EVENT ▸ WELCOME TO DRAKSTADEN

[futurologists]

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 A self-sufficient "smart hotel" with 20 floors, run without human intervention, the Hotel Drakstaden is built on top of a four story building, meaning it's located in the lower portions of the middle levels. Imogen has arranged for Guild Ophelia to have rooms here, though space is limited, so you may have to bunk up with a buddy or three. 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 Soon enough, your local contact will meet with you: a woman with purple hair and a black, robotic arm that is named Froken gives you directions to a "local hotspot" that people "of your caliber" would be interested in. It's close to the hotel, up a few floors and around a few corners, and behind a false wall in a middle class sympathizer's apartment, but it's there. Froken notes your numbers and suggests you don't all come around at once -- they want to remain hidden, not alert "unwanted individuals" to their "underground club." 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: Mission: Drakstaden Bounty Board is now open! Bounties must be turned in by the beginning of the next mission, estimated for mid-summer. As a reminder, bounty threads do not count toward !plot AC. CR/Welcome Meme is available for plotting or getting to know your fellow players. Drakstaden Locations are now live! Please leave any questions about the locations on the dossier. ▸ Coming next (Futurology runs on timezone UTC): 26 April: May calendar goes up! 28 April: Next !plot log goes up. You may use threads started during April for May AC. 01 May: April AC begins, ending on 5 May 23:59 UTC. All new characters must provide one proof. ▸ CR/Welcome Meme ▸ Drakstaden Dossier ▸ Drakstaden Locations ▸ Drakstaden Bounty Board ▸ April Calendar

Comments

[damnpire]

[The gathering is full of as much tension as D expected. It won't be the first or last time he comes across humans battling each other as much as battling monsters, or demons, or Nobles.

There's been many sheriffs and leaders who have used their authority for selfish reasons. It seems Drakstaden isn't any different.] Don't attack unless they do. [As a precautionary measure for them. D is well aware both he and Alucard are considerably much stronger than the Vakdir even with technological weapons. Even in rain, even in sun.

Tipping his head down a bit, D carefully tries to listen through the noise of the yelling. There's employees behind the Vakdir, and they seem somewhat sympathetic in their hopelessness.] They're hands are tied. [The hat lifts just as a thick, muffled boom goes off.

A canister kites the air over the first quarter of the people's heads, landing amidst them. Smoke explodes in one big plume, fanning outward.] What is it?

Not magic. [The crackling voice is only loud enough for D and Alucard to hear.] Hmm--

CS gas. It's gonna burn, but you two should be fine. I can get rid of some of it if you get close. Are you sure this is a good idea? You're not even getting paid.

Get ready to get rid of it. [Those in the back are already beginning to rush by them, urged by those closer to the front doing the same. Others aren't so easily swayed. They're ready to fight.

D nods to the left, but to Alucard. He'll follow.]

[reposing]

[It's unfortunate, that those who want to help find themselves in the situation where they cannot. Alucard had felt ready to lash out, force them into cooperation -- but that was selfishly out of his own frustrations. He cannot hold everyone to the standard of his mother, a selfless stubborn doctor who'd find ways to help others even at the cost of her own safety.

It's unfair of him. He thinks of her, as often as he does, how she might say not everyone can be brave, so be brave for them, Adrian.

The canister that lands with a clunk nearby them earns a curious frown, then his head jerks back when the gas comes out. Despite any reservations he may have about the strange entity in D's hand, he has no reason to distrust it. The gas may burn, but he will not allow many things to stand in his way.

Alucard glances at the other dhampir, quietly appreciating his understanding.

When Alucard moves, it's almost like he's phasing, a trailing image behind him. Despite the wound still scarred and healing on his chest, he'll be more than fast enough, dodging around civilians attempting to flee the gas and the engaging law enforcement.

