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Five people who left the ship were stopped by guards and told to follow them.
A few minutes later, they stood inside a magnificent hall, in the center of which was a huge couch where a man of own immense proportions lay sprawled. Beside him sat a foreign woman playing a harp. As the five approached, one of their escorts spoke:
- You stand before Jabalah, the king of Pyr, this city. The Lord respects conquerors of the seas and, having learned of the state of your ship, has magnanimously ordered that you be given the opportunity to introduce yourselves to him personally. - The guard raised his head proudly. - Choose your words carefully, for upon them depends your fate.
The young sailor smiled, the only girl among the five giggled, two large men cursed, and the last one remained standing in silence.
The younger one dropped to one knee and signaled his companions to do the same; they reluctantly followed his example. All except for the man with the wooden leg.
- Your Majesty, - their captain began, - our vessel is a merchant ship. We sailed from the northern shores hoping to establish business relations with the free cities, however, to our misfortune, we were caught in a terrible storm. We lost most of the crew, but the cargo survived, and therefore we are still in a position to offer something to your great city.
- Enough. - The fat man interrupted the speaker with one word. - As the lord of this city, I cannot deny you hospitality after all that you have endured. Make yourselves at home.
- I thank you most humbly, Your Majesty. - The captain bowed again and the five left the king's chambers, returning to their ship.
- As the master of this city, he is obliged to act in such a way as to maintain his reputation in the eyes of his business partners, both current and future. - explained the first mate, whose face had not yet shown a single emotion. - He will surely set spies upon us.
- Ooh, what a bad boy, peeking is not good. - The woman giggled again.
- Hey, captain. - The legless man spoke up, watching the elven girl. - Just sell this slut already; here in the free cities, there will surely be buyers for a specimen from Lunariion.
The pirate girl twisted her face in mock distress and gently took the old man by his beard, - how can you be such a malicious bore, James? - The man brushed her hand away with his own, and she only laughed.
- Though why should I care! It's unlikely anyone would want to use her shattered caves, which more than a dozen pickaxes have worked over. Ptoo!
- This Jabalah... I've heard of him before. He is very rich. - When the captain said this, James's eyes gleamed, and the faces of the others twisted into sinister smirks.
City of Pyr
Lord Jabalah Strength and gold are the essences of independence in the free cities. Possessing at least one of them is the main condition for preserving one's life and avoiding the fate of a slave. Jabalah was never distinguished by strength or bravery, however, he was lucky enough to be born as the first son in the family of a wealthy man, and therefore he never knew hardship. And over time, thanks to a sharp mind, a deep understanding of trade, and patience, he was able to increase his fortune many times over and become one of the most powerful people in the free cities. The city of Pyr, where he was once born, is now Jabalah's personal possession. Gold made him king, but will it be able to protect his life?
Traits: double vote.
ND. Order: can direct the actions of the scorpion, harpist, and assassin.
Local.
Al-Akrab
A famous mercenary known as the "scorpion of the free cities." His services are expensive, but not one of his employers has ever been disappointed (excluding those who, in their stupidity, tried to cheat him, for which they had to pay double—not with coin, but with their lives). Recently he has been cooperating with Jabalah, serving as his personal bodyguard and maintaining order in the city.
Traits.
Experience: 50% chance to avoid death.
Scorpion's Sting: the victim or attacker is poisoned by a lethal toxin and dies within two days if an antidote is not applied.
ND: Protects target, kills attacker.
Local.
Harpist
Jabalah's concubine, brought by slave traders several years ago directly from the overseas empire. Her face is always full of sadness, but tears never show in her eyes; she cried them all out long ago.
ND. Lullaby: blocks a chosen player.
Local.
Nasnas
Jabalah's personal healer, whose appearance and manners frighten even his own master, which is why the latter prefers not to fall ill. Despite his position, quite high for a simple slave, treating the sick seems boring to him, and therefore he secretly practices far darker arts.
ND1. Healing.
ND2. Antidote.
Ult. Defilement: the chosen player becomes his puppet.
Local.
(Note: can win together with the city, or achieve a personal victory if he remains alone or together with his puppet)
Damodar
A wandering sage preaching spiritual development and tranquility. He came to Pyr hoping to convince Jabalah to establish a temple in his city.
