Aekhan, Marketplace of the World

Administrator Posts : 458 Join date : 2012-02-04

Spoiler:

Spread across a beautiful Archipelago in the South Sea, Aekhan is a flourishing nation with the enviable position of control over not only sea routes across the South Sea but also over trade coming to and from Sida. Receiving goods from as far as Occitan and Brython and shipping slaves, gold, spices, silk, and otherwise great wealth, Aekhan has been famously titled the 'Marketplace of the World'. From here, one can buy anything, from any nation or clime, and thanks to an expansive Royal Trade Fleet, travel almost anywhere in relative safety. For such a small nation, Aekhan is incredibly rich, fostering clean and efficient cities, mostly free of crime. Ruled largely by native Islanders, foreigners are only allowed to live in Aekhan on limited leases, based on the foreigner's value to continued trade. Aekhan's importance to world trade has allowed it great leverage over larger nations; though the Sultanates have tried, many times, Aekhan has remained independent for over 700 years. The largest foreign populace in Aekhan are merchants and Trade Guild representatives; foreign mercenaries come in close second. A mistrusted but vital resource, Aekhan relies on a regular influx of foreign mercenaries to supplement their Royal military. Aekhan is also reliant on heavy trade with the city of Nasii for food, a resource the island nation is unable to produce themselves.

This is the starting point in the Forum Roleplay. All characters begin here, and from here, the characters can decide their journey across Aeria.

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Wed Nov 14, 2012 10:49 am

Spoiler:

Standing where the golden foam meets the pink-red sands meet in private was a single man outside the great city of trade, Breathing Aekhan, Trade Hub of the world; this man was a peculiar one to say the least, standing at a short height, with tanned complexion, and age-squinted eyes. He dressed in the full garb of a hermit, wearing flowing robes over comfortable padsoles, with a mighty sack upon his back, which also held a cloth canopy above his head in case of rain. Above his braided beard and below the metal circlet above his brow rested two deep hazel eyes, staring out to the sea. His robes appeared pink in the red dusking, as he watched the waves range from ripples to breakers. There were curious things flashing behind this man's eyes, and though he knew he would have to return to his appropriated trade dwelling within Aekhan soon, he struggled to make these peaceful moments last; these moments away from the hustling and bustling of the greater city, where the human disease festered and grew into malefic structure, where vice stood between men and their faith, their souls, and their bones.

Especially their bones, the shining gleaming white faces hiding under the surfaces of us all, always smiling, never lying or deceitful, always there; men who lose their way in civilized vice forget their bones.

When the man spoke, his lungs did wheeze slightly from the salt and sand having attacked him, even then, his voice showed signs of strain and smoke.

"The rats do not come here while I do, I must return to them, unfortunately, until I may leave this place with 'jink and plenty."

The man seemed to speak only to himself; however, anyone listening would note a curious effect therein. While speaking to only himself, upon examination, one feels as if they are being constantly watched as the strange hermit falls into their sight.

Administrator Posts : 458 Join date : 2012-02-04

Spoiler:

One is never alone long in Aekhan. No sooner than the strange hermit had caught a few moments of silence in the early hours of the morning than did the sun crest the oceans in the east, bells ringing to mark morning prayers. Though not by any means a Sidan community, the words of Mukham, the Glory of Dawn, Servant of Aten, had inevitably reached these shores.

Of course, this is Aekhan, and though men may be persuaded to serve the Gods, soon they serve the twin masters of wealth and ambition. Even as early as it is, the Hermit may see incoming ships, moving across the clear waters, and hear the dim roar of the markets opening for the day. By the time the sun had properly risen in the sky, the city was already alive, rumbling with life.

From here, (if the Hermit could stand the city air, the hawking of merchants, and the endless pursuit of more and better) the most obvious location would be the Bazaar, which runs the length of the city, from shore to shore. Rumor is that the city may be receiving a shipment of particular interest (which is saying something, in Aekhan), headed straight for the palace of Prince Adel. If one places any weight on the word of mercenaries, it's sure to be something clandestine, scandalous, and of course, erotic.

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Thu Nov 15, 2012 1:31 am

Sailing through the clear waters of the trade city, Imperial Trade ships arrive in bulk. They dock in various locations depending on the good the ship was carrying; slaves go to the slave district to be auctioned off, ect, ect. Large Pychekan men carry the goods to the districts they know all to well from arriving in the "Marketplace of the World".

Minutes later a rather slim yet fit man walks into the city, multiple Pychekan muscle men behind him. He is dressed in the way of the noble yet also in the way of a veteran soldier. Many medals of accommodation are pinned to the upper left of his chest suggesting his time in the military. He casually walks around the city, looking at the local items for trade while his goons transport the companies goods around the city.

Vladislav Radimir oversees the operation by his fathers request. His seat as Surna's Regional Manager is passed down to his second in command temporally.

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Thu Nov 15, 2012 2:23 am

Moving from the once isolated shores and now unto the crowded streets, the hermit moved amongst the many. He could smell on them the distracted, blunted nature of their lives, just as they could smell the collected particles and strange, but not entirely bad, odors about him. His steady legs moved one before the other, going about the crowds as if he were a sailor following ocean currents, until he reached the Bazaar.

Once he reached this place, his deep eyes could barely be confined to their sockets. His eyes darted about the many wares and people, as he continued down the countless noisy streets. He did not so much mind this more than any other affiliation with any other city of the same degree of vice; he moved without oddity, save perhaps constantly muttering something to himself and the odd feeling one may get when looking at him, slowly going from the main streets to the less pristine ones.

In a particular back street, from which one could see the harbor, which numerous souls still passed through, was where the hermit made his stop. Loosing his large bag from his bag, carefully, in the slightly specific way one must do with a canopy-applied bag; the man would make use of some of the building features near by him, as he worked to use his space. Once he was finished, he would begin to speak.

"Goods and wares, wares and goods, come all you curious sorts, come look into what i have to sell. I carry things small and large from across the world, in the places where the shadows cackle and the bones smile. I bring not gold, and I would like to keep it that way. Bring me your strange things, your things that smile in the dark"

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Thu Nov 15, 2012 2:55 am

Vladislav motions his goons to follow him as he steps forward to the strange hermit man. He looks at the man through his cold eyes and speaks in a thick Pychekan accent. While Vlad has many nobles with him, his goons try to scavenge for something that might be strange to trade if Vlad would like to.

"What are these wares, hermit? Must be of some quality if you do not desire gold like many of these traders surrounding us."

While Vladislav was sent there for more than simple trading, he arrived hours before he actually had to conduct political business with the royalty and the merchants wanting to join the ranks of Imperial Trade.

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Fri Nov 16, 2012 4:37 am

The hermit would turn to the man whose name is Vladislav, and the eerie little man would examine his form, his goons, taking him in, almost as if trying to see past him or through him. The nameless trader would nod repetitively, as his hands went over his many goods, spreading them out and perhaps making it look almost like he's producing some new ones amidst the small trinkets out of the thin air.

"Yes yes, many things, different things, trinkets and treasures from where the sun dare not walk; from dark places, wet places, or the places in the hearts of men. All items special yes, tied in with the bones, the bones which are everywhere; bones of man and earth! I trade charms for charms, trinkets for trinkets if I may, but when not able, jink-n-clink will give treasure later, and travel to where new treasures rest."

The man spoke true of the nature of his wares, items and objects that can only be explained away as talismands or trinkets, and possibly even then attracting scrutiny from anyone of any sort of religious zealotry. Countless items sat on the small, cloth covered surface that served as his entire stall. They were arranged with no real order, from worn, faded ragdolls, to what appeared to be an intricate rock carving of a woman. There were pieces to what looked like a noble child's mobile, baubles for jewelry, interesting effigies of people, spirits, and beasts; other things were in fact things such as an eye-patch, a doorknob, and things of similar worthlessness. However, despite the worthless nature of most of these items, they did indeed seem to match the oddness of the man who carried them; something that could not be carried in the faded wood or worn off pigment.

Perhaps the most interesting thing to anyone passing by is what looked like a ruined book sitting just in front of the man at his stall, or perhaps more so, and odd bejeweled buckle bound to his belt.

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Fri Nov 16, 2012 7:39 am

Looking at the various strange items that lay on the table in front of them both, Vladislav motions his hand toward the book and with a graceful flick of his wrist the book hovers between them before making its way to the Pychekan nobleman. Though it is in less than prime condition, it catches Vlad's eye for some reason. He magically holds it in the air, cautious not to touch it before knowing what it truly is first.

"What book was this. Hermit?" Vladislav asks, not recognizing it from his family's vast collection of books at their estate in Pychecko.

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Fri Nov 16, 2012 7:51 am

The book which Vlad places between himself and the strange hermit is indeed quite damaged, with not many of the pages being too ledgible; however, this may not spell certain doom for the book. Were one to perhaps invest in a skilled scribesman to reledger the book alongside the aid of magic via his own ability or that of an assistant, one may be able to transcribe and save most of, if not, all of the book, though the process would be tedious and delicate. There may in fact be market in it were the book to contain anything useful.

