thisavrou_log | November World Travel

Entry tags:

November World Travel

Who: Anyone and everyone
When: Nov. 9 and onward
Where: Kaittos
What: A new path opens up

Without warning, the silvery light that appeared to bring new people from other worlds and old items from home appears once more, and this time it lingers, forming portals as tall as an average human near each of the three Ingress shrines. The location does not appear to be a coincidence; this time, the portals are translucent, revealing the destination on the other side. Instead of taking Avagi's residents to the future, it will take them to another world.

If they step through the portal, travelers will find something far different from where they've been living this last month: Kaittos, a peaceful world containing one large land mass and a scattering of lived-on islands across a clear blue ocean. On the mainland, a large city-state occupies the central region and southern coast and resembles what some travelers from some versions of Earth might know of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Bustling and lively, the city is clean and well provided-for due to the temperate climate and the bountiful natural resources found on its northern side; orchards, farms and forests extend into the distance, butting up against a small mountain range. The technology level is low compared to Avagi, with carriages and candles in place rather than cars and electric lights, but the craftsmen of the world have managed some very impressive mechanical feats.

Kaittans, the local residents of the world appear somewhat humanoid, but the bipedal race has hooves rather than feet, silvery skin and three eyes with vertical pupils. Although there is no sign of any other sentient species in the world, the locals are nonetheless excited to meet their guests, rather than suspicious or afraid; for some reason, they are not surprised that aliens exist, merely that they are here.

In the weeks to come, the stabilized portals will provide a respite from the more confined lifestyle aboard Avagi. Travelers are warmly welcomed and encouraged to explore the land. Some things they'll find include...

Art, Culture and Trading

With all their material needs taken care of, the civilization on Kaittos has come to highly value cultivation of the mind. The city itself is full of what can only be generalized as culture. Theaters, art galleries and sizable libraries can be found on every tier, but what they offer is not contained by their walls. Street musicians appear on every other corner, artists are easily found sketching at beautiful viewpoints or interested passersby, and people are as likely to find themselves pulled in to participate in a scene or improvisational performance as they are to witness one. Public debate and rhetoric are also valued, with credit given for style and clarity as much as substance. At the center of the city, a large conservatory teaches lessons in many fields to anyone who cares to study.

This love of culture is so encompassing that visitors who wish to acquire items or resources will find that culture is also the main form of currency. To get something, they will have to give something. Those with skills that fall into traditional arts and culture could offer a piece of art, a music lesson or participation in a debate with other philosophical scholars, perhaps. But visitors will also find that the locals have a deep hunger for information and wish to learn about other worlds; if they can offer nothing else, sitting down with a scholar to record a tale of folklore or an adventure from their own. Lessons in whatever skills they possess are likely to be eagerly sought after, although the aptitude to learn them may not be there.

For those who wish to gain resources or make purchases, a bartering economy does exist to a degree, but it is difficult to break into, as there is little that the locals would truly need from their visitors. The exchange of knowledge is much more prized. Keep in mind, though, that while the Kaittans are not ungenerous, they have an eye for value—the more precious something is, the more travelers will have to offer to earn it, and individuals have their preferences. What might be just the thing desired by one could be pooh-poohed by another.

The Culinary Quarter

While many on Kaittos see food as the fuel that keeps their bodies going so they may better cultivate their minds, others see cooking itself as an art. This is especially prevalent in this section of the city, located deep in the heart of the city, where chefs toil over new recipes and experiment with new ingredients, serving meals free of charge—unless you consider sitting through a lengthy survey afterwards to be a payment, of course.

Although some meals are unpalatable or even dangerous to human bodies, most can be enjoyably consumed. However, around one in five chefs make extensive use of a particular herb that is incredibly delicious—and somewhat addicting. Those who begin to develop a dependency will visit again and again, and the more they consume, the more they may not want to leave at all...

