epidemiology | EVENT ▸ WELCOME TO HANABIRA

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EVENT ▸ WELCOME TO HANABIRA

LAND OF CELESTIAL MOUNTAINS

Following guild Ophelia's first mission, after which the temporal shard was found and safely disposed of back on Headquarters, Guild Master Imogen informs them they've received a contract to help ease tensions in a land known as Hanabira, on an unnamed planet designated as Hathaway-484. However, the contract is from a third party and the Hanabirans themselves do not know about interdimensional travel, she explains, so it'll be best to announce Ophelia as visitors from a foreign land. Any strange appearances or abilities will be able to be brushed off as magic, as the Hanabirans are no strangers to things such as ogres and imps. They're given five days to look over the dossier, and then it's through the rift they go.

Those who are new to rift travel may find themselves a bit dizzy on the way out, but overall, everything seems to have gone according to plan. Upon arrival, their magitek projects words in front of their eyes that only they can see:

Location reached: HANABIRA.

No events scheduled. You may wish to survey the surrounding area.

» LAND OF CELESTIAL MOUNTAINS
A militaristic society that values strength. Main sources of income: mining, foresting, hunting, blacksmithing. Heavy matriarchal ideals. Empress NAMA resides at the HEAVENLY SUMMIT.

Those who attempt to reach the Heavenly Summit, which turns out to be the name of a castle situated on the tallest mountain peak, will not make it very far. Empress Nama's guards have no time for foreign strangers attempting to enter the castle without an audience, and there are plenty of them. It looks like that plan of action is going to take some time to rethink.

There's still much more to look at, though. In the Merchant's District, you can stock up on everything you'll need to blend in. A cursory look at all the clothing and it's clear that the Mountain Clan style focuses on a more powerful look, with broad shoulder accents and thick fabrics. Both men and women wear kimonos, but it seems men's fashion changes depending on their age and marital status. Time to figure out those backstories! There are several more items for sale as well, as long as you're willing to pay -- or if you're particularly good at sleight of hand.

The Commoner's District, derogatorily called the Slums by some, is where many of the lower class Mountain Clan work and live. Those who don't have the coin to buy a space in the Merchant's District sell their wares here; they are at a lower price, but often of lower quality as well, unless you're particularly lucky. This is the most densely populated area of the Celestial Mountains, and also the most egalitarian. Here, both men and women must do the same work to provide for their families. However, you will still find that the prevailing cultural attitude supports the matriarchy.

On the other side of town is the Noble's District, which is patrolled by guards on regular routes. Men on their own will arouse suspicion in this area, as will anyone in any garb but the noble disguise. Troublemakers will be asked to leave and unceremoniously escorted out. Those who manage to stay will be able to find conversation with the nobility, many of whom are high-ranking military leaders.

The rest of the town belongs to the lower to upper middle class, who are friendliest to women or groups with at least one woman in them. Women's reactions to sole men may range from dismissive to awkward, although men alone are not in any danger of angry or violent reactions (as long as they don't provoke anyone).

▸ SPRING FESTIVAL

After a bit of time for exploring, a new message flashes in front of recruits' eyes.

New event scheduled: MOUNTAIN CLAN FESTIVAL.

» INFORMATION: Analysis of all mentions of 'festival' since the arrival of OPHELIA suggests heavy HANABIRAN presence at this time, during which guild members may wish to gather intel.

It appears as though Ophelia has arrived just in time for the Spring Festival, a yearly celebration in honor of the changing of seasons. Plum and cherry trees throughout the Celestial Mountains flower in white and pink blossoms, creating a cheerful atmosphere as the population goes about their daily business during the day. Workers view the flowers during their lunch and tea times, and nobles can be found strolling through gardens in the Noble's District at all times.

In the early afternoon, food stalls begin to appear in the Merchant's District, and by the late afternoon, the festival is in full swing: dumplings, noodles, persimmons, and skewered meat are available at various stalls, as well as plenty of sake. Other stalls sell beautifully designed kites, fans, and kimonos, and as the sun begins to sink down, some stalls begin to sell incense-stick fireworks.

There are also games to take part in, from the light-hearted collaborative ball game kemari, to an archery competition, the winners of which are rewarded with plums and sake. An old man near the archery competition invites any passersby to join him in a game of Go, and he'll even offer to teach foreigners the rules of the game. There is also a falconry competition for the nobles, but unless you have a disguise, you'll just have to content yourself with watching.

With so many people milling around, it's a good time to ask questions and try to get a feel for the political opinions of the people of the mountain clan. They are all in favor of their empress ruling Hanabira, supporting the spread of their traditional culture over the more lax culture of the sea clan. If asked their opinions on how to ensure there is no war, suggestions will range from preemptively killing the sea empress and her army, to banishing them across the sea. It should be noted that the mountain clan is not especially known for their expertise in diplomacy.

As the sky darkens, fireworks light up the sky. It's very beautiful, but also very distracting -- the perfect time for something to go wrong.

▸ AN AMBUSH

The fireworks are loud, and everyone -- even guards milling around -- are looking skyward toward the display. No one notices the danger until it's too late.

A scream pierces the air, and everything after that happens quick and sudden: people are running in all directions, panicked, trying to escape. Stands are knocked over and food goes flying through the air. A merchant struggles to reach her wife, caught across the fearful throng of festivalgoers. It's chaos.

As the panicked crowd begins to thin, those of Ophelia who stay behind to help will see the cause -- women wearing clothes of the sea clan and masks covering their faces are laying waste to the festival ground. They begin to set stalls ablaze, and though they aren't targeting any civilians, a handful lay dead or injured, crushed by the panicked stampede.

Guards rush in to stop the women, and they could probably use help; they will be trying to capture them, but if your character is killing an ambusher instead, please let the mods know with a link to the thread.

For those who aren't the fighting type, there are plenty of other things to do -- direct traffic, try to rescue civilians from the stampede, or go find someplace to hide yourself. Once the immediate trouble is dealt with, the festival unceremoniously ended, the civilians drift back to their homes to begin a restless sleep. If your character hasn't found lodgings for the night yet, they'd better get that matter settled soon.

The morning after the ambush, there is tension and unease in the air. The people of the mountain clan mutter about taking revenge or continuing peaceably; the ambush and its effect on their relations with the sea clan is the topic of the day. Was this an attack sanctioned by the Empress of the Crashing Wave? Were these sea people acting of their own volition? Does it matter?

The festival grounds could use cleaning up, and tending to the injured can be a good way to ingratiate foreigners (that's you) to the mountain clan. Otherwise, the forests of the Celestial Mountains are open for exploration, or the Flowerlands and its farms below.

▸ OOC NOTES

Welcome to the first mission of the season! Apps are now closed and will remain closed until the mission is over. If you have questions about this log or the overall mission, please ask them on the dossier. Questions about Futurology in general should be directed to the FAQ.

▸ The festival and ambush lasts one IC day, after which characters may continue to explore. Areas currently open are the Land of Celestial Mountains or the Flowerlands. The Empire of the Crashing Wave will be introduced in the next log on 3 February.

▸ The Bounty Board is now live, as well as an items page. The February calendar will go live in late January.

▸ January AC will go up on 1 February. You will only need to supply one proof. February AC will require full activity.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ It feels as though something dug into Laphicet's chest as soon as he stepped into the merchant's district. For some reason the air of malevolence around the area felt thicker. It's not so much that he can't move around or function, thanks to his magitek acting as a dampener.

He notices a number of people have their eyes on someone at one of the merchant stalls and as he steps closer, he realizes it's a fellow teammate from Hathaway. And he can feel the dark energy emanating in his direction. ]

Uh...

[ He should probably tell him to stop...? Or maybe that small sound he made will grab his attention. He's not even sure if he can say anything or if Kylo can see him, so he's just going to stare at him as he picks up the cat statue. ]

[At about the same time he picks up the cat statue, he senses -- something else. Quizzically, he blinks down at the statue, as if it were the source, but his senses quickly direct him elsewhere. Oblivious to the owner fussing at his side, he squints suspiciously in Laphicet's direction.

Its--not quite the Force. But he can sense his unease, even at this distance. So carefully, he replaces the statue and wanders toward him, leaving the owner looking just as dazed and confused by his sudden fascination with open air.]

--what are you?

[Kylo, that's a person, have some manners.]

[ His shoulders tense up, shrinking back only by a step. If sensing out his presence wasn't enough to signal that Laphicet's not a human, the boy's reflection strangely doesn't turn up along a nearby mirror on display.

He's an awfully tiny boy, tilting his head up to look at the towering man before him. But then he bows his head, appearing apologetic for sensing out his negative energy. Not like he can help it though. It's almost overwhelming and difficult to ignore. ]

I'm-... Here's not a good place to talk about this... sir. Everyone's looking this way.

[ Way to go drawing more attention by talking to open air, Kylo. ]

[Oh.

