epidemiology | 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

Cherry blossoms... wisteria or iris, perhaps...

[All romantic spring flowers she has never enjoyed herself but knows by name and place, shifting through the silks on display for such patterns.]

This land is more lush than mine was, but I have seen those about here, so it should still stand.

I see.

[Though he does rather like the romantic flowers in contrast to her taste. That's just how he is, sensitive at heart.]

Thank you again for your advice. I doubt that I could assist you in a similar way, but should you need me for anything, I would be glad to repay you.

[Where she finds one, she pulls it to the forefront of the pile. Delicate purple wisteria on pale green. Pink blossoms on teal. Patterns she would only expect a wealthy woman of her own world to wear, but it seemed men in this world dressed so.]

It was I who decided to offer it. There is no debt.

[The pattern earns a tilt of his head, then he nods in confirmation. This, too, is a lovely silk. He would have no qualms wearing it.

To Hayame, he smiles faintly at her and bows his head.]

As you wish it. Then if I may, I did not have the honor of learning your name earlier, my lady.

I am Adrian Ţepeş, or Alucard if you prefer it.

[My lady.

To be addressed respectfully is not something Hayame is used to, and there is a small break in the smoothness of her movements, disconcerted by the respect she instinctively suspects to be mockery... but his tone and expression do not say so, and so she tries to carry on without mention, noting the strange name with a nod of her own.]

I am Hayame.

[Just... Hayame.]

[He doesn't question simply being given a name without any surname to follow up with it of any kind. She is not obligated to share anything with him, and her appearance certainly has not confused or bothered him either.

Alucard arranges to make a payment for the fabric she'd suggested.]

It is a pleasure, Hayame. You seem to have the bearing of a soldier; is there a specific title I should apply to you?

I am a warrior.

[She is free enough with that information, plucking out a silk patterned in the fletching of arrows and admiring it somewhat before she places it back.]

But my lord has returned to his world. I have no title.

[Hathaway was her master, now. But that wasn't the same as what she had always wanted, what she had always dreamed of... devotion to one lord and sacrifice for honor. Not something worthy of a title.]

I see.

[He pauses a moment as he makes his purchase, bowing gratefully to the shopkeeper, keeping in mind that advice that Alucard had been given. It's a different sort than he's used to, but easily enough to adjust to.]

I have not encountered a centaur for sometime. If I may, I should like to spar with you one day, Hayame. From one warrior to another.

For now, I appreciate all that you have done. I hope you are well.

[She had been prepared to let him go with just that, a passable bow, purchases done... but then he says what he does, and she's a second from grabbing his arm none too gently to stop him leaving, fingers curling into an impotent fist instead.]

- but you have encountered them? "Centaurs"?

[In ALASTAIR? In his world?]

[Her surprise actually almost startles him. Sometimes, he forgets that others in the team are unfamiliar with certain creatures. Perhaps she is used to being an unknown?

But he does stop at he almost urgent voice, and he turns to face her.]

Yes.

They do not socialize with humanity where I am from. I am not fully human myself, as a matter of fact.

[Centaurs... it's what everyone else called her, though she knew herself and her kind as jinba. Ones that do not socialize with humanity... ?]

You mean all the "centaurs" in your world are undomesticated?

[That suggestion makes Alucard frown a little.] No, they have their own society and way of living.

All of them?

[It’s what has her attention now. The idea of a world like that. Like hers used to be... if the stories Matsukaze told her were true.]

Of course.

This is different where you are from. [It's not a question.]

[All of them.

It's so different that she can't even begin to explain even if she wanted to... and she doesn't, not here, in this public place, and not with him, who she barely knows... but it's likely clear on her face.]

... I see.

[She'd been curious to know, but now that she does... she doesn't know what to do with it, half pulling away.]

Hayame.

[He doesn't know what she may be feeling. Perhaps she was seeking a connection to something familiar. That is something Alucard can understand, can ultimately relate to.]

...All that I can offer you is what little I know of them. Should you ever wish to know, I discuss it with you.

If you also wish to leave it as that, I respect your choice. Just know what option is available to you.

[Was she curious to know more? Would it even matter, when they were not her kind, not really, more like distant cousins who bore the same shape but a different name?

She doesn't know yet. All she knows is that she has accidentally betrayed herself, something about herself to this man... and she regrets it, as she always does having shown a weakness.]

I shall remember it.

[For now, all she can do is retreat, bowing slightly to the shopkeeper and then to him before she goes.]

EVENT ▸ WELCOME TO HANABIRA

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject