Barbaros Pasha
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Cuddly Cuddy
The owner of the tavern is Mariq Lotqur, a telmatran woman in her mid-years. She inherited this tavern and all it's secrets from her family when her dad passed away almost 5 years ago. She managed to upkeep the tavern without major changes, which helped her keep the regular clientele coming. Although business is as good as it's ever been, both due to her telmatran heritage and gender, she is under constant pressure as a business owner from local gangs and city authorities alike. Given the fame of this tavern, everyone seems to be rubbing their hands for an opportunity to present itself so they can buy it. Although Mariq has no interest in selling it, the right amount of political or criminal pressure might force her hand.
Sawt min Sahra
The name of the tavern Barbaros works at night is "Cuddly Cuddy". This small tavern has its fame thanks to it's house-brew that locals call the "Telmatran Gold". This special ale uses a secret recipe of Telmatran spices to produce a rich malty brown ale that produces a golden foam thanks to the special pressurized barrels it's stored in. Also, once a month, a bard ensemble called "Sawt min Sahra" (translates as Voice of Desert) performs in this cozy tavern. This small group of 4 bards is lead by Aysha, a human female who has been living in Ashayabat long enough for no one to question where she is originally from. In the last couple years Barbaros has worked here, Aysha and her ensemble regularly performed at the tavern and the two have developed a strange connection. Barb is usually a good listener and he can gather enough information from his patrons in a night to be able to write a short biography about them the next day. Despite his cunning ability to read people, he has not been able to tell much about Aysha. She is still a complete mystery to him. Part of it might be due to the fact that Aysha is not much of a talker, she prefers to talk through the strings of her oud. Also, Barb's feelings for this mysterious woman might be clouding his judgement. There is much to her than she leads people to believe and Barb is curious to discover it.
Captain Thinhair
The name of the ship Barbaros works on is "The Flaming Serpent", named after the shape the flames took when the ship was on fire after getting attacked by a pirate ship during it's first sail off Goltaraim. Captain's name is Qalif al Abdal, but locals call him "Captain Thinhair". This hardy human man has been the captain of his ship since the last captain was killed by his crew on the way back from a trading outpost close to Perit Gor. According to the crew that survived the journey, the late captain contracted a vile disease that made him transform into a vile beast that feeds on the flesh of man. Once the crew noticed this change and a few missing crew members, Qalif organized a mutiny as the Quartermaster, which resulted in the beheading of the captain. He is highly respected among locals, especially his crew, and known as a man of his word. Although he captains an old, but trusty cargo ship, that is deceivingly fast when the wind favors, he knows the waters surrounding Goltaraim as good as any seasoned captain in the area and no one to be meddled with on the sea. However, his fortune on land has not favored him well. After losing his house in gambling, his wife left him. Now, he spends his days off the sea drinking in his cabin.
Barb's rank on the ship is Boatswain (bos ´n)
Since trade contracts have dried up lately, a few crewmen left and the captain seems to be disinterested in trusting new crewmembers.
Slowly Slipping Away
[Barb] How is my girl doing today?
[Leylaa] Speaks slowly in a tired voice Barb, is that you?
[Barb] Yes ma, it's me. Were you expecting someone else?
[Leylaa] With a smile adds Well, I was going to get on my date tonight, but figured someone has to take care of you.
[Barb] You are damn right. I need you to be here every night. Don't even think about standing me up.
[Leylaa] I will be here as long as I can son. But you know, I am not getting any better.
[Barb] You will, eventually. Just keep taking your medicine. I brought more. This should be enough for a while.
[Leylaa] Thank you son. How did you afford these?
[Barb] Don't worry about it. I am working hard and I have some friends.
[Leylaa] Son, you shouldn't owe anyone anything in this city. I don't want you to get in trouble for me.
[Barb] Don't worry ma, I am not in trouble, and I don't owe anyone anything.
[Leylaa] Good, keep your nose clean.
[Bard] Right, because everyone else has clean noses in this city.
[Leylaa] You are not everyone Barb, you are my son. I know this city is full of crime and corruption. I don't want you to be part of it.
[Barb] Well, you know what they say ma...If you want to destroy something, you gotta do it from inside.
[Leylaa] I heard a man say that and end up being consumed by the crime. I worry about you.
[Barb] You should worry about resting more. helps his mom take a sip from a glass of water I gotta get some sleep, you should too.
The Hand I Was Dealt
Did you know that Ashayabat is less dangerous at late night than it is in daylight? People talk about monsters and horrific abominations that come out at night, but I don't think they are as dangerous as the ones that come out during the day... Those ones walk among us who are foolish enough to think appearance is what makes a man. At night, the city is devoid of those that are too drunk to use their power and money to spread their evil influence across the city, too busy in their mansions smoking the velvet dream and savoring the harem of woman they pay so much to upkeep. What's left is us...regular, worthless, poor beggars, who will eventually fold because we were all dealt a shitty hand to play with.
...
[Barb] Climbing the stairs to the door of the building he and his mom share with 5 other tenants
[Nazeer] Talks to a pigeon he is holding in his hand: Hey Kadayeef. Been a while my friend. coughs violently for a few seconds As you can see I am not doing well. Have you seen the ship I talked to you about last time?
[Barb] Pauses on the stairs momentarily and drops an ear
[Nazeer] You know, the one with the red sail with a white crescent?...You haven't, have you?...I know i know, they are far far away, but they are coming. They are coming to save me from this dump.
[Barb] Nazeer ... no one is coming to save us. We are on our own buddy.
[Nazeer] But Barb, I told you, they are coming to get me. And I can tell them to get you on the ship. They can take us to wherever we want. We can get out of Ashayabat.
[Barb] Where do you want to go Nazeer? Where do you know that's better than this place?
[Nazeer] I don't know. We will discover my friend. Birds can show us the way. Anywhere would do, anywhere!
[Barb] Smiles briefly and takes a coin from his pocket and flips it to Nazeer I hope you are right old man. Until they arrive, we gotta survive. This should help.
The Lion's Den
Ashayabat gives with one hand and takes away with the other. The city treats you well if you have the coin. If you ask a traveler who happened to spend a night or two here, many would call it the City of Opportunities. "Everything is possible!", you will hear them say. Yet, nothing is.
. . .
[Malik] "Barb! You are early this week habibi! Have you robbed a bank finally?!" smirks
[Barbaros] "I've told you a thousand times already, you slimy piece of shit, it's not for me. Believe it or not, seeing your filthy face is not the highlight of my week." grumbles
[Barbaros] "I need it early this week, she is getting worse." with a depressed voice
[Malik] "Whatever dude, I don't give a shit. Do you have the coin? If you don't, you better piss off." shows the grip of a well-worn flintlock
[Barbaros] "What now, are you gonna shoot one of your regulars?! I would like to see the Lion make an example of you." sarcastically chuckles
[Malik] "spits the chewing tobacco on the ground Well, you wouldn't see that if I shot you, would you? Now, where is my coin?"
[Barbaros] .... pulls the small coin pouch and hands it over
[Malik] "You know, next time, you can save both of us sometime if you show the coin first." takes the coin hastily, opens the pouch, looks satisfied
[Malik] pulls a small vial from his chest pocket "Here ... You know the drill. Same day next week?"
[Barbaros] takes the vial and pockets it "... We will see about that ..." turns around and walks away
In Ashayabat, your power is measured by the number of people depending on your services. And I depend on these scumbags, like every single one of us who has the misfortune to call the Keys home...