Kylo Ren looks up and notices the looks he is getting, suddenly very aware of himself and his actions. Rather than offer a verbal reply, he gives a quick little nod of understanding to Laphicet in hopes that he will lead them somewhere more appropriate.]

[ Laphicet heaves out a sigh and takes the lead, walking until he can find a corner somewhere that doesn't have too many people around for Kylo's sake. He heads in the direction of a clear area nearby with some empty merchant stalls, possibly for something later.

He turns around to check on Kylo, though he doesn't doubt he's still following if he can feel a bundle of darkness behind him. It should be safe to talk now. ]

...Sir?

[Kylo glances around briefly to make certain that they hadn't been followed. He's keenly aware of how -- alone he is, abruptly. It was a good way to get himself in trouble.

But Laphicet's state of being is enough to keep him from running out of town until people forget about his small outburst. He's not particularly fond of children -- his socially awkward tendencies often drove them away, long before he had joined the First Order.

And for all that he looks like a child -- well, something doesn't quite add up.]

They could not see you?

[ The boy's been around too many unpleasant types, so he doesn't even think of bolting away from someone like Kylo despite the intimidating air about him. ]

No. Most people usually can't see my kind...

[ Keyword being most. He's not going to exclude the possibility there may be a human among the natives that can detect him, but he has yet to find one. Though so far, it's only been a small few with Hathaway.

He seats himself on a wooden crate, expecting they might be talking awhile. He figures he has some explaining to do. ]

To answer your question from before, I'm a malak. We malakhim are a race of spiritual beings.

[‘Spiritual’ doesn’t quite translate, but he takes his meaning for the most part. Some critical thinking skills allow him to come to the conclusion that his Force sensitivity is what allowed him to communicate with this...spirit? Ghost? He supposes it doesn’t matter.]

Convenient, for this mission in particular.

[Considering their company — there is bitterness on his tongue. He already hates this place.]

[ Spiritual being is the best description he can provide to those not of his world. He spares him the additional details and unfamiliar terms, unless he asks. ]

Yeah, I guess. Still, I'd rather not risk myself getting caught by a priest.

[ His gaze lingers on Kylo for a moment. Anger, sadness, hate? And more. He has a hunch as to what other emotions might be mixed in. The amount of malevolence is concerning. He's curious, but he doesn't feel it's something he should bring up.

Instead, he offers a genuinely friendly smile. He'll endure the negative energy... ]

...So, what's your name? I'm Laphicet.

["Being caught by a priest" only fills his head with more questions. The concept of religion other than the Jedi Order is mostly lost on him, but he knows the definition -- just not the context.

Fortunately, Laphicet gives him something else to answer.]

Kylo Ren.

[He's still kind of probing the Force (not unlike a child poking at a slug), as if expecting Laphicet to react somehow.]

[ It's what Hayame had warned him about, although he's not sure how different Hanabira priests were to the ones associated with the Abbey. Their tasks sounded similar to what the Exorcists do. ]

Well, good to meet you.

[ He continues smiling. Sorry, no connection to the Force with this boy. He merely carries on with the conversation, tilting his head slightly. ]

Were you searching for something at the shops? We could go back, Mr. Ren.

You don’t have to lie. I can sense it.

[He would have to be blind to the Force not to sense Laphicet’s discomfort. He cannot pinpoint the source, of course, but he could make some educated guesses. There were many others who had similar reactions.]

Kylo, Ren, or Kylo Ren is fine. There was nothing there of import. Primative, largely useless beyond applications I have no present interest in.

Sense what? Me?

[ His smile falters as Kylo calls him out, his shoulders stiffening up for a moment. He hangs his head, giving him that same apologetic look from when he first saw him at the shops. ]

Uh... I-I'm sorry, Kylo. I wasn't trying to lie about anything...

[ More that he was just trying to avoid talking about a possibly sensitive subject. ]

You. Your emotions.

[His eyes narrow thoughtfully as he takes in his reaction, tilting his head slightly. He wasn't really offended -- but it is interesting that Laphicet seems to have some concern over it.]

You are not the first to find discomfort in my presence.

My emotions?! ...O-oh. You may be the first human I've met that can do that.

[ Actually, he thinks it's an amazing feat for a human. At the same time, his cheeks flush a bit, slightly embarrassed.

He tilts his chin up to directly look at him again. As he realizes Kylo doesn't seem displeased with him, he tries to put himself at ease. Slowly and calmly as possible, he vocalizes his thoughts. They're thoughts he would have kept to himself if he were talking to any other person, a subject he would have discussed at a later date once he knew them better.

