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

[pure_havoc]

[the tiniest chuckle] True again. Yet, there is a crucial bit of information that may change your mind. A variable, if you will, something that makes this world differ from any other.

[might as well lay it all out. Cao Pi glances around, not terribly concerned about eavesdroppers since they have a right to the same information, but by the same token, the lady did manage to worm it out of him first.]

The common enemy here is a demon, whose life force binds this world together, it's said. He is no more, but the world still exists, so something his minions are doing have managed to keep it thriving. All of us are captives here.

[sorceress_polgara]

[Notices his glancing. Talking about demons is not something one does casually in her world.]

People call many things "demons," until they see a real one. You seem very knowledgable about this world. [Flattery never hurts when you want something] Perhaps I could impose on you for more information.

Though, the middle of the road is not the best place for this discussion. Would your highness like to join me for some tea?

[Gestures to the nearby teahouse. A neutral locationthat was more private than out in the open but not scandalous for male and female strangers to visit together.]

[pure_havoc]

I would be delighted. [with a polite little smile] The ladies from Wa have elevated tea to an art form, I enjoy partaking when I can.

[he gestures to allow her to go first, and then gives a toss of his head to his escort to send them off elsewhere. He's not concerned about either protection or a show of status when sitting to tea, they can bugger off.]

You heard me give my name, may I have the pleasure of yours, my lady?

[sorceress_polgara]

I do appreciate the particular care they take in it's preparation and presentation.

[Not sure if she should be pleased by their dismissal or concerned he thinks this will be a more intimate meeting. She doesn't show any of these thoughts just keeps a close eye on his actions.

How to answer his question though. She still wasn't sure if she should give her full name, as it likely has no meaning to him. Does she add one of her titles? Make mention to her gift? Or just go with a plain 'Mistress Pol.']

You have the honor of meeting Lady Polgara, the Duchess of Erat.

[Sits a little taller to present the correct image of a noblewoman, despite her peasant dress. Though she needed an excuse for not doing so earlier...]

Forgive me for not saying anything earlier. One must be careful in unknown lands.

[pure_havoc]

[Titles help, at least in getting a much more respectful bow from Cao Pi. He places a hand gingerly over his heart as he does.]

I understand, Lady Polgara. It is a pleasure.

[he sits with the grace of a prince in his own palace, even though they're under the awning of a tent draped in textiles and merry little peasant lamps]

You may consider me as much an expert in matters as anyone else who has likewise taken up residence in Orochi's world. I will do what I can to answer. [hedging just in case she gets too prying; some matters are not for Cao Pi to simply chatter about]

[sorceress_polgara]

[Titles always seem to put royalty at ease. She nods at his more formal greeting with a smile. It's always nice to see good manners.]

That is most kind of you. I wonder if you can tell me what you mean by demons.

[pure_havoc]

[Compared to some people who might show up in camp at any time, Zihuan has manners]

I mean what I say. This realm was created by the demon Orochi, out of some gambit to prove his superiority over humans. We've managed to kill him twice, and yet here we are, still struggling against his demon soldiers. If you have not yet been outside the camp then perhaps you haven't seen them. We've managed to make this area safe, but small packs of them roam in the open lands beyond.

[sorceress_polgara]

If you've managed to kill this Orochi, then he can't be a "demon" as I know the word.

[Still doesn't trust him, so is debating how much to go into. On the other hand, if there are actual demons running around, it's too important to not get all of the information.]

Not to deny your story, but no human can defeat a true demon without the help of a god.

[pure_havoc]

I did say 'twice.' He can be resurrected.

[the hostess deposits a tea tray before them, so he busies himself stirring a cup before continuing]

What I didn't say is whether we had the help of the gods. I did mention Lady Nuwa and Master Fu Xi earlier.

[doling out information slowly is his way, in case the listener is sharp enough to connect the dots themselves. What Cao Pi doesn't consider is that the gods are not always the same in different worlds.]

[sorceress_polgara]

[Resurrected or just returned from hell after being sent back. It may have looked like it was killed to some - why yes Cao Pi she does think she already knows more about the situation than you.

Pauses with the tea halfway to her mouth at this new information.]

Lady Nuwa and Master Fu Xi are your gods?

[And if the soldiers were theirs as well...] Of course, this town is protected by the gods to drive the demons away.

[looks around with a faint smile, remembering the last such she'd seen.] Though I would expect a more visible glow.

