Open Log - Welcome to the Main Camp

[musoumods]

Moments ago, there was an earthquake. You might not have felt it, but it definitely happened. The collapsed tents and spooked horses serve as evidence that something unsettling shook the main camp not that long ago. The soldiers and citizens don't seem terribly frightened, as if they've gotten used to the ground trembling by now, but more than one stops to look toward the tall spires of rock separating the comfortable and well-ordered areas of the camp from a deserted battlefield. It's as if they wonder to themselves whether something deep in the pit on the other side might have caused it...again...

And then they realize that something else has happened.

You are here – or near here.

Prompt 1:

Immediately after the latest quake, people simply appear in and around the main camp. The residents don't actually see it happen, but they turn around to find a person where there wasn't one a moment ago. You might be that person! You might wake up inside a canvas tent, perhaps even lucky enough to be resting comfortably on an unoccupied cot. You might wake up on the open ground outside with an awful lot of gawkers standing around you. Or, you might wake up about ten meters down the road from the gates of the camp, in clear sight of the guards and the tents just beyond them. This is definitely the time and place to start grabbing strangers and asking them where you are, why you're there, and what the hell is going on.

Prompt 2:

Maybe it's not so right-away, but you've woken up all the same and had a look around. Maybe some of the soldiers have done their best to answer your burning questions. At least one thing is clear: the natives all dress in simple robes and tunics, the soldiers in similar plate or mail armor, making anyone in other garb stick out like a sore thumb. The women who run the Teahouse have noticed this first, and are doing a fine job offering the utmost in hospitality to the strangers in the off chance that they're allied with one of the lords of the land. They'll make sure you have a place to sleep, a good meal, and the best tea the Han Dynasty can provide. It may be a bit rustic for some, but it's comfortable and pleasant. Can it be worth settling down here for a while? Or is this place missing something crucial – like the ability to use your magic?

Prompt 3:

There's a lot to explore in and around the Main Camp. The various tents set up on different levels overlooking the middle area are open to be claimed, and some of them look a lot more fancy than others. As long as there's no famous lord laying his head there, why shouldn't you? The central ground of the camp contains the Merchant's stall, the Teahouse, and the Armory, as well as the stocks for the misbehaving. The bathing area is downstream from everything else, where the river passes under the rocks and empties out onto the plain beyond. There's a few areas of interest outside the camp perimeter, too, and none of the guards are stopping you from going out there. The main road looks well-traveled and vanishes eastward into the distance across rolling plains. On the west side there are high cliffs of cooled lava separating the camp from the former battleground where the Hydra was destroyed. It's rocky and perilous ground, but the adventurous can climb down winding, crumbling paths into a deep crevasse. There doesn't appear to be anything down here, but those of a magical or mystical inclination will sense the lingering aftereffects of great power.

If one were to travel a short distance northward, they'll find the Wuzhang Plains standing quiet and empty, the fortifications left in whatever half-damaged state they were in from the last battle waged here. There is also a temple along the southern ridge, looking decidedly like it doesn't belong there with more traces of mystical energy at its center. Here, the wayward traveler will be beset by small units of spindly, gray-skinned soldiers bearing spears and swords, no more than half a dozen at a time.

Prompt 4: Wildcard

Whatever floats your boat or isn't covered above! Refer to the Arrival page for details of what is and isn't to be found in the Main Camp.

In time, the Merchant makes an announcement. Not long after the Great Cataclysm, some of the mystic soldiers now guarding the main camp arrived with mirrors they claim to have enchanted so that the scattered warlords can speak to each other from a distance. He is under obligation to give one to anyone who asks, and suggests that they may try it out whenever they have the courage to do so.

Comments

Cao Pi - OTA

[pure_havoc]

Wildcard

[About a day after the first arrivals are noticed and welcomed in, a dignitary just happens to ride in by sheer coincidence. He has no idea what's going on or why everything is in such a stir, since he was on the road when everything started. He has no significant officers with him, only a small cadre of Wei soldiers as a bodyguard. All he knows is, if someone is squatting in the officer's tent set aside for Wei use, heads may actually roll.

