EVENT ▸ DIPLOMACY

[futurologists]

DIPLOMACY As the skirmishes between wandering Mountain and Sea Clan groups continue in the Flowerlands, by this point enough attackers have been interrogated by Guild Ophelia to paint a compelling picture of unorganized chaos. Each time a skirmish is interrupted, both sides blame the other for starting the impromptu fight, claiming no knowledge of or participation in an organized cabal; the conflicts are entirely coincidental, they say, just a situation where enemies clash in neutral territory. The Flowerlands are suffering, crops trampled and livestock traumatized, and more and more Mountain and Sea Clan people are terrified to leave their cities, lest they be set upon by warriors from the opposing clan. Under this type of political strain, Hanabira threatens to erupt into full-out civil war at any moment, with or without the sanction of the empresses. Two weeks after Ophelia's arrival in the Empire of the Crashing Wave, Doro sends word: Empress Nama and Empress Youmi have agreed to meet and discuss the term of an alliance. Doro's castle will serve as a meeting place, but the difficult part is bringing the empresses there safely. You foreigners have already proven yourselves to be capable and invested in seeing the conflict to a peaceful conclusion, so Doro contracts Ophelia to act as escorts and guards. This might just be the perfect opportunity to whisper proposed solutions to advisors or, if you're lucky, to the empresses themselves. ▸ THE RETINUE Ophelia has a few different options if they choose to take Doro's contract: escort Nama or escort Youmi and/or guard the Flowerlands castle. ESCORT ▸ EMPRESS NAMA. It's a week's worth of travel to return to the Land of Celestial Mountains from the Empire of the Crashing Wave, so the sooner Ophelia starts out, the better. Skirmishes between clans still dot the forests and farms of the Flowerlands, and each time the retinue encounters one, they must decide if they have the time to interfere or if they must push on. After all, the longer there is no peace in Hanabira, the more dire the situation becomes. When the group finally reaches the Land of Celestial Mountains, they'll find that the entire city is locked down. Guards bar the gates, but upon seeing Doro's seal, they'll let the guild members inside and explain the situation: Mountain Clan rebels have stormed Heavenly Summit, cutting a large swath through the castle. Much of Nama's court and guards lay dead inside, with the rebels holding the remainder hostage -- including Empress Nama herself -- unless war is declared against the Sea Clan. The city guards are afraid to approach, worried that this will only anger the rebels further and cause Nama's death, and have directed all townsfolk to stay in their homes until the situation has been resolved. The guards caution Ophelia not to try any rescue efforts themselves, and instead ask them to either find a building to barricade themselves in or leave the city. Of course, it's not like they're keeping a close watch on everyone. Those who choose to slip into Heavenly Summit Castle will find guards surrounding it, trying to stop anyone from coming in as well as keeping arrows trained on all windows in case a rebel shows her face. Stealth is the name of the game, or at least enough brute strength to knock a guard out in one blow before she sounds the alarm. Inside the castle, rebels stalk the halls of every floor, masked in the green color of the Mountain Clan. Some are heavily armored and some only wear peasants' clothes, carrying farmers' sickles; it seems as though the attack on the castle was planned very quickly, too quickly to evenly distribute armor and weapons. There are corpses left where they were killed, with splashes of bright red blood beside them; there are hostages huddled in the corners of rooms, wide-eyed but silent at the sight of foreigners ostensibly here to save them; and, in the heavily-guarded throne room, Empress Nama herself. Fight through the rebel guards with Nama's help, or find a back door and snatch her up before the rebels notice. Either way, once Ophelia lays eyes on her, the magitek will project words in front of them that only they can see: » EMPRESS NAMA Leader of the LAND OF CELESTIAL MOUNTAINS. 