[EVENT] Courtyard of Public Opinion, May Forum

[ironwood]

Characters: Come one, come all!
Date: The 24th of May
Location: The Courtyard of Public Opinion, in Central Sector
Situation: This is the second public forum to be called since the Foreigners' return. It's led by the three family heads, but specifically designed to allow anyone the chance to speak. This particular one was called because of the Foreigner muggings, the Chihulean threat, and the rumours of remaining cultists; however, a variety of other things might get brought up as well.
Warnings/Rating: Added as they become applicable.

The Courtyard of Public Opinion isn't any bigger than some of the open fountain areas in the Water Sector, and it isn't set up the way some of the Foreigners might imagine a political debate area to be set up. There's no podium, no chairs apart from the stone benches too heavy to be moved, and no grand banners or archways. This is done deliberately; everyone is meant to have an equal voice in the Courtyard, so everyone is on level ground. Apart from the greenery, the stone paths, and the low stone walls surrounding the Courtyard, one could almost imagine it's just another Market Day in an open square.

Since the Foreigners are also residents of Keeliai, the Courtyard Forum will be a public opportunity for Foreigners to ask questions and air concerns of their own. This can range from something specific to individuals or making requests of all the major NPCs.

---

LINKS
Soul Gem Muggings | Cultists | Chihuelans | Turtle Sinking | Sky Sector | Individual NPC Interactions | OOC Questions

OOC
There are starters for various parts of the discussion, covering all the major topics regarding the happenings of Keeliai lately. NPCs will be available for all of the conversations below. The first five topics are general city occurrences which everyone in the Courtyard will be able to hear; use these threads as discussion between PCs as well as NPCs. NPCs will contribute to discussions as necessary, but won't be engaging in every line of conversation occurring in the general topic starters.

The NPC comments are for directly speaking with that NPC or those in that group; if your character has a specific issue to bring up with an NPC, this is where it should be done. The rest of the post is for Foreigners talking and organizing amongst themselves.

Comments

OOC: Questions

[ironwood]

Questions relating to this log go here, please!

Re: OOC: Questions

[gathersnomoss]

OOC question. Prior to Malicant's defeat, there was a barrier in place around the Turtle's shell that allowed for things such as underwater trips. I assume it vanished with Malicant's defeat, right?

[ironwood]

Correct.

Soul Gem Muggings (Foreigner & Kedan) + Companions

[ironwood]

After Milyn's post in which she relayed the news that seven kedan had been attacked in a similar manner to the Foreigners, she had kept them quarantined for examination and to ensure that whatever had caused them to become attached to soul gems of their own was in no way transmittable. After a week had passed, she was forced to conclude that there appeared to be no danger in discharging them, as she could not determine what had happened during their attacks to result in their current states. They were released into the protective custody of their patron Families where applicable.

These kedan are attending the Forum today, and are sitting with their respective benefactors.

Tu Yunxu took charge of Sevda and Zhenkadir, as Zhenkadir's broken hip required ongoing medical attention at the Snake-run hospital. Zanru offered the protection of the Metalworkers to Pazann and Deoreo, Pazann being one of Stark Industries' employees and Deoreo being a resident of Metal Sector, which the Metalworkers consider their jurisdiction. Heojin has the young Naneul with him, surrounded by grim-faced Woodsmen ‘cousins' who frequent Wood Sector. Milyn is chatting amiably with Jilay, as the young man had no Family allegiance, but who had frequent dealings with the Cherrywood Healer, who had been helping his wife through a difficult first pregnancy. The last kedan victim is sitting with a new arrival to the Forum, an older man representing the Merchant's Guild named Aroyan. The kedan woman Hianmian is sitting with him, and occasionally he'll pat her arm reassuringly.

One of the things that have been expressed by the affected kedan is that they feel understandably uneasy and anxious about what's going on with them, and may be requesting the help of the Foreigners. They will be interested in either having a Foreigner stay with them temporarily until the situation is resolved, or wish to stay at the volunteer's housing. However, given their recent altercations, they feel uncomfortable with those Foreigners who are strongly powered, and some will prefer that more "normal" Foreigners help them out.

Re: Soul Gem Muggings (Foreigner & Kedan) + Companions

[whitelotustile]

Iroh is not a normal Foreigner, but sometimes it's easy to forget that. He stopped to say hello to all the kedan, offering tea and snacks, and letting them know where he can be found.

Re: Soul Gem Muggings (Foreigner & Kedan) + Companions

[anewangle]

Someone requesting help? Ladies and gentlemen, you've caught Tadashi's attention.

