acatalepsy_logs | WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

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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? :)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I think I know the feeling. Being a little isolated makes every small occurrence an occasion. But here, everyone just takes it for granted that they'll meet or run into strangers almost every day.

Particularly here, it seems. This is a town that primarily deals in trade, I believe?

So it seems. But it's not a usual place for it - back home, such places would be at the confluence of rivers or by the shore, so boats could travel. I haven't been able to travel far, but it doesn't seem there is too much else close to El Minha, other than the desert and whatever they have within the city walls.

I believe trade in my own time primarily took place by ship, at least when goods arrived from overseas.

[With no seas or rivers here... hm.]

Perhaps El Minha has garned the popularity it seems to hold through the distinct lack of trading options. Without such rivers or seas, having a center where all might congregate with their wares must make selling somewhat easier.

Merchants are merchants everywhere it seems. Perhaps the city itself and its populace are enough of an attraction that people travel even from quite far to get here.

[Though...] In that light, some of the actions of the previous regime are somewhat perplexing though. Stability and safety are important, but criminalizing the element of the city that bring in the majority of your revenue seems...short sighted.

[Her brows raise a touch.]

I take it you have learned something of the politics of this place?

[O o p s. She smiles a little, ducking her head.]

It's a bad habit of mine, perhaps. My family back home is...rather intimately involved in the politics of that place, so I can't help seeing these things wherever I end up going, it seems. [This is her first time out in years, so she doesn't actually have that much experience of that claim to go on.]

I see. It is not a bad trait to have, in my opinion. The more we learn of this place, the more we might be able to aide them as Astoria wishes us to.

That would be the hope. I wish it were easier to get information. As strangers, it's already difficult to gain access to positions of privilege - or those in those positions to ask questions.

I don't know how long the Lady Astoria intends for us to stay here...

Indeed. And with limited time to do so as well, for even if we do stay some time I would assume we should not stay for a great length of it.

[That is only an assumption, of course.]

We have only to wait and see on how long we stay. On how we gain information, I have given the matter a small amount of thought. It would seem given our status here as travelers that a touch of eavesdropping might be warranted.

[She tilts her head a little, curious at something unspoken in her tone.] Ah...forgive me for asking, but is eavesdropping usually frowned upon back in your home world and time?

It certainly is not encouraged of good, well-bred ladies.

[She leans in to say the next, as if sharing a secret.]

At least not out loud and with any information derived hopefully from such activities confined to the tea table.

[Her smile widens at it, and she nods an agreement.]

I see. [Oh look, there's more food, would Elizabeth like some of this...new item.] Things were much the same for me at home. [Or she just stumbled onto weird secrets.] I find tea much more conducive to certain kinds of conversation even than wine.

[It's a unique item to be certain. Elizabeth seems determined to try a little of every new thing however.]

I have never been one to indulge in liquors very often. Dinner parties do seem to favor them however.

Certain kinds of drink are better known for loosening the tongue, and it does tend to fall on the hostesses of such celebratory occasions to provide for their guests. One can find out a lot by keeping silent and clear-headed.

[There were so few powers available to her that she was keen to exercise each one she did have.]

You sound as if you have some experience with the loosening of tongues, madam.

[While that sounds a little conspiratorial at first, Elizabeth's quick laugh lessons any nefarious implications.]

At times though the loosening of tongues is certainly a favor.

[She laughs a little in response, shaking her head slightly.] One has to take advantage when an opportunity presents itself. Information is as potent a weapon as a sword or spear.

I certainly agree with you. We shall most assuredly have the chance to practice such potent weapons as time goes on, I believe.

I hadn't expected to see quite so much palace intrigue after being plucked from home, but I suppose politics is much the same anywhere.

WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

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