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tushanshu_ooc2015-03-01 12:44 pm
ironwood) wrote in tushanshu_ooc2015-03-01 12:44 pm
Entry tags:
ITINERARY | MARCH 2015
Hello chelonauts! Here is our latest itinerary post. Each current itinerary will be stickied at the top of the OOC comm, and previous months can be found under this tag.
Here's what we've got lined up for March 2015 (2016 in game):
Weather
Kedan/Foreigner Relations
Local Events
NPCs & Families
Economy
Crime
Technology
International
OOC Information
So that's our outline for the month of March! If you have any questions about these happenings, please use the Questions comment below. Otherwise, this post is free space for monthly OOC plotting.
Here's what we've got lined up for March 2015 (2016 in game):
Weather
Get ready to cheer, residents of Keeliai, the thaw has arrived! ... Unfortunately it's not going to be nearly as much fun as it sounds. With how much ice has build up over the past month, that means there's a lot of water that has no place to go. At the beginning of the month the results will be negligible, but as time goes on the residents of Keeliai will notice more in the way of water-damage to buildings and wetness in the streets. By the month's end there may be some minor flooding, especially in low-altitude areas like Water Sector. Metal Sector will experience some minor electrical shortages.
Some places are exempt from this only because of incidental precautions -- the tram-line construction outside the city, for instance, already has drainage runoffs to catch the melt-off caused by the use of the flamethrowers last month. Similarly the palace construction areas, while wet and muddy, won't experience much impediment in the way of flooding, as the Metalworkers prepared for the ice and the subsequent runoff. The Midnight Hotel will also show its interdimensional colours by being internally protected from the outside thaw, though the doors opening into the sectors will risk some minor damage as the only access points.
Generally, the weather is sunny and slowly warming. Temperatures will remain very low until near the end of the month, however, due to the build-up of ice.
Some places are exempt from this only because of incidental precautions -- the tram-line construction outside the city, for instance, already has drainage runoffs to catch the melt-off caused by the use of the flamethrowers last month. Similarly the palace construction areas, while wet and muddy, won't experience much impediment in the way of flooding, as the Metalworkers prepared for the ice and the subsequent runoff. The Midnight Hotel will also show its interdimensional colours by being internally protected from the outside thaw, though the doors opening into the sectors will risk some minor damage as the only access points.
Generally, the weather is sunny and slowly warming. Temperatures will remain very low until near the end of the month, however, due to the build-up of ice.
Kedan/Foreigner Relations
While the kedan are rather grumpy these days, it's somewhat due to the weather's continued taunting. Many of the kedan are pleased to see the ice melt, but are less pleased by the eventual flooding it causes. While snippiness and petty grievances are common, they're fairly equal-opportunity. Active discrimination in businesses such as shops is at an all-time low, but the kedan are showing their belligerent acceptance of the Foreigners' ongoing presence with snippy remarks.
There are, however, two small polarizing groups -- rather unofficial. The first are kedan whose belligerence goes beyond being terrible at adjusting; these kedan are those who blame the Foreigners for the palace demolition, and subsequently every problem which happens as a result. These are the kedan who are likely to remain in small groups, and follow or otherwise harass lone Foreigners. Though bypasser kedan are as equally likely to report the disturbance as not, very few will step in directly.
The other group consists of kedan who seem to have got over their annoyance and are genuinely warming to the Foreigners. Last month it was mostly Shangpar Race aficionados, but in March the Foreigners will notice more offers in the way of trade or barter, or offers to help build their new dwellings on the palace land set aside for them. Some small businesses will now happily hire Foreigners, if only as a sign of rebellion and warped pride.
While some kedan resent that the Foreigners got free land rather than auctioned, others see it as an opportunity to ingratiate themselves. Still others refuse to have anything to do with the palace land at all, insisting that settling there is tantamount to calling a curse upon one's self; these are the most likely to spread rumours about any setbacks to construction on the palace grounds.
There are, however, two small polarizing groups -- rather unofficial. The first are kedan whose belligerence goes beyond being terrible at adjusting; these kedan are those who blame the Foreigners for the palace demolition, and subsequently every problem which happens as a result. These are the kedan who are likely to remain in small groups, and follow or otherwise harass lone Foreigners. Though bypasser kedan are as equally likely to report the disturbance as not, very few will step in directly.