Ult. Tranquility: actions with "evil" intentions (kill, block, theft, defilement) do not work tonight.
Ult. Euthymia: the target receives a single protection from death.
Ult. Imperturbability: frees a puppet from Nasnas's control.
Local.
Assassin
Mercenaries like the scorpion serve as Jabalah's shield and support, but there are also those who cut in the darkness, invisibly eliminating their master's enemies.
Traits: leaves no evidence.
ND: Kill.
Local.
Girl
Like other children of poor parents, this girl faced the fate of a slave, but she managed to avoid it by eating scraps and hiding in places where only rats would dwell and no other human would ever appear.
ND. Witness: watches a chosen player and if they are killed, learns the killer's name.
Local.
Kan
One of many slaves fighting in the arena for the entertainment of Jabalah and other spectators. An exotic beast brought from across the sea, he quickly became the champion of this city's arena.
Traits. Survivability: 75% protection from attacks.
Local.
Janey Largepocket
Jabalah's wealth is like a magnet for thieves of all sorts, and this girl is no exception. Even the sea was not an obstacle for her. Only she should hurry if she doesn't want to end up alongside the other concubines of the local master.
ND. Theft: Copies a random ND of the chosen player; action is unknown.
Foreigner.
Mikael
The son of a close friend and business partner of Jabalah. At his father's insistence, he arrived in Pyr to get acquainted with the culture of the free cities.
ND. Observation Diary: checks the status of the chosen player.
Foreigner.
Pirates of Darkwater
Captain Charles Montgomery Darkwater
A young but talented pirate who quickly earned a place among the most influential captains of these seas. He is not distinguished by cruelty or greed, but he fights ruthlessly and embarks on various adventures solely out of a thirst for adventure. Since he prefers active entertainment to material values, his men always receive a good share of the loot.
His ship, "Depth Piercer," is unique in its kind—the finest ship these seas have ever seen. One can only guess where he found the funds and connections for its construction.
Traits:
Charisma: double vote.
Sabre Master: 50% chance to avoid death.
ND1: Kill.
ND2. Persuasion: steals the voice of the chosen player.
Foreigner.
William Shark
A one-eyed first mate. In many ways the complete opposite of Charles, he is distinguished by prudence and cold-bloodedness.
ND1: Kill
ND2. Fake Order: if the scorpion, harpist, or assassin received an order from Jabalah, it is replaced by the one William wrote.
ND3. Kidnapping: blocks target; if the chosen player is Mikael, all information from his diary is studied and a ransom can be demanded. If Jabalah is alive, he can choose whether to agree or not. If he agrees, Mikael returns to normal functioning, but the mafia gains the ability to stop an execution once. If he refuses—Mikael dies.
Foreigner.
Thomas Gunner
A drunkard, glutton, and boor. He never minces words with enemies, killing everyone who enters his field of vision.
Trait: cannot be stopped or blocked.
ND1: Kill.
ND2: Provocation: forces the target to use their ND on themselves.
Foreigner.
Amaya
The best shooter on the ship and the only woman. Only the gods know what brought a native of Lunariion to a pirate ship.
Traits: ignores natural protection.
ND1: Kill.
ND2. Reconnaissance: learns the status of the chosen player.
DD: Can stop their own execution.
Foreigner.
James Blood
An old pirate who has seen much in his time. He is distinguished by excessive greed—he would rather lose an arm or a leg than part with his possessions.
Traits. Treasury: can give each item to any team member on any day of the game. All are single-use.
I. Fake Documents: status changes to "local".
II. Antidote.
III. Cursed Sabre: attack victim cannot be healed.
IV. Sea Amulet: wearer receives a 50% chance to avoid death.
ND1: Kill.
ND2: Protects the chosen player.
Foreigner.
Night Guest
Several months ago in the expanses of the boundless deserts, marauders discovered an old structure resting under meters of sand, and within it a single item that interested Jabalah. To his misfortune, on the very first day of its stay in the city, an unknown person slaughtered all the guards and took it for themselves.
Traits. Essence of a Thousand Nights:
Receives a new ability after each successful kill.
1. Unblockability.
2. Absence of evidence.
3. 50% chance to survive an attack.
4. Ignoring protections.
5. Immunity to execution.
ND: Kill.
Local.
