is it?" [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair asks you, looking for a moment at the headscarf. He smiles, then says, "Jalanjhur makes me think of Captain Inaya." [in Sirdabi]
"If the Captain is established, it might not take too long." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman guesses, a moment taken to admire your headscarf, "The Custom's agent seemed to say it was quicker for locals or more frequent visitors." [in Sirdabi]
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes murmurs quietly to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair and a rawboned, sandy-haired lad in a considering way, "They may expedite customs for the al-Murayd ship. They are known, after all." [in Sirdabi] At least it seems she's starting to catch her breath after keeping up with a determined thirteen year old? Then she looks down to you and - after a brief examination of her tangerine headscarf - gives a wry and warm smile. "It is lovely, Tifah." [in Sirdabi]
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad's attention shifts to you, eyeing that headscarf rather admiringly. "This very pretty," [in Sirdabi] he compliments with a self-conscious crooked smile.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman admits aside to you, "I do love shopping for unique things, so I am excited for it." [in Sirdabi]
Realizing himself, a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair adds on, "A very pretty design, the vines." [in Sirdabi] He glances to a lean, ink-eyed man and says, "Reminds me of a design, in fact." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah looks incredibly pleased to have received a compliment from some as ladylike as an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes. And then, only still more pleased to hear the sentiment echoed. "Thank you. It's my favorite, but.. um, well, of course I mostly save it for special times." [in Sirdabi]
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man gives your headscarf a quick once-over, making appreciative noises. "I've never interested to see what cargo they have. Perhaps I can pick out something for my mother and father. Even if I do not, it'll be fun browsing." [in Sirdabi]
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad nod-nods to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair then. "Yes, Captain was sail for Jallanjer I hear. I want to go there. I think maybe if this ship sail to Jallanjer again I ask to be hire, for crew." [in Sirdabi] He grins a bit.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features rudely fails to join the compliments, seemingly occupied with attempting to pretend to be part of the wall himself. After a few seconds of motionless silence, he sips from the glass again, keeping his just-open eyes on the sea.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features takes a drink from a tall copper-rimmed glass.
"I suppose that's true." [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says to an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes, on the matter of customs. "As Tifah points out, our ship was unknown, and from a... far-away land." [in Sirdabi]
The sun sparkles brightly on the sea, illuminating it with a thousand thousand tiny pinpoints of brilliant light. Although the horizon seems clear of any ships right now, there is a small breeze that would be just perfect to lift a sail or two and send an enterprising vessel speeding on its way towards the city.
Tifah smiles brightly at a rawboned, sandy-haired lad. "I think it would be very exciting to sail with Captain Kannareth! She always has the best stories, and brings back the most interesting things." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man draws from their thoughts to the conversation to reply to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, "It does remind, some." [in Sirdabi] giving a smile. Their attention drifts between those speaking.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features takes a drink from a tall copper-rimmed glass.
The contents of a tall copper-rimmed glass have been finished.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes smiles wider to you at her reply. "Special occasions - like sighting distant trade ships?" [in Sirdabi] she wonders. "I would agree. It makes the heart skip, does it not?" [in Sirdabi] She turns her eyes to the sea then, squinting and shading her eyes with one hand as she peers out to the sparkling horizon.
Forming a shimmering haze that simmers indelibly in the air above Omrazir, the air is baking and dry beneath a cloudless sky.
A lean, ink-eyed man eventually adds, "With all the excitement and focus, I wonder if customs will be sped as well alongside the fine things they might have." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair looks between you and a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, then says, "And I think you'd be hired in a heartbeat, sayyid Matty. You were crew along the Eye, after all." [in Sirdabi]
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man closes his eyes and tilts his head up to the sun, breathing in deeply of the scents of the sea and the city carried by the breeze.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad blinks and eyes you suddenly at this, a bit of apprehension tainting that bubbly excitement. "Captain Kannareth is - oh," [in Sirdabi] he says, with a sudden thoughtful cast. Then he looks to an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes, and quickly asks, "What it means, make a heart skip?" [in Sirdabi]
"The vista is good too, we can see far today." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman notes of the weather, a natural-hued organza headscarf adjusted so it doesn't flap overly much in the breeze.
Tifah lowers her brows in thought. "Her ship isn't really so very big, for a trading ship. But she packs it full of really rare and unusual things that get a good price." [in Sirdabi] She smiles encouragingly around. "But then of course she always brings some other things that even I can save up for! And even with a small crew, I bet she always needs a couple new people to replace anyone who decides to stay here for a while." [in Sirdabi]
"Oh..." [in Sirdabi] A low murmur, as a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features lifts the drink again and find it empty. "It's gone. Thank you," [in Sirdabi] he directs down to a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man softly, "It was- it was good." [in Sirdabi] Simple enough praise, but he holds onto the glass even as his gaze reorients on the sea. "...like a thousand diamonds scattered on silk, or dew in distant fields..." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair seems to catch a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's apprehension and nods his head once, looking thoughtful. But he says nothing, leaving, for a time, conversation to the others while he gazes out at the sea.
With a self-conscious lopsided smile and a shrug quickly, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, "I have only one journey. But, um. I do not look for... uhm. A Captain is not, uh. Kind." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah plants her chin in one hand and uses the other to tug her headscarf a little farther forward to shade her eyes. Then she frowns intently off at the far horizon, sparkly-bright as it is.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair squints some at a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's words, looking back to him with his brow wrinkled. "One journey is more than zero, and one journey that is one-of-a-kind is worth more, still. I do not know what you mean, though. Kind?" [in Sirdabi]
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is somewhat equally full of energy and restless, his gaze darting between horizon and companions closer by, trying to keep track of everything and most likely not succeeding.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man opens his eyes and smiles up at a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features. "A poetic way to describe the sensation of the drink upon one's tongue... I probably should've purchased a second glass. There wasn't much left in that one." [in Sirdabi]
A dot of white appears at some distance off to the east, gliding ever closer.... but then with a flap of its wings it turns out to be just an osprey, the eye fooled by the open sea with its lack of landmarks and its dazzle.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes tips her face slightly toward a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, though she does not fully pull her gaze away from the sea that she studies. "It is... nervousness and anticipation both," [in Sirdabi] she explains to him belatedly. Then she turns to another tongue. "Feak eyulurr aonn thar heon eku thar oe atatugn enn tiyaohuith, uaffeorr. Mobb ioddi ma aicke, eol?" [in an unknown language]
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad looks a bit sheepish to be questioned by a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair on this, that crooked smile returning alongside a shrug. "Uhm. Only Captain, uh. Little bit mean." [in Sirdabi]
The sun is a brilliant gold orb ornamenting the cloudless sky, its radiance too bright to even glance upon.
A teal-blue waning crescent descends from the late afternoon.
"Eoppaign!," [in an unknown language] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad blurts suddenly with a nod-nod to an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes, even as his attention's fixing on that little moving dot in the distance, distracted and eager. "Othaww, iadde, eopp. Iadde eakniuth hiov. Enadde 'agneck feak'i hikionuapp' iub kuck!" [in an unknown language]
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman hums gently to herself, watching the bird sail by before her attention drifts to the horizon.
"Oh, I meant - the sea," [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features admits to a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man, fine lines tightening about his eyes for a moment as he tries to track that osprey across the scintillating brightness. Giving up, he simply closes his eyes entirely. "...although... in truth it is not a bad description for the drink, either. It tasted of many things all at once. It was kind of you to surrender it; the day is warm." [in Sirdabi] Not that he seems to mind, no sweat on his brow.
Tifah looks very focused and intense now, though she seems to be keeping an ear on what's being said around her. "It would be exciting to sail past the Eye, too," [in Sirdabi] she remarks. "But I've always wanted to go sail on the eastern seas." [in Sirdabi] Then she hushes up and peers with curious interest between an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes and a rawboned, sandy-haired lad.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man's gaze snaps towards the spot of white on the horizon and he places his hands on the parapet, lifting himself further onto tip toes. His excitement disappears quickly when he realizes the false alarm. "Perhaps you'll have a chance to meet Captain Kannareth," [in Sirdabi] he says absently to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, eyes still glued to the same spot. "And see whether you can hire with her." [in Sirdabi]
"Oh!" [in Sirdabi] an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes's eyes widen and she straightens abruptly, leaning forward. "Look, a--" [in Sirdabi] But then, whatever it is she spied, seems not to be the ship she is so looking for, and she lets out her breath in a deflated sigh. "It was only a bird." [in Sirdabi] She finally glances away to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, "Like so," [in Ruvic] she says a little vaguely.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair's jaw shifts a little as he listens to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad. He begins to nod his head in slow understanding. "Ae ipinebb," [in an unknown language] he murmurs, switching his tongue to another. "Uik thar ffuffuww oesso, eol? Enn wong Captain yev utt iwiottiol, enn thar'oa ooffo nnewwosh ewobagn, enn... ignack i uboessuon." [in an unknown language]
Tifah gets all excited at an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes's exclamation, sitting bolt upright with an echoing, "Oh!" [in Sirdabi] of her own. But then it turns out only to be a false alarm, and she just sighs.
(At the northeast parapet): "I'm obviously no poet," [in Sirdabi] a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man murmurs softly to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features, cheeks turning slightly pink to go with his sheepish tone. "Perhaps continuous exposure to your prose will help me expand my understanding." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah asks inqusitively, "What's that language you're speaking?" [in Sirdabi] with a distracted glance aside.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad slumps a bit in disappointment a moment later upon realizing that it's only a bird, and not in fact sails. But then he looks back to a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man, bright-eyed and eager all over again, and nods quickly. "I, uh - maybe yes, I do this, maybe," [in Sirdabi] he says, as though considering that possibility. His attention shifts back to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, and he nods as well. "Les, o'iakni ae amicke aol." [in an unknown language]
Heat waves shimmer gently upon cloudless horizons as the sun moves slowly across the sky.
"Oh, speak, Ilexi, uh. My home language," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells you quickly, looking sheepish. "I am sorry." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man observe that spot of white intently until it is clear what it is, a flicker of their own disappointment showing. They are quiet otherwise until they eventually say to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad. "Captain was good captain, but rough living. Kindness harder in ways. I am hope your next captain is kind, maybe can ask crew what they think." [in Sirdabi]
(At the northeast parapet): "I do not know if that is a fate I would wish upon anyone," [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features murmurs to a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man, huffing one of his odd airless laughs. "Though I am thinking of one right now. 'I shall float, some seabird aimless - Silhouette so vague and nameless...' " [in Sirdabi] One eye cracks open a touch, finding the osprey for just a moment before shutting again. "...What kind of bird is that?" [in Sirdabi]
Tifah shakes her head quickly. "No, no! Don't be sorry. I just love learning new languages. I get Salwan to teach as many as I can, and talk to everybody I can find." [in Sirdabi] She smiles, a little self-consciously.
Gesturing to some of those nearby, before blinking curiously, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells you, "They learn when they live in my home. Really? How many language you know for speak?" [in Sirdabi]
"I apologize, Tifah." [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says to you after a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's sheepishly-given apology. "I was trying to explain something to good sayyid Matty here and found it easier in his native language." [in Sirdabi] He smiles. "Those of us who lived in Ensor had a long time to learn the language, there." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man settles a curious gaze on Tifah, "How many are you able to speak? I enjoy doing the same as well and...certainly talked ears off before." [in Sirdabi] sounding rueful.
"I still need to learn Ruzur and Irzali." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman mentions idly as she listens to the talk of languages.
(At the northeast parapet): A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man cocks his head slightly to one side, obviously trying to decipher what a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features just incanted. "That sounds free..." [in Sirdabi] he murmurs softly under his breath. He transitions to a slightly louder voice, though still keeping it relatively quiet compared to the surrounding chatter. "That was an osprey. It's a bird of prey that mostly hunts fish." [in Sirdabi]
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman adds after a moment, "And work on Ancient Amunati." [in Sirdabi]
"Irzali is one I really should get around to knowing." [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, thoughtfully.
Something else pale catches the westering sunlight, seemingly just at the very far edge of the sea as it rolls over the eastern horizon. It's there and gone in an instant, but it didn't look so much like a bird this time.
A lean, ink-eyed man shifts their jaw then mentions to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, "I can teach the later, although my accent is...poorer than it could be. Lacking practice, and short of those to speak to ah...willingly the last year." [in Sirdabi]
"Perhaps we should all start up language lessons again. I know that some of us have spoken of it a few times," [in Sirdabi] a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man speaks up with a grin.
"Oh-- what was that?" [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair asks no one in particular, gazing off towards the eastern horizon. "Not another osprey, was it?" [in Sirdabi]
Heat waves shimmer gently upon cloudless horizons as the sun moves slowly across the sky.
"Irzali?" [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman wonders to a lean, ink-eyed man, seeking confirmation.
(At the northeast parapet): "Free, yes. In the loneliest sense imaginable, but... Hm. Osprey." [in Sirdabi] A low murmur, as a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features commits the name to memory.
