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

[ it earns enough laugh. ]

Right, right. Fair enough.

[ building rapport in these situations is important, and akira befriending this woman (whatever or whoever she is) will be useful later on, at the very least. roy hasn't spoken to her yet, but he has heard stories. and it's hard to miss astoria whenever she graces them with her presence. ]

When brilliance does strike, let me know. It has to have a good name in order for me to have a shot in hell at keeping it.

[ there is literally no way riza is allowing this lizard around her dog but you go ahead and dream big roy. ]

[she is too bubbly and bright to have her presence missed, that's for sure]

It's a little depressing that its future living situation depends on the validity of its name. Oh-- there's a good idea. How about Lightning?

[LIGHTNING THE LIZARD]

[also Riza is probably extremely smart for not letting the lizard around the dog]

No, the name isn't stupid enough.

[ why does roy want to name the lizard something stupid but also have it be good enough to bring back to the temple. ]

It has to be completely inappropriate for a name whatsoever, but also somehow still fit for the purpose. Like 'Black Hayate' for a dog, when something like 'Finn' would have been the more obvious choice.

[ if roy mustang is dead tomorrow by a gunshot between the eyes, you know who did it. ]

[. . . ROY. . .]

[blinks at him slowly, purposefully, and when he replies it's in a bit of a deadpan]

I feel like you're asking for an oxymoron, here.

On the contrary; it's a unique balance.

[ he is so serious akira. ]

I do like Lightning the Lizard, though. The alliteration may bring it across the threshold.

[ this is exactly why edward elric refused to actually treat him like his boss and roy honestly deserved it. ]

[you know Akira actually super appreciates how serious he is about this]

Lightning the Lizard rolls off the tongue pretty nicely, too. Would you have to say the entire thing every single time?

[ you have to joke a bit when your life is so deadly serious. it's a coping mechanism. and also a personality flaw. ]

I'd be inclined to just say Lightning, but Lightning the Lizard does have a nice ring to it.

[ pause. ]

This is, of course, all hinging on winning the damn thing. And that it survives the trip back to the Temple.

[ will this thing even survive going back home. roy is going to wind up in the temple with a dead lizard ~~maybe~~. ]

[IT HAD BETTER SURVIVE, AKIRA'S OWN LIZARD CAN'T DIE WHEN THEY GET BACK TO THE TEMPLE!!]

On a scale of S through E, how would you rank your luck? S being perfect, and E being, "Lady Luck snubs me at every possible opportunity."

[ ~~official mod decision the lizard will b ok~~

there's a laugh, at akira's question, and roy glances over at akira with half a grin. ]

Depends on your definition of Lady Luck's grace. [ honestly! ] I play the odds and I tend to win, and when I lose, I always have a backup plan, or someone watching your back to make sure you don't get stuck.

[ roy's backup plan is stealing this lizard, jsyk. ]

My second in command told me that I have three people watching me because I won a suspiciously high amount of money at poker, so I doubt I can get away with anything more than casual betting on the lizards.

[ riza told him not to count cards, and roy did not listen, and now he's being watched. ]

[~~THANK U LIZARD FRIENDLY MODS~~]

[Akira and Ann stole a lizard so like, he approves, please steal the lizard Roy]

That doesn't sound like luck.

That sounds like cheating.

[not at all judgmental, and actually kind of. . . impressed??]

Cheating is a pragmatic man's luck.

[ mildly enough. but, luckily for akira, roy provides the narrowing exception: ]

But only with gambling in institutions where it's clear illegal activity is happening anyway; cheating anywhere else in life isn't acceptable. I don't cheat in chess.

Re-branding is a clever marketing ploy.

[wags a brow at Roy, but there's a ghost of a smile on his features now]

Do you cheat in shogi? [a beat] Do you play shogi?

[should've asked that one first]

I've never heard of shogi.

[ which likely answers akira's first question, BUT: ]

I'm assuming it's a type of board game, if it reminded you of chess.

WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

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