March Adventure: Swim with the Current and Float Away

[lifeaftr_mods]

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.

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

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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!

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LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

[prettypurpleparlor]

[Her reply is as even and casual as his, as though they're discussing the weather.]

When in an unfamiliar land, is it not polite to consider the customs of one's hosts? It is an acceptable effort, I hope.

[aftrnpc]

Not exceptionally.

[They speak bluntly, not to be rude, but to be honest. Despite her clear effort to blend in, she still sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the impossibly bland citizens of Ai'tuoh.]

You've got a mind. Clearly. It must be telling you that you're better off getting as far away from here as possible.

[prettypurpleparlor]

[She gives a very slight nod, acknowledging the backhanded compliment- such as it is.]

I might well be, yes- but I would prefer not to leave my fellow travelers to handle everything for themselves this visit.

[aftrnpc]

You'll do them no good if you're caught in their stead. Nor would it do my establishment any favors.

[They're not showing her to the door, exactly, but it's possible that they don't seem like a wholly thrilled person in general.]

Take it from me, traveler. The best thing you and your comrades can do is to turn around and return to wherever you came from.

[prettypurpleparlor]

Is there such danger even to those who keep within these laws?

[The question is asked so innocently one could almost wonder if the implication that Ai'tuoh failed to live up to it's own supposedly unerring standards by persecuting those guilty of no crime was meant to be there at all.]

[Oh, she knew perfectly well that the spirit of their rules was conformity above all, but that wasn't printed on the page, out where they could all admit to it. The letter of the law is the limit of the lies we tell ourselves, drawing a neat line between what we know we can justify and the more morally treacherous territory beyond.]

[What, she wonders, happens to a lawkeeper who acts without the law's excuse? Those who assault others freely...]

I won't linger here, then, should my presence make you uncomfortable.

[...But she doubts that pushing the innkeeper more forcefully on the matter would do much good, and it would be unkind besides.]

[She's not budging on the matter of risking herself by entering the city, but she has enough tact to politely elide the issue rather than outright arguing the point further.]

I doubt that we will remain long. [One way or another.] Since it's unlikely that we'll speak again, I wish you well in the future.

[A step back from the bar and a polite farewell, and Muffet turns to leave as calmly as she came.]