WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

[acatamods]

I ▫ main IV ▫ premise       XI ▫ applications XIV ▫ activity II ▫ logs V ▫ rules VII ▫ bestiary   IX ▫ canon updates XII ▫ taken XV ▫ drop/hiatus III ▫ ooc VI ▫ faq VIII ▫ setting   X ▫ mods XIII ▫ reserves XVI ▫ players welcome to el minha. It will happen at random- you could be asleep, or wandering the Temple, or a variety of other options. It will feel a little strange, like a sudden warmth spreading across your skin, and then your bracelet will light up and a semi-familiar voice will be heard. I hope you are able to help the people of El Minha! And oh- in case I didn't mention it already, water is very, very valuable here. And then you will blink, and it will be bright. Bright, and warm, as you are standing just inside the grand walls that protect the impressive city before you. At your hip there will be a small bag with a few bits of coin - nothing too crazy, and definitely not enough to last you the entire stay (which...you're not exactly sure how long it will be), but enough to get started. Your presence brings a couple of glances, a stare or two, but overall the city seems to continue on with its day. Welcome to the Red Desert, the city of El Minha. THE PALACE After a few hours of being within El Minha, the King has heard that a large amount of travelers are now wandering within the city limits. An audience is called in front of the Royal Palace, and King Kathashun steps out onto the dias. He is dressed rather plainly, for a monarch -- a purple robe, with some gold bangles and bracelets, but no ornate crown or anything like that. However, when he appears, the natives around you grow quiet, at the presence of their King. “I understand that there are a lot of new people, within our fair city. Welcome to El Minha, the Jewel of the Red Desert. Enjoy our culture, our people, our wares; we welcome you, and hope you enjoy your stay.” There is a pause, though, as King Kathashun seems to weigh out what he wants to say. “I normally do not spend my time greeting tourists to our city, as our Crown Guard typically handles educating our visitors on our ways,” he continues, folding his hands behind his back. “But the heart of our city has been heavy, in recent months, and I feel it is my duty as King to be clear, to be honest, and to speak the truth. Recently, we have been attempting to hunt down individuals who wish our city harm, who have harmed my family, and my people. The Syndicate has been active, as of late, and I warn all of you who are not familiar with El Minha to avoid certain areas of the city should you wish to keep your pocketbooks.” There’s a slight quirk of his lips, as he says that, before he tilts his head in a polite gesture of greeting toward the crowd. “Please, enjoy El Minha. And should any of you garner any information concerning the Syndicate, please do not hesitate to contact me.” For the duration of your time in El Minha, King Kathashun will be within his palace . . . or so the Crown Guard says, should you ask them for an audience. That being said, you might be lucky wandering the streets. The King of El Minha tends to mingle more with the common folk than the Crown Guard would lead you to believe . . . THE GRAND MARKET Welcome to the heart and soul of El Minha - a massive outdoor market in the center of the city. Covered by fabric stretched between the buildings, this market feels almost like a city, or living soul, in and of itself. It is constantly moving, constantly evolving. Anything you could imagine is for sale here - spices, jewelry, weapons - whatever you’re looking for, anything at all. While you won’t necessarily find specific items from your home, you can find any matter of similarly made or crafted ones. Think cheap knock-offs, or unnecessarily well-made versions, because they can vary widely. There can also be items of some level of magic, though nothing particularly strong or overly impressive. (feel free to ask the mods on the previous ooc post about if an item is too over-powered to be found in the market - and also know that there’s always the chance you could find it in the underground. It just depends on how determined you are to track it down.) Stalls can range from cobbled together boxes and goods to grand, incredible stands - it all depends on what you’re looking for, and how long you’re willing to look. There is no map here, so tread lightly! The merchants that work in the market are experienced, practiced sales people. They know how to sell to anyone, but especially tourists. Barter to your hearts content, but it will take a little more than a ‘please’ to get those prices down. They have expert eyes and will not take pick-pockets or thieves well. However, as experienced and watchful as the merchants may be, that won’t stop young kids on the streets targeting the tourists as well - so keep an eye out on your pockets! As long as you have coin, water, or something to trade you are welcome as long as you’d like to stay here in the El Minha Marketplace. However, if you loiter for too long, you might get a swift kick in the ass to either get moving or buy something - they’re not giving away anything for free, and that includes the shade. THE SPARKLING SAPPHIRE As the announcement from King Kathashun comes to an end, all members of the Circle will be communicated - in one way or another - the direction to the Sparkling Sapphire. Free housing, you’ve been told. All you have to do is go, give them your name, and let them know you are part of the group that King Kathashun has directed here. Here, as it turns out, isn’t too shabby of a