Nova Luria, Pirate Utopia

• Character: Ivo Galvan
• 1 month, 1 week ago

 Ivo keeps his hand steady on the tiller as the SaGa passes narrowly under a low stone archway, heretofore hidden by the waves. Without inside knowledge, he reflects in the darkness of the stone's shadow, he would have surely passed by this small island without batting an eye, appearing as it does more like a treacherous rock, impassable cliffs on all sides with nothing else to offer. But on a specific side, at a very specific time, the sea waters lower sufficiently to expose a nondescript cove. And should one ease through, as they do now--
 "Incredible."
 Nova Luria will come into view.

> BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npESCTChTFs

 The noonday sun beating down overhead causes the great trees and their elaborate treehouses to cast long shadows as though to magnify the extravagance of this secret paradise. The light refracts in the green crystals that seem, like a beautiful mortar, to reinforce the construction in cracks and crevices, casting a shimmering glow that caresses the base of the repurposed sailing vessels that glide along tracks as public transportation, buoyed by gentle yet enduring winds.
 "I've only seen crystals like those once before," Ivo murmurs, his gaze sweeping, taking in as much of the city as possible as they approach the harbor, as though thinking that if he were to blink, it would all burst like a bubble or dissipate like a mirage, "in the caldera at the center of the Isle of Blessed Winds, where the wind elementals once dwelt..."
 That such power would be devoted to sustaining a city of mortals defies imagining, but then, so much else does too. Ivo trails off as he coaxes the SaGa to slowly cruise into port. At this time of day, when the city is sweltering and hot and passage to sea is possible, the port is quieter, lending this air of tranquility. But those who dwell here well know that come dusk, when the Nova Lurians have nowhere else to go and the air pleasantly cools, the true atmosphere of a pirate city emerges.
 "Do you have time for a stroll?" Ivo finally asks Roseline as the SaGa sidles up towards one of the vacant piers. Their vessel may be unfamiliar, but Nova Luria has never been invaded and stolen vessels arriving are, well, relatively commonplace, so it is doubtful anyone will react with alarm. "Or will you need to report right away? I should be most interested in an audience with the leader of this fair city... and the opportunity to discuss how the Tempestquell might be of service to you all. In good time, of course."
 His tone is light, but Ivo is under no illusions that, just because they've stayed traveling together relatively peaceably (duels aside) all this way, he's somehow trusted. But as he looks to Tulip, his eyes are especially bright.
 "I'm sure we can find ways to occupy ourselves, if necessary."
 He wants to explore.

• Character: Laineth
• 1 month, 1 week ago

  Well... Here they are. They finally arrived.

  It was a bit of a journey... an unexpected one to be sure. Roseline lost her ship after being apparently framed as a convenient scapegoat for some other political struggle she's not even sure of. But they managed to escape on Ivo's ship and sail back to Nova Luria...

  Suppose this is in the spirit of adventure, huh?

  Anyway, Roseline watches as the familiar scenery comes into view, and her crewmembers all cheer among themselves at finally making it back after losing their ship. It was a wild ride, but they're here. The SaGa docks, and the redhead breathes a sigh of relief. Haaa...... Well then.

  She turns to Ivo, her arms crossed. "Hm. There's no big rush. If you want to take a look around, knock yourself out. Just.... don't do anything too crazy."

  A pointed look at Tulip upon saying that.

• Character: Tulip
• 1 month, 1 week ago

  While their vessel is guided into port, Tulip has her elbows on the edge of it as she leans over to watch the sea go by. As it makes its way to the pier she straightens back up with a grumble, wiping her forehead and tutting at just how sweaty she is in this heat. Still she strolls on over to the others, muttering about the heat the whole way.
  She scratches the back of her neck at Ivo's question, eyeing the city with a speculative look on her face. "I mean I'm gonna be taking a look round anyway, yeah?" she says with a nod towards him. "And, uh..not much for me to say to the boss either. She's not gonna be interested in me!"
  Considering her attempts to fight Roseline, that might not be entirely true.
  When Roseline looks at her like that she glances away. "I wasn't planning on doing anything.." she mutters. The keyword there being 'planning'. It doesn't count if you just decide to do something crazy in the moment!

