Jowhaar/The City Turn 1

[22:43] <@SpaceThor> The City is a sprawling mess of medieval urbanization. Formed on a river estuary at the triple border of Gajeong-Ri, Jowhaar, and Krzymosze, it has a long and tumultuous history as the object of conquest before it managed to declare its independence a century and a half ago. Now formed along the lines of a merchant republic, the city survives due to keen management of its foes, and its management of finances to keep them at bay. After all, he who controls the purse strings control the power, as they say.
[22:45] <@SpaceThor> But for now it seems that isn't working like it used to. The white/maroon sails of Jowhaar linger on the edge of the horizon from the city's harbor. After this sight, always too soon, comes war.
[22:45] <@SpaceThor> It's late afternoon, summer, and merchants in stalls along the bazaar square hawk their goods. In the heat of the day, though, fewer customers means more time to gossip.
[22:50] <Tousak_Mihran> A small stall is doing almost no business at all right now, small imported clockwork baubles from far away...not currently seen as very important.
[22:51] <@SpaceThor> A stall sits next to it, selling textiles. Unfortunately, in this humidity, most would rather run around naked than think about winter clothes. The man sitting behind it is tall and dark skinned, possibly of Jowhaarian descent
[22:53] <@SpaceThor> "I wonder why I got up this morning if this is what business is today."
[22:56] <Jak_Brightstep> On the other side of the textile store, a middle-aged woman, with the almond-shaped eyes that speak of Gajeong-Ri ancestry, minds a store of pottery.  "Same reason we all get up. The chance for Fools to be parted from cash.
[22:56] <Jak_Brightstep> "
[22:56] <@SpaceThor> "Ah, do not be so rude, Lady Kwok. Customers are important."
[22:57] <Tousak_Mihran> The man behind the stall snorts, a short round man dressed garishly. "Right now we are the fools."
[22:59] <Jak_Brightstep> "There is a difference between customers and Fools, Abshir. Fools pay more than customers and our good friend is right. But we are not as much fools as those who trade Snowlight goods today."
[22:59] <Jak_Brightstep> Lady Kwok says, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper at the end.
[23:00] <@SpaceThor> "They sell well enough when in style, but ah, they have not been in some months. You have my sympathy."
[23:00] <@SpaceThor> "Though I suppose we have it easy compared even to those whose goods have not arrived yet. Maroon and white livery has been sighted coming to our shores."
[23:01] <Tousak_Mihran> "It will not last. Too many nations ply trade through here to allow any other nation to control it." He shakes his head, jowls swaying.
[23:02] <Jak_Brightstep> She waves a hand. "I sold my stock many months ago when the market soured to a boy who thought it was a short trend.  Have you heard why Jowhaar are flexing their muscles this time?"
[23:02] <@SpaceThor> Abshir shrugs. "Who can say. Perhaps the House of Axlam felt they were being underestimated. Perhaps they want to attack before Pahoa can."
[23:03] <@SpaceThor> "Perhaps we will be lucky and they will continue to sail all the way to Witney."
[23:03] <Tousak_Mihran> "Perhaps they are short sighted enough to think they can get away with it."
[23:04] <@SpaceThor> "Perhaps."
[23:04] <Jak_Brightstep> "Perhaps. I heard that they are interested only in Snowlight's little inventions. A friend of a friend told me that someone has been selling those gunpowder weapons to those not happy with Jowhaar's ruling house."
[23:06] <@SpaceThor> "That rumor comes around again and again like a bad dog."
[23:06] <Jak_Brightstep> "Bad dogs have a bite to them, and sometimes even Kings believe in them. Who's to say?"
[23:08] <Tousak_Mihran> "I don't see the point of blockading us just because of some sales."
[23:08] <@SpaceThor> "Even so, I can't imagine Axlam will stay for long. Their own rivals will take advantage of their navy being elsewhere."
[23:09] <Jak_Brightstep> "Perhaps."
[23:09] <@SpaceThor> "And should that war brew, all will need our City's goods again, like we forgot what they did to us. And we'll sell them to them, because their coin spends more easily than bitterness."
[23:09] <Jak_Brightstep> Lady Kwok can only nod at the wisdom at that.
[23:10] <@SpaceThor> He wipes sweat from his brow. "Pelor save me from your sun, it is so hot out."
[23:10] <@SpaceThor> "Perhaps I should begin opening just in the evening."
[23:11] <Tousak_Mihran> "If you ask the raiders nicely, maybe they'll sail closer and cover in in shade from the boats."
[23:11] <@SpaceThor> He laughs. "Perhaps, perhaps. I might just have to ask them."
[23:12] <Jak_Brightstep> "If you have their ear, ask them if they do smuggling on the side.  No one profits like smugglers in a blockade."
[23:13] <@SpaceThor> "It is a weak blockade that is defeated by its own greed. But too often it works that way."
[23:14] <Jak_Brightstep> "Greek, like fools, are ever-present, Abshir, and we merchants make use of both through our wit to our own pleasure."
[23:14] <Jak_Brightstep> Greed*
[23:14] <@SpaceThor> "I still think you should be more respectful of the customer, Lady Kwok."
[23:16] <Jak_Brightstep> She sniffs. "If my customer has intellect, I respect them."
[23:16] <Tousak_Mihran> "Perhaps when we have some to respect right now."