GAME ITINERARY | OCTOBER 2015

[ironwood]

Hello chelonauts, here is a fresh new itinerary post! Previous months can be found under this tag.

Here's what we've got lined up for October:

Weather

Tu Vishan has finally broken free of Zhausing's Well, and is presently drifting northward at a sedate, almost aimless pace. This section of the ocean's currents are lax, and it seems as though they'll be in this area still for quite a while. Still, the weather markedly improves as the turtle moves away from the confluence of winds, and the humidity drops away to nearly nothing over the course of the month, courtesy of a refreshingly cool breeze comes down from the north.

Rains also begin to return, especially overnight and in the early mornings, and combined with Foreigner efforts to provide additional water supplies, the rationing restrictions are lifted. While no one's flagrant with the newly-relaxed water policy, a lot of it is being put toward small, personal projects (see below).

Kedan/Foreigner Relations

The kedan are cautiously warmer toward the Foreigners this month, owing to their displayed resistance, non-violent as it was, toward the Chihuelans. The fact that the only casualties of the Justicar's visit were those of the deserters, and with there being little in the way of property seizure or destruction, most kedan are breathing not-so-silent sighs of relief. Even though the Justicar left of her own volition (or at least, not forced off the turtle by any group from Keeliai), the Foreigners are being perceived as a reliable and integrated part of the city, and it's making a difference in how kedan who've been on the fence about them are coming around.

Local Events

RESALE SALE

With the weather on what seems to be a cooling trend, the kedan are beginning to go through their closets and linen cupboards, and cleaning out textiles which are unneeded. These are sometimes donated (with any needed cleaning and patching) to less-fortunate kedan, and sometimes these are simply put into large baskets on doorsteps and street corners, for anyone to take.

Handcrafting with these discards is the theme of the month, and those who can sew, knit, or otherwise make nice crafty things are highly regarded. Repurposement is a huge thing for the kedan, and seeing a shirt that's been turned into a fashionable purse, or a set of suspenders used to make a charming flower trellis are all the rage.

The Foreigners are encouraged to participate in this exchange, and donated Foreigner clothing is going to be snatched up very quickly by enterprising kedan who want to put their own twist on it. Craft-themed businesses in all sectors sees an upsurge in clientele, and the Sky Sector in particular, with its high percentage of "artsy" residents, is capitalizing eagerly.

Log Note: The swap happenings will not have a mod-posted event log, but are an ongoing theme throughout the month.

GARDEN GLORIES

Also taking advantage of the slaked heat and humidity, as well as the removed water rationing, many kedan households are getting a late start on small gardening projects. Not intending to usurp the Woodsmen in any way, these quaint elevated potting beds are lined with a selection of late-thriving vegetables, which will still have time to grow and ripen before the truly cold weather sets in; most of them are mildly frost-resistant anyway. Of particular popularity is a fruit about the size of a lemon, although it is covered with snarls of light purple hairy tendrils. Despite its gag-worthy appearance, the kedan are adamant it makes a delicious paste when ripened that will ferment into something extraordinary (and capable of getting anyone smashingly drunk).

Those offering to help set up these garden beds, whether in their construction or repair (the kedan have let them slide in the last few years, given the stressful goings-on of the city over that timeframe) will be greatly appreciated, and rewards might be promised in future bottles of liquor. Mostly, though, the kedan will take it as extended goodwill.

Log Note: The garden varieties (see what I did there) will not have a mod-posted event log, but are an ongoing theme throughout the month.

SPIRIT NOOKS AND LITTLE LUCKS

Lastly, small handmade houses are appearing all over the city. While the kedan don't have any organized religion, they do believe in ambiguous "spirits" and often attribute things like luck, prosperity, and good health to these spirits' whims. These little houses are similar in many ways to spirit shrines of various Earth cultures, with a roughly analogous purpose: to make said spirits feel welcome and to linger, in hopes of imparting their benefits on those living there. They're also not dissimilar to kedanese blessed house-guardians, which are frequently given as housewarming gifts to protect dwellings from darkness and evil.

Like the other trends during this month, Foreigners are encouraged to make their own restful places for these spirits -- and making them themselves is a key point, they'll strongly be told. A purchased spirit nook with no effort put into it is seen as an insult, and the spirits are fickle enough as it is.