23 years old. SPECIES: Human. MEDICAL CONCERNS: Lactose intolerant, recent blow to the head. Nama doesn't ask questions, recognizing the foreigners of Ophelia as those who were meddling after the festival attack and trusting they're here to help her escape. Longbow in hand, she leads the group through secret passageways in the castle, insisting they rescue the nobility on the way out. From there, Nama suggests stealthily escaping the castle and quickly riding out of the city to the safety of Doro's castle, unsure who she can still trust in her own empire. With Empress Nama and her surviving courtiers added to the retinue, it's time to ride back to the Flowerlands -- and hope you aren't chased by rebels along the way. ESCORT ▸ EMPRESS YOUMI. It takes half a week to travel from the Empire of the Crashing Wave to Doro's castle in the Flowerlands. Youmi and two advisors ride in a carriage, with an entourage of royal guards on horseback in front and behind; those in Ophelia who choose to escort this group will either be on foot or must find a mount themselves. The journey is peaceful, allowing for time to make camp by forested hot springs and in farmhouses (in which case Ophelia might need to sleep outside, depending on the size) along the way. The Sea Clan guards are open to idle chatter with the foreigners, curiously discussing cultural differences and indulging in quick lessons in archery. Everything seems to be going smoothly until the entourage enters Flowerlands territory and is confronted by a winged spirit of the forest, angered by all the recent bloodshed in his home. There is no time to talk; the spirit does not wish to negotiate, only to stop the crew from moving any further into his territory by any means possible. The spirit calls the creatures of the forest to his aid, controlling them as if they are under some sort of spell. Ogres, imps, bears, and wolves are the most worrisome among his helpers. His own attacks come from the sky, diving down to slash at his victims with exceptional speed. Those archery lessons will come in handy here, because ranged weapons are most effective against him as long as he remains in flight. He can take an astounding amount of hits, and once he is weakened, will land on the ground to fight in close quarters. Once he is finally defeated, his spell on the forest animals is broken, and even the most aggressive of them scatter. His feathers are black, but up close, seem iridescent in the light, differentiating them from a common bird's. Youmi's guards suggest everyone take a feather to prove they felled a legendary beast. GUARD ▸ FLOWERLANDS CASTLE. Until the empresses and their escorts arrive, it's very uneventful at Doro's castle. It's a smart idea to keep an eye out in case someone hears about the summit and tries to interfere, but so far, things seem to be peaceful. Take the time to bolster defenses, relieve a guildmate of guard duty, or explore the castle. ▸ THE SUMMIT Youmi and her entourage reach Doro's castle first, her royal guards immediately making a sweep of the castle and the grounds to ensure there is no danger lying in wait. Once the castle is cleared, Doro and Youmi disappear into a guarded room to begin discussions. Youmi's advisors are left out of this initial meeting, making now the perfect time to start some discussions of your own. Days later, Nama's retinue arrives, and Doro and Youmi (and the rest of her entourage) meet her at the castle gates. The two empresses step cautiously forward to meet each other, bowing politely. Moments later, Doro steps forward to gather Nama into a hug, which she gladly returns, giggling like the young girl she is. She's had a rough time, which she quickly explains to Doro, and asks if she can first have a bath and a moment to breathe. Doro and Youmi are more than willing to give it to her after hearing her experience. Doro tells Ophelia they have their run of the castle until dinner tonight, when Doro, Youmi, and Nama will all be together in the same room with the team. Sounds like the perfect time to propose a plan, so you'd better finish up discussions about what to do! There's a bit of a time limit. ▸ OOC NOTES 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. ▸ Up now: Proposal submissions and voting, due 21 February 23:59 UTC. Uniform Design Contest, submissions due 28 February 23:59 UTC. Gamewide voting will be in March. ▸ Coming next: Formal proposal arguments begin 22 February. March calendar on 24 February. February AC begins 1 March and lasts through 5 March. Please review our activity requirements to ensure you have the correct amount of proofs! ▸ Bounty Board ▸ Items Page ▸ General Plotting ▸ February Calendar