"Oh, that's very interesting!" [in Sirdabi] Tifah says with enthusiasm, though to which person who knows. "Um.. I can understand more than I can speak, it takes a while to really learn a language, and I don't always have someone to really speak it with..." [in Sirdabi] Then she sits up a little straighter again, eyes trained on the horizon.
A lean, ink-eyed man dips their head to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman. "Yes. I learned from Grandmother Firouzeh to understand when I was being insulted or otherwise." [in Sirdabi]
As a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair speaks, a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features forces his eyes properly open to fix on the horizon. The effort carves a deep furrow into his brow, but he stares just the same. "I did not see..." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair cannot help but snort at a lean, ink-eyed man's comment. "Would have been useful, for me..." [in Sirdabi] But his attention, his gaze, is fixed upon the horizon.
"I did used to know many more Irzali than I do currently." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman smiles amusedly at a lean, ink-eyed man.
"Sails!" [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad blurts, perhaps prematurely, attention fixating on the horizon.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is quiet throughout the conversation that comes and goes as they all wait for sails. But she visibly stiffens and flickers her eyes further along the horizon at a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair's voice, narrowing her shaded eyes with intent focus, leaning firmly against the parapet as if that might somehow give her the extra oomph to see the far distance.
A lean, ink-eyed man snorts at a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair's words, "Sometimes ignorance is also very helpful." [in Sirdabi] then they flicker a smile to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, "I feel I am forgetting over time, now." [in Sirdabi]
"Is that it?" [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman draws up on her toes, trying to watch that flash of white.
A lean, ink-eyed man straightens to stand near the northeast parapet.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is up on tip toes once more, eyes wide as he tries to spot whatever a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair and a rawboned, sandy-haired lad noticed. He ends up squinting and lifting a hand to shade his eyes after only a moment. "I think... I think I might have seen something too. But I can't quite make out if it really is sails." [in Sirdabi]
"I don't know!" [in Sirdabi] Tifah answers back to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, but she is clearly excited enough that it -might- be that she's forgotten even the conversation about languages. "I did see something though..." [in Sirdabi]
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls climbs over from down a flight of brick steps.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair leans even FURTHER forward over the parapet, and holds his hand against his brow, parallel to the ground, shielding his vision from the sun and trying to get an even better look. "I don't know what I saw... it was just... something." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah breathes out a sigh, expectant and almost a little nervous. "If it is, it will get close enough for us to tell for sure, soon." [in Sirdabi]
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad scoots up closer to everyone else and to the edge, eagerly watching the sparkly blue horizon, his matching-color eyes wide. (Stand - near the northeast parapet -)
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features does have the convenient advantage of height, only having to incline a touch forward for a long, uninterrupted view. However, he seems to need to rest his eyes every few minutes, even with his free hand curling against his brow to shade them.
A warm breeze blows across the land, providing only the barest relief in the hot air.
And-- there it is again: a little spot of brightness against the deep aquamarine waters, steadier than the diamond-like twinkling of the Adelantean itself, just barely dotting the eastern edge of the sea.
"When you see sails, for far away, they come and then they go, for, um..." [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad starts, frowning as he maybe searches for words. "The sea, waves, go up and down, bring ship up and down," [in Sirdabi] he decides on, using one hand to make wave-like motions rolling up and down to demonstrate. "So look like sails, um. What is a word, uh. You see, and then you not see." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man shifts to their feet peering close to the sea as well, and is very belated in noticing a golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls to call a greeting, "Good afternoon." [in Sirdabi]
"Oh, I see it again!" [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says, pointing out towards the sea. Hazarding a guess in a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's direction, he asks, "To... disappear?" [in Sirdabi]
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is distracted just for a moment by a lean, ink-eyed man's greeting, and glances back over his shoulder to find a golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls. "Hello, Sayyida Jannah," [in Sirdabi] he offers. "We see sails!" [in Sirdabi] Quickly enough, he's back to watching that spot on the horizon.
"Oh! Oh!" [in Sirdabi] Tifah is too excited to say anything else but that for a moment, though she nods to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad in quick eager agreement. "I think-- I think maybe that's really it..!" [in Sirdabi]
Nodding quickly, with a grin, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, "Disappear! Yes thank you." [in Sirdabi]
And a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is even more belated in noticing a golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls, only really prompted by a lean, ink-eyed man's speech. "Ah, afternoon sayyida Jannah!" [in Sirdabi] He points out to the horizon. "We think we see a glimpse of the Windskipper." [in Sirdabi]
"I see... something, at least; Ighlaf, is that the ship?" [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features calls over, the words barely loud enough to carry. Following the cues of the others, he offers a nod of welcome back to a golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls manages to climb up the wall and then squints, looking off into the distance a bit and leans forward and then tucks her arms in against herself at the wind but bobbles her head at various greetings.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman makes a quiet sound of understanding at a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's explanation, her eyes skimming over the horizon.
"Ah! I think I saw it again too!" [in Sirdabi] a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man exclaims, leaning forward to point at the distant dot of white. He only realizes that a golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls has arrived when he hears others offer greetings. "Good afternoon, Sayyida Jannah. You arrive just in time. Perhaps. We -might- be seeing sails." [in Sirdabi]
The little white speck vanishes again with as little warning as it appeared, leaving the blue-green deeps free of blemishes again, but it leaves behind a sense of real anticipation this time.
A lean, ink-eyed man gives a grin to being asked that by a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features which shows in their voice. "I think we are all seeing it, and as Sayyid Matty said the waves make it come and go." [in Sirdabi]
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad "This is because of waves and also a -" [in Sirdabi] he pauses, and grins, gesturing out toward the sea, "It disappear again!" [in Sirdabi] he announces triumphantly, as though this proves it.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is peering out intently over the horizon, hardly blinking in her squint against the glare save to clear out some strands of hair from her face as the warm breeze blows across the wall. "...There," [in Sirdabi] she agrees, almost inaudible as she stares toward that point where a dot seems to appear, then disappear, under the waves once more. "It did not move from its course." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah groans, "Ohh, it's so hard to keep track of out there.." [in Sirdabi] She gives a vigorous shake of her head that lightly ruffles the edges of a delicate tangerine silk headscarf painted with white vines. "But that has to be it. It -must- be. Captain Kannareth will bring her in for sure!" [in Sirdabi]
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes finally pulls her gaze away from the horizon to look to a golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls, giving her a warm if somewhat distracted and tight smile. "Sayyida, you are just in time. Perhaps we are seeing the first sightings of the ship." [in Sirdabi]
A warm breeze blows across the land, providing only the barest relief in the hot air.
"If that's her, she's coming in nice and steady." [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair supposes, still gazing out to the horizon. He shivers against the warm breeze, and says quietly, "This is more exciting than I even thought it'd be." [in Sirdabi]
"We are all seeing something," [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features says to a lean, ink-eyed man, pedantic as ever, "And I trust your vision more than anyone else to potentially resolve it. But... I will admit it is difficult to imagine what else it might be, especially given the pattern of movement." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah also only seems to have just noticed a golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls. She glances quickly over her shoulder, offers a welcoming wave of one hand, and then goes back to scanning the horizon with great focus.
"I think it's made more exciting due to how far it's arriving from and how few ships we've had this year," [in Sirdabi] a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man points out to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair. His eyes remains glued on that appearing and disappearing dot of white.
"And for what it means, after it docks." [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says, somewhat under his breath but still audible, gazing off distantly and distractedly towards the sea. But he snaps back to reality and nods his head at something from a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features. "I do agree with sayyid Kamenes." [in Sirdabi]
A little longer, and the speck of white seems to rise back up on the distant waters, a bit bigger and brighter this time... and steadier. It appears to be quite definitely on a straight course, though still too distant to make out anything else about it.
A lean, ink-eyed man smiles again which might not be seen "Thank you for your words, my friend." [in Sirdabi] then they comment, "Yes, hard to imagine what what else." [in Sirdabi] staring intently still towards the sea.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls nods her head to an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes in return and says, "I wish my carrots were better in season maybe eating and eating them would have helped get a better peek," [in Sirdabi] and laughs with her warm sort of amusement, "Though I think this is one of those wives tales." [in Sirdabi with vibrating mezzo-soprano]
"Look-- I see it again, and it's -- well, it has to be getting closer, yes?" [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says excitedly, looking still towards the horizon.
Tifah nods in distracted agreement. "There haven't been any ships with a cargo like this in months... It's all been cheap stuff, or things that mostly came from close by." [in Sirdabi] She leans a little further forward, one hand lowering to rest against the parapet. "But this one is a -real- ship." [in Sirdabi]
The sun is a brilliant gold orb ornamenting the cloudless sky, its radiance too bright to even glance upon.
The sighting is periodic, and as of yet terribly distant - and a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features's gaze is wandering now from the blinding-bright horizon. It ranges instead over the faces of his fellow watches, drifting over each and every one. This time, that includes an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes... and when his eyes land on her, there they stay for a long and silent moment.
The next time that the little white dot vanishes, it does so only briefly. In moments it's back in view once again, and you imagine can see it growing in size, if almost imperceptibly, as it heads in from the far east.
(At the northeast parapet): An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes smiles a little as she listens to you, but says nothing else as she looks away to the distance, her narrowed against the glare of the sun against the sea. But she seems to feel the prickle of-- well, something, for she then turns toward a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features, her expression dropping as she turns an even gaze to him, just as the white dot comes into view once more.
"It has to be the ship." [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair announces to everyone and no one, smiling broadly. "It is getting closer!" [in Sirdabi]
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls shuffles her foot against the ground a bit.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad stares at a golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls for a moment or two with a completely puzzled blink. He glances to others nearby as though to figure out whether they've got any clue here, before his attention goes back to you, then the horizon again. He nods quickly at a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair's declaration.
A lean, ink-eyed man is quiet in their staring, then a hand lifts to rub at their forehead in frowning thought.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features starts, just a bit, when an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes's gaze meets his. But he doesn't look away, holding the contact. His own expression is even, of course, as it nearly always is... if made rather severe by the increased sharpness of his cheekbones and the dark bags beneath his eyes. Several seconds pass before he lets his attention return to the sea, and its distant cargo. "May the gods speed it safe to shore," [in Sirdabi] he murmurs under his breath.
Tifah slaps her hand lightly against the parapet, exclaiming, "It must be!" [in Sirdabi] This makes her wobble a little where she sits, and she has to press her palm tightly to the brick for a moment to regain her balance, and pretend like that never happened.
A sense of restless unease unsettles the air as a warm breeze sweeps through, parched beneath the hot radiance of the sun.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls stares down at the ground then after she speaks and sort of looks away from a rawboned, sandy-haired lad.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman perks up to watch the object draw closer, sharing the enthusiasm of the rest un the group.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad's excited watch of the horizon is broken by a sudden frown, and he ducks his head briefly.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is far too swept up in his very important task of, well, just staring out at the sea, to have noticed those glances at a rawboned, sandy-haired lad. But in the moments of silence, he belatedly murmurs, "My grandmother used to say that, too, sayyida Jannah. That carrots help with sight." [in Sirdabi] He shrugs. "Perhaps why she would always put them in our stews." [in Sirdabi]
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man nods his head solemnly to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features and a hand lifts to rest fingers lightly on a twisting fulgurite pendant. "It shouldn't be much longer before it reaches us," [in Sirdabi] he says hopefully, although he keeps his fingers where they are.
The white dot doesn't disappear from view any longer. It's a steady pale point upon the sea now, quite noticeable against the aquamarine backdrop of the waves to anyone who has already been following its progress. It is, beyond any doubt now, the sail of a ship, casting back the light from the sinking sun.
(At the northeast parapet): A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair does glance at a lean, ink-eyed man a moment at that hand lifting to their forehead. This, he notices. His eyes linger there a moment, before looking back to the sea.
"Why should it not be true, I suppose?" [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features speaks up in more conversational tones. "The humors are a mysterious thing." [in Sirdabi] With the ship remaining more steadily in view, his gaze stays anchored on the sea once more. "...A beautiful sunset to welcome them in." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah murmurs, "A little while yet," [in Sirdabi] eyes still fixed intently on the sea. "But it looks like it's caught a good breeze out there. Soon, I hope..." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man seems distracted from staring at that white dot, quiet in their thoughts with their gaze settled somewhere on the sea.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes studies a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features's haggard face in silence. But he turns away, and so does she. "God willing," [in Sirdabi] she murmurs. She returns to look far to the east, where that dot now seems to stay in view. She takes in a deep breath - holds it - then lets it out quietly. "God willing it reaches us safely." [in Sirdabi]
Coursing with forceful energy across the earth, a hot wind sweeps sand and debris relentlessly before it.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad shifts his weight a bit uncomfortably, rubbing at the back of his neck in between glances toward the horizon. He's still frowning distractedly, but manages to nod to you and offer, "Sails are full of wind," [in Sirdabi] with a gesture toward the as-yet-tiny ship. "This mean she is making way." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says, "It will," [in Sirdabi] though his tone sounds more hopeful than necessarily optimistic. There is just a hint of uncertainty in his gaze towards the white dot. Worry, maybe. That forceful wind pushes against him, and he has to hold his a dignified white wool tarboosh to his head for a moment to keep it from blowing off.
