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

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[ He carefully plucks a bundle of flowers with his hands. Probably better to cut them with some sort of tool, but he doesn't have the supplies readily with him for that.

Anyone trying to attack him is the least of his worries, especially when none of them can see him. Even if they did, he's confident enough to hold up on his own. Although Inuyasha's words remind him that he's invisible among the humans here.

Once he returns, he casts a worried look over to some of the villagers in the distance. There's more murmuring now, accompanied with stares in Inuyasha's direction. Too late for him to try faking or hiding the fact there's floating objects over here. ]

They won't stop staring. I'm sorry...

Huh? [Inuyasha pauses to glance back at the handful of people in the distance. His ears swivel forward; he can hear most of what they're saying clearly. Magic. Ghosts. Pretty much what they had been talking about earlier.

What's bad is, since he can see Laphicet, he thinks they're talking about him as per usual.] What's their problem? Haven't they ever seen someone burying the dead before? Geez.

[He goes back to what he's doing, but his ears are twisted back to listen.] I don't know what they're talking about ghosts for. I'm a demon. [Things on the list of You Shouldn't Say or Be Proud of At All.]

Oh. You're a demon. That makes sense.

[ Daemon? Demon. Different spelling on his world, but pronounced in the same way. And likely with other differences too, being from another world. Some of the people he spent time with are daemons, so he actually doesn't sound bothered by it at all. He's more bothered about the trouble that he's brought to Inuyasha.

He's just going to keep going about his work when there's nothing to be done about it. Crouching before the grave, he carefully lays down the flowers. He wishes he had some sort of container of water to keep them lasting awhile longer. ]

They're talking about me. They can't see me.

What do you mean, "They can't see me"? [He gives the kid a quick look, half expecting nothing to be there now but air. And yet, Laphicet is there still. Then he gives the villagers in the distance a look, too. They haven't stop bumbling together, talking in whispers.] Why not?

I can see you just fine. You're standing right there. [And not nearly atom-sized like Myoga, the flea, so it's definitely not a physical thing.]

What I mean is average humans without resonance... or spiritual talent can't see me. I'm pretty sure all they see is a pile of floating flowers. You can see me, because you're a demon.

[ Laphicet pauses as he lays down another flower. Perhaps it would be better if Inuyasha could please stop talking to him. Other team members have been earning too many weird stares from the locals because of him.

And he told himself that he'd be more careful. He messed up again. Oops. ]

Maybe you should get out of here. I'll finish up.

[Laphicet goes about business, but Inuyasha stops to join the villagers in the background with staring. There wasn't much indication that the kid was strange other than probably the lack of smell.

Damn. If Kagome had been here, she would have known for sure, being able to see the Jewel shards and all. His ears flatten to each side. God, he hates even thinking about admitting he needs her.] Yeah right! You think I'm gonna abandon digging holes for the dead just because you're a spirit or something? Give me a break.

Don't worry about them. Keep putting the flowers down. [Look, he's Tired of humans being assholes to things they don't understand. He turns half around to face the direct of the villagers.] You got a problem?! What're you just standing around for?!

Go make sure there aren't people who need to be buried! And go tell the others they can come claim their family when we're finished! Go on! Get out of here!

[ Another indication might be his powers, but there's no reason for him to use it at the moment. Also, his lack of reflection, though there doesn't seem to be any reflective surfaces around either.

Since Inuyasha insists on sticking around, then he doesn't plan on warning him a second time. He was trying to be tough, endure the consequences on his own.

He goes quiet as he goes on with his task. Once he sets the last set of flowers down, he stands up and turns, just in time to see the villagers dispersing into different directions. ]

...Thank you for that.

[The thanks gets a quiet grumble out of him, ears flattened to each side in exasperation.] Nothing to thank me for. Just hate when humans start staring without bothering to say anything unless it’s behind your back. [The lot of them from Hathaway sure are an attention-drawing ragtag bunch.]

So are you actually a ghost, or something else? [The shovel makes quick work of the ground when Inuyasha is wielding it. No lack of stamina here.] You don’t smell like a demon. You don’t smell like anything really. [Kikyo at least smelled kinda grave-y, but only because her body had been crafted from necromancy and remains.]

[ He's tangible and warm even, like a human, but only to those who can fully perceive him. ]

Something like it. I'm a malak, a spirit born from the natural energy of my world.

[ That information is mostly based on what he learned from an older malak. Having been bound under an exorcist's contract, he'd lived most of his early life without a will of his own and no memories. Of course, he's not like that now. ]

And you? What kind of demon are you? You look nothing like the daemons I've encountered.

[ The daemons he has seen have larger, dark black mutations all over their bodies. Or it was heavily concentrated in one spot, like a limb or half their face. ]

[Wow, excuse you.]

What's that supposed to mean? I'm a powerful demon. Why's it matter? [The defense is so quick and so unscathingly sad that it's obvious he's just all bark and no bite about it. A sore spot.] I'm a dog demon. [He may or may not hack a little rougher at the ground.] But I'm not like any of those other demons.

They're idiots, and all they want is more power so they can kill everything. What're you gonna have left to rule over if you just destroy everything in sight? It's stupid.

