futurologists: (Default)
Hathaway. ([personal profile] futurologists) wrote in [community profile] epidemiology2018-02-17 04:33 am

EVENT ▸ DIPLOMACY

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

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tenthousandmiles: (pic#11627965)

[personal profile] tenthousandmiles 2018-02-23 07:07 am (UTC)(link)
It looked like you were trying to tough it out.

[He says it bluntly, though he does remain where he is, not wanting to crowd her.]
kisha: (pursuit)

[personal profile] kisha 2018-02-24 02:14 pm (UTC)(link)
["Trying", he says, as if she weren't succeeding.]

I will rest when there is time for it.

[And there would be, soon enough, she knows, but if she takes to a stall now she will regret not stretching later, and she is far too disciplined to give in to such weak urges now.]
tenthousandmiles: (pic#11715816)

[personal profile] tenthousandmiles 2018-02-26 08:22 pm (UTC)(link)
There's time now.

[The fighting's come to an end. There's no danger right now.]

I could keep watch for you, if you prefer.
kisha: (cold)

[personal profile] kisha 2018-02-27 02:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hayame snorts in derision, turning her head away to take another sip of water. To agree to such a thing would imply that she trusted him to keep watch for her...]

I'm fine.

[And she certainly didn't.]
tenthousandmiles: (pic#11627965)

[personal profile] tenthousandmiles 2018-02-27 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ah. She's stubborn, but so is he.]

If you rest now, you'll be better able to defend when negotiations between the empresses and Ophelia begin.
kisha: (gross)

[personal profile] kisha 2018-02-28 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
The last thing I need is some human man telling me what I am able to do.

[It's hard to tell which of those words sounds more disgusted... but it's probably "man".]
tenthousandmiles: (pic#11636056)

[personal profile] tenthousandmiles 2018-03-01 09:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh. Oh.]

Forgive me. I do not mean to condescend, Hayame-san.

[Did his speech patterns suddenly shift toward the more humble and respectful? You bet it did.]

I merely speak out of concern. [He even bows!!! If he gotta kowtow to make u take care of urself girl he'll fuckin do it.]
kisha: (serious)

[personal profile] kisha 2018-03-01 02:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[................ that's slightly better.]

Well your concern is unneeded.

[She downs the rest of the water before she thrusts the flask back at him.]
tenthousandmiles: (pic#11713217)

[personal profile] tenthousandmiles 2018-03-01 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Humans are often prone to unnecessary concerns.

[He accepts the flask back, and offers a smile.]

If you would be willing to humor this one, I would be grateful.
kisha: (disdain)

[personal profile] kisha 2018-03-03 12:46 am (UTC)(link)
[An abundance of concern was the last thing Hayame expected from humans. At least, not about anyone other but themselves.

The expectation this one seems to have... all it does is draw a sneer.]


You are no master of mine.

[She realizes he was going for something more like "teammate", likely, but she hates that word even more. Despises the expectation that she would be friendly or take the advice of these people just because they shared the same employment.

... also, she's dug her hooves into this stance, she can't back down now.]


So you need not expect any "humoring".
tenthousandmiles: (pic#11716088)

[personal profile] tenthousandmiles 2018-03-03 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
...Of course not. I claim no such power over you, Hayame-san.

[Good lord, he wasn't expecting it to be so difficult to get her to acquiesce to something as simple as sitting down.]

Nor do I presume to make any demands or hold any expectations of you. It's simply a request.
kisha: (grudge)

[personal profile] kisha 2018-03-05 02:27 pm (UTC)(link)
One I deny.

[It's something simple, she thinks, for humans. Sitting. Laying down. But if Ginko has been observant, there is something to note about Hayame... and that is that in all this mission, she has never been seen lying down anywhere visible to the team at large. Barely seen sitting.

She didn't even lay down to sleep, most days, dozing while standing like her equine brethren. Because to lay down was to make oneself weak.

And even that small amount, she refuses.]


If you've no more water, I am busy.

[And honestly... she can get her own water, once she finishes stretching her legs.]