Once he's collected information from the camp guards on what they've seen, he makes himself a prominent figure in the central area of camp for an announcement. The soldiers who know him stop what they're doing and kneel to listen, so you know he's totally important here...]

Excuse me. Camp residents! If I may have a moment of your attention. I have recently arrived from Xuchang, and I have news. I can confirm the rumors that came to light not long ago - the officers who should have been stationed there are missing. I am the only one of any rank to come from there. As such, I am taking leadership of the Kingdom of Wei until such a time as this mystery can be solved.

It seems we have some new arrivals. To them I will extend a hand in alliance. I am Cao Pi Zihuan, Prince of Wei. I will answer any queries, whether on my report or on this place in general.

Prompt 2

[Both before and after his announcement, Cao Pi roams the main camp with an honor guard usually trailing behind, no more than two or three of his soldiers in indigo just making sure no one accosts the Lord of Wei. He looks into everything - who is crashing in which tent, whether any of them have caused trouble, and what anyone has to say of their experiences. The best place to find him is actually the Teahouse, where he is content to sit and study the newcomers over the rim of his cup. If he identifies someone as Not From Around Here, his ice-blue eyes follow them, his lips usually curled in some kind of smirk as he judges them. That's right, Cao Pi is judging you. Hard. And he makes no secret about it.]

Wildcard

[sorceress_polgara]

[Polgara watches the announcement from the sidelines. In a new world that was capable of limiting her abilities in some locations; caution is the best policy. There were too many ways to interpret a prince using the chaos to suddenly take control of a kingdom, and most were not flattering.

Debating between caution and inaction, Polgara decides to use this man to learn more. She approaches slowly and drops into a graceful curtsy.]

Thank you for the welcome, your highness.

2

[arcadiawanderer]

[ Harlock is the epitome of "Not From Around Here". He is after all a tall space pirate of German decent sitting in an Chinese Tea house. He's not a fan of green tea but he's realized there likely isn't an ounce of coffee to be had. So it's cheap gunpowder green and a complementary sweet bun or caffeine withdrawal from years of drinking coffee that doubles as paint stripper. He's not in the mood to be watched by some smirking local. Harlock has no qualms about staring right back. Cao Pi gets one dark eye glaring at him, the rest of Harlock's face blocked by the oversized collar and unruly hair.]

2

[nyanhat]

[ Ah, the smell of judgment in the morning. It's not at all unfamiliar to Ranulf, so he accepts it with the complete lack of fucks given that it takes a cat to truly master, and keeps sipping his tea for a good several minutes before he finally glances over.

Still quite lazily. Still very much the cat. ]

I'd ask if you've never seen a laguz before, but so far I'm getting the impression that's a stupid question around these parts.

[ He definitely hasn't seen anyone else with animal ears or a tail yet. Everyone smells like perfectly normal human. But perhaps even more tellingly, the looks he's gotten from others around the camp have seemed more quizzical or genuinely curious than contemptuous, as he'd expect from the humans of his own world.

(Well, this guy's got the contempt down, but he clearly doesn't need racial differences to manage that much.) ]

wildcard

[lendedahand]

[He had been around the camp long enough to be granted the peace of mind in knowing he hadn't been kidnapped by the humans personally, so while still wary of them as a whole, he held less qualms about admitting who he was.]

I am Inquisitor Ladanelan Amelanen'u'vunen Lavellan, head of the Inquisition and former First of Keeper Deshanna Istimaethoriel of clan Lavellan.

[Fully aware that at least half of that went over the other man's head, but he's a prince. It's best to sound very important in order to give yourself some weight in a conversation, especially as an Elf... and a mage. Still, he did not miss this, and having to sound so self important made him want to gag.]

It would seem that the mystery of our arrival and your missing officers may be related given the convenient timeframe. If you have any more information I would like to hear it, in exchange I will offer whatever information I can.

[And then in stark contrast with how he was holding himself, he gives a one-armed shrug as he admits the next bit in a warmer less authoritative tone.]

Which is admittedly limited to my personal experience, but we've got to start somewhere.

2 - slides in with a fixed keyboard

[isaz]

[ Ice man, meet ice man.

