| 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...
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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.
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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...
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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.) |
| 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. |
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thisavrou_log2017-11-09 08:50 pm
no subject
Poland. Considering Eddie was growing up literally right after WWII, there was still a lot being discussed on the news and otherwise. Eddie knows that there had been a lot of Polish immigrants after everything happened in the war.
It's not until Erik says kosher that it clicks entirely.)
You're Jewish?
(He says this with quiet wonder. One of his best friends was Jewish, and although Stan and all of them made jokes about it, it was normally Stan leading them and he knew that that's all they were. But people around town made a lot worse jokes sometimes. Granted, Derry made awful jokes about all the Losers whether it was about Eddie being queer, Bev being a whore, Bill's stutter, Mike's skin, or Ben being fat- nothing was off limits.)
My mom is a jerk about Jews. But my friend Stan, he's Jewish.
(Erik probably couldn't care less, but Eddie didn't have the greatest brain to mouth filter, and meeting a Jewish person struck him as interesting as meeting a person of color.)
What is 'kosher' anyway? (What did it have to do with cheese? Eddie had a lot of questions here.
But then Erik suggests he helps and that changes everything. The whole ball game. Eddie straightens up immediately and stares at Erik.)
I can help you? Seriously? (There was excitement in his voice. The chance to do something, the idea Erik wanting him to help- gosh. Eddie could never say no to something like that.)
Tell me what to do.
no subject
Your mother is not alone. It's good your friend has somebody like you on his side. Sometimes that can make all the difference.
[ Afterward, he had heard stories from other survivors of Gentiles who had helped. It always surprised him. And at times made him angry that those people weren't able to be the dominant voices. But that was a conversation for a different time. ]
Kosher has to do with food. When we keep kosher, we are following a series of rules from the Torah about what is clean and suitable for eating, and what is not. It can be quite involved, especially during Passover, but some of the basics for the rest of the time include that we are to avoid pork, shellfish, and mixing meat with dairy. And so no cheeseburgers.
[ As scintillating as that explanation surely is, Eddie is much more interested in the possibility of cooking alongside him. ]
Of course. I wouldn't have offered otherwise. Bring the stool closer, you'll need it to reach everything.
[ He arranges the ingredients so Eddie can reach them. ]
Now, what do you think you need to do first?
no subject
Didn't they technically?
Eddie shuts his eyes slowly and tries to remember to breathe. He does not need to think about that now. Not when he can still hear a faint tinkling of carnival music, smell fresh popcorn, if he lets himself get that far away from common sense.)
I'm lucky to have him.
(He says this quietly, sincerely, and opens his eyes back up. It's gone now, but all the same, Eddie can't help but glance away from Erik and over his shoulder. Just in case.
Thankfully, Erik's voice and speech are both distracting enough. They ground Eddie back to the now. It's a little complicated, but he also remembers Stan talking about this before to some extent. So he nods his head once, firmly.)
No cheeseburgers.
(It's a little weird to him to consider certain food not 'clean' or 'suitable', but he knew that religion demanded more from people. He himself tried to be a good Christian, because that was just the thing he was raised to do, but there was a lot to remember. The least he could do was let someone else be a good whatever-they-are.)
Okay. (He does that, stepping down and scooting the stool over a couple inches so that he could actually work with Erik.)
Um. I guess I'd prepare the meat? (Made sense, right? He grimaces a little and holds his hands up together by his chest.)
...Wait. This is all okay to touch? I know touching raw meat can give you diseases if you're not careful.
no subject
Eddie still seems a bit out of sorts when he moves the stool over and Erik grips his shoulder briefly in an attempt to calm him. ]
Yes, the meat is a good place to start. And touching it should be fine. Hold out your hands. [ He turns Eddie's hands over and looks to make sure he has no open wounds. ] Yes, if you just wash your hands before and after handling it, you'll be fine. There's a station over there you can use. [ He gestures to the handwashing station nearby. ]
Once you're done, we can decide what sort of spices we want to mix in.
no subject
He does as he's told, holding out his hands palm up. One has a recently healed scar across the open palm. It was still pink with fresh scar tissue. So no, no open wounds.)
Okay.
(He can do that. He slips off the stool and eyes the station. That was still pretty tall, but he could use it just fine. If not a little awkwardly. He thoroughly washes his hands and returns to Erik's side within a minute.)
You put spices in your burger? (Color him intrigued. He was used to the good old fashioned days of tasteless slabs of meat.)
...Do I get to put the meat on the grill? (There was something both horrifying and exhilarating about that. He wasn't so sure if this man would trust him with with that though. Plenty of adults didn't like kids messing around with anything 'dangerous', even if it was just stuff like stoves.)
I won't let it burn.
no subject
It is troubling, but Erik has no idea how to approach this as nothing else seems to be amiss. Charles would know what to say. He makes a mental note to mention something about it to him the next time they talk. ]
Yes, spices and seasonings. You don't need much, but something to wake it up a bit. Why don't we try a little salt and pepper and... here. This tastes like dill. Does that sound interesting? Or would you like something else.
[ He hands the pots of seasonings to Eddie. ]