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

[ julius had taken note of most of the circle members in passing, and alisae's distinctive hairstyle doesn't escape his attention. he's also here at the fighting ring as a bid to earn some coin, though it is not yet his turn. there is a greatsword strapped to his back, one with a black blade edged in gold, as well as several patterns painted on the sword reminiscent of golden fleur-de-lis. he naturally gravitates to her after her victory, quiet concern in his voice: ]

Are you alright? I'll get you some water.

[ without much waiting for an answer, he would depart and come back within about a minute, a flask in hand for her to take ]

[ .. she probably should have thought twice about the expense of water before choosing to partake in this particular endeavor, but it may very well have been worth it to simply blow off steam, and to accustom herself to this new rapier. still, she is quite thirsty, and the offer of water from a stranger - how could she possibly accept?

alisaie straightens again, pushing her damp fringe from her eyes, and shaking her head. ]

Thank you, but please, keep it for yourself.

[ he shakes his head, just once ]

You need it more at this moment.

[ what if she falls ill? medicine is hard to come by in the battlefield, this much he knows. and if she needs persuasion, he'll angle his free hand in such a way as to display the watch on his wrist ]

[ alisaie levels him with a hard, contemplative stare, but in the end, she relents. it is not worth arguing over, and she's done her duty with the initial refusal, so far be it for her to refuse his kindness, even if she's not so great at accepting it.

with a sigh, at last she takes the bottle. ]

My thanks. This is very kind of you.

[ that's a success, then. he's had to prod quite a few people (gently) to take care of themselves... though, he acknowledges that not everyone likes to be nagged. he hopes he's able to tell when he should back off and not be pushy. ]

It's okay.

[ he's aware of how most people probably want to go home. he doesn't, so he can expend more of his energy trying to look after others. ]

How was the spar?

[ she did win, so that's impressive ]

[ alisaie tips back the bottle to take a long drink, and ah, it truly hits the spot - she has to stop herself from draining the entire container in one go, though once she does lower it, she breathes a satisfied sigh.

well, at least it was worth it to take advantage of a stranger's generosity. ]

Good. [ a beat. ] .. Necessary, if I am honest.

[ most exertion requires water, something that has been drilled into him even before he took the field. so it's good that this young lady acknowledges it, too - he had been worried it would not be enough, just for a moment.

her question gets a brief look, his eyes flicking from the bottle to her face, his irises a bright gold ]

How so?

[ alisaie's smile twists wryly, and she shakes her head. ]

I suppose I very much needed to vent my frustrations in a.. healthy, constructive way.

[ kicking down trash cans might be tempting, but it isn't very helpful. ]

[ ah, a feisty sort of person. he can agree with this method, it's constructive as she says. so, an observant nod: ]

It is constructive if it keeps your skills sharp.

[ speaking of which: ]

What sort of blade are you using, if you don't mind me asking?

[ it also keeps her from maiming someone angrily, so. best of both worlds. jk she wouldn't actually maim anyone that didn't deserve it.. ]

'Tis a rapier. Are you not familiar with them?

[ thank goodness. ]

I'm afraid not. It seems quite a light weapon.

[ his eyes trail to the blade in alisae's hand. it looks very... perhaps, even flimsy, but then again his experience with weapons are all on the larger side. ]

Aye, it is built for speed and quick slashes and thrusts, less so for hard, powerful hits.

[ death by a thousand papercuts etc. she runs her gaze along the blade's edge one last time, and lowers it to her side. ]

But make no mistake, 'tis equally deadly as a greatsword.

I'd imagine.

[ alisae is expert in her application of it, after all. and thus: ]

I'm interested in learning about other forms of bladework, actually. If it's to your liking, perhaps you could spar with me sometime?

[ considering the way her expression brightens, she's certainly amenable. ]

Aye, I could be convinced.

[ honestly, she's quite pleased - the last thing she needs is to allow her skills to rust while she is in a strange world, far from home. ]

[ he's heard of the saying that you only know someone well after you see how they fight, and in his time here, he has learned the merits of it. good that he's been able to speak with people of the circle on good terms - he's still unsure of how to introduce himself in ways that are not regarding his skills, so maybe this is a first step. ]

Thank you. I'll definitely take you up on it when we've accustomed ourselves.

WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

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