epidemiology | EVENT ★ WELCOME TO PERDITION'S REST

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EVENT ★ WELCOME TO PERDITION'S REST

ARRIVAL

Recruits leave Oska at midday, with about 10 minutes of final warning given from over jewelcomms. Then the white mist rises as rifts open, and Oska is left behind. When they arrive in the new world, they’ll find themselves aboard a train, specifically seated in the coach traveling compartments. The other passengers -- humanoids with muted skin tones and bright eyes -- have already been notified of their arrival, so although there will be a good deal of curious staring, particularly from children, no one is going to be very alarmed at the strange, eclectic assortment of aliens that suddenly show up on board.

It seems that, for once, recruits will enjoy a peaceful arrival. The dusty scenery flashes by placidly outside the windows, the rumble of wheels is constant and soothing, and there’s even a snack cart that makes its way around (the snacks aren’t free, though -- recruits are provided a modest sum of Qorral currency, and the locals are already interested in getting in on it).

BAD COMPANY

The first sign of trouble appears about two hours after arrival when there’s a faint BOOM and each of the train cars gives a little shudder. That would be the rear train car’s back wall being blown open. The other passengers know exactly what this means, and some lock themselves into traveling compartments while others haul out previously put away shotguns and pistols, ready to do what needs doing.

And what needs doing is to fend off the troupe of bandits that have decided that this train looks ripe for the plucking. They board from the gaping hole they blew in the last car and begin shooting their way up the length of the train, robbing as they go, but they also circle out on their horses (mechanical and only vaguely horse-shaped four-legged contraptions that easily keep pace with the train) to provide an armed and unfriendly escort. They’ll shoot through the windows if anyone looks like a troublemaker, and are old hands at ducking to the other side of their horses to use them as cover from any return fire.

The conductor and all present passengers would really appreciate a hand from any recruits who feel like stepping up. Those not quite ready to engage in a shootout can always keep the civilians locked into the compartments company. They, especially the children, might need some calming words (and the sage advice to keep away from the windows, and stop making faces at the bandits).

The bandits put up a pretty good fight, but will eventually be driven away (hopefully without having snagged too many ill-gotten goods from the hardworking citizens of Perdition’s Rest), and peace falls back over the train. The passengers will be a bit frazzled afterward, though, and no one can quite ignore that whistling sound caused by the missing back wall of the final train car. It’s a long two more hours before they reach their destination.

WELCOME TO PERDITION’S REST

A dusty wooden sign swings on rusted hinges overhead as the train pulls into the station: PERDITION'S REST. The engine finally stills with one puff of smoke, and as the passengers begin to disembark, recruits will find a small group awaits them.

The Mayor, his aide, and the sheriff are gathered just outside the train station, and once everyone is more or less off the train and conveniently gathered, the Mayor will clear his throat for attention.

"I'm guessing y'all had a long ride here, didn't you?" He addresses the crowd calmly, with the kind of voice that doesn't need to be raised much to be heard. "Heard about them bandits.They ain’t gonna trouble you here in town, but best mind your wanderin’. I'm Mayor Mordecai Jones, and Perdition's Rest welcomes your company. You'll find our businesses hospitable and our services ready. We're a quiet place, keep mostly to ourselves and don't bother none. You'll do just fine here if you abide that."

The aide waits quietly as the Mayor speaks, while the sheriff eyes the gathered bunch with a resigned wariness. She, and a few other locals who would be willing to speak up if asked, are of the opinion that they've gotten by just fine for 30 years without anyone's help, and they don't figure they need it now. But they'll tolerate the meddling, so long as everyone plays nice.

Mayor Jones's speech draws to a close with a last note that trouble can be brought to him or to Sheriff Rosamund Holladay, and he, his aide, and Sheriff Holladay break the meeting without further ceremony and head away.

Welcome to Perdition's Rest. It's recommended that you look around a little, familiarize yourself with the place, and find lodgings. It's going to be home for a while.

OOC NOTES

Welcome to Mission: Perdition's Rest! This mission will last for around three months, currently slated to end in mid-December. Depending on developments, this schedule is subject to change at our discretion.

You can view the dossier here, which contains information that is ICly known to all characters, no matter their arrival time. You can find locations here.

Please direct all questions pertaining to the mission to the dossier page to keep questions and responses in one place for easy player reference. General game questions should be directed to the FAQ.

The Bounty Board will be updated this weekend, so keep an eye out! Remember you can also request bounty missions or submit player plots at any time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The hat had caught her eye for completely different reasons. It's silly, for most people, that a girl who can create anything she desires would prefer to shop for her clothes than make them, but then it was no different from a cook who wants to eat at a restaurant from time to time to her.

So, the hat, for her, was something that was more of a fashion accessory, and she had picked it up at the same time that Sabo had reached for it. She looks curious, as if wanting to try it, but his hand was there and it's enough to catch her attention and make her a little sheepish.]

