Snushgud, along the great Shdulus River, lies in the southeast of Shdustu. It is the largest, most populous, and most prosperous city in the entire region. The vast floodplain of the wide valley that surrounds the river fosters timber stands, and beyond these are found great fields growing many crops. Ravines to the east and west of the city that chart the ancient course of the river cut deep into the steppe host the most productive iron mines in all Shdustu. These brutal pits source the ore that powers Snushgud’s smelters and forges, and are the origin of much of the iron and steel forged in this wild land.

The city lies to the west of the river on a raised stony ridge that protects it from flooding, in the shadow of the Cadushnu Hills to the northeast on the opposite band of the river. A series of lonely, barren buttes, the hills would be an ideal home for bandits if they were not thoroughly infested with giant scorpions run wild. Caravans approach the city by swinging around the hills to the east and then crossing the river on a pontoon bridge that runs below the city docks. This maneuver magnifies the city’s appearance to all new arrivals. Its walls, washed white with lime, stretch north and south to form an elongated rectangle, with the north elevated above the south along the ridge. The prince’s palace, the temples, and the residences of the rich lie in the north, marked out by numerous gilded domes clad in gleaming copper sheathing. The south, which is both lower in elevation and closer to the river, hangs beneath a perpetual pall of smoke unleashed by the iron industry, and the walls and roofs are stained with soot. Those living in those districts tend to poverty, ill-health, and general misery. Their clothing and faces are often deeply stained. In the center of the city are bazaars, shops, and caravanserais, all geared to aid in facilitating the copious trade that flows through the city. Many live in the tightly packed buildings surrounding the city center, especially farmers who work the extensive gardens and orchards that are proximate to the walls.

Wealth and commerce inform the essential character of Snushgud. The city lies upon the great east-west trade route that stretches all the way from the western lands of far Dorade to the distant lands of Jingli to the far east. This route moves across the south of Shdustu, taking advantage of the branch of the Shdulus River that flows east-west and allow most of the distance to Shnudidishgu to be crossed over water, carrying barge traffic in summer and ice caravans in winter. Unlike the City of Scorpions, which has long held itself somewhat above the practice of commerce in favor of faith and the prestige of its nobility, the City of Knives has embraced the role of broker and stopover. The ruling prince always comes from one of four major Nikkad-backed merchant concerns, each of which controls one of the city’s primary bazaars. These families compete against each other using their great wealth, especially by hiring members of the Fellowship of Sharpeners, a guild of semi-independent assassins loyal to nothing but coin, to induce changes in rulership. Turnover among princes is higher here than in any other settlement, and one who lasts even five years in the position is considered remarkable. With such rapid shifts at the top, the post has lost much of its power and is largely reduced to ceremonial duties. The prince will also lead the army should the city come under attack. True power is held by the leaders of the four families. These despise each other, but inevitably unite in the face of external challenge.

Such competition fosters disorder and violence in the city, as everyone from the poorest charcoal burner to the greatest master craftsman identifies with one of these families. Even the alchemists and priests, who should be above such squabbling, are divided in this manner. Only those with allegiance to an organization with reach beyond the city such as the Rose Opal Healers and the Chapter House stand aside from this. The assassins too, hold a peculiar independence, giving loyalty only for the duration of individual contracts. It is said that the members of their deadly fellowship are all children of prostitutes, purchased for their cruel trade in infancy.

Divided cities of this kind are common throughout the world, emerging anywhere the central authority is unable to assert dominion. In many places this conflict leads to the development of gangs, and street fighting seizes the city any time some circumstance triggers a power struggle. In Snushgud this does not happen. Battles between the families are fought in two venues: accumulation of silver through commerce, and the hidden blades of the assassins in darkness. Open violence is condemned by all. Only shadowy conflict that can be denied in the light of the prince’s court is tolerated.

It is a strangely hypocritical path, for the eyes of the Divines are not blind to the hiring of assassins. All dark deeds will be judged by the Lord of Death in the end, whether humans learn of them or not. Such realities do not seem to much trouble the citizens of Snushgud. They seem to believe that ordering a killing for the benefit of their clan is no different from the prince ordering an execution in order to maintain public order or punish a criminal. I found such logic ridiculous, and attempting to have a priest explain the justification to me provided no clarity. Most foreigners share this confusion and are careful to remain within traveler accommodations or the bazaars while in the city. These regions are quite safe, due to the devotion to commerce. A minor benefit of this curious arrangement.

