futurologists: (Default)
Hathaway. ([personal profile] futurologists) wrote in [community profile] epidemiology2018-04-15 05:19 pm

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

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:
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 MemeDrakstaden DossierDrakstaden LocationsDrakstaden Bounty BoardApril Calendar
hackedhistory: (Default)

[personal profile] hackedhistory 2018-05-04 02:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[She keeps tapping away, trying to make it seem like she's casually browsing her options to be a pain in the ass and make Urahara suffer, but it's not long before she's in and she goes to town with substituting the fake news stories for the real ones as quickly and smoothly as she can.]
predomination: it's honestly a little bit adorable (⚛ he's tried to poison me 16 times)

[personal profile] predomination 2018-05-05 07:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[The one who spoke keeps his eyes locked on Urahara, while the other one briefly looking over and seeing nothing but what looks like a woman being intentionally frustrating. That one, at least, looks mildly sympathetic.

"That a fact?" He looks ready to pick a fight- as Urahara suspected this one is itching to stomp out trouble wherever he sees it, even if it's just a minor infarction. He probably hasn't made quota.]


Oh yes. You know, I can't even go to the kiosk on my own block because there's always so many ruffians hanging around.

[The second Vakdir tugs on his partner's arm. "Come on, Ivan. Let's look into that." There's minor resistance from "Ivan," but he finally decides there's nothing he can get out of Urahara. To sell his story further as they walk away, Urahara approaches the kiosk as soon as he can disengage and knocks.] Miss? I'd hate to interrupt, but I'm in a bit of a hurry...
hackedhistory: (Default)

[personal profile] hackedhistory 2018-05-12 03:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, yeah, give me a minute.

[There's a few more keystrokes, and she pulls the device stealthily out of the kiosk and turns back, still playing the part just in case anyone's watching.]

All yours.

[And she'll slink off to the blind spot across the street to wait for him. It's not a good idea for them to travel too far alone, but it's also best if it's not seen.]
predomination: because let me tell you something, paper cuts in your asshole are not a laughing matter. don't test me. (⚛ you wanna wear this fan home?)

[personal profile] predomination 2018-05-14 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Urahara spends a decent amount of time scrolling through (and checking to make sure Zari's work went through) before exiting the kiosk, going to the opposite direction Zari went before ducking back into another alley and flash-stepping into Zari's hiding spot from behind.

One minute he isn't there and the next he is.]
It went through. Well done, Zari-san.
hackedhistory: (Default)

[personal profile] hackedhistory 2018-05-20 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
[There's a small smile as she nods.]

Thank you. Hopefully it'll get out to enough people to make a difference.

[Not that it'll help with some of the higher echelons, but the people on the lower levels should know the truth.]

Thanks for having my back.
predomination: sadly your man is not me. but he could be like me if he wore a BITCHIN' HAT. (⚛ look at your man. now back at me.)

[personal profile] predomination 2018-05-21 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[He rubs the back of his neck.] Well, that's what we're here for, isn't it? It was really nothing at all.
hackedhistory: (Default)

[personal profile] hackedhistory 2018-05-22 03:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[Still, she appreciates it all the same. She adjusts her bag on her shoulders and nods towards the back way out of the alley.]

Let's get back to base before we get into trouble for actually loitering.

[And we can call this bounty a wrap?]