Nearer and nearer it comes, growing ever so slowly but ever so steadily into something more than just a dot. Almost, if you squint your eyes and maybe use your imagination a little bit, you can see it billow just a touch...
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man glances over to a lean, ink-eyed man and his brows furrow slightly, but he soon returns his gaze to the approaching ship. "I cannot tell whether it has caught a good wind or not, so I'll trust in the experts amongst this group." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah gives this statement from a rawboned, sandy-haired lad its due consideration, and she seems to judge him expert enough in such affairs to agree, "Yes, you must be right... that must be it." [in Sirdabi] She gives an eager little shiver, eyes never straying from the sea.
A lean, ink-eyed man remains in frowning thought, eventually speaking as they ducks their head with one of the wind gusts, "Quite the wind picking up now, yes." [in Sirdabi]
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls raises up on her feet a bit, trying to get a better peek and says, "Where do we think they'll pull into harbor?" [in Sirdabi] and then puts up a hand to protect her headscarf from the sudden wind.
(At the northeast parapet): A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair's eyes do waver from the sea, to glance once more at a lean, ink-eyed man, and he holds his eyes there a moment, watching with a thoughtful frown upon his face.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features seems to have drifted back into the depths of his own mind; his gaze is on that ship, but his eyes have closed to mere slits once more, his hard and hawkish profile still in its aim toward the sea.
A lean, ink-eyed man shifts to lean on the northeast parapet.
Without removing her gaze from the water, Tifah answers a golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls, "Probably the Banu Shoureh Pier. That's where it's anchored before. Oh! I'm sure it's getting close." [in Sirdabi]
The hot, brisk force of a sirocco wind races across the world.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad seems to go a bit quiet from his previous chatter, brows knit, though he keeps his eyes on the sails. He raises a hand to shield his eyes from the sun as he squints off.
A lean, ink-eyed man leans against the parapet with a discomforted motion. Their attention settling on a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's knitted brows.
"What is it?" [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features says suddenly and bluntly, his gaze tearing itself away to flick between a rawboned, sandy-haired lad and a lean, ink-eyed man.
It -is- getting close... or at least, much closer. It must in fact have a good following wind, a steady hand at the helm, a skilled attentive crew all keeping it pushing so steadily forward to its destination. The dot is mere dot no longer, but certainly a sail, with the barest hint of a ship beneath it.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair's attention lingers between a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, and a lean, ink-eyed man, with only glances now to the sea, noting the obvious sail.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes does not lift her gaze from the shining, steady white sail upon the sea. But she asks uneasily to anyone around her, "Whatever has been seen of the sea serpents since one was harpooned?" [in Sirdabi] Then finally she breaks her gaze to look aside to a lean, ink-eyed man at their uncomfortable movements. After a moment's examination she asks, "...Are you alright?" [in Sirdabi]
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man has glued his eyes to the distant shape again, but he's jolted out of his staring by a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features's question. He turns his head to peer at a rawboned, sandy-haired lad and a lean, ink-eyed man, a hint of concern now appearing.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad startles a bit at a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features's abrupt and direct inquiry, his attention tearing from the ship. "What?" [in Sirdabi] he asks with a blink, though maybe that's just a placeholder while he processes. "Oh, I have a hurt of head, only small, I am okay," [in Sirdabi] he says quickly, shaking his head. "I am not, um. This is many people," [in Sirdabi] he gestures at the gathering with a small sheepish shrug.
A lean, ink-eyed man gives a long slow blink, eyes closing for a portion of it. "Bit of headache." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah spares a swift look to one side on hearing those questions of concern, her eyebrows lowering still more. But it's only for a moment, and then she returns her focus to the sea, and the definitely-a-ship.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair blinks. To an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes, he asks, "...when did *that* happen? The harpooning? I didn't hear of this." [in Sirdabi]
"Ah, I see. I was concerned that something was-" [in Sirdabi] And then a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features pauses as a lean, ink-eyed man echoes a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, his gaze shifting between the two of them with eyes slowly narrowing. "...Hm." [in Sirdabi]
"Oh, wait, no, I did." [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair grimaces. "I'd forgotten about that. I thought--" [in Sirdabi] He cuts himself off here, and shakes his head.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair looks distinctly distraught for a moment, with no verbal explanation given.
The hot, brisk force of a sirocco wind races across the world.
"...It is perhaps incumbent on me to note I did see a serpent at the Pier of Stars shortly before Sayyida Tifah's message arrived. A mere-" [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is interrupted by a little shudder, hand dropping from his brow to massage his temple. "Mere... glimpse, however. And they must... live somewhere, of course." [in Sirdabi]
Nearer and nearer now. The sail can be made out very definitely as a sail, perhaps even the rakish settee sail of a Sala'an dhow. You think, now, that it might not be completely white, but a mix of white and some darker color, maybe red or purple.
"Perhaps it is too hot and there is too much light here," [in Sirdabi] a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man suggests tentatively, the corners of his lips dipping downwards. "A drink might--" [in Sirdabi] He cuts off, hearing what a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features just said. "That... It'd probably be gone by now." [in Sirdabi] He doesn't sound entirely confident.
"No, no serpents at Pier of Stars," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad says quickly as though he's some kind of expert on a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features's experiences. How rude.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls frowns slightly as she watches a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features and says, "Do you think they'll ... be aggressive, well sadly, I suppose 'they' might cover either the serpents or men, sadly." [in Sirdabi]
"A glimpse?" [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair asks a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features. "Did... did this serpent look like the one that had been seen before, do you think?" [in Sirdabi]
Tifah kneels sharply upright, both palms pressed to the wall now. "Oh! It is! I see it, the stripes! The Windskipper has striped sails! That's it, it's almost here!" [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man takes a careful drink at a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man's words, giving a tiny nod with their hand covering the top to avoid dust blowing in. (Consumption)
"It's a pretty ship," [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman notes with an easy smile as the sails draw closer.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes frowns to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair now, at his odd and strong reaction. "Sayyid--" [in Sirdabi] But then a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features says what he does, which does not seem to comfort her, and then you makes her exclamation, so with torn attention she looks back to the ship which seems to be drawing ever closer - her eyes widening now with anticipation as the shape of a dhow resolves itself in the distance.
"It's lateen-rigged," [in Ruvic] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad says, excited again despite whatever discomfiture he might also have going on.
"I assure you there was, in fact, a serpent there today," [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features answers a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, with no particular sign of offense in his even tones. "Or rather, in the nearby waters. Silver and blue, yes, much like the one we saw. I could not say if it were similar in size, however; it disappeared between one eyeblink and the next..." [in Sirdabi] He gives in the temptation to lean a little further, and let his eyes narrow more in searching sight than in rejection of the sun. "...I hope there will be no... aggression, but I cannot say." [in Sirdabi]
"...really I cannot say much of anything," [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features summarizes, with a dry huff of a laugh.
It -is- striped! Pretty red-violet and white bands, slanted gracefully across the oncoming sail. And now it can be seen that the sail does indeed carry along with it a swift dhow, none too large, but fleet and elegant as it skims through the low waves of the sea.
Blazing anger suddenly as he rounds to look back, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features, "No speak this!" [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair's attention is torn between the speakers, and between your excited description of the Windskipper. He turns his head to gaze once more upon the horizon, looking to those sails, to the ship there -- well, whatever he can see of it. He glances to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features at his words, though, and they don't seem to bring the man any comfort.
The wind has a dry feel that seems to draw every least drop of moisture from the air, leaving it parched and crackling.
Tifah rouses up with a cheer, "The Windskipper!" [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair glances abruptly to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad with raised brows at that anger, but he is completely distracted from it by your excitement, and the ship coming so readily into view. "She's there!" [in Sirdabi] he calls out, smiling now once more, and pointing.
Any other drama going on around Tifah is clearly so much chaff in the wind compared to the approach of the long-awaited Sala'an ship. She claps her hands together eagerly - and maybe with pent-up nerves - and watches wide wide excited eyes.
A lean, ink-eyed man gazes at that incoming ship with a look darting to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad and a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features but quiet otherwise.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad can't maintain focus away from the incoming ship either, anger or no, and only casts a worried look to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features before his attention skitters back to the vessel on the water.
"What-" [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features turns wide eyes away from the ship to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, fixing him with a blank stare for a few moments before his gaze drops. "I... very well," [in Sirdabi] he settles on, the words so quiet the wind might steal them.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man starts to smile at your enthusiasm, but it shifts into a scowl midway when the exchange between a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features and a rawboned, sandy-haired lad reaches his ears, drawing his attention away from the incoming ship.
It takes a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's sudden reaction to tear an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes's eyes away from the sight of the stripe-sailed dhow skimming elegantly across the water. But when it does, she looks to him with a mixture of concern and consternation. "Matti!" [in Sirdabi] In that moment, she might sound rather like a sharp elder sister.
Nearer and nearer still! The pretty dhow stays true to its course, which looks set to bring it past the low cliffs that lie to the east, keeping some ways out to avoid the shallower waters and rocks. It bounds brightly across the waves, like a twig bobbing up and down on the water, light and swift.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad turns abruptly self-conscious, and all the more so at an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes's rebuke. He casts a half-furtive glance her way, sidewise and indirect, maybe guilty, definitely anxious - but he doesn't say anything.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman departs.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman arrives.
The hot, brisk force of a sirocco wind races across the world.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman tilts her head, some thought seeming to flit across her face as she watches the ship come in.
"Such *speed*," [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says in no hidden appreciation of the swiftness of the vessel. "Captain Kannareth is bringing her in beautifully. I suppose she's waiting until much closer to port, to bring in the sails." [in Sirdabi]
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features has lapsed into what seems like a calm enough silence, though who can know what thoughts are passing behind the blank vault of his expression. He watches the ship, and suddenly something twitches in his brow, looking to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls looks back and forth at people with a growing look of confusion.
As the ship draws on, you can now make out the streamers of seafoam that stir all around it, trimming the waves like a frothy lace.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes presses her mouth closed, seeming also vaguely discomfited in the wake of all this. She looks to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad with a softer gaze for a few moments. Then she simply looks back out to sea as the dhow races along the water, one hand pressing uneasily, almost anxiously, against the wall.
"It has a good wind," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad pipes up to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, maybe trying to cover for that terribly embarrassing outburst. "She can, um. Sails this way, and rudder that way, for slowing down," [in Sirdabi] he explains, gesturing with his hands at cross angles.
... except, there shouldn't -be- streamers of seafoam in front of the ship... only in the wake behind it. But there they are, undulating across the sea with as much sleek swift grace as the little dhow itself.
"Sitra," [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features says, pushing himself off the parapet to twist and face a willowy, tawny-complected young woman directly. His voice takes on speed, perhaps its version of urgency. "The twig. The omen. Do you think-" [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair nod-nods along to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, offering him an agreeable receiver for his more optimistic conversation. But at those streamers of seafoam, even the amateur sailor a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is seems to have a thought, and his brow wrinkles in confusion. He says, "But... what... is that?" [in Sirdabi]
"I... maybe," [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman murmurs to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features, a slant cast towards a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, "Matty, is everything right with that ship?" [in Sirdabi]
"Omen?" [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair asks more quietly, looking to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features and a willowy, tawny-complected young woman.
(At the northeast parapet): An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes's eyes widen. She presses forward, leaning hard against the parapet.
A lean, ink-eyed man frowns deeper as they look continue to gaze at the sea and ship, then they flinch and drop back against the northeast parapet.
A lean, ink-eyed man drops a tall copper-rimmed glass near the northeast parapet.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man shifts his weight from foot to foot while he leans on the parapet. His eyes are flicking between faces almost as much as he's watching the ship, but he suddenly stiffens and leans forward. "Is that... In front of the ship... I think I see..." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah makes a quiet uncertain little noise as she watches those foaming ripples play through the water.
"Ighlaf--" [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair calls out as that glass drops. He reaches out with his hand, for a lean, ink-eyed man's shoulder, a steadying gesture. "What--" [in Sirdabi]
A hot and dusty wind continues to blow across the land as the sun sinks in the west, staining the sky a deep crimson.
It is sunset, the hour of the jackal.
(At the northeast parapet): A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair shifts closer to a lean, ink-eyed man.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad blurts a sudden inarticulate cry that completely distracts him from a willowy, tawny-complected young woman's question, both hands going to his head.
A fine haze of sand filling city streets with a parched dusty scent, restless currents of hot air sweep across the land.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man's attention ships sharply to a lean, ink-eyed man at the sound of the dropped glass. "Ighlaf?" [in Sirdabi] he asks, hurrying over.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman widens her eyes at a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's outburst, her attention soon flitting from the ship to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features, "Do you think we can find some rescue boats?" [in Sirdabi]
"The twig-" [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features repeats himself more urgently to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, and flaps his hands for a moment in a helpless lack of words. Then the rest comes, all in a burst: "We saw a twig washed into the basin through the ocular. Bobbing, rising and falling, rising and falling, and then it sank-" [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's shout makes him shudder, cutting off mid-sentence.
