| 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
It's the finding of such personal effects lately that have prompted him to start recording things again. Exo memory can be spotty, after all. He'd been surprised when his old writings had found its way back to him, more so upset at himself for forgetting such things than at them being found out.
"Ah, right. I guess this here's a good opportunity for finding stuff we can't on board the Avagi," he nods. "Buuuut it's nice to get a breather, change of scenery, you know?"
no subject
Just one second to stop for a bit. That's fine, wasn't it? There's so much on his plate right now: setting up the quarantines and saferooms, organizing seminars and meetings, gathering supplies, reverse engineering Life Support and Sanitation... Spirits.
One thing at a time.
Puffing, he leans back, elbows resting on the step behind him and long legs stretched out in front. For the first time since the portals opened, he stares out over the city and really sees it. The glow of it, the golden architecture speckled with colorful greenery, the stretch of a vast, glimmering blue sea beyond it.
"I can see why you chose this spot," he comments, casting the other a sideways glance and a smile.
no subject
Cayde sets his pencil down, glancing at Nihlus as he's joined on his step. "There's always going to be plenty to worry about. This here's the first proof that we're still somehow connected to the Ingress or something like it, and we can be thankful that it's somewhere tame and not exploding with things that might want to kill us."
He knows they wouldn't be all defenseless if that happened, and those who know him would know he'd love a good fight, but it's better if you're able to choose your battles, and not so much fun when you've got limited resources and everyone's still getting their feet under them.
"Nice, eh?" He grins back before turning his attention back towards the scenery beyond. "I know I'm sitting here in the middle of it but it's still kind of surreal."
no subject
Stuck on a station at the mercy of an uncontrollable, universe-traversing technology was about as far from Nihlus' definition of 'safe' as it got. Their existences here seem to be inextricably linked to the damn thing though. Even the people who'd tried leaving have been popping in and out of existence again. Sans, Ratchet, Clara. Others he'd glimpsed around.
"It's hard to be thankful when all you see is the start of another round of instability," he murmurs. "The Moira's Ingress. Savrou's Ingress. Now Avagi. They'd all been relatively stable until anomalies in the tech started pulling us through. And the storm..."
The storm that'd consumed Savrou and all their answers with it. The storm that still roiled outside their windows.
Nihlus frowns quietly, gazing into a distant point somewhere in the horizon, above the glimmering water.
"... Anyways." So much for enjoying the view. "You got anything on your wishlist? I can probably try and nab you something since I'm doing supply runs."
no subject
Looking over at Nihlus again, Cayde props his chin in hand as he thinks about all the things that have happened. He's at least somewhat familiar with the trouble that had happened aboard the Moira, and he knows what happened with the last Ingress firsthand. The storm's something else completely, and they'd only gotten warnings and more questions to show for it, and no one left to hope for answers.
"Anyways," he agrees, nodding. They've all been through a lot, some of them even before getting pulled away by the Ingress. They'll just have to get through all this too.
"Eh, I doubt they've got any ramen shops around here. Or some big shiny guns. Or ammo for said guns. For the record weapons are always on my wishlist." There's a bit of a lopsided grin at that.
no subject
"The Ingress is also the key to finding people their way back to their home universes. And I have no interest in getting back myself, but I'm at least sticking around to help those who do."
If Nihlus is being honest, he doesn't really have anything better to do with this life.
"It's a ridiculously peaceful town, unfortunately for us." The closest thing to a weapon he'd seen all day were some really sweet looking filet knives. Nothing too useful for survivalists on a space station, though.
Unless they tried incorporating some fish into the Greenery for the fertilizer benefits and additional...
Hmm.
Shaking off the train of thought, he turns his attention back to Cayde and offers, "Ammunition, I can probably sort you. Assuming it's nothing too exotic, anyhow."
Ramen, Nihlus is going to have to quiz Shepard about later.
no subject
Cayde shakes his head. "Yeah, that whole thing about it finding people a way back home? That seemed to be hard enough doing it with the actual tech to adjust. How does one go about it in this form?"
It should probably be seen as a nice thing, that the place is so peaceful and thus likely without reason for anyone to arm themselves. A little too good to be true, in Cayde's book. He's pretty sure he won't find anything as durable as his knife here, but then he doubts that any knives they use here aren't honed with the intent of attacking armored invaders.
"I can let you have a look at some of the spare ammo cartridges I've got, see if they're anything familiar. Nothing too fancy though."
no subject
This, and they didn't even have access to the a proper Ingress portal anymore. All projections were looking awful lengthy- if they were even going to be successful to begin with.
Patting the dust off of the backs of his thighs, Nihlus makes a low, thoughtful thrum.
"Just stop by Life Support and Sanitation during the working cycles and drop it off there." Then, mandible flicking playfully and tones turning teasing. "And if you bring me something nice, I might even move it up the priority list."
At this rate, he's honestly going to end up with half the station in his pocket, making ammo and mods for their weapons. Not quite the way he'd planned on helping run Avagi, but- well. If he's honest? He's not really going to complain about becoming the new, local gunsmith either.
no subject
He nods, making a mental note as to where to drop by at some point to see what can be made out about his ammunition problems before mock-gasping at Nihlus. "You think I'd resort to bribery! The very thought!" he huffs, completely with a hand going to his chest like those old-timey Southern belles. A chuckle follows, along with a wave of his hand, partially in farewell, the other in dismissal.
Whoops, wrap!
Especially for the over-worked, unduly-appointed sanitation engineer.
Puffing a small noise of amusement, he turns, giving Cayde a final wave over his shoulder. "I'll be seeing you around."