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

[ th-they're writing in a book, and he sits up a little straighter to try and see what they're doing-- Otus is mostly sure that isn't a coloring book. They're just writing over the words nonchalantly, as if those packing documents didn't exist at all. Not that there are many people here who are watching. The Library is quiet around them, the sound of pages turning breaking the awful silence that permeates Otus' mind. It's never been this quiet before. It's awful.

They push their book closer to him, and he looks over the words, a small smile coming to his face. They remind him of Geddy. Not in looks, but...verbage. The soft slouch of their shoulders. Very friend-like. Otus reaches out to press the charcole against the page, copying them. Hopefully the librarians won't notice. Or miss their book. ]

Lots of rules. [ he hoots softly, and writes more. ] Not from here?

[Oh...... he hoots.]

[In a garish and unlawful display, Frisk's smile softens considerably. No problem. They actually hadn't a clue when they started this secret communication, and -- well, they'd like to sign at him to see if he knows that, but something tells them that sign language probably isn't looked upon well here. Maybe later.]

[They turn their eyes down to the page and take the charcoal back, scratching down their reply.]

I live on the big island with everyone else. You, too?

[They would say Enso or Storyteller's island, but Frisk doesn't want to give anyone any leads if this book ends up getting away from them.]

Yes [ he writes back with a dedicated hand. Otus glances at the ceiling...and then writes some more. ]

I have a good friend. [ a little smile breaks out on his face. C: ] They are very important to me.

[ he wants to draw a picture so Frisk knows who he's talking about, but...alas, he's not a very good artist, and Knight is somewhat complicated to draw. :C hoot. ]

That's nice [they write, embellishing the sentence with a small happy face at the end. They really hope that someone stuffy and rude finds this and is super offended by all of the casual artistry happening.] I have someone like that too.

[They think for a moment, tapping the tip of the charcoal against the book, dotting the page with tiny marks. Then they start scrawling again.

My name is Kittu. Sorry if I scared you.

[ his brows raise a bit at the apology, and he sits there in written silence for a moment. Sorry? Oh no, m-maybe they meant to write something else...why are they sorry? What are they sorry for? When was the last time anyone even casually apologized to Otus...for anything? ]

Don't be sorry [ he scribbles a little faster now, feeling guilty for letting them be apologetic. ] Should have been paying attention

[ to be a better Owl. To make Asio proud, wherever he is. A real owl wouldn't have been scared of a loud noise like that. After setting the charcoal down, he raps his fingertips together a little. How do you fix being jumpy? Er...um...? ]

[They shake their head at the elaboration, but don't argue any further. They don't want to make it weird. Instead, Frisk writes down their next sentence with no undue beating around the bush.]

Your name? :)

March Adventure: Swim with the Current and Float Away

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject