Lore24 Jan 23: The Companions of the Shell

 The Companions of the Shell is the largest gang of criminals operating in Nashat-Ippur. Their name comes from the fact that many members used to be pearl divers, going into the river Sem to to bring up their bounty from the giant man-eating clams inhabiting the river. As one can imagine these already rough-and-tumble men and women found it easy to convert to a criminal enterprise when the empire collapsed and the market for pearls shrunk to almost nothing.

They mostly deal in protection, prostitution, and illegal magical artifacts (which is most of them), as light narcotics are already legal in the city, and they are keenly aware that supplying heavy narcotics would cut into the long-term sustainability of their operations. This understanding most likely comes from the pearl diving business, as the clams need around fifty years to grow large enough to provide the most expensive types of pearl, so harming them is ill-advised as the fully grown ones are hard to replace.

They also have a rather robust network of smugglers, so they can help getting something into or out of the city for the right price. They also have some people who semi-regularly go to the necropolis of Nashat-Ippur to steal some of the less essential grave goods, which are less likely to get them cursed when removed. These people will also try to prevent anyone else from pilfering the necropolis, as they know all too well that a botched tomb robbery might call down the wrath of the undead on everybody’s heads.

The head of the organization is Nin-Ama, scarred ex-pearl diver with a hook replacing one of her hands. She has no-nonsense personality and runs a tight operation. Rumor has it that she is the secret lover of Shar Akamat, but anyone caught saying so loudly is usually found beaten half to death on the streets the next morning.

The headquarters of the gang is deep in the Spiderweb, in a natural cavern that has an underwater connection to the river, making it ideal for smuggling operations.

 Image by Andy Nelson

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