A Vakdir prepares to strike one of the natives; Alucard stops him by the wrist, forcing his arm back enough to snap his mechanical arm at the elbow, the Vakdir crumbling to his knees and screaming, almost barely comprehending what had just happened. The arm sparks, wires exposed. There won't be a killing blow, but his anger isn't subtle.

Alucard glances down at the civilian, then jerks his head, telling them to run.

He jerks, feeling something hot graze his arm after a loud bang. A gun, not too commonplace where he's from, but he knows of the sound.

The EMP is triggered by Alucard, stopping the guns from the Vakdir. For now, anyway.]

[damnpire]

[D follows Alucard through the crowd, and while he does not blink ahead like the other dhampir, he is fast despite the cloak. He lets Alucard handle the fighting. Instead, he swings to the side and extends his left hand. The face from before stretches onto his palm, grinning wildly.] Sometimes, I think you're a little crazy. Why can't you even give me the good stuff to eat?

Get rid of it. [Its mouth opens then begins to pull in a majority of the gas nearby by suctioning the air on its inhale. When it's finished, it gives a resounding hack of disgust and a, YUCK!

It's not unlike eating something bitter. Whatever goes in through Left Hand still affects his own body. Gently, his brows pinch as he tucks his arm back beneath the cloak. Half human means he's half as likely for his sinuses to burn, and frankly, it's suffering.

But it doesn't slow him down. Again, he takes off as the people become free to flee through the area cleared. On the high rise of the steps, three Vakdir come forward. Several energy cores hum to life, powering the laser guns not reached by the smaller EMP. Without warning, they fire on the civilians below who stay to fight. The attack brings out their own weapons.

To D, this is their battle. It has been for some time. The field is even when they both are armed. So for now, he watches to see what will transpire and whether he needs to step in for those who are fleeing, those without weapons of their own--or to help Alucard who he thinks will fly in, angry.]

[reposing]

[There's fast relief when D's strange parasitic hand sucks in the gas, and quietly Alucard is grateful. It was tolerated, but unpleasant, to put lightly.

D isn't wrong in his prediction; as soon as Alucard sees that the Vakdir begins to open fire upon the civilians, his eyes flash into a golden red. He opens his mouth, letting out a hiss before he's unsheathing his blade finally. The natives may have their own weapons, but they're still out matched by the Vakdir's superior equipment from what Alucard can see.

He rushes forward, swiping his sword down, cutting off the front of one of the rifles. Without pause, he's elbowing the rifle's owner in the throat, causing him to crumple and choking for air.

The second Vakdir clues in to aim at Alucard, but the third is still firing back at the civilians. It's a split second decision, but Alucard makes it: he opts to impale his sword into the third Vakdir through the gut, drawing his blade back with a splash of blood. The Vakdir groans, collapsing to his knees before crumpling to the ground.

It makes Alucard vulnerable to the last standing one, who fires directly into his chest.]

[damnpire]

[As expected. Left Hand says something about the young ones being brash, but it's lost beneath the sound of laser-powered rifles and screaming Drakstadens. The sword is pulled from the sheath at his waist, and he stands at attention to watch Alucard ascend the steps to the Vakdir.

He trusts the other dhampir's capabilities.]

This way. [He motions with a hand to those running, funneling them from the battle. To the ones fighting, he gives a somewhat surly, Stop. Leave now.

From one of the pockets on his belt, the same one that offered the screwdriver, he pulls a thick, but malleable wire. He splits it down one end easily with his sword, turning it into three lengths, and with the stone of the ground split by laser fire, he ties three decent sized rocks to the end of each strip.]

D!

[Getting from where he stands to halfway up the steps is nothing; he's faster than any Vakdir, and his movements so fluid it's almost as if he hadn't put his feet on the ground at all. He slings the crafted bola up the slope of the stairs, slamming the Vakdir around the neck and head with twisting wire. The velocity knocks them off-balance, but Alucard may still take some of the shot.

