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

On that we agree. [As do most of the other conscripts, it seems. Something Thrawn appreciates, even if he often fails to express that sentiment out loud.

Still, his eyes flick up again, settling curiously on something else entirely:]

That rice you are carrying— what is it for?

[The question brings an exasperated, heavy sigh out of him.] It's not for anything. [His ears don't fold completely backward, but they're close.] Had to bury some of the dead because we couldn't just leave 'em there rotting.

One of them was some Sea ronin, I guess. The family gave me this rice even though I said a hundred times I didn't want it.

So I was gonna take it to some of the farmers in the Flowerlands. Why? You want it? Some of those idiots did burn your face and all.

[Don't think he won't drop this back down on the table for you, Thrawn.]

[Inuyasha, what a good you are.]

No. Thank you. [Surprisingly, it's super hard to find a good use for a sack of rice when you're an alien strategist with only one very small cup.] I believe they need it more than I do.

[He was only curious, after all.]

But there is another favor I would ask of you, if you are willing to entertain it.

[NO!!]

Eh. Depends on what you want. [The ears rise straight up curiously, but his expression says that he’s wary already because he doesn’t know Thrawn well.] And why you want it.

I’m not painting any stupid teacups, if that’s what you want.

A shame.

But no. [Thrawn exhales, setting the cup down yet again and turning to the adjacent chair beside him, where he's kept a small bundle of assorted wares and relics: all items from this world, and all of it brought here for a more in-depth study as he solidifies the last few details of his plans.

A comparison of the two kingdoms.

A small section of cloth is raised and offered up between broad, shimmering palms (look don't blame me for his canon description ok), within it resting a set of beautiful, ornate drinking cups.] I would instead appreciate it if you would bring these to Sieglinde— with my gratitude.

[At first, Inuyasha makes a face because of the cups. Fancy. Ridiculous. But with the current state of Thrawn's hobbies, he shouldn't be surprised that these were what had been pulled out.

Then he makes another face, but this one is entirely different than the first one.] Give me a break.

Do I look like a mailman or something? [The ears go back, to the side. The rice shifts on his shoulder so he can glare irritably in another direction. He can't believe he's stuck doing fetch quests.

But he can't! say! no! Because Sieglinde is a pretty decent gal, and if anything, she deserves to be thanked for making some kinda muck paste to go on this dude's face.] Geez. Whatever.

I'm not making any promises that they won't get broken. [He holds out a clawed hand.] Why can't you give them to her yourself?

Edited (i forgot to make fun of him for being edward cullen before posting so here it is) 2018-02-10 19:49 (UTC)

Because we are running out of time, and I do not know how much longer there will be to formulate a plan.

[The cups are placed within those outstretched claws.]

Consider it a favor owed.

Tch. [He curls his fingers over the cups, but instead of carrying them around in hand, he slides them into the jacket layer of his red robes. He’ll just have to remember not to jump around so much.]

You one of the people who went to talk to the Empress from the other place?

I was, yes— though it was not my place to discuss anything, only to witness what transpired.

[He folds his hands at last, curious to see such interest from someone who seems to thrive on radiating a lack of deeper concern.]

Why do you ask?

Because I thought it was a stupid idea. [No one ever said he had... any... tact. At the very least, he doesn't seem angry, only the kind of mildly annoyed that has since been cooled with time.] But whatever.

I guess you guys got in. What happened? I heard people talking about letters. What good is that gonna do any of us?

[Seemingly unaffected by either Inuyasha's frustration, Thrawn continues talking with that low, inhuman accent— barely pausing to draw from the wellspring of his own memory.] As much as you would expect: an argument for peace was made, and a pair of messages intended to broker it were delivered by our hand to ensure this Empire was indeed aware of Empress Nama's wish for war to be avoided.

Interesting, I think, given the military prowess her people possess.

[STOP USING ELABORATE SENTENCE STRUCTURE THRAWN HE'S AN IDIOT DEMON]

Tell me about it. [The hyper-focus on the military only reminded him of his own Japan. Everything is too formal, too honorable, all of it hiding the same human bloodthirst.] Maybe it's for show or something.

Or maybe they're just going to pay these people a surprise visit. It's funny how both sides knew to meet in the middle last night.

[NO EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS INUYASHA!!11]

It may surprise you to learn that they did not.

[Immediately, he makes a rather disgruntled face at the information--both suspicious and curious.]

What's that suppose mean? What'd they do then, justsomehow manage to pick the exact same day and time to start something in the Flowerlands?

It would seem so, yes.

