acatalepsy_logs | WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

Entry tags:

WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

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? :)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A few people have mentioned it. [Yes.] But I remember something similar at home, though not among the children of the nobility. When each day feels like a struggle, these thoughts do tend to surface.

Do you know if most of the strong fighters in the Ring are from that kind of background?

I don't know for sure, but that's all that'd make sense. First off, I don't think all these people-- [He gestures to the crowd around them. And he doesn't mean it in a derogatory way; the poor citizens here are essentially the equivalent of his friends and neighbors back home.] --would cheer for anybody who's not from around here. And I don't know as much about the bigwigs up by the king, but something tells me they wouldn't let too many of their kids run off and join this.

It's the same way back home. You see a lotta boxers who came from places like this and happened to pick the ring instead of sticking up banks.

[The more hints she hears about your life, the more interested she is, Firo...]

And those would then be the same people who make up the majority of the members of the Syndicate. No love lost there, it seems.

[That was a much more deeply ingrained issue, and a not unexpected one.]

So perhaps there is a deeper connection between the Champion and the Syndicate as well?

[He nods; none at all.

At her question, he tilts his head curiously.]

You think so? Like they're the ones who pay him or whatever?

[His Family was never involved, but he knew that the big five Families often had their hands behind the scenes somewhere in the fighting ring. He wouldn't be surprised if it were the same thing here--though once again he doesn't have any real information on that, just supposition.]

Maybe. [It was as good a guess as any.] It would be more strange if the Champion of the entire Fight Ring system here that is run by the Syndicate didn't have at least a tenuous connection, right? Even if it's just as the people who pay out prize money...

[They do have prizes here, right?]

[While Firo wouldn't have guessed that this sort of thing is her specialty, she sure does seem to be quick at figuring her way around it.]

Yeah, you're right about that. Nobody on either end would be doing all this for free.

[He assumes there has to be a prize too--otherwise, what's the point in getting punched in the face (or worse) day in and day out?]

Wonder what happens to the Champion once somebody beats him. If this is the only place in town to have a fight, your career's gotta be sunk for good.

[She has a lot of weird experience with this kind of thing.]

It's a lot of work defending a title like that, no matter what the circumstance is. I imagine it's in the Syndicate's best interest not to allow for too much turnover in that position as well.

Why's that?

[Even as he asks the question, the wheels of his head are spinning at his best guess.]

I guess it wouldn't seem that impressive if their "champions" can't even hold down the title, huh?

I think that would take a lot of the shine out of the title, yes. [And therefore decrease interest, and also any revenue streams...] And if that's the case, perhaps they are even more closely linked.

How do you think?

[They're straying farther from what's familiar to him, which means that he's less inclined to actually try thinking about it. Surely Jing can just tell him; she seems smart.]

Being a powerful fighter means the Champion has a strong influence among many of the citizens of the city that is linked mainly to their persona and cannot easily be transferred to any other individual or organization. It can be...tempting to want to use that influence to effect greater change.

So it wouldn't surprise me if the Champion negotiated closely with the Syndicate in order for both of them to accomplish mutual goals. [Or perhaps even was affiliated with the Syndicate from the beginning? She's too much of an outsider to be able to see or access a timeline.]

...Oh, yeah.

[Nodding like he totally understands. And he does, it just takes a moment for his brain to catch up.]

Near as I can tell, the Syndicate's just after money and protection, though, right? [Or really, near as he can assume from the similarities between the Syndicate and his own gang.] I've got no idea what the Champion'd be after.

[Could be money too, of course; gangsters don't have a monopoly on greed. And he supposes it doesn't matter much either way--she's still probably right.]

That's how it seems, yes. But they're very cautious about it - every time I've entered the less commercial parts of the city, I've felt or noticed people watching or following me. I can only assume those are members of the Syndicate, even though I don't think they can suspect me of wanting to harm the citizens here, or take money from them.

[A pause, glancing at the ring.] Fighting can be used to protect as well. Perhaps that is part of the Champion's motive.

