GAME ITINERARY | November 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 November:

Weather

The fine weather seems reluctant to depart, and the first part of November is a last taste of autumn, with the nights dipping down toward freezing but the afternoons temperate for the first part of the month, although they grow steadily cooler as November progresses. There are only infrequent rains through this month, giving the Woodsmen time to reap their crops uninterrupted.

Kedan/Foreigner Relations

Relations between the kedan and the Foreigners are in an odd place. On the whole, they're the most positive they've been since the Foreigners' return, but it's a fragile sort of positivity. Many kedan are waiting for the other shoe to drop. Though many assume a blow-up is inevitable, some see it as reason not to trust at all, while others are starting to accept minor upheavals as an element the Foreigners can't erase and simply expect the Foreigners to take responsibility for any messes that might occur.

On the whole the major families appear to be on good terms with the Foreigners, so for the most part the general populace seem willing to act according to that perception. The Masquerade especially went down well, since it was a Foreigner-organised event which nevertheless included the kedanese population.

Local Events

HARVEST TIME

For the first time in a while the Woodsmen are able to perform a dedicated harvest, and for that they're putting out word for volunteers. It's a semi-event, though without all the bells and whistles accompanying a festival or any such thing; mostly, it's an opportunity to improve relations and foster understanding of how the produce is worked, and its importance.

Most of the volunteers will be stationed at the greenhouses, since the harvests there require less equipment (and therefore fewer learned skills). This is where a good chunk of the fruit has been grown over the past few months, and those who volunteer to harvest will be rewarded with some fresh produce or juice, smoothies and other delectables made from fruit that is still good but less saleable.

Log Note: The Harvest will not have a mod-posted event log.

DREAMING DEJA-VU

The Dreaming aspect of the merged Planes is especially active this month, and it's leaving strange hallmarks everywhere. People may (and probably will) experience the following unusual phenomena:

• Domestic objects disappearing and reappearing in places they definitely were not before. Coffee cups in the garden, house keys in the bathtub, hair brushes in the dish rack, that sort of thing. Almost like something is trying to realign things, but not quite getting it right.

• Small blips or jumps in time perception. Characters might notice that the clock really hasn't moved in five minutes, or may blink and note their watch has gone back two minutes. These are instantaneous happenings, so characters aren't able to interact with them, but they're definitely noticeable. The smallest instances will be only a few second, while a few rare large ones will be no more than a minute or two long.

• Intense sensations of deja-vu will haunt the Foreigners and kedan this month. Even something as innocuous as having a conversation will stir feelings of didn't I say this already? and much second guessing.

Log Note: The Dreaming effects will not have a mod-posted event log.

NPCs & Families

Alliances between the families still seem to be holding, though perhaps not holding strong, in some cases spoilers: it's the Snakes and the Woodsmen. That being said there is a greater sense of unity, thanks to the many public movements to deter the turtle's sinking and the various ways even the kedan are getting on board.

TU YUNXU

Yunxu's a bit more public this month, thanks in part to those aforementioned attempts to stop the turtle from sinking. This is probably a good thing, since individual Snakes have been making noises about the Foreigners' 'preferential treatment' - with Yunxu engaging in more direct oversight, those noises vanish fast.

For those keeping track, Meisheng is due this month. It's easy to forget, since she's been very reclusive for the last couple of months, and she'll continue to be so for a while yet. If you're interested in the fallout, however, keep an eye on upcoming NPC threads!

ZANRU/XUIYU

The Metalworkers, unlike under Zanru's tenure, seem content to take a second-place to the excitement of the College's construction in Sky Sector. They're still present and driven, but they're relying on regular customers and the goods that have been most popular lately in order to turn their focus toward some development.

Once again this month they're focused on means to stop the turtle from sinking, but this time their efforts are significantly more directed. Kaiba has approached them to produce propulsion and steering devices, which they're doing with eager determination.

Xuiyu's organisation of the radio stations means that when the efforts to save the turtle are finally in play, no one will be lacking for communication. Extra teams have been deployed with mobile radio-centres just to make sure.

As for whether or not Xuiyu made contact with her cousin … none of the kedan who went with her can say for sure, and she isn't telling.

HEOJIN

The first part of the month is a whirlwind of activity for the Woodsmen, and they're rare to see in the city aside from those who sell their wares. It's harvest time, and given the inconsistent weather lately the Woodsmen are taking full advantage by turning out in the fields and even taking volunteers to help.

Though there isn't as much the Woodsmen can offer to beaching the turtle, they're nevertheless preparing by stocking up on freshwater and organizing supplies for scouting teams. Ran and Lin are in charge of these administrative duties, though Ran seems impatient and distracted and has a habit of disappearing into the wilds to continue his search for Celaunn, while Lin is markedly subdued.

Heojin, in contrast, doesn't stop humming. Ever. No matter what he's doing. Someone's anticipating something.

MILYN

The Healer is busy this month, but she's able and proud to announce that the zhyris seems to have abated, and that there have been no new cases in several weeks. She'll sincerely thank any Foreigner who stopped by to donate their blood toward developing the vaccine, and she'll still continue to take some in order to manufacture a stock of it. The cold weather, she'll explain, isn't conducive to the virus, and it's likely that it won't make another appearance this year.

She'll be especially attentive to the evolving dynamic between the various families, particularly the Snakes and Woodsmen, although she seems content at the moment to watch and not voice an opinion... yet.

AROYAN

Aroyan, by contrast, is not so busy this month. The focus of the city's population between the Harvest and the plan to move the turtle mean that business isn't the focus of most people at the moment. He can most often be found at the Merchant's Guild, working on paperwork, but when he is out and around the city, he makes it a point to stop and chat with both kedan and Foreigners, so long as he's not distracting them from more important tasks at hand.

Economy

Economy has slowed after the boom last month, but it's at least remained stable. Interests this month are in collective benefits, so while major purchasing is still happening, most people aren't indulging unnecessarily. Despite the harvest and some incentives offered to those who volunteer, the results are being carefully monitored and stockpiled, so consumables are a tad more expensive.

Despite that extra expense this month, the Merchant's Guild has put out some caps to ensure that nothing gets too expensive, and are quite willing to mediate big exchanges in the name of making sure things run smoothly.

Investments are spread around more too, with interests in both the College (and their research in relation to the turtle's sinking) and Stark Industries (with their tech development for same). The rivalries have been put aside for the moment, especially since Stark Industries has been stabilizing with the change of hands.

Crime

Nothing apart from the usual minor offences and robberies is evident this month. One could almost say crime has gone back to normal, but since there's nothing normal about crime, it's probably more accurate to say that crime has once again reached its baseline. There's an uptick in break-ins up in Sky Sector, where thieves and trespassers feel more capable of getting away without being caught, but the Foreigners' housing is left well enough alone.

Foreigners may occasionally be mugged in a manner reminiscent of the soul gem muggings, but these are always for juulan, and always perpetrated by kedan unaffiliated with the Snakes. The Snakes, however, don't do very much to curb them - unless there's any physical harm to the Foreigner. Reports of physical harm are taken seriously, and the offending kedan usually aren't heard from again. The very last thing anyone wants is for the Foreigners to decide they don't care very much about stopping Asti from sinking after all.

Technology

Technology remains driven, but focused. This isn't the time for random movements in novel technology; nearly the whole of Stark Industries is focussed on the plans to stop the turtle from sinking. Likewise, though the College doesn't have the experience in outright development, they're focusing on navigation and charting using maps and systems from previous generations -- quite successfully, really.

They might even be attempting to build something that looks a lot like a steampunk submarine. Or at least designing it. To see the turtle's underside, you see. (For science!)

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