Into the Violet City

On first entering the Violet City
(Waterside by Theo Prins)

It feels normal to play RPGs with people like yourself. That means in this case playing with people in the restaurant industry. As a side effect, sometimes work shifts move and someone cant turn up.

Life happens.

But the game must go on!

A week of hiking through valleys and riding in riverboats. Now the girls from Highpass reach the Violet City of the Cats. They have brought with them the 3 sacks of furs gathered from the long winter. Tired and footsore they finally step off the boat.

It is overwhelming. Bright coloured awnings, garish silks, skin glistening with sweat. Burning incense, wood smoke, refuse in the gutters, a rotting body floating in the river. Chanting monks, squeals of children, hawkers pitching their wares, angry accusations of theft.

People in many hued robes and rags. Pale foreigners sweating in their tight suits. Scaled slaves painted with house colours. Flashes of bright newtlings scavenging in the shadows. And peeking from corners or riding on shoulders - the Cats, watching.

Looming above it all, the vast pyramid of the Citadel

Welcome to the Violet City.

A blank page is a frightening thing. The girls have a couple of goals. In the short term they want to sell the furs and not get ripped off. Long term they want to be able to turn Highpass into a successful village. After the horrors of the winter, there is a long way to go for that goal.

I detailed the social contacts I rolled up for them. Archana knows of her family's Tea House, and wonders what became of it. While Vijaya still remembers her time with the Turquoise Waters Benevolent Society. They decided to check out the Tea House, and get directions to an Inn.

A cry broke the sounds of the city. People scattered from the path of a small child. Burdened by packs, Archana and Vijaya are bowled over by a young child. "It is trying to eat my tongue!"
In the alleyway, a mangey tabby cat pretends to look unconcerned..

With the help of a Comprehend spell, Archana was able to understand the cat. The once and soon to be Lord Puukas of the Goldenclaw Clan wants a "pet". Currently he is out of favour with his mother and needs the help of a pet (and its hands). Knowing something of how important cats are, the girls manage to convince the street urchin that it is in his best interests to help the cat... (and just happen to gain a very thankful cat once all is said and done...)

Vijaya watched them walk away, Cat perched on shoulder. She leaned in close to Archana "Remind me never to pass out in this city. Also, lets make sure the windows are locked wherever we stay." The image of the street boy speaking with the cultured accent of the Catlord sent shivers down her spine.

At the Teahouse The House of the Rising Sun there is a jostling crowd, fighting for a view through the windows. Inside they can see another cat - this one with horns, and guards, sampling tea and luxury foods.

Lady Felame Goldenclaw, horned cat

Archana meets her old family friend, Matron Rha Ki. She had been the head guard. After Archana's parents left, she added running the Teahouse. She directs the serving staff to care for the Cat. All the while catching up wi and after the retelling of with Archana. They share the story of winter horrors. Rha Ki offers a spare bedroom and free food until the three can find their feet.

But while they catch up on gossip, Vijaya is watching the crowd. Especially the children passing highsigns. She meanders down the busy street. The childrens' handlers are easy to spot. She follows the messages until she finds an old bearded ragamuffin. His blanket full of knickknacks and cheap charms a disguise.

Vijaya picked through the various charms and baubles laid out on the blanket. A particularly pretty green-stone necklace caught her eye. "What do you want for this charm?"

The old man smiled "Never show interest before the negotiation. I thought I taught you better. Come here and give your old teacher Mogali a hug".

They wandered the streets and caught up on recent events. Mogali is the current head of the Turquoise Waters Benevolent society. The Hexad criminal organisation dabbles in smuggling, gambling, forgery, and "protection". Vijaya gets a short update on current affairs in the city. The Cats have a monopoly on magical arts, and impose taxes on any trade. The foreigners coming to the city to buy from the lucrative western trade routes. When he hears about the furs, he offers to "improve" the product and find an ignorant buyer. All that is needed is to bring the furs to the Temple of the Hundred Summer Gods the next morning...

Meanwhile, as Lady Felame is leaving the Teahouse, Archana tries to profit from the situation...

Archana prostrated herself on the floor. "Most benevolent mistress, please grant this humble one an audience."
The five semi-naked guards draped with gold reacted immediately. Spears hovered inches away from Archana's exposed back. Lady Felame, being cradled and caressed by her pet, looked down at the form on the floor... "Speak".
"I have come many miles to bask in your glory. My village is high in the mountains, the winter...."
"I have no interest in the pointless tales of the two-legs."
"But... I have many skills. I can be useful..."

The cat looked down at the two-legs begging on the floor. "Auditions are held every sunday at the gates to the Violet Citadel. You may attend."

The gold-adorned guards followed the purring cat to her palanquin.

By the way - please drop a note if this is hard to read, or maybe you know of a better way to format "Actual Play" reports?