ioduanooc | Agenda

✽ JUNE 2018

Hello Dreamers!

Here is what we've got planned for June 2018. Don't forget to read the last section at the end of the post for OOC updates too!

• CITY DEVELOPMENTS •

As the date for the Tourney approaches, the excitement among the city’s residents is almost palpable. And so is the air. A heatwave hits hard with humidity so thick you could cut it with a knife. The days are muggy with constant scattered thunderstorms. Nights are foggy, seeming to muffle the excited crowds gathering at pubs, restaurants and cafes.

The increase in moisture has been a blessing for Aifaran’s agricultural districts - the drier weather had been a cause for concern with influx of foreign visitors coming for the Tourney.

Speaking of these tourists, there’s quite a few who are eager to talk about what’s been going on outside the archipelago, sharing their own personal insights about news that is often only heard impersonally.

The sentry and medical professionals are still working to completely eradicate the parasite infection, keeping an eye out for erratic behaviour. Given the excitement and the increase in drunken shenanigans, there’s been more than a few false positives but the worst one can expect from this is to spend an evening in the hospital and get sent home with a special shampoo. Fortunately, an epidemic has been avoided.

Some who work in the city’s underbelly may notice later in the month that the Chihuelan smugglers are taking an interest in the rumours about the Narrakra’s... fortuitous return. The questions are mild enough, nothing out of the ordinary such as asking after the well-being of the crew, the state of the ship, etc. But they seem to ask the same questions repeatedly, seeming surprised and puzzled if asked why they keep repeating themselves.

• JOB OPENINGS •

Aifaran's economy has strong pillars in both monetary and barter systems for work, and as such there are always a wealth of opportunities for temporary work both inside the city and in other locations around the archipelago. While these positions are not strictly geared toward Dreamfolk, and anyone can take them up regardless of whether they already have steady employment elsewhere or not, new Dreamfolk in particular find them helpful to help get their feet under them. Some of this month's temporary work positions are:

Tourney Minion - With the Talent Tourney underway, the event staff need underlings to help keep things running smoothly. This may mean being a runner, carrying equipment, acting as an usher in the stands, selling snacks and merchandise, janitorial duties - pretty much all of the many little things that need to get done in order for the Tourney to go off without a hitch. Short term, but a great opportunity to meet people.

Tour Guide - With an influx of visitors to Aifaran for the Tourney, some of them want to take the opportunity to explore the city or need help finding their way around. It's a great way to get to know the city better - even if you're new, don't worry. You'll get a script. This can, however, get really repetitive, and you'll probably be on your feet talking all day.

Vermin Catcher - The recent rainy season has flooded much of the lower portions of the city's drainage systems, and anywhere that allowed the collection of water is often the home of Aifaran's version of rats and mice. The water has driven them to dryer ground, where they have been chewing on food supplies, fabrics, and more. Not a lot of people like dealing with vermin, so the pay is decent (albeit based on number of critters caught). You'll get a bonus if they're alive; to some, they make good additions to stews.

• UPCOMING EVENTS •

✽ TALENT TOURNEY { June 5 - 20 }

It's finally here! After a month of planning and practice, the Talent Tourney opens with an energetic, colorful ceremony. Although Dreamfolk are the only ones who are gifted with Talents, the Tourney has become a popular annual event for peoples of all races. Talent schools put on demos at the opening ceremonies, but so too do representatives from any of the Alliance races that wished to. Most of these displays are of cultural traditions; the Tourney is not the only opportunity to keep those traditions alive, but it's a unique time to blend the old with the new.

Rather than a tournament of combat, the Talent Tourney focuses on pushing one's personal skill to its height. There are different categories of the competition to account for the variety of Talents within a given school, including obstacle courses and artistic exhibitions. A recent addition to the Tourney are group challenges, where pairs and trios work to combine their Talent's effects to accomplish tasks.

Over the course of two weeks, prizes will be awarded for numerous events. In addition to medal placement, these prizes are usually related to the Talent school, e.g. someone specializing in wood Alteration will receive a supply of fine timber to work with. Aifaran will be abuzz with activity and excitement. The Tourney brings with it a festival atmosphere, with special wares and foods offered by vendors across the city and around the event grounds located in the Old Piers, where there's enough space to set up temporary digs. Sea prune on a stick, anyone?

Note: This event will have a mod-posted log available for threading.

✽ SHIPS IN THE NIGHT - CONTINUED { June 22 }

On the evening of the 22nd, the missing Sentry ship Narrakra reappears, and re-enters the barrier. However, it’s clear that there’s something...wrong. Though the ship’s only been missing for a month, its crew have clearly aged years. When questioned about this (after they have stopped screaming in existential horror), they reveal that they experienced no missing time whatsoever. One moment they were here, the next gone; missing for a month, and aging years.

Though the Sentry does try and keep this under wraps, rumors emerge, as rumors do, and after several days a shell-shocked Arybar family breaks their silence. The news of a Shunt stealing up on a ship that should have the equipment necessary to protect it is unsettling at best and deeply troubling at worst. The Sentry decides to up its naval patrols on a volunteer basis, keeping a weather eye out for anything else that might indicate issues with their equipment or - more worryingly - the Dreaming itself.

The Sentry also puts a call out for anyone with sufficient technological skill to try and upgrade their equipment. The academics at the Aisling Tower have data on Shunts, and all that’s needed is to marry the two together. Simple in theory, but far more difficult in practice.

Note: This event will have a mod-posted network post available for threading. Please remember to keep your journal inboxes open as we will be PMing you things!

• AFFINITY RANKS •

Remember to check out your character's AFFINITY RANK for the various areas of repute within the city!

This month's Affinity Activities can be found LOCATED HERE.

• OOC INFO & MOD NOTES •

Ships in the Night
Additional parts of the Ships in the Night plot will be delivered via PMs to character journals this week, slightly delayed from our anticipated timeline of the end of May. We appreciate your patience!

Fourth Wall
We will be hosting our first Fourth Wall event in the month of July! Anyone is welcome to the Fourth Wall event whether they play or have ever played in Khu Ioduan. The dates are still TBD, but we will have an OOC post with the event premise and detailed information once we're closer to the event start.

Use this post for plotty purposes if you'd like, brainstorm what your character might be interested in doing, laugh over your affinity ranks, anything you want - this post is yours!

Agenda | June 2018

Talent Tourney Questions