Oh! I'm sorry. Did you want this hat?

[Sabo was quickly startled by the woman next to him. He was a bit too dazed to pay attention to the surroundings to notice her. She seemed shy ...so he tries to approach her calmly, hiding his sentiments with the hat.]

Ah.. yeah, I did. [He makes a side wave of his hand. He definitely knows he hasn't seen her before in his world, so it was obvious she wasn't associated with anyone who was involved in his brother's passing.]

I don't mind if you try it on first though.

No, it's all right.

[Her smile isn't exactly bright, but it was warm and polite, even as she offers the hat to him instead. It was a different accessory, and mostly something that caught her eye for being unique than fashionable, but...]

I was just curious. It's a rather unique design, so I couldn't help myself.

I don't blame you. [He takes the hat off Momo's hands and places it on his head. His bright smile faded into something less complacent, but still reflecting a calm air around her.]

The hat.. it was similar to what my brother had. [He adjusts the string with the medallion with the hat so that it's snug. He tips his head over so the brim covers his eyes.] He passed away a couple of years ago.

[Oh. There's surprise on her face, before she registers a more sympathetic expression as she bows lightly.]

My condolences.

[She offers a small smile though, gesturing to the hat.] Then in that case, it is all the more reason for me to have handed it to you. It seems to be one of its kind here at the moment.

Seems to be. Though it's rather strange to see such a design here since I've only seen it in my world. [He peers up from the hat, looking at Momo who is bowing to him. He waves his hands bashfully at the girl.]

You don't have to be so modest. I've gotten over it. The hat just happens to symbolize such sentimental value. [He smiles regardless, holding the hat's brim.]

Mm, considering that we're practically in the middle of time and space, it's possibly just a coincidental overlap. Or at least a reflection of what already exists, like this place.

[After all, what are the chances of a wild west themed planet that isn't on Earth? Why do they even have a wild west theme?]

Ah, if you're sure. I just thought that it would benefit you more than me.

Ah... this is true. It's funny how Ace has chosen to wore such a hat. [Because cowboys? He wanted to copy Luffy and Sabo into the hat brigade? Who knows. All that's left is probably the hat and the memories they shared as kids.]

I appreciate it though. [He changes the mood of the conversation by grabbing another hat and offers it to Momo. It was white, had a bit of a pinch on the top, and black string threaded on the edge of the brim.] You should try this on. It would suit you.

Is that his name?

[Clothes are like-- the one thing she definitely can't find herself making out of necessity but to buy for fun. The hat was very simple by her standards, but she still seems pleasantly surprised as he offers it, wearing it immediately.

It takes a bit of adjusting, especially because she puts her ponytail so high, but once she's done she turns to him, curious.]

How is it?

Yes it is. Portgas D. Ace. He was known as "Fire Fist Ace" back home.

[He chuckles, remembering how silly the name seemed but also how it suited the brother. The fact that he knew it before he regained his childhood memories.. it was pretty surreal.]

You look really lovely. The hat compliments your attire. [Sabo gives a nod to Momo and widely grins. Perfect hat ensemble to go with the woman's outfit. Definitely a plus.]

Oh! Thank you.

[She's not sure of its practicality, but she does seem happy about it. She doesn't take it off immediately though, tilting her head slightly at the response.]

Why 'Fire Fist Ace'? Does he, perhaps, have a Fire Qui-- err, Ability?

Of course. I'm glad you like it. [He slides his finger under his nose, satisfied with the outcome.]

Ah yes, Ace did possess fire ability. He was practically fire himself actually. It was due to a fruit he ate. [He tips his hat up, smirking deviously.]

Ace utilized all sorts of techniques that would render a lot of enemies weak and defeated at his whim. His trademark attack was called "Hiken" which was where his nickname came from. He was part of Whitebeard's crew in the Grand Line. [He could keep on talking for hours. His brother was just that amazing, okay.]

A fruit?

[It's always fascinating to hear how that works out, really, since her ability came to her naturally, but not so much in other worlds it seemed.]

Oh-- if I may ask, does that make him a sailor of sorts?

[It sounded like a sea battle, either way, and the surprise on her face is obvious because well... hats. Hats didn't match.] Either way, he sounds strong. I wonder if he's stronger than someone I know.

A devil's fruit! [He adjusts his gloves, and holds an ember in the middle of his palm.] In our world, we have these rare fruits that in exchange for your ability to swim, it grants you a unique power. No.. two powers are the same and Ace had obtained the Mera mera fruit, which was the ability of be of the element of fire.

[He shakes his head on the question that Momo asked.] He wasn't a sailor. Ace was actually a pirate.. who sailed along the Grand Line as part of his crew, the Whitebeard pirates.

