acatalepsy_logs | WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

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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

[ Sorry, Alisaie. A gentleman grabs the door for a lady!! Let him have this...

As soon as they're inside, Prompto waves his hands towards his face, welcoming that cool air onto his skin. That feels amazing... ]

Man...why did I ever leave this place?

[ look she will let him have it this time but if it becomes a habit she's gonna start opening doors for him instead. ]

A fair question. To watch other people fight, apparently.

[ since he.. hadn't planned on fighting himself, apparently?? anyway, it's lovely in here, and alisaie is very hungry but the plush rug near the hearth looks comfortable, and she's overheated and tired so food can wait.. for now. the delicious scent of meat pies is in the air, so she likely won't last long, but for the moment she drops heavily into the rug, and begins to tug off her dusty boots. ]

[ Not if he gets to the door first!!!

]

Heh, you got me there. It was quite the show, anyway...

[ She was fun to watch, so it was worth it! He hesitates a moment, wondering if he should give her some space now that they're back. Before, it could have been like...two people traveling in the same direction, but now that they're here maybe she'd rather unwind on her own. He should probably touch base with Noctis and Gladio, anyway. Make sure they're not getting up to too much trouble without him...

So he winds up just...standing there, awkwardly, while she sits on the floor, crossing his arms over his chest and shuffling his feet. ]

S-so, um... [ He fidgets. He'd like to stay, but he's already imposed his company upon her for awhile already. She's probably sick of him by now, isn't she? ] Just gonna...unwind for a bit?

[ i was gonna say SHE WILL RACE HIM TO THE DOORS!!! but he has super speed.. like a big cheater. fine, she will destroy every door!!!!

anyway, it feels lovely to sit, and also lovely to get her boots off - her feet are hot, and aching terribly. while she's at it, she'll go ahead and shuck off her heavy coat as well, and lay it out over the rug to dry. it's.. pretty sweaty.. ]

Hm?

[ why is he standing there, so awkwardly?? ]

Well, 'tis rather late, and the kitchens smell incredible, so yes, I should think that I am in for the night. Why? Do you have plans?

Oh. N-no! I was just...um...

[ That answer doesn't really tell him whether or not she would mind his company for a bit longer, but as she doesn't outright ask him to leave, either, he'll just risk it. After another moment of hesitation, he a few plush cushions for them to sit against and drops down to sit beside her. ]

...long day, huh?

[ he's suddenly so jittery when they were relatively comfortable before, and that does not escape her notice, but she nonetheless casts him a quizzical glance.

well. anyway. thanks for the cushion! alisaie leans back against it with a sigh, stretching out her legs. ]

Indeed. No doubt I will sleep well tonight.

[ Once he's sitting it's easier to keep up the conversation, though he'll keep a keen eye out for whether or not she's starting to grow weary of him. She's put up with him longer than expected, so that's...nice, and seems willing to put up with him a while longer. He leans back against his own cushion, tucking his hands behind his head again, legs crossed as he kicks off his boots.

...She really doesn't mind him crashing her unwinding time? ]

Yeah. I'm gonna sleep like a log! [ His expression waxes thoughtful. ] Hey, you ever think about where that expression came from? I mean, logs don't sleep. They're logs! That's just...weird, right?

[ Oh gods, he's already sleep-babbling. ]

Sorry, guess that observation was a little wooden.

[ she hasn't known him long enough to be able to tell the difference between his sleep babbling and normal babbling tbh.. this sounds about par for the course.. still, she casts him a brief, flat look. ]

If that was meant to be funny, it fell a bit flat. You oak to try harder, next time.

[ And that was the moment Prompto realized he was in love with Alisaie...

Okay, maybe not really, but a laugh bursts out of him quite suddenly, warm and full. ]

C'mon, I can't be-leaf you didn't find that funny!

[ it was destined tbh. he can't resist a good pun. ]

Now, logs do not even have leaves, you're branching quite far.

[ His greatest weakness...now if only she was playing with a dog. ]

Would you say I'm barking up the wrong tree with that joke?

[ Ooh, that was a two-fer. ]

[ well why hasn't he gotten a dog yet?? maybe she'll have to be the one to find peo, in this universe. she groans aloud. ]

I certainly would not disagreen.

[ I mean, it's possible, she is Peo's favorite, regardless of who took him off the streets... ]

Suit yourself, then! But I'm sticking to my guns.

