Windawill: The People of the Lane

Transit

The Lane is one of the several wandering locations of Windawill. You will rarely find it in the same place twice, and you will likely only fall upon it by random chance.

If you want to seek out the Lane, you should wander the backstreets and alleyways of Yopshim, Dimasi, or Almeda. If this is your first time visiting, be sure to close your eyes tightly every few minutes, just to be sure you haven’t stumbled across it by accident; many tourists reach the Lane only to wander out again without noticing.

The Place

Perhaps the smallest locale in this guidebook, the Lane is reference to a traveling street consisting of fifty-seven residents at any one time. This is not the limit of their population, however, as current demographics place the People of the Lane numbering in the several ten-thousands.

A nomadic people, many People of the Lane spend most of their time outside the Lane entirely. “It is easier to leave the Lane than for the Lane to leave you” is an oft quoted and oftener cursed axiom. No matter how many people leave or return to the Lane, there are never more than fifty-seven residents. How this remains constant, whether through fortune or magic, is still unknown.

To hear the citizenry tell it, to visit the Lane is no big thing. Anyone who stumbles across the Lane can spend a few days visiting, experiencing the ins and outs of the people who live there, and feel no great familiarity. It is only when you spend more than four or five nights in the tiny Lane that you may find it harder to leave. The Lane, they say, picks their own residents, and those who return may find themselves drawn back again and again until they cannot avoid the fact that they are now People of the Lane.

Note; many people take this as a warning. I see it as a choice: if you do not fear a significant change in your life, there is no need to be concerned with spending any amount of time in the Lane. If you would rather return to the life you have lived, only stay one or two nights.¹

The Lane is as turbulent and shifting as any provicinal alleyway, but there are, at most, three anchors that have remained in operation for the previous thirty years and show no signs of shutting down. These are Keel’s Wet Floor, the Emporium of Evasive Fortunes, and Raqu’s Grabbag.

I would be resmiss if I did not also mention the ubiquitous street-vendor, Waxx. Forever stationed at the middle of the Lane, Waxx operates a fresh echt² cart, providing a bowl to any who can afford the meager price of either a single item of silver, two scrip, or a piece of near-garbage. Waxx is tall for a fen-folk, with a thin and mild personality. I encourage anyone who considers intimidating or abusing the poor thing to exercise extreme caution, as not only will the People of the Lane fiercely defend their friend, but it is said the Lane itself has grown accustomed to his presence.

Keel’s Wet Floor

Keel’s is situated near the entryway of the Lane, marked by two simple wooden doors and a brass sign hanging at an angle. When commented on, Keel will tell you that if you’re not seeing straight when you leave, you’ll still need to know where you are.

Keel’s Wet Floor is perhaps the most up-scale destination for any visitor to the Lane. The barkeep, Keel, is a boisterous and jovial sort; wide bodied, bright eyed, and willing to help you forget your troubles with a wry joke or vat of ale.

Keel once told me that they are aware and accepting of their unofficial role as something of an ambassador to the outside world, and has become a bit of a defacto statesmin when dealing with outsiders. Keel knows everyone who passes through the entry to the Lane, and can point you in any direction you wish to go. They are fiercely defensive of the People of the Lane, and will fight to protect anyone who is in danger from the outside.

The Chef, a looming woman that goes by the nickname Pans, (a diminutive of their actual name, Pazanoum) is a notable and attentive chef, well practiced in a great number of cuisines across the fantastical world. Famed for refusing to get anyone’s order correct, Pans will adjust or modify any order to fit her specific palate, resulting in something always delicious if only somewhat similar to the customer’s request.

Customers should be aware that Keel and Pans are adamant that no flesh is ever sold to their customers. As such, if you come from a culture of meat or one that avoids plants, be aware you will be forced to expand your tastes if you choose to eat at Keel’s Wet Floor. ³

Keel accepts most forms of currency, though they will never accept coin from Garm. Travelers are advised to exchange their currency before arriving.

Emporium of Evasive Fortunes

The Emporium of Evasive Fortunes is the best location in the Lane for relieving yourself of your weighted coin-purse. A collection of valuable experiences are ripe for the purchase at the Emporium, including musical performances, games of chance and skill, and a lively and spirited atmosphere.

The hostess of the Emporium is Lady Dimasquin, a short woman of great poise and class. It is the policy of the Emporium to accept all comers with open arms, and Lady Dimasquin is more than willing to lead by example. She hates to see frowns or bored faces, and is not above giving free drinks or food samples to those who are not enjoying themselves.

Note, The Emporium deals only in nipks. If you don’t have any, you may purchase a purse for a small donation, but you are limited to only one purse per night. Don’t try to purchase more, either from the Emporium or from any of the players, as Lady Dimasquin is quite firm on the rules and will not tolerate loopholes.

Raqu’s Grabbag

Raqu is famed among the People of the Lane as a finder of oddities and a keeper of curiousities. Facinated by all things left behind, Raqu dedicated his home to displaying and studying his collection.

Born on the outer regions of Esliki, Raqu holds strong to what he calls “the code of trade,” a minor and uncomplicated moral code of the region. While little applies to visitors, Raqu will trade anything in his home for something of comparable value, though travelers should be aware that what constitutes “value” to Raqu is something of his own design. In accordance with the Code of Trade, Raqu will always find something worthy of barter, and will delight in haggling.

The People of the Lane have found themselves something of a folk-figure in Raqu, who has lived in the Lane longer than anyone else. There are legends about people who come to the lane and visit Raqu, only to become long-term residents. It is said that Raqu owns something from every person who has ever been part of the Lane, and some people even whisper that he is a kind of god, who owns the Lane and everyone in it.

For my own self, I have spoken with Raqu on many occasions, and if he is a god, he is a rather casual and charming one. He laughs at these tales, admitting only that he is old and has lived in the Lane longer than most. “For a constantly evolving place like the Lane,” he told me, “it’s only natural that the stable and reliable be looked on with awe.”

God or no, the Grabbag is well worth visiting for any Tourists who find pleasure in the unknown. I have spent many hours chatting with Raqu about his curios, discussing the finer points about differences in wines or shades of paint. The two-story shop is filled to the brim with strange items both young and old. It is perhaps trite to call the Grabbag a pawn shop, as Raqu cares more about an item’s interest than its monetary value. Garbage and treasure can be found in equal measure, here.

Of particular note is Raqu’s favorite item: Faultlin’s Hand. Given to him by a wandering merchant, this is Lady Fautlin’s original hunting falcon. Confirmed and notarized by the Fautlin Estate, as well as the falcon herself, Raqu has taken good care of the Hand, and has provided several perches for the bird around his shop.

I found it difficult not to marvel at the clear eyes and fierce claws of Faultlin’s Hand. There is no doubting the tales of the bird’s effectiveness and lethality. What I found surprising, however, was the colorful plumage and sleek beauty. The gray and blue colors mingle in an effervescent dance caused by the flickering candlelight. It’s almost sad to think about how the bird was used by her mistress, turning a creature of such simple beauty into a tool of such brutality.

Of course, the Hand herself has her own opinions, as well as a strong sense of propriety; she will not speak in detail about her past, and generally remains closed-beaked about politics.

Accommodations

Accommodations are relatively sparse in the Lane. There are no motels or inns, and rooms are only rentable from the locals. Some locals reserve their rooms for tourist groups, and don’t rent to backpackers, hikers, and single-room tourists. This is not to say it is impossible to find a comfortable room, however. It is always worth a call to see if the local hostels have spare “Cot’ums”, or cot-rooms; tiny spaces with small beds for people who need a roof and are not troubled by spartan facilities and service. Such rooms are usually only 5 Dale a night at the most expensive.

Things to Do

There are a possibly surprising amount of things to do in the Lane, and most visitors will find a great deal to interest them, for however long they end up visiting.

One of the few sorcerers who regularly interacts with the populous, Wagni the Witlock delights in putting on magical displays of color and shape. Calling herself the one true artist of the world,⁴ Wagni visits the Lane regularly throughout the year and puts on performances in the street at dusk.

Wagni is a cheerful sort and does not perform for money. Instead of tossing her coins or donations, offer to buy her a drink. Don’t worry about messing up your schedule or taking time out of your day to do so; simply carry on your day as usual, and do not be surprised when Wagni appears out of nowhere one day when you enter a bar or sit down at a restaurant. I have purchased a drink or a snack for Wagni several times, and she never managed to outstay her welcome, only having a small chat for a few minutes before moving on.

Situated about half-way down the Lane, the Palace of Lane is one of the smallest palaces in the world, being no bigger than a bungalow. Built by the Daffodil King of Yopshim in 940, the Forsworn Palace is an engineering marvel, with the first historical use of sweeping parapets, an innovative locking-brick method of setting the stones without mortar, and a cleverly interlaid slate shingle roofing design, the Palace of Lane has confounded historians and inspired masons for generations.

The Palace is currently unoccupied, and most people of the Lane agree that it’s better that way. The Palace itself is small enough that it can only comfortably house three people at most; hardly enough for a family, much less a monarch and their servants.

If you stay awake until midnight, you can catch a performance of the Lanadown Chim. Born from an ancient call-and-response musical tradition, Lanadown Chims are performed every evening outside the Star and Nugget. Nowadays, the Lanadown Chim has become an communal improvisation: the chim is begun by a self-appointed song-leader, and the assembled all join in. Lanadowns are then performed periodically by anyone who feels inspired.

If you decide to listen, be aware that you will be expected to sing along. The chim portion is easy enough for most, and since you are a visitor you will not be expected to perform a Lanadown, but I have heard of several visitors who have felt thrown by the sudden community.

And of course, the Star and Nugget is an excellent bar and grill, with a remarkable variety of drinks and pub-foods. Be aware, they also provide a collection of — at least as other cultures classify them — recreational drugs for consumption. The Lane’s view of drug use is much more open than other cultures, and there is no stigma or legal regulation of many different substances.

This attitude extends to physical intimacy as well. Almost Chikurrian in its attitude, sex is considered a “fun thing to do with someone you care about,” and is much more common (and in some cases public) among friends than other cultures.

However, I should caution that there is perhaps more of a stigma around over-indulgence. Social drinking, sex, and drug use is accepted, but using drugs or alcohol while alone or outside of a celebration is considered offensive. The purpose of drug use in Lane culture is as a seasoning to life, not a fuel or life-goal. Similarly, sex is a mutual expression of care, not an end in itself.

I believe the Lane itself agrees with these sentiments, as I have heard tales of many people who have wanted to indulge in extensive legal drug use or sex-tourism, and been unable to find the Lane, even after searching for several years.

Lane culture is impressively communal. Everyone who resides in the Lane has chosen to be there, and at times it can seem like the Lane is more a family than a street. This isn’t to say there aren’t cliques, disagreements, or conflicts; but there isn’t a soul in the Lane who will not drop everything in defense or support of their fellows. Even people who are technically “of the Lane” but spend most of their lives outside it will be welcomed back like old friends should they visit.