lifeaftr | March Adventure: Swim with the Current and Float Away

NEW ISLAND: AI'TUOH

Who: Anyone who feels brave...or particularly lawful
What: A city worth exploring, and a people worth meeting
When: March 10th and onward
Where: Ai'tuoh
Warnings: The themes you might associate with strict punishment and rule-based dystopias will abound, along with nonconsensual drugging/sedation for those found guilty in the streets. Otherwise, mark as needed!

The Overview: Ai'tuoh
The dawn of the 10th will see the appearance of the promised island on the horizon. The smooth, even planes of city walls rear across the expanse of sandy beach, but beyond that, no particular discerning characteristics can be immediately glean. That same morning, characters will awaken from a brief dream, wherein the Storyteller will advise that the new island accessible via mana pool - and they suggest, with some trepidation, that you do not make the location of said mana pool on the new land immediately obvious to the natives. It's clear that something has put them on edge, though they've yet to say what.

Welcome, adventurers, to the island of Ai'tuoh.

Our City, Our Rules
Ai'tuoh is home to a sprawling city, built of smooth, sandy stone. Its architecture is simple, precise, and uniform, valuing utility above all else - function to the exclusion of form. The homogeneity of the people of Ai'tuoh extends beyond the similar, monochrome spectrum of their apparel. Despite the gradations of skin color and the subtle shifts in the shades of their hair - all falling within established limits, of course - they all appear to be more or less human. But most striking of all is the stern warning emblazoned across the city's gates. It translates as follows:

May those who violate our law be cleansed in the Standing Water.

The Unerring Law of the people of Ai'tuoh can be found in the library, which contains little besides some five hundred copies of the same dispassionate lists of various laws, most of which you've probably already broken by the time you've entered.

If you plan on stopping by, we'd recommend taking the time to explore the docks first - those that frequent that particular area are rather more forthcoming to travelers. You might find someone sympathetic to your plight, willing to offer some helpful hints.

Holding Cells: Awaiting Your Trial
Those unlucky enough to be caught by the concealed militia taskforce of the city will be sedated on sight of their violation, and will wake in a small, smooth-stoned room. There are no windows, and only one door - and it won't be opening under your duress.

The holding cell into which you've been deposited is beyond barebones; while clean and uniform, it lacks even the basic commodities of a bed and bucket. It seems that there's no need to plan for keeping prisoners in the long term. No one drops by to visit, and no one addresses you if they pass through. Your only company is in your cellmates, who you might be able to hear through the walls, provided you raise your voice over the soft, buzzing hum that permeates the air; a magical suppression field, to ensure that those with particular talents cannot exert them to break the law's hold.

The barracks are sorted into clusters of several buildings, each with variety of cells hidden in secluded pockets. To contrast the uniformity of the city itself, there is no such order here; the buildings are designed to be difficult to break into, and even harder to orient oneself in.

Those who are being kept in holding until their cleansing will not be in complete isolation forever. There are a number of militia who patrol the prison areas to ensure peace is being kept...and some might even be open to conversation.

For OOC information about Ai'tuoh and the city's laws, please see our recent OOC information post!

Feeling a tad adrift? Make sure to check the Locations Page, which has details regarding the starting areas and a handy map for those who feel better with a bird's eye view!

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Luckily, the Knight is practically a model citizen by Ai'tuoh's standards. Even the weapon is permitted, after some fuss.

While the little bug can't fly like Otus can, they hop up the side of the building with claws in hand, using them as hooks to grip the clay surface. A final jump, cape fluttering, takes them onto the ledge, and they land with the tiniest of impacts.

They shuffle close to their friend, sitting and shifting aside their cloak to poke out their hand. They put it on one of Otus' hands, as far as they can reach.

They're a bit cautious - they don't want to get Otus in trouble - but their friend looks so sad. A little bit of contact wouldn't hurt. ]

[ he looks down at his small companion with a smile, relieved to see him despite their circumstances. His fingers wrap around the Knight's little hand, and he holds on.

It's comforting.

No words needed, no exchange of vocals required, just...the warmth from that small hand. We'll make it through. A vote of confidence greater than any Otus could have come up with on his own. The owl boy looks his friend over from horns to little feet. Okay? Is he okay?

He even has his weapon. Otus wonders if they gave it much thought, but that nail is sharp. Really sharp. Maybe they didn't examine it closely. They didn't really look Otus' cloak over very carefully. Maybe they've never seen an owl cloak before? His free hand touches the Knight's head.

Welcome. Welcome to the rooftops. Glad that you're okay. ]

[ Despite the lack of a voice, they'd managed to get a permit for their weapon; they're authorized to carry it. It's a small comfort in a series of very long, strange days.

They notice Otus looking them over and nod briskly, giving him a thumbs-up, pushing their cloak aside to show they're all intact.

When they're patted on the head, they clasp Otus' much larger hand with both of their small ones, giving it a small squeeze.

They tilt their head, in curiosity. Is Otus okay? The guards probably hadn't hurt him, but this city is...they wouldn't say scary, exactly. But it's not a happy place. Not a place for people like Otus, who is soft and friendly. ]

[ It's Otus' turn to tilt his head-- understanding each other is hard sometimes. But the good intentions of it all come though, and Otus flaps the cloak out behind him a little, creating a small gust of air that lifts him off the roof for just half a second, and then sets him back down with a soft thud.

Yep, all good here-- though flying overhead made some highly, highly uncomfortable. He's opted into some good, old fashioned walking around, though it's quite evident he's a little uncomfortable in restraining himself from flying. These people-- are they like gnomes? Would they try to hurt him if he caught their attention?

Despite being physically okay, he looks pretty uneasy. Sitting on the rooftops helps, but just a little bit. ]

March Adventure: Swim with the Current and Float Away

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