Life's been... difficult recently. Things have improved some here and there, mostly through conversations with his brother and professor, but learning what Tadashi's learned? That would set anyone adrift, and there's still plenty of mountain left to climb and not nearly as many handholds as he'd like. He works at the Midnight Hotel, he works with Hiro and Callaghan in the little repair business they're building together, but aside from workeatsleep, he's still unsure of just what to do with himself. How to edge back toward the way things used to be.

So when Tadashi hears the request he immediately turns to find one of his housemates, his expression almost comically hopeful for a guy looking to offer help rather than receive it. He won't make the offer without approval from Callaghan and Hiro, but the look on his face is just about screaming "please".

[bigdamnhiro]

Oh no. Oh no, oh no, Hiro knows exactly where this is going; he can tell as soon as the word volunteer shows up, worse when they ask for more normal volunteers, so he's already bracing himself for the inevitable by the time Tadashi swivels around with a laser-guided puppy dog pout dialed up to eleven. Maybe twelve.

Hiro wants to complain. He wants to ask Do we have to? Because he's not really sure how he feels about random strangers in the house on a good day. But the complaint dies in his throat at the look on his brother's face and comes out more like a strangled nyeurgh -

- And deferring this one to Callaghan. Hiro points emphatically at the professor with both hands. "Don't look at me, he's the boss -"

Congrats, Robert, he wouldn't have said that before, but now you're the boss.

Re: Soul Gem Muggings (Foreigner & Kedan) + Companions

[michaeljangelo]

Mike had only heard about the Forum during his late-night skulkings, and only really got concerned about the gem thefts when he'd heard that Sokka had gotten mugged. It's with the Water Tribe Warrior in mind that Mike breaks with tradition and ventures out in the day time to get himself some primary source information.

When the call comes for foreigners to step up and provide personal security...Mike only hesitates a little bit.

After all, aside from being a turtle...and just generally awesome, Mike isn't exactly super powered.

Re: Soul Gem Muggings (Foreigner & Kedan) + Companions

[ironcoin]

"Is there something I can help you with?" Aroyan asks, noting the turtle hedging about.

Cultists

[ironwood]

The revelation of cultists being responsible for at least some of the Foreigner muggings that target soul gems has caused quite a stir among the kedan. The cultists were the tie linking the kedanese people to the great evil of Malicant -- it put faces to that threat, and more often than not, they were familiar faces. They aren't aware of Zanru's angry claim to the rights to kill the cultist leader Daseng, but will show polarising opinions once that news comes out. Many of them will recognise Zanru's ex-husband and either side with her or against her; others will get distracted by the objective argument over whether she has the right to use her family's finances and technology in pursuit of vengeance.

The cultist tool of choice, the hallucinogenic drug called Dust, has been becoming more and more prominent, and purer versions have been emerging. There have also been rumors of other substances, which does raise the question of the cultists' capabilities. Where are they getting these drugs, and where could they be manufacturing them? Any information regarding their actions, or plans to locate and rout them out, is welcomed and encouraged -- though there will be many kedan reticent to hand the actual responsibility of doing so over to the Foreigners.

By the end of the forum there will also be some small groups in evidence making plots to enter the sewers on their own. Most of these groups will be composed of kedan who, like Zanru, lost family members to the palace's dungeons.

Chihuelans

[ironwood]

As per Yunxu's announcement regarding the two Chihulean men who mugged Akito, it is confirmed that there are Chihuleans who have successfully infiltrated Keeliai, using an unknown substance which gives them shapeshifting abilites. It's become somewhat known among the Snakes that one of the two captured Chihuelans, Berruz, has been killed.

Another point of concern is the Chihulean presence that became apparent during the second week of the Ni Zhihuan festival, during which the Dreaming visitors were in the city. There is ample talk of the strange crop circles that appeared in the Woodsmen's fields, and which prompted the Woodsmen to begin organizing patrols of the land outside of the city's walls. Others are bringing up hypothesis as to how those symbols -- bearing the various insignias of the invading Chihulean forces -- could have been made on that scale with no one noticing anything.

Also being discussed are the claims that the kedan radio dispatchers made about being assisted by Chihuleans, Commander Celaunn among them, in the wake of the sudden flood which swamped their radio tower and nearly cost the kedan their lives. The radio dispatchers themselves are not present for this Forum, but their recount of the timely rescue has become well-known by this point.

Turtle Sinking

[ironwood]

As part of the discussion regarding the flood which destroyed the radio tower, some researchers from the College have come forward to present grim news. Something they've been suspecting for a few months is that Tu Vishan is slowly beginning to sink. What have seemed like unconnected incidents at the time: the slow runoff from the snow melt in March, the unconventionally high water levels in the canals in April, and the flooding coming up the valley to wipe out the radio tower has all but confirmed their suspicions.

