Worldofbaalos

Sultan's scraps was what the galley masters swore about over a flagon in a quayside bar. "Sluts who broke at the oar within a day. Or worse kept alive for longer but weakened your arm from the flogging to make them any use at all" These were what these masters thought of the slaves gifted on them for a fee from the inquisitors chamber and cells. Usually much marked by the lash and brand they were a pitiful sight hanging on the auctioneer's hook. A good galley master would check for broken bones from the rack or strappado pulley or the Horse and its weights. Most were dragged to the Pit in their dungeon fetters. This household slave had  run away from her master and stolen food. Caught by the city guards she'd been sent to the Inquisitor for questioning. She broke under the lash and the pinch of red hot iron pincers. Spared the cross because the Inquisitor's surgeon judged her strong enough for the galleys, the wench hung from the auctioneer'...

Inspecting new flesh is an art said Gallo. A slave may be artfully presented by the slavers, hanging from a hook, their limbs oiled and torches lit to cast shadows over musculature. But Gallo knew you needed to inspect stock in the Pits  closely before bidding. This fresh slave from the Northern Lands seemed healthy. She will do for the oar bench for a few seasons Gallo and his nephew, pomades to their noses, ventured into the Pits. Slaves were displayed in chains. Some stretched from high rings. Their bodies shining from sweat triggered by the humid heat of the deep dungeons or fear of servitude. Gallo enjoyed to see the freshest of stock, new captives being broken into slaves. He enjoyed explaining to his nephew how new slaves were yoked so they couldn't feed or touch themselves. They learnt how their bodies were no longer their property but that of their masters. A new captive is locked in a slavers yoke to break their spirit and allow bidders to in...

Where is Baalos? Across the wine dark seas, bordered by mountains and desert plains and rich estuary lands. A land ruled harshly and founded on slavery and war. Slaves are invariably female. Bred or seized into bondage. Kept naked except for house hold slaves who might don loincloths or rags Marked with the brands of their masters and mistresses, slaves toil in the bedchambers, kitchens, fields, mines and galleys of  Baalos. There is no finer land.