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

This gets a surprised laugh out of Taako, delighted by this comeback to Lup's little gibe. Lup struck out, Taako goes to bat. This is probably the quickest jump to throwing them out anyone has ever made, and that's impressive, just statistically speaking. He didn't have a high opinion of this place out of the gate, just by the looks of it, and it's apparently gonna be all downhill from here. And downhill can be fun! Like sledding. Or pushing people.

"Aww, what's the rush? I didn't see any hours on the door," he says, trying his best to pout. It's just difficult, because this is bullshit, and he can't help his gleeful, snide commentary with Lup around to appreciate it. "'The hour on which you leave,' that's choice, very Wheel of Time, I'm into it."

Honestly, they weren't looking to improve their personal record of least amount of time spent in a bar before having to bounce, but much like Taako, she doesn't hate it yet. They haven't gotten to shake up a social hub in way, way too long. She joins her brother's laughter with a contemptuous snort of her own, even as one alert ear tracks the random person either making a quick getaway or trying to block off their exit. This is gonna be interesting for sure.

"I mean, we just got here. Literally, because we're new?" She sashays down to the counter, leaning on it comfortably to make it exceptionally clear that she has no intention of leaving. "You treat all new business like this? I guess that'd explain the uh, the rustic sort of look you got going on."

They continue to avoid looking at the two elves, the muscles in their jaw growing taught as their teeth clench at the clear dismissal of their warning; to the point of ridicule, at that.

"I would have thought the statement simple enough. This is not your world; such acts of drawing attention to oneself will do very little for the wellbeing of you or this establishment." All it takes is using their own eyes to look around, notice the blatant disparities between their own manners and... appearances, to realize something is off. "Again- it would be best you leave now; before the militia arrives."

It's easy to slip into a kind of exultant wariness, in tandem with Lup; he barely gives her a split second's glance, the slightest raise of an eyebrow as he does a quick sweep of the room. She's playing the table, and he's keeping an eye on the perimeters. Just like old times. This isn't even a hustle, they're not actually doing anything, not a crime or even a bet, nothing. But it's still a kind of throwback, not campfires and rustic trash dinners but feeling out a new and apparently somewhat alien social terrain, looking to make the best of it.

"Listen, I appreciate everything you've got going on here, really doing a lot to give this place some ambience, some drama-- which it desperately needs. But I gotta say, if you're actually trying to keep people out of trouble in your little bar, cryptic horseshit isn't the way to go about it, my dude." They can have this pointer for free, from someone with quite a lot of experience in cryptic horseshit, actually.

"It is not upon me to ensure anyone's safety- nor their ability to interpret rather simple statements." How's that for cryptic bullshit, bucko? Glancing back, they meet Taako's unimpressed expression with one of their own.

"To be a traveler, you should already understand how to blend into a culture not of your own. If what I say is not- basic enough for your needs, you would be better off finding a child to translate."

He can have this pointer for free, from someone with quite a lot of experience in self-important fools, actually.

Under different circumstances Lup would be all in favor of somebody dragging her brother's ass, but this is developing a distinct us vs them vibe and that makes what this clown just said not funny at all. She's not going full aggro quite yet, but her eyes narrow and her shoulders tense.

"Horseshit. Did you just threaten to call the cops on us, or nah? Cuz unless being fresh as hell is a crime, we haven't actually done anything."

"It is not me you have to worry about, but those who left when you came in." Or were the two of them simply not paying attention to that? The barkeep exhales slowly, still cleaning the same glass they have been for the past five minutes.

"There are very few gestures of goodwill that can be given, in this place," They murmur, voice low. "But there is a backdoor beyond the tables to your right. Unless your intentions are to start a fight, I would take that exit."

Of course, you never heard that from them.

March Adventure: Swim with the Current and Float Away

unfortunately,

unfortunately, i love it

unfortunately you surprised me by tagging quickly

APPARENTLY IT WAS MY TURN IN THIS ONE WHO KNEW

shhh we're all behind here

behind whomst

no subject