D is already coming up the rest of the way, sword in hand. His gait is eerily steady and slow, and the higher he gets, the more that can be seen below the brim of the hat. The rusty brown of his eyes have become fiery pools of scarlet, and the somber, stoic smoothness of his face has been replaced by a powerful and dark beauty.

At the edges of everything nearby, the shadows begin to stretch, and a squeezing pressure brings goosebumps on even covered flesh. The voice that comes from him is not the soft and flat one from before; this one is icy and commanding and full of fangs.] Leave.

[The two remaining Vakdir, in their uncertainty, debate. But one of the guns begins to hum with charging energy, and then the other, and the blue amulet around D's neck glows. He takes a shot in the abdomen without flinching just as the amulet goes off, nullifying the cores in the guns. It dims immediately after, leaving him imposing and unmoved.

He raises his hand from beneath the cloak, pointing the palm, but the two Vakdir scatter in fear, and he has to neither raise his sword or use whatever latent Nobility bubbling at the surface. He gave them mercy, but they rush by Alucard, and the other dhampir can deal with them if possible. Unlike most, D is use to being infamous, and being ratted out isn't as worrisome to him as others.

All at once, the tension drops, the shadows recede, the pressure lifts, and the brim of D's hat comes down over his eyes as he returns his sword to its sheath.]

[reposing]

[Despite the laser burn on his chest, Alucard is able to shake it off. It'll heal; it's more distracting right now than it is deadly, though it would have been for any mortal creature. He ducks away from the craft bola that D's fired, not particularly concerned. Even if it had struck him, he can endure; this is something he figures D can manage.

He does pause momentarily, watching how D approaches the rest of them. Though the air felt heavy already, it is almost chilling for how D addresses the remaining Vakdir. The way he wears his presence has already been impressive, but how quickly he can change it is honestly fascinating.

For a moment, Alucard is tempted to strike out at the fleeing Vakdir, but he leaves them. He's trying to be merciful, trying to only use force when he absolutely must. As his chest begins to heal, he slides his sword away.

Hey! Are you all right? one of the technicians shouts, not sure if he should be moving.]

I am not what you should be worrying about. [Alucard exhales, closing his eyes a moment before he addresses them.] You need to help the people who are in need of repairs and services.

[What are we supposed to do about the Vakdir? It's not like they'll just let us!]

Let the civilians help you. They are angry, but speak to them, ask for protection. I have no doubt they will do just that.

[damnpire]

[In the thousands of years he's been alive, he's been hit with quite a lot of things. Lasers, too. They may be better, in all honesty, as the searing heat cauterizes the hole it leaves behind. No blood.] It's just stupid, you know? You could have dodged that easily. Just because you're okay with becoming bacon doesn't mean I am.

Don't worry.

Yeah, I guess we're fine if you got that angry, huh? Must be hungry. Heh heh. Am I right?

[He begins healing slowly a few moments after he steps up near Alucard. He's surprised by the other dhampir's mercy, but not displeased. He's not a fan of uneven fights, and being able to use technological weapons doesn't count as a balance. Not for him.

His eyes shift to the technician, then to the rest behind. They seem wary and concerned all at once, and he can't blame them. In the end, they don't care as long as they are getting paid. A little sympathy, but what can they do? D, too, frequently declines jobs that don't pay him for his services.]

...

[Even as a Bruiser, Alucard is reasonable. He can appreciate it. Refreshing is it to run into Nobility or dhampirs who can be selfless.

There's nothing else he can add. They might not like hearing him ask to send them to Gunnar, and even that man and his sister can't help them on this level. He doesn't trust Lundberg. He doesn't trust anyone who lives to run tests on others.

So he turns and quietly starts back down the stairs to wait on Alucard at the bottom.]

[reposing]

[Alucard wishes there was more he could do. If it were possible, he would stand guard here for days and nights, but that is not his mission. He has to be ready for the rest of the guild for whatever their next plan is.

He hopes that the community can work together to protect each other. It's better that way.

