EVENT ▸ EMPIRE OF THE CRASHING WAVE

[futurologists]

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

Comments

[sololoquy]

[Kylo Ren's brow furrows predictably when Daenerys refuses him. He leans a little closer, eyes darting backward to watch as Drogon sets his sights on the other offender.]

I was under the impression we were not to interfere on such a scale. It will be swift, painless, and work in Ophelia's favor.

[He's not mad, necessarily. Disappointed, and perhaps a little offended that she does not appear to trust his methods. It was not as if dragons were roaming the skies. He had not even heard of a dragon, before here. If it was the same for these people...]

They might speak of the dragon. They will also speak of you.

[And, maybe him.]

[conqueress]

[ That we were not to interfere. Kylo Ren is accustomed to order, and bending such order troubles him more than it does her. If that is what stays his hand, then she will not divest him of his rules--but she can try to make him understand that none have been broken. ]

We have only interfered to make an end to a skirmish, [ she reminds him, evidently untroubled with any scales. ] Other skirmishes will break out before evenfall. I do not wish to give offense, but this was cleanly done. It was peacekeeping enough.

[ There are some dead, but by hands of other ronin. ] No one was killed by my hand, [ she reminds him, reaching out to gently place a hand onto a black-clothed arm. ] No one was injured by your own.

[ He subsisted on praise, the last time she knew him. ]

Perhaps they will speak of me and Drogon, but we will also be roaming.

[ And she does not fear what may come. ]

[sololoquy]

[There is a tense moment of silence while Kylo Ren weighs how to reply. There are only two real answers: comply, or ignore her and potentially be roasted by a dragon. He does not know Daenerys well enough to assume that she cares more about her incentive than she does about the memories of these people they would likely never see again.

So eventually, he straightens and glances off.]

Fine.

[It is a calmer reply than he might have given two years ago, but no less annoyed. It was all unnecessary risk, as far as he was concerned.

And they already had enough actual mess to clean up. Near his foot, he kicks over a piece of burnt wood.]

[conqueress]

[ Though he does not give voice to it, she can sense his tension--all the more confirmed when he gives a kick to a charred piece of wood.

Viserys at least would have given a kick to her, so she supposes she should be thankful for that difference. However temperamental Kylo Ren may be, he is not her brother, and he is willing to listen to her, even if it frustrates him.

Even if it was done with a dragon behind her. ]

The arrow was meant for me. [ Her gaze follows his, and almost imperceptibly, her shoulders relax, lowering a fraction. She had sensed it coming, somehow: Some battle-honed wisdom from years afield, and then in ALASTAIR employ, perhaps. ] I thank you for stopping it, and I shall not forget that.

[ The gratitude, though as measured as many of her words are, is sincere. They may have charred remains of wood to pick up, but some of the bodies are being carried off, the bearers casting them both wary looks over their shoulders as they move. Drogon rumbles low in his throat, as though to hasten them along. ]

[sololoquy]

[Upon receiving praise, he glances back down at her with some obvious interest. He was not a difficult man to please, as it turned out, and he soaks up her gratitude like a reptile in sunlight.

It triggers a memory, of the last time he'd saved her life. An insect rushing them, his hands bloodied by its mandibles -- Daenerys was a different person then.

But so was he. Some of his pleasure evaporates.]

You are welcome.

[His tone is more mild (not quite humble), though Drogon's rumble quickly reminds him of what is potentially at stake. He turns a little more to stare down the beast behind them, reaching out with the Force. His malevolence is -- primal, but familiar. And for a long time, he simply shares the aura.

It is a balm to comfort the emotional whiplash he'd not been expecting.]

[conqueress]

[ The pause seems to calm him, dark eyes turning toward the dragon behind her. ]

You favor him.

[ As well as he fears him. It is not a question. Dany half-turns to gaze over her shoulder at her fiercest, a smile playing about her lips. ]

Now you understand why I did not fear your beast in Oska. There is little left to fear.

[ She reaches a hand for him, and black smoke leeches between his teeth against her fingers, as his head draws near, the breath searing hot.

She does not flinch from the temperature. ]

[sololoquy]

[You favor him. Did he? Drogon doesn't quite make him feel the way Snoke made him feel -- there is no "lost student looking for a teacher" dynamic there. But there is a darkness to him that he feels within himself.

He is not sure he can explain it.]

It's complicated.

[Kylo stays perfectly still, as if he'd been trained to do so when confronted with a predator larger than himself. He's seen enough magic through ALASTAIR that he isn't entirely surprised when Dany is not burned by Drogon's fiery heat. Unlike her, he can feel the sweat slowly pooling on his pale skin, black hair sticking to his scalp.

He wants to ask if she's human, then -- or if there were some species affiliation that left her so unaffected by heat. But again, after two yeas with ALASTAIR, that strikes him as offensive and so he keeps it to himself.]