epidemiology | EVENT ▸ EMPIRE OF THE CRASHING WAVE

EMPIRE OF THE
CRASHING WAVE

The royalty of Guild Ophelia has managed to hold an audience with Empress Nama of the Celestial Mountains, urging her to meet with the Empress of the Crashing Wave in the interest of finding an accord between their clans. In return, Nama requests that Ophelia take two letters to the Crashing Wave's court, where, as foreigners, they should be received better than any of her own people.

The Empire of the Crashing Wave is a week's travel by foot from the Land of Celestial Mountains, through the forests and farms of the Flowerlands. There is no visible indication that this universe was once two, with even the road leading through the Flowerlands heading seamlessly toward the sea.

The farms and villages in the outskirts of the Empire of the Crashing Wave are decorated in seashells and motifs of the sea, and the closer one gets to the city, the stronger the scent of the ocean becomes. Once the city proper is reached, Ophelia's magitek projects words in front of their eyes that only they can see:

Location reached:

» EMPIRE OF THE CRASHING WAVE
A progressive society that values innovation. Main sources of income: fishing, pearl diving, jewelry crafting, shipbuilding. Politically matriarchal; socially egalitarian. Empress YOUMI resides at the PEACEFUL TIDE.

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

The city is built right on the ocean's edge, with some parts of it even jutting out into the sea on bridges and piers. The castle, Peaceful Tide, is built high above the rest; guards will stop anyone at the gates and, if shown the correspondence from Empress Nama, will deliver the letters directly to Empress Youmi. Attempts to seek an audience with Youmi will be rebuffed for the time being, so you may as well take in the sights...

▸ A PROMISING DEVELOPMENT

Unlike the Land of Celestial Mountains, men may move freely here, the matriarchal rules of the land only extending to politics. Men and women work alongside each other in all sections of the city, nobles and commoners alike, and even the guards have men among their ranks. In the Artisan District, potters, musicians, and artists line the streets and sell their wares, work, or discuss their craft with each other.

Closer to the Beach, there is a boardwalk where young couples stroll alongside grandparents chasing after their grandchildren, electric lamps bathing the wooden planks in a warm glow at night. Fishermen haul in their daily catch in buckets and nets, trailed by a gaggle of hopeful cats. Beachcombers and pearl divers populate the beach as well, making it a clear place for work instead of play.

A few days after Ophelia's arrival in sea clan territory, a bell rings loudly in the late afternoon, drawing citizens toward the castle. Guards stop anyone from getting too close, though the populace seems to know what to expect -- soon, a beautiful woman in an elaborate blue kimono appears in an upper balcony.

When viewing the woman, Ophelia's magitek will tell them:

» EMPRESS YOUMI
Leader of the EMPIRE OF THE CRASHING WAVE.
30 years old. SPECIES: Human. MEDICAL CONCERNS: Lactose intolerant.

The crowd cheers at Youmi's arrival, only quieting once she raises her hand. She speaks clearly and confidently, her voice carrying easily across the assembly.

"I have received a letter from Her Imperial Majesty Nama of the Land of Celestial Mountains. She informs me that their spring festival was interrupted by an attack from our own people, working without my knowledge or consent," Youmi begins, holding her hand up again when a displeased rumble begins to ripple through the crowd. It's unclear if they're perturbed by the ambush or by Nama herself. Once all is silent again, she continues.

"She has detained the criminals, for that is what they are, and assures me she will not bring this to the battlefield. I will send her an agreement to the terms, but hear this: any who escalate this further will be slain by my order. I have spoken. The spirits of the sea watch over us all."

Youmi then retreats back into the castle. While some citizens cheer their empress's decree, others mutter unhappily amongst themselves as they disperse and go about their business.

▸ BUT TROUBLE CONTINUES

The rest of the day following Youmi's decree goes by without incident, leaving time for Ophelia to stop by the sake breweries near the sea or travel back through the forests of the Flowerlands for hunting, hot springs, or simply enjoying the nature of Hanabira. With war averted and the empresses in communication, it seems as though Ophelia's time in this universe will draw to a close soon.

As the sun sinks down, finding a place to sleep might be a good idea. There are hotels in the city, but for those who are trying to be a little more frugal, the Flowerlands is a good place to set up camp for free. Doro, the Lord of the Flowerlands, has heard of Ophelia's efforts in starting communication between the empresses as well, and offers rooms in his castle in thanks; if war were to start between the two, his land would suffer for it.

During the night, those who accept Doro's invitation will hear a commotion very nearby, steel clashing against steel. Doro and his daughters rush out, weapons drawn, and straight into a skirmish between sea and mountain clan ronin. The warriors are fighting to kill, and in their fervor, someone's fire arrow alights a farmhouse on Doro's property. The farmers need to be rescued and the fire put out, and while the warriors will likely kill each other, they could also be subdued to prevent further damage. Please let the mods know with a link to the thread if your character is killing or capturing any of the ronin.

After the skirmish, Doro must be brought back inside his castle, having been wounded during the battle. He pleads with Ophelia to continue to help, as it looks like a tentative truce by the empresses is not enough to calm the citizens. Since they were so successful in receiving an audience with Nama, he believes they can propose a way the two empires can live in harmony.

Throughout the next two weeks, skirmishes between the clans are peppered throughout the Flowerlands, some leaving bodies behind and some leaving damage to farms and forest. It looks like Ophelia's peacekeeping mission just became a lot more hands-on: keep the skirmishes from getting out of control while still working toward a way to end the conflict once and for all.

▸ OOC NOTES

This log will last for two IC weeks: the first three days will be free exploration, and day four is Youmi's proclamation and the skirmish in the Flowerlands. Your characters are free to explore for the next ten days, during which further skirmishes will occur. 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.

▸ Coming next log: Peace proposals! Get your brainstorming started now.

▸ Activity Check is due on 5 February 23:59 UTC. We do not accept late submissions, so make sure you fill it out!

▸ Uniform Design Contest is open! Submissions are due 28 February 23:59 UTC. Gamewide voting will be in March.

▸ Bounty Board ▸ Items Page ▸ Exploration Group Planning ▸ General Plotting ▸ February Calendar

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ there's a few reasons where up obscenely early has its perks.

(the truth is that Loki never went to sleep. he hasn't slept in days, but he doesn't really need it. in times like these, sleep was a choice rather than a demand. the night life had been too tantalizing to miss.)

as a true party kid, he's scoping out something in hopes of an early breakfast. he doesn't notice Zarya at first, but the enthusiastic wave is hard to miss. he stops in his path, points to himself in question, eyes wide with an innocent sort of look that doesn't match his scheming face. ]

[ Yes, definitely you, says this cheerfully maintained eye contact as she makes a beeline for Loki. She doesn't know this one — but that's alright, there are so many she doesn't know yet. Time to check one off the list. ]

Good morning! [ Her jog slows as she approaches, like she's reluctant to stop it entirely. ] You are... [ She eyes him thoughtfully. ] Looking for breakfast. Yes?

[ He's sure not out exercising, and he doesn't ready for fishing, so it's gotta be breakfast. She can appreciate another early riser, even one not out for a workout. ]

[ that is a way too cheerful good morning for the buttcrack of dawn.

his finger wilts a little bit as she approaches, and he eyes her tactlessly as he does most people upon their first meeting. ]

Guessed it in one. [ he says lyrically, as if he were transcribing this to a story. ] Though there aren't many partiers out, are there? I'd ride a goat to the fiery pit of Muspelheim for a 24 hour pancake house about now.

[ with a puff of disappointment, his hands go to his hips. ]

[ She doesn't mind the eying. She is, after all, the strongest woman in the world. It comes with some eying. She carries right on cheerfully, finally bringing her jog to a pause before him. She can't comment on goat dies or fiery pits,
but breakfast, she can do. ]

No pancakes. But you will find something better not so far away. [ She nods her head toward one of the docks just starting to come to life; the earliest catches have made it to the earliest cooks already, and smells are starting to waft. ] You like fish, I hope? Fresh, very good for you — heavy with protein.

[ for a moment his face is indescribable, like he doesn't know what to think about that. so, he defaults to being whiny in an over-exaggerated entitled goatshit sort of way: ]

When I think better than pancakes I don't think fish.

[ but he doesn't exactly sound entirely against the idea. ]

...

Unless there's bacon too.

No bacon.

[ She says it as certainly as if it were her own kitchen they're talking about. It's not totally true, they might have bacon — but probably not this early. ]

Come, with me. [ It's a tone used to being obeyed, an only slightly lighter cousin of the order tossed at a company of soldiers as they charge into battle. And on she jogs past him, clearly expecting Loki to fall into step. ]

A good breakfast is even better if earned.

[ Loki's ready to just announce himself down on his luck, and then she begins to jog off with the expectation that he's going to follow. she's only a few paces ahead of him when he disappears from view in a blink of green light and a ripple of reality. when he appears again he's not beside her, per se, but leaping from stakes in the ground holding up the thin fence surrounding the beach.

the soles of his feet glow a bright green, leaving footprints from stake to stake as he keeps her pace. ]

Oh? And how are we going to earn it?

[ he says smugly, as if they weren't already. ]

[ That is pretty impressive. It's no display of strength and endurance, but not so bad in its own right. Zarya watches him with an amused smile, and keeps the pace quick. Can he keep up all 50 feet of that pole-leaping, at this speed? ]

Hard work is always rewarded! Sometimes, with breakfast. [ And with a curious glance over: ] You are a teleporter?

[ Loki prides himself by finding ways to cleverly avoid hard work. according to his family, he was good at it. when she speeds up, he doesn't exactly follow, but instead flickers out of sight and to the space in front of her, balanced on one of the poles. ]

I'm a sorcerer, you could say.

[ he says cooly, his hands tucked into the pockets of his robes. his display elicitsa few looks from the early risers, but Loki carries on with cofidence. ]

[ It is, to be fair, kind of a shitty workout on his end. But on a morning as lovely as this, with air crisp and sea-salted, it's hard to be anything but amused about it. ]

A sorcerer! Like children's fairy tales. But you don't look the part.

[ She would have expected ... older, more stooped, probably some robes. Not a young man teleporting from pole to pole. ]

Not by usual perceived mortal standards.

[ Loki says casually, like it's a compliment somehow. where ever she's taking him, he ups the pace to two spokes over one, expecting her to keep it. ]

Next time I'll bring my pointed hat.

EVENT ▸ EMPIRE OF THE CRASHING WAVE

A; obscenely early edition

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