He descends the stairs, finding D waiting. Alucard's eyes light up slightly, glad that the other dhampir is still here. It's foolish and he knows it, but he's grateful to have this new companionship.

And the help.

With a sigh, the last bit of injuries heal away.]

I appreciate your help. [His voice is warm.]

[damnpire]

[The hat lifts when Alucard finally gets to the bottom of the stairs. Whatever dark and eerie power had come from him before is now gone completely. D’s dark eyes quickly look Alucard over clinically. He isn’t sure why he is surprised by the recovery when he knows Alucard is a dhampir. Perhaps because Alucard is a dhampir from another world—or rather, another time.

Somehow, he’s glad for Alucard’s well-being, and he almost feels bad for being so distant when Alucard’s eyes are young and hopeful about his presence.

The relief thankfully (for him) doesn’t show on his face. A lot of D’s feelings depend solely on his actions, as frustrating as that is.]

You let them go. They could return to find us.

[It doesn’t sound like a scold. More like he wants to see what Alucard will say.]

[reposing]

They aren't any danger to us.

[And he knows it's foolish, but mercy should be a chance for someone to deeply reconsider their choices. Perhaps it'll be a wake up call for them.

Unlikely, and cynically he knows that.]

If they come back to find us, it's more troublesome for them than us.

[damnpire]

[D seems satisfied with the answer. He can’t be sure it won’t be a great deal of trouble in general, but he’s aware the Vakdir pose no fierce threat to either of them.

Alucard is young, but Alucard is trying.

He nods.] They may come regardless. [His way of telling Alucard to be ready in case.] You can go back to the hotel if you’re injured. [Though it’s more like if Alucard needs the rest]

[reposing]

It is no grave injury; in another minute, it will finish healing.

And what of you? Your... hand took in all of the gas. Does it affect you?

[damnpire]

...

[The ghastly, faced hand rises from the depths, but Alucard won't be able to see it. Alucard can hear it, though, even with it talking somewhat quietly in that gnarled, ancient voice:]

Young and curious. What a surprise. Not many your age care too much about anything except their powers and blood. A real mama's boy. [It laughs.] Or maybe you're just looking for a way to get rid of a vampire hunter, eh? Getting a little yellow around the neck--

Quiet. Stop teasing him.

Figures you wouldn't get bored being this old. Pah. I'm attached to him, so what do you think? I even know his thoughts...

[D merely looks at Alucard, seemingly unbothered, and he neither confirms nor denies this claim.]

[reposing]

[The strange old voice speaks again. It's vastly different from D, egging Alucard on, prickling under the skin with words. But he doesn't opt to address it.

Seems that would really only encourage it.]

I won't demand you rest if you are weary. You know your own limits.

[Alucard considers for a split second, but decides to not press on anything else, no matter how curious he genuinely is. Maybe out of spite for the entity in D's hand, or because he's still feeling his way around this.

Either way, he decides to wait to see if D continues into the city.]

[damnpire]

[Not humoring Left Hand is a thing D does quite frequently, and Alucard will learn more about that if Alucard hasn't already noticed. Ten thousand years stuck with a parasite--hell. But D could get rid of it easily, and maybe that's why Alucard can tell the thing shuts up after pressing a few buttons.]

Can't a guy have a little fun?

[D continues on without answering Left Hand, and Alucard is free to follow. Truth be told, he could keep exploring the nooks and crannies of the lower- and middle-levels, but instead it might be better to make a quick return to the hotel.]

What are your plans now?

[reposing]

[Alucard follows along after D, then frowns thoughtfully at the question. Though they'd done their best to make some progress with what the people need, there's far too much to do.]

Perhaps I will explore the city more. I want to understand it better.

[damnpire]

I'm going to the hotel. Then I'm going to look around again.

[There's no blatant invitation, but D also doesn't reject Alucard's company. He's very frustrating in his indifference. It's a wonder Alucard puts up with him even for a desperate taste of similarity.]

You should be careful about the surveillance.