world jump #1: END.

[acatamods]

I ▫ main IV ▫ premise       XI ▫ applications XIV ▫ activity II ▫ logs V ▫ rules VII ▫ bestiary   IX ▫ canon updates XII ▫ taken XV ▫ drop/hiatus III ▫ ooc VI ▫ faq VIII ▫ setting   X ▫ mods XIII ▫ reserves XVI ▫ players your decisions . . . You have spent nearly six weeks in El Minha and on the dawn of this day, you feel a peculiar tug in your stomach. As if you suddenly descended in height, or went over a large bump in the road. Your stomach drops . . . it’s almost as if your gut is telling you something big is about to happen. However, nothing, immediately, seems to happen. The day continues much as the last week or so has -- with a lot of discussion, a lot of tense talks, and perhaps a break in the strain for diplomacy. The people of El Minha are tired of being caught in the middle, and many have gone to the only person who seems to be willing to listen to their plight -- the King, and his band of . . . mercenary misfits. The city itself, since Kathashun’s release, has remained in an uneasy truce. Kathashun himself has been negotiating with the Syndicate and the Guard, establishing himself as a power within the city. He made no show of power, but the Guard in particular seems to immediately understand when they're beat. It certainly doesn’t hurt matters to know that Kathashun apparently has a force of world jumpers on his side . . . and the Syndicate and Guard seem reluctantly agreeable to Kathashun retaining his hold on the throne. The presence of Jalin seems to help matters -- no one wants to argue with the Champion, particular as he hasn’t left the King’s side for longer than ten minutes. More than that, the people seem to be a little more at ease in trusting Kathashun. Jalin has spent most of the time since Kathashun’s release attempting to garner support for the young King and his promises seem to be working. By the end of a week, a truce has been formed, with the following promises from Kathashun to the people: (1) The water of El Minha will be more fairly distributed, using Kathashun’s gifts in order to access the springs underneath the Palace to ensure more people have access to the precious resource. (2) The Guard who killed Eliana will stand before the full military tribunal, with Kathashun presiding. (3) The Syndicate can retain their territory, but will cease hostilities against the Guard. (4) In return, the Guard will cease raids of the lower city, and instead work to improve the city to the best benefit possible. (5) A committee is formed, made of laypeople and nobles alike, in order to assist Kathashun in governing the new phase of the city. The propositions aren’t perfect, but the rebels, the Syndicate, and the Guard seem to have reached an uneasy acceptance that Kathashun is who the people (for the moment) want to be in charge, and no one wants senseless bloodshed. Kathashun, for his part, is grateful for the assistance of the members of the Circle, from freeing him to ensuring the safety of what people they could. As a gift, he grants all still-remaining members of the Circle a small token of appreciation -- a gold coin, etched with the royal crest of El Minha. It feels warm to the touch, with a soft glint. “So we can remain in touch, should we need each other’s assistance again,” Kathashun tells you, with a warm smile. “I am in your debt and service.” The remainder of your time in El Minha is spent helping rebuild the city or exploring the remains while the higher-ups negotiate the existing truce. It seems, for now, you have chosen to throw your weight behind the true force that mattered: the people. Your choices have paid off to create a tentative peace in El Minha . . . and it’s in this moment, when you have this thought, that you feel an abrupt tug in your chest, and a whispered, familiar voice: Time to come home. ♥ Without much warning, you are suddenly thrown back into the Temple, much like you arrived -- but this time, there is little sunshine. It is an odd raining mist, and Astoria’s presence is . . . not physical. Any attempt to reach her through your magical watches seems to be responded with a faint and woozy, That was a lot. Whatever happened in bringing you all back to the Temple seems to have drained her, for a little bit, and the Temple and the surrounding Forest is definitely looking less . . . sunshine-y than usual. Perhaps you can explore and find out why? And, weirdly . . . there seems to be a handful of new people, too. Welcome home, travellers. Take your time to recuperate, and rest. Your next adventure will be announced sooner than you think.