[Lifting one hand, Thrawn sets the edge of it against the table— then the other alongside the opposite end.] Despite the Empress' wishes, I have discovered that wherever these allied warriors go— [His hands slide closer, fingertips touching with a sharp tension:] when they discover signs of their enemies, tragedy is soon to follow.

There is no plan. There is no purpose.

[all right, fucking naraku, settle down over here]

So they're just vigilantes running around trying to start trouble? [But he's not a complete fool. His eyes narrow just a bit.] How'd you "discover" this stuff anyway?

[Fingers clasping as they wend around one another, Thrawn responds without hesitation, as though they were simply discussing the weather:]

I asked.

[And from there his cheek tips upward to flash the raw edge of one of his injuries— an example, before Inuyasha might think to ask.] One of the benefits of attempting to capture them alive, rather than simply killing them in retribution, as the Empress herself had previously ordered.

[""""""""asked"""""""""" is about what Inuyasha's expression looks like, honestly.] We tried to catch some of the ones that busted up the festival in the mountains, but they escaped. Their scent came back here, but that's nothing new.

So you caught some of them, and they don't know anything because there's no rhyme or reason. Great. [He sounds more frustrated that there appears to be nothing to go off of than Thrawn's deliverance of that sort of news.] That's really gonna help us get a lot done.

Some people are saying they should get married, but those guys are probably gonna start trouble if that happens, too.

[👀👀👀👀 can't prove anything doggo]

It depends on the wants and motivations of the people. Those who long for peace may outnumber the majority of those who feel slighted by their Empress' actions, but so long as the insurgents choose to express their displeasure with violence, there can be no rest for any residing within Imperial bounds.

No, I am almost certain you are correct in your assumptions.

[Translation: chaos is garbage.]

If we are to leave these people at their best, we must ensure they are equipped to deal with dissent at its root.

[Another exhale, deeper this time, before he returns to his brush and paint— browline tightening.]

Yeah, but that's not any of our business. We're just here to make them decide how they're gonna split up the land. They should have figured it out on their own anyway.

[He sighs, exasperated.]

Those guys on each side that are mad--did they tell you why they keep attacking each other and not one of the empresses? I'm surprised someone hasn't tried to kill them yet. You'd think that would have been their first option.

War. [Thrawn exhales gravely, eyes half-lidded as they dip into shadow.] Fear is a powerful motivator, and an Empress cannot ignore the suffering of her kingdom for long.

[His hands unfold, tipping upwards so that he might count off on individual fingers:] The attack on the festival, Lord Doro's estate, the skirmishes that have broken out across the border, the letter found by an abandoned campsite— none of these incidents are as one-sided as they might appear at first glance, and so no one party openly bares the brunt of the blame.

[Much has happened since that first attack, but Thrawn refuses to set aside Ren's initial warning that the attackers had likely been wearing Sea Clan colors as yet another tool for inspiring conflict.]

Do not forget, chaos is far easier to incite, and far more difficult to stop than an assassination.

Yeah, okay. Can we tone down the doom and gloom a little? [Thrawn is giving him the fucking creepies talking like some kinda sophisticated ambassador.] They can be stupid and fight it out for all I care. The less ones wanting to stick their nose into battle, the better.

[He heaves another equally exasperated sigh.] The problem is they are killing innocent people in the process, and I'm not gonna sit around and let them do that.

Which means we gotta hurry up and figure out what the hell we're doing with the two empresses.

[That....actually takes Thrawn by surprise. After all, it's been weeks now without Commander Vanto standing guard over Thrawn's less appealing habits.

~~AKA when your only friend's not around to call you on your bs~~

He blinks, shoulders rounding out alongside the set of his own angular features, hands folding yet again— but without any sinister rigidness or tension.]

I agree.

The longer we wait, the closer this conflict comes to an irreversible breaking point. [And then, after a beat, his head tipping curiously to one side:] What would your solution be?

Pah. I don't care what we do as long as we hurry up and do something that doesn't amount to being stupid.

The empresses don't even know each other, but if people want them to marry, whatever. [He shrugs his shoulders, careful of the bag of rice lest it crash land right on top of Thrawn's table again.] I think the way they rule is stupid. Just like the humans back home. Clans and emperors. Everyone else is just a nobody, stuck in the middle.

Demons don't have any of that. They don't have anyone to serve but themselves.

[Listen, at this point, he's at least ready for rice-impact, should it happen.]

Does that not encourage conflict between your people?

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says sure a hundred times

did you mean my life

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wowowowow

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