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epidemiology2018-04-15 05:19 pm
futurologists) wrote in epidemiology2018-04-15 05:19 pm
Entry tags:
- ! plot,
- 2b (nier automata),
- 9s (nier automata),
- adam jensen (deus ex),
- ahad (the inheritance trilogy),
- aleksandra zaryanova (overwatch),
- aloy (horizon zero dawn),
- andromache (the old guard),
- arya stark (asoiaf),
- bellamy blake (the 100),
- eli vanto (star wars),
- fiona (borderlands),
- gorō majima (yakuza),
- jason grace (camp half-blood chronicles),
- jester (critical role),
- keith (voltron),
- khada jhin (league of legends),
- korra (legend of korra),
- kylo ren (star wars),
- lance (voltron),
- laphicet (tales of berseria),
- levi (attack on titan),
- lissa (fire emblem: awakening),
- noctis lucis caelum (final fantasy xv),
- odinson (marvel comics),
- poe dameron (star wars),
- rey (star wars),
- rohan kishibe (jjba),
- simon jarrett (soma),
- takeshi kovacs (altered carbon),
- tenya iida (my hero academia),
- vanadi (original),
- veronica lodge (riverdale),
- wylan van eck (grishaverse),
- yusuke urameshi (yu yu hakusho)
EVENT ▸ WELCOME TO DRAKSTADEN
CITIZENS OF TOMORROW  It's raining when Guild Ophelia arrives in Drakstaden, a constant drizzle which doesn't let up for hours. The team all rift in separately on the lower levels, conveniently placed in alleyways, behind dumpsters, and in abandoned lots. They've already been outfitted in their Drakstaden clothes and, for the nonhuman members, cloaking devices, although Imogen reminds them that the cloaking devices will only make them appear human to outsiders; the magitek allows Ophelia to see them as they truly are, letting them recognize their teammates. The lower levels house the dregs of society. The tired, the poor, the huddled masses. It isn't uncommon to pass beggars on these levels, and overall, almost all of the citizens on the lowest levels are in bad financial shape. There are a few shops here and there, although many are manually operated rather than robotically, making them less efficient and, therefore, less profitable. The higher one goes, the more wealthy the people they pass appear -- and they will pass many people. It's almost impossible not to run into people, as they're all cramped in a quite small space. When it comes to crossing over lower levels, Ophelia might find themselves actually running into people, as the walkways tend to consist of nothing more than wooden planks, which aren't exactly roomy. On the higher levels, the passages between areas are sky bridges, often enclosed -- or at least roofed -- places with moving walkways that denizens need only stand on to be brought to their destinations. Also present in the higher levels are the Vakdir, Darkstaden's police force, making them appear analogous with wealth. There are little to no Vakdir in the lowermost levels, but the higher one goes, the more are patrolling -- and if they see you in clothes that make you look like you don't really belong here, you may wind up getting harassed. Everyone knows their place here, so you'd better learn quickly if you want to fit in. ▸ HOTEL DRAKSTADEN  The only interaction one will get here is with the lonely android receptionist, Edvard, who is very excited to see you, as it's been so long since he's had a guest! Tourists have stopped coming, you see, although he can't imagine why; it's a perfectly lovely place to live, if you ask him (although it has been a while since he was out of the hotel... why, he hasn't been outside the hotel since the day he was assembled, now that he thinks of it). He'll talk your ear off as he gets you a room, and even after, if you let him. He seems very sad to see you go, and asks you to please come visit him if you have any problems with the room. Each room contains a smart bed that adjusts its firmness to your movements and sheets with adjustable temperature, a smart shower with a touch-screen LED display of the temperature and water pressure (as well as displaying the date and time, and offering music options accompanied by matching visuals), and a TV that visually scans you, then matches you to the shows most favored by your demographic. Interestingly, one of the shows almost always includes pro-government propaganda. The hotel is not considered "fancy" by Drakstaden standards; this technology is old news for them. In fact, it's the bare minimum of what you'd expect from a decent bed, shower, or TV. A fleet of Roombas and Tidy-Bots arrive around noon each day to clean it from top to bottom. None appear to have any sentience whatsoever, just an overwhelming prerogative to clean your room. If you head downstairs in the morning, the automated kitchen's open to make you breakfast, or Edvard has a continually updated catalog of every restaurant within a short walking distance. The same goes for lunch and dinner, although they haven't got a bartender, so any alcoholic drinks that aren't bottled will have to be found elsewhere. All in all, it's a suitable place to sleep and rest, but not good for much else. In order to really sink your teeth into the city and get your job done, you'll need to head out. ▸ ROST: THE HIDEOUT   The hideout is located in a surveillance deadzone, at the edge of any Vakdir patrol zone and a surveillance drone blindspot due to electrical wires that hang overhead. Inside are computers and half-constructed gadgets, along with blueprints, notes, and more tacked up on the walls or spilling out of folders strewn across a salvaged table. It's disorganized, but thorough; this isn't just a fleeting whim. They want to take the government down by any means necessary. Froken introduces you to the lot of them: Bjalla, Eitur, Flader, Hakarl, Sparv, Varg, and more -- you get the feeling these are code names, as they stress that what they are doing is treasonous. In plotting against their government, they aren't only putting themselves in danger, but their family, friends, and even neighbors. Looking at their clothing and the state of their cybernetics (or lack thereof, in some cases), it's clear that most of Rost comes from the lower levels of Drakstaden, though there are a few who look to be middle class as well. The members of Rost explain the state of affairs of Drakstaden, the way the government controls everyone and everything. Those in the lower class are hit the hardest, trapped in the veritable slums of the lowest levels of the city, but the middle and upper classes are victims themselves, either believing the lies the government-sponsored programs broadcast over government-sponsored channels, or otherwise being unable to openly announce dissent. Those who even speak against the government, you see, are often never seen again. The only way for Drakstaden to be free, according to Rost, is to remove the current government and all who are complicit in the prime minister's iron fisted rule. By the hardened and grim looks on their faces, it's clear they did not ask Ophelia here to engage in a diplomacy mission. ▸ OOC NOTES Welcome to Mission: Drakstaden! If you have questions about this log or the mission, please direct them to the dossier. Questions about the game in general can be directed to the FAQ. ▸ Up now:
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1
Catherine pauses for a long moment, taking in the situation, and then looks straight at Edvard. She'd had a long conversation with him earlier, with the interrogation going more the opposite way. In a factual, no-nonsense, unoffended tone: ] Edvard, go back to your station. She doesn't want to talk any longer. I'll stop by later, okay?