place. A large building with plenty of rooms, it is clean and fairly busy, with a bustling tavern area and rooms upstairs. You can pick up your key from the older woman behind the front desk, and are directed to the staircase in the middle of the establishment. The rooms are clean, but plain, with one or two beds depending on your preference. Downstairs in the tavern you can find food served for both breakfast and dinner, which is included in the room. Otherwise, there is a small fee for food or drink, and the servers are talented and experienced and very, very friendly. It is in the tavern that you can find the hookah, and some strange liquor as well, but it’s up to you if you choose to drink it. The food is incredible, beyond incredible, and they can make almost anything that you’ll like, though it may come out a bit creative. The main room is comfortable - with a roaring fire but without the suffocating heat. There is a bard in the corner, who will sing or tell stories or simply play, depending on the feeling of the room. Have a drink! Or a meal! While most of the people here are indeed Circle members, there may be a couple of natives mixed in as well. Take a load off, relax, and enjoy the hospitality that only a King’s Coin can bring. THE FIGHT RING The ring itself is somewhat on the outskirts of town - a colosseum-esque collection of buildings that watch over a pit-like arena. The buildings protect the Fighting Ring from any outside eyes, or any unwanted attention, as this area is solely under the command of The Syndicate. Anyone is allowed inside, as long as you don’t cause any problems and don’t start any trouble. There are a number of what you can assume are Syndicate-employed figures that are constantly canvasing the area as well, so don’t expect to be able to sneak in unless invited or allowed. The Fight Ring is open for volunteers at any time, and once you’ve been checked for any fun business and told the rules (no magic, only weapons allowed are the ones provided, the fight will end once one side relents or is taken out of commission). If this still feels like your cup of tea, you are invited to take a spot in line. Perhaps, if you’ve shown yourself promising enough, The Champion may appear to protect their crown. Otherwise, you will find plenty of adversaries around. If you are looking for a less aggressive route, there are plenty of seats open to watch, as well as many other members of the city taking a break to watch the fights, and they certainly wouldn’t mind sharing some of their favorite stories of matches or victories. The Champion is the resounding favorite, but the stories shared will vary to the point that almost no useful information can be gleaned. Join in the festivities that surround the ring! Pick up some food, bet on some fighters, enjoy the competition, and maybe you’ll be lucky and catch a sight of The Champion, or any of the other legendary figures of the El Minha Fight Ring. THE GOLDEN PHOENIX The Golden Phoenix is the central location of the Syndicate . . . and locals will make absolutely no effort to hide that fact from the Circle members. However, people don't seem to be afraid to go, though you definitely need to have coin to get through the door. There are multiple tables where various dice and card games are being played, as well as old slot machines. There are multiple employees in dark uniforms wandering around, offering drinks to all those who are spending coin on the machines, free of charge. If you loiter too long without spending money, you will be asked why you're there -- not in a threatening way, of course. But the relationship between the Syndicate and the King isn't all that great, as of late . . . can't be too careful with spies. In the back of the Golden Phoenix, there's a tiny racing ring in the back where small lizards are being raced in a little track set on a table. You can place bets on any of the lizards and, who knows? You may win a prize, including a little lizard! How cute! (Be careful, though: they nip.) But out back, there's another lizard racing ring, though these ones are . . . well, they're certainly not tiny. In fact, people seem to be riding on them akin to horse racing . . . and jockeys are a dime a dozen, in El Minha. Fancy yourself the next Triple Crown winner? Step right up, step right up, and take a spin on the track outside! Additionally, please feel free to write up and work with your own prompts! These are presented as jumping off points for your characters, not limitations. The idea of this world- as with all the others- is to explore. There will be some NPCs interacting with characters as well, so keep an eye out for those as well! If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask them back on the mod questions thread back in the OOC post from before! From this point forward, the Circle has become involved with the political stasis and climate of El Minha. What your character finds out, decides, and does from here on out will affect the future of this city- one way or another! But what you do is completely up to you. What you discover, explore, and uncover in this city will be yours to discover, explore, and uncover. Who knows what you might find? :)

Comments

[punshots]

[ His expression remains tense and thoughtful, though he sort of feels like he's taking shots in the dark here with only his intuition to go off of. Prompto has never been formally trained to ride. Everything he's picked up has been from his own experience. Why should he think what he knows is good enough to carry over into this? ]

W-well, maybe, if it's too...tight? It could...

