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Post by The Terror on Dec 29, 2018 20:24:30 GMT
Upon docking in Linyanti, Captain Stassios is greeted by two men of diametrically opposing figures. Dockmaster Arlan Sassafrasyos is a vaguely Valyrian fellow whose accent is distinctly Volantene. His gut is well enlarged from years of disloyal service to House Taernarys.
The man behind him is Fosko. Illesso is quite familiar with Fosko, being a fellow veteran of the Years of Blood. He appears to have lost an ear since leaving Braavos two years before Illesso, but Fosko is still a handsome man, if thin. Descended from slaves, he was a failed bravo, a mediocre sailor, and a phenomenal drunkard prior to being drummed out of the Sealord's fleet on charges of corruption. However, as a smuggler, the Braavosi has found tremendous success in Linyanti, where he coordinates various criminal enterprises in the Port and Slave Quarter.
"Put him and the ship down as Pentoshi..." Illessk can hear the smuggler dictating to the fat bureaucrat. "Merchant... yeah, just merchant... we'll figure out what species later..."
The crimeboss turns to the Captain. "Oy! Come here, you salty bastard! I have three different wine caskets in my abode with our names on them!"
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Post by Captain Illesso Stassios on Dec 31, 2018 10:14:29 GMT
Illesso comes off the gangplank with a broad smile, giving his old contact a quick handshake and half-hug. "Fosko! Good to see you once again, though," he reaches a hand toward the empty space where ear should be, "not all of you, it seems. Is this the work of one of the mythical beasts of the southlands? Nefarious ear-thieving baboons, or some such?"
He turns and gives a short bow to the bureaucrat, as well. "A pleasure, I am sure, my lord. It is a beautiful harbor you have - to think all this has been accomplished in only five years! Surely, you must take donations for public works to keep things up and running, and I would be honored to contribute. I am a bit short on cash, but no doubt a barrel of wine or bolt of silk could benefit the city if I passed it on to your capable hands, yes?"
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Post by The Terror on Jan 3, 2019 8:06:42 GMT
"Aye, a fierce and brooding beast..." He touched the old wound instinctively. "Her name was Danya and she caught me unawares one night in a tavern I partially own called the Lion's Pride. Never again..."
He slipped a few honors to the dockmaster before leading the smuggler towards the nearby walled settlement. "Wine is far more of a valued commodity in Sothoryos, my friend. The oldest vineyard in thousands of miles is barely three years and the owner is an utter amateur."
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Post by Captain Illesso Stassios on Jan 3, 2019 18:02:38 GMT
Illesso kept pace, turning his head left and right to take in the new sights. Some of his crew left the ship to explore the port themselves, but a strong guard remained until they could be sure that there would be no danger. "I will keep that in mind for the next trip. Thought it best to load up a mix, see what the markets liked and what they didn't. But should be enough already to turn a decent profit. What of jewelry? I cannot imagine there are many skilled goldsmiths in this...booming metropolis."
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Post by The Terror on Jan 7, 2019 23:14:26 GMT
"No one ever turned down a bit of sparkle, at least not in this town." Fosko pulled his friend to a quiet nook behind the Dockmaster's hut. He looked to insure they were alone before speaking again.
"Now, listen to me before we march into the heart of the dragon. First, Captain Illesso Stassios is from Pentos. If anyone asks about your accent, tell them your parents were Braavosi, but your heart is Pentoshi. You and I are good friends with a Magister named Marcolo Castris and that's where your most choice goods come from. If you tell people the truth, the City Watch will never let you out of sight and the City Council will push you into the gutter so fast, you won't feel your neck break when you hit it. And whatever you do, don't discuss slavery. I know it's fucking disgusting, but like Volantis, Linyanti relies on unwilling labor like an Undying feeds on flesh. So keep your trap shut. It's none of our fucking business, understand?"
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Post by Captain Illesso Stassios on Jan 8, 2019 7:01:06 GMT
"It wasn't exactly my intention to duel the first slaver I saw, thereby igniting the great rebellion that would turn Linyanti into New Braavos." Illesso responded drily. Did Fosko think he was an idiot? "The masquerade seems a bit much, but also not enough. I can keep up the lie, but my sailors, clever though they may be, will undoubtedly talk about where they, their ship, and their captain are from, once they've found somewhere to drink themselves silly. Besides that, I'd have to gain as much weight as you, not to mention have at least a couple slaves around to wipe my mouth and ass, if I wanted to pass for a Pentoshi."
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