The other group consists of kedan who seem to have got over their annoyance and are genuinely warming to the Foreigners. Last month it was mostly Shangpar Race aficionados, but in March the Foreigners will notice more offers in the way of trade or barter, or offers to help build their new dwellings on the palace land set aside for them. Some small businesses will now happily hire Foreigners, if only as a sign of rebellion and warped pride.
While some kedan resent that the Foreigners got free land rather than auctioned, others see it as an opportunity to ingratiate themselves. Still others refuse to have anything to do with the palace land at all, insisting that settling there is tantamount to calling a curse upon one's self; these are the most likely to spread rumours about any setbacks to construction on the palace grounds.
Local Events
PALACE QUARANTINE
DREAMING CONJURATION
At the beginning of the month the demolition and construction crews working on the palace will begin showing symptoms of an illness, primarily in the way of dizziness and lack of focus. Initially not much attention will be paid to this -- flu goes around, after all -- but those who continue to work on the site will go on to show signs of being poisoned. The symptoms won't be acute; not more than an inability to focus and lack of inhibitions -- being mildly high or drunk, essentially. Analysis will reveal a watered-down version of Dust, which will be described to the uninitiated as a highly addictive drug most recently used by Malicant to subvert kedan and Foreigner alike. Dust was known to be stored in the palace during Malicant's reign there, and as far as many kedan are concerned the Metalworkers and the Foreigners should have seen this coming.
On the 4th of March a quarantine over the palace grounds will be in effect while kedanese scientists and healers go over the area to determine the source. Those afflicted will undergo some minor withdrawal and discomfort, and perhaps some bad dreams, but recover fully. The quarantine will remain in effect until the 11th of March after having found several potential sources of contamination, at which point the demolition will resume; however, crews will continue to show signs of minor illness until the demolition is complete by the 21st of March.
Player characters can be afflicted according to player preference; feel free to assume the kedan insisted on an examination for everyone who entered the palace grounds and your character either passed with flying colours -- or didn't.
Log Note: The quarantine will not have a mod-posted event log.
On the 4th of March a quarantine over the palace grounds will be in effect while kedanese scientists and healers go over the area to determine the source. Those afflicted will undergo some minor withdrawal and discomfort, and perhaps some bad dreams, but recover fully. The quarantine will remain in effect until the 11th of March after having found several potential sources of contamination, at which point the demolition will resume; however, crews will continue to show signs of minor illness until the demolition is complete by the 21st of March.
Player characters can be afflicted according to player preference; feel free to assume the kedan insisted on an examination for everyone who entered the palace grounds and your character either passed with flying colours -- or didn't.
Log Note: The quarantine will not have a mod-posted event log.
DREAMING CONJURATION
Beginning around the first of the month and lasting throughout March, there is something strange afoot in Keeliai! Everyone knows that the Life and Dreaming planes were merged by Evastelei in her attempt to retrieve the Foreigners, but no one's really seen tangible evidence of it yet. That is about to change.
It begins small, and people will note an uncanny increase of things being exactly where they need them to be. Need something to fix your door? A screwdriver and screws right there on the workbench. Your missing house keys? In your pocket, even though they weren't for the first six times you checked there. Feeling absolutely parched? A bottle of water helpfully waiting on the table when you get home. It's an unobtrusive change, and it always happens out of sight, and it's normally small, mundane things.
The thing about these items which appear however, is that they don't stay. Objects that appear start disappearing again, usually around 24 hours later. Up until that point, they've seemed real and normal to every sense, physical or otherwise. But they'll suddenly be gone as if they never were. So those screws you used to rehang your front door? Disappeared, and your door is falling off its hinges again. It's getting harder to tell what's real, and what's there when it shouldn't be.
But there are some things that seem to stick around, and these aren't as mundane. Curiously, there is a pattern to how these ones work... if it can be deciphered. Once this pattern is identified, certain objects that appear to characters may be permanently kept!
Log Note: The dreaming conjurations will not have a mod-posted event log.
It begins small, and people will note an uncanny increase of things being exactly where they need them to be. Need something to fix your door? A screwdriver and screws right there on the workbench. Your missing house keys? In your pocket, even though they weren't for the first six times you checked there. Feeling absolutely parched? A bottle of water helpfully waiting on the table when you get home. It's an unobtrusive change, and it always happens out of sight, and it's normally small, mundane things.