[Sabo then looks toward Momo, smirking a bit.] He was pretty strong. ... Though I'm curious as well. Who is this someone you know of?

[A unique and rare fruit that grants powers in exchange for the ability to swim? That certainly sounded like a good exchange if you weren't close to water, but...]

A pirate? Are they not dangerous then?

[She seems surprised, then frowns at the implication. So, this Ace person was a bad one? After all, pirates loot and plunder often in stories she's read, even if she knows that's not always the case. Either way, they're definitely crossing illegally on the seas.]

He's a classmate of mine, though he possesses both fire and ice. He's quite formidable in battle, and one of the strongest students I know.

Formidable huh? I would love to meet the guy if he is here. [A guy with both ice and fire powers already sound pretty neat!! He thought it was pretty rare to be able to possess more than one power..]

Oh they're dangerous... but Ace was a good pirate! I mean he's considered a criminal, but he's actually pretty great in his morals. [He simply doesn't get the notion of pirates = bad. Most times.. it's the World Government that was corrupt back in his world...]

No, no. I'm the only one from my home here, alas. I think you'd have found him quite impressive.

[It was rare, even for them, but that's what made Todoroki even more special, she thinks. Then again, perhaps it was hard to describe what he was like without feeling inadequate at times, so she decides not to.]

I suppose... You'll have to explain what you mean by that. By concept, a pirate is far from a moral compass where I'm from.

[She feels a little rude for saying so, but it was a curious statement. Pirates, by definition, steal and loot and commits crimes that are not even remotely acceptable as far as she's concerned.]

Well... a pirate in my world means to set sail for adventures and have all the freedom in the world, discovering new things and finding treasure. We currently have an era.. which the pirate era that a lot of pirates have an end goal of finding the "One Piece" treasure that Gol D Roger had left behind, and becoming King of the Pirates.

[He says this in the positive air as possible to Momo. He knows that pirates are considered notorious or bad in his world anyway, but it's not always the case.]

My younger brother Luffy is one of those people. He actually does save people from danger.. and tries to right wrongs even when he's marked as a criminal to the Marines. He's pretty famous that way.

[He closes an eye, smirking at the woman.]

I'm sure he would be. Having both fire and ice.. is definitely something I've never seen.

I don't think going on an adventure itself is a bad thing, but why does this become a criminal activity?

[A few reason comes to mind-- international laws, for example, is one. The fact that there seems to be no system that allows them to travel freely is an odd one too, as there could be a number of reasons for that.

She realizes immediately though, how rude that sounded, and bows in apology.]

I-- Sorry. It's just... It's so different from what I know of them. It almost sounds more like a storybook, rather than an actual situation.

[And she does like her stories.]

No it's fine...[He waves his arms, noting that yeah you don't really need to bow for something you're not up to believing.] It's also keeping in mind that the world may not be as black and white as you think. [Back in his world.. while pirates are "bad" there are "good" pirates.. just as there are "good" marines and "bad" ones. It's pretty much a gray area and not think "good guys are good, and bad guys are bad".]

There are "good" pirates as there are "bad".. and not all marines are "good" either even though they serve to take down the pirates. The laws they have are restricted and it's not exactly a free for all.

Just like how some steal.. some don't. The Marines back in my world? While they are seen as "good", they're run by the World Government. The organization I'm in.. our job is to take them down because they're seen as "corrupt". We want peace and quality amongst people as much as a lot of people there but.. it's difficult when there's a lot of factors into play.

It's not a storybook, I'll tell you now. It's a real thing that happens. Some people from my universe actually think of it as such but a number of pirates do dream to obtain this "One Piece" and go off to adventures to see the world.

[Hopefully your brain isn't imploding, Momo. It's a lot of explanation and it's ... just more complicated than seeing it as cops and robbers, or some silly kids story like she said. It just has that light and idealism behind it so he's more than aware of how idealistic it may seem.]

No, I'm aware it's not so black and white. Even back home, there are some controversial issues regarding villains and heroes, but even then that's why rules exist. If a pirate is simply 'someone who steals', then how does this affect the rest who don't? What makes the fact that they go on adventures illegal?

[That's the part she doesn't get. Was it because pirates, even as adventurers, trespass international borders? Is it because they take the law in their own hands?]

So, you're somewhat more like a secret agent to take down the corrupt officials? Or are you an investigator?

[She's curious, and this was... a really deep topic when they're talking about hats, but curiosity is not easy to satisfy.]

An investigator... based on what I've been doing. [To Sabo, he's not really secretive much about his status as Chief of Staff of the Revolutionaries.. but he's not exactly loud about it either. He just talks abobut it when he feels the need to, that's it. In her case.. there's not much gain from mentioning his reputation as they're from different worlds.]