But there's probably no point in keeping it buried when his feelings are being read. ]

I can feel the malevolence residing in living beings. Their impure emotions... everyone has a little darkness inside of them, which is normal. But you— you're overwhelming with malevolent energy. Your heart aches. It's scary.

[ Yet, Laphicet is still here, talking to a frightening person... likely because he's too kind. It's too much despair for one person to handle. ]

[Laphicet’s explanation makes a part of him grin with some sadistic glee. But, equally, it makes a lonelier part of his heart twist. Yes, his power in the dark side was great now. He should not be surprised that someone sensitive to enotion would pick up on it.

But he will privately reject the idea that his heart aches. He’s fine. He has never been better.]

I believe what you are feeling is the Force. Or some form of it.

[But he doesn’t feel the Force in this boy, beyond what he normally feels. How odd.]

The Dark you feel is what gives me my strength. It is as much part of me as it is a part of the air we breathe.

Edited 2018-01-16 01:01 (UTC)

[ He's a being born from pure and untainted mana of his world, nature's energy. Though his magitek, his vessel offers him protection from the impurities, he can still feel it. He flinches, reacting to the twist of the dark in Kylo. There's another dull pang to his chest and a chill up his spine.

Someone with this amount of dark in them would have transformed into a daemon at this point, at least in the world where Laphicet came from. ]

What's "the Force"? That's how you're sensing my emotions too, isn't it.

Yes. It is an energy that flows through and makes up all things in the universe. I am sensitive to it.

[Said to the tone of someone who has explained this many times before.]

Though I have never seen someone like you -- so close to it, yet separated entirely.

[ He lets out a thoughtful hum, resting a hand on his chin. ]

The universe is everything in space, is it? It's still a new concept to me.

[ The technology in his world isn't advanced, perhaps much close to what they have in Hanabira. No spacefaring. Accepting Hathaway's invitation and showing up on Headquarters is his first experience in space. It's fascinating, something he wants to look into once they're finished with the mission here. He'd been poking through the TekFlex encyclopedia for some unfamiliar terms. ]

What you describe sounds like an earthpulse, but bigger. An earthpulse is like a river flowing with life's energy, in my world. Malakhim are born from its pure energy and in some rare cases, humans are reborn as a malak.

Maybe... that's why I'm so close to it.

Its everything tangible that exists.

[That's the best way he could describe it. If they were specifically talking about space, he could break it down further, but he has a sense that its not what Laphicet is talking about.]

That argument is sound.

[Kind of like a Force ghost but -- not.]

Oh. Everything tangible...

[ He repeats the words to himself, trying to understand. Guess he'd gotten it mixed up.

And for a moment, he forgets that he's sitting in the vicinity of murky, dark air. He beams. Being close to something similar to a giant earthpulse? Cool. ]

So I'm close to the Force. Huh. That's pretty amazing!

[If he had more childish wonder in him, he would probably agree. But he does not. He's a basket of apathy. He does, however, nod in understanding.]

In a manner of speaking, if what you say about your world is true.

[Absently, he glances sideways, just to make sure nobody has picked up on the fact that he is apparently talking to nothing.]

I am surprised Hathaway managed to recruit you, if no one can see you. Does the magitek interface with you?

[He honestly doesn't understand how that technology works.]

It does, actually! That's how I communicate with the people who can't see me. Plus, it doubles as my vessel.

[ Since his human vessel isn't here...

Reaching up, he holds between his fingers a small pendant securely attached to his collar, his jewelry of choice for his magitek. Somehow it's invisible along with him, to the average person. Weird. He doesn't get this technology either. ]

I'm amazed how it can serve far more than just a communication system. There's so many books, maps, games, and all sorts of things to look at! I really want to know how they managed to make something like this.

[ He's rambling a bit, far too excited over the apps installed in their device. He'll express all the childish wonder for the both of them. ]

[He listens patiently, only digesting about half of what he says. Space magic and actual magic don't quite line up.]

Perhaps you can ask, when we return to Headquarters.

[Hopefully that wouldn't be too much longer. Hanabira was already irritating him. Not that it ever took much.]

Planning on it! I can't wait to get back on the ship!

[ Thanks for listening to him babble and still talk to him. He seems to be more at ease. Still doesn't rid of the malevolence around him.

Though mention of Headquarters reminds him of their mission. He swings his legs, then hops off the crate seat. ]

We've still got a mission to take care of, too. Did you want to ask me anything else?

EVENT ▸ WELCOME TO HANABIRA

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