"We are... a long, long way from the docks," [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features manages to answer a willowy, tawny-complected young woman after a few ragged breaths. "But we could run. Send word, at least, if no one else has noticed-" [in Sirdabi]
And just as the sinking sun casts its reddened light across the waters of the bay, their surface is broken with a furious hiss and froth.... as an immense sea serpent, reddish-pink in the dying light of the day, bursts forth out of the water beside the oncoming dhow.
A lean, ink-eyed man lifts their hands to press to their head shaking back and forth, "No..." [in Sirdabi] their words are quiet and pained, being steadied by a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair's attention is now shifting from a lean, ink-eyed man, who he's still attempting to steady with his hand, to now a rawboned, sandy-haired lad at that inarticulate cry. Confusion, and fear, in his expression as he then looks to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features. These words, unfortunately, seem to mean *nothing* to the smith. His mouth hangs open, no words for a moment.
Tifah lets out a fearful shriek, before clapping both hands tight across her mouth. Her eyes are wide, and horrified, and filled with shock.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man's concerned gaze rakes a lean, ink-eyed man's up and down, followed by a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's, unease now written all over his face. "What's the matter. Do you feel--" [in Sirdabi] He stops with a gasp, catching the sight of the serpent rising from the water from the corner of his eyes. The sight leaves him gaping.
"I... believe the boat will sink," [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman echoes at the sight of that sea serpent, tawny face going unusually pale at the realizatipm.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes abruptly turns around at the sound of crashing glass and a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's cry. She looks to a lean, ink-eyed man, and a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, and -- "Matti--" [in Sirdabi] This time she sounds truly worried - but then there comes your scream, and she whirls back around just in time to see... that.
"Ea, feak'ut ro *iunna*," [in an unknown language] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad says, with a quick look around as though to check that everybody else heard - felt? - this too. His attention pauses on a lean, ink-eyed man, before shooting a look over to you, and then from there back to the boat and the serpent.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair then looks to the sea, staring out in horror at the sight of the serpent. His other hand, gripping the brick of the parapet, tightens. No scream comes -- just mouth agape.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls blinks and looks off and over the wall and blanches entirely with a crushing look slowly growing on her features.
"Eyulurr feak ip ui uiche?" [in an unknown language] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman turns to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, quickly switching languages.
"Feak'ig i ongegn, ae er'gaguitiagn -" [in an unknown language] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad starts, but then blinks to look to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman abruptly. Realization seems to dawn on him then, and he gives a slow, horrified nod.
Well. Now the question of no one noticing is moot. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features grimaces, closing his eyes for a moment. "...There is not a thing we can do for them, is there?" [in Sirdabi] he asks softly, of no one and everyone at once. But he hardly waits for an answer. "Matty, are you all right? Ighlaf?" [in Sirdabi]
The ship lists to one side from the force of the parting waters alone, and one can practically see the swarm of panicked activity on that distant deck. But none of it can be any use. For the serpent does not merely swim alongside the dhow, but rises further up with a magnificently towering lunge, and flings itself bodily on top of the ship.
A lean, ink-eyed man has their jaw clenched tight, and at a willowy, tawny-complected young woman's words they nod. "Someone...warn the docks. As Matty said." [in Sirdabi]
"Dreamer help us," [in Sirdabi] an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes breathes, the color draining from her face. For a few moments, she stands frozen, and... then she lets out a sudden cry, an awful sound, and stumbles back.
"By the Dreamer," [in Sirdabi] a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man gasps out, eyes wide and a hand clenching a twisting fulgurite pendant. "What... Why?" [in Sirdabi] He gives a rawboned, sandy-haired lad a surprised look. "Angry? -Why-? Why is it targetting the ship?" [in Sirdabi] he blurts out. His eyes find a lean, ink-eyed man with the same questions in their depths.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is about to speak, managing to get out, "W-we can warn--" [in Sirdabi] but just as those words are uttered, just as he seems to be freeing himself from unease and moving to action -- that is when the serpent towers above the ship and flings itself upon it.
"Uchabb, aranuff enn... ekoiddiug feak. Ezotto feak osh vuan thar ab thar weet aothe uniongeom ingish," [in an unknown language] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman tells a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, attention swiveling from the boat to the boy nearby.
A horrible snapping and cracking of timbers resounds across the open sea, as the serpent coils its body tightly around the vessel and snaps it crushingly in two.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man's free hand slaps against his mouth at the sight of the vessel breaking in half. He makes a strangled sound deep in his throat.
The hot, brisk force of a sirocco wind races across the world.
A lean, ink-eyed man stands frozen in stillness, gazing out towards the sea beyond a flinch with their hands clasped to their head.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features takes a look at the others gathered, gaze shifting from face to face in a rapid inventory. "...I do not expect it to help, surely they can see this, but I can go-" [in Sirdabi] He shudders from head to toe at that sound, exhaling sharply; what little color he has left has faded to sick pallor.
"No -" [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad starts, just in reaction to the scene playing out on the water below, looking absolutely horrified. He looks back to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, obviously completely unnerved.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman extends her hands to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, attempting to squeeze his own even as she looks pale and unnerved herself.
(At the northeast parapet): "Too late... much too late..." [in Sirdabi] a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man whispers in horror behind his hand.
At that snapping, that is when the burly a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair loses his nerve, and falters there against the parapet. He loses the color in his complexion, loses even the steadiness of his hand against a lean, ink-eyed man's shoulder, and his very knees weaken. He finds steadiness instead against the brick of the parapet, which seems not to care of ships or sea serpents, and makes a horrified sound from deep within. "Oh... no... no, no, no..." [in Sirdabi]
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features nods agreement to a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man's whisper, a numb and automatic dip of his head. But there is something sharp in his gaze still as it focuses on the disaster below, an intensity that seems not to register the sheer horror of what's unfolding. He is watching every moment of it, now.
"We have to get a boats, for - for bring the crew back," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad blurts quickly, squeezing back at a willowy, tawny-complected young woman's hands and starting to move. Then, blinking, "Is a different song. Another - uh." [in Sirdabi] He abandons his attempt rapidly and just uses Ruvic for it: "They're different. The sea serpents. They sing differently." [in Ruvic]
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes stumbles back from the wall's edge, now silent but utterly distraught. But she does not, or cannot, pull her eyes away from the terrible sight below.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls twinges her brows a bit and says, "Do you think we could distract them enough for the remaining crew to swim away? If ... if anyone remains?" [in Sirdabi] her voice, normally warm and slightly boisterous is distant and a bit listless.
In the wake of this staggering act of destruction, the sea seems fairly to boil. The reddish-pink serpent lashes its body furiously, scattering bits of sewn-together planking and getting tangled in the ropes, as little ant-like figures leap and tumble into the water. But other sinuous ripples in the waves thrash everything to a foamy chaotic froth.
"Has your head stopped hurting?" [in Ruvic] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features asks of a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, seemingly apropos of nothing, without looking away from the carnage for a second. "...And what are they singing, now? How does it... feel?" [in Ruvic]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair finds strength, it seems, in a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's words. The grip of both of his hands tighten. He stands up straighter. "Matty is right," [in Sirdabi] he breathes out. "We have to try. Someone has to try." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah watches this with her eyes still wide with horror, as tears leak down past her fingers where they are still pressed to her mouth. But then, with a gulp, she gets out, "S-- some of them might-- might make it to... to the beach... East...." [in Sirdabi] She stops with a choked sob.
Coursing with forceful energy across the earth, a hot wind sweeps sand and debris relentlessly before it.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features's gaze snaps to you, for a singular second, before it returns to the chaos below. "We would never reach them before the people already at the docks, but this beach - is there a path?" [in Sirdabi]
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes looks up, suddenly, to the west, eyes round. But something you says grabs her attention and she moves to put a hand on the young girl's shoulder. "East? Where? Tifah?" [in Sirdabi]
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man keeps a hand over his mouth, swallowing fitfully at the sight of the churning sea and the distant figures. "Boats.. I don't think they'd be able to get near the wreck. But they might be able to get close enough to intercept some of the survivors and help them to land," [in Sirdabi] he stammers between trembling fingers.
"There's other serpents. It may be dangerous for other boats." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman guesses as she watches the waves roil, her attention soon flicking to you.
"No, it's still -" [in Ruvic] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad starts with a shake of his head to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features. "Not... like that. Not as bad," [in Ruvic] he amends.
Tifah stammers, "O-out the g-gate, down the.. the road, you can.. can climb down some rocks, and get down... down to where..." [in Sirdabi] She sucks in a tearful quavering breath and buries her face in her hands.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features straightens to stand near the northeast parapet.
A lean, ink-eyed man latches onto your words in their cringing lean against the parapet. Still quiet in horror as they listen but straightening up. "It is angry, other boats might....be targeted." [in Sirdabi] their words a little hourse.
A lean, ink-eyed man straightens to stand near the northeast parapet.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair sucks in a deep breath which hisses out as he tries to find some composure. It doesn't work. He's shaking, but says, "So we go. We see who we can help, from there." [in Sirdabi]
"I-I could try and swim, but I don't know if that would help," [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman rubs a hand against her face.
Turning to her with an earnestly pleading expression, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells you, "You come?" [in Sirdabi]
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features immediately abandons his lean on the parapet at that explanation. "We can help," [in Sirdabi] he says in simple assurance, wasting no time in discussing how just yet. "We will help." [in Sirdabi]
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad turns then to look toward the northwestern edge of the visible horizon, anxiously scanning there for a moment.
Amid the ongoing splintering sounds that crack across the bay, the dhow has been reduced to nothing but floating bits of wreckage, bobbing brokenly in the waves. All of the serpents seem to have joined in on the destruction, while ignoring the sailors whom their fierce activity threatens to swamp and drown.
"Can you think of -anything- that might calm them down? Enough that the survivors can swim free and boats can approach?" [in Sirdabi] a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man asks a lean, ink-eyed man, a hint of disparation in his voice.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls shakes her head to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features, "I can't swim very well ... but I can come and try and help who can get to shore." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah rubs her hands roughly across her eyes, inhaling a deep and shaking sniffle. "We've.. we've got to do.. something." [in Sirdabi]
You straighten to stand near the northeast parapet.
"I'm a good swimmer, I can go out there." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman offers to the others, "Maybe... a different song? Matty said something about singing." [in Sirdabi]
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman falls in with you.
"I suspect they are trying to destroy something on that ship that harms or hurts them somehow," [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features spares the breath to 'explain' to a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man, but then immediately pivots to line up with you. "Lead the way, sayyida." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man shakes their head, "I don't think they can hear me...back." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah quavers, "O.. okay." [in Sirdabi] She still has to stop to steady her shaking legs, but then she pushes determinedly for the steps.
"They are ignoring the sailors. Let's go, we may be able to get them to safety." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman decides, moving closer to you.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair turns his attention to a lean, ink-eyed man at a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man's question, fixed, his eyes filled with worry. "Let's go to the beach. We can't -- we can't help from here." [in Sirdabi]
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls falls in with a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features.
The hot, brisk force of a sirocco wind races across the world.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes nods to you at her answer. "Good. Thank you," [in Sirdabi] she manages. She looks to the west, inadvertently following a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's gaze, and frowns deeply.
A lean, ink-eyed man shifts their feet to follow at a willowy, tawny-complected young woman's words as if in agreement, a paleness to their expression.
Moving towards a flight of brick steps, Tifah leaves the vicinity of the northeast parapet. (Stand - at the general area -)
A lean, ink-eyed man goes to stand within the general area, joining a small crowd.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features sets a tall copper-rimmed glass aside.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man sucks in a shuddering breath and keeps a tight grip of a twisting fulgurite pendant as he nods his head with firm determination.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair goes to stand near the general area, joining a small crowd.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features gets out a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope from a flexible suede mizuda in his possession.
Tifah says falteringly, "Uh-um... if anybody kn.. knows how to maybe heal people..? Even if they... they don't.." [in Sirdabi] She gulps. ".. Even if they make it shore, they'll be hurt.." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah starts towards a flight of brick steps. (Stand - near a flight of brick steps -)
You are followed by a large group.
A foxlike, smoky black-haired male walks over from down a flight of brick steps.
A lean, ink-eyed man is rifling through a burlap satchel, "I've...some splints, not many. Some bandages." [in Sirdabi]
"I don't have my medical supplies with me," [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair hisses out, self-deprecatingly. "But I can run and go get them." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair gets out a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope from a heavy, soot-stained leather apron in his possession.
"I know some first aid," [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman joins, soon giving a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair a nod, "We may need a runner, depending on what the injuries are." [in Sirdabi]
"I can carry -- supplies, people." [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features begins unwinding a coil of rope from his mizuda to a loop around one shoulder and arm even as he walks, readying it for action. "I have my medical kit," [in Sirdabi] he reports even as he follows in your wake. "Though I am a mediocre medic at best. Ropes will be very, very useful - for anyone who can swim out to help." [in Sirdabi]
Out in the bay beyond he wall, the awful sight of a vessel smashed and torn in a hundred pieces all too readily greets the eye. The sea around it churns and froths, and here and there a silvery sleek form breaks the water.