• Character: Ivo Galvan
• 1 month, 1 week ago

 Ivo grins at Tulip as she mutters complaints, glancing between his two companions with an easy composure and lively eyes.
 "Shall we look at the attire available first, then?" he asks the rabbit-eared brawler. "Perhaps we'll find something best suited to the climate with which to present ourselves to our host. Besides, it's always nice to start a new adventure with a new look."
 Furthermore, he might benefit from exposure to new ideas to inspire the bunnygirl variant of the Shadowcat Bikini Set. Now that would keep them cool.
 "I'm struck by the Korotean design of some of the architecture," he casually continues as he ties up the SaGa with a self-coiling magitech rope and then disembarks onto the pier with a rippling of his lightweight Oradian cloak. "I wonder if the garments will largely be in a similar nomadic style, or if they will be more eclectic. Perhaps some influences from Lomphan, as befits the successor to Atina Lurias."
 Ivo allows his gaze to drift up towards the treehouses for a moment as he approaches the boardwalk, where the crystalline tracks that circle the city pass by the seaside marketplace.
 "I wonder if that ancient city was really like this," he murmurs, "or if this is just how those today imagine it."
 Having visited one of the great fallen beastkin cities, Aurita Meloda, and even helped to restore it to greatness, Ivo cannot help but wonder what the old Luria, as it were, was like.

• Character: Laineth
• 1 month, 1 week ago

  Roseline sighs and shakes her head at Tulip, but disembarks anyway. "Sure, whatever you say." Maybe it's correct that Tulip wouldn't plan anything crazy. She's not the planning type in the first place, is she? Maybe the better statement would have been 'watch that you don't randomly cause trouble'.

  Her crewmembers bring up the rear as they get off. "Heh heh heh! You know what time it is! Time to hit up the ol' Salty Crab!" One of them proclaims, a fist to the air. "Hell yeah! Time to pay Sir Gale a long overdue visit! I got a tankard o' booze with my name on it!" Another cheers, and then- "Don't you got a massive tab over there? You're gonna get wrecked the moment you cross the doorway." A third chimes in. Laughter follows as they make to walk off. Probably to hit up some pub. "Seeya later Boss Lady!"

  Off they go...

  Roseline waves over her shoulder, acknowledging their banter as she stays with Tulip and Ivo. "You were saying something about clothes? I mean... if you're that interested, there's a decent spot a little ways away from the port." She says as she walks off, intending to lead. When Ivo mentions the architecture, Roseline scoffs lightly, shrugging her shoulders. "Yeah. Considering this place got built on top of something else, you're going to get a weird mix like this. But I guess that gives this place its charm."

• Character: Tulip
• 1 month, 1 week ago

  "Oh, sure! I could really use something lighter, it's way too hot here." Tulip replies, blissfully unaware as to the thoughts going through Ivo's mind. Like him she steps out onto the pier, wobbling a little as she tries to get used to being back on land. And she'd just gotten used to the sea and everything!

  "So you're into all this old stuff?" she says conversationally, giving Ivo a curious little gaze. "They tried to teach me some of that, but ehh..it was pretty hard to pay attention." she goes on, one ear twitching in their direction as the crew slip away for the usual things sailors get up to when they reach port.

  "Wha...hey, wait up!" she calls as Roseline leads the way, following after the other girl in a hurry. "What kinda place is it anyway? If it's one of those shops that only sells weird stuff, I'm not gonna be happy!"

• Character: Ivo Galvan
• 1 month, 1 week ago

Ivo Galvan rolls 1d20>=10.
Comment: How "inspiring" is Ivo going to find these clothes?
Roll(s): 1. Total result is 1. This is a failure (by 9).

• Character: Ivo Galvan
• 1 month, 1 week ago

 "I have much to learn about this city's history," Ivo is saying, sounding as eager as he looks, though he does not quicken his stride, taking his time surveying and perusing the marketplace, even pausing on occasion to peer at varied offerings. "Perhaps the city's great leader would spare me some of her time to avail me of what scholarship exists on the matter."
 It's not clear that there are any scholars at all in Nova Luria. He might just have to do a lot of talking, which he's good at, and even more drinking, which he's, well, not.
 "In such a sweltering environment," he murmurs, "surely the residents would have been similarly inspired to design outfits suited to the climate, as I did on the Isle..."
 Could the Shadowcat Bikini Set have been independently produced in this pirate paradise? Or perhaps, something even more daring!? With bated breath, Ivo reaches the clothing store in question.
 "...what!?"
 Full-length robes, light but shapeless, sure not to cling stickily to skin or be tangled in fur. Wide-brimmed hats to protect practically from the sun, with cut-outs for ears in some cases. Practical seafaring garb.
 "Unbelievable!"
 Ivo seems, of all things, scandalized.
 "This place..."
 Yet at the same time, a rare fire has been lit beneath him.
 "...I must bring to it civilization!"

