Nettlepond
A brackish southern pilot village where refugees learn the language of shallow water.
Nettlepond's namesake pools lie behind the exposed southern shore at Sound of Yalea. Reed beds move after storms, making last year's chart a dangerous comfort. Pilots train by guiding blindfolded partners along safe banks using calls and the sound of tapping poles.
Ari Damar has opened the training to refugees, breaking the hereditary monopoly of three pilot clans. House Oss supports the school with boats but refuses a permanent seat on its board. The first graduating class has found a deep-water channel that would bypass Highby's tolls, testing the tidekeeper's commitment to open passage.
Jalen coordinates boats without claiming command over their owners.
Ressa knows the lee routes between the southern fields and western ports.
A southern strait kingdom where safe passage matters more than the size of the fleet.
Qirarden allowed displaced sailors to train as pilots, without yet giving them equal council votes.
Una keeps dry clothing in every rescue shed and mends it in deliberately mismatched colors so nobody can sell it as new.
Tali learns warning calls by making older pilots explain their gestures.