The thing about these items which appear however, is that they don't stay. Objects that appear start disappearing again, usually around 24 hours later. Up until that point, they've seemed real and normal to every sense, physical or otherwise. But they'll suddenly be gone as if they never were. So those screws you used to rehang your front door? Disappeared, and your door is falling off its hinges again. It's getting harder to tell what's real, and what's there when it shouldn't be.
But there are some things that seem to stick around, and these aren't as mundane. Curiously, there is a pattern to how these ones work... if it can be deciphered. Once this pattern is identified, certain objects that appear to characters may be permanently kept!
Log Note: The dreaming conjurations will not have a mod-posted event log.
NPCs & Families
Ties between the families are currently somewhat strained, primarily because of the palace demolition and the somewhat polarising opinions regarding the result of the discussion. Some internal affairs may also have had their influence. They're making nice, however, and in public there is no more tension than there usually is.
TU YUNXU
ZANRU
HEOJIN
MILYN
TU YUNXU
Whereas in February even the ice couldn't seem to dampen Yunxu's spirits, March dawns with the birth of several events which either didn't end the way he'd hoped, or continued even in the face of his arguments against it -- the Palace demolition being a prime example. He won't be quite as open to friendly relations as before, initiating contact only with those Foreigners who have already agreed to provide a service for him.
Meisheng, on the other hand, is a little more open than before. Foreigners and kedan attempting to contact Yunxu will find themselves dealing with her, and while she's just as professional as before, the observant will be able to notice a more helpful and respectful demeanour than many have come to expect from her.
Meisheng, on the other hand, is a little more open than before. Foreigners and kedan attempting to contact Yunxu will find themselves dealing with her, and while she's just as professional as before, the observant will be able to notice a more helpful and respectful demeanour than many have come to expect from her.
ZANRU
Zanru has calmed down somewhat ... somewhat. At least, she's no longer grumpy; she is, on the other hand, driven even more than she usually is. While the demolition temporarily halts, the Metalworkers are those who fund the analysis of the soil and area, providing facilities to the university apothecaries to perform their work to their best ability.
In spite of the continued risk Zanru refuses to hear anything about withdrawing the project; she seems determined to strip down any evidence of the palace's previous existence, save those areas too dangerous to risk demolishing or too valuable to do so. Though she finances continued testing of soil and even the employment of on-site medics and some gang-members as guards in case of protests, she also greenlights the beginning of construction on the palace grounds.
Zanru is spending less time at Stark Industries this month in favour of observing the construction sites and -- in several instances -- rolling up her sleeves to help with some of the heavy and smithing work. This is particularly true during the quarantine, when Xuiyu falls ill due to the Dust contamination; Zanru can be seen at the palace grounds particularly after the quarantine is over, and witnesses may note Xuiyu getting snappish at Zanru's hovering.
In spite of the continued risk Zanru refuses to hear anything about withdrawing the project; she seems determined to strip down any evidence of the palace's previous existence, save those areas too dangerous to risk demolishing or too valuable to do so. Though she finances continued testing of soil and even the employment of on-site medics and some gang-members as guards in case of protests, she also greenlights the beginning of construction on the palace grounds.
Zanru is spending less time at Stark Industries this month in favour of observing the construction sites and -- in several instances -- rolling up her sleeves to help with some of the heavy and smithing work. This is particularly true during the quarantine, when Xuiyu falls ill due to the Dust contamination; Zanru can be seen at the palace grounds particularly after the quarantine is over, and witnesses may note Xuiyu getting snappish at Zanru's hovering.
HEOJIN
Heojin has remained aloof personally speaking, which is nothing truly new. The Woodsmen in general are visible in the city this month, though not overly so. Their presence at the markets increases as the thaw begins, though not to the levels from before the freeze; those who bother to listen to them will hear mutterings about flooding in the fields and some comments about the water-levels in the canals being abnormally high.
Regardless of the source of their gruffness, the Woodsmen are genuinely concerned about the state of the fields. Though their greenhouses rescued many crops from freezing, the flooding is now causing problems with crops drowning; regardless, don't expect to engage any Woodsmen without being subject to a rant about crops, weather and related difficulties.
That being said, some Woodsmen have been requested at the palace grounds, and can therefore be seen there in the company of the apothecaries or landscapers giving second professional opinions on the state of the land and its best use. Both Lin and Ran can be found there at alternate intervals, far more relaxed than when they're guarding Heojin.