Which is to say Boreas is making a beeline straight for Cao Pi after his announcement, Bahamut following half a pace behind him. The wyrm is currently at his rideable size, which draws quite a few gazes from the people around. Both of them appear to not notice. ]

What do you know about dimensional travel?

Polgara - OTA

[sorceress_polgara]

Prompt 1:

Polgara’s entrance into this world was not one of grace or dignity. She found herself on the dirt road outside the main camp moments before an aftershock. She had a brief moment to be surprised before the aftershock threw her to the ground.

Soon she’d be back on her feet and seemingly composed. For now, she was on the ground, holding herself up on her elbows and looking around.

Prompt 2:
Polgara thanked the serving girl for the tea. Outwardly, she looked entirely calm. The only indication that she was tense was the steely gray of her eyes and the intensity of her stare. She had been given some answers, but they had just led to more questions. She considered herself lucky that she'd been wearing her peasant gray dress when she arrived instead of finery. It helped blend in more, but it was still an obviously western style.

At least the tea was good.

Wildcard
Polgara stood next to a campfire near the mess tent, over a nearly complete stew. In the middle of all of this uncertainty, she'd decided to deal with the practical first. Everyone got hungry, and she knew how to cook. She didn't have access to all of her spices, but the smells coming from the pot were acceptable.

"Dinner is ready," she called out to anyone nearby.

Food!

[arcadiawanderer]

Harlock has many talents cooking is not one of them. Whatever she's made it smells delicious so Harlock ends up at the head of the line. That's when he realizes he's missing something

"You wouldn't happen to have an extra bowl?"

food hell yes

[nyanhat]

He's perhaps not quite as nearby as some others, but he's got the hearing and the sense of smell to make up for it, so Ranulf's over there just as quickly. It's been a long day, and there are a few surefire ways of making that better.

"I like your priorities."

Prompt 1

[fantasykiller]

Touma was not someone who could ignore anyone in need of help. When he had spotted that lone woman lying down on the road, his first instinct was to immediately go over to her and make sure she was alright. In practice, this meant dropping everything he was doing at the moment and sprinting full-tilt towards her in a panic. It wasn't until he was practically on top of her when he finally realized that the woman was perfectly fine.

"You really shouldn't be lying around in a place like this. I thought for sure you had collapsed on the road from exhaustion or something." he said with a mixture of annoyance and relief.

1

[thetruehistorian]

Polgara wasn't the only one taken by surprise by the sudden aftershock, though Robin is beginning to get the idea that they're a somewhat common, if unpredictable, occurrence. More to Robin's surprise was a person appearing out of thin air when a moment before, she had been walking alone, exploring in solitude. Between the two, it gives Robin enough of a start that she also loses her balance and winds up in a rather undignified heap in the roadway. Robin laughs, staying seated until the earth stops bucking beneath them, then stands and perfunctorily brushes some dirt off her shorts and t-shirt before offering a hand up.

"Ah, what a relief. I was beginning to think I'd be the only woman magically conscripted by... whatever it is bringing us here. Need a hand?"

Phantom F. Harlock- OTA

[arcadiawanderer]

[1]
[Harlock's used to the ground shaking, normally it mean's they've been fired upon and there's always a chance the gravity could go out. It's reflex that he's reaches out for the Arcadia's helm which is no longer in front of him. He ends up grabbing the nearest person instead.]

Damage report? [ He calls before notices he's not on the bridge anymore. No that's someone's arm he had in a vice grip, he lets go. The one eye you can see does look a little regretful. Why in the world was he standing on solid ground?]

Sorry bout that. Do you know why I'm not on my ship?

[2]
[ One of the more enthusiastic hostesses at the tea house is trying to drag Harlock inside for a complementary cup.]
"Oh sir you look like you need a nice cup of Sleeping Dragon." [While Harlock doesn't want to man handle her she's a lot stronger than she looks.
I don't need any tea right now.
[He doesn't think it's "that" sort of Tea house but he really doesn't want to find out the hard way. He's just lost her and he's not ready to deal with unwanted advances.]
Maybe later. Let go of my hand.
[He's practically growling at her but she really won't take no for an answer. He might welcome some backup in this matter.]

