ateratmods: (Halcyn)
Aterat Mod Account ([personal profile] ateratmods) wrote in [community profile] aterat2020-07-08 09:06 pm

Pulse 001

Speaking Crystal

[Mid-morning, a familiar voice rings out over the crystals.]

Good morning, everyone! We trust you've settled in well! We'd like to meet you all formally and invite you to join us in the fountain square this afternoon! We look forward to seeing you there!


Who; The Aspects (Halcyn & Athony) and YOU!
What; The Aspects welcome their new summons to Aterat
Where; The Fountain Square
When; Thursday; Mid-day
Warnings; None I can think of. Will update if necessary



The Fountain square remains unchanged from your arrival, the multiple tiers containing archways all dim save for the one from which Halcyn and her counterpart, Athony, step at the appointed time. Around the fountain, though, have gathered artisans, performers, and salesman as well as recruiters. People are looking for clerks, delivery persons, and people to run small tasks for them. There are leatherworkers interested in hiring intrepid individuals to acquire more exotic skins for their trade and various other ways to earn coin.

And then there is a larger stall built into the back of a large covered wagon pulled by two oxen. It's set off a little ways from the others, either to set itself apart from the vulgus or simply to afford it room. Two people dressed smartly stand a bit apart from it and will encourage any passersby to come speak with the clerk behind the desk. Emblazoned across the side in intricate gold leaf are the letters "MGB" and the callers will inform anyone inquiring they are representatives of the Merchant's Guild Bank, and that they are willing to negotiate investment in any business ventures newcomers may be interested in...for a modest cut, of course. They assure the contract is thoroughly negotiable and urge you to speak with the broker in the carriage.

All business dealings cease when the portal on the highest level of the fountain activates and Halcyn and Athony step through. She is tall, lithe, with flowing red hair and an aura of goodness and life that overrides any attempts to read her mind. He has a darker aura, clad in deep gray armor with a gem-encrusted sword at his hip and a formidable shield strapped to his back. The murk around his mind is just as difficult to pierce, and anyone sensative to the flow of time would sense these two seem to exist as though apart from it.

They descend the dias to stand at ground level, equal to the gathered crowd, but when Halcyn speaks, her soft melodious voice carries as though its amplified, though there seems to be no source of amplification save for a subtle vibration of magic those sensative to it may sense.

"I'm so glad you all came!" She claps her hands together, clasping them before her before spreading her arms wide. "We have so much work to do, as I've told you all already. We have been tasked with the reconstruction of this world, and we simply can't without all of you. The reason why is complicated, but I can assure you we require nothing of any of you that you are not capable of." She motions around at the square and all those gathered here.

"The people of Aterat are eager to welcome you as well, but Athony and myself will remain around should you wish to speak more privatly. Again, thank you all for coming!"

With that, the gathering dispurses into it's former form, though the Aspects remain should anyone wish to speak with them.

Feel free to post top levels to meet and greet your fellow arrivals and to explore the offerings of this strange new city.

Throughout the city, not only today, but at random times, a new rhyme seems to have been picked up by the children at play, skipping rope or playing hopscotch, or dancing in a strange circle. There's a haunting quality to it, but maybe that's only because no one's taken notice of its existence before:

Traveler, traveler, what do you seek?
Riches and fame make oaken souls weap.

Traveler, traveler, watch where you're led.
One turn left, three turns right will take you to bed.

Traveler, traveler, try not to get lost.
The dwellers in the mirk may well be the cost.

chaosvessel: Credit to <user name="vikael"> (vincent_002)

[personal profile] chaosvessel 2020-07-15 02:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Vincent was well-practiced in observing the actions of others. Before all that had changed him, he'd been a bodyguard. It had literally been his responsibility to keep an eye on others and predict their intentions before they acted upon them. And he'd been good at it.

And so, while he was admittedly assuming, without looking away from the gathered crowd, he went out on a limb. "What do you make of this?"
57times: (Cogs)

[personal profile] 57times 2020-07-19 05:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Similarly - if only in how and why she'd learned to read people - Esther was more comfortable watching others before she approached them. They always gave away far more than they intended or even knew, it was just human nature.

The only difference was Vincent has used the skill to help protect people. Esther did precisely the opposite.

His question earned him a sidelong glance, but after a moment he got a reply. "I would call it farcical if it were in any way funny. Any city that needs to take people from their lives to be rebuilt isn't one I want a part in restoring."
chaosvessel: Credit to <user name="vikael"> (vincent_002)

[personal profile] chaosvessel 2020-07-25 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
He'd done so with varying degrees of success, but protection had been his objective, yes. He recalled what Arkady had told him, what she's Seen when she'd tried to see beyond the city, and he frowned, not looking away from the gathering of people, crossing his arm.

"The problem's bigger than that."