acatalepsy_logs | WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

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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

Well, things could be better, but I do like my job, if that's what you mean.

[He liked what he could do with his job. He liked the potential that it had. The organization was still just a far cry from what it was "supposed" to be.

Though, a part of him wonders—does he even have to ask?]

[ Likes it—likes the power and authority he gets from it, no doubt. Gaelio's not really impressed by the answer, but he shrugs it off. ]

It might have been what I meant. [ The important part is how he took it, and how he answered. Which was aggravatingly like him. ] But it must mean a great deal to you if it's more important than something like this.

I don't think this is an unworthy cause, assuming we can trust our "benevolent" captor. However, it's only natural to favor dealing with the struggles of one's own world before another's, don't you think?

[Not that McGillis was the benevolent type himself. In a perfect world (that is, if their world was perfect, the way that he'd always dreamed), he... may or may not even bother trying to help out other ones. He wasn't exactly doing any of this out of the kindness of his heart, after all.]

[ Maybe it is, but he's not sure he should even consider agreeing with McGillis. On the other hand, there's a reason he admired him so much. Looked up to him. Wanted to be his friend, confidant, beside him forever—partially because he was a quiet child that Gaelio wanted to befriend, and later because he grew attached and believed in similar things.

Sometimes he wonders if his admiration only came from liking him to begin with, but... no, there were some true traits that McGillis employed that Gaelio still thinks highly of.

It's why he's having such a terrible time of this. Why couldn't you just stay dead!

(Ironically, he thinks McGillis may have thought that about him, once.) ]

And if this captor of ours brings us to yours?

[He smirks at that.]

I wonder? I suppose it would be interesting. I can't deny that our world is one in need help. ["Our," he says. He feels like he can say that with confidence.] But aren't they all?

Either way, I think visiting a world we're already familiar with would be a good way to determine the witch's true intentions.

[He thought himself intimately familiar with the struggles of their own world. If whatever they're meant to do would be helping or harming it, they would certainly know it then.]

[ Ours. Good, he's catching on. Gaelio isn't playing this "keep your identity a secret" thing very well. He looks at McGillis from the side, fingers drumming against his arms briefly. ]

Perhaps. I'm not sure what the others would think if they were to arrive on ours.

[ Confirmation. He can do that. ]

[Oh, he's not even denying it. It's not necessarily a surprise, but interesting.]

Why is that? I do suppose it's rather different from a place like this, at the very least.

[But he didn't doubt that there were others that came from worlds similar to theirs, too.]

There's a—

[ Nope, he's cutting himself off because for a second there he was responding like he would have years ago. He was about to excitedly tell him about the robot guy. How could he do this thing, in such a tone, so familiar— ]

[THE ROBOT GUY

Something about this whole thing had seemed off from the start, but it's the familiarity in that brief moment that causes him to tense up. For a similarly brief moment, he clenches a fist at his side, but his tone remains mostly even when he speaks again.

He has a "good" feeling about who this is... Even if it doesn't make any sense. But it's easy to stay at least somewhat cool as long as he's wearing that (stupid) mask. He could— still be wrong, after all. Unlikely, because he was rarely wrong, but it was a still a possibility.]

What's the matter? [A bit sharper:] Cat got your tongue?

[He doesn't say his name at the end, but it's almost implied.]

[ Almost implied. But good enough. He's just watching him for a long, silent moment. ]

Something like that. [ If Gaelio is Rustal's dog, McGillis is definitely the cat. ] There's a person here who caught me off-guard, mostly because something about them was so familiar, but something else was so off.

[ He's talking about the robot guy. ]

[He's not sure this is a conversation he really wants to be having anymore, but it's a complicated thing—he should have it. He should continue to talk to this man, either to confirm his suspicions or prove himself wrong. But there's a sort of sick feeling developing in the pit of his stomach, a feeling he hasn't felt in a long time, that makes him want to leave, to dismiss this conversation all together. Maybe that's proof enough?

But he shouldn't. He can't. So he puts up with it, even if all of this would be very— wrong, if he's right about this.]

I see. [He doesn't care, he thinks. But he'll humor him. The smile is more forced than usual, but:] And what was that?

[ There's a chance here where he could continue being coyly obvious, subtly calling him out for his crimes.

But he's smiling behind his mask; not a friendly smile, a humourless one. Not that McGillis can see it.

He'll take the other option for now. Not to blow his whole schtick immediately, when he has so much more to find out. So, he's going to be honest. And talk about the robot guy instead of his feelings.

For now. You're off the hook briefly, Mackey. ]

Mm. It was quite a sight. Originally I thought he was a controlled exoskeleton, similar to a drone rather than a mobile suit, but after speaking with him--and seeing the way he fights--I'm not so sure.

[What a bizarre thing to tell him about, not so much because the subject itself is bizarre but because it's so... normal, to continue talking to him like this. Too normal, when it's clear that he isn't like any of the other people here, as far as McGillis is concerned.

What is he trying to accomplish?]

And your point is?

[It's not the most polite response, but his patience wears thin for this "mysterious" man.]

[ He considers leaving right there and letting him mull over his point. McGillis could probably use some time to reason over various human reactions and wording, if he's being honest, but there wouldn't be any use for it this time.

So, he goes quiet and looks off at a wall for a few seconds too long to be a proper pause, following it up with a shrug. ]

It's not just for you. For me, as well; we have to realise things that are familiar won't always be what we expect. [ He's almost talking to himself now, his voice dropping lower. ] Where they are, when they are--these are things that are no longer under any form of control.

[ Well, now he's starting to leave. ]

[McGillis doesn't try to stop him. Maybe he should, he thinks—if he had less self-control, he'd stop him and tear off his mask himself. That'd answer all his questions. But he doesn't, mind halted by his cryptic message and heart halted by— something else.

He hates it. After all this time, even here, so far away from home... That he'd still think of him... That he could be alive...

"Things that are familiar won't always be what we expect," he says. But what sort of expectations was one supposed to have for something, for someone, that was previously thought dead?

He'd never been fond of things that he could not control.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

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