EVENT | LANDFALL | VALISHAERA

[ironwood]

Characters: ALL!
Date: JULY 13-26
Location: Valishaera
Situation: Tu Vishan has made landfall on Siaxhi, to explore the Dreaming Watch City of Valishaera.
Warnings/Rating: Please indicate content warnings in subject headers as applicable.

As Tu Vishan draws near, the heavy jungle visible even from miles out quickly identifies the landmass as Siaxhi, one of the westernmost continents in Konryu and one that has been largely untouched insofar as the kedan themselves have gone. There is a natural inlet along the southeast shore on the continent and Tu Vishan makes for that, though he fills nearly all of it.



OOC INFORMATION
Landfall Questions | Approved Item Requests | Pocket Dreaming Signups

CITY OF VALISHAERA
Exploring the Coast | The Arybar | A Ruined City

WITHIN THE TEMPLE
The Monks' Domain | The Labs & Library | Gathering Rooms & Garden | The Pocket Dreaming Realms

LANDFALL MISSIONS
Dreamscape | Night's Wood | Inan | OOC Organization

Comments

CITY OF VALISHAERA

[ironwood]

One of the three original Watch Cities designed to oversee protection of the various planes, Valishaera was tasked with presiding over the Dreaming Realm, the city as described should by rights be opulent. However when the Foreigners locate it set less than a mile inland from the eastern bay, they may be surprised to find the great city in nearly ruins, heavily overgrown.

Exploring the Coast

[ironwood]

This part of Siaxhi looks like it was pulled right from a lush tropic Eden itself. The jungle borders the coastline, sometimes running right down to the water's edge, sometimes pulled back revealing intricate networks of tide pools which can stretch nearly a kilometer out to the surf line. The eastern bay is shallow here and the water the purest turquoise, though Tu Vishan's berth has raised the water level somewhat. Even the weather seems to be welcoming them to Siaxhi, staying at a consistent balmy temperature and maintaining its good breeze.

Abundant in fish and other sea life, the kedan in general seem unenthusiastic about venturing into the dense jungle but they're already making plans to deploy an entire fleet of fishing vessels along the coast and bringing in what will be a record haul. Interactions with the Foreigners when they're out will be overwhelmingly positive, and while they haven't forgotten the threat of Malicant in the Palace, they do seem to be determined to be taking this stroke of good fortune without letting it cloud their intentions.

There are much smaller settlements of Arybar people along the coastline as well, and they're even more surprised to see the Foreigners than those living in the ruined city of Valishaera are. They're friendly, but any questions about the region will be directed toward the main contingent living just inland.

Enjolras: OPEN

[solo_patria]

The last few days have been horrible, beyond horrible, as far as Enjolras is concerned, and the fact that they've reached a new place to explore has not done a LOT to reach him, in his current rather reserved state, but he HAS, nonetheless, decided that some time away might do him good. And them once he notices the coast, well, the first thing he is doing is finding a spot near the water's edge, one that reminds him, in terms of temperature, and color, of home, the one that he grew up in.

The sound of the water helps a little too, he thinks, recalling his lessons with Saint-Walker. And now, more than ever, he could stand for a little peace. So, he might be found, eyes closed, breathing as evenly as possible as he tries to calm his mind. Some interruption wouldn't be minded though, of course.

[i_speak_softly]

An interruption comes in the form of someone saying, "Shell, he's huge."

The someone turns out to be a bipedal turtle, bigger than the norm but nowhere near the size of their host Tu Vishan. He's standing in the water, dripping wet but rapidly drying, staring out towards the city - or, to be more accurate, what the city is riding on. He doesn't seem to have noticed the meditating Frenchman.

Zelgadis: Open

[gathersnomoss]

Zelgadis hadn't had time to really head to the edge of the shell, so he was taking Landfall as an exchange to hit the beach for a bit. Asti's gift meant that he could actually spend some time in the water without sinking, so he was taking full advantage of the coast to practice his (very rusty) swimming.

Say hello? Make sure he isn't going to drown?

[animosus]

Hal peers down to see what all the noise and splashing was about because he's pretty sure someone's drowning

"Are you okay down there?"

[iguanasolution]

And Frank's own gift from Asti, flight, meant he could fly up and meet Zegaldis without actually going for a swim. Not that he would mind swimming, he actually loves it, but he's just recently gotten the hang of flying and it's such a nice feeling he always makes the most of it.

"Something tells me you never took swimming lessons."

