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As you might have guessed, Jhelom was one of the first places I visited when I had a few days' leisure to travel for pleasure. I had never been on a ship before, and I am grateful to be able to report that I did not contract the water sickness that afflicts so many travelers. The journey to the Valerian Isles was short and pleasant; it took much less time to reach the southern island than I expected.
Jhelom was far different from Trinsic - more so than I expected, as both are devoted to the military arts. The mercenaries of Jhelom are much more casual than I am used to ... quick to drink and quicker to anger. It seems for every small slight, real or imagined, they leap into a duel. On the other hand, duels are over quickly, with usually a scratch being enough to end the bout. It was very confusing, and I am only grateful that I saw how lightly duels were undertaken and settled before I hurt someone out of ignorance. Do not imagine, Kerick, that these duels of which I speak are common street brawls. If anything, the guardsmen of Jhelom are more vigorous than the norm in curtailing irresponsible violence. The duels of Jhelom all take place in their ungracefully named "duelling pit," where any two consenting contenders may face off against one another in complete legality, whether they desire a friendly test of one another's skills, or a bitter duel to the death. There is no doubt that Jhelom has a mostly transient population. Since mercenaries go where the battles are, there is no feeling of permanence in Jhelom. Things are slapped together with no attempt at lasting stability, and more than once I put my hand through a wall just by leaning on it! The locals just laugh and say that after training in Jhelom, fighters appreciate sleeping on the ground under a wagon ... where they know the ceiling won't leak and the floor won't collapse. There were fine things to be bought, however. I felt like a fine lady of Magincia, I was so thrilled by all the shops and markets. They had weapons, armour and gear of the finest - and the sorriest - sorts. There was quite an impressive assortment of magically enhanced weapons, armor and potions, too. However, the honest warriors who rule Jhelom have no love for magic, and have decreed that all magical commerce be confined to the city's small second island. Of course, what brought a tear to my eye was the war-horse market. Ahh, Kerick, I thought my mount a fine one, but those horses made my mare seem fit for nothing grander than plowing a field. My next steed will be from Jhelom, if I need slay every Ettin from Jhelom to Minoc to get the gold. One thing unique to Jhelom is that it is ruled entirely by officers retired from the military life. It lends a familiar feel to the city's administration, and I felt quite at home. Indeed, except for the constant dueling, I felt I was welcomed to Jhelom, on no merit other than that I was from Trinsic. There is a feeling of goodwill among fighters that I've missed since my days back home. It is not the same, of course. Their sense of honor is much more self-centered, and lacks any true luster. The thieves, also, are thicker than they are in Trinsic. But what can you expect of a place where "watch your back and that of your friends" is espoused as the highest of virtues? It was an interesting place to stay, but I was glad to leave, nonetheless. Your friend, Garreth |
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