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

[a_sharp_wit]

[At that Elizabeth laughs, leaning back into her chair without a hint of regret as she sighs.]

I do not wish to boast but I have been called a prodigiously good walker before. I fear though that if there is much more to this city then I shall lose any right to brag very quickly.

[spaceforged]

You never know. That advantage could keep you at the top. [He laughs, thinking back over most of the people he knows and has seen. She's certainly in the running for the top five to endure long walking in a desert town.]

Especially when most of the circle probably has either not been in a desert before, or haven't in a while. For the record, it's been slightly over a year for me. ...give or take a few months.

[a_sharp_wit]

Then you have the advantage over me, sir. I have never traveled outside of England before.

[spaceforged]

Really. [He picks up his drink and takes a small sip.] You're doing better than most. First day in the desert is always the hardest so it’s only up from here.

[He takes another sip and adds thoughtfully.] Mostly. Heat waves are terrible.

[a_sharp_wit]

I thank you for the compliment.. Thankfully I was not dressed for the cold at least, though I did miss my bonnet at first.

[And here she gestures with the straw sunhat she managed to pick up. Thankfully the clothing of her era is the ever popular and diaphanous muslin so her clothing is quite suited to the task of dealing with heat.]

It does seem most individuals here dress in more layers than we, does it not?

[spaceforged]

[He pegs her era as a far cry from his buy possibly in range of Roy Mustang's. It feels a little rude to ask so he doesn't. Instead he gestures widely.] They probably came from colder climates. It was winter where I was, that's why I have the flight jacket.

[Partly. He also had it because he could hide his dagger in there and his two Sig Saucer P226s in their holsters under it. But those weapons are gone and this is not that kind of situation.] It should be good for Geir at least. He can stay warm and I guess it might not be bad for his scales? I never asked.

[a_sharp_wit]

I do not believe I have made Geir's acquaintance. He has scales, you say?

[A lizard of some sort perhaps?]

[spaceforged]

And wings. He's a dragon.

[He's completely serious. It's not a joke.]

We don't really find places that have city areas scaled to his size. Just a warning, so you're not too alarmed when you see him for the first time.

[a_sharp_wit]

... You are serious?

[She's not so much alarmed as surprised. Why she is still surprised over mythical things cropping up after she's seen her own new powers at work is beyond her but she is regardless.]

[spaceforged]

Yes, I am. [No alarm. That's a good sign. He sets both his hands out so she can see them.]

It was surprising for me too at first. But I have the advantage in dealing with people of other species and races as part of my job.

[a_sharp_wit]

It must be quite the exciting job then. I confess that everything thus far has been new and rather unknown to me. A gentleman I spoke with told me that I was from a time quite far in the past, at least for himself.

[spaceforged]

I imagine the same could said of us. Exactly when are you from? And it isn't too bad of a job. I get to see a lot of new places and experience things no one else will.

[a_sharp_wit]

1812.

[spaceforged]

[His eyebrows shoot up. That's a ways back. He leans back in his chair to think about that.] That's...about one hundred and fifty years before the first space flight.

Definitely a long span of history between us. I've been off planet for almost two years or so. It's difficult to judge in deep space.

[a_sharp_wit]

It is quite astounding to imagine. As I told him, space is something pondered on within books and explored to some degrees with equipment and the like. I know little of that of course, beyond what I might have read at some time or another. To think of living off planet though...

[Well. She seems rather impressed! Her hands fold together in her lap and she leans back into her chair, thoughtful herself before a bright, wide smile curves her lips.]

I wonder what my father would think of all this. I daresay my youngest sisters would not have much care, nor would my mother.

[Beyond perhaps wondering what color of coats the soldiers in space wore.]

[spaceforged]

[Something flickers across his face too fast to catch. Whatever it was he looks at her curiously, and crosses his arms on his chest.]

If you've got any questions about what space travel is like that he didn't answer. I can try. I don't know everything but...probably can answer most things.

[a_sharp_wit]

[What an offer! She thinks on that a moment, then asks with a tilt of her head:]

Would you mind very much if I revisited this topic in the future? I should like to have someone to bring these sorts of questions to if possible. Who knows what sorts of places we might end up in after all.

[spaceforged]

I don't mind at all. I'd be glad to answer your questions whenever you want to ask them. Just curious...but which of us was answering your questions about space?

[a_sharp_wit]

Keith. He was very accommodating. We commiserated briefly on the sins of having troublesome attitudes.

[The last sentence has a great deal of flourish and amusement to it. Elizabeth seems like the constantly teasing sort.]

[spaceforged]

[He ducks his head and laughs to himself. Of course. Shiro lifts his head.]

Well, I haven't found either of you troublesome. Then again, Keith and I have been friends for a while. I'm Shiro.

1/2

[a_sharp_wit]

Perhaps you are simply a man of extraordinary tolerance then.

[It's all teasingly said, yet again, even if her expression is one of pompous, put-upon certainty.]

2/2

[a_sharp_wit]

A pleasure, Shiro. I am Elizabeth Bennet. I should hope your tolerance lasts for quite some time to come for I feel we might often be in one another's presence in one fashion or another.

[spaceforged]

[He grins at her, something boyish about it as he says, his voice light.] I'm sure I can manage to be tolerant. As long as you'll tolerant me, anyway.

[Then it's gone replaced by his usual calm.] And if you need any help getting used to magic I'll do what I can. I know how strange it all feels at first.

[a_sharp_wit]

It certainly is a unique experience! Thus far I have discovered I can heal small living things to quite new whole and healthy in moments. And even material objects as well.

[spaceforged]

A healer. [He blinks at that. Well, the Circle is already off to a better start than the Coven.]

That's interesting. I can shapeshift. Best way to describe it for now is metal flying lion. It will make a lot more sense when you see my other form.