Comments

[feytality]

Sometimes being tied by blood just makes things worse in power struggles. [And blood relations aren't always always how successors are picked on this world] What if they start trying to take each out because of it...?

And, well, there's still the current war going on. I don't think their relatives marrying is gonna stop the rebels, yanno? We need some kind of big power move to leave those jerks with no leg to stand upon.

[conqueress]

[ Sometimes it brings about war, and sometimes it brings about peace. #ASOIAF ]

A marriage would seal royal hands and show the people that their Empresses are united in peace. That shall be our primary suggestion. Propose the other union to them as well; why not? They are free to reject the notion, if that is their desire. There is no harm in looking toward the morrow.

[ It is not for them to predict that the empresses would not be open to the idea of further mingling their kingdoms, she thinks. Someone is learning, however reluctantly. ]

[feytality]

[Dany has some experience with this]

That's what I think, too. We could suggest both-- that way there's the main royal marriage and then one where they could have babies and make more heirs. That way, they have options for how they wanna go about it when it comes time to picking heirs and all. And both royal empires would be united!

[conqueress]

[ She sure does. Maya's optimism brings about a faint smile, but Dany remembers tentative peace, and unsmiling faces upon her marriage to Hizdahr zo Loraq. ]

Let us suppose they agree to wed. As others have said, there is still the matter of rebels: those who have revealed themselves, and those who may yet be waiting. Should the wedding be proclaimed, missives sent, we would soon learn the people's reaction, and how many we would face.

[ LET US PRAY THAT ALL HELL DOESN'T BREAK LOOSE. ]

What can be done to forestall those who may disagree violently, should their numbers prove enough? Someone has made mention of trade. What of new trade routes, open to all?

[ And: ]

I do not trust these advisors. [ She did not trust her own, but she has more cause to suspect treason here. ] Let us see these words delivered directly to the Empresses and Doro.

[refashioned]

Am I wrong in thinking these rebels can't be all that powerful? They rose up out of nowhere. They're just slightly more organized chaos.

[Despite her following statements, she is curious about what Dany has to say about it.]

[feytality]

We shouldn't totally discount them, but it looks like they're more the minority than majority.

[refashioned]

That was my thought on it. A very angry, agitating minority.

[feytality]

Ruining everything for everyone else! We gotta kick their butts!

[spiritgun]

Well, why don't we do something about them before we go? Geez, we could probably take care of the whole group ourselves.

[feytality]

Yeah! We gotta knock some sense into 'em! Make cool samurai adventures, not war!

[conqueress]

[ Were she only three years younger, and still ruling in Meereen, she would have felt certain of her answers. But she has learned and she has reflected, however reluctantly. There have been times when there has been little else to do but sit with her ghosts. There's a hesitation, then a more measured answer: ]

That may be, but I cannot answer that.

[ But what she can say is: ]

I was even younger than Nama when I sat the Meereenese throne. I wished to unite freedmen and nobles under my rule. To start, there were no rumblings of war. Then the slaughter began: One of my soldiers was seized in the streets, butchered and left to die in warning. More were seized each week, and the work was more quickly done, the murders more insidious. They named themselves the Sons of the Harpy, and their knives were meant for me. They swelled in number until I was left with no choice but to seek out a man among the nobles with coin and friends.

If these rebels are only slightly more organized chaos, then they are learning, as my shadows did. They may inspire, they may gather where no one will report them. Organized chaos will only grow more organized, but it grows. I pray that I am wrong in that here, but I am certain that word will spread through the Empire of Nama's weakness. In a land overseen by warriors, weakness is the death of rule.

[refashioned]

Were you aware of these sentiments when you came into power? Do you think we have a head start?

[The fact of the matter is that she works on a limited scale (even more limited than she even believes, as she thinks she knows the scale of her father's business). She can't really talk about how to handle rebels. She just knows they shouldn't leave until those sentiments have been identified.]

[conqueress]

I knew what it was I must do. I knew it would be no easy feat. I appointed skilled advisors and a council to be my eyes and ears. It was my place to know the consequences, yet I did not anticipate all that would force my hand.

[ I was only a young girl, playing at games. For once, it is true. ]

We have put an end to the rebellion in Nama's castle, but not without its walls. They are already gathering at some meeting place, to have stormed the walls in such force. But for the nonce, I believe we are still ahead.

[refashioned]

I think that, no matter what's decided, we have to use our numbers to handle the rebellion before it can act, and possibly before whatever solution is announced. Though the announcement might spur action ... I don't know that I want to use anyone as bait for them to come out of hiding.

[That would be too much.]

[feytality]

[......]

[Maya flinches at Dany's story, then her expression clouds over. She looks serious, for once]

I'm sorry. That shouldn't have happened. Some people just can't stand change.