I've never thought about it too much, and you're right on pirates being "bad". Though like you also said the topic of what's good or bad is pretty gray. Luffy is aware he's seen as "bad" and he knows this as a pirate, but he really does his own thing and gets renowned and famous in my world by taking down anyone who's in his way of his goal of being the Pirate King. To become one.. one would need to become strong. To be strong.. he wants to earn the right on his own, by taking down forces who say otherwise. To be able to save his friends.. his family from the likes of others.

[He takes off the hat for a moment, taking a gander at the familiarity of the hat and remembering the other pirate - the other brother and friend to him when mentioning the next line.] It wasn't about stealing treasure... other than obtaining the "One Piece" that Gol D Roger had provoked others to reach that dream. It was purely freedom to venture out to new areas. The Marines had set boundaries and rules of the Grand Line because the pirates you know of do... bad things. They steal, they venture, they do anything that was considered unruly. But again.. it's not all bad. It just might have been restrictive due to how the world was, rather than just "being bad and stealing things and hurting people". The ones who do.. yeah they make a bad reputation of pirates, but as you said that's just what pirates are. It's a matter of seeing the person behind it, is what I wanted to say.

The Marines.. at least the lower ones just follow the rules of the higher ups.. and you don't really know the intentions of them either. They are also a pretty tight organization as they have a few rats here and there trying to take advantage of that role of "good guy".

[For a conversation to start with hats with something this controversal.. well... he sure had it coming. Sabo is pretty passionate when it comes to the topic at hand, but he is also aware of the roles everyone plays in his world. He's just usually the type to see the intention... the person behind such roles instead of looking at his brother of just being a pirate.. or someone such as himself being a "noble" before he met his brothers. Breaking the judgement from charaacter and seeing beyond prejudice is something he takes into heart.]

... I see. So simply put, these pirates are largely adventurers that are caught by the flow of a negative view of the trade. Certainly, traveling to areas that are restricted by the government is already a crime in itself, but they don't do it out of desire to harm others, but instead get involved in keeping the peace whilst trying to get this "One Piece".

Why is this "One Piece" so important that they would risk being seen as criminals? Surely, there should be legal ways for this to discovered. Archaeology isn't an uncommon practice, and if they get the preferred license for it, wouldn't it solve a lot of issues?

[She pauses, and frowns, because that didn't sound quite right either. No, there must be a reason this was something that is actively being discouraged, rather than simply being a hidden treasure.]

... Is this "One Piece" stolen?

[She doesn't tackle the topic of Marines just yet, as this was a separate issue altogether, and maybe one she'd willingly talk about later. For now, the subject of pirates as 'good' is more interesting for her.]

Edited 2016-10-11 02:02 (UTC)

Taking out what's necessarily... "wrong", yes. Like I said it's complicated, and not every pirate works like that. It's only people like Luffy who do that and it will be seen as "bad" because going against the Marines are already an offense in their system.

The pirates.. they are at arms trying to fighting one another for the "One Piece" and it's not always the case of just "good" being there. A lot of pirates have thrown away this dream and just did whatever they feel like doing. These included the inherently bad ones that whether you're a marine or another pirate... so yes they have this reputation of being bad. This includes being one of power.. which the Marines would rather not see pirates doing.

[All this coming from a man who is also seen as "bad" but under criminal status. He has a reason his organization is like that. He turns at the thought with Momo's question.]

According to what I've read and been told.... Gol D Roger, the owner of this "One Piece" is free for the taking.. so it's more of his legacy that it'd be found. "Lost" would a better word. It's his word that he provoked and created an era where pirates roamed trying to achieve this dream, but it's also since then you also see other pirates just trying to get wealth, fame and power over the Grand Line for their own ambitions.

As for your other question.. there is a matter of archaeology and discovery...there's no rule for claiming another one's treasure as long as they said it was free for the taking. Though stealing treasure in any world for good or bad intention are common practices you would see there.

[Legal? License? None of those really exist for pirates. So many questions though. He tries and be careful and listens to them while... trying to inform Momo as best as possible from what he knows.]

"One Piece" is known as the treasure to find.. and it was Gol D Roger's legacy in the Great Pirate Era.. obtaining would gain you a lot of fame and status ...almost as much as the Great Pirate himself.

Ah, true enough. If the government already sees pirates as bad, then being one would be a direct opposition immediately.

[So, from there, it was already a mess.]

It... certainly sounds a lot more complicated than I imagined, but I suppose they work similarly to vigilantes in my world. People who also do their best to protect others, but they do it out of the law, so they are as good as criminals in some cases. Of course, intention and action aren't always directly related but...

[This is fascinating, at least, to her, because of how differently they see and perceive the same thing. Perhaps, also, because of how she can see it transcend to a different field altogether.]

What kind of treasure is "One Piece" exactly...?

EVENT ★ WELCOME TO PERDITION'S REST

b-cause I can

you go momo

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