[He nods along to her explanation, then flicks a sidelong glance at her.]

You noticed people watching you, but you still came to a place like this anyway...

[Not that he worries or anything, but please, Jing.]

[Well, she didn't come by herself, did she?]

I don't mind a few eyes. That's all they've been, thus far. [Besides, she trusts you, Firo!]

[No pressure!

He smiles, thin and wary. They're doing fine, so maybe he shouldn't worry--but it is unfamiliar territory. Even the Gandor Family's turf--run by his childhood friends--has places he'd be anxious about Ennis going to. He'd venture a guess that, no matter the world, that's true of any gangster-held area.]

Yeah, but all it takes is one person to decide you're an easy mark before it starts being more than eyes.

[At first glance, she definitely looks rob-able, in his former-pickpocket professional opinion. ...So he'll just have to keep a good eye on her. Again, no pressure.

But in just an instant, his expression takes a turn for the more playful. He is fishing a little, though, curious about her ultimate aim. Was she really simply curious about the fighting, as she'd said before?]

Whatever you're seeing out here, I hope it's worth it.

[Now her expression widens just a bit into an almost grin, before she schools it to her more reserved, customary smile.]

I think it will be. After all, all it takes is one person to decide that I'm doing more good than not to prevent any unfortunate misunderstandings. If one has sufficient control over one's subordinates.

[And after this conversation, she's starting to have some suspicions. Whether they would be borne out or not was still up in the air.]

[If. He wonders about some Families...

Honestly, even his Family doesn't always keep him in line until blood's about to be spilled, not that he's going to process that even in his thoughts.]

Good? How?

[He doesn't ask because he doubts; he asks because he's curious and honestly hadn't really been thinking about how to help out.]

Mostly I've only noticed eyes on me when I venture out of the marketplace and into the less...traveled parts of the city. Places where those who are less fortunate tend to gather. [Or are pushed.]

[He nods; that sounds like it'd make sense.]

They usually don't like outsiders in places like that.

[Hell, even his mom was considered something of an outsider and viewed with suspicion after living in their (crummy) neighborhood for years. Again, he assumes that this place is just the same--people aren't that different, after all.]

Er--so how're you gonna convince people you're helping 'em out?

[Or well, that one person, which is what he'd gathered of the plan so far.]

[She smiles a bit, gentler, as if agreeing with Firo's words and regretting the past experience he seemed to speak from at the same time.]

I can only act with sincerity and go on as I have been doing so far. If they have objections, I'm sure they'll make them known.

[The Ring around them erupts with cheers and groans as the competitors trade blows in the center, one of them seeming to quickly gain the upper hand over the other.]

I wonder how they deal with injuries in this place.

[Injuries, huh? Despite currently watching some surely unpleasant wounds being inflicted, Firo raises an eyebrow at her, curious why her brain goes there.]

Why--? [Ah! His brain catches up to his mouth and he cuts himself off, nodding.] Oh--you said you'd been a doctor or something, right?

[He would've been more amazed over that in the moment, but he was still getting over the whole "she and her son are being held against their will" thing.]

[Which was very sweet of him, and which she deeply appreciates, even if she'd maybe mischaracterized the situation, in word if not in intent.]

Yes, my teacher was a village doctor, and I learned from him before. [Before.] I know some of the other members of the Circle do have miraculous healing abilities, and there are some interesting things in the market that I've never seen before.

That's impressive, you know.

[He says it as matter-of-factly as if he were just telling her about the weather. He doesn't know any doctors, much less a woman doctor.]

I guess I never really think about things like that... Either people get it patched up or they don't. [He shrugs. It matters even less to him now that he's immortal--or was, back home.] What'd you see in the market?

[With all his talk about being familiar with fights earlier, she's getting a little nervous about that nonchalance...]

There were a lot of surprising devices for healing, even improvements on items I thought were basic, like bandages and ointments. Though when Daylight showed me around, he mentioned that the first aid supplies he was used to were even more advanced than that.

WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)