The Forest of Renewal

Spoken of in hushed voices, this section of woods is regarded with great caution. A space of around ten acres is home to many natural springs that form natural pools between copses of trees, many of which hang dropping branches with deep blue leaves over the surface of the water. If asked, the locals will say that this place is where some very old Kaittans—which are an extremely long-lived species—who have decided they've studied everything available in the world and mastered every skill they can, go to "renew" themselves. They prefer to speak of it in vague terms, as specific discussion of this choice is seen as something of a faux pas. If greatly pressed, it is possible to learn the details ahead of time—but difficult.

The truth is that the water of the springs, when mixed with a chemical secreted by the fallen blue leaves, represses memories of those who drink it. Not to the point of complete amnesia; a sip might do away with the recollection of a particular book that was enjoyed, while multiple glasses might hide the memory of a longer period of time. However, there is no control over what is forgotten, or how much is too much. The Kaittans who grow too frustrated with what they view as stagnancy drink to forget so they may have the joy of learning all over again, but the lack of control makes it a risky choice—and some continue to return to drink after they otherwise would have, as they have forgotten what they wanted to forget.

(Of note to those of the psychic persuasion: memories affected by the spring water are not utterly obliterated, but merely deeply sublimated. It is possible to retrieve them, but it would be a challenge, especially if the placement of the memory gaps are not obvious.)

The Temples

While Kaittos’ architecture and culture includes plenty to admire, a few points of interest stand both literally and figuratively above the rest. Three large pyramids tower over the landscape, shining the brilliant metallic blue of a local ore. Over the coming weeks, these structures will be adorned with temporary murals and hangings—apparently, a yearly celebration is approaching.

What kind of celebration? The kind, fortunately (?), that visitors are welcome to join in! November 23 marks the anniversary of what they call the Great Awakening: a visit by a powerful spirit that opened their people's awareness to worlds and cultures outside their own. For the next few weeks, the temples offer welcome to anyone who wishes to participate in their trials. On the day of the Awakening, all who succeed will experience a remnant of the spirit's gift. While descriptions of the process vary, all center around heightened awareness: of each other, and of worlds and places far beyond their shores. Those who decide to make this attempt may choose which temple—and which trial—they would face.

Trial of Life
A test for warriors and scouts, this trial is not recommended to the casual. On entering the temple, participants will find themselves in a maze of obstacles and passages, struggling for survival against dangers both mobile and environmental. To succeed, they must pass inside with no more resources or weapons than can be carried in two hands, and survive for a period of five days. The attackers and hazards within the space are phantasms generated by the temple: solid enough to harm or kill, but prone to re-appearing even once a region should be cleared.

Needless to say, extensive warnings will be given to those expressing interest in the trial. Most who attempt do so in groups, and teamwork among participants is readily encouraged. Those who need to leave early are welcome to do so, but fleeing does count as a failure.

Trial of Communion
The inside of this temple is divided up into a series of open booths. Participants are assigned a station, and will be approached by members of the local population with various disputes that require arbitration. The purpose of the trial is twofold: to assist others with their problems, and to test those making the attempt—in patience, debate, and their skill at resolving conflict through the use of words.

No authority is granted to those taking this test. None of those who come before them are obliged to listen. The participants will be presented with conflicts that have been saved up through the year, and required to work out a solution. This can include anything from property disputes to marriage arguments to literal children's squabbles. Breaks are allowed for food and basic rest, but otherwise, those taking the trial will need to spend five days in continual discourse for the sake of others. Those who give up on any problems brought before them or resort to violence in solving them are considered to have failed the trial.

Trial of Healing
The third temple presents no dangers, whether to one's life or to one's sanity. Instead, it serves as a medical center. Those stepping inside will experience a strange peacefulness and sense of comfort—one the full-time staff confirm has helped many patients to recover. While this temple is open throughout the year, the weeks preceding the Awakening are nonetheless a time of gathering: when healers of all disciplines will come together to assist those in need.

While doctors or healers are welcome to share information with their peers, no special skill or training is required to attempt this trial. Instead, participants are asked to spend a period of ten days doing whatever work is required to assist the sick. While most of the ailments brought to the temple are longer-term in nature, it also functions as a triage center for those harmed in the Temple of Life.