[3]

[Even if someone had told Harlock not to go wandering off outside the camp he still would have done it. It couldn't be more dangerous than bombed out Tokyo, he was actually armed this time. He ends up picking north as this direction. It's very quite on the empty battlefield he comes across. At least it appears the dead where taken care of he notes. There had been no one left to take care of the dead on Tokarga, and no time to do even if there had been.

The shrine catches his eye, and he heads over feeling it couldn't hurt to play respects to the fallen. He's about half way up the ridge when he starts to feel the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He's still trying to place whether it's a bad omen when he spots six gray skinned soldiers charging at him. He draws his Gravity Saber and wastes no time shooting the three sear men. That gives does give the quickest of the remaining swordsmen time to close the distance and lock swords with him. While he's occupied with his opponent the other two are attempting to circle around behind Harlock taking advantage of his rather large blind spot.]

1

[yourotherleft]

[The man whose arm he grabbed at least has the strength to hardly even notice it, or at least not be offended by it. He was actually just wondering the same thing.]

Same reason I'm not on mine, I'd guess.

[only then does Zoro turn and size up the asker. Hey, look, they have a few things in common, particularly the lack of an eye]

Not that I've been on mine in a while but...you get it. Right?

2

[thetruehistorian]

[Unwanted or not, he's about to get a lot more of an advance from a total stranger. Robin noted the quiet drama unfolding in front of the teahouse, and did in fact feel inclined to help out. So she wraps her arm around Harlock's from behind, flicking the hostesses hand away from his so that she can entwine her fingers between his, and generally presses herself up against him.]

You mustn't be a very good hostess if you can't even listen, so let me make it clear. He's taken. Back off.

[Robin appears to be dead serious. There's even a flash of jealousy in her eyes. The hostess pales a little, then ducks her head in apology.]

F- forgive me, mistress, I didn't realize-

Just go find someone else to bother, and keep your greedy hands off my man and out of his pockets.

[The girl stammers, caught somewhere between cowed and offended, but Robin has turned on her heel and is leading Harlock quickly away. As soon as she's sure the girl isn't watching them anymore, she lets go and gives him a bit of space.]

I apologize if the extraction was more uncomfortable than the altercation. In retrospect, it may not have been one of my better performances.

3

[lendedahand]

[Battlefields were no stranger to Lavellan, not that it had been something he had aspired to see, really. Though he had to wonder what it said about what he had become over the past few years that he idly sought out a battlefield for familiarity.

At least there didn't seem to be any hoards of demons and undead like there had been in Dirthavaren.

Unfortunately, judging by the commotion up ahead, there were still plenty of bandits and such skulking the area. He hastily made his way to the shrine to see who was trying to kill who, and hoped he could figure out who he needed to hit to put an end to it. Lucky for him it was surprisingly straightforward. The one outnumbered is more often than not the injured party, and even if not, this was a bit of an unfair fight.

He drew his blade-staff from his back, and after a flourish gather power he slammed the butt of it on the ground. Lightning burst from the end, striking the assailants, bolts jumping from one to another. It was not a particularly damaging spell, but there was nothing like a good shock to seize up muscles for a good stun. The flashing may also draw attention to the pair the stranger had missed.]

Sorry to butt-in, but you look a little short staffed.

ranulf - ota

[nyanhat]

exploradora time...
[ He takes his time getting the lay of the land within the camp's boundaries, but eventually Ranulf concludes that there's more to be learned, and it's going to be learned outside rather than in.

So he's at the northern edge of the camp, making ready to leave - although he travels quite light and he's not planning on a long trip, so there are no provisions, no horses, no weapons. None of the stuff you might expect a scouting party to carry.

Just a guy with cat ears and a tail, doing a few stretches and scanning the horizon before he gets moving. ]


...always ends in a fight!
[ If you happen along later, on the other hand, there's trouble brewing, and rather than a guy with cat ears, there's just a literal cat. A blue, man-sized, literal cat. With very sharp claws, and a threatening growl aimed at the few soldiers bearing down on him.