[ She was planning on it anyway, because hey, she has a captive android audience to chat with, but it seems appropriate to soften the rudeness. Although a large part of Catherine is still baffled at having to be concerned about being rude to robots.
She waits for Edvard to sheepishly slink off before she turns to Ciri. ] You have to be pretty direct with robotics.
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However, Catherine's dominance in the conversation makes her stammer over her words. ]
I wasn't — I had no mind to give them direct orders. Perhaps it would have saved me twenty or so minutes of incessant rambling.
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She blinks at how taken aback Ciri is, and her hesitance. ]
Robots are supposed to help people, you know that, right? He's pretty advanced, but he still has an explicit function. You don't have to feel badly for telling him to do it.
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[ The way her eyebrows furrow down, she assumes its more along the lines of fly under without detection. ]
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I talked to him for ninety minutes earlier, [ she says, in a factual, informative tone rather than a defensive one. ] I don't really sleep much, so I'm planning on coming back at night to keep each other company. It'll be fine. You don't need to do it.
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That's awfully generous of you to devote your time to such a task — why?
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[ In case that doesn't translate well, because Catherine has no idea what anyone else has for terminology or levels of tech, she adds, ] I code software like his personality program for a living. It's fascinating to me to see how things work here.
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Lucky for us to have you, then. This seems more like your element. I've only brief experiences with this kind of... lifestyle. [ NO IT'S THE FUTURE... ] So forgive me if my words fall into ignorance.
[ But, back to Edvard: ]
So, people like you are the reason why he seemingly... expresses emotions?
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[ Catherine's sure it's a matter of time before she's out of her comfort zone. In some respects, being here, fully embodied, at all is out of her comfort zone, but she's not about to share that... with anyone, really. ]
You could say that. It's not seemingly, though-- he does feel emotions, it's just through a mechanical/digital mechanism rather than a neurochemical one like you.
[ An observant listener might notice she doesn't finish the phrase, like you and me. ]
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[ As Catherine speaks, Ciri watches for changes in her eyes — that's always the first indication of a person's intent. Ciri longs for comfort in the sense that her company won't actively betray her, missing terribly her family but knowing this was for the best. So swept up in her studying, she misses the line that could be indicative of something else with the woman — ]
Ah... I'm afraid anything technological is still new to me. I have brief experience in such on my adventures, but I'm ...use to magics and such. More whimsical, from what others tell me. But! To have the ability here in all places proves you to be a great asset — if there's anything I can do to help you, please let me know.
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She's just not always good at it. But she does try. Catherine's a little flustered by the implied compliments, and the offer, actually. ]
Oh, that's-- um, I might take you up on that, sometime. And right back at you, [ she adds quickly. ] If I can help with something, let me know. I'm pretty useless in combat, and with magic, so I definitely can't work totally alone.
I'm Catherine, by the way.
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[ A pause as she extends her hand. ]
Ciri.
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Her hand retreats once the polite introduction is done. ] Do you have any plans for while we're here? I feel like I have a million things to work on.
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Ciri gives it a firm grasp, once and then it's over. While Catherine may find Ciri to be friendly, she's just as blunt. ]
Try not get into trouble, but besides that..? I'm trying to get accustomed to working with a team. 'Tis not my best strongsuit.
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She can't help finding Ciri's lack of plans a little amusing, given how far off it is from Catherine's own itemized list of things she wants to tackle. ]
That's it? Come on, you should enjoy it while you're here. I've heard we don't go places like this very often. Figuring out teamwork will happen on its own, I bet.
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[ There's a friendly laugh there — she did have those examples ready quickly. ]
What do you plan on doing?
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She can try. Seeming oblivious all the while. ]
I'm going to get up to speed on the local robotics and make sure I'm ready in case someone needs me on that front later. [ Yes, she has like a million plans already. ] You don't need to pub crawl! [ she laughs, openly. ] I have been shopping-- not for clothes-- but learning the area just helps us blend in. It's good for our mission to start to feel natural around here.
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I suppose you're right. I frequented a restaurant earlier — but there were not many patrons. I think spending my time in the lower quarter will allow me the insight to see what measures the privileged are taking to keep the people down-trodden. Something about a Doctor seemed interesting as well...