[While the Trials themselves are intended to be logged here, an update will offer more information on the Awakening experienced by the successful. This will come out on November 23rd! For questions, please head to the recent mod update.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Kelly Ann startles and scrambles away a little before she regains her composure. A number of Kaittans have gathered, observing and murmuring in curiosity. ]

Holy shit.

[Peter's eyes flick up to the onlookers but it doesn't harsh his vibe, but he does just as suddenly have his guitar back in his hands - having snatched it up from where he last left it to rest. He strums the chords, giving Kelly Ann a wink.]

Told you. Fast.

[ Kelly Ann laughs nervously at a lot of things that are happening right now. It seems to her that whatever Peter is hoping to get for his music, he could get a lot more with the whole fast thing. But he has to know that, and whatever his reason is for that is not the sort of thing she's ready to get into in the middle of the street. ]

You know any Joni Mitchell? Like, Case of You or Big Yellow Taxi?

[Peter scrunches up his nose in thought.] I don't know offhand, I feel like I should - y'able to hum me a hint or two?

Oh come, on you have to know this. It's been covered, like, a million times.

[ Kelly Ann hums and pats her hands on her thighs as she attempts to acapella the intro for Big Yellow Taxi. ]

They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot...

[Peter listens for a moment before he gets the flashbacks to hearing that song roll through his kitchen while his mom was both making dinner and nursing a drink. He blinks at her for the cover comment, still new to just how many people are eons ahead of him, but tries to catch up to her on guitar. It takes one false start but he more or less gets a passable rendition going.]

I think I saw the video for this on Sonny and Cher. My mom loved it. [The only commentary he makes while shooting her a glance, hoping she'll keep up the singing.]

[ Kelly Ann fumbles a bit at Peter's comment, but can't stop in the middle of the song. She finishes it despite the distraction.

But what he said has to wait because while the crowd of Kaittans diminished a little when it became clear that Peter wasn't going to be explaining his speed, some stuck around for the music. And then started asking questions. Kelly Ann stands and starts answering them as best she can. ]

Um, yeah. Actually, no, the woman who wrote the song is from a country called Canada. It's to the north of the country I'm from. No, we don't... I mean there's copyright laws and stuff about who can profit off of music? But anybody can just sing whatever they want, yeah.

[Peter watches her answer questions with an amused quirk of his lips, playing the chorus lightly on guitar once more - fiddling with a note to better nail it.] I guess they don't know what a taxi is, huh...

But yeah, who else has a crap environment like ours back home? This place is pretty sweet. It doesn't necessarily translate that well.

They're just curious. It's a pretty great way to treat aliens, right? [ She answers a few more questions and then comes back, tossing a yellowish fruit to him. ]

Check that out. They just gave me some after we were done with the Q&A.

[ She sits down next to him again. ] So did your mom like... have like DVDs or something? The Sonny & Cher show hasn't been on the air for like forty years.

[He catches the fruit, sitting his guitar in his lap to look it over - debating whether to eat it now or save it for later.

He's been eating nonstop lately so he pockets it to try and build his hoard.] DVDs? That something like VHS in acronym bs?

But uh, no - it went off air in '75, I think? Or was it before - it's weird, there was the Comedy Hour my mom liked and the show after that. Grew up around both, my sis liked to tune in to it too. That's only been a few years for me.

[ Kelly Ann digs her nails into the tough rind and rips the thing open, and laughs as it spatters purple juice everywhere. The inside kind of looks like pomegranate, and she gingerly tastes a bit. ] Oh wow this tastes kinda like strawberries.

DVDs? Like... digital video discs or whatever. [ She gives him a searching look. Adam was born at almost the same time as her, but from ten years in the future where apparently everything is crazy. ]

Yeah. '75 was like forty years ago. For me, anyway. What... year was it when you were home?

[ Just asking "What year is it" is kind of impossible. ]

1983. [Does his look make a little more sense now?]

I was a teenager in the 70s. I'm still adjusting to cassettes over 8-tracks, but I guess that must sound pretty ancient to you? Please tell me vinyl's at least still cool?

[ Kelly Ann chokes and sputters a bit. ] Shit. You're older than my dad.

[ She coughs and recovers. ] Don't worry. Vinyl's always cool.

