[EVENT] Cold Winds Blowin'...

[ironwood]

Characters: All
Date: January 10-31, 2018
Location: Keeliai, all sectors
Situation: Hurricane and ensuing cleanup
Warnings/Rating: add warnings to headers as necessary, please.


Come late night on the 10th, carrying over into the wee hours of the 11th, the winds that have been on and off all month pick up, howling between buildings and rattling anything not nailed down. The worst of it comes over the next day, when the winds don't actually stop, sweeping through the city at high speeds and bringing rain and all kinds of debris with them.

The canals in Water are nearly impassable, making travel even more inadvisable than it would have been. In some places the wind takes out the power, too, leaving several people temporarily without much in the way of heat -- not good when the average temperature is hovering around 5°C (about 40°F). The rain comes heavier over the course of the day, and flooding both minor and major abounds; during the worst of the storm the canals are near to overflowing and there's a sincere -- and realized -- risk of drowning. As the flooding rises fast, some unprepared citizens may be caught by these rushing torrents and need rescue.

The storm settles down toward the end of the twelfth, leaving only brisk winds and a sullen drizzle as it finally passes the city by. In its wake, however, is a vast array of damage, and significant repairs to be made.

The high winds have knocked many trees down, some of which landed on homes and businesses -- in some cases, punching right through the roofs, rendering the buildings temporarily unlivable, and sending their occupants out into the storm to seek their nearest secondary shelter. Flooding is wide-scale, doing immeasurable amounts of property damage and putting many lives at risk. Many are left injured, homeless, or their businesses and livelihoods in ruins. Even more have lost personal possessions that are irreplaceable.

All told, the Merchant's Guild estimates that nearly 10% of the city's residential districts have suffered severe damage, meaning that the homes in those areas are not structurally safe to live in until repairs are made. This translates to about 6000 kedan across all Sectors in need of temporary housing. A further 20% (roughly 10,000) of the city has experienced moderate damage, so their homes are livable, but they may be without power, heat, or necessities like running water or adequate food stores.

The rest of the city takes light damage, mostly in the way of flooding and damaged goods. Volunteers are needed all over the place to remove storm debris to a growing mountain of wreckage outside the city walls. Everything from broken windows and furniture, to entire trees and large sections of rooftops need to be hauled away, and in some cases, the Foreigners' abilities will be much appreciated, since whatever left is going to be done with kirin-hauled carts and sledges.

Through the rest of the month, repairs are in progress, most of it taking place beneath a sapping cold rain, which impedes both repairs and volunteers' health, and many come down with walking pneumonia and flu-like afflictions. Usayi is among those organizing work crews for the clearing of large debris and urgent patches; he'll be spearheading those efforts as the month wears on as well. The Woodsmen also call for help from as many volunteers as possible, citing the loss of a great deal of growing and stored seeds, as well as the damage to their agricultural land plots, which are now littered with more debris.

Comments

[redlightgreenlight]

No. The Taint died with Malicant.

[Or at least those who had been tainted had been clean when they had woken from the Dreaming.]

[of_deduction]

[ Died? This is a new area for him so he can't be sure if he's thinking about this correctly but it seems as though it might suggest that Malicant had somehow taken over the minds of the infected-by substance or something else he can't be sure but the fact it stopped after the death of Malicant might be telling. ]

You said is caused problems later. Judging from the fact you said the infected were more prone to violence, I'd say the issue resurfaced.

[redlightgreenlight]

During our quest to retrieve the item that could kill Malicant, those who had been granted boons by 'Asti' and those who had been tainted, turned against each other and the unaffected Foreigners.

[of_deduction]

Like some form of defense mechanism. [ Neat. ]

What about the natives? Did they turn on them too?

[redlightgreenlight]

We probably would have, if we had been anywhere near them. The Kedan were...different under Malicant's reign than they are now. Their souls, emotions and personalities...were muted.

[of_deduction]

[ Muted. Interesting choice of words, and of course he heard that comment about 'we' ]

As I originally thought, I'm going to need a very detailed history of this place before I can get anywhere. [ He mutters to himself. ]

From what I understand, Malicant's no longer an issue-at least not a physical one. The term 'cult' is telling enough. I heard from Conan that awhile back someone had used some form of chemical that increased aggression. Any relation?