Sarah | Open

[hisbabygirl]

It's good to be a kid again. There's serious things going on and Sarah hasn't forgotten that, but the chance to wander along the shore and kick her feet in the water is a nice break from it all.

The locals she's talked to so far have been nice and friendly, but Sarah still keeps her distance. And so she's enjoying herself and exploring, climbing trees and chasing small fish in the water by the shore. She won't go out too far, but still, it's better than nothing.

Rapunzel | OPEN

[watcheslanterns]

Rapunzel was grateful for the peace this venture seemed to bring with it. Obviously things were still not well but for a few moments she could simply relax alone the shoreline. Her hair was braided up so as not to drag in the wet sand, but she walked barefoot along the water, letting roll over her and cool her skin. She was tired, overrun from work at the hospital, welcome center and the clothing shop, but she wasn't about to admit that. As long as she had her hair and her song she was able to rejuvenate herself enough to help out. Though if anyone looked carefully enough they'd probably notice she was a little, well...off.

Pascal had joined her, still glad for the warmer weather. Winter had been especially tough for the chameleon. Winters back home had never been so cold. He too was enjoying the water - skittering close until it reached him and then running back for dry land. He was thoroughly enjoying himself and Rapunzel laughed at the playful sight.

[wintershepherd]

Jack was spending less time outdoors with the rising heat, preferring the artificial cool of the Welcome Center or the magical variant that he and Zatanna had put together in Mu-Hao. But whenever Tu Vishan made landfall it was rare enough that the winter spirit had been lured out to explore. Seeing Rapunzel and Pascal at the shoreline, he flew over to them, landing just in time to see one of the chameleon's antics.

"Talk about scenery you want to put on a postcard," he smiled.

The Arybar

[ironwood]

There is a small settlement of folk living there who, other than they are quite a bit taller than humans (heights of 7'+ are not uncommon) and have peculiar patterning on their skin vaguely reminiscent of jungle cats, seem very friendly, albeit surprised by the appearance of strangers. But they've heard of Tu Vishan, the last living Great Turtle, so they'll be welcoming and not hostile. These are the Arybar, the native people of Siaxhi. They're a mix of agricultural and foraging culture, hunting only sporadically rather than relying on it for their primary food source. They have little to no contact with the Duchy of Castis beyond they know it's there and they're mutually not interested in crossing into each other's territory.

The Arybar will tell the Foreigners that the Dan'effrei came to build the city of Valishaera eons ago and that they were a race the Arybar did not recognize at the time, but they obtained permission for the land and remained on excellent terms with the Dan'effrei for many centuries. When asked what happened to the monks and the city however, the Arybar become evasive and change the subject. Despite this odd quirk, the Foreigners will be invited to stay and explore to their heart's content and small but comfortable huts made for them to stay in if they choose to spend the night in Valishaera rather than return to Keeliai.

There is a motherly Arybar woman named Veldyzh who is especially friendly towards the Foreigners. (NPC played by Li.)

For Veldyzh?

[gearshifting]

The Arybar definitely leave an impression, Gear thinks. He doesn't know if he's going to take advantage of their hospitality tonight, but for now he's just investigating and trying to find out what he can. He doesn't know what information might end up being helpful for them later on, so he'll be as friendly as possible--even if he can ramble a bit when he's trying to figure something out. He'll be looking for anyone who seems to be willing to answer his questions, putting up with the nosy Foreigner.

"It's really great of you guys to be so welcoming," he says. "Do you get a lot of visitors here?"

[ironwood]

Veldyzh is sitting, so as not to tower over the (completely adorable, in her opinion) visitors. Her skin patterning is reminiscent of an ocelot, chocolate against tanned skin.

"None to speak of," she replies. "Though a ship did land on the coast around thirty years ago."

Closed to Veldyzh

[histruename]

After a day spent traveling the ruins of the city, Hellboy gets to talking to some of the native farmers. Their friendly nature and love of the land reminds him of a few tribesmen he'd met on his travels through Africa, and it leaves him humming with the ghosts of good memories.

When they invite him to stay the night in their village, he gladly accepts. A night spent away from the city, out in the wilderness surrounded by good, salt-of-the earth people, sounded just like the good old days.

Dinner's held at the house of the farmers--brothers, who feed him from the latest harvest of their crop. It's simple fare, but Hellboy likes simple.

When he steps out for an after dinner smoke, there's a kindly-looking woman sitting outside the hut next door. Hellboy offers her a friendly nod as he strikes his match against his stone hand, then lights his cigarette with the other.

