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

[secondnature]

[Keith waits for the rioters to get louder and angrier before he gets moving. The sound may be a problem. How long until the Vakdir show up to cause problems? He figures: not long. But hopefully a little bit of "negotiation" can handle things. And by negotiation, he makes sure to have his blade on him before he starts climbing.

The movement up isn't that difficult. Here in the middle levels, there is more solid landing ground as one moves up along the buildings.

Once he reaches the window, he taps on it, and then hugs the building closely, doing his best not to move lest he draw any attention. A moving object is more likely to be spotted than an immobile one, after all.]

[dailydouble]

[ At Keith's signal, Ahad will slide the window open. The room beyond is small and dark, obviously empty beyond a desk, chair, and the detritus of some former occupant. Not that it matters much, as they don't intend to remain here for long.

As soon as Keith clears the window, Ahad will be ready to close it behind him. ]

No trouble? [ It's more an assumption than an actual question. Keith is more than capable of taking care of himself. ]

[secondnature]

No trouble. But we need to work fast. Things are getting worse out there. [Keith doesn't bother to point out what will happen if things get worse. It might turn into a situation where a god and a half alien have to fight off anyone who's trying to bring them in, and no one gets help.

For Keith's part, he would prefer a scenario where he doesn't paint a target on his back. He prefers being able to move with ease during a mission.]

Let's find where ... whoever's in charge is holing up.

[dailydouble]

[ It's an assessment Ahad agrees with. They don't have time to waste if they want to help protect those people outside. If they linger too long, nothing good is likely to come out of it. ]

The hall outside was clear, a minute ago. I am uncertain about how well we will blend in. [ It may be time to find a lab coat or something similar. ]

[secondnature]

I don't—I don't think there's any chance of me blending in. [For one thing, he might be older than he was when he joined ALASTAIR, but he's not that much older. For another ... well. Actually, that covers it.]

Unless they have guards. Do you think they have guards? We could borrow some. Stuff. From them.

[Steal. Possibly knock out some dudes and steal.]

[dailydouble]

...I take your point. [ Keith could be a young doctor, but that sort of person wouldn't escape notice around here. Security is a much better bet. ]

I would not be surprised if there are guards. Shall we find some to borrow from?

[ He's going to head toward the door, but wait for Keith's reply before opening it. ]

[secondnature]

Yeah, but if we run into a doctor first, we improvise. Okay?

[It might not be anyone in charge, but they might just be able to get this doctor to do what they need him to do. That may help.]

[dailydouble]

I am always fond of improvisation.

[ With that, Ahad will open the door. He'll step into the hallway first, approaching this with the causal kind of confidence that always seems to indicate that someone is exactly where they should be.

Fortunately for them both, the hall is still empty, but Ahad does keep his voice down when he speaks. ] What direction?

[secondnature]

[Keith doesn't respond immediately. He's busy trying to mentally sort out precisely the direction they need to head in. Going to the back of the building seems unwise. If anyone's clustered somewhere, it's near the front. Going right means going behind, going left means there's a greater risk of running into someone, but they need to do that anyway.]

Left. We might be on the wrong floor, but we'll be able to view the riot from the windows. It'll tell us how much time we really have.

[dailydouble]

Left it is. [ Ahad's willing to follow Keith's lead here. While he does have some experience with infiltration, it's certainly not at this level.

He'll turn left decisively, assuming that Keith will follow. ]

[secondnature]

[The longer they head down a hall, the more the noise outside starts making the building around them rattle, ever so slightly, with the frustration and the shouting. The closer they get to the front, the more this is apparent.

They finally pass an office with a door partly cracked. Keith puts up a hand to show that Ahad should slow, and he inches closer, leaning so he can see inside of the office. There's a man sitting there trying to make a few outgoing calls, but none of them are working particularly well.

Keith looks at Ahad.]

Improvise?

[dailydouble]

[ Ahad does slow, at Keith's signal. He'll glance into the office himself, then nod at Keith's suggestion. He's going to sweep into that office like he owns it, as long as Keith doesn't stop him.

