EVENT ★ WELCOME TO PERDITION'S REST

[futurologists]

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.

Comments

[hyperverbose]

Gotta soak in all that local flavor while we can.

[predomination]

Before we have to actually do what we were sent here to do, hm? [he smirks] What do you make of all this so far, Tony-san?

[hyperverbose]

So far I'd say it seems less messy on the surface than the mission I heard about before our last one.

[predomination]

On the surface. [he taps his fan to his chin, thoughtfully.] Though I don't think for a second it's going to be all that simple. We know now that ALASTAIR doesn't shy away from completely destroying a society to save it.

[he can get behind a lot of ALASTAIR's ideals, and he knows when push comes to shove, he'll make the difficult choice, but free to think ahead, he's already trying to devise a way for this to hopefully not go as badly as Nalawi did.]

[hyperverbose]

Especially not when they have us to act as the face of the operation.

[predomination]

Why, Tony-san, are you implying they're using us to divert negative attention just because we're expendable foot soldiers? [SO SCANDALIZED... in the most facetious way, because Y E A H, he has definitely considered that to be a valid theory.]

[hyperverbose]

Think about it. What exactly are they out if they lose any of us? The universe seems to be providing them a pretty steady stream of replacements.

[predomination]

And there's no guarantee if we were to put up a fight that it would come up in our favor- we might outnumber them, but they know the terrain. [hence why he's kept his cards so close to his chest. he doesn't want them finding ways to exploit any possible loopholes in any plans he might have.]

It's all very messy, isn't it?

[hyperverbose]

The side of this hero-ing business most people don't talk about.

[predomination]

And a strategic career change is out of the question. [he sighs wistfully] It can't be helped.

[and on that note] Speaking of less-than-thrilling heroics, however, are you any good with chemicals?

[might as well borrow tony to help him with something. geniuses can't be allowed to be bored.]

[hyperverbose]

This isn't a Breaking Bad pitch, is it?

[predomination]

[he's from like 2001, tony. give him a break.]

It's a "you clearly need something to alleviate your boredom" pitch.

[hyperverbose]

Fair point. Carry on.

[predomination]

There's a problem with one of the local's water supply. It's mostly curiosity, but the altruism is a nice bonus, don't you think?

[hyperverbose]

Something poisoning the ol' watering hole?

[predomination]

Judging by the information, a jealous lover. [he looks scandalized... you know, in a mocking sort of way.]

[hyperverbose]

We're sure they weren't asking for it?

[predomination]

Oh, I'm almost positive of that, but I'm not interested in the altruism. I'm just curious about the sort of poisons the Qorral are inclined to use on one another. It might prove interesting.

[For like a bunch of reasons. Classic Urahara.]

[hyperverbose]

... Yeah, sure. I'll bite.