[ And then he replays the other's words over again in his head, swiveling to face Shiro more directly. ]

Wait, you got to ride that guy? Seriously?!

[ Geir kind of freaked him out, but whatever, he wants to ride a dragon, that sounds cool as heck! But there's another thing that sticks out to him, distracting him once again: ]

...Coven? You guys from the same world?

[spaceforged]

Not exactly. Anyone who was previously with the Coven all were snatched from different realities. Like Astoria did to all of you. [He turns to face Prompto with his body at an angle so he can keep an eye on the race.]

It just means we have a little more experience with our magic granted by a witch. ...some of us. I'm Shiro, one of the Circle's shapeshifters. [Shiro offers his left hand and pauses, adding thoughtfully.]

Maybe the only shapeshifter. And yes I got to ride Geir. Two ways. He carried me in his claws once. That was before I had a handle on my own flying.

[punshots]

[ Wait...there was another witch who had done something like this before? It's the first Prompto has heard of it, and it's more than a little surprising. How many witches out there are there that are spiriting people away from their worlds and granting them a magic power?! This is a thing now???

For a moment, he looks back at Shiro, a little dazed, before nodding. Like he...understands even a little bit of that. ]

R-right! Nice to meet'cha, Shiro. I'm Prompto. One of the circle's...guys who can run really, really fast. [ The shapeshifting bit is at least familiar, so he latches onto that, following up with: ] I-I met another shapeshifter! So you're not alone. Her name's Alisaie.

[spaceforged]

[The slight dazed expression catches his attention. He resolves quietly, to fix it as best as he can.]

I know all of this is confusing and new. If there's any questions you have about any of it. I'll do my best to answer them. I don't have all of the answers but I can put you on better footing.

[punshots]

[ This is quite the opportunity for him, even after Astoria indulged a fair number of his questions, but he isn't sure where to begin. There's been so much to absorb in such a short amount of time, and it's left him rather windswept. Give him just a moment. ]

U-um, yeah, th-that'd be great, uh -

[ Okay. Focus. One thing at a time! ]

So...how long did your last gig last before they sent you home? I-if you don't mind me asking.

[ He doesn't want to ask too much. ]

[spaceforged]

We weren't sent home. We found ourselves with Astoria instead. And she doesn't know who the Qri is...so I'm not sure exactly what happened. [He frowns at that and sighs. It's all complicated. He can't untangle the threads. It would drive him crazy but, it just makes it feel like home.

Or something like that.]

Anyway, we were with the Qri for a few months. ...there were two world jumps total in that time.

[punshots]

[ That's not the answer he was expecting to hear, and it shows in his face. He would have thought Shiro at least had a chance to go home before being recruited again, but if that's the case...

It could be a lot longer than he thought before they see Eos again. ]

Guess there was no easy way to get home when you were in the Coven either, then, huh?

[ Figures, but he has to ask, just to make sure. ]

[spaceforged]

[He gentles his voice a hair at the look on Prompto’s face. It’s the least he can do when giving this kind of news.]

No. It was explained to us that sometimes her magic was too weak to hold someone. That was as close as we got to a clear exit.

[He glances at the race still going to focused back on him.]

Do you have anyone you know with you here? It makes it a little easier but all of us are here too. You’re not alone.

[punshots]

[ Of course it's not that easy. If it were, then no doubt some of them would have left already. That they can't leave of their own choosing makes the choice to act a bit easier, he supposes, but that still does nothing for the homesickness, or the anxiety about all they left behind, unfinished.

But that's a worry for another day. As Shiro points out, he's not alone, and that goes double for him since he was fortunate enough to make the jump here with two of his closest friends. ]

Yeah. Couple of my best buds from home. [ He grins, reassuring and earnest. Shiro doesn't have to worry about him being lonely — at least, not in that sense. ] You think...Astoria will bring anyone else, or are we it?