Regardless of the source of their gruffness, the Woodsmen are genuinely concerned about the state of the fields. Though their greenhouses rescued many crops from freezing, the flooding is now causing problems with crops drowning; regardless, don't expect to engage any Woodsmen without being subject to a rant about crops, weather and related difficulties.
That being said, some Woodsmen have been requested at the palace grounds, and can therefore be seen there in the company of the apothecaries or landscapers giving second professional opinions on the state of the land and its best use. Both Lin and Ran can be found there at alternate intervals, far more relaxed than when they're guarding Heojin.
MILYN
The Cherrywood Healer has certainly had some controversy surrounding her during the past month, and some discreet overtures were made that she had a hand in less savory dealings. She's currently sporting some bad bruises and marks of a fight, and her right arm is securely cast-bound from a break. Her apothecary also suffered some serious damage, as the front shop part has had its shelves and cases smashed, and most of its contents written off as a total loss.
The beginning part of the month will find her trying to clean up her clinic one-handed, unless someone offers to help. If asked about the damages, she'll only claim that she fell down the iron spiral staircase that leads up to her living spaces on the second floor of the apothecary, and laugh it off as just being clumsy. The latter part of the month will have her doing home visits for patients, since her clinic isn't in working order at the moment.
The beginning part of the month will find her trying to clean up her clinic one-handed, unless someone offers to help. If asked about the damages, she'll only claim that she fell down the iron spiral staircase that leads up to her living spaces on the second floor of the apothecary, and laugh it off as just being clumsy. The latter part of the month will have her doing home visits for patients, since her clinic isn't in working order at the moment.
Economy
The biggest market in the city right now is construction and real estate, but there is more work for chemists and healers. The Healer's Guild in particular will see an upsurge in funding and interest due to the quarantine. While many of their cases may be real, due to patients who were labourers in the demolition, there will also be some evidence of psychosomatic problems in the wake of the poisoning scare.
While the Metalworkers have the care of building any public facilities and repairing those parts left standing, the extensive lands that weren't reserved for the Foreigners were auctioned off by the Merchant's Guild. As a result, those kedan who are most determined to retake the palace have contracted for workers on their own, and by the month's end the private lots will be properly delineated with work scheduled to begin soon after.
Many of the gardeners from Wood Sector have found work restoring the parks and grounds, and a number of alchemist and apothecary kedan from the university can be seen testing soil on behalf of the Metalworkers. The university is enjoying a spot in the limelight this month, due to the quarantine, and as a result there is an influx in funding for their classes, with a slight expansion in training teachers and a newly created study regarding the long-term effects of Dust on people as well as environment. In addition, the university has taken over the care of the library, and there is an upsurge in general busy-work while the library undergoes a restoration.
Prices have stabilised completely. The Merchant's Guild has come out with some tentative new ‘law's regarding the fixing and scaling of prices, and any stores which refuse these rules will find themselves essentially blacklisted by the Guild, with a significant loss in income if they do so. There are some complaints that the Guild is being heavy-handed and overly pedantic regarding the economy, but these seem to be attributable to belligerence.
While the Metalworkers have the care of building any public facilities and repairing those parts left standing, the extensive lands that weren't reserved for the Foreigners were auctioned off by the Merchant's Guild. As a result, those kedan who are most determined to retake the palace have contracted for workers on their own, and by the month's end the private lots will be properly delineated with work scheduled to begin soon after.
Many of the gardeners from Wood Sector have found work restoring the parks and grounds, and a number of alchemist and apothecary kedan from the university can be seen testing soil on behalf of the Metalworkers. The university is enjoying a spot in the limelight this month, due to the quarantine, and as a result there is an influx in funding for their classes, with a slight expansion in training teachers and a newly created study regarding the long-term effects of Dust on people as well as environment. In addition, the university has taken over the care of the library, and there is an upsurge in general busy-work while the library undergoes a restoration.
Prices have stabilised completely. The Merchant's Guild has come out with some tentative new ‘law's regarding the fixing and scaling of prices, and any stores which refuse these rules will find themselves essentially blacklisted by the Guild, with a significant loss in income if they do so. There are some complaints that the Guild is being heavy-handed and overly pedantic regarding the economy, but these seem to be attributable to belligerence.