"Nice night," he offers, blowing smoke.

[ironwood]

Veldyzh herself is smoking on a long pipe, the scent of the pale smoke emanating from its bowl spicy, like cardamom. "That it is," she replied, smiling at Hellboy serenely. "You know, I think it's good that you people have come. There are young ones here who've never seen any but our people before. This will be quite a learning experience for them."

A Ruined City

[ironwood]

The city itself is made up of multi-leveled temples, bridges and arches, all designed to embrace the surrounding jungle rather than push it back. Lazy canals not unlike those found in the Water Sector in Keeliai meander their way through the ground level, though many are now clogged with native jungle plants. An ambitious person(s) might find a couple day's hard work clearing them out, which surely the Arybar might appreciate. They'll only ask that the Foreigners stay out of the long planted rows of crops that are nestled in the dozens of old courtyards, because this is the middle of their growing season. Other than these areas, they don't mind exploration.

Despite evidence that the city has been abandoned for centuries, the buildings remain in astoundingly good shape beneath the encroaching jungle foliage. The stone is all intact, apparently no worse for weathering so many years. Something interesting of note is that there are basically no remains of the monks who were living here: no abandoned furniture, remnants, evidence of these buildings being lived in at all. It's actually so pristine that it's... spooky.

Re: A Ruined City

[whitelotustile]

Iroh had a fondness for ruins. These reminded him a bit of the Sun Warrior ruins, so of course he wanted to check them out and see if there was anything familiar.

CLOSED to SKULDUGGERY.

[peacefullywreathed]

In spite of the ruins, not to mention the people living there, the whole area was ... strange. Almost incomplete, and entirely illogical. A ruin of that size and age ought to have been powerful for a Necromancer, but there was barely enough evidence of death through the ages to account for the settlement alone. None of the Arybar were inclined to answer when he asked why, so Solomon went exploring on his own.

Although Solomon couldn't say that he was a man who enjoyed the rigors of nature, the jungle was peaceful provided he stayed out of the thick foliage. In the ruins, where there were elements of safety and clear ground, the area was much more appealing. It was enough that he caught a glint of sunlight off metal, which was the first and only evidence of civilisation he'd seen--excepting, of course, the ruins themselves.

Even still, the very last thing Solomon expected to see when he brushed light debris off the shapelss object was ... a car. In fact, it was a Bentley.

More to the point, it was a 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental.

Solomon closed his eyes and, since he was alone, deigned to ask the air--"Are you bloody joking?"

Then he checked the car to make sure there were no scratches or chips (Skulduggery was the type to shoot the messenger if there were); tested the doors (they were unlocked); and searched for the keys (they were in the glove-box). He finished by locking it up and taking the keys away with him, and went in search of an idiot, but well-dressed, skeleton.

[skeletonenigma]

In contrast to Wreath's exploration, Skulduggery had been keeping a little closer to the coast. He'd tried exploring further in-land, of course, in both the Temple and the ruins, but there was something decidedly wrong about it all. Something Skulduggery felt he should know more about already, but couldn't quite put his finger on. Unfortunately, he must have asked the wrong person the exact wrong number of questions, because he was starting to receive glares wherever he went. Add to that his recent exploration of the woods stuck in perpetual darkness, and Skulduggery was perfectly happy skirting the majority of the ruins.

Or at least, that was what he tried to tell himself.

The walk became so mind-numbingly boring that Skulduggery actually jumped at the chance to step down to the water's edge and pick up something that the waves were trying to carry down the shore. It looked like a square. A square bit of cloth, to be a little more specific. A square bit of brown cloth. It was holding very solidly in the current, however, which suggested that it was more than simply a square bit of non-important cloth.

Skulduggery pulled the water underneath the solid brown object closer to him, picked it up, and turned it over. And had he been wearing a face, he would almost immediately have scowled.

It was a small portrait. An oil painting done at least three or four hundred years ago, created by someone with unparalleled skill - likely someone whose services were incredibly expensive. There were two people in it, and while one was much younger than Skulduggery remembered, it was still obvious who the waterlogged painting belonged to.

It was even more obvious that something in this dimension was trying to force more interaction between them.

You should still bring it to him, came Quintus's voice accusingly in Skulduggery's mind. Stop being so stubborn.