[And she does bring up a good point -- the clan of the sea versus the mountain. The mountain clan's definitely far more militaristic, among other things]

Maybe the rebellion took the first strike on the mountain clan to try to provoke them -- since they're the more hardcore of the two empires.

i'm ngl, i'm just here to get your cr

[dominance]

[ bellamy doesn't know how a marriage is going to solve any issues — the grounders tended to fight and kill and use the bones of those who had tried to overthrow them or rule them with an ugly hand as some sort of stand to elevate them over the masses — but he's been listening. post-apocalyptic worlds tend to forget the whole "marriages solve everything" mentality. ]

[ instead, he focuses on what he thinks the marriage talk is forgetting. arms crossed, he finds himself listening to a woman with hair almost the same shade as clarke's. ]

Why don't you trust them?

[ you seem to know your shit, tell him everything. ]

[feytality]

I dunno, can you really blame her? Advisors always turn out to be scheming and evil -- it's practically their job description.

[Maya's helping!!!]

[dominance]

[ bellamy's easily agreeable. while he's never really had an advisor (he's not important enough, even when shirtless), he's seen it in action. everyone always has an angle. if the person they're advising doesn't follow it ... lexa ended up with a bullet in the chest. roan, dead. ]

[ so: lips quirked and a little amused, ] Always?

[ there is a 50% chance this will not be a serious discussion now. ]

[feytality]

[maybe he's just not shirtless enough]

Always! C'mon, they even have scheme-y faces! I think that's what gets them hired.

[it's definitely not going to be a serious discussion]

[dominance]

[ shit. ]

[ bellamy's lips quirk upward. finally, he feels the tinges of amusement … ]

All of them have scheme-y faces?

[ he even crosses his arms, tilting his head slightly in a challenge. ]

this is acceptable 2 me

[conqueress]

[ She doesn't, truthfully, but she's learned some things from her own fuck-ups. Hooray? ]

We have just learned of the storming of the Heavenly Summit Castle. Empress Nama was already beset by masked treachery in her lands.

[ She remembers the Dothraki, and how quickly Drogo's khalasar had vanished into the night. This show of weakness will not serve. ]

That slaughter should never have been permitted to happen. Let us say her guards were strong and honorable warriors. Even the best soldiers may be overwhelmed by numbers, true ... but in a time of skirmishes and disguises, the watch should be doubled, and a fortress should not be so easily penetrated.

[ And further: ]

Advisors are not meant only to suggest; they are meant to provide a ruler with information she cannot go out and gain for herself. What of spymasters? Who serves as the empress' eyes and ears? [ She says, more softly: ] Nama's advisors are a mummer's farce of a council, or elsewise they have something to gain from war. One or the other, I am wary of their advice.

[dominance]

[ it may not be what she means, but: ]

I'm glad there's someone else out here who's skeptical about everything to do with this.

[ in his experience, you just don't trust someone who puffs out their chest and says they're good at doling out the advice. the council on the ark had been a wealth of bad choices made, and so many lives lost for nothing … he doesn't allow his thoughts to trickle down that path. ]

[ what he does think about: the little information he and peter had managed to get from the people who live in this region. the empress is lonely. ]

You think maybe the lack of defense could be an advisor playing for the other side?

[ straight for the kill! did someone say dracarys? ]

[feytality]

[listen Dany she has far more optimism where that came from]

That's a pretty good point -- we can see how people react to the wedding. There's definitely not enough openly rebellious people to overtake everyone [the festival kind of proved that] Then, we can find out who's trying to stir up trouble and kick some butt!

[advisors are always evil. disney movies taught us that]

Yeah, let's cut out any shady middlemen and take care of business ourselves!

[conqueress]

[ Leader of Cheers and Bringer of Hope. ]

No, [ she admits to the numbers remark, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. Not as yet, she means, but if they leave crucial matters unsettled, she fears they will fester. ] And if the people are angry, redresses can be sought. We can request a longer stay in Hanabira to observe, perhaps.

We shall see how closely the advisors hoard their empresses.

[feytality]

It seems like most of the commonfolk are just as under fire as the Empresses --- I mean, they're suffering, too, from the random attacks and everything. So, I think they can win 'em over.

And you're right--- we can stay and help out! We'll be like the royal matchmakers and peacemakers!