Thread: Empire of the Sun: Crossing the Maelstrom (Roman and Ohm)

Eraystor was one of the few settlements in Osheaga founded by settlers far north of the Maelstrom. Its heritage reflected its architecture quite efficiently - there were inns stacked with red brick from Iram and longhouses that mercenary companies called home after completing a contract. Economically the port town flourished, but it wasn't a prime location for vacationers. Eraystor was situated on a chain of archipelagos that were dangerously close to the Maelstrom, thus, it was constantly drummed by heavy rains and winds strong enough to snap a mast in two. Quite literally on the precipice of the Maelstrom's current, Eraystor was wont to have its advantages and disadvantages. Early that morning, before the sun's pallid fingers could fan through the fog, an ornate Palan dhow was seen sailing into a cove some miles off of Eraystor's coast. Palan ships were renown for their structure and wine-red lateens, but this particular vessel sported two different color sails - one aqua, the other a rich and saturated coral Garuda's colors. When the villagers went to the cove to investigate, the dhow was gone and with it, its exotic crew. Fishmongers working the docks claimed that the crew had skin like polished bronze while others said they were ebony. The fishmongers - notably women - were known to embellish so their regular patrons paid them little to no mind when they came to purchase their wares. One of the wives beckoned a potential customer who happened to be venturing into the town. Fresh clams! she beckoned, Mussels, oysters, prawns! First morning's catch! The customer, a woman, advanced, quickly skimming over the kiosk. The fishmonger had hundreds of unshucked clams and mussels piled into a barrels the smell was intrusive, cloying almost. She reached in and produced two oysters the size of a grown man's fist. Six pens a piece, m'luv, the fishmonger beamed. Her customer reached into her pockets and instead of producing the penances, she found a pink pearl and held it between her forefinger and thumb. The fishmonger's eyes widened she licked her lips and reached out. As she had hoped, the pearl was her payment. Where did you get this, m'luv? I'm afraid I don't have the pens to pay for this. In fact, I'm quite sure none of the barterers here can afford such a -- Her patron was gone. She traipsed down the dockyard, hiding her face from the rain that lashed against it with her shawl. The droplets felt like thousands of tiny needles biting her skin while the waves drummed against the shores with thunderous fervor. Despite her convictions, hunger reigned supreme. She extended a finger and pried the oyster open with the claw on her pleated gauntlet. She lifted the shell to her lips and drew its meat into her mouth, gently pushing open a nearby inn door with her free hand as she did so. The door swung ajar and a heavy balm of must and fish wafted into her nostrils. The woman finally removed her cowl. Underneath was a thick, black mane of hair pressed against pert cheekbones. She gazed at the spectators with her grey-green eyes, full lips pressed in a hard line. With little to no courtesy she advanced and intercepted the satchel of penances. She knew precisely who these men were and what they were conscripted to do. That is a thing I have always found queer, she began, her voice an exotic fusion of Palan accents, Men that forfeit their coin before their contract is completed. What is to stop you from gutting him? Cutting his throat? She stabbed her second oyster's lip with her gauntlet's claw and cleaved it open with relative ease. Avarice is the folly of many men. She swallowed. But I am not a man.