Editing From The Pinnacle To The Pit (section)

==Important NPCs==

===Cynis Najalin Nasito and Cynis Najalin Caiyatro===

The two sisters of Maukai, they came to power over a century ago when the southern region, led by Naranja, attempted to conquer the Maukai. Faced with enemies on two fronts, the current Kai decided being a Realm tributary was preferable to losing his crown (and his head) to Naranja's invading forces. 

Nasito is a canny sorcerer and diplomat, but these days she spends most of her time indulging her vices. Caiyatro is a hard-nosed soldier known for her brutality. The two are lovers, though Caiyatro has married into one of Maukai's noble houses. 

Ashrapur's distance from the Blessed Isle has given the two considerable independence, which they like, but also means they cannot readily count on support should they need it. As such, they maintain the polite fiction that they are not in charge of the city and try not to ruffle the feathers of the locals. Lately, House Cynis has begun to demand more tribute from the island due to the ongoing civil strife in the Realm, but has also lessened the number of troops available to the sisters. This has put them in a peculiar bind. One they haven't yet found an answer for.

====Cynis Ashara Vah====

Ashara is one of Caiyatro's exalted daughters. Born to Maukain nobility, she serves as the city's warden and spends much of her time protecting merchants and travelers from banditry on the seas. As Maukai is a city built on trade, she's well-regarded among the citizenry. 

A serious-minded woman, Ashara has inherited her mother's dislike of politics, and shows little interest in bribes or in appealing to the cartels. This has led to attempts on her life, which the water aspect has easily survived.

===The Dancing Demon Leopard===
Little is known about the Anathema that haunts the jungles of the central wilds, but rumors abound. The creature can turn into mist, the creature caused all the inhabitants of a village to vanish, the creature steals children and sacrifices them for magical powers. Men found mauled in the jungle are said to have been killed by the Dancing Leopard. Women who become pregnant though still virgins say that the Leopard must have crept in their home at night. 

Though much of what is attributed to the Dancing Leopard is fanciful, it has committed numerous, grisly killings, and attacked hunting bands and scouting parties that ventured too close to its territory. What reasons, if any, it has for its actions remain a mystery.

=== Kai Tavisharwa Nah===
Tavisharwa was only eleven when he ascended to the Floating Thone of Naranja two years ago. While his mother holds no official title or position, she still exercises a great deal of political power, and is generally accepted as true ruler of Naranja. 

Due to Tavisharwa's age, his ascension and continued rule is an uncertain one. The atmosphere at the palace is one of mild but constant paranoia that one of the Kai's Sajils might attempt to seize the throne for themselves. Tavisharwa seems to be an intelligent and considerate child, but has become superstitious. He has lately invited a number of soothsayers, alchemists, and other wise men to the palace. 

===Kai Vashistic Om===
Vashistic Om was once the pride of Maukai. A handsome and outgoing prince, he charmed visitors to the palace and his exploits on the battlefield earned him renown with the common folk. This changed however, after a chariot race accident shattered his right leg and hip. Though Vashistic's body eventually mended, he became addicted to the powerful painkillers he took during the months of his recovery. 

Over the years, he became more temperamental, beset with bouts of melancholy or irrational anger. When his mother died and he ascended to Kai at the age of 27, Vashistic quickly withdrew from public life, preferring to spend his days in the palace's ornate pleasure dome. 

Vashistic Om is now nearing 50. He spends his days in an opium filled haze, oblivious to the world outside the palace walls and engaging in listless, fleeting pleasures. Maukai's nobility and Cynis patricians are happy to rule in his place, though a few of the older ones feel pity for the proud prince they once knew.