Upon arrival in Snushgud the Dragon Expedition was granted an audience with the prince, Druniyan. He supplied rich rewards for returning Kinarnash to the land of his birth. This was most welcome, as even this city and its vibrant farms had suffered due to the spring blizzards and prices were dear. I was hosted in the prince’s palace and invited to feasts by each of the four families who desired to hear the story of the journey. In an effort to impress these merchants, who I hoped would support swift travel west, I made a grave error that would have terrible consequences. It was a simple thing really, but among a people such as the Nikkad it was a most dangerous mistake: I told the whole truth of the tale, just as in this chronicle.

To most, this did not matter, and as in previous relations of the journey most scoffed at my retelling of the encounter with the dragon, considering it a poetic flourish at best and a base lie quite often. Master Kinarnash, however, had spent enough time in my company to recognize that I am not much given to self-aggrandizement. His return to Snushgud placed him back in contact with his cutthroat family, for he was of a mighty merchant lineage, and, I am now certain, with the Obsidian Order. Wizards serve a vital function in this city, for their arts can keep mining slaves alive in the brutal conditions of the flooded pits. It would take time, but the tale of a man with dragon blood in his veins was not one they were prepared to ignore, to the sorrow of many.

It would not be fair to condemn the whole of the city over this matter, though it weighs heavily upon my memories. Poisonous as the elite politics of Snushgud might be, it is otherwise a fascinating place where a seemingly unequaled variety of goods are available on offer. Local products are primarily foodstuffs and metal goods, but exotic foodstuffs from across Shdustu and beyond are common. This includes a very wide range of clothing. Cotton garments are produced in the towns along the river to the west, which support vast cotton plantings. Linen comes from the northeast, where flax is grown in abundance. Fine leather and furs sourced from swamp-dwelling creatures is shipped upriver from the Rutar lands to the south. Most precious of all is silk, carted across the desert from the distant east. Seamstresses and weavers are numerous in Snushgud, taking raw material and trader’s cloth bolts and making clothing ready to wear. Gold and silver extracted from the nearby mines are used to make brocade for the garments of elite nobles, princes, and khagans. Scarves, which are fashionable garments for ladies of all Shdustu’s peoples, are especially common luxuries for trade. Clothing crafted in the city often incorporates metal buckles, buttons, latches, and other accessories. Bracers, broaches, hair pins, and similar decorative metallic items are also common, though these are mostly produced to demonstrate the skill of the smith, for the city has few master jewelers.

Stolen story; please report.

Shdustu fashion is generally simple, dominated by full-body robes that reach from neck to just above the ankles and made of thick, durable materials. These are essential to endure the cold winters and the chill of night during even spring and summer. Simple loose pants and shirts are worn beneath this, and are similar are among all resident peoples, differing primarily in material and color. Variation is found primarily in how these garments are trimmed or arrayed, especially in warm weather. Elite Nikkad women often pin up their shirts to leave their bellies, arms, and shoulders bare, whereas Kharal men aspire to go shirtless save for the leather straps carrying their gear in order to advertise their physiques. Headgear is a common focus of fashion, especially as hats can be easily swapped out for simple functional variants when not needed without requiring the storage of large quantities of spare clothing. The Nikkad favor wrapped headscarves in women and circular peaked caps in men, though elite warriors wear hoods that wrap about the whole of their heads and hold in place a mask that rests atop the eyes. This mask is most commonly made from black cloth, but a prince and other high-ranking courtiers will wear shaped steel. To wear such a mask without having earned the substantial martial accolades required to obtain the privilege is a great offense and anyone who fraudulently wears such an article will be severely beaten by those who have the proper credentials. The precise contours of the necessary achievements were not made known to me, for the Nikkad do not speak of their warrior training to outsiders.

Metal goods arrayed for trade were very numerous, but these are mostly small items. The City of Knives is well-named. Its forges produce countless hand tools and small blades, but they do not produce true swords, as the Nikkad do not fight with such weapons. They rely upon thin spears, throwing knives, and long thrusting knives, but eschew the heavy cutting sabers and powerful lances of the Kharal. Occasionally apprentices will produce simple swords as a practice enterprise, which may be sold to mercenaries, but they will never make weapons suited to the needs of their mounted foes. The Kharal combat this exclusion by retaining smiths of their own and melting down and reforging weapons seized in battle to better suit their needs.

