Scroll about KOS Groups
Attention: This scroll was written for KOS at the opening of the SIM. It is not updated and it may contain some inconsistencies. To find out which species/races/groups, read HERE
The Scroll
This scroll was commissioned by our most illustrious Sultana, may the light of Zin Ra ever be upon her. I am as always her humble scribe Bhaktra Kashera.
It is an exploration and an assessment of the peoples of her lands, both within and without the walls of Ireem. May my humble words be of profit to her in her quest for a better understanding of her people.
We start within the walls of the City.
The Dungeon Keepers (dungeon keepers have been removed from the groups, and they were joined to knights as sub-group)
Taking a left turn at the main gates and following the street north towards the I was assailed first by the smell of fresh bread but this soon gave way to the sour tang of slave sweat and animal excrement arising from the depths of the city dungeons. I spoke to the guard at the gate and stepped cautiously into the darkness waiting for my eyes to adjust to the dim orange light of the animal fat lamps, before ascending the stone steps to the cells bellow. I found the head keeper, a surprisingly jovial man, and sat at table with him to chat for a while.
The dungeon keepers, he told me, prefer the twilight world below the city; they are no great lovers of the sunlight and do most of their business in the taverns after dark. They are the keepers of the slaves and animals destined for the arena. They are business men always on the lookout for an oddity that might amaze or amuse the citizens who regularly flock to the arena. They are strong of mind and body (stomach to it would seem from the smells arising in that place) with a seeming uncaring attitude towards the “stock“ left in their charge. Although like any good herdsman, they are well aware of the profit to be made from a healthy beast, so the best are cleaned and fed regularly and not unduly used outside the arena. It is true that some keepers do seem rather too at home down there amongst the bad smells and the cries of pain and torture, which is applied somewhat randomly to slaves and animals alike for little reason I could fathom. But I was assured that no beasts were ever left in permanent pain, and a quick death was administered to any unhealthy or over used stock. I cannot imagine that the Sultana would ever have need to come into contact with this group of individuals. I mention them merely that she might be aware of the origin of some of the sourer smells that might arise from the city and drift into the palace gardens from time to time.
Heading up the stone steps into the daylight above I paused for my eyes to adjust to the bright sunlight. Then I once again I headed north towards the sound of gulls and the smell of the ocean. Rounding the great NW corner of the city I was confronted by the busy port of black sand. The smell of un washed human flesh again came to me on the breeze, but this time mellowed by the salt sea air. Here I found myself surrounded by cages, branding posts and all the other trappings of the Slave trade. This then was the home of our next Group within the City.
The Pirate Slavers.
I headed for what seemed to be the hub of activity in the port, an Inn called The Slave’s Head. A slight feeling of nausea assailed me as I noticed the head of a real slave skewered upon a spike just above the entrance to the place. Inside I found myself being studied by suspicious eyes from all corners, but the tension disappeared as I was met and greeted, as arranged, by one of the captains of this band of unruly sea raiders. He beckoned me to follow him up some steps to another room and then out onto a balcony with a view of the ocean through great NE sea gate.
Here we sat and talked.
“We are not as bad as we are rumored to be you know”, he began. “We are far worse than any rumor could tell” and he laughed out loud at his own whit.
We are what we are and you take us as you find us or stay well clear of us he said.
This was how I found him to be, straight talking and without any sense of fear of the consequences of his actions. He said they lived for the chase, they were like hunters but at the end of the day it was a business and making money was the aim of the game. He told me to thank you, Sultana, for allowing him and his comrades the use of your port and auctions as Ireem had been a very profitable place for him over the past few years. I asked if he ever felt any kind of feeling for any of the slaves in his cages and he replied that over the years he had kept one or two by him for personal use, but it was very much in the way one would keep a dog or cat, an amusement for a while, but when one gets weary of them one must be able to easily disposed of them or preferably sell them for profit. After a while he lead me out once again through the crowded bar, where we paused a moment to watch a brief brawl in which one of the men involved had one of his ears severed from his head, this event causing great cheering and laughter amongst those watching. That is, those who were not otherwise engaged in various sexual activities with the many naked women and young men plying their trade in the bar. I noticed as we left the Inn and stood once again on the dock side that the Captains manner changed. He led me past the many cages containing slaves, quoting the hoped for price for each as we passed. I could tell then that he was very serious when it came to his business of slave trading. I was then showed around the great underground grain stores, some of which were empty and being used by the slavers for various other pastimes it seemed. After this I left him at the gate to the stores and wished him well with his trading.
By now I was in need of cleaner air so I next headed to the upper walls of the city.
The Magi
At the very SE of the city stands the great tower of the Magi this was to be my next port of call. The tower seemed to grow larger and larger as I walked towards it, the great golden snakes that guard the entrance glowing in the sunlight. Finally I reached the bottom of the steep outer steps and begun to ascend them. Glancing up I noticed waiting at the top was the next guide on my tour of the city, Magi Mhira Shar. She greeted me and we entered into the tower together
A feeling of great learning and wisdom seemed to pervade the rooms and sweet scented incense calmed my mind. She showed me the upper ritual room where we bowed low before the sacred all-seeing eye. Then we sat and talked a while surrounded by many ancient magical books and scrolls. She told me briefly of their beliefs and practices, many of which I was already familiar with having come across them in old volumes in the great library. We are learned people she said, we study the stars and how they affect the lives of men. We keep our Knowledge hidden because it would be too dangerous in the hands of the ignorant. Many times I felt my mind drifting in her presence, her words leading my thoughts where she willed it seemed. We are feared she said. And yet we do not seek conflict. But we can well defend ourselves if need be. We live and work in the city by the grace of our great Sultana, as we have done for many centuries. And we are always ready to assist her and her family in any way we can. At this point she arose and said it was time for her mid morning meditation, she said I was welcome to stay, but I told her it was time for me to be moving on. I left the serene atmosphere of the tower and Mhira’s mystical company and headed towards the main gate.
The Knights
I had arranged to meet the Head Knight there. The knights are the guardians of the city streets and the surrounding lands.
They were first employed many years ago by the Sultanas Father after he was forced to suppress an attempted take over by his own personal guard. After this he uncovered so much corruption within his own army that he no longer trusted them and called upon the assistance of an old friend of his who was commander of a troop of holy knights from a foreign land to the west. Since that time a garrison of these knights has always remained within the city walls to police its streets.
I arrived at mid day and waited by the gate but the commander did not appear. After a while a small boy approached me and told me that the Knight had been called away on important business in the desert and sent his apologies. So I decided to head out myself into the sand hoping to make the cool shade of the ruins across the valley before the sun baked my sandals to my feet.
The Undead
Soon I found myself at the base of the hill upon which the ruins of the old temple stood.
I had heard tell of the unearthly creatures that lived bellow the hill in the catacombs and wished to see for myself if such tales had any base in reality. I walked up the steps towards the entrance and was taken aback slightly by the putrid smell coming from the open entrance. I did not intend exploring the depths of this place but was prepared at least to venture a few steps inside. The midday sun was very hot now and even the smell could not dissuade me from taking shelter inside the tomb so I stepped into the darkness. I really could not see much at all so I kept my back to the walls and stayed within sight of the light from the entrance. The smell was almost over powering inside and I thought I might feint when suddenly, I thought I heard whispering coming from the darkness. I took a step to leave and felt something take hold of my robe. Something hissed close to my ear. I froze on the spot. Then to my surprise, the hissing turned to a quiet voice. “We know you” it said. “Would you know better of us”. I replied yes, although I was not at all sure what I was agreeing too. “Follow” said the voice. My eyes could just about make out a dark cloaked form moving away from me into the darkness, I was tempted to run for the door but a strange curiosity made me follow. We descended ancient steps deeper into the gloom and silence and I felt damp clammy webs brush my face. Then we passed through into a large room that was lit by strange colored torches that burned above the tombs.
I could make out better now my guide as he turned towards me. He was very tall, wrapped almost completely in black, His face masked except for his dark piercing eyes. I glanced around the chamber and noticed the alter to the dark one against the far wall. So you worship the dark one, Hora Ma, I questioned.” I do not worship”, he said.” I am worshiped” as are all those who walk the dark path.” We bow to no one and no thing, but in time all will bow to us”. “Even the Sultana” I asked. He laughed. “We like it here in the cool darkness my friend, why would I wish to disturb our peace down here by proclaiming out loud such things. I simply say what will be will be. She has nothing to fear from us, I think she knows well to leave the dead in peace” I asked him more questions most of which he evaded with clever replies. I asked about the many missing people from the city. He denied any knowledge of them while his fingers caressed the dome of a skull that lay upon the tomb by which we stood.” Only dead things here” he said. But were they dead before they got here I wondered, although I did not feel in any position to antagonize my host so I swallowed the question. As we spoke anther dark clad figure, a female, entered the chamber carrying something in her arms. The tall man glared at her and ushered her away with a wave of his hand. Then he turned to me and said “It is time you were gone sir. Come, I will guide you to the entrance”
Before I could reply he was already moving away. I quickly followed, though I still had much to ask. When we were near enough to see the light from the entrance he bid me goodbye and said he hoped he had quieted any fears I might have had about his people and the catacombs. He asked that I convey his respects to the Sultana. I told him I would, and he left saying ”Leave the dead to the dead, and you will not feel their presence until you yourself Join our family”. I shudder and quickly headed for the entrance where I took a deep breath of fresh air as I stepped back in to the light of day.
The Dark Knights
The sun was heading westwards and a little cooler now so I thought to take a look at the deserted buildings that had once housed a group of monks from some far of land many years ago. These buildings were not far off and I could see the tallest spire from the hill.
I came upon them from the rear and walked up to one of the main round towers. I was surprised to hear voices coming from within. There was something in their Tone which stopped me from walking around to the front and greeting those inside. So I stood very quiet and listened. There seemed to be two, a male and a female both harsh, low voices arguing. “You must learn to control the darkness within you said the man”.” Why are you scared I might hurt you” came the reply. “Don’t be foolish” the man barked back. “We do not need those sickening palace Knights crawling all over this place. We are as yet not strong enough to deal with them in any numbers. And our time here has only just begun”
I could not hear all the words but it seems the woman had killed a slave at the main gates mutilating her body and leaving it in full view of the many people gathered there. I then wondered if these two were the dark knights about which we had heard mention from the Head Palace knight. He had said that there were reports of a dark armored band of knights dwelling somewhere in the desert. They were said to be not all human, their minds being turned to the dark one. It was known that human minds turned in such a way frequently went insane. I was now foolishly tempted to get a look at these people inside the tower and attempted to pull myself up slowly to the tower window. I managed to pull myself up and caught a brief glance inside. They were indeed dressed in black armor and cloaks but I could not see their faces as they were turned away from me. Suddenly I lost my balance and slipped back to the ground I heard the conversation stop. Quickly I moved myself behind a low wall and pressed myself close to it shaking with fear. I heard foot steps coming my way and was about to stand and show myself when a Jackal howled just behind me in the desert. The footsteps stopped and soon after a rock from the crumbling wall flew over my hiding place out into the desert followed by a low curse.
The footsteps went away back into the tower and I heard the conversation start again. Quickly I jumped up and headed out into the sand not looking back until the towers were hidden by the dunes.
The Desert Tribesmen
The Sun was setting more now and the desert sand begun to turn orange. I began to realize that I was not at all sure of the way back to the city. I walked a few more paces when I saw in the distance a camel and rider coming towards me. Although I was not sure of whom this might be, I was at least sure that if it was a tribesman, as indeed it looked to be, that I was safe. The desert tribes had long had an understanding with the Sultans and sultanas of this land that the desert by tradition was theirs to roam and live in as they pleased. When the Rider was close enough I greeted him stating my name and my purpose in that place. He dismounted slowly and strode towards me, an air of proud dominance about him. When he stood before me he pulled away the mask covering his lower face and I saw he was smiling. He bid me welcome and invited me back to his camp, which he said was just in the next valley. I followed him and we spoke of camels and the slave trade, subjects which seemed to interest him greatly.
The Camp indeed was not far away and was set out around the edges of a small oasis.
As we entered the Camp a child ran to meet the man and other men greeted him as we passed. He led me to a large tent and once inside we sat together and one of his wives brought us tea. I complement him on the interior of his tent which was richly decorated with brightly woven fabrics. He had a very noble look, very strong features and his wives of which there seemed to be many were very pleasant to the eye. I complemented him on the beauty of his wives. At this comment he smiled, and then proceeded corrected me and pointed out which were wives and which were in fact slaves. He then commanded those that were slaves to sit before us and he asked if there were any among them that I particularly admired. I point out one that had very fair skin. “Please take her as a gift for the Sultana” he said. I thanked him, but told him I would have to send men from the Palace to collect her the next day. He said that he would have her delivered. I thanked him again for his generosity.
As we sipped tea together I asked him more about his tribe and his desert life.
They are of course nomads and move from oasis to oasis as the year turns.
They prize horses, camels and slaves, in that order. They are great warriors and fear no one and no thing. He showed me many swords that he kept in a great wooden chest. All, he said, were taken from those he had slain in battle. He asked me to stay eat with him but I told him I had important business back at the city and was already late. At this he arose and beckoned me to follow him out of the tent. Now the sun was setting fast the desert turning blood red in its dying light. He took me to the far side of the camp where the camels were tied. He picked me one out which was already saddled and told me it was another gift, this time for me. I thanked him for his great generosity, then we said our fare wells and he gave me some simple directions that he assured me would bring me within sight of the city. I headed of into the setting sun and said a silent prayer to the great light for a safe journey home.
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Last modified: July 2, 2011