[ with a sigh, alisaie relents, rubbing her face. ]

You win. I am far too tired and hungry to think of more.

Wait...seriously? You're letting me have it?

[ He blinks, obviously surprised. Is this the same girl who couldn't say no to a race on lizardback when he had goaded her?

But a victory is a victory, however won, and as he stands, he chirps: ]

Guess the score is even now! One to one. BRB!

[ He steps away towards the kitchen, bye. ]

[ LOOK it has been a long day and i am tired of thinking of puns give her a break!! she won the lizard race which is what really matters.

.. but then he's gone?? what does brb mean?? she stares blankly into the space he left behind, the prompto shaped hole in spacetime, and then just.. shrugs. okay bye?? with a sigh, she leans back against her cushion again and shuts her eyes, attempting to find the will to stand and go fetch one of those good smelling meat pies. ]

[ She won't need to find the will to stand, because predictably enough, Prompto returns a moment later with...well, a lot of food. Absolutely more than the two of them will need, but it turns out the king's hospitality will get you far in kitchen freebies. He has two plates loaded with a variety of meat pies and unusual fruits, and while he's not sure what a lot — or even most — of this stuff is, there's no denying it smells good. Much of it looks spicy, too, which suits him just fine.

Sighing as he settles down next to her again, he sets the plates down on the floor between them. ]

Hey...not asleep yet, are ya? 'Cause this meat pie has your name aaaaall over it .

[ But wow, she works quickly, he wasn't gone that long... ]

[ she doesn't expect him to return, however.. strange and abrupt his departure had been, so when she hears his voice again it stirs her from her reverie. she hasn't been napping!! not at all. awake the whole time. just resting her eyes. ]

Oh.. you're back.

[ she remarks, helpfully, but given the tone of her voice and the look on her face, she's genuinely surprised. it's only but a moment before the scent of the food reaches her, however, and alisaie sits forward to look down at the heavily laden plate. ]

-- for me?

[ He said "BRB", didn't he?? ]

No, this is my front!

[ Thank you, thank you, he'll be here all week.

Through a chuckle, he nudges one of the plates towards her, nodding. ]

Yeah, 'course! A valiant champion deserves her bounteous feast. Hope I got some things you like...

[ ah, it's too bad he's such a nice boy, because now he has to die.

except alisaie is much too tired to both commit murder and clean up the mess, so she steps right on past that to what he's addressing after. he's brought this for her? color her surprised, but then she supposes she shouldn't be, after he had so kindly provided her with water earlier, as well. ]

I -- thank you. [ she shouldn't protect such thoughtfulness. ] I do hope some of this is for you, as well.

[ His smile warms genuinely as he relaxes back against the cushions once more, humming contentedly. ]

Hm...yeah, but only what you don't want. I'm not the one who kicked ass in a fighting ring today.

Come now, don't be ridiculous; it has been a long, hot day. Please, eat your fill.

[ alisaie is able to pack down quite a bit of food for her size, but this plate is still very full, she doesn't want him to be limited only to her scraps. to entice him, she lifts a fork and a meat pie right away, and proceeds to dig right into it. ]

[ Oh man, that looks so good...okay, if she's going to insist!! Prompto relents, picking up another meat pie for himself before settling back against the cushion again, his thoughts wandering. ]

Heh...can't believe we're sitting by a fire after how hot it is out there.

[ She has to admit...it's a little ironic. Not that he's complaining. Sitting next to a fire is...comfortable. Nostalgic. He doesn't mind it so much, especially not with the fans to offset the heat. ]

[ much better. no one likes to eat along in front of other people tbh, no matter what world they're from, so she relaxes measurably once he too begins to tuck in. it's.. quite good, warm and savory, the meat all but melting in her mouth. ]

Mmm..

[ give her a moment - gods, she hadn't realized how hungry she was until food touched her mouth. ]

A good thing it is quite cool in here.

[ Look, Prompto can appreciate how good a hot meal is after a long day of combat. If it takes her a minute to answer, he does't mind. Even if he doesn't have the excuse of sparring under his belt, he still spent a good chunk of the day exploring the city, and the food tastes amazing. Even better when it's free! ]

Like night and day...wonder how they keep it so cool. Didn't exactly see an AC unit on the side of the building outside...

[ They're, like, one step removed from talking about the weather. Actually, they really kind of are. Why is he so bad at this? ]

Um...hey, where did you learn to fight like that? If...you don't mind me asking.

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