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

[The guard starts, shoulders dropping as she looks to Shepard with wide eyes. But-- no, she is bound to her duty.

Thus, she's quick to correct herself, chin held high as she straightens, hands clasped behind her back. She will not acknowledge them. She will not break her duty to her people.]

[Her eyes are wide when she turns to her and Shepard lets out a soft sigh as the guard tries to pull herself back together. Oh boy. After another quiet moment Shepard speaks again.]

I remember when I was young and new to the military. I was a bit reckless and had all this drive to prove myself. Wanted to be perfect.

[As if she still doesn't try to be.]

It's tough, trying to break into it all. Trying to find your place inside it all.

[She should be interrogating her. She should be trying to tear her apart and pick at the weaknesses to get out. But Shepard looks to the girl (and she's only just a girl, isn't she?) and finds her heart a little too soft. All well. Her superiors always told her that was her greatest weakness.]

I'm sure it's even tougher here, what with how strict everything is. I at least could blow some steam by leaving the barracks and raging it up at a local bar. But that's uh. Not the best way to deal with things.

[Don't listen to her, drugs are bad.]

[She's a military woman. There is no response still, not at first; but as Shepard continues to speak, the guard's eyes come to rest on her once more, thoughtful. She speaks of emotions in such a blatantly open manner. And yet her words hold a true knowledge of such experiences.]

The only bar on Ai'tuoh is within the docks. I would not go to such a place.

[Her voice holds the slightest amount of disdain; unless, of course, she was posted on duty there. That was another situation entirely, wherein such personal opinions would be ignored entirely.]

[The disdain is actually kind of nice to hear and Shepard grins just a bit.]

The dock life a little too colorful for you, huh?

[Was that an intentional dig at Ai'tuoh's rules? Haha whoops. She liked the person she met at the dock though. They at least gave her some heads up as to what she was heading into. Even if she still ended up getting herself caught but... well, it makes sense. She's never been a spy, nor one to keep her head down when trouble rises.]

It's good to stay out of trouble though. I ended up in the military back home trying to run from trouble myself.

[That's the... cleanest way she can describe it.]

All in all with all its problems, its been good to me. Have they been good to you?

[She doubts there has been any hazing but who knows!!! This island is fucking upside down with all of its rules!!]

To be one of the militia is an appointment of the highest honor. [A slight frown- no one would dare use such a position to run from anything, not in Ai'tuoh. She had worked her entire life to be where she is today, in a role that would provide for her siblings.] I am provided for as all others of my station are provided for, with my uniform and lodgings. At the end of my training, I will be scheduled one day of rest per lunar cycle.

[So that's good, right?]

[Shepard agrees. To be in the military really is an honor. To serve and protect, to guard humanity against the harshness of the galaxy... there's truly nothing like it. She's sure this guard must feel the same way in her own fashion.

wait what did she just say]

One day? Of rest? A month? Is that correct?

Yes. [A calm affirmation.] It is a day to assist family and reflect upon our Unerring Laws.

[She can only imagine that this surprise is due to her having a day off at all; a most unusual thing indeed. One of the few privileges her new station allows her-

But she will not imagine any further, biting the inside of her cheek and looking forward.]

Only one day to be with your family? And I thought the Alliance was bad in granting shore leave.

[She shakes her head. This place is even more messed up than she originally thought.]

Who implemented those rules? How long have they been around? If you all know them so well, is there such a need to reflect on them so much?

[A dangerous line of questioning, she’s sure, seeing as this kid might not be open to much more after this but she has to know something.]

They are our Unerring Laws, as old as the Clear Waters themselves. [A frown.] We do not question such things. To reflect upon our laws ensures clarity in abiding by them.

So the Waters have been around long before you came around, then? You've never known a time before?

[She shakes her head.]

To follow rules for rules's sake, or without a clear idea as to why they must be followed, only leads to atrocities being committed in their name.

March Adventure: Swim with the Current and Float Away

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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