During our travels in Alzjarera’s shell creature we encounter some slightly more troubles, a giant rock creature thingy that attacks us with it’s tentacles, but that we are able to get away form it. We run into some delays due to the currents but all in all we manage to make quite some progress. Inside of the thing it is getting quite boring though. Ricardo trains, fighting the water elementals to near collapse, and Garritas sneaks away in the shadows, doing who knows what.
It was therefore not surprising that when Redemption sees a barrel floating in this dark desolate wasteland, she goes out to grab it immediately. Returning it inside I join her as we investigate the barrel. There seemed to be some arcane scribbling on it, but before I get a good change to take a look at it Redemption opens the barrel up. Moments later an invisible force strikes out from the thing, as it attacks redemption it’s invisibility is lifted and a spirit naga shows its ugly mug.
I never liked snakes.
I gather pure magical energy in its most destructive form, something I have been studying for a while but not been able to try out yet. As the beam hits the naga, it.. it just turns to dust, that slowly drifts to the ground.
Spirit nagas are spiteful creatures though, not taking death very well. I give it 2 weeks before it reforms and will try again. We talked with Alzjarera, and this could be an opportunity, a slave that never truly dies could pay the “tax” however much you want it. For the time we would keep it in one of his cells.

In the few remaining days before we reach our first stop I am able to scrounge up some information on Mapliek, the capital.
It is ruled by 3 Marid, the sultans who again are ruled by the Kalif. The emperor of the Marid empire. Ajhau, the greatest merchant of all the merchant princes, the way he has been gathering power all around him gives me the feeling that he might not be to happy with the current kalif. Iban Manzoer is the spiritual leader of the Marid, he and his church control the “tax” system, controlling vast amounts of spiritual energy. –Note, this might be the same energy Esk is collecting, it might be prime source for her, making it possible that she doesn’t quite have to sacrifice that many creatures. And lastly there is Ji mal liwa, general and big shot that is in control of the Manloek, the slave army. Furthermore, he runs the “arena” the for up and coming talent.

Eventually we arrive at Valesh, it is big city, and when I say big I mean big. Few things in the material plane would compare. It is a trade hub, with a giant docks area. The city is controlled by a council consisting out of 9 factions. One of the factions is in control most of the time, switching every few years. The city is filled with species from all over the multiverse, though mainly amphibian creatures who can walk the wet and dry places in the city. There is some controlled organizations, dock crew police etc, all wearing the cities colors (yellow, orange).
When we enter the city the first thing that I felt was the overwhelming stench of fish. But the further we head into the city smells of flowers, trees, wood dominate due to various things being traded here. Eventually we reach the bazaar, a big bustling market with things from all over, alzjarera leads us to a big tent, 2 big iron golems guarding the entrance. We are let inside and flamboyant Aljazani’s shop is open for business!
(we buy a bunch of stuff)