"I've some skill in first aid and I have the supplies to make stitches," [in Sirdabi] a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man speaks up, hurrying after you and the rest of the group. Some color has returned to his features, but he still looks pale and sickly, something that deepens every time he looks at the wreckage of the ship in the waters.
"We move, and we go, and then we can get more supplies when we need." [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says to the group. "I've rope." [in Sirdabi]
A foxlike, smoky black-haired male glances over himself.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls moves to follow along, though there's something quiet and wan about her face.
A lean, ink-eyed man doesn't notice a foxlike, smoky black-haired male at all in their searching, a slight tremble to their hands as they are posed to follow after you.
Tifah glances distractedly towards a foxlike, smoky black-haired male, beckoning uncertainly, but clearly willing to accept any help.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair doesn't even notice a foxlike, smoky black-haired male for like, a long while. He glances at the man in passing, but says no words -- perhaps his expression, worried, distraught, fearful, tense, says what words cannot. It seems that this group is in the midst of a dire situation and isn't turning away any hands.
Restless currents of hot air sweep across the land, making the tall buildings of the city seem to vibrate with a sense of oppressive unease.
Tifah blurts out with a sob, "We're going east down to the beach, to see if we can-- can help anyone who-- oh, that poor ship.." [in Sirdabi]
And with that, Tifah dashes down the steps.
You walk down a flight of brick steps. You are followed by a large group.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls walks over from up a flight of brick steps.
[City of Omrazir, Via Maris, Maysa Gate Plaza]
Wooden stalls and awning-shaded blankets spill colorfully out on all sides of this expansive terrace plaza, which sits just before the graceful Maysa Gate leading northeast out of Omrazir. Some people in the crowd pause to inspect the goods and services noisily on offer, while still more flow in either direction along the broad curve of the brick-paved Via Maris, headed outward to the village of al-Sakhna, or southwest into the city. A guardhouse is built into the wall on the south side of the gate, keeping watch over the plaza and the market proper to the south.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls is here, holding an assortment of small items in her right hand. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
A warm arid wind sweeps restlessly across the world.
Cardinal Exits: southwest and south
Other: the Maysa Gate: bronze-plated gates (open)
Tifah starts towards the frame of the open bronze-plated gates. (Stand - near the frame of the open bronze-plated gates -)
You are followed by a large group.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes looks down to what remains of the ship, and for a passing moment she appears nauseated. Then she pulls her gaze way follows everyone down - then tells you and the others, "I will run to the wharf to ask for hands to come to your beach, if they will not set out by boat. East of the Gate, yes? I will send them there." [in Sirdabi]
"Two ropes, two swimmers," [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features murmurs to himself. He looks untouched by all this horror, dry-eyed and straight-faced, hurrying along with his attention withdrawn inward. "At least two people to belay and haul them in. Medics. More ropes would be better..." [in Sirdabi] He pauses a moment to glance to an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes, but does not comment.
Tifah nods quickly to an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes, face still stained with tears despite her resolve.
Suddenly, shaking his head and starting to peel off, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes, "I can do this, I am fast." [in Sirdabi]
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad goes to stand near the southwestward direction.
You nod gratefully at a rawboned, sandy-haired lad.
"A good idea," [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says hurriedly as he follows your quick steps down from the parapets, intent on following. "I may have more rope at the Simurgh, if we need it, I can run there." [in Sirdabi]
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes looks from you to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, and after a moment she nods once. "Thank you," [in Sirdabi] she tells him.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman pulls a natural-hued organza headscarf from her hair, seemingly discarding potentially unnecessary clothing from venturing out into the water.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman removes a natural-hued organza headscarf.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad runs southwest, dashing off, long lanky legs taking him rapidly away.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman puts a natural-hued organza headscarf in a tan inikiskin mizuda.
This matter handled, Tifah fairly dashes through the gate.
You walk through the bronze-plated gates. You are followed by a large group.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls walks through the bronze-plated gates.
[Via Maris, Outside the Maysa Gate]
The ground is heavily trampled all around the graceful span of the Maysa Gate, the northeastern entrance to the great city of Omrazir. Little clouds of dust arise with every step of the numerous pedestrians, camels, and donkeys making their way between here and the port of al-Sakhna to the east, filling the air with a light haze that mingles with the brine off the sea just to the north. On the south side of the Via Maris, the terrain rises steeply in a ruggedly rocky expanse of thorn scrub and stunted trees.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A lean, ink-eyed man is here. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls is here, holding an assortment of small items in her right hand. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
A warm arid wind sweeps restlessly across the world.
Cardinal Exits: east
Other: the Maysa Gate: bronze-plated gates (open)
Tifah starts towards the eastward direction. (Stand - near the eastward direction -)
You are followed by a large group.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair removes a dignified white wool tarboosh.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair puts a dignified white wool tarboosh in a heavy, soot-stained leather apron.
"Are any of the rest of you excellent swimmers?" [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features asks, brisk and efficient between paces.
"I am not excellent at swimming," [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says with a puff of breath out to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features. "But I can pull the rope if someone is holding onto it." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man gives a quiet answer, "I can swim, but not far. Better than someone injured, mayhaps." [in Sirdabi]
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls walks over from the west.
[Omrazir Outskirts, Nearing the Maysa Gate, Al-Sakhna Road]
Even without the sight of the immense gate looming up to the west, it is already obvious that one is nearing the city on account of the small forest of awnings and tents that have sprung up all around. A few of the latter look to be inhabited, but most cover the empty displays and rolled-up carpets of outdoor vendors' enterprises. Without the cries of hawkers and the dazzle of merchandise to accompany them, nor even so much as an attendant, they have a forsaken look to them at odd with their brightly colored stripes.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A lean, ink-eyed man is here. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls is here, holding an assortment of small items in her right hand. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
A warm arid wind sweeps restlessly across the world.
Cardinal Exits: west and east
Tifah starts towards the eastward direction. (Stand - near the eastward direction -)
You are followed by a large group.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man shakes his head regretfully in answer to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features's question. "I can swim, but not strongly. I likely won't be able to support another person while out in the water. I can help pull if there's a rope though." [in Sirdabi]
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls chews on her lip and says, "Excellent, no ... hardly ... but I can." [in Sirdabi]
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman looks to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, "I can swim out with the rope and try to tie it to people so you can pull them in." [in Sirdabi]
Sending bits of debris flying along the road, restless currents of hot air sweep across the land.
A lean, ink-eyed man intakes a deep breath, "Captain once said a lot of sailors can't swim. Something is better than nothing." [in Sirdabi]
"If people in the water need assistance... you and I stand main belay on the ropes, to support and pull them in." [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features suggests to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, "Sitra and Ighlaf swim the ropes out to them - Jannah and Ziyad can substitute if they grow tired. Yes?" [in Sirdabi]
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls walks over from the west.
[Omrazir Outskirts, Al-Sakhna Road]
A stiff sea breeze blows through, laced with scents of brine and seaweed. The al-Sakhna Road bends west and northeast in order to conform with the coast it follows. It has little choice in the matter, as the Adelantean presses in close from the north, while the craggy eastern reaches of the Rassine Hill crowd the road on its south side.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A lean, ink-eyed man is here. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls is here, holding an assortment of small items in her right hand. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
A warm arid wind sweeps restlessly across the world.
Cardinal Exits: west and northeast
Tifah starts towards the northeastward direction. (Stand - near the northeastward direction -)
You are followed by a large group.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes looks anxiously off behind them where Matty has gone, but she forces her gaze forward, mouth pressed into a tight line. It opens only to say, "I am a fair swimmer, sayyid, though I cannot claim I will be able to drag drowning men and women to shore." [in Sirdabi] At a lean, ink-eyed man's words, her face turns somehow more ashen. "That is so," [in Sirdabi] she says after a long moment of pacing behind you. "And the passengers, even more so." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah keeps almost stumbling as she can't help darting tearful glances out to sea, where the froth and bubble of the smashed and sunken ship is fading with the light from the setting sun.
You walk northeast. You are followed by a large group.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls walks over from the southwest.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls puts a handful of 5 pinches of ground mustard seed in a wicker basket.
[Omrazir Outskirts, Al-Sakhna Road]
Loose rocks have rolled across the road, having worked their way free from the craggy hill that rises quite steeply to the south. For being so close to the metropolis of Omrazir, whose mighty walls are readily visible a little further west, the area manages to embrace a stubborn sense of wilderness. On one side of the road the chaotically boulder-strewn hill claws for the distant sky, and on the other the Adelantean pounds exuberantly on a strip of gritty beach.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A lean, ink-eyed man is here. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls is here, holding a pile of 2 lumps of brown clay and a handful of 3 small white grubs in her right hand. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
A warm arid wind sweeps restlessly across the world.
Cardinal Exits: southwest and east
Tifah starts towards the eastward direction. (Stand - near the eastward direction -)
You are followed by a large group.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair doesn't look at all easy at the plan being discussed. A worried look is now present in his expression, and he looks to a lean, ink-eyed man for several moments, and then eventually to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman. "Tie yourselves to the ropes, too, so we can pull you back along with the injured." [in Sirdabi]
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls walks over from the west.
[Omrazir Outskirts, Al-Sakhna Road]
The sea surges against the nearby shore, creating a low crash of waves that echoes back off the rocky hill to the south. Despite the damp and briny air, the road manages to remain almost permanently dusty, as the continual foot traffic between al-Sakhna and Omrazir stirs up the sandy substrate.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A lean, ink-eyed man is here. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls is here, holding a pile of 2 lumps of brown clay and a handful of 3 small white grubs in her right hand. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
A warm arid wind sweeps restlessly across the world.
Cardinal Exits: east and west
Tifah starts towards the eastward direction. (Stand - near the eastward direction -)
You are followed by a large group.
A lean, ink-eyed man inclines their head slowly as they murmur, "Yes, long as we can get our hands to them with the rope." [in Sirdabi]
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman nods in agreement with a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, "A good idea." [in Sirdabi]
You walk east. You are followed by a large group.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls walks over from the west.
"Yasin and I can do the dragging, sayyida." [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features says this with only a swift sidelong glance at an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes, shot between steps. "As long as someone can get the ropes to the sailors. But it is good we have this many candidates for swimmers. It may be exhausting work, depending on..." [in Sirdabi] Now he at last pauses, something fleeting working across his expression.
[Omrazir Outskirts, Al-Sakhna Road]
The road continues its gently winding course along the seaside, west and northeast. The dried pods of stunted ghaf trees rattle in the ever-present breeze where the trees cluster along the foot of the hill on the road's south side. Further up the slope, clumps of boulders protrude from the hillside like the castles of some departed race of giants.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A lean, ink-eyed man is here. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls is here, holding a pile of 2 lumps of brown clay and a handful of 3 small white grubs in her right hand. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
A warm arid wind sweeps restlessly across the world.
Cardinal Exits: west and northeast
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes looks sharply aside to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair. "If the sea serpent gets ahold of the rope, then you risk that they will drag everyone down with them," [in Sirdabi] she states in a low voice.
A lean, ink-eyed man removes a simple rust-colored homespun cloak.
Tifah breaks out in a sob, "I don't th-think that many of them are going to make it." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man puts a simple rust-colored homespun cloak in a burlap satchel.
Tifah starts towards the northeastward direction. (Stand - near the northeastward direction -)
You are followed by a large group.
"I'll take something sharp, if nothing else. It's a risk." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman firms her shoulders at an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes's words.
The hot wind begins to fade away to an exhausted wisp of breeze, leaving the air with a parched feel.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair swallows, and looks to an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes at that comment, and then to a lean, ink-eyed man. "That is *not* going to happen," [in Sirdabi] he declares, as though he could will the serpents to do what *he* wants, now.
"Yes. Knives. I have three knives on me, if anyone requires one." [in Sirdabi] Why a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features would be carrying three knives is left an open question.
A lean, ink-eyed man intakes a breath but remains silent others listening as they step along quickly. "Yes...I can bring something to cut the rope." [in Sirdabi]
You walk northeast. You are followed by a large group.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls walks over from the southwest.
A lean, ink-eyed man gets out an impeccable brown leather side sheath from a burlap satchel in his possession.
[Omrazir Outskirts, Al-Sakhna Road]
Several large rocks have slid down the slope of the hill to break themselves on the equally rocky beach below. Fortunately this must have happened some time ago, as the surface of the road remains clear and flat in either direction. Seeking its prey beneath the blue-green waves, an osprey dips and glides through the air, wings bent low low over the foam-crested sweep of the Adelantean.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding an impeccable brown leather side sheath in his right hand. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls is here, holding a pile of 2 lumps of brown clay and a handful of 3 small white grubs in her right hand. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here.
The sun shines warmly in the clear blue sky.
Cardinal Exits: southwest and east
A lean, ink-eyed man puts on an impeccable brown leather side sheath.
"Me, too." [in Sirdabi] The smith says, and a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair takes out a knife from his apron as he quickly follows you.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair gets out a beautiful iron throwing knife from a heavy, soot-stained leather apron in his possession.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair puts a beautiful iron throwing knife in a heavy, soot-stained leather apron.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair gets out a small utilitarian knife from a heavy, soot-stained leather apron in his possession.