The odd little man curiously looks at the book, smiling a bit as he does, nodding his head in appreciation of Vlad's interest.
"Old book, very old book, well kept then orphaned, kept in dark wet place where ink does not sleep, and pages grow envious of bark. Book of stories, old stories, from an age past; why, I believe Shar's Tower still stood high when this book was penned, yes. Book of folklore, stories, and the stuff of children and mages nightmares. Good piece, for, all the pages, though danced upon by the countless hours, are still there and dry."

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:17 am

Vladislav nods at the hermit with a hidden smile against his face. Vlad has never been one for relics and, looking at the other items that Vlad would call junk, Vlad wouldn't risk giving this hermit something of value. Lowering the book, the Pychekan noble turns to face one of his goons and speaks softly. As more Pychekan thugs regroup with Vlad, they turn to face the city. The rumors reached the ears of the men and later relayed it to their boss. Vladislav has his usual wicked smile about his face when he hears the news about the shipment.

Curiosity fuels him as he steps into the crowded "Marketplace of the World". They follow any word on the shipment that is supposed to be sent to the Prince Adel. However, Vlad thinks it should belong to himself.

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:48 am

Spoiler:

Having left Surna some while ago, travelling the world, the young enchanter, Austin Once-Possessed has stumbled upon the city of Aekhan. Strolling down the street, Austin has made quite the small fortune selling his enchanter's services. Walking down the street he takes little notice of the potion peddlers and slave traders. He is accompanied by a young woman in white robes and long brunette hair. She appears to be of little importance, having no notable skills thus far.

The young couple stroll through the bazaar, hand in hand, and meet with a tall Sidan man, who points them to the nearest tavern, it's not much, with only three rooms, but its a shelter for passing craftsmen. The Gilded Rose as it is known, the couple purchase a room and spend the night in merriment and fine wine.

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Sat Nov 17, 2012 2:01 pm

Having no success currently in his own business ventures, the strange little hermit takes a break from the work of a merchant and decides to go for a meal as well as to paruse the trinkets of others that meet his interest. He walks along the way, seeing nothing of note, worth, or bones throughout the entire jaunt between himself and the place which he seeks to dine at. This place, known as the Gilded Rose, may in fact be unlike the man who entered, but noting the fact he does have coin and asks to purchase from them, it is unlikely they would turn him away.

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Fri Nov 23, 2012 1:11 pm

The hermit engages in excellent conversation with the young Melroses, they sit for ages by the heat of the hearth, engaging in talk of magic, and of their homelands. During the course of the conversation the two bring up that they have no place in mind of which to travel to, and if they could accompany the hermit to a place of his choosing.

Administrator Posts : 458 Join date : 2012-02-04

As the Hermit and the Melroses speak, a trio of swarthy men with dark complexions clamber through the door in an uproar. Placing coin on the bar, they order a round of drinks for a member of their party. Though not uncommon to see a bunch of celebrating mercenaries ordering drinks, anybody with the patience to observe them closely would note that the third seemed in no mood to celebrate.

Pulling away from the bar, two mugs in hand, one of the mercenaries with a big, pudgy face shoves a tall mug into the arms of his companion, a dour looking Sidan man. "How much coin you get for that job again, man?" He speaks common, that is, Talibarian.

"Two thousand." The Sidan man speaks tersely, with a slight accent characteristic of his people.

"Movin' up in the world! And on a private job for the Prince himself.."

The Sidan makes no comment, except to take a long drink from his mug.

His other companion, a large, dark Sidan, speaks up, using common for the sake of his friend. "Was it very hard?"

"Yeah, tell us about it!"

The Sidan grimaces and looks away. "I ain't supposed to talk of it."

"The Prince ain' got the sight of god, Malik. It won' cause any -"

Suddenly, the Sidan turned round, fire in his eyes. "It ain't a game, Richard. I saw Jamel cut down, quick as can be, tore straight through his armor like nothing. An' they told us to leave him. But I saw em. They took his body, dragged it into the tomb with em. An 'I pray for his soul. So shut'er mouth, and get t' drinkin'."

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Tue Nov 27, 2012 4:07 pm

Oddly enough, the hermit's interest is piqued by this conversation, not at the mention of coin, but the word 'god' seems to spur his ears into action. From then on, he hears only of death and the place of many bones, a tomb, perhaps numerous tombs. He carries with him a respect for those who are dead, so he did not seek to pry more information from the man direct, but instead, went to the man who is perhaps most knowing in such situations: The Bartender.

