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

[digiorno]

[SIGH. Loud, dramatic sigh. Giorno takes a sip of water from his canteen and then . . . lies down on the stump, a thing that isn't actually possible and ends up being more like sliding backwards off the stump, feet braced on one side, head dangling over the other. He brushes his fingers against the grass below (above?) his head, sighing again. Sigh.]

[This is ridiculous, please stop him.]

[wyvil]

[As ridiculous as it is, Wylan still doesn't want to leave Giorno alone for long. Maybe he's a little clingy, wanting to keep his friends close and even more importantly safe. He returns in record time with two plates of food, piled high with skewers of meat and vegetables cooked on the fire and some slightly squished rolls that didn't fare well in the journey.]

That can't be comfortable...

[digiorno]

[It's definitely a comfort to have Wylan close. If he could have brought everyone he wants to keep safe with him, it would have been ideal, but it would also have been a ridiculously large party.]

[When he hears Wylan's voice again, he picks his head up and blinks at Wylan, then. Rolls off the stump to sit neatly in the grass. He's a little pink in the face from being upside down, but otherwise looks much more cheerful than he did a few minutes ago.]

[It's a struggle not to let his face fall at the sight of the meat skewers. Ugh, yakitori memories. It's fine. He'll just . . . push the meat off the sticks onto the plate and throw the sticks away. After the tiniest flicker of uncertainty, he smiles gratitude up at Wylan and takes the plate.]

I was stretching my back and communing with nature from a unique perspective. [Also sulking.] This smells good. Did you run it back here? You're a speed demon.

[wyvil]

I couldn't let you wither. [Wylan did practically run the food back. He had his suspicions that there was some genuine worry with Giorno's sulking, that he really shouldn't leave him alone too long.

He settles on the ground next to Girono, sitting cross-legged with the plate of food in his lap, ever-present messenger bag settled at his side. He seems to deflate a little when he sits, revealing his own tiredness for the first time that evening.]

[digiorno]

I appreciate your concern that I stay fresh and unwithered.

[Admittedly, it's easier to stop sulking when he's got someone to look after. He never intended it to become important to him, but here he is, glancing sideways thoughtfully to see how Wylan's doing.]

It's been a long day, hasn't it? And it's so far from over even now.

[wyvil]

You should.

[Wylan looks exhausted as he picks at his food, his smile at Giorno not quite reaching his eyes. There's a very good chance Wylan will drift off if he doesn't keep himself occupied, meaning he'll latch into any conversation to avoid it.]

Do you think we'll ever have a mission that isn't like that?

[digiorno]

[He's going to make some vaguely-flirtatious joke at that. Something, something, it's for your own benefit, his face is a multidimensional treasure. But he's honestly starting to worry about Wylan: he doesn't just look tired, but exhausted, as though he might pass out any second. Giorno's brows draw together faintly, although he cracks a half-hearted smile nonetheless.]

Oh, it's doubtful. Jobs for the best in the business will always be high-pressure.

[He nudges Wylan with his shoulder.]

Have you been resting when you get the opportunity, Wylan? I worry, you know.

[wyvil]

[It takes all of Wylan's effort to not tilt to the side and lean on Girono's shoulder when he's nudged. He really is exhausted, not just from the days travels but from sleepness nights since the ambush.]

I can take care of myself, you know. This isn't the first time I've done a job like this... [It's a sign of his exhaustion that he calls it a job, a phrasing he usually hates. He's just so tired, and it's the easiest way to explain things.]

[digiorno]

Wylan, I fully believe that if ten thousand fully-armed men charged you right now, you could absolutely find a way out of it. You don't need my help.

[Giorno sounds a little weary, honestly. It's not anything Wylan's done so much as that sometimes it gets tiring playing this game. Maybe he needs to pick friends who are less likely to lie about and hide their needs for fear of being seen as weak. Wylan seems less likely to put that wall up, but it's not really true. He's as stubborn as anyone.]

You don't have to take care of yourself by yourself, though. That's my point. And you absolutely can't stop me from giving a damn.

[wyvil]

[Wylan blinks in surprise at Girono's word, almost stunned. He'd learned pretty quickly during his time with the Dregs to not complain, not express when he was tired or hurting or scared, it usually didn't go well, emphasized just how much he was the weakest link in their group.

They were all very good at pretending they were okay (maybe too good at it) even when they weren't, and Wylan tried to match them. He often failed, but he wasn't used to be called on it, and definitely wasn't asked to admit it.

He takes a moment, eyes fixed on the ground when he finally speaks.]

... If I could just get more than a couple of hours of sleep, I'd feel better.

[digiorno]

[It is, of course, a stunningly hypocritical thing to say. But that doesn't mean Giorno isn't right. As much as he likes Kaz and finds pieces of his leadership style to be remarkable, you simply don't smother your subordinates and expect them to do well. If Wylan were one of Giorno's--which, as ever, as always, he is not--he would find himself in a very compassionate dictatorship.]

[Per Wylan's apparent preference, Giorno doesn't try to make eye contact when he responds.]

Yes, and that would be what we in the business call a basic human need. Is it lack of time or stress?

[wyvil]

... The latter. [Wylan looks up slightly, just catching Giorno's eye. He's not sure what he's expecting to see when he does, but he hopes it isn't disappointment in Wylan's apparent weakness. He knows he's not the only one troubled by the events of the mission so far, isn't the only one losing sleep, but it's hard not to feel like the only one who can't handle it when everyone else so easily carries on as usual.]