Crime
There has been some petty theft of tools from the construction/demolition sites around the palace grounds, and some of the university kedan have anecdotal evidence that some books are being misplaced or hidden.
Aside from this petty theft, however, the Snakes have been reinforcing their jurisdiction throughout Keeliai, with one noticeable exception: the Foreigners are largely being left alone. Individual Snakes might be visibly unhappy about this, but they'll follow their orders regardless. While this does mean Foreigners are enjoying a certain amount of diplomatic immunity, it also means that Foreigners attacked by the more belligerent kedan can't count on a rescue at the hands of the Snakes.
Aside from this petty theft, however, the Snakes have been reinforcing their jurisdiction throughout Keeliai, with one noticeable exception: the Foreigners are largely being left alone. Individual Snakes might be visibly unhappy about this, but they'll follow their orders regardless. While this does mean Foreigners are enjoying a certain amount of diplomatic immunity, it also means that Foreigners attacked by the more belligerent kedan can't count on a rescue at the hands of the Snakes.
Technology
Electronic technology has declined a touch due to the freezes last month. The building of the infrastructure outside the city will re-commence once the thaw begins, but continues slowly due to the sodden ground. Construction of the tram-line will also experience some delays, though not as many as might be expected due to precautions established during the freeze.
Mundane technology, however, is quite suddenly in the limelight. The palace library, as one of the few places left standing on the grounds, has been put into the care of the university. Many of its books have been taken to the university for regular use while construction inhibits access to the library proper, and many kedan are taking advantage of the opportunity to read the books while they're out of the ‘danger zone' the palace grounds currently represent. The library itself is slated for repairs and extensive cataloguing -- perhaps the first proper catalogue of Keeliai's literary resources in Keeliai's history.
Mundane technology, however, is quite suddenly in the limelight. The palace library, as one of the few places left standing on the grounds, has been put into the care of the university. Many of its books have been taken to the university for regular use while construction inhibits access to the library proper, and many kedan are taking advantage of the opportunity to read the books while they're out of the ‘danger zone' the palace grounds currently represent. The library itself is slated for repairs and extensive cataloguing -- perhaps the first proper catalogue of Keeliai's literary resources in Keeliai's history.
International
SHAPES AND SYMBOLS
Revealed to be related to the Dreaming Conjurations plot outlined above, each character in game will receive an additional communication that will prove to unlock a larger part of the mystery. Through clever deductions, the purpose of the shapes was discovered to be "parts" of the shape, and are as follows: arrow - 3, cross - 4, hexagon - 6, square - 4, star - 5, and triangle - 3 and that the lack of symbols in the Central Sector also play a role.
If characters can determine what the pattern is, they will be able to use this information to find the "permanent" conjures happening because of the Dreaming. If your character figures out the pattern and wishes to be granted a permanent item from the Dreaming, please note it to this post!
If characters can determine what the pattern is, they will be able to use this information to find the "permanent" conjures happening because of the Dreaming. If your character figures out the pattern and wishes to be granted a permanent item from the Dreaming, please note it to this post!
THE EMISSARIES
The Bresilykian emissaries have been mostly to their own devices thus far, and have learned more from the kedan than the Foreigners yet. The overall perception among them seems to be that the Foreigners are quaint, but that they don't have any major pull in the happenings of Keeliai, and so are presently leaning in the direction of crafting any allegiances with the kedan that may or may not benefit the Foreigners. However, they're not due to make their first report to their capital until the end of the month, so there's still time to change their perceptions -- if that's what is deemed the best course of action.
They can be found around the city. If you would like one for a specific thread, PM the mod journal.
They can be found around the city. If you would like one for a specific thread, PM the mod journal.
OOC Information
4TH WALL UPCOMING!
Good news! Tu Shanshu has never had a 4th wall before, since previous game mechanics made it difficult to implement. Now, with the merged Life and Dreaming, we can explore this option and inflict it on you all. We're looking at hosting one during the latter part of April 2015, and the dates and details will be finalized in the April Itinerary post. For now, we're looking at an approximately 2-week time span, and that we are intending the 4th wall events to become "game canon" -- that is, it will be remembered ICly by characters once the 4th wall has been concluded.
So that's our outline for the month of March! If you have any questions about these happenings, please use the Questions comment below. Otherwise, this post is free space for monthly OOC plotting.