The alley reeked of brine and rot, the kind of place the city's darker dealings festered. Four seafolks surrounded their prey, a hunched merchant clutching a satchel to his chest. He was no fighter, his trembling hands gave that away, but desperation held him upright.
"C'mon now, friend." Sneered the tallest of the group, his globular eyes narrowing as he reached for the satchel. His webbed fingers gleamed faintly under the moonlight. "You've made plenty today. Share the bounty, eh?"
The others chuckled, their translucent skin glinting like polished coral. One of them, thicker in build with gill slits fluttering at his neck, shoved the merchant back against the wall. The satchel fell, spilling its contents: glimmering shards of green ore, no doubt rare and valuable.
The merchant's voice broke as he pleaded.
"Please! This is all I have! My family-"