They've done some preliminary investigation of various parts of the shell's edge, mapping inconsistencies, and are ready to present some of their findings. They will stress that these are very rudimentary calculations; more complete surveying and observation will need to be done before they can be confident in these numbers.

But at present, they are projecting that Tu Vishan is sinking at a rate that will reach the borders of habitable/arable land in approximately 15 months, and will reach the portion of the shell where Keeliai sits around a year after that, if the current calculated speed isn't wildly off.

Re: Turtle Sinking

[gathersnomoss]

"Is there anything I can do to help survey?" Zelgadis asked. "I've had experience mapping and a few of us Foriegners might find travel to remote locations on the shell easier."

[rawiron]

The researchers look around uncertainly. They're still new to the administration outside the college. In the end it's Ran who straightens up from whispering to Heojin and gives Zelgadis a short nod.

"We'll be sending out patrols for the shore-line," he said. "You can join one of them, so long as you're willing to obey the Woodsman in charge. We'll have no vigilantes out in the wilds."

Sky Sector

[ironwood]

Discussion regarding the new city sector opens with a procedural call for any other suggestions for naming the district, followed by a vote on "Sky" as the general consensus. It seems almost an afterthought to address such things, in light of the more serious issues being raised at this Forum, but it is still necessary.

Foreigners have begun moving into the completed housing, and there haven't been any (known) issues of conflict in that area, for which the kedan seem equally pleased and relieved. The Merchants Guild purchased the majority of available "commercial" land in the sector, and shops and galleries are already springing up with a distinctly artisan flare. There is also an area of market set aside that the Merchant's Guild wishes to rent out to Foreigners who want their own shops or similar businesses, and Aroyan, the Guild's representative, can be called upon for more details in that area.

One of the main points of address is the empty parcel of land, which has been reserved for building something beneficial to the whole city. This segment is large enough for perhaps 2-3 large scale constructions, and the College is already petitioning for one of them. Additional suggestions for other development projects are invited from both kedan and Foreigners.

Individual NPC Interactions

[ironwood]

These starters are for PCs speaking individually with the various NPCs. Unless specifically noted, it is to be assumed that all these conversations are limited to the characters involved and can't be overheard by anyone else; please keep this in mind for using OOC information as well!

Tu Yunxu - The Snakes

[ironrule]

Yunxu is as impeccable and charming as always, taking various accusations in stride and perfectly content to let others take center stage. More than once during the forum, he's approached by various kedan, quietly asking about the Chihuelan prisoners; his answer, however, is always the same. He's discovered the Chihuelan threat is greater than imagined, and is already taking steps to ensure no one else is hurt. The soul gem muggings, he will freely admit, have him completely baffled. Any help the Foreigners are willing to offer, he says, would be greatly appreciated.

Meisheng, Yunxu's second-in-command, is also at the forum. However, unlike before, she isn't at his side. Quite the contrary, she seems to be taking every excuse available to sit or stand as far from the leader of the Snakes as she possibly can. She looks exactly the same as she did during her previous console announcement, as if she hasn't shapeshifted even once all month - and for those who know her, that's uncharacteristic enough to be worthy of note.

Open to being overheard by others

[aquanimity]

It may not be the wisest thing, she thinks, but Aqua has wondered about the Chihuelan muggers and their well-being under the control of the Snakes for some time. In part, she wishes to make sure her choice in not handing over Jintou was a sound one. As it stands, their status is unknown to her, and this public forum is the best opportunity to find out about them. As well as if anything was learned since their apprehension.

Aqua has never met the leader of the Snakes, but her approach is calm and determined. "Tu Yunxu? Do you have a moment?"

Zanru - The Metalworkers

[forgediron]

Most of the tension is gathered around the Metalworkers today. Zanru holds her head high and hasn't apologised for her outburst at the Foreigners over the radio, or explained how she managed to hack it. From the state of her overalls, she's just come from one of the sewer explorations herself; she's focused but brittle, and what contributions she makes to any conversations are, generally, snappish. While not obviously gearing for a fight -- in fact she seems disinterested in the Chihuelan threat and Sky Sector -- there are a few topics on which she'll get heated very quickly.

She's also sporting some bruises, as if someone's attacked her, but her cousin Xuiyu sports similar bruises and some of the Metalworkers in attendance whisper about the two of them fighting -- literally -- in Stark Industries' gym.

Xuiyu is in cleaner condition than her cousin, which says something given all her clothes have oil stains on them. She's also tense and keeping an obvious close eye on Zanru, but is far calmer and willing enough to answer questions on anything. She's tired, though, and disinclined to cater to people wasting her time, and while not as snappish as Zanru she might get a bit short if anyone wants to come to her just to bitch about her idiot cousin.