Something seems to be getting their attention however, and throughout the month, everyone in the city will be experiencing highs and lows of random luck. It doesn't seem to be consistent, spirit nooks or no, and one might luckily discover a forgotten pocket full of juulan one day, only to unluckily drop it all into a canal the next.

Log Note: The luck shenanigans will not have a mod-posted event log, but are an ongoing theme throughout the month.

NPCs & Families

The unified front that the Families were showing during the Chihuelan's presence appears slow to fade, which is good news for everyone. While they may not all have the same aims, the Justicar's behaviour has shown them that standing together has its benefits, and no one seems eager to be the first to break these new alliance bonds.

TU YUNXU

Never mind individual Snakes - even Yunxu himself is surprisingly chipper this month. Or perhaps not so surprisingly, given the Chihuelans have left and not a single kedan life was lost. The strange thing is that he's publicly and openly approving of the Foreigners' conduct during the occupation; i.e., not diving in without thinking first. The Midnight Hotel doesn't seem to be under surveillance anymore, and there's a rumour spreading that any remaining Chihuelan deserters seeking refuge won't be hassled as long as they're heading directly towards the Midnight Hotel. No one seems sure why the change of heart occurred, but one thing's for certain: if a Foreigner wants a favour from the Snakes, now is the time to ask.

Meisheng, on the other hand, has vanished from public view. Whether that fact and Yunxu's uncharacteristic generosity have anything to do with each other is open to interpretation.

ZANRU/XUIYU

Most of the Metalworkers relax nearly as soon as they find out the Justicar is going to leave. Not completely -- not until they're actually gone -- but as soon as the ship sets sail there's some evidence of indulgence around Metalworker shops and companies, mostly in the form of alcohol or baked goods.

Though the breakneck pace of technological development subsides, that doesn't mean the Metalworkers rest on their laurels; if anything, the dissipation of tension revitalises their efforts. The Metalworkers, this month, are cheerful and driven, but this time driven for enjoyment of their work rather than necessity.

Now the state of emergency has subsided, Xuiyu cedes control of Stark Industries back to the council without much fuss. On the other hand, she seems to be a bit busier out in the field, with some plans to visit the radio stations to see how they're coping in these early stages ...

HEOJIN

The Woodsmen are the ones who see the Justicar's contingent off (though without offering much in the way of help that would have been refused regardless). Unlike the Metalworkers, however, they don't relax. If anything, they seem more driven than ever to find Celaunn before the Justicar returns -- and they do believe it's a matter of 'when', not 'if'.

Ran is once more in charge of the search parties, though their system has changed. They've obviously been keeping track of how and where the Justicar's search parties moved. Heojin is visible and welcoming in the event anyone wants to speak to him directly, but only on specific days; there are times when he vanishes and no one, not even Ran, can say where he is. On the flip side, Lin has returned, looking as though he's been in the wild for some time -- but mildly triumphant.

Otherwise, the Woodsmen come to the city specifically to participate in the little kedanese traditions -- primarily by offering help and guidance in craftmanship, free of charge. If anyone wants to know how best to create spirit nook or garden beds, just ask one of the Woodsmen.

MILYN

The Cherrywood Healer is pleased to announce that after months, the zhyris outbreak finally seems to be receding, and reports of new cases have dropped off significantly. Although she's synthesized a working vaccine, Milyn will continue to accept blood donations throughout the rest of this month, as she hopes to make the antidote even more robust and thorough when combating the virus.

With the Chihuelans gone, her sunny disposition seems to be back shining, and any who question how bitter she seemed last month will be met with a faint flush and an uncharacteristic apology. She's actively participating in the various traditions and themes put on by her fellow kedan this month, and a few times throughout the month, she'll be found on the College grounds, giving lectures on the integration of traditional medicine practices with the varieties of "hard science" medicine.

AROYAN

Aroyan moves like a fire's behind him this month, even though some kedan whisper that he's only doing it to save face from the Merchant's Guild funding the Chihuelans' time here. (Others, however, point out that someone had to, and at least the Merchants were more or less neutral.)

This month, he's making a dedicated effort to interact with Foreigners who either own a business already in the city, or are interested in opening one. Particularly, how to converge on a point where both other Foreigners and and kedan find these businesses equally attractive to visit.He'll ask to meet with those people one on one (or one on however many people are involved in the venture), and for those who are lacking the capital to get their plans rolling, this is an opportune time to get it funded.