[ Laphicet flinches a bit at his response. It shouldn't be too surprising to him because this isn't the first time a demon snapped at him. Sheesh, Inuyasha. He didn't mean to offend him. The question was mostly out of genuine curiosity. ]

I was just wondering! Like I said, you look nothing like the ones I know. Even the dog daemons.

[ Orthie and Russ look like... actual shiba inu with a partial mutation. Also, don't call them all idiots. That's like an insult to his friends. ]

First of all, most daemons I'm familiar with are blinded by rage and mindlessly destroy everything in sight. Second, not all of them are idiots. Some retain a sense of reason, like you.

I said I wasn't like those kinds of demons! [He's not yelling so much as just exasperated now.] Just because they can think doesn't mean they aren't stupid. Those demons anyway.

They pick on people who can't defend themselves like cowards. [Most of all, he thinks of Naraku. The worst of any demons he's met so far. True evil.] They lie and try to pretend to be human or someone else just to mess with you.

I don't doubt there are daemons like that.

[ He wonders if that may explain the emanating despair that he's sensing, but he's not going to openly call that out...

Crouching before one of the graves, he tries to keep himself busy by re-arranging the flowers neatly. ]

But my friends aren't like those kinds either.

[Well, he's successfully dug a more rugged, more deeper hole than he had intended. Maybe the dirt would somehow turn into Naraku's face, and he could chisel it.] Your friends?

You're friends with demons?

Yeah. Daemons, other malak like me, pirates...

[ A ragtag group that are outcasts of society in one way or another. The daemons had their moments of acting out irrationally and sometimes they'd have to calm them down. But he's focusing on their positive points here... ]

Us malakhim are treated as tools by humans, for our powers. It was a daemon that taught me that it's okay to think for myself.

[Um, wow, this kid is going hard?? He's amazed.

But he also sympathizes a little. Not that demons necessarily helped him understand being bullied, being ostracized. Just--being treated different. It's familiar.] What're you tools for? I'm not surprised some of the dumber humans think they can get away with that kinda stuff.

What'd they try to do with you?

[ If he ever saw the crew of the Van Eltia, Laphicet really sticks out in a band of ruffians, except for probably one other person on that boat. ]

I don't remember much from when I was in their service. My free will was sealed off, along with my awareness. I do remember that I followed orders without question, even a request to blow myself up in a spiritual attack... I was stopped before carrying out that order, fortunately.

[ Otherwise, he wouldn't be here and Hathaway wouldn't have recruited him. It took a kick to his face and some threatening words to keep him from self-destructing. ]

...We're used to fight daemons by the Abbey. They're an organization highly respected by the populace.

[What the fuck? is pretty much what his expression looks like for a solid thirty seconds. Maybe Laphicet isn't really exactly a kid, but still--? STILL.

It boils Inuyasha's blood to think about people using others--kids--as weapons. When he takes the first stab for the next hole, it craters a decent size split in the ground, and the spade of the shovel is swallowed up by dirt.] Ugh. Give me a break.

There's no reason for stuff like that. If you're gonna fight demons, fight demons yourself, and stop being cowards! And if you can't, ask someone else to do it instead of mind-controlling them! That's all there is to it.

[ His kind can live for centuries, but he's ten both in appearance and mentally. So, he's still a very young child spirit for malakhim standards. ]

I'm sure they would understand that if they realized we're like people and not things.

[ At this point, Laphicet's finished arranging the flowers. He stands and looks over to inspect Inuyasha's work, surprised at how deep one of the newly dug holes is and the shovel stuck in the dirt. Geez, he's overdoing it. Perhaps that's enough talking about demons/daemons... and humankind. He doesn't want to keep spurring on his anger. ]

...Hey, why don't you take a break for a bit?

[Sadly, Inuyasha thinks the plea for rest is about being tired more than wildly whacking away at the dirt in annoyance.] I'm fine. I ain't tired. I could go all day like this.

[But he does stop long enough to glance up at Laphicet.] You done with the flowers already?

Don't think you'd be the best choice to go get the villagers to come look for their families. Not with how their talkin' already. I'll just do it later.

You should go see if any other of us need any help after last night. Make sure none of us are dead. [He dumps some dirt over his shoulder, then pauses again.] Thanks, I guess.

[ He nods in agreement. Better leave that job to someone that the villagers can actually see.

Turning towards one of the finished burials, he realizes there's a prayer that still needs to be said. Despite humans being responsible for his kind's enslavement, he doesn't actually harbor any hatred towards them. There are humans outside of the Abbey and people like Eleanor that are admirable and show him kindness and understanding. ]

We're going to make things right in these lands. Rest easy.

[ Not exactly a traditional prayer, but a few parting words is the least he can do. He can't recall what the Abbey's priests said at funerals.

He looks back at Inuyasha. ]

I'm Laphicet, by the way. I'll see you around.

[Leave it to Inuyasha to be pretty pessimistic about that declaration. But he'll try, he supposes. Not to interfere in bad ways. He can hear Kagome already, yelling his his ear about helping and saving. Geez.]

It's Inuyasha.

[He feels a bit bad letting the invisi kid wander off, but it's better than having the villagers and farmers come over and act like it's the scariest thing in the world.]

Hey! Be careful and don't do anything stupid.

[Then he turns back to finish the holes.]

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EVENT ▸ EMPIRE OF THE CRASHING WAVE

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