Tools of all kinds, often of very fine quality, are sold to merchants, and these spread far and wide across Shdustu. The caravans are quite fond of these, as they are valuable, compact, and durable, with axe and hammer heads especially favored. The Bahab and Rutar sometimes stockpile such implements as stores of wealth, used in gifting. I acquired a new long knife here, and it served well for many years.

As we had arrived in late summer, our time in Snushgud corresponded to the harvest season. Though it was a year of poor harvest, with many vegetables and even some grains lost during the cold spring, and fruit output reduced, it was still a very busy period with much frenzied activity. Food was also, for the first time in months, abundant, and everyone ate vigorously, stuffing themselves of commodities not easily preserved such as fruits and certain vegetables. This need to consume as much as possible foretold the hunger of the months to come.

The needs of the harvest produced a measure of unity in the city, mitigating violence, but specialized concerns arose in response. With banditry rampant, the workers in the fields and those transporting produce to the city were vulnerable to attack. The prince, wisely, spent a great deal of money dispatching both his own troops and all available mercenaries to guard the fields and wagons. Though expensive, this move won both popular support and served to secure the city against both winter intrigue and a likely Kharal siege. Unfortunately for the Dragon Expedition, it also snatched up the services of every able combatant in the city, including the Silversheen Mercenaries who had escorted us south. Lieutenant Kail sustained his offer to join us on a winter caravan once the river had frozen over. He asserted that there would surely be late arriving caravans from the east eager to make the journey. Though I did not relish the prospect of a winter journey and chaffed at the need to once again delay in a Nikkad city, I confess to being weary after the lengthy spring and summer on the road and willing to accede to the lure of a prolonged rest.

The elite families were very accommodating and allowed me to freely examine local scholarship, including a number of works acquired from the distant east. One of these, a book of maps acquired fifty years ago from a military deserter of some sort, represented the first cartographic record of the distant lands of Jingli that I believe any Sairn scholar has ever encountered. Recognizing the immense value of such documents, I made the best quality copies I was able and packaged them diligently to carry back to Crisremon. In this effort I was aided by Miali, a woman born in those distant lands who was part of the prince’s harem who could read and partially translate the strange alphabet used there. Her position was one of sustained courtesy, for she was nearly sixty and had been resident through the reigns of eight princes. This meant she had learned to speak fluent Nikkad, something almost all travelers from the distant east categorically refuse to do, even if they spend over a decade in Shdustu. Her ability to supply names and differentiate between place labels and descriptive terminology was essential in producing proper copies. Though the prince and the elite families constantly schemed to take advantage of the Dragon Expedition, this woman’s aid was wholly genuine.

Beyond scholarly pursuits, I spent time examining the farmlands and riverbanks in the company of Lady Indili. Tree plantations fill the lower floodplain of the river channel, mostly willow harvested for baskets, with oak and birch higher up the slope. Irrigation canals water fields of wheat, barley, lentils, and beans. The farmers of Snushgud disdain millet, though I never received a satisfactory explanation as to why. In the marginally wetter environs of eastern Shdustu grass grows higher, and this proximate pasturage increases the number of oxen available for plowing, resulting in larger fields. Perhaps that is the reason. Beans, and to a lesser degree peas, grow well in this region and form a much larger part of the local cuisine than in other settlements. A similar variation is found in the local flatbread, which is baked in long rectangular loaves that resemble the shape of the city. Rather than being flavored with sesame seeds, the common method in the Sanid Empire, or poppy seeds, common elsewhere in Shdustu, they use cotton seed in Snushgud. Other common flavorings include rosemary and fennel, which are mixed into seemingly all sauces and stews. In general, meals here carried significantly more spice than elsewhere, and imports of foreign spices to flavor the tables of the rich are a significant trade source. Bizarre spices, such as the ground up carapace of giant spiders or basting using heavily diluted scorpion venom are added to certain otherwise bland foods such as barely meal to produce sharp bite. The local alchemists have also pioneered the use of mixing venom into liquor, creating scorpion, snake, and spider wines. The resulting products are foul tasting and liable to cause sickness, but they create the illusion of the potency of distilled liquor without requiring that complex process. I quickly learned to refuse such cups.