[ It would make sense if she kept "recruiting"...or maybe he's just getting a little too hopeful that Ignis will make his way here eventually, too. He doesn't like to think of leaving his friend behind, even if he's the only one that's where he should be right now. ]

[spaceforged]

If it's like it was before we'll get more people in waves. [It's something he's worried about and yet it would be a relief to have his team...his friends here all in one place. Even if they came from a future Keith won't tell him much about.

He shakes his head slowly.]

I think it might have to do with how the magic works. It's easier to grab a bunch at once then one at a time. ...but I don't know. We were told so little before. Astoria being so open...was a shock to say the least.

I couldn't tell you if you should trust her or not.

[punshots]

...Really?

[ If he sounds surprised, it's not because he's been asking himself that question. It's because he'd given Astoria the benefit of the doubt and trusted her immediately. Maybe that wasn't the smartest move, considering she essentially just kidnapped all of them to another universe, but she'd just been so friendly and open. It had been hard not to feel drawn to her.

But maybe he's just a sucker for a pretty girl. ]

Think there's another reason she might've brought us here?

[spaceforged]

It's possible. But I want to believe her. [He does. It's the third time he's been snatched from all he knows and forced to start all over again.

Third time's a charm would be really damn nice. He spreads his hands gesturing to all around them.]

The way she talked about us and saw us...I really want to trust that. It just wouldn't be fair to tell everyone else to do the same. We were forced into this.

We're not a team...not yet anyway. And I want to find out more about why she's trapped. That seems very important to know.

[punshots]

That's right...she said she couldn't leave the Temple. Seems pretty weird, if she was powerful enough to bring us all here...

[ But understanding all of that is well beyond him. Astoria could grant powers as well as take them away, she could pull them from universes and send them to other ones, and yet she can't leave the Temple? It doesn't make him suspicious of her, really - instead, he feels pretty bad for her. Still, others are upset, and he gets that, too. He and his friends were taken away from something pretty important back on Eos, too.

...that reminds him of something else, though. ]

D'you think she'd ever take us to one of our worlds? To help out, I mean. I-I dunno about you, but...there was kinda a mess goin' on back in mine.

[ Which is really as much as he dares to say. ]

[spaceforged]

[The question surprises him and he stares at the race still going on for a moment to mull it over. To say his own universe was warring between light and dark is an understatement of itself. It makes him wonder...]

I don't know. [He finally answers as he turns his attention back to Prompto.]

Mine is 'a mess' is a very good way to put it. I don't think it would hurt anything if you asked about it. If you don't, I will. That's a good question. [He frowns.]

Not sure why it never occurred to me.

[punshots]

R-really? You think I should?

[ If he sounds a little dismayed, it's only because, once again, he's not really used to being the guy asking important questions. He's usually the one asking questions just to keep up. But given what had been going on back home just prior to his arrival, and the mission Astoria had set them forth upon, the possibility had sprung quickly into his mind.

He doesn't want to put his own world's needs above another's, but...Eos was definitely in a bad way when they left it. ]

I'll ask her, then. Soon as we're back, and I'll let you know what she says.

[spaceforged]

Thank you. [The race is coming to a close. He can hear the shouts of encouragement to the racers giving it their all at the last stretch. But he's fixed on how Prompto has seemed surprised and a little dismayed when he's thought of something he, the veteran, hasn't.

That's something to mull over and wonder if he should address it now or observe. His thoughtful expression remains as he goes back over what they've said.]

And yes, her being trapped is something to worry over. It sounds like she has no idea what caused it.

With her line of work what it seems to be...tipping things into balance. That poses a very serious question. What or who is opposing her.

[punshots]

[ Immediately, Prompto's thoughts fly to a possible suspect, because he'd witnessed one man swift dismantle the very world around him and usher in permanent darkness and ruin. Yet assuming Ardyn is at all involved in any of this seems like a bit of a stretch. Still, it's a possibility he can't discount, and it's something he'll have to bring up with his friends later. If...they even recognize the coming of darkness he mentions.

Maybe he won't bring it up to them after all.

A little shake of his head - mostly to himself - before he answers. ]

Gotta be something big and powerful, whatever it is. Or...whoever it is. [ The officiant over the races waves his flag, indicating the end of the race. ] For now, I guess we can only worry about El Minha.

[ Not much else they can do, really. ]