[pure_havoc]

[that thin smile is approval - you catch on quick, Polgara]

Yes, they are. The Lady is not the type to glow for no reason, although I have run into a few mystics who are rather taken with the special effects. [NEZHA]

[sorceress_polgara]

[Finally takes a drink of her tea, and takes a moment to think all of this through. This Orochi, could be another demon lord. But if gods held power here and demons could be banished, then at least it wasn't Hell.]

None of this explains why more humans would need to be brought here.

[pure_havoc]

No, it doesn't, does it?

[he savors the aroma of his tea before taking a sip, his attention drifting around the view of the camp from here]

That is yet another mystery to work on, I suppose. It isn't though we haven't seen strangers appear in our midst before, but never all at once in one spot. That is...quite new.

[sorceress_polgara]

Have there been any warnings? Any indications that something was changing? Even just the words of a mad man?

[It was a more direct line of questions , but he'd been helpful so far maybe it could be risked. ]

[pure_havoc]

Nothing like that.

[the more she presses, the more Cao Pi decides she's shrewd and educated enough to bounce some thoughts off of. So sue him, he misses Mitsunari and will never admit it.]

Not very long ago, there was an enormous earthquake, not localized but affecting this entire realm. Some of us thought it had to do with the destruction of the beast which resided in the depths on the other side of that wall. [with a nod toward the lava cliffs to the west] There have been many smaller shocks since then, as recent as yesterday. I note it only because nothing like it has happened since we were all first brought here. It is the only thing that falls under 'unusual' until I discovered strangers such as yourself in our main camp.

[sorceress_polgara]

[Strange occurences but no sense of direction. For someone who'd been following detailed (if crypitc) instructions left in a prophecy her entire life, this was very disconcerting...maybe instructions were still coming?]

A disaster on that level probably isn't a coincidence. But more likely an after-effect than a cause.

[Looks at him sharply, putting more pieces together]
It all happened that nearby? Have you sent anyone to investigate yet?

[pure_havoc]

Personally? No. [he's got a lot on his plate after all] I came to the main camp to look into it, hoping that some of our allies would be here. However, aside from the low-ranking soldiers, it doesn't appear any of the other lords have come, yet.

[and then, a slight change in topic, if only because he can't help his observations] You have a keen grasp of the situation, Lady Polgara. Have you been trained in strategy, or are you simply a dabbler in the scholarly arts?

[sorceress_polgara]

[Oh little boy, you have no idea.]

I've had to deal with a few situations in my time.

[And you're not distracting her when she has a train of thought.]

Can't you trust some low-ranking soldiers to do a preliminary search? At the very least they can let you know if anything has changed.

[pure_havoc]

You've anticipated my mind. I plan to. [because he's not Ma Chao or something, he's not going climbing in the crater if he doesn't have to] You've caught me before I could actually arrange it. I thought to speak to the camp at large to let them know I am still available, first, before attending to other plans.

[and now here they are sipping tea, before he can get anything accomplished. One thing at a time.]

[sorceress_polgara]

[So now it's her fault nothing is getting done. She sees what you did there.]

How thoughtful to look to our comfort first. Will you be leading the expedition yourself then? That would explain why you did not send them out on your way into town.

[Tea sip.]

[pure_havoc]

[OH SNAP. It's not often he's caught out, nice work Polgara.

Which calls for a little huff under his breath and a lowering of his eyes, a nonverbal "touche" of sorts]

It was a long ride from Xuchang, perhaps I placed my priorities in a certain order because of it.

That said, if the only immediate concern is the arrival of newcomers in the main camp, such investigations no longer have to be urgently conducted. I would rather take my time if there isn't an emergency.

[sorceress_polgara]

[As the Alorns would say "One for her side." Since he's aware he was caught, she'll give him a peace offering.]

And of course your men need to be rested before they can start anything. If they were tired from the journey they might miss something important.

[pure_havoc]

Ah, yes. That is important to always keep in mind. [sure we'll go with that] Particularly if I'm not personally supervising the effort, at risk to having no one with a brain in the party.

Either way, I do plan to stay here in the camp for some time, until things can be sorted out. If need be I will send messages to Chengdu and Hefei to consult with the others.

[sorceress_polgara]

I would be most interested their findings. As we're all allies here, I'm sure you'll be willing to share.

[pure_havoc]

Oh? [back the truck up there, Polgara. Still smirking as he do] I don't recall forming an alliance with...what did you say your duchy's name was? Then again, I suppose Lord Liu Bei or Lord Sun Jian would gladly spill information regardless, so perhaps we could skip past formalities and do as they would.