He handles himself pretty well, but he's not one to turn down a hand where it's offered, either. ]

fighting

[isaz]

[ Ranulf is doing quite well indeed, but there's nothing wrong with a helping hand. Or a claw, as it seems - because a dragon just plain descends from the sky to crush one of the soldiers aiming for his back. ]

Roronoa Zoro | One Piece | OTA

[yourotherleft]

3-a

[Who sticks out like a sore thumb? That'd be Zoro. Whether it's the green hair, the t-shirt and haramaki, or the three swords, he stands distinctly out of place even next to the soldiers bearing blades. He seems fairly unruffled, though, because this is now the second time he's been brought to a new world and he much prefers this one to the last already.

When he's not bugging the Teahouse ladies for sake, if they have any, Zoro is easy to trip over quite literally, for he has a penchant for taking a nap in inconvenient places. Why go back up to the tent on the hill when he can lean up against the pole supporting the Armory's awning, or nestle down on a tussock of grass right in the middle of the path, or even sitting against the railing of the bridge over the stream? Anyone who finds him in the way, though, will have him cracking his good eye open. He's not as asleep as he seems.]

You wanna think about maybe going around me? I'm trying to catch a nap here.

3-b

[Well, hey, as long as nobody's stopping them from leaving the camp...

Zoro actually didn't mean to hike as far as the Wuzhang Plains, he just started wandering as he do and this is what happens. At least it's worth exploring. The crumbling walls of oft-damaged fortifications catch his eye, and he stands taller than almost everything on the central plain, making himself a target.

A target that can't be snuck up on. He suddenly flicks Shuusui free of its saya with his thumb, his posture radiating a readiness to fight.]

Hold it. Someone's coming.

4

[Look, he didn't start the fight. He even said 'my bad' when he ran into the soldier! But someone didn't take well to being bumped, there was yelling, then swords, and the end result...Zoro is cooling his head in the stocks near the main path. For just a few hours, they say, until he learns to behave. From the way he's snarling at the guard beside him, he's not learning.]

I said I was sorry! I could have killed that guy but I didn't, doesn't that count for anything? Ugh. Screw this.

4

[thetruehistorian]

[The thing about stocks is that they tend to put them where lots of people can see them, and Robin sees a good many things. She makes eye contact with Zoro as she saunters up, sighing resign and smiling mirth. Of course she finds her nakama instantly thrown in the stocks when they arrive in a new world. Of course.]

My, my. Whatever is a woman to do with a man like you?

3-a

[lendedahand]

[He hadn't meant to trip over the poor unsuspecting human, he really hadn't. But after apparently being kidnapped, it seemed like getting out was just too easy. Someone had to be trying to follow him, or kill him... or both. Probably both.

So he just made a little mental note that walking backwards was probably going to cause more problems then solve them. Ah the wonders of hindsight!

Still, he offered the stranger an apologetic smile all the same.]

Ah, sorry about that. Didn't mean to drop in on your nap.

4

[serving_love]

[Sanji's actually kind of annoyed that he's not more confused about the situation they're currently in. The vague sort of "oh, look at that, another new world today, ho-hum" reaction he'd had upon waking and taking in his surroundings was almost more off-putting than the new world itself. Even more concerning is that he sort of finds himself missing the shiny technological...ness...of Cerealia.

Fuck, he needs to find an ocean stat. He knew he was getting too used to that shitty place.

...He also needs to find Zoro, because until the exact moment that he stumbles upon the idiot, he's not sure if he's even here.

Whiiiich maybe was another reason he was wishing he was back in Cerealia. But no one needs to know that. Hell, Sanji wishes he didn't know he was thinking that, for fuck's sake, it just ratchets his annoyance up even higher.

But then! Oh, look at that. Unmistakable green hair. ...On top of a head that is currently locked in the stocks.

Sanji's not relieved, shut up.

He is, however, momentarily thrown back to when Luffy was in a similar position, what seems like a hundred years ago. At least there's no one around trying to bring a sword down over Zoro's neck.

After taking a moment to light up a smoke (he'd blessedly found a pack in his pocket, alongside his lighter), Sanji takes his time casually walking up to Zoro until he's sure the other man sees him. Then he draws to a half and lifts an amused eyebrow.]

