[Location] The Edge

[Colombina]

The Edge: Home of the Devourers and Nikallum Austere and towering, the barracks cast a long shadow down one of Hai's broadest streets. The cobblestone path is still intact leading up to the door of iron and cedar, wide and tall enough for a man to enter astride a horse. The foot of the building is stacked gray stones, turning to sandstone only on the upper levels. Flames and shadows pass by the high windows, where hidden Devourers stand guard. Entrance is admitted at their discretion, bringing petitioners into the cold lower levels of the barracks. One of the few structures used in its original capacity, the lower level of the barracks has an armory and kitchen in one wing and a dungeon in the other. A narrow staircase through the center funnels inhabitants into the second and third floors. In Hai's time of glory, the second floor served as the barracks for common soldiers with cell-like rooms surrounding a central dining hall. Little has changed save the inhabitants and much of the furniture. A few long dining tables remain, the rest are crude recreations or pieces of such high artistry they were obviously stolen from elsewhere. Wisely, the inhabitants have found ways to lock their cells, allowing them to enjoy seclusion and protect their scant possessions. Entrance to the third floor is manned by another set of guards, since it houses both the more powerful members of the Devourers and the Nikallum. The third floor's design borders palatial in the eastern wing, while the western wing is a more comfortable version of the second level. The western wing hosts the Nikallum, who split the more spacious cells between two women. Roommates serve either as protection or spies. Only Ahaz's paramour has a large room to herself. This year, an Eypharian Athalia has the privilege. Pending bets among the Edge's inhabitants indicate she has a good chance of surviving the next season. In the eastern wing, Ahaz and his favored men live like dukes in chambers with studies, fireplaces and grand bedrooms. Naturally, Ahaz has taken the finest quarters for himself, living in luxury. In Hai, though, luxury is a relative term. Furniture and fabrics are old, recycled and mended. Some sturdier pieces are treasures scarcely found in the new world enabling the imprisoned to pad their vast cell handsomely. Jewels and precious stones are often in piles or strewn carelessly. With no escape, no currency and no market, the heaps of coin and gems are useful as pebbles. The Devourers The Devourers are the worst of the worst who still have the ability to band together. The ultimate bullies, brutality and recalcitrance defines them. Under their Benshiran leader, Ahaz, a former Yahalman, they have learned to mix cruel capriciousness with order. Ahaz is known to kill fellow Devourers for no reason, asserting, if he didn't, his followers would forget who they were dealing with. His mores have been inherited and embellished by those beneath him.