> Ivo has acquired a new Side Quest Line: "Popularize the Bikini."
> First quest: "Find a Model."

 His eyes narrowing, he looks between Roseline and Tulip, abruptly shifting his emotional tenor again, now from indignant to speculative. Tulip seems must easier to convince. But, Roseline, well...
 She does seem to have more... natural talent.

• Character: Laineth
• 1 month, 1 week ago

  Scholars? Here?

  ...Actually it's more likely than one might think. The city has its rough and tumble exterior, but there are people with functioning brains here that form the backbone of Nova Luria's society... humbly working in the background to keep things running smoothly, documenting history and the day to day, and making sure those dang brutes don't burn the whole place to the ground.

  Roseline chuckles to herself when Ivo, and previously Tulip, mentioned the weather. "You get used to it. Also helps to not be wearing a big old cape." She says, shaking her head. She's in no rush herself. Especially as she's going to have to report the loss of a ship... Her mom probably won't chew her out... but she'll make her regret it in other ways. A shiver runs up her spine briefly, then its gone.

  A problem for future her.

  They arrive at said clothing store, Roseline walks in and crosses her arms as she gives Ivo a half lidded stare and observes his reaction. "........" She can probably guess what his thought process was. It's extremely transparent.

  "...What?" She asks, as she sees him stare between her and Tulip.

• Character: Tulip
• 1 month, 1 week ago

  "D'you think they'll have anyone like that here? Like apart from her, that crew seemed kinda..dumb. Thugs, you know?" says the pot that just met multiple kettles. "Then again..." and here the bunnygirl taps her chin, pausing for a few seconds as something from a stall catches her eye for a moment. "...uh? Oh right, I was saying! That queen lady, she made a deal with that wind thing, right? So she must be pretty smart!"

  She nods to Roseline, flashing the other girl a buck-toothed smile. "You're used to it, huh? Being hot, that is." she says, quite obliviously. You can practically hear the single brain cell bouncing around in there.

  When they reach the store Tulip scampers inside with a cheerful hum and proceeds to start handling the merchandise without so much as offering the owner a hello. She investigates a robe before shoving it back, deeming it too large for her. Then she grabs a hat, turning it over in her hands to get a proper look. She even goes so far as to poke her fingers through the holes at the top. Probably to see if they're big enough to fit her ears. It's nice not to need to cut them out yourself, like what she'd usually have to do when roaming in human dominated lands!

  She turns back to the others, holding out that hat with a grin. It's not anything pretty, made for the sheer utility that local sailors demand from their clothing rather than for fashion. "What d'ya think of this one? ...uh, why're you looking at me like that?" she asks with suspicion in her voice.

• Character: Ivo Galvan
• 1 month, 1 week ago

Ivo Galvan rolls 1d20>=15.
Comment: Bunnygirl breakthrough? (High difficulty roll)
Roll(s): 20. Total result is 20. This is a success (by 5).

• Character: Ivo Galvan
• 1 month, 1 week ago

 Ivo should be thinking of something clever to say with both of his new party members looking at him suspiciously now, perhaps finding some sort of distraction or new topic of conversation. There is so much that he would like to discuss, after all. Maybe Roseline will introduce him to a Nova Lurian bureaucrat, a job description at which the mind reels.
 Then again, after he meets her mom, maybe he'll become one.
 "Hmmm..."
 But instead, for all his sense of self-preservation, Ivo's gaze is drawn to the way that Tulip examines the holes in the hat she's holding. Those are meant to be practical, of course, and make room for her ears. But as unflattering as the hat might be, the way that it effectively isolates and calls attention to her beastkin features has its own charm. Rather than merely adapt the Shadowcat Bikini, if he were to design an outfit from the ground up around such a theme...
 "That's it!"

> Ivo is struck with inspiration! Critical success!
> The Bunnygirl Leotard Schematic has been unlocked.