Seriously? We've been here for like...five shitty seconds.

[lendedahand]

[Prompt 2]

[For the most part he seemed to blend in what with his armor and all, however, he noticed a distinctive lack of other elves, and coupled with his inability to cast any spells? Well, he was a bit nervous to say the least.

But he was alive, and not in a cell anywhere, or shackled somewhere for questioning- those were good signs! And he was not going to question the gift of survival by asking anyone what was going on. He was just going to discretely try and find his way out of here while looking completely normal... and not at all like a shifty elf acting shifty.

He was totally acting like a stereotypical shift elf, but he didn't handle fear gracefully. So big surprise he winds up too busy taking paranoid looks over his shoulder to watch where he's going and inevitably bumps into someone.]

[Prompt 3]

[Lavellan finally managed to sneak away from the main crowd of the camp towards a more quiet part by the river. It was secluded enough that he felt alright taking off his armor. As nice as it was, and the wonders it did making him look larger and more intimidating, it was also very heavy. The clothes he was wearing underneath were a bit more form fitting, just a simple blue tunic and beige pants. He was rather scrawny and spindly, and lacked his left arm from the elbow, and without the armor it was made more prominent.

He didn't seem to be too worried though, content he was far away enough from the crowd to maybe squeeze a nap in. Of course eventually some poor soul was destined to stumble on him and wake him up one way or another. In a blink he scrambles to his feet to start to address whoever had woken him, but he takes "cautious" step back... only to slip and fall right into the river.

After moment of sputtering as he regained his footing he looked up to the individual and laughed nervously.]

Ah. Well. As I was saying... hello. It's nice to meet you. Rather nice day for a swim isn't it? The water's... freezing actually.

[Wildcard!]

[Surprise me!]

3

[dragonrises]

[Zhao Yun has only just arrived himself, and hears the yelp and the splash and hurries right over like a good, honorable general should.]

Oh! Are you all right?

[there's a sheepish looking peasant at the water's edge and an unfortunate, wet soul in the river. The peasant bows and scrapes and scrambles away, leaving Zhao Yun looking down at the very interesting stranger. And then he realizes this stranger is missing an arm...]

I'm sorry - do you need help?

Draco Malfoy - OTA

[dragonbadfaith]

Prompt 1:

[THIS IS NOT ENGLAND.

That's basically the only thing that Draco has registered since he rolled out of the cot he'd jerked awake in and stormed out of the bloody tent (tent? there was something worse than living on a ship??) with a sinking stomach and panic clawing at his chest.

THIS. IS. NOT. ENGLAND.

He's supposed to finally be back home. IN ENGLAND. That was the decision he'd made in that other place, his wish on that bloody magic stone or whatever. Why didn't it work?

Why is he here?

Don't answer that. He doesn't really want to know. This isn't his first time going through this nonsense, much to his displeasure. He's just a little tired of being constantly thrust into unwanted situations because someone or something else required it.

With a groan, Draco basically blurts out to whoever is in hearing distance:]

I just wanted to take a hot shower. In a clean bathroom! Is that so much to ask?!


Prompt 2:

[Well, the Teahouse is nice, at least. The aforementioned panic clawing at his chest that is about to turn into a full-blown panic attack -- not so much. But see, Draco's just realized that his wand, which he was mightily relieved to discover on his person, doesn't seem to be working.

Not only is he not in England, but he might not have his magic, either.

This is the worst possible outcome.

So he's looking more than a bit harried, a wild glint in his eyes as he stops the first person he sees.

Loudly:] I require tea! [A pause, and then in a more normal, maybe even somewhat sheepish tone:] ...Please.

Prompt 1

[sorceress_polgara]

Apparently.

[The reply came from the nearby mess area, where Pol has decided its her job to keep the camp fed. It's a nice bit of normalcy in an otherwise ridiculous situation. It's not a shower or clean bathroom but it's food and smells good.

Speaking of normalcy; Polgara gives the new comer a calm smile. Nothing is more normal to her after the last thousand years than irritated blonde boys complaining.]