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

[ She doesn't ask, and he's quietly grateful for that. There's...a lot to unpack with regards to where he came from right now, anyway, so better to spend time focusing on this world instead unless things come up naturally.

Like...fries. That's important, and Prompto gives her a long, hard look as if he's wondering if she's really serious.

She's really serious. ]

You don't know what fries are? Delicious, deep-fried potatoes that look and taste like gold?

...Not literally, on the taste part.

[ the look he delivers would have her thinking that the answer is far more complicated, though still she doesn't quite see what the big deal is. ]

I see. Well, doubtless there is some analogous enough meal.

I sure hope there is, for your sake! Gods, you don't even know what you're missin' out on...

[ FRIES. How cold and sad her home world must be...but with any luck, she will soon be enlightened.

Prompto comes to a stop in front of the next eatery they pass, and pops his head inside the door to ask: ]

Hey! You guys got any fries in here?

[ This is clearly the best way to go about this. ]

[ he's really overselling these fries, probably.. i mean, fried popotoes are certainly delicious no matter what way you slice 'em, but she can't imagine it is any sort of mindbreaking experience. but his enthusiasm is charming, nonetheless..

.. even if he's harassing workers. alisaie sighs, long-suffering already. ]

Mayhaps requesting a menu might be simpler.

[ and more polite.. ]

[ Prompto glances back at Alisaie, momentarily nonplussed. Oh...that would be a better idea, wouldn't it? In case they don't call them "fries" here. ]

Oh, right—

[ And a hapless employee pushes a pair of menus into their hands with a roll of his eyes. Kids these days!!

Prompto scans it over quickly before shaking his head. ]

I don't see 'em on here...think we should try another place?

[ alisaie gives her menu a cursory glance over as well, but aside from 'fried popoto product' she's not really sure what exactly she's supposed to be looking for, here.. he seems to have a very particular Image in mind.

but now he's asking her opinion - isn't he the one who was so gung-ho about a fries?? ]

That is up to you, my friend. How desperate are you for these fries?

[ a beat. ]

I wonder if we could prepare some ourselves..

[ He was gung-ho about fries, but that doesn't mean he's going to be needlessly pushy! He can always work out some other way to get her to try them. Maybe they could—

Did she just call him her friend?

That gives him pause for a moment longer than it ought to—it's probably just a turn of phrase, anyway, he's overreacting—but her suggestion is where his mind was heading too, so he can chalk it up to being surprised they had the same thought. ]

Th-that's what I was gonna say! Just need some potatoes and a deep fryer. Think we could find one of those?

[ Not that...Prompto knows how to operate a deep fryer, but details. ]

[ why so nervous, prompto.. what a weird boi ]

A deep fryer?

[ is that some funny contraption?? she's no culinarian though, so. ]

We can just fry them in a pan with some oil, can we not?

[ Can they?? Honestly, Prompto has no idea and has no more expertise on this subject than she does. He probably even has less. Not for the first time, he wishes Ignis had made it here with them. ]

Uhh...I don't see why not! Worth a shot, right?

[ #famouslastwords ]

[ well she won't boast at being a good cook, but at least she knows how to not set things on fire, so that's.. good. at least. and pan frying something certainly seems easier than finding a.. deep whatever.

anyway, she smiles. ]

I shall seek out popotoes and oil, if you would like to find us a pan.

[ they can do this!! she's gonna eat a fries!! ]

Wait—hold the phone. What did you just say?

[ They're on an important mission, yes, but this is critical.

Did she just say... ]

Po...popotoes?

[ what's a phone? and why should she hold it?? also, why is he acting so oddly?? ]

.. yes? Those are what we require, yes?

[ that's what she'd thought he said, at least. ]

[ His mouth quirks, a barely-suppressed smile on his lips. ]

You mean...potatoes, right?

[ POPOTOES... ]

[ .. why is he grinning like that!! >:( ]

Potatoes? Is that something different?

[ or is he just saying popotoes wrong.. ]

[ What? He just likes to smile! Smiling is his favorite! ]

You tell me! I've never heard of popotoes before. What're they like?

[ make work your favorite, that's your favorite, okay. ]

They are.. well, root plants, tubers, big and round and generally delicious.

[ why is she getting the feeling she's being made fun of, here.. why is this so amusing to him?? ]

Right! So...potatoes.

[ Not...popotoes. But it's a cute word! ]

[ ah, she's going to murder him. ]

No, popotoes.

[ You say popotoes, I say potatoes... ]

Preeeetty sure it's potatoes.

[ son, she will destroy you. ]

It most certainly is not.

[ she is welcome to :relaxed: ]

Okay, okay! If you say so. [ Said very much in a "I don't believe it for a second" kind of way. ] Let's find some po...potoes.

[ SUPPRESSING A LAUGH... ]

[ WOW HOW DARE YOU LAUGH AT HER, PEASANT ]

I shall find them myself, thank you very much.

[ your job was the pan, cretin. in a huff she's stamping off toward the food markets!! how rude.. ]

M-meet you back at the Sapphire, then?

[ Ah...there she goes. It's probably best if he lets her find her supposed popotoes on her own for now. They can regroup later, once she's come to terms with the fact that they are, in fact, called potatoes.

Finding a pan turns out to be pretty easy, because...they have one in the kitchen at the Sapphire. Which they are apparently commandeering. Or...that's the idea, anyway, Prompto seems to be having a lengthy discussion with the head cook by the time Alisaie returns. ]

— So I said to the guy, "that's my steering wheel!" Eh, eh? F-funny, right?

[ The cook doesn't even crack a smile. Whatever negotiations are going on here, they do not seem to be going well. ]

[ she will never come to terms with this face, because they are, truly, popotoes, and she won't apologize because he's an idiot!! popoto is way cuter, anyway.

but whatever, she does not have much trouble finding them, it seems they are a staple in many worlds, apparently, and she purchases a good handful and drops them into a canvas bag, which she carries right on back to the sapphire. she's still mad, btw, and has half a mind to just eat these popotoes herself, because he doesn't deserve any, really.

and he's also not here when she arrives back at the sapphire again.. was it really that hard to find a simple pan?? but lo and behold, his voice is echoing from the kitchens, shrill and unmistakable. ah. well, maybe he's on to something.. sort of. carrying her sack, she wanders up behind him, lifting a popoto from the bag and holding it in her palm. ]

Would you be so kind as to chop and fry these for us, ser? We should gladly pay you for it.

[ Oh...well, that's one way to go about it. Prompto had intended to convince the head chef to let them use his kitchen, which the chef was adamantly against — the source of their disagreement, it turns out — but he seems all too happy to listen to Alisaie when she appears. Get paid to cook? He is far more willing to do that, even if the request is a bit unusual. ]

Yeah, do that! Fries, we're tryin' to get some fries! Y'know?

[ The look the chef gives him does not really communicate whether or not he knows what fries are, but he gets the idea of it, anyway, and takes the poTAtoes from Alisaie and disappearing back into the kitchen. ]

Well! I think that went well. Now we just...sit and wait?

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