The sun shines warmly through the dissipating haze of dust as it leaves the sky a cloudless pale blue.
"Let me borrow one?" [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman asks of a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features, not seeming quite as well-armed as her fellow Amunati.
Tifah blinks almost blindly through her tears as she stumbles up to the edge of a broken rockslide. "O.. okay. It's.. d-down here..." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah starts towards a broken rockslide. (Stand - near a broken rockslide -)
You are followed by a large group.
A lean, ink-eyed man peers at a broken rockslide.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features gets out a bone-handled fileting knife from a ragged small sheath in his possession.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair peers at a broken rockslide.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes peers at a broken rockslide.
"Bringing something to cut the rope is definitely important. Even if the serpents don't do anything, people could be tangled in the remnants of the riggings from the ship," [in Sirdabi] a short, reddish-gold-eyed young man points out, swallowing as he peers at a broken rockslide.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features flicks out a knife and offers it up to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, hilt-first. "Outcast will that you have no use for it," [in Sirdabi] he says softly.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features offers a bone-handled fileting knife to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman.
You begin to climb down the broken rockslide.
You climb down a broken rockslide. You are followed by a large group.
You climb down adroitly.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair climbs over from up a broken rockslide.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair climbs down adroitly.
A lean, ink-eyed man climbs over from up a broken rockslide.
A lean, ink-eyed man climbs down adroitly.
[Omrazir Outskirts, Below the al-Sakhna Road, Rocky Shoreline]
Waves pound tirelessly onto this narrow beach, cutting into the ledge that forms its boundary and forcing the land back to the east. Umberstone boulders lie broken on the shore, evidently having slid down from the rocky hillside and tumbled dramatically over the lip of the ledge, many years ago. Filling the briny air with their shrill cries, kittiwakes wheel overhead in a graceful dance of pale wings.
Also here is a lean, ink-eyed man. A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is standing here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope and a small utilitarian knife in his right hand.
The sun shines warmly in the clear blue sky.
Cardinal Exits: southwest and north (water)
Other: a broken rockslide (steep)
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man climbs over from up a broken rockslide.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man climbs down adroitly.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features climbs over from up a broken rockslide.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features climbs down adroitly.
A lean, ink-eyed man starts towards a broken rockslide. (Stand - near a broken rockslide -)
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes climbs over from up a broken rockslide.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes climbs down adroitly.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman climbs over from up a broken rockslide.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman climbs down adroitly.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls climbs over from up a broken rockslide.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls climbs down adroitly.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features falls in with you.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls is no longer following you.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls falls in with you.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman falls in with you.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes falls in with you.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man falls in with you.
You peer north...
[Omrazir Outskirts, Rocky Shoreline, Out in the Surf]
Surging in from the bay, the tide froths over a jumble of broken boulder fragments that litter the edge of the shoreline. They seem to be the furthest edge of a small rockslide that can be seen covering the beach to the south. Still more large rocks poke up through the waves to the southeast, where the land has been worn away by the tireless sea.
There is moderately shallow salt water here. The sun shines warmly in the clear blue sky.
Cardinal Exits: southwest (water), south, and southeast (water)
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman leans down, quickly shucking off her sandals and securing her knife along her waist.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman removes some tan inikiskin sandals, revealing splendid beige lawn socks.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman removes splendid beige lawn socks.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man removes an indigo felt bisht.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman puts some tan inikiskin sandals in a tan inikiskin mizuda.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman puts splendid beige lawn socks in a tan inikiskin mizuda.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man puts an indigo felt bisht in a mahogany suede mizuda.
A lean, ink-eyed man removes tasteful rugged buckskin slippers, revealing some thick navy-blue cotton socks.
A lean, ink-eyed man removes some thick navy-blue cotton socks.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair's eyes dart around, looking first north, and then along the rocky shoreline southwest. "Think-- further west, then the best access to the sea, from there?" [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man puts tasteful rugged buckskin slippers in a burlap satchel.
A lean, ink-eyed man nods at a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man removes fitted flexible suede khuffs, revealing a pair of vermillion cotton socks.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man puts fitted flexible suede khuffs in a mahogany suede mizuda.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair removes some mahogany suede khuffs, revealing a pair of dignified natural-hued cotton socks.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair puts some mahogany suede khuffs in a heavy, soot-stained leather apron.
A lean, ink-eyed man puts some thick navy-blue cotton socks in a burlap satchel.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair removes a pair of dignified natural-hued cotton socks.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair puts a pair of dignified natural-hued cotton socks in a heavy, soot-stained leather apron.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair removes a rugged black burlap hooded greatcloak, revealing a beautiful brown leather back sheath.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair puts a rugged black burlap hooded greatcloak in a heavy, soot-stained leather apron.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair removes a beautiful brown leather back sheath.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls puts a pile of 2 lumps of brown clay in a wicker basket.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features gets out a pair of rugged zharalhide gloves from a flexible suede mizuda in his possession.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair puts on a beautiful brown leather back sheath.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls drops a handful of 3 small white grubs on the ground.
It's harder to actually see whatever is left of the ship from down here on the shore, but it's still possible to hear a roar of thrashing water... and perhaps angry creatures.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair removes a dapper spring-green wool tunic, revealing a neat mahogany brushed suede thawb.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls removes well-stitched patchy scrap leather sandals, revealing some vermillion cotton socks.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair puts a dapper spring-green wool tunic in a heavy, soot-stained leather apron.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes more or less struggles down the tumbled and broken boulders before standing up along the remote beach. She eyes the northern shoreline warily. "The waves will break us against the rocks here." [in Sirdabi] Then she glances to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair and nods. "Let us try that." [in Sirdabi] To you she asks, "Is the beach calmer to the west?" [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man removes a burlap satchel.
A lean, ink-eyed man takes a dark canvas umbrella off his wrist.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls removes some vermillion cotton socks.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls puts some vermillion cotton socks in a wicker basket.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair removes a heavy, soot-stained leather apron.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls puts well-stitched patchy scrap leather sandals in a wicker basket.
A lean, ink-eyed man puts a dark canvas umbrella in a burlap satchel.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair drops a heavy, soot-stained leather apron on the ground.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair closes the riveted strap of a heavy, soot-stained leather apron.
Tifah shakes her head uncertainly and says, "A.. a little.." [in Sirdabi]
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features puts on a pair of rugged zharalhide gloves.
You walk southwest. You are followed by a large group.
[Omrazir Outskirts, Below the al-Sakhna Road, Rocky Shoreline]
The tide has collected in shallow pools along the rocky beach, their bottoms lined lightly with pale rosy sand. Perpetually bathed in salty air and brine, oysters cling to the rock in dense masses. The sliver of stone and sand continues both west and east, following the base of a low ledge that presses in from the south.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope and a small utilitarian knife in his right hand. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a burlap satchel in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here, holding a bone-handled fileting knife in her right hand. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here.
Stars begin to wink into the dusky blue sky.
Cardinal Exits: northeast, west, and north (water)
You walk west. You are followed by a large group.
[Omrazir Outskirts, Below the al-Sakhna Road, Rocky Shoreline]
Rocks cluster thickly on the shore, native umberstone turned a deep mahogany from the constant tide and damp. Ribbons of sand trace paler outlines in between the chunks and slabs of stone, the coarse grains indented cryptically with the tracks of sandpipers and crabs.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope and a small utilitarian knife in his right hand. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a burlap satchel in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here, holding a bone-handled fileting knife in her right hand. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here.
Stars begin to wink into the dusky blue sky.
Cardinal Exits: east, west, and north (water)
Gentle breezes brush through the warm clear air, bringing a pleasant heat to settle upon the open sea.
The mix of sand and rocks does not make for any easier going, especially in the twilight. Tifah keeps hitting her feet against protrusions of rock, and nearly falling, but she keeps going.
You walk west. You are followed by a large group.
[Omrazir Outskirts, Below the al-Sakhna Road, Rocky Shoreline]
Its gritty sands strewn plentifully with rocks, this narrow strip of beach seems to cling as close as it can to the mainland. The Adelantean does seem quite energetic here, bounding over stones and sand alike as it sweeps in from the bay. Its tumbling waves nearly drown out the sound of any traffic on the road that passes by just a short scramble up the ledge to the south.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope and a small utilitarian knife in his right hand. A lean, ink-eyed man is here, holding a burlap satchel in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls is here. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here, holding a bone-handled fileting knife in her right hand. An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes is here. A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man is here.
Stars begin to wink into the dusky blue sky.
Cardinal Exits: east, southwest, and north (water)
A lean, ink-eyed man frowns outwards at the deeper waters, rifling through satchel.
A lean, ink-eyed man gets out a natural-hued cotton bandage from a burlap satchel in his possession.
A lean, ink-eyed man gets out a roll of 2 linen bandages from a burlap satchel in his possession.
A lean, ink-eyed man gets out a bundle of 3 wooden splints from a burlap satchel in his possession.
A lean, ink-eyed man gets out a bundle of 2 scraps of cloth from a burlap satchel in his possession.
You peer north...
[Omrazir Outskirts, Rocky Shoreline, Out in the Surf]
Hidden below the foaming tide, coarse sand crunches yieldingly underfoot in the shallow water along the shoreline. Northward Rassi Bay opens up to the distant horizon, while to the south a long boulder-strewn hill drops down towards the sea, ending at the long ledge that parallels the beach.
There is moderately shallow salt water here. Stars begin to wink into the dusky blue sky.
Cardinal Exits: southwest (water), south, east (water), and north (water)
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes observes the sky.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls removes a sky blue cotton headscarf.
"You're going to need your hands free," [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair advises a lean, ink-eyed man. "Can you shove those in your sheath?" [in Sirdabi]
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls puts a sky blue cotton headscarf in a wicker basket.
A lean, ink-eyed man places a burlap satchel on the ground.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair removes a beautiful brown leather back sheath.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair drops a beautiful brown leather back sheath on the ground.
A lean, ink-eyed man puts a natural-hued cotton bandage on a burlap satchel.
A lean, ink-eyed man puts a roll of 2 linen bandages on a burlap satchel.
A lean, ink-eyed man puts a bundle of 2 scraps of cloth on a burlap satchel.
You say, "I th-think that... that this is the best spot... the water isn't so rocky.." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man puts a bundle of 3 wooden splints on a burlap satchel.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman puts a bone-handled fileting knife in a galabiya nirzaliya.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair places a small utilitarian knife on the ground.
Tifah swallows unhappily. "Not -so- rocky," [in Sirdabi] she repeats, not very encouragingly.
A lean, ink-eyed man gestures to a burlap satchel, "If- when we get some back, those are available." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair fixes his eyes on a lean, ink-eyed man at that correction, watching a moment.
A lean, ink-eyed man takes out a scrap of cloth from a burlap satchel.
"Alright, I'll need the end of someone's rope." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman calls, before she points out at the sand, "And if someone here can start a fire, it might be good to keep the injured somewhere warm." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man removes a fancy woad-blue linen turban.
A lean, ink-eyed man puts a fancy woad-blue linen turban on a burlap satchel.
Everyone engages in their quiet preparations as they follow you, and a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is no different. He slaps on a pair of hide gloves to protect his hands from rope burn, then ties one end off to his wrist in a tightly knotted loop. Over-laden mizuda and scribing case are set down on drier rocks. "We will do the best we can; it is all we can be asked in this moment. Here-" [in Sirdabi] He offers the other end of his rope up to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman at her request.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features removes a flexible suede mizuda.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features drops a flexible suede mizuda on the ground.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features removes a black leather scribing case.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features drops a black leather scribing case on the ground.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair similarly offers one end of his a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope to a lean, ink-eyed man. He holds onto the rest. "Tie this around your waist," [in Sirdabi] he suggests.
A lean, ink-eyed man takes a deep breath then looks to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, reaching for that rope. "Thank you." [in Sirdabi]
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features takes out an iron saif al-marsa from a black leather scribing case.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features puts an iron saif al-marsa in a plain leather quiver.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man busies himself helping however he can, constantly casting worried looks out into the water. "Ah! I found another rope in my bag! And here are some medical supplies," [in Sirdabi] he says, finding a spot to place the items where everyone can have access to them.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man gets out a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope from a mahogany suede mizuda in his possession.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man places a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope on the ground.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man gets out a roll of 11 linen bandages from a mahogany suede mizuda in his possession.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man places a roll of 11 linen bandages on the ground.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man gets out a ball of 21 sinew lengths from a mahogany suede mizuda in his possession.
A fading glow from the sun still lingers upon the western horizon beneath spotless twilight skies.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man places a ball of 21 sinew lengths on the ground.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man gets out a bundle of 5 wooden splints from a mahogany suede mizuda in his possession.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes looks up at the sky, then the sea, and gazes sidelong at you with a decidedly uncertain countenance. "Not -so- rocky," [in Sirdabi] she echoes quietly. "But the light is fading." [in Sirdabi] After a moment, she glances back to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman and then nods once before looking to the girl. "Can you gather firewood? To make several campfires. When the light goes it may be very difficult for any survivors still in the water to know where to come to shore." [in Sirdabi]
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man places a bundle of 5 wooden splints on the ground.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man gets out a small glass jar with a honeycomb etching from a mahogany suede mizuda in his possession.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man places a small glass jar with a honeycomb etching on the ground.