After begging excusal from his current conversation, the hermit walked with a careful, slow walk; it would be steady, if perhaps slightly haunched, from the stance taken in accordance with the canopy upon his bag, or perhaps just his general malfunction. The hermit would give the bartender a wide smile, looking up and down at his liquors and offerings, making note of them, with no real intent to buy unless there was a true oddity among them.

After a time of faking some interest in purchase, he spoke with the barman. "I hear tell of strange things, not strange things in Antilla, or Kesh, or Leyanara; no, strange things for Aekhan, which is strange indeed. Have you any knowledge on these strange things, happenings in the night, mayhap things little old me should cower from?"

There is a strange, almost sadistic gleam in the hermit's eye as he finishes that statement; as if he's asking the man to dare him to go into the dankest and darkest dungeon of them all; if only to give him a reason to try and find something macabre or odd to bring to the light of the world.

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Wed Nov 28, 2012 8:11 am

Vladislav looks about the tavern with an unimpressed appearance. He takes a step inside regardless of the cutthroats he is surrounded by. Though he does not have a threatening appearance about him, the Pychekan muscle behind Vladislav should make most thugs think twice before attacking or dishonoring Vladislav.

As the mercenary explodes in the tavern, Vladislav turns his gaze to eye the group of, what he assumes are, the mercenary crew. A sinister smile crosses his face once again after hearing more of the shipment to the royal family in the city.

Through the smile on his face, Vladislav speaks in Aru to his goons. "Still a better place than that Crook and Horns."

Vengaboy Posts : 198 Join date : 2012-02-04

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A person walks into the tavern walking past Vlad and his goons and looks around the tavern.
Milsantos Marthammor Mediocros, a name the realm will know or at least Tirnan will.
A rather gangly man with a volatile, abrasive gaze, it looks like he's trying to set the tavern on fire with it.
Wearing blue robes with a flared collar with some gloves as well, he looks like some kind of authoritative figure.
He walks past the tables and patrons with no disregard into bumping them, he gets yelled at for having spilled their drinks but he seems to not give a care.

Walking over to the bar, he buys a flagon of wine from the Bartender and rents a room and afterwards sits over in the corner at a booth.

After drinking a bit he looks around mumbling in an odd sidanish accent, "A rather interesting place, for simians of course."

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Sat Dec 08, 2012 5:55 am

Austin and Aurora Melrose both stand from their table and look about the tavern before leaving promptly to the marketplace. Austin appears to have rented a booth where he offers his enchanter's services to the public. Aurora stands near him with her parasol opened to shield herself from the blazing heat of the Sidan sun.

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:53 am

Vladislav turns about after a man approaches him and speaks quietly to him in Aru. With a snarl, Vladislav leaves the tavern and hastily walks to his boat that he arrived on but leaves the goons that followed him back at the tavern to hear the news the drunkards have to say. At this point, many of the trading company's people from Imperial Trade would be idling on the multiple ships in the dock but straighten up as Vladislav walks past them and salute him as if they were in some sort of military. The Pychekan nobleman enters his cabin on the leading ship that bears three masses and fifty guns, 25 on either side, and supports quite the crew of loyal Pychekan ex-soldiers working for Imperial Trade now. Vlad changes his clothing to his military uniform to add a certain level of professionalism to his political dealings. It holds accolades of his time in the Wastes hunting and killing the Blight-Casters that "plagued" the North for Pycheko.

After this Vladislav makes his way off the large ship with a few thug like looking muscle men holding decorative boxes likely holding something of value inside. Also with him are scrawnier men holding books with the Imperial Trade emblem on it. They head toward the palace of the Aekhan Sultanate to meet with the royal family living there on behalf of Imperial Trade.

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Sat Jan 05, 2013 8:29 am

[[ Bump? ]]

Administrator Posts : 458 Join date : 2012-02-04

Just as Vladislav steps from the docks, intent on making his way to the palace, a great procession can be seen moving through the streets, clearing merchants and civilians from their way. Silhouetted by the morning sun, the personal guard and entourage of Prince Adel march through the streets with purpose and authority. In the center of the procession can be seen the personal aroba of Prince Adel, a finely crafted example of Aekhan's multiculturalism - used by the people of Seljuk and the Remnant, it has been adopted as the seat of comfortable, personal transportation in Aekhan.

