Papuan Possibilities

[Alithea Moon]

Part I

Moon sighed and tossed the worn leather gloves onto her desk. "..need ta work on disguisin' these scars better if I'm goin' ta start doin' these smoke an' mirror expeditions again. Gloves won' work for every occasion." she muttered to herself.

Scar had voiced concerns on the recent doings in Papua.

A stranger had arrived by ship and, by a three-day celebration with multiple casks of wine broken open from his ship's hold, he quickly ingratiated himself with the locals and the Archon. Within an even shorter amount of time, and at this stranger's word, the locals had taken up a mining operation in the Northern deserts. Black rock, of all things, in vast quantities. They worked seemingly without complaint, though many exhausted themselves in the process. Then several had taken sick.

Scar had asked his fellows in the Emerald Fist for assistance in keeping an eye on the situation and it was decided Moon was the best suited there, at the time, for quietly gathering information. The familiar feeling of excitement had begun to bubble through her veins at the thought of testing herself against this challenge, but she roundly scolded herself for it. People were getting sick and black rock was nothing less than chaos solidified and unearthed.

The trip began quietly enough. She had obtained a rune marked for just outside the Papuan mint and dressed the part of a hard-working trader expecting the muggy clime. She flipped her runebook open and touched the glowing name of her destination inscribed on the page.

After the always-uncomfortable pull of the spell, she landed on a patch of dirt road in front of the mint. She took a moment to orient herself according to the map in her head before striding up to the mint. She opened the door, walked inside and stopped, puzzled by the sight before her. Two minters were standing atop a table with their faces pressed against the window, peering outwards to the swamp. She opened her mouth to call out to them, but a voice addressed her from another direction before a sound escaped her lips.

"Greetings" the man said as he approached her, making a quick study of her appearance before he continued. "Spyte's the name. Blade for hire. What may I help you with?"

She studied his attire as well. A mercenary standing guard in the bank? Perhaps there had been more trouble than Scar had let on or knew of.

"Ah", I did not realize there were.. mercenaries?"

He grinned at the inspection. "I am kind of an officer, but mercenary is fine as well. They need all the help they can get here."

She flicked a glance at the minters, still standing on the table and watching the swamp. "Indeed."

He followed her look and sighed, turning to yell at the poor fellows. "Idiots! You're scaring people!"

She chuckled. "Either they saw a rat, or this is the best place to work. All day long games of "The Floor is Lava.""

He looked back to her and chuckled. "Who might you be, if I may ask?"

Moon smiled brightly to him and introduced herself. "Nadia Biness, at your service."

He laughed, but accepted the name readily enough and the conversation turned to warning of a sickness that was spreading amongst the workers in the northern mines. He spoke of the healers' struggles to contain and cure whatever it was that ailed them, then gave her the requested directions to the healer's place, the magery shop and the local inn.

She glanced at the minters still standing on the table one last time before chuckling to herself. She stepped into the muggy evening air again, peering around a few moments before setting off down the path.

[Alithea Moon]

Part II

Moon rounded a bend on the path and paused, looking up to study the signs hanging off the various buildings in front of her. One of these should be the..

"Hail!" She startled and turned to see a man dressed in what were unmistakably healers' robes approaching her. She gave him a friendly smile and returned the greeting. "Evenin' to you."

The man looked at her a moment before continuing "I have not seen you before, so I need to tell you to be careful. There's a wasting disease here. I've just come from cremating a few bodies."

She wrinkled her nose and nodded a bit. "That'd be what tha smell is.."

He nodded sadly. "I am Brother Sy. I help around here. Might I direct you anyplace?"

The door to the healer's place, The Healing Hand, swung open to reveal the Master Healer. The serious looking woman glared silently down at Brother Sy. He sighed to her and stated "I'll be right there." before turning back to Moon. "She's mostly nice. Always kind...." The Master Healer walked back inside, closing the door behind her. ".. but I think she has two sets of ears. Hangs two on the door outside to listen in on everything." As if to prove this point, the door swung open once again and again the woman glared down at him. "Alright!!" he yelled. Moon chuckled and smiled warmly up at the woman until she shut the door on the pair of them.

Brother Sy sighed and paused. "Where was I? May I direct you anywhere?"

Moon nodded. "I'm in search of the magery or reagent shop."

"Keep walking West up the road and you will see the signs. Tricks of the Trade and.. The Reagent Shop."

She turned, but paused to look back at him. "This sickness. Is it hittin' anyone an' everyone?"

"Oh, no." Sy said, shaking his head. "Oddly no. In fact it seems like it is not transmissible. It is only affecting the miners, so far, but who can tell for sure?"

She frowned, turning back to him. "I'm relieved for myself then but.. They been minin' any while before any of this started?"

"Only now and then. But it's been a steady pace for a month or more. Ever since the mining operation was started in the Northern desert. The Benefactor requested it when he arrived. The stuff looks like charcoal to me and the people return covered in soot and dust. They have to wash off afterwards. Plenty of water here though. Shallow Sea to the East. Docks and harbor there." Brother Sy responded.

Moon looked about, getting her bearings and peering towards the East. "Ah. Hard ta smell tha salt air in all this.." She gestured to the standing bogwater in the ditches surrounding the path.

He chuckled. "You can't hurt my feelings with that. I don't live here. Just helping for a while. Came before the sickness did, back when there was a wolf running loose."

She nodded. "Should get back before someone drags you inside by the robe."

Brother Sy nodded, then pointed down a different pathway and added. "I suggest you call up on the Captain at the Inn. Sten. He likes to know who visits here."

She nodded to him. "I will." and watched him retreat inside The Healing Hand with a slight frown. She glanced to the sign in the distance that read Tricks of the Trade and sighed. "I'll get there eventually."

[Alithea Moon]

Part III

Moon backtracked down the dirt path towards the Inn.

A man sporting a stately looking tricorn hat stood on the steps, seeming to await her approach. A small frisson of danger ran itself up her spine as the words repeated themselves in her head "He likes to know who visits here." Perhaps Brother Sy had meant them differently, but it was a reminder that this was a man to be handled carefully.

He looked her over before uttering "Greetings."

"Evenin' to you.." she eyed his hat ".. Captain?"

"I am Captain Boygill. Sten Boygill." the man stated "I was hired by the Archon to direct things in town. I suppose anywhere else I would be called a Magistrate."

"..Archon?..." Moon tilted her head at him. "Apologies, I'm rather new here. What is.."

"Ah yes, our name for Mayor. Chumsol is his name." He explained. "Now, how may I assist you?"

"Brother Sy directed me here. To find you, apparently." She frowned slightly.

He nodded to her "Oh. Yes. I like to know who visits and what their plans may be if they plan to stay. If you are just passing through though, then no problem."

She let her eyes light up as her lips tugged into a hopeful smile "Ah! So you know everythin' and can help, then."

Sten smiled, looking pleased. "Kind of like that, yes. We have had some seedy types take up residnce and well, would rather not have that issue again. We once hired mercenaries to help us with a ..problem. But they stayed on after and mostly got drunk and stole things from the townsfolk. Refused to leave, at first, but finally did."

Moon nodded to him "Understandable, but they weren't proper mercs then. Just ruffians that grabbed up some armor and waved some swords around. Jhelom is tha place to go for vetted mercs. But.. I suppose they could be quite pricey."

"That sizes it up perfectly, but now we have a good operation going. Plenty of trade. No need for them now." he paused "You should meet the Archon. Decent Papuan man."

"Plenty of trade, ye say?" she interrupted, folding her arms and giving the man a half-convincing hard stare "How much of a strangle hold ye think them Moonglowan.. Moonglowian? mages have on tha herb trade from here?"

He blinked and rubbed his chin "We'll have all the trade we can handle and soon enough this will be a bustling town. I'm no mage, but our prices are surely competitive. They do buy quite a lot from us. And all of it grows well here."

"They're damned expensive in Moonglow." she grumbled "Shouldn't cost an arm an' a leg ta heal an arm an' a leg, you know?"

Sten laughed. "A good one! Are you a trader of sorts?" he asked, watching her nod "Wonderful! Then you will want to see both the Archon and the Benefactor."

Pay dirt. Her patience with being directed around town like a lost lamb was being rewarded.

"The alchemist shop inside Trinsic walls is rather.. well. I'm sure you've seen it." she hedged.

"I see" he replied. "I have never been to Trinsic."

Perfect. "Well, the healers and the alchemist. They're good folk, but they have ta get by as well. So I do what I can ta supply better."

"Very... hospitable. Well, if you get a good deal here, maybe you can show them how it's done." He turned aside and gestured up the stairs to the inn itself. "Do you want to talk over an ale? The porch is nice"

He let her settle into a chair and retrieved ales for them both from the inn's barkeep. "Once you get used to the humidity, things improve a bit."

She nodded and conversation turned to the trials of living in such a landscape. The denizens that troubled the townsfolk regularly and the oddments that threatened every now and then from the Terathan and Ophidian populations. The differences between the swamp here and the one near Trinsic and on to the dangers of this particular swamp.