 "Roseline!" All at once, Ivo is overtaken by a fierce determination, the typically composed Cosmopolitan shockingly resolute. "Are there facilities for the development of magitech here? Anything resembling a laboratory? Or a space that I could repurpose as such? I know now what I must create... the only question is if I have the materials...!"
 Before even advancing the main quest a single step, Ivo just keeps piling on the side quests. But it's for a good cause, surely.

• Character: Laineth
• 1 month, 1 week ago

  Roseline stares at Tulip and her hat.

  "...I think you can do better than that." She says, eyeing the plain hat. It would do the job of keeping the sun out, certainly, but where's the /flair/? Tsk tsk.

  But before she can go all fashionista, Ivo suddenly EXPLODES with inspiration. ...Figuratively, not literally. The redhead blinks a few times when he rounds on her with that seemingly random request. "Um, sure? There's plenty of workshops here. I'm sure you can borrow one if you really need the space." Her head tilts slightly, confusion evident on her face. "...What for?"

  The million gold question right there. What inspiration did he suddenly get in a random clothing store? ...Roseline, can only assume it's something outrageous. She has no proof, of course, but she has a feeling.

• Character: Tulip
• 1 month, 1 week ago

  "Really? But it'll keep the sun out and everything! What's so wrong with it, huh?" Tulip says huffily as she pushes it towards Roseline. There are more fancy, pretty hats more suited to a young lady of course, but Tulip didn't even seem to notice those ones. Seems like she's not the kind of girl who thinks about things like fashion, or looking pretty. Maybe she needs a makeover.

  When Ivo makes his request she staaaaaares at him for a long few seconds. "Uh...what she said. The stuff here is pretty handy, but it's not like it's...I mean what, are you going to make a magic hat or something?"

  Her eyes narrow in thought as she rubs at her chin. "Then again, those guys from before would probably like a magic sun hat.."

• Character: Ivo Galvan
• 1 month, 1 week ago

Ivo Galvan rolls 1d20>=10.
Comment: Materials hunting: can Ivo find what he needs?
Roll(s): 12. Total result is 12. This is a success (by 2).

• Character: Ivo Galvan
• 1 month, 1 week ago

 "I will indeed work magic," Ivo replies to Tulip, more or less answering her question, as his gaze now sweeps the market, having pivoted from taking in as much as possible of the sights and sounds to zeroing in on a specific and inscrutible goal. "But its nature must be coaxed from its potential, like a statue revealing itself in stone through a craftsman's chisel."
 Well, what he was saying started as an answer, at least.
 "The question is how to retain the flexibility that a fighter requires while also retaining the structure needed for such a garment to retain its shape," Ivo is continuing, now muttering to himself. "If I could use natural resources compatible with aetheric enhancement, then... ah!"
 With a swirl of his cloak, he approaches another storefront specializing in goods of the sea. He seems to be examining lengths of whalebone.
 "Yes, if I were to reinforce it thusly, then..."
 The magitechnician has become utterly absorbed in his task, which is, apparently, to create some outfit that is both compatible with heat and humidity and effective for combat and adventuring. Will it be an outfit that he can convince his party members to wear?
 One problem at a time. Genius mustn't be interrupted.

• Character: Laineth
• 1 month, 1 week ago

  "......"

  Roseline stares at Ivo as he goes off into his own little world, muttering to himself. Reminds her of when those engineering savants back at the workshop at home would get when they got a GREAT idea.

  She sighs and pinches her brow. "Looks like we lost him. Leave him be. He'll probably turn back up later." Yes. He'll turn up later, having finished a random chain of sidequests, all in order to create this garment.

  She turns to Tulip, taking the plain hat from her. "As for /you/. We're not leaving until you look halfway decent." She says, marching the bunnykin back into the aisle of clothing.

  Oh dear.

• Character: Tulip
• 1 month, 1 week ago

  Without explaining a single thing Ivo is off perusing the marketplace, much to Tulip's confusion. The bunnygirl watches him go, a frown appearing on her face. "Is he...okay? Did something happen to his brain?" she asks before Roseline drags her away, intent on making her a little more stylish.

  "Hey...HEY! I already look good! You better not make me wear anything weird! I told you earlier, I'll be mad if you do!" Ivo can vaguely hear Tulip shouting in the distance as she vanishes between the ailes.