Quoted By:
[ SALTFORD ]
Fishing town. It has a big harbor. It smells like fish. Fish everywhere. I hear two-toned boat horns sounding out in the distance that perfectly encapsulated my reaction to this gunky stench over the air.
But besides the prevalence of fisheries, seafood restaurants, fish markets, docks, coast guard posts, naval offices, lighthouses, decorative life-rings, decorative naval ensigns, decorative anchors, decorative... ugh! There was also a presence of oil industry in this town. Oh, and I sensed it. I sensed it faintly, possibly because not much must had been left after the last load, but there was definitely an Aquamarine harvesting operation going on here.
Removing the Death Knell Materials industries from the face of Hainei would go a long way in Redeeming the world. Death itself was never meant to be wielded by mortals. Even touching Aquamarine with a bare hand could make a person die on the spot. It was a poisonous substance that needed to be funneled back to the Afterseas and sealed off.
I digressed.
I was looking for clergy. For Shennu's worshipers. Certainly, the Sea Deity should have worshipers somewhere. And I was right. It wasn't big, but I found a place of worship for one "Ryujin". Another of Shennu's titles. I stepped inside and found no congregation. I found a priest, and his drinking buddy.
[SHENNU PRIEST] "Oh, this is rare. An actual visitor to Ryujin's shrine."
[OLD CAPTAIN] "Ain't they called Shennu?"
[SHENNU PRIEST] "We've argued these semantics many times, Captain. Shennu is the god's Woldorian name. In Shengesia and Yongesia we call them Ryujin. I think the name they're more known as should be the one we acknowledge."
[OLD CAPTAIN] "Now... *hiccup*! I ain't no Yongesian, so I ain't using that one. Now, what brings you to Shennu's Shrine... mister...? Lady?"
'Lady.'
[SHENNU PRIEST] "Ryujin's Shrine."
[OLD CAPTAIN] "Ye- a-... grrmmm..."
'I was interested in knowing about this god you worship.'
[OLD CAPTAIN] "He worships. I don't anymore. Don't have a lick of respect for that leviathan. Oh, and yes, it is real. And it's ferocious."
[SHENNU PRIEST] "Disregarding my friend's babble, which is heavily alcoholically influenced, there's not much to know. At least not anymore. Sad to say, the worship of the mighty Ryujin has faded greatly. It seems people have lost faith in Shen- Ryujin."
'Huh? Why is that?'
[OLD CAPTAIN] "Woh-heh! Why is that? Here's why."
The retired captain held up his hook hand to me.
[OLD CAPTAIN] "I seen the big old sea snake many times in my youth when I was a sailor. They'd used to keep the Strait clean of Khanate filth. Last time I ever saw them, was also the last time I ever captained a vessel. Cause they sunk my last vessel and chased me from the seas."
