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

[reeliable]

[If only Gladio and Iggy were here - nah. This is a sight for Noct alone. Which isn't really a great sight if only in that he doesn't have any better ideas, except for shifting the box and stepping up to stand with Prompto. It's awkward, the tension could be cut with a knife - but within moments all the awkwardness fades, because one of the girls starts to giggle. She's clearly interested, even if the selling line wasn't the best.

While the other girls don't look all that impressed, at least one of them being interested makes the others wait around to see what it's about.]

We're just looking to give them away. [The King of Lucis isn't so incompetent as to not spit out a few words along the way, ok?? Even if girls from another world still make him glad he's got a box in his hands to fidget with. Prompto is a braver soul in the end. Doing this with ducks in hand.]

[punshots]

[ Look, even one of them being interested is leagues beyond what Prompto expected, so when she actually giggles at him, he nearly collapses, catatonic. The ducks in his hands get another squeeze - yeah, the box id definitely better to fidget with - but Noct's words spur him on. He has their attention and interest. This is his chance to make a good impression! Deep breaths, now...what would Gladio do?

...Never mind, that isn't helping. ]

Yyyyep! Free of charge. Would you... [ Wait, no!!! He has a better idea. Clearing his throat: ] I-I mean...Hearing you laugh all the payment we need!

[ Phew, he just used all of his charisma on that one line. ]

[reeliable]

[Don't think about what Gladio would do, because first off, he would be shirtless and disgustingly suave???? With that next squeak from the ducks as Prompto gets settled, Noct tries to not straight up hide behind the box in his hands. It's a hilarious sound and breaking into a laugh himself at this point is such a no go for the wingman role, but at least it seems to be working pretty well. Another of the girls ends up giggling due to how ridiculous the ducks sound...

and offers a hand out, along with the first giggler. With two leading the pack, all of the girls soon approach to take a free duck, at least giving a smile even if some of them don't laugh still. It's cute and charming in the end and Noct waits until after the girls have taken their duckies and left before he nudges Prompto's shoulder with an arm, giving him a grin.]

That's five ducks gone and five smiles received.

[punshots]

[ For a moment, all Prompto can manage to do is stare at the space where the girls were standing before, committing to memory their smiling faces. That way, if he runs into them again, he'll know who to say hell to. Or...in theory, anyway, assuming he doesn't clam up instead. But that went much better than he had expected it would, and now they're down five of the ducks. They're still a whole bunch left, but...at least that means they're going to get a whole lot more smiles! Right?

At last, he breathes out a massive sigh of relief, flashing a grin towards Noct. Since he can't quite give a high five right now, Prompto gives him a friendly slap on the shoulder instead. ]

Phew! I totally knew that would work... [ He didn't. ] Man, I'm so stupid! I should've been putting my phone number on those ducks.

[ Never mind that phones don't really seem to be a thing here, and his is long since dead. ]

[reeliable]

You are going to be known as the Duck Man now, so maybe it's a good thing we aren't going to be here too long... besides, they get to remember you always with a honk, instead of wistfully texting you in the middle of the night.

[Ribbing Prompto with an elbow so he doesn't have to juggle the box, chuckling to the excited swat he gets instead, Noct shifts the box so he can hold it with one arm and take out a duck again, intending to squeak it like it can summon more people from further down the street.

Preferably more girls for Prompto's sake, but instead, it's a group of kids who come at the next few honks.]

[punshots]

[ His expression flattens. There are definitely better monikers to go by than the Duck Man. Why couldn't he have wound up with a chest full of fresh, red roses or something? But anyway. It still went a whole lot better than expecting, and Prompto bellows a laugh at the mental image of those girls sighing over him every time they hear a duck honk. ]

Guess I can live with that. The Mysterious, Hella Stylish Duck Man...

[ ...Nah, doesn't really have a ring to it.

The next group may not be a gaggle of girls, but Prompto doesn't have to worry so much about making a fool of himself in front of kids. Or, at least, they won't judge him if he makes a fool of himself. Grinning as he takes a couple of ducks from the chest, he kneels down to offer them to the first two of the bunch. ]

Hey, there, lil' dudes! Picked these ones out just for you.

[reeliable]

[There's something to be said about kids these days, when they don't even bat an eye at being offered some free ducks. The first two do accept the toys, honking them to see what they do, before they immediately start aggressively honking them in each others faces. One of the older ones lets out this heavy sigh, giving Prompto a dry look with a half-hearted smile. The sentiment is appreciated - the loud insufferable honking that is going to make up the next several days until the noise maker breaks, however, is not.

Noct actually sidles a step over to behind Prompto, like he can hide his sheepish expression to the quick realization that yeah, the honking will get old pretty quick.]

Well, two more happy faces. [And screams of amusement, as the two gifted kids grin and give a thanks, before trying to run ahead of the older ones who have to give chase.] And now I feel like that guy who gives a kid a toy drum set with no intentions of being around to hear the drum set played constantly..

[punshots]

[ Noct isn't the only one who's quickly coming to realize that, though for the smiles its bringing to those kids' faces, he can't really feel too bad about it. Suffering through a little honking mayhem will surely be worth a little happiness. Given what he's seen of the city so far and its poorer citizens, some rubber ducks may go farther than they would expect.

Prompto straightens again and watches the kids go, waving to them though they quickly disappear back into the crowd. He can still hear the ducks squeaking, at least. ]

Yeah...their friends are gonna hate us. If we wake up with mustaches drawn on our faces, we know why.

[ But he wouldn't even be mad, tbh. ]

We've still got a lot left...what if we just start tossing 'em into the crowd at random?

[reeliable]

We could. Or we could take them to the Circle and hand them out to anyone there who wants one? It might be funny to take them to the Arena too.

[Chuckling a little and scratching his cheek briefly while balancing the box in one arm, Noct moves to shut it and tuck it under his arm.]

I mean, they're your ducks. What do you want to do?

[punshots]

[ Oh man, the Arena is tempting...though Prompto can so easily visualize a brawl breaking out because one of them dared to throw a rubber duck into the fray. But they could hand them out to the losers as consolation prize...

Humming slightly in consideration, Prompto's eyes narrow as he ponders the box. ]

What if we...tried trading 'em back? Think anyone would take 'em?

[ Probably not, but who knows, maybe they could manage to get something really cool in return! ]

[reeliable]

Depending on who we ask. Maybe sell them up a little bit, before we open the box.

[Lie a little about what they are, is Noct's suggestion, even if he's clearing his throat briefly like he never suggested that at all because it would get rid of them quickly... Maybe.] Extravagant bath toys, that are just too good to be true?

[punshots]

[ That might just work. Prompto nods slowly at first, but then more quickly, as he grasps Noct's idea. It's not really lying, anyway. It's just...enhancing the truth! ]

Guaranteed to impress the ladies! We just proved that's true. Yeah, think that'll work.

[ And so the chump becomes the con man... ]

[reeliable]

Alright, and hey, even if we don't get something wildly crazy great in exchange, at least it won't be... a bunch of ducks.

[Maybe they can find some cup noodles after all, or something to charge Prompto's camera.] Most that will happen is we fail.