She's also likely to intercede between Zanru and anyone who seems liable to get her back up. It's for their own good, really.

Heojin - The Woodsmen

[rawiron]

This forum Heojin and his seconds actually arrive on time, but sit quietly as is their wont. Their main source of contribution is the patrols Ran has been leading for much of the last month. Though they have found no Chihuelans outright, the Woodsmen have managed to find evidence of past living-places and even tracked them for some miles after the flooding of the radio station. Some objects found in their patrols have been brought to the forum, if the Foreigners care to make detailed enquiries.

The other topic the Woodsmen are most concerned about is the flooding. They confirm the College's results, with an admirable lack of ‘I told you so', and there is a good deal of discussion among them regarding how best to augment the farmlands' canals using small dams.

Over the course of the day, however, there are some oddities to note. Heojin, for those with heightened senses, smells and otherwise presents the same as the Heojin at the first forum and at the festival, and while his attention is subtle he seems to be keeping an eye on Meisheng's whereabouts. Ran, meanwhile, is more vocal than usual and in fact seems to be leading more discussion than Heojin himself. Lin doesn't stick close to his family's side of the Courtyard, but has apparently made a number of friends in the city in the past month and wanders around the Courtyard to pop up in various conversations and say hello to kedan from other sectors.

Milyn - Cherrywood Healer

[cherrywood]

Milyn seems even more weary than she did at the beginning of the month, although she's putting on a cheerful attitude for Jilay. She's no longer wearing the cast for her broken arm, it having healed cleanly, but a couple times during the Forum, she can be seen withdrawing a small bottle of dark liquid, taking small sips of it. She'll defer much information about it to saying that she's just feeling under the weather, and that she hasn't gotten much sleep lately, with keeping a careful eye on the soul gem affected kedan.

She'll continue to be worried about the outbreaks of zhyris in the Wood and Water districts, and she has her medical bag with her. She will once again be asking if Foreigners are willing to donate a small sample of blood for her to study, in hopes of developing a better vaccine than the one currently in use for the kedan.

Aroyan - Merchant's Guild

[ironcoin]

With the formalities taken care of, Aroyan introduces himself to the assemblage. He represents the Merchant's Guild and its council of leaders (of which he is one) and speaks on their behalf. He seems well-prepared to handle any requests, smiling and yet attentive, and when he speaks, it's evident that he likes the spotlight. Well dressed and with excellent diction, he's something of a showman, body language and hand gestures as punctuation. He'll welcome the opportunity to speak with any of the Foreigners, hoping to establish goodwill between them and the Guild he speaks for. Meanwhile, Foreigners seeking to open private business property in the new Sky Sector can definitely get ahead of the curve by getting on Aroyan's good side.

Bresilykian Emissaries

[cherrywood]

All five of the ambassadors have attended this Public Forum, although they are sitting quietly and watching the goings-on with keen attentiveness especially during the discussions regarding the muggings, and information produced on the Chihuleans. They don't volunteer anything to the various discussions -- although, having been formally invited, they could have -- and afterward they speak quietly among themselves, however they can be approached en masse or individually, although Azehaiss will be constantly hovering nearby, even if the conversation is with one of the other ambassadors.

Generally just milling around | Open | Miiiinor spoilers? Maybe?

[edgeoftheknife]

It's Erskine's first time out of the Midnight Hotel in almost two weeks--meaning it's his first time stepping foot into Keeliai proper at all. He's heard about the city of course, but for a variety of reasons, exploring his new "home" has taken a back seat to some minor self care concerns. He probably wouldn't have even thought to venture out at all if Anton hadn't suggested it.

But venture out he does, trailing after Anton as usual, and eventually he gets separated from Anton for one reason or another. Nothing shady. Spotting a familiar face, perhaps, or distracted by something shiny.

Yeah, it's one of those kinds of days.

But he's looking pretty snappy in his borrowed suit (that they'd specifically had to let out, as it had been borrowed from a skeleton) and he's amiable enough, if a bit spaced. Come say hi?

[inkulcation]

Speaking of familiar faces.

"Am I to have no rest from Dead Men?" a familiar voice says from slightly behind and to his left, and when Erskine does turn he will find China Sorrows there. She looks much the same as ever -- hair as black as sin, eyes as blue as an early summer sky -- with the notable exception of the blue-violet teardrop she wears at her throat, perfectly framed by the neckline of the dress she's chosen.

And she's smiling, head tipped just a little to one side. "Good afternoon, Grand Mage," she adds.

China had not been expecting to see him here. Since he is, however, she's going to take it in stride, and see what there is to know.