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

[Babysitting men is a fulltime job, Maya's learning. Or relearning, as she's forgotten how much of a handful Phoenix is. But this is like babysitting multiple Phoenixes surrounded by Aunt Morgans, and if Maya were a little more self-aware she'd realize this is pretty much how Phoenix feels about her 24/7. Like he's wrangling cats. Like it's exhausting.]

[Maya's up to the challenge, though -- pretending to be a noble is kinda hard (since it's pretty much a prolonged Morgan impression), but she's an excellent actress. Or so she tells herself. Anyway, she's come up with a cover story with Giovanni (as her assistant), and while she's been getting distracted by the festival, particularly the food (like the great retainer that she is), he's already gotten himself into a spot of trouble. The women around don't take kindly to snooping, or men, and definitely not to the combination of those. So, Giovanni's drawing a bit of attention to himself --- not of the positive kind. The women notice his roving around and narrow her eyes at him, arms folded.]

[Where do you think you're going? This is not your place, boy.]

[Maya hasn't noticed he's missing yet, so maybe he can come up with something to save himself.]

[Boy. Really. Though it's not exactly the worst thing he's ever been called. An improvement, in many ways, compared with the derogatory terms Mother had been inclined toward. Still, it takes a certain level of willpower not to level a caustic response, brow raised and tongue as wry and sharp as its so often inclined to be. A certain level of willpower, yes, and yet at least servility is something deeply ingrained in him, branded down deep into his bones, and so when he responds with eyes lowered and voice placating, he's far more convincing than he has been in other roles he's been required to play in the past. He'd struggled quite a bit with 'normal citizen' back in Woodhurst. This, at least, comes closer to what he knows.]

Apologies, Madam. I'm only looking for my Mistress. We appear to have been separated.

[And it's a fair excuse, isn't it? Easy to become lost in the crowds, to become detached from one's minder, during the heaving festivities.]

[Said mistress... or at least pretend mistress, was probably off stuffing her face with food during the festivities, while poor Giovanni was left to fend for himself. Regardless, they don't seem pleased with his response, even if he is properly respectful and even bowing his heads.]

[Then perhaps you should go wait for her elsewhere, where we don't have to see such an eyesore]

Hey!

[And there's Maya, conspicuously swallowing something friend, who spotted Giovanni and is now jogging over. About halfway there, she seems to realizes she's being undignified and clears her throat, hiding her hand behind her sleeve]

Ahem... I mean. Lancelot. [That's right, she's bringing the nickname back] I believe I told you not to wander off.

[She sniffs pretentiously in the direction of the women, coming up beside Giovanni] Do you have business with my gardener?

[Maya to the rescue.... ?]

[Eyesore? That seems a little harsh, he's of the opinion that his looks are just fine, considering he inherited them from someone he considers to be the very epitome of beauty, and perhaps he doesn't wear them quite so well, but he certainly wouldn't consider himself an eyesore--but never mind that, it's not the point. His lips part around the beginnings of a response, and already he's poised to begin to move, when abruptly Maya's voice cuts though the air, and he turns with some small slither of relief to see her descending upon them, mouth conspicuously full of food.

Oh, joy.

And there she goes with Lancelot again-- really, there's no need for false names, it's not that kind of undercover. But he says nothing of it, despite the quiet and flatly-muttered word as he smoothly steps to stand submissively behind her.]

Gardener.

[It isn't what they agreed!

More loudly, he adds.]

My apologies, Ma'am. I couldn't locate you amidst the crowd, and was only hoping to ascertain your whereabouts.

That is correct. [She sends him a Look --- look she had to improvise!!! He likes flowers. Gosh, what does he have to be angry about. Certainly not that she just used his favorite nickname in the whole world.]

[The women look in between the two of them, less than impressed with Maya's food-filled entrance and her attempts to look dignified in spite of that. She sniffs derisively, on the other hand, over her shoulder at him. She's going to sell this!]

That is no excuse. You should have waited for me instead of troubling these good people. [She jerks her head over towards the ladies, who do seem a little appeased by this] Hmph. I will ascertain a proper disciplinary action for you at a later time.

[The women mutter to themselves and then back to her. He interrupted our daily walk. This is unacceptable, you realize!]

[He manages to refrain from clicking his tongue or rolling his eyes, instead maintains his subordinate position behind and slightly to one side of her, keeps his head down and mouth closed despite the flickerflash of irritation he feels. It's a small thing, ultimately, bearable. He'd experienced far worse indignities than this, back home.

For now, at least, he keeps quiet and still, decides to leave it down to Maya as the noble and the 'superior' sex. Still, he's alert and listening, just in case she winds up putting her foot in her mouth and he's needed to smooth things over in some way.]

[It's a pretty huge effort on his part, considering she's a head shorter than him and they can see everything he's doing over her head. Maya sniffs derisively at the women]

And he's my servant, is he not? I am the one who will decide what punishment is appropriate, and believe me, my good madams -- it will be severe. I will take your feedback into account. Nothing more.

[Then perhaps you should pay for his transgressions. Maya.... isn't sure exactly how to handle it (how does interrupting a walk even require punishment????) but narrows her eyes regally.]

Hmph. Lancelot, do you believe such action requires punishment?

[Ball's in his court. Maybe]

EVENT ▸ WELCOME TO HANABIRA

closed → giovanni wants that pikachu

sorry I'm so slow, currently sick with the flu ;_;

sorry for mine!!!

<3

:*

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