Edited 2017-11-19 22:38 (UTC)

Well, unless your dad's 27 - not technically. [But he sees her point.

Awkwardly.] Good to hear my vinyl might hold up, though.

Um, no. [ Mentioning her dad was a mistake, now it's going to be even more awkward. ] He was... 29. But, um, that was a long time ago.

[ She munches more fruit. Anyway. ] You know I bet if we did like, an Unplugged style acoustic set and did the whole Storytellers thing where we explained all the songs and shit as we went, we'd probably get a fuck ton of shit.

[Yep, more awkward. He scratches the back of his head and ruffles his hand through his hair, eyes briefly averted. What d'you say after it becomes apparent you're from the past and if you evened out timelines you'd be some old geezer around a cute chick? Sigh.]

Yeah? I'm not sure I'd know more than a handful of songs - but I've been improvising already, so. It's not like they're gonna call me out on it, eh? I like this plan.

[ Don't worry, Peter. She's distracted by thinking about how close they are to the age her dad was when he died. ]

We could practice. Most of what I know are pretty simple anyway, so long as you had the chords close enough that would work. [ She grins, cautiously but still. ] I can make sure it's all old shit so you'll know it.

Thanks, you're so kind. [He snickers, all too aware of how much music he's missing out on. What's Rush's next album? What's gonna top the charts in 1984?]

You play any instruments? Or are you gonna stay vocal breadwinner for us.

What can I say, I'm a giver. [ She smirks. ] Plus like, the new stuff is way harder and I don't know if you could handle it with all the arthritis.

[ She eats more of the fruit. She needs to find more, Adam would probably like it. ]

No, I don't. Wanted to, but lessons and instruments cost money. [ She shrugs. ] I'm not an amazing singer but if we pick the songs right I won't embarrass us.

[Peter laughs again, clearly one for well timed jabs.

He rolls his eyes and gives a little nod.] I'm self taught, so if you pick the right songs I'll hopefully not embarrass us either. I can teach you guitar sometime, if you don't mind a slightly unorthodox method of learning. And by that? I mean "Peter teaches you with no rhyme or reason how to twang a note because he's no formal teacher" kinda learning.

Edited 2017-11-20 22:00 (UTC)

Most of my learning has been unorthodox.

[ She picks up a stick and snaps it into pieces, flinging the bits on the street in front of her. ]

It's not like the L.A. public school system was all that great, you know?

[ Or that anybody ever gave a shit how she did in school. Or if she even showed up. Until she got the gig and then people actually needed her to do stuff and do it right so they showed her how. ]

I learn best by doing, anyway. It'll be fine. Oh, do you read tabs? Because I can write tabs.

Shit answer: yes, no and maybe so? [He's got a general smattering of knowledge that will cover his bases but not without an error every so often. He laughs though, sitting back a bit and tapping his fingertips against the base of his guitar.]

I'll teach you what I know, you teach me what you know - at some point we'll have an even harmony going on. Deal?

[ The idea that she could have something useful to teach somebody in this weird place where everybody knows or can do so many amazing things is pretty great. Kelly Ann ducks her head and smiles, tucking a lock of hair back behind her ear. ]

Ok. It's a deal.

[ She's not really confident in her ability to teach anything to anybody but she offers her hand to shake on it. ]

Sweet, good - it's official then. There's a bunch of other instruments too but aside from a short stint on the drums, I stuck to guitar. My mom threatened to wring my neck as a kid for being too loud - typical snipping of an aspiring drummer's dream right in the bud, you know how it is.

[Not that he's all that disappointed.] Anyway, wanna take a break and explore a bit? My sis got some good sweet stuff from somewhere around here and I need to track down the source.

I dunno. I've known a lot of drummers. You're not a drummer. Though I bet you could do some sick speed metal, if you didn't get too worked up about telling them to keep it down of course.

[ She hops to her feet and offers a hand to help him up. Because his knees aren't so good anymore. ]

Sweet stuff sounds amazing. Maybe we can practice some of the Unplugged set to earn it.

[ She had heard some of Nihlus' lecture, after all. ]

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