"If you go South on the road leaving Papua, you pass two gate posts. Farther on is a wipe open area." Sten made a circle on the table, then stabbed a finger down in the center of it "There is an abattoir and pentagram in the center. Site of some ancient ritual, perhaps, but nothing ever grows there.. Barren, bleak and forbidding. I avoid the place as it sends chills down my spine."

She shivered and sipped her ale. "My thanks for the warnin'. I'll be sure to keep clear."

He thumped his empty bottle down on the table, breaking the tense silence. "Now, is there anything else you wish to know?"

She frowned slightly to him and ventured "Sounds like your healer could use some help here."

Sten brusquely brushed off her concern "You mean Brother Sy? He needs help himself. Drinks too much. Worries too much. Don't listen to him too much."

Moon, not able to help herself, blurted out "But ye've the best quality herbs about. Wouldn't that make it easier to find a cure for.. whatever it is? Though I suppose, one needs to find out what it is to begin with in order to cure it."

He paused, then carefully replied "That is a good question." and watched her out of the corner of his eye a few moments before continuing on. "My job is to make sure the people work and get there safely. His job is to heal the sick. Never should the two meet. Cogs in wheels that do their job... all that. Why don't I introduce you to the Archon. Care to meet him?"

She nodded, finishing her ale. "Oh aye. Seems he's just the person to speak to about my venture."

Captain Sten led her down the steps and across town to a two storied building near the docks. He bid her wait while he sought an audience for her with Archon Chumsol. He paused at the door and turned back to her. "It was a pleasure to meet you, but I missed your name."

She looked up at him and smiled. "Nadia Biness. Of Trinsic, of course."

"Nadia. Excellent." he replied and disappeared inside.

[Alithea Moon]

Part IV


Moon inspected the sign of the shop nearby as she patiently awaited her invitation into the office of the Archon. "The Revenge Shop" she muttered to herself "Wonder what they sell there?"

She caught movement from the corner of her eye and glanced up at the balcony to see a man waving to her and pointing her to the porch. She nodded to the man and made her way inside, frowning as she noted Captain Boygill was nowhere to be seen.

At the top of the stairs, she was greeted by the kindly fellow who had waved her into the building.

"Hello! I am Archon Chumsol, at your service. Please, be seated."

She sat at the table and smiled to him, waiting.

"Soo, you are Nadia. An herbalist. Sten said you spoke of reagents."

She nodded to him "Alchemist more than herbalist, but I suppose it could be considered much tha same. The best of the herbs come straight out of these swamps."

"So you have come to the source." he returned

After some discussion on the herb trade in general and the Archon's hopes to increase trade through the town in general..

"You seem well informed.. Do you know of anyone who wishes to trade in Black Rock? I've heard stories of it, but .. I am uncertain this is the same substance we are pulling from the mines. The Northern ones are brimming with the stuff. I was told this kind can be used for fuel and that's why we export it. Has a sheen to it as well."

Moon frowned to him. "Blackrock.. isn' that a bit dangerous? Fascinatin' substance, but...wait. Burns as fuel? Do you mean coal? That's got a bit of a sheen to it as well."

The Chumsol sat for a moment in thought "This is a crystalline sort of rock. And we've had small batches actually burst into flame when a mere spark touches the stuff. Does the true blackrock make people sick?"

She nodded slightly to him. "I could be wrong, but I think it does. Can I ask.. why ye have people minin' somethin' when ye don' know what it is?"

"That could be it. Some of the miners are collapsing and the healers cannot seem to revive them. I am responsible for the welfare of the people here.. and I pray I have not made a mistake..." He sighed heavily before looking to her again. "I am sorry. This has naught to do with your trade venture. Do you know where the docks are located? I must go investigate something."

"Aye, I can find them from here."

"There is a ship, the Lady Concordia. The man who owns it, his name is Thraxus. He is the one directing this operation. He may also assist you in the matter of your trade situation. He is likely aboard his ship, but it is scheduled to leave very soon. You may wish to hurry." He stood and ushered her to the stairs.

She paused and looked back at him. "It's welcome assistance. If.. If it gets bad here.. with tha sickness..." and made a subtle gesture meant to show she was willing to help.

He nodded to her and ushered her to the door "I must pay a visit to the healers. Thank you for the pleasant visit and I hope to see you again.".. then practically pushed her out onto the porch.

She stood frowning at the closed door for a moment before turning for the stairs. Seemed the Archon already had some misgivings about Anthraxus and the progress of events since his arrival, but nothing concrete enough to act on. He was likely in some little danger if he asked the wrong questions of the wrong people. Hopefully her prodding wouldn't prompt him into some rash action before she could bring any news back to Scar.

