IC Story Thread: Ch.1,Ad.1 - A Sensitive Matter

Seonaid tries her various languages out upon the early morning new-comers, and it's hard to tell if or how much they understand, but it does spur one of the younger helpers to say, in a heavily accented version of Westron, "Go. Please, go.", along with a string of more Southron.

The trek back up to the road requires a significant climb with many switch backs, and it's mostly in full view of the great clearing.

And so you can see as you leave, that once you've cleared the space, the older members of their group simply sit on the smaller stones that make up the inner circle and start a fire, eventually placing a pot over it to boil, and begin chatting. And in the meanwhile the younger helpers begin to erect poles that make a framework for what will probably be a sun-shade to cover the inner circle during the day.

It's hard to say exactly what kind of gathering is taking place but it appears that these folks just had some manner of gathering scheduled out here on this day, and were arriving early to get everything prepared before the heat of the day. The sun is just about to rise by the time you crest the edge of the ridge, and they are nearly finished with their set up.

Regardless of their intent, their arrival and need of the space stirred you all from your restful slumber at a time when good sleep was most needed. And it's a dour beginning to the day and the last leg of your journey.

In the last few days of the journey the land begins to shift away from highland desert, toward arid steppe, and eventually coastal lowlands where things begin to turn green again.

And the last two days in particular it is perhaps comforting to see the familiar geometry of agriculture carved into the land, as sprouting fields and leafing vineyards begin to create a patchwork over the falling hills out into the distance.

You can see Umbar from many miles away as you approach, indeed most of the last day of travel you can first see the peaks of it's tallest towers and buildings, of which there are many, and their tops are shaped rather like upside down onions. Bulbous and round on the bottom and drawn up into a pointed spire at the top. Then the undulating forms of its blocky architecture come into view, much the same color as the pale terracotta soils beneath them, stretching to the sea. And finally it's tan and yellowish tall city walls.

Umbar is not as spread out as Pelargir, but it has more verticality built into it, and you figure it must house as many people or more.

As you draw closer to the gates you can see that, at the moment, there is quite the throng of people trying to get through. But there is some sort of hold up.

Most of the commotion is in Southron and so it's perhaps hard to know exactly what's going on at first but eventually you find yourselves standing before an official au the gate. They are able to speak in Westron, and they tell you that there is a minor refugee crisis in the east, and so there is more procedure to enter and remain in the city than normal, you will have to present yourselves to a city clerk for registration.

You're all lead into a room in the gatehouse, following many others before you, and there are many after you still waiting. And you all stand before a magister of some sort sitting at a writing desk, on an elevated platform.

He says something very formal sounding in Southron, and an interpreter of some sort translates a dry, rambling official lecture about Umbar, that is part cautionary-welcome, but mostly a warning about laws and expectations, that culminates in a request, "Please state your names and your business in the great city of Umbar."

The magister nods along as Ragnarr speaks, and then says through the interpreter, " The Magister recognizes Lake Town and your Peoples' great triumph over the dragon.

And while commerce is always welcome, Umbar's resources are heavily taxed right now, with a refugee crisis.

Do you have a sponsor who will speak in your name, or signatory document? If not it is simply a matter of paying for the service.

And are you bringing any goods into the city for trade? We may have to assess a customary tariff."