epidemiology | EVENT ▸ EMPIRE OF THE CRASHING WAVE

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

Got it.

[He takes the offered lariat as it's tossed to him, and he immediately gets to work, turning over the ronin and ensuring that her hands are firmly tied. Keith's practice with the action is more out of necessity than anything. He hasn't tied up a lot of people, but he understands how to do it without the person getting out because it's an important skill.

Before he begins to figure out how to carry her over, he begins searching for any sheathes. What Hayame just went through makes it clear that he needs to, and he uncovers a pair of daggers before long.]

Need any help? [he asks, looking up at Hayame and her ... well. Her prey, he guesses.]

[There was always a need to remove blades from one's prisoners- not just to make sure that they wouldn't attack you, but to assure they wouldn't slit their own bellies open before they could be interrogated.

At least, that had been her experience in her own world.

And if these women were cooperative... she would gladly allow them to restore their honor through death if that is what they required. (The same honor that had been denied her.)]

I've got it.

[It isn't as sturdy as lariat rope, but she has bowstring, and she pulls it from the coil in her waistpouch and leans back down, roughly forcing the prisoner's arms back behind their back and lashing them, only then stepping back to remove her hoof's pressure from their lungs while hauling them up bodily by the back of their armor.

For the moment her captive is busy trying to inhale, but, actually-]

I need a gag.

Uhhhh—why? We want them to talk. It's not like we're stashing them in a closet somewhere. [Keith isn't asking to be contrary, though the gall to ask likely comes from a similar place. It's more that he's confused about the need for a gag. The woman he's tied up remains entirely silent, so that bit is managed.]

Or are you afraid she'll bite...? [That's the only weird conclusion he can draw, and he figures it's nowhere near the right one.]

You want to question them here, when their companions might still be nearby? We should take them somewhere more secure.

[She’s already listening, eyes keen on the dark shapes of woodlands and road, to make sure they don’t get caught off guard by reinforcements. Keith’s captive at least seems resigned, so Hayame hauls the one in her “care” up with both hands, (literally up, the woman’s feet leave the ground), until she can look her in the eye.]

If you care to hail your friends, I will make you wish you had chosen to bite your tongue off and bleed to death.

[Maybe that would do for a gag? Because Hayame sounds dead serious.]

[For once in his life, Keith is the reasonable part of this dynamic. It's something he definitely notices. How couldn't he?]

I think her friends are gonna be too occupied trying to burn everything down. She'll keep her tongue.

[Keith ... does glance at the woman, just to make sure he's right. She nods in agreement, so hey—oddly reasonable Keith for the win.

Thanks for being the weird contrast to the rest of Keith's life, Hayame.]

[Hayame is always available to take a hard line stance on something most people don't seem to consider worth it.]

There is no need to risk it.

[She does put the woman down though, however lacking in gentleness, waiting until the captive regains her balance before she speaks again, gaze darting between the two captives suspiciously, still obviously uncomfortable with the idea of not moving them, of staying where they were.]

If you two are forthcoming, I will serve as a second should you the dignity to reclaim your honor.

[Because suicide is the best possible outcome to hope for at this point, obviously.]

... A second? Reclaiming honor? What are you talking about? [Keith definitely isn't following. There isn't a whole lot to say about that. Some alarms are going off, but Keith identifies those "alarms" as "Hayame is being weird."

To him, that's not exactly a new thing.]

I am talking about how these two will relieve their families and lords of the shame of their failure.

[The same shame that had driven her on board the Leramzen prison ship to nearly slit open her own belly. The same shame that had driven her to throw herself into a waterfall if it had meant taking an enemy with her.

Yet she remained alive, bearing that shame at the request of her lord. (But he wasn't here any longer... and the resolve faded.)

And instead of allowing herself to dwell on that shame, and that secret longing... she instead fixes both the women with a piercing gaze, searching for their reaction. Searching for that honor.]

[Those alarms are still going off in his head. The fact that she's hit the red button involving the word "failure" probably doesn't help. Keith moves swiftly to stand between Hayame and the women, jaw set.]

They can relieve them of their shame by not fighting anymore. I don't know what you're talking about. Why don't you be clearer?

[Keith definitely needs her to be clearer.]

[The rift between their cultures was deep indeed, if he thought a warrior laying down their weapons and abandoning the battlefield was in some way honorable. She'd thought it before, after their conversation in Oska, but-]

I am saying,

[Clear, clipped, since he seemed to want it so, ripping her gaze from the women and coming back to him.]

That if these warriors are willing to share what they know, truthfully, that I am willing to serve as their second so that when they slit their bellies they will not suffer.

[The way she says it will make it clear that she considers this a generous, merciful service.]

—Okay, you know what? We're not interrogating them. Let's get them to people who are better at that. [That's not where he thought it was going, but the more confusing it got, the more he started to get the hint that Hayame was on to something ... something problematic. To say the least.

(Not like "fandom problematic," but you know.)]

I'm not interested in letting anyone die when they can help stop this.

Let us get them off the damn road, at least.

[Selective hearing? Maybe. Because she is quite sure that she can get what they need out of these two- if they know anything. She's already beginning to drag hers, with a few choice words.]

They can help us by telling us what they know.

We'll see when we get them to the castle. [The idea of Hayame killing them after they've finished their interrogation is deeply uncomfortable for him. He understands going out in a blaze of glory, of making the greater sacrifice. He'd do that.

This ... what she's offering isn't a sacrifice on any level.]

[The castle at least makes sense to her, a far more defensible place to interrogate prisoners from, and to keep them properly contained until they were ready to speak.]

If you dawdle, I will see you thrown over my withers for the entire trip.

[Snapped more at the captured warriors, both of them, before she answers Keith.]

Then let it be done.

[Keith is not accustomed to being the Reasonable One except for when it's around Hayame. Just the same, he makes sure to remain close to the ronin, ensuring that they can't be handed some weapon or whatever to do whatever to themselves.]

[Don't worry, Keith.

Handing them the daggers doesn't come until after they spill their guts. ... before. spilling their guts.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT ▸ EMPIRE OF THE CRASHING WAVE

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