Skulduggery audibly grunted. The large psychic turtle had begged to come ashore with them; although last Skulduggery heard, he was staying with Gazelle. Maybe he was. Maybe his range and his perception had gotten better. Either way, Skulduggery failed to stop from sending a silent grumble in response, and then turned towards the ruins.

There was only one place a necromancer would be, after all. Even if Skulduggery's theory about the abandoned city was correct.

annabeth chase | ota

[sophos]

It's weird to be out exploring alone, though Annabeth wouldn't say she's alone alone. Not with Mrs. O'Leary running around and exploring nearby - and a giant, rhino-sized hellhound makes good backup.

Not that she's particularly worried. Not that she's thinking about attacks either - she's far more interested in the buildings here. Though she's got a knife strapped to her waist, she's carrying a backpack, too, and as she meanders through the ruins, she stops occasionally to pull out a notebook; all her notes are scribbled in Ancient Greek.

If the people won't explain it, maybe the architecture itself will have some answers.

[gearshifting]

Jungles aren't really that conducive to rollerblades, but Gear isn't afraid of huffing it on foot either. It took him a couple of hours to get to the abandoned city and the fact he couldn't find anything resembling people having lived there is more than a little creepy. He had hoped to find something that gave a clue about the monks that built the city, but there's nothing.

So he sends his little robot on its way to investigate for him, since he's not finding anything with his own eyes. "Backpack, scan the area for carvings, books, scrolls, anything you can--oh!" He spots a girl not far away from the building he just exited. "Uh, hi."

Garrett Hawke | Open

[iwannabeadragon]

[A ruined city you say? One that appears to be untouched by time despite the odds? Hawke is all over that. The moment Hawke catches wind of such a place he heads there in search of whatever he can find. As always Notch accompanies him on his expedition.

It's been too long since he's explored such a place. The last time he did he ran into the biggest dragon he's ever seen in his life. Who knows what kinds of secrets this place might hold. Whatever they might be, Hawke intends on finding something of interest here.]

Mark Grayson | OPEN

[shorttempered]

[Mark had spent the first few days split between hanging out with the Arybar and enjoying the tide pools. With that out of his system, he had moved on to the ruins nearby. One of the Arybar had made a comment about how overgrown it was, and Mark thought it would be a good gesture to try to clear some of it out for them in thanks. It made him think of Eve--that seemed like something she would do, so why not him?

So now Mark can be found in the ruined city, trying to clear out as much of the overgrown plants as he can, while being mindful of those the Arybar had planted and need.]

Ava Ayala | Open

[superoverachiever]

[Ava never knows what to do with herself, so exploration seems like as good a goal as any. And ruins sound like the kind of place that might contain lost information.

It's a long shot, but she figures she might as well try. She doesn't seek out companions, but she'll happy to chat up anyone she comes across, or at least try to compare notes.]

The Finding of the Ring | closed to Tony Stark | after the Legacy thread | Tolkien jokes within

[wrathfulkhan]

Gene's been sleeping poorly as of late, ever since they've made landfall at Siaxhi. He's felt something itching at him, something pulling, some reason he needs to go and explore. And he has been resolutely ignoring it.

Until when he finally does manage to catch some solid sleep, he dreams.

A gold dragon with pink wings sits in a darkened ruin, waiting, calling out to its fellows. The other nine dragons hear its cry, and begin biting at their bearer, trying to catch his attention. And he refuses to listen.

It's your destiny, he hears his mother say. Your birthright. Go and claim it.

"I can't," he says, his throat dry. "I'll hurt people."

You will harm nobody who does not deserve to be harmed. Take it. Take your power. Take it or be unworthy as my son!

He awakes with a cry, a splitting headache blooming, practically blinding him. It's the dead of night, but he has to go, now. If only to get his stupid brain to shut up. He gets some clothes on and shoves the rings haphazardly onto his fingers, before the armor forms up around him. There's a flash of light, and he disappears, reappearing on the mainland.

The armor's too big, so he dismisses it and begins searching, feeling the pull he hadn't felt when he'd been searching for it before. Is this because it's been activated? Were the rings all somehow reconnected now that they had been reunited on both his hands and the Overlord's?

After some careful searching, he spots a glint of gold half-hidden under some rubble, illuminated by a shaft of moonlight coming through the broken roof, and he kneels to investigate.

Gold spiked band. Pink flame-shaped gem. He picks it up, and it feels right in his hand.

And he doesn't want it to.

But he can't seem to put it back down and walk away, either. So he stays kneeling on the ground, both cherishing and dreading the thing in his hands.