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

...Can you tell me more about what you discovered in the library about blessings? Not all of the healers in the Ring have magic but...

I’m curious how the blessings work. But I wouldn’t say Astoria gives us a specific magic. Or has she said as much? [He tips his head slightly to the side in thought. After that first chat he’d focused solely on the Circle and bridging gaps, creating bonds that would help them make it through. The last world hop left scars in his mind.]

It's a little frustratingly obtuse, most likely because everyone takes the history for granted here. [Which...reminds her that she should probably check in the fiction or myth sections and see what she can find there.] There are some references to the First King of El Minha, who was granted some power and the Blessings of the Phoenix, and from whom all the kings since were descended. So even King Kathashun must have some magic ability as well. But what the Blessings of the Phoenix actually are, and how they're different from any other magic abilities that manifest here... the information should be there, but I haven't been able to find it.

[She finishes mixing the steaming medicine and urges the young man - boy, really, older than his sister, but not by more than five or six years - to sit up and drink, gently insistent despite his reluctance at the strange method. His brows knit a little at the first taste, but he obediently finishes the entire cup, as directed and settles back down.]

As for the Lady Astoria... Drawing so many people from different worlds already seems to be phenomenal. And while some seem more inclined to take magic into stride than others, each person seems to have at least one ability that they discovered at the Temple, or were reduced in ability from what they were previously accustomed to. Where else could that come from?

[He listens and waits for her to finish with his arms crossed on his chest. Of course the king's magic wouldn't be made obvious for the very reason the lineage had to be continued. It could be exploited. He keeps that thought to himself since they're not in Circle only territory but he's tipped his head slightly forward and his brows have come down.]

I mean that she doesn't personally select what we can do. It's her magic that binds us to her and lets us use our magic. But the shape it takes is because of who we are. Possibly what we're tied to if we have magic before that time.

You're right we're all reduced to one ability. ...but last time there was only one to two healers. And my magic hasn't changed. It just got stronger.

[She nods, and sits back a little, watching her patient as he settles back down on the bed.]

It's interesting to think that there exist more than one of someone like Lady Astoria, with their own motives and goals, hidden from us. Were there others in your group from the last time this happened who had the same experience you did regarding their magic? Or does even that vary from person to person?

I think it varies. It's possible we were in another reality entirely and Astoria is this reality's universal agent of balance. We know so little I don't want to speculate on it too much. We'll lock ourselves into a bias.

[He finally sits down, legs folded under him and relaxes just a hair. He's still on alert but not tense.]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the changes.

[She can't help smiling a little, seeing Shiro calm just a bit.]

I suppose I should have known that this kind of thing doesn't actually get easier with more experience and time.

It doesn't.. [He smiles just a little.]

But you're not alone and that helps. We're all in this situation. And we all want to do our best to either escape it or help. Or whatever other reason anyone has.

[She nods an acknowledgement, clearly taking his words and encouragement to heart even as she finishes things in the house, leaving behind a packet of medicine for the patient and water for everyone in the house, as well as instructions for both the little girl and their mother. Her manner is warm but brisk, seeing the still nervous expression on the woman's face, and they are both politely but quickly ushered out of the house and the door closed firmly behind them.]

Hm. [She muses, still facing the door, but taking a moment to pause, glancing up and down the street out of the corners of her eyes.]

I wonder who, exactly, they're protecting. [She murmurs, under her breath.]

[Shiro doesn't take his eyes off the door as he scans out of the corners his eyes.]

I'm not sure. But I think we need to be prepared to be jumped on our way back.

[He keeps his voice low again as he lets his hands fall to his sides. He's a match for anything out there. In human shape or Lion. It's just a matter of getting back safely.]

Let's head back and see where this goes.

[Well, it had been a really long time since she'd been in actual physical danger, but those were the kind of instincts that didn't go away. She stays well within Shiro's reach as they start heading back, but not so close that she'd impede any kind of movement if a fight did break out.]

I've heard from some of the others that they seem to watch everyone who works in these parts of the city. [She notes, her tone quiet and conversational.]

So it could be routine. [He falls into a light stride as if he has all the time in the world. But it eats up distance faster than it looks. He keeps pace with her as he flexes the fingers of his right hand once.]

We're something new and they'd want to investigate that.

I have to admit that I'd be suspicious of a group nosy strangers appearing out of nowhere. [She says with a light-hearted tone.] But this seems to speak to more than just mistrusting charitable feelings.

So would I but this isn't how I'd go about keeping watch on them. [He smiles back at her.] This. This speaks of fear.

[No one is paying them undue attention as they stroll back through the narrower streets of this part of the town and back towards the district the Sparkling Sapphire is located in.]

[Conversationally, as though commenting on the weather:] It's a very high level of organization as well. It's very impressive, actually. I can't help but wonder who is behind it.

WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

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in retrospect, doing these out of chronological order probably wasn't a good idea...

Probably but if you need to hash anything out I'm game to do so

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