Spoiler:

As the procession moves closer, a similar arrangement can be seen at the docks, as independent merchant ships are ousted by a veritable armada of Royal Navy vessels, sliding into harbor. Even as the Royal Guard establishes a perimeter surrounding this space of the harbor, a large crowd forms at the edges, eager to see what the commotion is about. Even the men of Imperial Trade and their leader, Vladislav, are forced to make way. As the Royal vessels dock, a swarm of dockworkers begin to unload crate after heavy crate, obviously some sort of great bounty. At the head of the main vessel can be seen a robed man, overseeing the production.

Meanwhile, in the tavern, the barkeep, dressed and styled as a westerner but a native nonetheless, uneasily glances at the strange Hermit and attempts to answer his question.

"Ah, well, sayyid, I can only speak the rumors which fill these halls and of the alleys in the streets. It is said that the Prince has paid an exorbitant sum to hire a sorcerer of Qadir, a man named Zulfaqar Karim, as well as a host of foreign mercenaries to retrieve an item - or items - of importance. What the item is, the rumors cannot agree on. Some say it is the severed hand of Mukham, Glory of Dawn, preserved by foul magery. Or that it is the soul of a vast and powerful Jinn, freed from his imprisonment at the will of the Hand of Aten, and is the fulfillment of some contract which the Princes of Aekhan made with him to attain such wealth and power. Still others say that it is seventy left-handed Aranek virgins, but...

I would not place much weight on these rumors, sayyid. Many are jealous of Aekhan's fortune, and cannot belief that such wealth could come from hard work and clever minds."

Subject: Re: Aekhan, Marketplace of the World Mon Feb 11, 2013 10:35 am

Vlad and the men accompanying him make way for the prince as he passes. Vladislav follows close behind to see what the is so important the prince and the royal navy are both involved. He stands back at one of his multiple trading ships to see what is being unloaded but only sees the crates. As Vladislav grows more curious with the crates held in such high regards, he pushes through the crowd to get a closer view on the crates being unloaded.

The few thugs inside the tavern remain quiet, only whispering to each other while they eavesdrop on the mercenaries talking to the hermit.

Vengaboy Posts : 198 Join date : 2012-02-04

Milsantos sees the commotion outside, he gets up and starts to weave, a green glob of translucent jelly starts to grow in his hands as he weaves. He finishes his weaving and the jelly surrounds his boots.
He hustles out the door, pushing anyone in the way, mumbling in his sidan accent about walking space.
As he gets out into the streets, he sees the huge crowd.

"Well shit, I'm gonna make a scene by pushing through them all. Well, glad I learned this jelly boot spell, people always think the jelly spells are stupid."

He turns to the building and jumps, climbing onto the roof, he starts to jump across buildings down towards the
Dock. Once he reaches the last building, he crouches and jumps, landing onto a crate some dock workers were in the middle of moving and jumps off it and onto a high stationary crate to get a view of what is going on.

"These people better be impressed with my magic, i hate unappreciative peasants."

Administrator Posts : 458 Join date : 2012-02-04

From below Milsantos, there are cries of surprise from the dockworkers, who point at shout at the sudden appearance of the Battlemage. The Royal Guard shout angrily at the man, and the entourage of Prince Adel halts, worried at his appearance. A few of the Royal Guard begin to load muskets, finely crafted examples of Aekhan gunsmithing.

Suddenly, Milsantos would be able to feel the air displace around him. A robed figure, vaguely of Sidan descent, moves unnaturally through the air, the ends of his fine black and purple robes flapping in the wind. For a man of Milsantos' experience, however, it can be clear that this is no simple mage - he is a man of Qadir, Sorcerer and Mystic. As he comes closer, riding on the winds, he forms a pair of symbols with swiftness and finesse, conjuring a swirling gout of flame around his left hand. His Sidan features are darkened by a devilish smirk, speaking of a supreme arrogance and unwavering confidence.

Spoiler:

"The Sultanate of Aekhan insists upon your removal, dear mystic. I do hope you intend to resist; it would make my day far more interesting to burn a fellow man of Maalik in full view of half a city."

Vengaboy Posts : 198 Join date : 2012-02-04

"The Sultanate of Aekhan insists upon your removal, dear mystic. I do hope you intend to resist; it would make my day far more interesting to burn a fellow man of Maalik in full view of half a city."

He looks around at the men loading guns, "Oh, was my appearance too sudden and flashy? I mean I only used Jelly boots, does the Sultanate think I'm a threat because I used an easy spell just to get to a viewing platform of my standards?"

He turns looking over to the Prince's entourage.
"Say, whats your name? Perhaps instead of leaving or you toasting me right now, we duel instead for his viewing pleasure, maybe here infront of this crowd or in a different place and time, a duel to the first blood of course, I've simply got too much to do before I do highstakes dueling."

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