He'll stare down at the man sitting in the office, then speak as if he has some idea of what he's talking. ]

We haven't had any luck with that. Are you getting through here?

[secondnature]

[The man opens his mouth and closes for a moment. Keith ... stands behind Ahad with his arms crossed. The fact that Ahad has taken this kind of initiative is shocking, and Keith wonders if it'll work.

Finally, the man speaks:] Everything's a goddamn mess out there. It's like they think that we wanted this. And no one ... no one wants to deal with them. We're all just sending each other in a loop.

[Keith's jaw sets. They got their answers that easily? But then, this guy looks stressed. Even Keith can see that.] We want to help fix it. We have to know.

[There's a paranoid glance from the man before he says,] Fix what? We can't overturn this. This is just—these are the restrictions we have to enforce.

[dailydouble]

[ Keith did say to improvise. Ahad can be cautious, but it's one man in an office. If they don't surprise answers out of him, there's other options they can explore.

Ahad will raise an eyebrow, before starting in on the point he feels is the weakest here. ] No, not overturn it. But if you've been abandoned here to deal with the situation, what stops you from creating a more flexible solution? One that leaves you with less of an angry mob to trouble you.

[ The look the man gives them is one of disbelief...but there's something almost calculating in his tone: ] Flexibility? I don't have the authority to make decisions like that.

[secondnature]

Yeah? [Keith musters up a little of his irritation. It's not at this man in an office, but at the people who let this restriction go into place. Now that they're inside, he sees a little more of the bigger picture. These people were left to rot because of someone else's decision.]

What happens when you need to go home and those people have returned? Or different people? Maybe it's time you took it on yourself to be flexible so you don't get hurt. [It's a way of imposing a physical threat without saying it. Keith's mannerisms make it clear that he's ready to fight—someway, somehow.

Only he can't. Threats don't matter here.]

We know you're holding them off because you're afraid of getting hurt. But just think of how many people went through here before. How many of them will show up soon?

[dailydouble]

[ The man seems to be thinking about it, as his eyes keep darting around the room. He's sweating now, as Keith's point sinks in. Before he can spout something else about a lack of authority or not being able to act, Ahad smoothly steps in. ]

What would it really cost you to end this situation? A few parts? It sounds like a small price to pay, to leave this place without having to fear the actions of an angry, ever-growing mob. [ There's a nod from the man, if a small one.

Ahad will continue, somewhat encouraged by the reaction. ] Fix the people and the mob becomes your customers again.

[secondnature]

It doesn't need to be on the books. If someone out of reach did this to you guys, they won't be checking in to make sure you changed things to their liking. All that matters, really, is that the new parts are used. Right?

[Playing to someone's self-interest is actually legitimately difficult for Keith. To some degree, he feels like this guy should be agreeing to this just because it's good for everyone involved. But that isn't how this world works.]

I can keep an eye on anyone who comes in. If they don't seem like they're willing to take this charity calmly—then they'll be out. How's that sound?

[The man slips into deliberation. The fact that he won't have to risk his life for an unruly remaining almost seals the deal.

Keith looks at Ahad to see if he has anything to add.

As he does, the man speaks:]

It might be fraud, but all of us are even still here because we're afraid of going out there. It's been like this for days ...

[dailydouble]

You have the power to end it here. To protect yourselves and the people out there. It may not be ideal, but we are willing to help make it possible.

[ The man is nodding along to all of this: ] I need to make a few calls, but...this could work.

[secondnature]

Good. I'll keep an eye on things for as long as you need. [It'll involve a lot less punching, or so he hopes, but he knows that it's better for everything in the long run. Less people are hurt. He got here because he wanted to stop people from getting hurt. He was ready to fight, but Ahad's intervention kept him from escalating things and making it worse for both parties.

In arguing it, he can see that Ahad has made the right choice for everyone involved.

And yeah, that includes Keith himself.]