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

[punshots]

[ What an honor...but it's just as weird for Prompto! He wasn't expecting to open that chest and find it full of ducks. What happened to untold treasures? Maybe...these kinds of things are extremely valuable here?

(He still wants to believe in the untold treasures.)

Prompto's mouth twitches, almost like he wants to laugh, but seriously, he wants to offload these and he doesn't want this guy thinking he's trying to play some kind of joke. Not this time. ]

It's, uh...it's a rubber duck? Makes a fine addition to any bathroom! You...want one?

[ He's not selling this very well. ]

[spellweave]

[Well considering that water is in such short supply here proper bathing in a tub was probably a luxury only the rich could enjoy... in which case yeah, sure. Rubber ducks are totally considered untold treasures!

He looks confused by this even further. Is this guy some kind of merchant...? He's pretty bad at it if that's the case.]

Not... particularly... but thank you. [He thinks.......

but something else occurs to him now.] Actually I'd be more curious to know how you came about them.

[punshots]

[ He is no merchant, and after this particular comedy of errors, Prompto won't be pursuing it as a career choice anytime soon either. He can't even give these things away for free! Just wait until they go to the bathtub world. Then everyone will wish they took a rubber duck from him!

...No, they probably still won't.

Prompto chuckles nervously, drumming his fingers along the side of the chest. ]

Well, uh...i-it's not really that great of a story! Just got swept up in the trade. That's all!

[ He definitely didn't trade something super valuable for them! Anyway, convenient subject change: ]

A-anyway...youuu wouldn't happen to be related to Alisaie, would you?

[spellweave]

[Uh-huh......... This seems suspect and Alphinaud ponders pursuing it but the change of topic works in Prompto's favor. For now.

It at least causes him to offer a friendlier smile rather than the polite "please stop offering me weird things and go away" smile he'd been wearing a moment ago.] Aye. She is my twin sister, in case that not obvious. [Which it may not be for all he knows depending on how often this guy has spoken to her so he says that earnestly.]

I presume you met her previously at the Temple? [Unless this guy is somehow a native of this world but that doesn't seem likely given.... everything about him.]

[punshots]

Twins...huh. Got it. Makes total sense.

[ In fact, it's probably a good thing Alphinaud spoke first, otherwise Prompto may have misidentified him as the wrong twin. Identical only begins to cover it.

He's glad, though, to know that they have each other. He'd been lucky enough to arrives with his friends, too, but he knows some people weren't so lucky and were all alone here, the only representative from their respective worlds. ]

Y-yeah, I did! She...was a chocobo. [ That was a thing. ] That's so great you guys are here together.

[spellweave]

[Any other words he may have had sort of die on his tongue with that last tidbit.

What actually interests him about that first is that this guy knows what a chocobo is. Only after that realization does the rest of it set in.]

She... was a chocobo. [He doesn't phrase this like a question but rather to reiterate it just to... make sure he heard that right. It was impossible to hear that wrong, honestly, but... just to be sure. Hilariously he repeats it in much the same tone too.

He glances away, lifting a hand to hide his mouth.

It's because he's trying not to laugh. He's trying really hard.]

Astoria either has no idea what she is doing when she gives us these new abilities... or she has quite the sense of humor. [Possibly both. He shouldn't talk, he supposes, given that he has yet to find out what his is... but Alisaie's is apparently worth investigating next he sees her.]

That aside... I'm quite curious to hear that where you come from also has chocobos. [Unless he comes from Hydaelyn too...?]

[punshots]

[ Try as he might, Prompto catches that stifled laughter, and a grin slowly spreads over his features, splitting his face with a chuckle of his own. Alisaie had certainly not been happy to become a chocobo, and while he hardly knows her, Prompto knows her enough to guess soundly that she wouldn't be thrilled about her brother hearing this about her.

And because he has no sense of self preservation, Prompto goes on, grinning wickedly: ]

Oh, she was suuuuper embarrassed about it. Mostly 'cause I tried to pet her, I think. [ And then she fell on top of him. THAT part he doesn't mention. ] Maybe, uh...maybe don't tell her you heard this from me, yeah?

[ Even if it will be painfully clear who he heard it from...oh well. ]

'Course Eos has chocobos! Don't most worlds?

[ He had just assumed, honestly. What kind of sick, sad worlds don't have chocobos?! ]

[spellweave]

[He isn't helping prevent the laughter so finally Alphinaud just doesn't try. He definitely laughs now and makes no attempt to hide it. The indignation she must've felt trying to be petted by a stranger coupled with her having been turned into a chocobo in the first place was too funny a mental image. Prompto is just lucky she didn't know how to cast Chocobo Meteor.]

Having known the full extent of her ire for my enitre life I would not will it on anyone. Your secret is safe with me. [He can discreetly bring it up in other ways, surely... which is to say he's just going to ask her about her ability outright. She'll be none the wiser.

