Episode 2

At the western farms of the north bank...

Kray and Thorn watch the Hechesi move out in silence and make there way into the tall trees of the Jara Hili.

Nearby are some farms and a few scattered storage barns. At this location it would be quite a hike to walk back through the slums of the Swamp to reach the main North Bridge.

Nearby are some small piers. Out on the river are some small boats, rafts, and mini-barges.

Gibon says they may be able to hitch a ride from one of the fishermen or farmers who are rowing goods across to the western piers of the south bank of the main part of the city.

Down by the river...

When Trece emerges and speaks in Zutaran, Gibon is able to get a conversation going. Gibon, as it turns out, speaks better Zutaran than he does Yuoric.

After some back and forth, Gibon explains that Trece also was directed to depart from the scene at the Hechesi house and find you guys if possible. Trece knows a local farmer here and is familiar with the area, also familiar with hitching rides with boats to get across the river without going back through The Swamp to risk being spotted by the Armsmen, who are now investigating the area to find out what happened to Koral. Now Trece invites the group to join him on a short ride across the Jasher. He knows he can get a boat going from a local farmer.

Furthermore, once everyone is back in the city, Trece asks if they will join for a visit, including complimentary tea, with his employer. It turns out that The Mountains of the Moon is actually a Tea Shop where Trece works in Gelshemish. It is the same as Palla Ba's reference to "the Moon Mountains". The proprietor of the specialty shop is a Seetan named Ra u nak, friend of Palla Ba and Lok also.

In the field adjacent to the track...

When Sizhen speaks Kortellan, the Korvaran squints and looks at him directly. It seems like he may have understood, but only partially.Required Action: Sizhen make WIS Insight check.

At the Mountains of the Moon...

Trece is able to get a farm helper that he knows to ferry the group across along with a load of resupply going to one of the market carts on the other side. The river crossing is quite pleasant.

Soon the group is in the Mountains of the Moon, an exquisite tea shop in The Canals. It is right out on a cobble stone street, the front of the store facing one of the finely bricked waterways that cuts through as one of the avenues for gondolas and canoes.

The hanging sign over the door has a beautiful wood carving that is painted with perfection, a three dimensional image of a magnificent mountain range with the moon hanging overhead in a starry night sky. The words are written in Zutaran.

Ra u nak is happy to meet everyone. He speaks fluent Yuoric.



The tea shop is immaculate and eclectic, a display of foreignness but welcoming and full of comfort. Downstairs sit mostly Sarcerans in fancy clothing styles of the east. They chatter away in Zutaran.

Ra u nak leads the group upstairs near a balcony with open shudders. It is quite a view overlooking the masterful canals.

Tea is served and it is like nothing ever tasted before. Full of flavor, refreshing, and perfect temperature. The first is of a burgundy hue. It is called Mora Tup, translated "Red Moon". The second batch has a green coloring. It is Talacay, "Late Morning". Both are delicious. The first brings a feeling of revitalization. The second invokes a noticeable tinge of euphoria.

Ra u nak takes some time to speak kindly and take the conversation where it may. He is a great conversationalist and has many wise stories. There is no real driving agenda of topics, rather it is a Seetan tradition, a slow time to exchange, relax, and indulge together in tea: one of the three greatest loves of the people of Nuuth Seeta.