A lean, ink-eyed man takes the end of the rope from a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, beginning to tie it around their waist.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad runs over from the east.
A short, reddish-gold-eyed young man departs.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls says, "I can help with that if you need." [in Sirdabi]
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman takes the rope from a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features, a wan smile offered to the other man before she ventures closer to the water's edge.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad dashes across the beach in the dimming dusk light toward the gathering, breathing hard and looking *quite* spent. "They - they send - boats," [in Sirdabi] he manages to announce between panting for breath. "I tell - where to go." [in Sirdabi]
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman's smile is met with a firm nod, perhaps a tacit promise, as a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features hunkers down with both gloved hands on the rope.
"Yes, please." [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says to a golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls while helping a lean, ink-eyed man with the rope a moment.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features stands holding a rope, braced in a half-crouch with his feet wedged against a rock. (Room Pose Set)
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes looks sharply up from you to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's running/scrabbling figure. "Matti!" [in Sirdabi] she calls out. For a moment, her terribly serious countenance brightens with a smile of tremulous hope. "Thank you, Matti-- thank you." [in Sirdabi]
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls begins to look around...
(Quietly): A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls doesn't find anything.
Tifah just stands to one side of the action - such as it is - with her hands presses over her mouth again, face pale and stunned.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is entirely concerned with the knot being used to tie around a lean, ink-eyed man's waist. "I'm not letting go of this." [in Ruvic] He decalres.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls begins to look around...
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman loops the end of the rope around her waist, tying a firm knot before she wades out into the water, soon kicking out into the deeper sea.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair looks to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad and says, "Matty? You'll guide us?" [in Ruvic]
A lean, ink-eyed man looks intently to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad. "Good work!" [in Sirdabi] then to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, "Thank you." [in Sirdabi] then takes a deep breath looking towards the water and following after.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad looks to an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes with a rather startled expression and then a nod.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman starts towards the northward direction. (Stand - near the northward direction -)
Puzzled suddenly, not seeming to get it, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, "Guide for - where?" [in Sirdabi]
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls works to turn over rocks and other things trying to find any bits or scraps of wood.
"I'll tug twice, quickly, when I need you to pull." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman calls back to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features as she works her way out further from the shore.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman goes into the water.
a willowy, tawny-complected young woman swims north.
A lean, ink-eyed man goes into the water.
a lean, ink-eyed man wades north.
Warm breezes blow through the air, pleasantly cooling the evening.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes doesn't seem to notice what a lean, ink-eyed man's done in the commotion of everything. To you, however, she looks back at the tearful girl, and walks closer to repeat herself. "Tifah--" [in Sirdabi] She tries to get the girl's attention. "Tifah, will you gather firewood? For the fires. We will need more than one, once the light goes." [in Sirdabi]
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features exhales slowly as a willowy, tawny-complected young woman swims off at the end of his rope. Both hands stay anchored on its length, gloved fingers closed tightly. Still his face betrays nothing whatsoever but intent focus, eyes burning like coals as they watch the sea. "Jannah is looking," [in Sirdabi] he says in response to an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes, without glancing aside, "But having little luck thus far, I think. More hands will be valuable indeed, young sayyida." [in Sirdabi]
It takes a moment to get a response from Tifah, but finally she blinks almost dazedly towards an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes and gives a jerky nod of her head. "Y.. yes, sayyida," [in Sirdabi] she says in a whisper.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls begins to look around...
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls says, "I ... don't know that we can find any here, I might need to go further down the beach." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah swallows and says, "I don't.. don't think much wood washes up here... I could.. could go fetch some..." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair begins to watch the general direction of northward.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes smiles faintly - almost warmly - at you, then nods to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features and a golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls. "That is an excellent idea," [in Sirdabi] she says to you, her words slow and measured. "It will be very helpful for everyone." [in Sirdabi]
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls says, "I might have enough bark and some charcoal that I might be able to get something together." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair drops some long forging tongs on the ground.
The weather is warm and clear, as an expansive peace stretches out across the sea.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair has a tense, fixed expression while he watches north, his eyes not moving from the swimmer until they're out of his sight. His hands on a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope aren't exactly white-knuckle, but he's giving out slack to the rope very, very slowly.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features breathes slowly and steadily, but ... artificially, with a certain labored edge to the rhythm further echoed in the grey undertones to his skin. He stays focused on the sea, trying to follow the span of his rope as it bobs through the waves. "...I cannot see her any longer," [in Sirdabi] he mutters, "How far has she gone..." [in Sirdabi]
"I don't know," [in Ruvic] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair hisses out with tense breath. "But if we feel those tugs, we both pull. Hard." [in Ruvic]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair was uh, totally speaking in Sirdabi the whole time. Oops.
"I don't know," [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair hisses out with tense breath. "But if we feel those tugs, we both pull. Hard." [in Sirdabi]
With that said to you, an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes begins to step across the rocky sands to a somewhat isolated part of the beach, away from a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair and a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features and a rawboned, sandy-haired lad. She steps out of her slippers and looks out across to the sea, squinting.
Tifah stammers, "Y-yes, sayyida. Yes. I'll-- I'll hurry!" [in Sirdabi]
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes goes to move near the southwestward direction.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad seems maybe too tired to chatter away for once. He's caught his breath, but remains where he came to a stop, standing on the sand and just watching worriedly with most of his focus set out to the water.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes removes some soft fur-lined slippers.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes drops some soft fur-lined slippers near the southwestward direction.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes removes a tan inikiskin mizuda.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes drops a tan inikiskin mizuda near the southwestward direction.
"I will not hesitate," [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features says, simply. His gaze flicks aside to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, and then drops to the supplies laid out on the beach. There it lingers for just a moment... before slowly drifting back to the restless sea, growing dimmer by the minute with sunset.
(At the southwestward direction): An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes hesitates for a moment - then quietly removes a vermillion messaline abaya, folding it and weighing it down under her mizuda before she begins to remove her headscarf as well.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes removes a vermillion messaline abaya.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes drops a vermillion messaline abaya near the southwestward direction.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes removes a dashing indigo cashmere headscarf.
You walk east.
When Tifah returns, the efforts of the impromptu rescuers have succeeded in hauling two survivors out of the sea, one of them being Captain Kannareth herself, the other a northerner who seems to be part of the crew....
[Omrazir Outskirts, Below the al-Sakhna Road, Rocky Shoreline]
Its gritty sands strewn plentifully with rocks, this narrow strip of beach seems to cling as close as it can to the mainland. The Adelantean does seem quite energetic here, bounding over stones and sand alike as it sweeps in from the bay. Its tumbling waves nearly drown out the sound of any traffic on the road that passes by just a short scramble up the ledge to the south.
A great many things clutter the area here.
Also here is a golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls. A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair is standing here, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features stands holding a rope, braced in a half-crouch with his feet wedged against a rock, holding a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope in his right hand. A rawboned, sandy-haired lad is here. A well-tanned fellow with sun-bleached brownish-blond hair is here. A youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes is standing near the northward direction. A willowy, tawny-complected young woman is here. A lean, ink-eyed man is here.
The stars glimmer softly in the clear dark night. The area is speckled lightly with blood.
Cardinal Exits: east, southwest, and north (water)
A lean, ink-eyed man is helped closer to the shore with a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair's help, then motions to sit. Seeing a rawboned, sandy-haired lad's worry they call, "We swam past each other. I was tiring sooner, but spotted no others." [in Sirdabi] sounding breathless.
A lit campfire flickers and crackles.
A lean, ink-eyed man goes to sit near a lit campfire.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair does what he can to assist a lean, ink-eyed man from the water onto the shore, using his own strength, and that of the rope's. He follows a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features's gestures to coax a lean, ink-eyed man by the fire. "No more swimming for you, this evening." [in Sirdabi] He says gently.
Twinkling merrily in the warm night air, the stars cast their pale glow across the world.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features drops a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope on the ground.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman looks up at a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features as she unties the rope, bare feet padding over the sand as she exhales lowly, "I should have known beforehand. It was too late when I finally figure it out..." [in Sirdabi]
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad begins to watch the general direction of northward.
A lean, ink-eyed man flickers a tired small smile to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, "No. Could use help untying the rope, though." [in Sirdabi]
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman goes to sit near a lit campfire, joining a lean, ink-eyed man.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair begins to untie the rope from around a lean, ink-eyed man's waist, nodding his head. "Let me. I've got it." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah comes stumbling and tripping back down the beach, arms laden with firewood. "I'm-- I'm sorry," [in Sirdabi] she says, helplessly looking towards the fire, and the waterlogged people beside it. "People- people kept trying to stop me and ask- ask what--" [in Sirdabi] She gulps, and abruptly lets the firewood go with a clatter and thump.
You drop a pile of 6 bundle of firewoods on the ground.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad looks to a lean, ink-eyed man and nods quickly, before eyeing the figure a long moment aside. Then his attention goes back to the water, though a perplexed or worried frown remains.
Abandoning his undone rope, a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features shakes his head gently down at a willowy, tawny-complected young woman. "It was... so vague an omen. It could have meant anything, we both thought..." [in Sirdabi] He steps toward the edge of the water, peering out into the night at a squint. "...I should have warned someone at the docks about the serpent I saw. Though it was not-" [in Sirdabi] Words fail him, as he only shakes his head.
Quickly and abruptly, a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features, "No! Please no speak, of this one. This one - is not bad, it is not for hurt us." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man moves their arms enough for a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair's reach, then their gaze turns to you with a wince. "Don't...don't apologize. Tell them to ask us, say we saw more so they ask you less. No need to keep....recalling." [in Sirdabi]
Only now, once the rope is untied from a lean, ink-eyed man and settled on the beach, does a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair look at poor you, and he says, "Tifah. Take a seat by the fire." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair places a coil of heavy-duty hemp rope on the ground.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair picks up a bundle of firewood from the ground.
"It would have warned them to be ready, I mean." [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features mutters, repetitively scanning the horizon. "...Matty, how well can you swim?" [in Sirdabi]
"Different songs," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad says with a frankly pleading look at a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features now. "This one, you see, is not angry. Please no speak." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair approaches a lit campfire.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair puts a bundle of firewood in a lit campfire.
"I - can swim, yes," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad says with a small defeated nod to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features.
"Matty, do you still feel slack in your rope?" [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair asks a rawboned, sandy-haired lad. "I am a poor swimmer but can also try." [in Sirdabi]
"If Marwa does not come back very soon, someone needs to follow that line, check on her. I am a fairly poor swimmer, but-" [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features flexes his hands, and approaches a rawboned, sandy-haired lad with his jaw setting - "I can at least hold a rope." [in Sirdabi]
Tifah just stands there trembling and sniffling for a little while, before sitting down with a quivery folding of her legs.
You go to sit near a lit campfire, joining a small crowd.
"Still slack," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad nods to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, looking down at the knotted end of the rope in his hands. Then he offers it out to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features.
A momentary flare of heat and light from a lit campfire lashes into the darkness as a bundle of firewood ignites.
Firelit shadows prance through the murky surroundings around a lit campfire.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features takes it without a moment's hesitation, nodding crisply to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad. The matter of the sea serpent is left entirely aside as he wraps the knotted cord about his wrist.
The warm velvet of the dark sky is studded with bright pinpoints of stars.
A lean, ink-eyed man calls to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, "She was a bit to the west last I saw once further out." [in Sirdabi]
"Okay," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad says, with a somewhat weary nod to a lean, ink-eyed man. He pulls his cloak from his shoulders, then his tunic, shedding excess bits onto the sand.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad removes a loose rust-colored linen cloak.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad drops a loose rust-colored linen cloak on the ground.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman draws up her knees, her face buried against them as she lets out a suspiciously watery-sounding sigh.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad removes a crisp grey lawn tunic.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad drops a crisp grey lawn tunic on the ground.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad removes tan doeskin sandals.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad drops tan doeskin sandals on the ground.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad goes to stand near the northward direction, joining a youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes.
"Just tug if you need me to pull," [in Sirdabi] is a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features's quiet reminder to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad. "No matter what - I will get you back in." [in Sirdabi]
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad starts to slosh into the water, looking back over his shoulder to gives just a nod to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features before heading in deeper.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad goes into the water.
a rawboned, sandy-haired lad wades north.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair stands up from the campfire, and shifts his feet to stand next to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features. "In case you need, I will help pull, sayyid." [in Sirdabi]
"Thank you, sayyid," [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features answers a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair with a similar sort of formality, worn as his expression seems. "I do not imagine it will be needed, but if it is needed... it will be needed very badly indeed. That said, if you wish to sit in the meantime..." [in Sirdabi] His gaze strays momentarily back to a lean, ink-eyed man at the campfire at that comment. It shifts to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, next, and a barely-audible sigh escapes him.