At the very least, she could try to serve as a distraction to this "Benefactor" until the ship left port. Slow any news of the Archon asking more questions.

She straightened her tunic and tugged her gloves tight, discreetly brushing her hand over the hilt of the small blade in her belt and trod lightly towards the docks.

[Alithea Moon]

Part V

Moon rounded the corner and leisurely strolled towards the small harbor, watching the deckhands loading a ship moored on the far dock. One man in particular strode about the deck, barking orders to the crew. "I expect those lines to be cleared soon! We must get underway!"

She stopped, folded her arms and ran her eyes appreciatively over the lines of the ship as he disembarked and strode towards her. "A fine vessel."

He gave her a brief perfunctory smile. "My thanks. I like it too." then brusquely brushed past her towards the shore "I must be departing soon."

She glanced to the last containers being loaded and turned to face his retreating back, tilting her head. "No cannons?

"No. We need none." he took one last look around the dock and turned back, striding back down the dock and locking eyes with her "Do you need work? I am hiring."

Her initial reaction was to, as someone once called it, "go rabbit". She shifted on her feet as she fought the urge to bolt down the dock away from him. She looked away, out to the sea before glancing back towards him. "Huh. Things truly be different here if there's no pirates lurkin'. An' yes. Sort of. More lookin' into makin' some trade agreements."

"Oh?" He stroked his goatee slowly "Of what sort? I may be interested. My name is Traxas, by the way."

"Lookin' into portin' Papua's wealth of quality reagents into the kingdom. An' not goin' through the Moonglowian mages." She looked back to the ship again. "They've got a stranglehold on tha market an' I'm lookin' to get around it."

He nodded. "..Yes, greedy snakes that they are." ..and waited her out.

She glanced back to him "Nadia Biness, at yer service." And waited for the inevitable reaction.

His eyebrows crept up his forehead and he grinned slightly. "Pleased to meet you, Nadia."

She sighed and rolled her eyes, pouring everything into her act as an ever irritated recipient of such a name. "I know, I know. I'm pretty sure I was a surprise, an' an unwanted one to my parents.. so I ended up with this silly name."

He smiled to her again. "It is perfect. In fact, I am jealous."

She gave him an irritated glance "You say this, yet you've not had that exact response from literally every you've ever met."

"I beg your pardon, then." folding his arms and settling into a relaxed stance "My full name is Anthraxas. So you see, we share a similar issue. I usually get some obscene jest.."

She nodded understandingly "You got called 'Ass' a lot as a child an' those bullies got away with it due to it bein' a 'nickname', eh?" a corner of her mouth twitching briefly into a faint smirk.

He kept his gaze on her and continued where she'd interrupted.. ".. Just before they die."

Hair prickling at her nape, she ventured quietly.. "... die?"

He laughed, this time with humor. "I do jest. So, have you met with the Archon yet? I figure he would need to approve your venture first."

Moon shifted uncomfortably before answering "Aye, he's who sent me here. Said you were tha person who could best help me with tha mages. I can negotiate, of course, but it'd be easier with someone with real influence at my back. Besides, your lot here might not like how much the Moonglowians are fleecin' em for. Middle men need ta be paid, but.."

"Ah yes. I do make residence in Moonglow now." and watched her pale, thinking she'd just insulted him, "But I have nothing in kind with those.. frauds."

"Oh.. I.. Oh good. I meant no offence." she grimaced faintly "Uh.. to you. Not them."

He chuckled to her "I hope you bring them ruin. And, if you make the agreements and need shipping, I will be glad to help. Right now, though, I have a ship loaded down with cargo that needs to be moved out."

She looked to the ship curiously "May I ask where yer headed?" and nearly held her breath as she felt his gaze sharpen on her.

"I would be foolish to reveal that publicly, now wouldn't I." he stated, giving her a wry smile as she looked back to him.

Moon blushed and looked down to her toes a moment before peering up at him, "Right. Apologies.. I did not mean ta pry."

"Of course." he said sternly, then softened his tone "I trust you will succeed in your endeavor and I should be back within a fortnight. As the miners are worn out and need respite, the citizens have been given a holiday. A pleasure to make your acquaintance and perhaps we will meet again when I return."

She bobbed her head in agreement and smiled to him before looking back to the ship. "I'd be delighted. Safe travels."

He waved to her and boarded the ship just as it pushed away from the dock.

She kept a faint, friendly smile pasted on her face until she made her way out of town, flipped through her runebook and tapped the glowing inscription that indicated a location near a town moongate. She didn't dare go straight home, but too much flitting about might be suspicious. She'd have to wait to contact Scar.