At his question he shakes his head.] Quite the opposite, actually. Out of all the people I have spoken to you are the first to know of them. [Eos, he called his home world? Even the name sounded similar...]

I'd be interested to know if our worlds shared anything else in common although perhaps now is not the best time to discuss it. [Not standing in the middle of the marketplace like they are.] I would also hate to keep you from your... current task. [Whatever that was. It's still unclear why he is handing out rubber ducks to everyone...]

[punshots]

[ Prompto can breathe a little easier known Alphinaud won't rat him out to Alisaie, and that he was right to err on the side of caution. They have enough to worry about with the conflict already going on in El Minha. He doesn't need to accidently tick off someone in the Circle and make matters worse.

But more importantly — chocobos. A keen interest lights up in Prompto's eyes as Alphinaud lays forth his observation. He'd mentioned them to a few people himself who didn't seem to know anything about them, regrettably, but it's still difficult for him to fathom how those wonderful birds just aren't a thing in some worlds. Perhaps they're even rarer than he thought.

He's not the right person for this job — really, if Alphinaud wants a good source of information about Eos, he should ask someone smarter than Prompto. Either Noct or Gladio would fit that bill just fine, but he doesn't want to pile more onto them than they're already dealing with. Even so, he's quick to make himself helpful and available, waving his hand (with a duck in it) dismissively. ]

Nah, I can do this any old time! I-I can try to answer your questions, but just a heads up, I'm no scholar.

[ And while he's happy to talk now, perhaps they can find a better location. Some of the merchants are side-eyeing them for just standing here and talking without buying anything. The nerve! ]

[spellweave]

[His admission that he's no scholar causes Alphinaud to shake his head.] Pray do not worry about that. Considering I know naught of your world even the barest of information would be enough to satisfy my curiosity. Not to mention that it is often the citizens who live among the populace, rather than those dedicated to studying it from the outside, that can make the keenest observations. [Speaking from personally experience, that is....

But indeed this is no place to be chatting. It's annoying the merchants, for one, and for two it's really hot right out here in the direct sunlight...]

If it pleases you, shall we reconvene at the Sparkling Sapphire? We are likely to be chased out by the merchants should we linger in place for too long. [He saw that happen to someone else earlier and would rather not be on the receiving end... That and some food and/or drink might be nice right about now.

He pauses and then with a smile adds,] You can even bring your ducks. Perhaps someone there will take them? [Sorry Prompto... it's just so ridiculous he has to poke fun at it a little.]

[punshots]

[ At the mention of the merchants, Prompto glances over and makes eye contact with one of the nearby peddlers, whose polite expression hardens into a scowl when their gazes meet. The message is clear enough. If they're not buying anything, they are welcome to gtfo.

So Prompto nods, hefting the chest of rubber ducks into his arms again and starting away from the stalls. ]

Heh, sounds like a plan, Sam! Two birds, one stone, right? [ Then his expression clouds a bit, before he clarifies: ] U-um — your name...isn't Sam, is it? I was just using the expression...

[ But it turns out he forgot to ask his name, and he probably wouldn't appreciate it if Prompto referred to him as "Alisaie's bro". ]

[spellweave]

[He has no idea what that even means. Prompto needs to stop trying to use casual lingo with these sheltered, genius rich kids.

He looks confused as he begins to follow him away but then seems to understand what he's asking for.]

Ah, I beg your pardon for not introducing myself. I am Alphinaud Leveilleur. A pleasure to meet you. You are...?

[punshots]

[ Maybe someday he will learn to keep a lid on the lingo, but it is not this day, sorry, Alphinaud. At least the point more or less seems to get across. As Alphinaud introduces himself, Prompto grins, committing the name to memory, because it is...kind of a mouthful. And please, don't ask him to spell it. These ye oldey elves and their fancy ye oldey names... ]

Nice to meet ya, Alphinaud! [ Did he...say that right??? ] Can I call you Alph? Uh — you can call me Prompto!

[ ... ]

...Be...cause that's my name.

[spellweave]

[It could be worse. It could be a twelve letter long name like his dad's.

He pronounces his name well enough. He'd noticed most people could get the gist of it, at least. Although the nickname he assigns him afterwards sure is... something.]

If it please you. [He's too polite to discourage it so... it'll be his life now. It's Fine...]

Prompto, then. So you are familiar with chocobos but what other manner of creatures exist in your world?

[punshots]

[ Ah, yes, he has accepted the nickname, and so there will be no going back now. Maybe he'll add some variation every now and again. Alphie's a good alternative, after all. ]

Uh, well... [ His brow furrows as Prompto taps at his chin. That's kind of a big question! There's all sorts of species across Lucis alone, but maybe he can go big picture at first to figure out what Alphinaud wants to hear more about. ]

We got monsters! Lots of monsters. We've got creepy crawlies, beasties, and nasties galore! And then there's the daemons, too.