Economy

The economy is booming this month, thanks primarily to the Chihuelan contingent leaving Keeliai. The relief and the change in weather means that everyone is putting their best foot forward. Although prices are quite reasonable, people are going out and buying -- for some minor celebrations, true, but mostly just to celebrate by sharing wealth and goods.

Not only storeowners are reaping the goods, however. The wealth is spreading even to those who have little, let alone anything to offer, in the way of donations or bartering for unskilled labour. Projects are being revitalised and employment is high this month.

As well, the farms are beginning to return to their former stability, though it will take a month or two of good weather before they're really healthy again.

Crime

Keeliai is feeling a bit of a honeymoon period in regards to crime this month, with everyone still running hot even with the Chihuelans having left the turtle. Even petty misdemeanours would be jumped all over at the moment, and no one seems willing to take the risk until the city's collective blood pressure comes down.

The small incidents that do arise are from some kedan squabbling over the property which evidently belonged to the Chihuelans that were discovered living within Keeliai's walls and were captured by the Justicar's soldiers. Since a few of them were literally dragged out of their houses and into the streets without warning, it's been discovered that at least a few of them were apparently doing quite well for themselves. For the first couple of days after the Justicar's departure, it's not uncommon to see these houses looted right down to the floorboards, and a few of the pushier kedan even getting into fistfights over particularly nice pieces of furniture or some expensive looking dinnerware.

Technology

There's been a shift in terms of what kind of technology is being produced this month, but thanks to the relief on the Metalworkers' part it's no less energised. The water filtration systems aren't as needed this month, and still aren't commercially viable, but they're well on the way to being so. As well, there is some chatter going around the College of the progression of construction in Sky Sector, which makes the staff very excited.

Though not all the defensive tech has been set aside, the focus has moved back to finding ways to stop or at least delay the turtle's sinking. Otherwise, construction in Sky Sector has once more picked up and the tram-line is officially past the stages of construction -- even the one circling outside the city's wall.

International

CHIHUELO

With no explanation as to the message which arrived to recall the Justicar from her search, and furtive confirmation from the soldiers that it was coming from the heads of state back in Vesquesam, there's the feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop. If anything, it does prove that there's an indelible chain of command in Chihuelan society, or at least the military aspect of it. But given the relative success of the search and seizure -- sixteen of the deserters were caught and killed in the short time they were here -- the abrupt end to the incursion seems unusual. There are intimations that someone must have struck a bargain somewhere, as little else seems like it could have dissuiaded Chosheni halfway through her task.

The state of things with Chihuelo is theoretically still negative, but in reality is more like ?????

OOC Information

Metaplot Downturn & Mod Notes

We went into it a little in this post, and in September's itinerary, but the mods will be moving the overarching plot of the game into a slower pace for the remainder of 2015. There's a number of reasons for this, both IC and OOCly, but we want to absolutely stress that we are still very invested in the game!

We also don't want players to think that we're not interested in having any plots happen during these months, because that's absolutely not true. There are scores of already in-play plots that can be explored -- the cultists, the mysterious symbols on the consoles, the Dreaming and its effects, the drugs of Dust and Crystal, the soul gems… the possibilities are endless. It's a perfect time to make good use of your AC reward points to track down clues.

In addition, we want to encourage player plots to happen! We realize that sometimes, we cram the itineraries a little too full to allow players the opportunity to run plots or events that involve large groups of people, and we wanted to apologize for that. All players should have as active a hand in the city's goings-on as they'd like, and should have ample opportunity to do so. If you have an idea, drop us a line on the Event Suggestions post, and if you need help or want to make sure something's viable to run with, shoot us an email or a PM to the ironwood journal.

NOTE: Please don't send us questions of this nature on plurk, as we don't all check it equally! An email or PM makes sure we've all had a chance to look at the question, so that our answer makes the most sense.

OOC Core Posts

Over the next few month, we're going to be (slowly) updating the informational posts so that they're easier to find and read. Most of this work is going to be happening behind the scenes, as in, they won't be on the live posts (we want people to be able to use the posts in the meantime) but please trust us that they're being done. As always, anything that you feel is unhelpful, confusing, or missing from the read-through information, please let us know!

So that's our outline for the month of October! If you have any questions about these happenings, please use the Questions comment below. Otherwise, this post is free space for monthly OOC plotting.