A lit campfire flickers and crackles.
Tifah huddles herself next to the campfire, eyes shifting slowly between a youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes and a well-tanned fellow with sun-bleached brownish-blond hair, and around at the others. But she mostly looks half in shock still.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair shifts his jaw in acknowledgment of a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features's words, nods his head, and simply says, "Shout, and I will be here." [in Sirdabi] With that, he moves back over towards a lit campfire, and takes a seat positioned next to a lean, ink-eyed man.
A lean, ink-eyed man slouches in their seat by the fire, a hand idly tracing into the gritty sands a frowning gaze at nothing. They take a deep breath, then say to you, "Thank you, you did very well." [in Sirdabi] then to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, "You as well." [in Sirdabi] any other words drifting away in their idle patterns.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair sits down near a lit campfire.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair shifts to sit beside a lit campfire.
The air is soft and balmy beneath a vast glimmering field of stars.
As your gaze passes over her, a youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes finally seems to come back to herself, a little, though she's clearly still exhausted - and probably in shock herself. She refocuses on a well-tanned fellow with sun-bleached brownish-blond hair, letting out a slow and ragged breath.
"You all did very well." [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair says to the group. Some shakiness returns to his words when he continues, "We-- we did what we could." [in Sirdabi] He eyes a youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes, and then a well-tanned fellow with sun-bleached brownish-blond hair.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman lifts her head, a hand brushing against her face as she works to compose herself. Taking a long breath, she shifts to turn glossy eyes towards the forms of a well-tanned fellow with sun-bleached brownish-blond hair and a youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes, "Is there anything else you need?" [in Sirdabi]
Tifah just nods in response, wordlessly, numbly, as her eyes finally find the fire and she just stares into the flames.
A lean, ink-eyed man closes their eyes tightly for several moments, then as a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair speaks they slowly nod.
A youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes grates out a hoarse bark that is not much of a laugh. "I need my damn ship and crew back." [in Sirdabi with a brash mezzo-soprano]
"But... why," [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features says softly, seemingly to the sea itself. "Why is this happening?" [in Sirdabi] The words bubble up more swiftly now, and less coherently for their jumble, like a dam slowly breaking. "What is it the serpents... object to - what do the ships have in common, is it... Construction, something - no, something in the cargo hold or it would have happened before, before now, why..." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man grimaces deeply at that not-laugh, head inclining briefly with no words.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls raises and lowers her shoulders and sighs quietly avoiding saying whatever it is that lingers behind her eyes as she keeps an eye on the campfire.
"Some of the crew might be back towards the docks. The ship..." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman trails off, not going on to state the obvious there. She does tilt her head towards a well-tanned fellow with sun-bleached brownish-blond hair, "We'll probably need to move him somewhere else, better for healing." [in Sirdabi]
A lit campfire flickers and crackles.
"Sorry. Sorry, sorry," [in Sirdabi] a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features mutters in the wake of his own rambling, gripping the rope so tightly his knuckles are no doubt white beneath his heavy gloves. "Where are they. Where..." [in Sirdabi]
(At the northward direction): A youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes mutters, "Th--'r- not -ll d--d... som- of th-m will com- to shor-... God d-mn -o-, Morth-t..." [in Sirdabi]
As an expansive peace stretches out across the sea, gentle breezes brush through the warm clear air.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features's words seem to cause a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair to go silent, thoughtful, a deep frown at his lips. But a willowy, tawny-complected young woman's words bring a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair back to the present. "I can carry Wilf. I assume they are setting up temporary aid near the docks. The Osprey, maybe. I can bring him there." [in Sirdabi]
A youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes gives a jerky shake of her head in response. "Bimaristan. Bimaristan is close. Drop him off, they'll see to him." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man murmurs, "We are close to the-" [in Sirdabi] then they nod to a youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes drifting back into frowning thought.
"I... don't know where that is." [in Sirdabi] a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair admits, though he nods his head anyway. "But I can find it." [in Sirdabi]
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman nods slowly at that, starting to push to her feet, "Bimaristan is the best place, yes. They have real physicians there." [in Sirdabi]
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman straightens to stand beside a lit campfire.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair straightens to stand beside a lit campfire.
Firelit shadows prance through the murky surroundings around a lit campfire.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair goes to stand near the general area, joining a small crowd.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair shifts to stand near the general area.
"North of the Temple District, I think." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman offers to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair, an awkward tug given to her still wet clothing as she finds her feet.
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls raises up her brows and says, "I could try before someone got moved but ... " [in Sirdabi]
The moons glow brightly against the cloudless black of the night, bathing the world in argent light.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair nods thankfully to a willowy, tawny-complected young woman, and begins to shift over away from the a lit campfire, towards a well-tanned fellow with sun-bleached brownish-blond hair. "My friend," [in Sirdabi] he says to the unconscious a well-tanned fellow with sun-bleached brownish-blond hair. "Let's get you off of this shore." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man lifts their gaze to the sea for a time, then they answer, "We passed the...gates into it before we arrived to those steps." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair picks a well-tanned fellow with sun-bleached brownish-blond hair up and carries him in both his arms.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features is staring out at the dark sea as if he could boil it away with the intensity of his gaze. After a moment, he sharply yanks twice on the rope, hard pulls with enough strength to hopefully carry all the way to the end. "Jumana Arch." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair watches a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features yank on that rope, a tired, almost-but-not-quite-empty gaze following out towards the sea. He opens his mouth to speak, but says nothing. Then: "I will be back." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair starts towards the eastward direction. (Stand - near the eastward direction -)
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair eyes those seated by the campfire on his way eastward, looking at each for a moment.
A youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes says gruffly but quietly, "Take good care of him." [in Sirdabi]
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair eyes a youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes, then nods his head. "By my Song, I will." [in Sirdabi]
A lean, ink-eyed man quietly sighs while lost in their thoughts for the moment, gaze flickering to a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair eventually with a slow nod.
A lit campfire flickers and crackles.
A youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes adds in a mutter, "Stupid idiot can't-swim-for-the-life-or-death-of-me northern boy." [in Sirdabi] But there's no force at all in that.
Before a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair moves from the shore, he sees some movement in the distance to the north. There's a flicker of something like a smile at his lips, though it doesn't linger, but the brightness remains even when his lips fall back to neutral. "They made it," [in Sirdabi] he says to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features with a breath out.
A lean, ink-eyed man begins to watch the general direction of northward.
Drawing a few breaths that come with a determined kind of slowness, a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features glances away from the sea for a moment to address a youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes: "I am... very sorry this has happened to you. And your people. I hope... hope others have made-" [in Sirdabi] And then a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair speaks, and he's hauling on the line full-force to reel in.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features hunkers down braced against some rocks, reeling in a rope. (Room Pose Set)
A golden-eyed woman with a chaos of black curls looks aside to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features with a worried expression and then looks down to the bare patch of sand underfoot, digging in with her bared toes.
And a burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair does return the nod to a lean, ink-eyed man, before walking away, a well-tanned fellow with sun-bleached brownish-blond hair in his arms.
The warm velvet of the dark sky is studded with bright pinpoints of stars.
A burly, sienna-hued young man with short walnut-brown hair walks east, carrying a well-tanned fellow with sun-bleached brownish-blond hair in his arms.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad wades over from the north.
a rawboned, sandy-haired lad emerges from the water.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes wades over from the north.
an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes emerges from the water.
A youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes says with a faint spark of ferocity, "They are not all dead!" [in Sirdabi] One hand curls into a fist, loose as it is, but despite this small display of emotion, her gaze remains fixed on where that one limp crew member of hers had lain.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad moves like he's wading through molasses as he sloshes up onto the wet sand of the beach with an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes, and as soon as he nears a lit campfire he just flops down with a thunk onto his backside.
"That is quite alright," [in Sirdabi] an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes murmurs before sloshing up to the beach alongside a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, dripping wet and wiping sandy water from her face.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad goes to sit near a lit campfire, joining a small crowd.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features has provided some considerable 'assistance' to anyone still holding that rope, having been reeling in it with intent ever since an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes and a rawboned, sandy-haired lad appeared just visible in the distance. He's only slowing now as they approach the shore, shoulders slumping. "I... I am sure they are not," [in Sirdabi] he agrees faintly with a youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes.
And as it might be clear, there is no other man or woman or child to accompany an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes or a rawboned, sandy-haired lad.
A lit campfire flickers and crackles.
"I went - for the docks - they send boats," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells a youthful-looking woman with tilted brown eyes between panting ragged breaths. He collapses the rest of the way onto his back in the sand, pale chest heaving. Maybe it's meant as reassurance, but he doesn't give much expression or tone of voice to reinforce that impression.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad lies down near a lit campfire.
A rawboned, sandy-haired lad says, "Did not - see other person - in the sea." [in Sirdabi]
Peeling off his gloves to tuck them away again, a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features scrubs at his face with both hands as if he wishes to rub it away. "You were gone a long time," [in Sirdabi] he mumbles through his fingers, perhaps to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad or perhaps to an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes. "I was. Worried." [in Sirdabi]
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features removes a pair of rugged zharalhide gloves.
"She was - long way far," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad tells a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features, letting his eyes drop closed as he breathes, no other movement from him besides that effortful panting.
The air is soft and balmy beneath a vast glimmering field of stars.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes does not collapse -quite- as enthusiastically as a rawboned, sandy-haired lad, but her legs more or less seem to crumple underneath her when she nears the campfire. Completely soaked through with tangled hair, she drops her head into her hands for a long moment before raising them again to look back to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features. She looks utterly winded now, but manages to say to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features - and others within earshot - "I kept-- thinking that I could hear others." [in Sirdabi] After a deep breath, she says, "But it may have... only been the boats." [in Sirdabi]
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman approaches the general area.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman picks up a curved suturing needle from the ground.
A willowy, tawny-complected young woman puts a curved suturing needle in a black leather scribing case.
A lean, ink-eyed man looks away from their frowning at the sea with their own air of exhaustion as they listen.
"Maybe you hear... the sea serpent song," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad mostly whispers without opening his eyes, though it's apparently in response to an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes. "I hear it. Out there. Only a kind one, and sad." [in Sirdabi]
Firelit shadows prance through the murky surroundings around a lit campfire.
Tifah lifts her head just a touch to say, very softly. "I.. I should go home. Mikkel will be so worried. I..." [in Sirdabi] She trails off, looking uncertainly towards a rawboned, sandy-haired lad.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes goes to move near a lit campfire, joining a small crowd.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features simply nods into the cradle of his hands. And then they fall and he turns his back... to cross to where his bags lie forgotten. Stooping, he shoulders them into place, then at last trudges over to join the group at the fire. Sinking down to sit cross-legged, he pulls a heavy square of fabric from among his things; it is wordlessly extended toward an austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes, though his gaze does not quite settle on her in the process.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features picks up a flexible suede mizuda from the ground.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features picks up a black leather scribing case from the ground.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features puts on a flexible suede mizuda.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features puts on a black leather scribing case.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features goes to sit by a lit campfire, joining a small crowd.
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes sits down near a lit campfire.
A lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features gets out a rough blanket of boiled wool from a black leather scribing case in his possession.
You straighten to stand beside a lit campfire.
A lean, ink-eyed man glances to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad then turns their attention to you, "Are you alright to walk back alone?" [in Sirdabi]
"I am sorry," [in Sirdabi] a rawboned, sandy-haired lad cracks his eyes open to focus over on you, looking worried. "Peace for dreaming, Sayyida Tifah," [in Sirdabi] he adds quietly.
"I'm... going to head back into the city." [in Sirdabi] a willowy, tawny-complected young woman says after a stretch of silence, her damp hair pushed out of her face with a sigh.
Tifah gets wobblingly to her feet, rubbing one hand beneath her nose. She takes a shaky breath, but tells a lean, ink-eyed man gamely, "I'm.. I'm all right, sayyid." [in Sirdabi]
Mild breezes blow through the clear night, their warm touch soft as a caress.
A lean, ink-eyed man frowns at that, "Long as you are sure. I might have some legs to me to walk and fend any questions to myself." [in Sirdabi]
An austere Sirdabi woman with copper eyes frowns to a rawboned, sandy-haired lad and says after a tight press of her mouth, "It was not that." [in Sirdabi] She is quiet for a short while before adding, "I am sorry to have made you swim out all that way. I was fine, I assure you." [in Sirdabi] She says -this- with quiet assurance and all mustered decorum, in spite of her present looks.
But she looks over to you at her words, opening her mouth to say something when... with surprise she glances up to a lanky, copper-skinned man with hawkish features. She studies him for a long moment, even if he does not look to her.
Tifah just nods quickly to a lean, ink-eyed man, then swallows and says quietly, "Annur light your path." [in Sirdabi]
Moving towards the eastward direction, Tifah leaves the vicinity of a lit campfire. (Stand - at the general area -)
A lean, ink-eyed man calls back, "Annur light your path." [in Sirdabi] with a nod of their own.
You walk northeast.