[redlightgreenlight]

Good luck finding a detailed history, Malicant destroyed the imperial library and we've been trying to put the pieces back together for months.

[She shakes her head at his question]

I'm not sure. Dust and the Taint were around at the same time, but dust wears off whereas the Taint died only with Malicant.

But yes, Malicant is very dead.

[of_deduction]

[ Lovely, this has all gotten so much more complicated. ]

Dust?

[redlightgreenlight]

Dust is the...drug that caused a riot a few months back. Nasty compound. Tends to make tempers flare.

[of_deduction]

The Dust then, would be the case which Conan informed me of that he'd been kept from. [ He says thoughtfully, rubbing his hands together. ]

...What do we know about this Dust? Other than it evokes violence. Where does it come from?

[redlightgreenlight]

Ask the Cherrywood Healer, Milyn. She helped the cultist leader, Daseng, create it.

[Valdis is still a bit sore about that betrayal]

[of_deduction]

[ Well, at least he's got a lead to follow. ]

I'd be happy to.

So what else can you tell me about the cultist.

[redlightgreenlight]

They aren't above using children to achieve their ends. They hate the foreigners for killing their God. They are working on new and more destructive drugs. They've even messed with soul gems.

[of_deduction]

[ Aren't above using Children. the statement alone would indicate that they've done exactly that before. Suddenly it's abundantly clear to him why Conan has been barred from this particular case. Now he has a choice, he can either disregard those wishes since Conan isn't really seven or he can respect them. ]

[ If he should choose to disregard the wishes that undoubtedly put Conan at considerable risk and while he knows the boy's real age is not seven he's still very obviously a child. Unfortunately for the younger that means that Sherlock will not be sharing the information with him. ]

I suppose information about those drugs can be found in the case files?

One last thing before I let you get back to the current crisis-I have a partner-John Watson, He is invaluable to me on my cases and I need to know if I'd be allowed to discuss the case with him.

[redlightgreenlight]

Yes, I shall have one of my officers get you copies of the files.

[Valdis frowned only slightly. There wasn't much in way of classification of files...except from Conan in the cases concerning the Cultists, so she hadn't really thought much about it.]

If it helps you to discuss it with him, then that's fine. Just keep me in the loop.

[of_deduction]

Is there any of this Dust in evidence? I'd very much like to know what exactly it consists of.

I'll text you both mine and John's contact information when I have it-we're going to be moving soon. The hurricane did a bit of damage to our flat as well.

[ He stands up again, straightening out his coat. ]

And you may want to have your officer-Keeliel? Have his hand checked out. He's bandaged it himself but there are already signs of infection.

[redlightgreenlight]

There should be some, yes.

[Just don't sample it Sherlock.]

And I'd appreciate that.

[Her head tips and a small, slightly sad smile appears on her face]

I know...Kaliel can be very stubborn. I'll be sure he has it seen to.

[of_deduction]

[ Luckily, he has no desire to risk hurting anyone he cares about. He may occasionally slip John different chemicals to see his reaction to them but he'd never actually put him in danger without the army doctor being full and well aware. ]

I highly recommend Dr. Watson. His skills are highly impressive and I doubt if anyone could be in better hands. He's recently joined the healer's guild in the water district, but I can send him this way if you'd like.

[redlightgreenlight]

I appreciate the offer. The Head Healer at the Guild and I are quite close, so if she trusts your man, then I do as well.

[She looks toward the door as if there is someone there and then back to Sherlock]

I'll have someone get you those case files, but it seems I am needed elsewhere.

[of_deduction]

[ He glances towards the door himself but his eyes cast downwards in attempts to see if there's a shadow on the other side before turning his attention back to Valdis, a small, half smile that would better be described as a smirk on his lips. ]

I won't keep you. [ He offers his hand to shake. ]

I look forward to working with you.

[redlightgreenlight]

[Just as Sherlock offers his hand, there's a low rap on the door by a figure that has only just appeared. Valdis takes his hand, a small smile on her lips.]

The feeling is mutual.