Intro Log: The Joys of Composting

[hadrielmods]

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for September
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: September 10th-14th
Warnings: New folks! Bugs! Weird stuff!

It's that time again! Or, well, probably the very first time for you. It's not that often that you turn up in a different world - unless it is. You awaken on the ground of a large arena, a stone ceiling stretching high above you. Welcome to Hadriel! Don't worry, you weren't the only one who woke up here. So did a bunch of other people - and so did some monsters.

Yup, crawling around being incredibly gross are quite a few Jauchekafers, large beetles that feed off chemical and biological waste from humans. When upset or alarmed, they're perfectly happy to swarm and attack people, so hopefully you didn't wake up in the middle of them. Being about two and a half feet long, their bites can do quite a bit of damage, and that's not even counting the toxicity that might be passed on from their diet!

Speaking of their diet, those beetles aren't the only trash that's washed up in Hadriel this month. While making your escape from the arena, you might stumble over a interesting table or a possibly comfy chair, or even a piece of art. A lot of it's pretty cool, but you're not gonna find anything that isn't made out of trash. But hey, maybe that's your aesthetic?

Don't get too distracted by all this trash that has been turned into treasure. After you've find your way out of the colosseum there's plenty of other distractions! Feel free to go explore the rest of the city! Find a house, a new monster, a project to help with, or simply scavenge for supplies. Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Hadriel!

► This log covers September 10th-14th.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well!
► All characters arrive with phones that have network communication and the newbie guide installed.
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!

Comments

[anoshe]

I'm afraid I was the one who ran into you, and I owe you an apology for that.

[Or maybe they ran into each other. It doesn't really matter, in the end - apologies have happened on both sides. Rhy smiles.]

I just arrived, yes. You probably missed me because I exited as soon as I could.

[Was he going to stand around and wrestle giant beetles? Absolutely not. Not if he could avoid it, though he'd have tried to help others if he had a weapon. In this case, there was really nothing he could do.]

Were you there?

[leashed]

I was- yes.

[He's still a little distracted, but Rome remembers his politeness rapidly enough and tilts his chin up a little, focusing on Rhy and forcing a few inches of calm.]

I'm a member of the guard- it's my duty to assist with new arrivals.

[A pause.]

I apologize I was not there to help you.

[anoshe]

I didn't realize there was a guard here. That's a relief.

[He's surely not the only one who arrived without a weapon, and he's getting the impression this can be a pretty dangerous place.]

While I appreciate the thought, I didn't need the help. The beetles didn't hurt me, and they weren't hard to get away from.

[So help can be saved for someone who genuinely needs it.]

Are you looking for someone?

[leashed]

[The corner of his lips tug just slightly at that- yes, the beetles aren't particularly difficult, are they?]

There've been worse in the past, I'm afraid. I'm glad that the insects here did not pose much of a threat this time.

[The same might not be said for next time, but at least there's that.

At the question, Rome tilts his head, the humor falling from his expression.]

No. I mean... not exactly. [Why not tell him? It's not like he's what Rome is looking for.] I was concerned that one of the new arrivals might be a danger to others. I wanted to find them and see for myself.

[anoshe]

Is that so?

[He thinks back on waking up in the arena, the people who were around. Mostly he remembers the giant beetles, and people getting out as quickly as they could.]

I don't remember anyone who seemed particularly dangerous. A few who could fight, of course, but they seemed more interested in protecting others.

[Which, of course, doesn't mean that there was no one dangerous - simply that Rhy didn't see them. He offers the information in case it might help, since maybe whoever it is left long before anyone else.]

Do you know what they look like?

[leashed]

No.

[This man seems interested at least, which is helpful- but ultimately Rome knows that it's not his problem. Still, what's the harm in talking with him while he searches?]

He's a werewolf. That's all I know.

[There's a pause.]

I can locate him if I'm in the vicinity, it's just a matter of tracking.

[anoshe]

A werewolf?

[None of those where he's from - at least not that he knows of.]

That's amazing. There really are all sorts here, aren't there? I suppose a werewolf could be dangerous, though.

[Rhy seems more enchanted by the idea of werewolves existing than he does worried about the possibility they could tear his face off, though. Priorities.]

How would you locate him? Are you using magic?

[leashed]

I would locate him via scent.

[Because that's not weird at all. And then, to explain-]

I am also a werewolf.

[anoshe]

You are? I wouldn't have guessed.

[He doesn't look like a werewolf. But then, Rhy is not sure what a werewolf would look like. He's only heard the word in stories - there's plenty of magic in his world, but magical creatures? Not so much.]

Ah. I hope I don't smell too awful. I haven't been able to bathe since arriving. I apologize.

[The important stuff.]

[leashed]

I don't notice things like that.

[Bluntly, which definitely won't help with Rhys' insecurity about his lack of bathing, but it's the truth.]

Have you found a place to stay? If you're concerned, you should look for a house. There are bathrooms in those.

[anoshe]

I would certainly hope there are.

[This place isn't that backwards. He hopes.]

I haven't found anywhere to stay yet. Truth be told, I'm still trying to learn my way around. I'm afraid I'd find a place to stay, go out, and then never be able to find my way back.

[leashed]

It's difficult to navigate at first.

[He nods, sympathetic, and then turns away from Rhy, getting an approximation of his surroundings.]

Luckily, the river bisects the city and the spires are visible from most of the surrounding areas. You can use them as a landmark- or better yet, you can live in them.

[anoshe]

That's helpful.

[He was under a murky impression that if there was any kind of map, it would be on his phone, which he has no real idea how to use. Knowing that the city can be navigated - well, more or less - without it is a comfort.]

Do we need to speak to someone to do that? Or just find a place, throw our things down, and claim it for our own?

[leashed]

Well...

[He fights a tiny smile.]

Ideally, you'd want to ensure it's uninhabited first.

[anoshe]

What, and take all the fun out of it?

[Was that a smile? Nice to know he's capable of it, at least.]

I'm an excellent roommate. They would be delighted to have me, I'm sure.

[leashed]

I- ah.

[It takes him a moment to ensure that Rhy is in on the joke and not just presuming to throw his stuff everywhere and force himself on the first house he comes across. Rome was never very fast at picking up on humor, but he manages. Eventually.]

You certainly seem capable. If you have experience living with others, I'm sure it would be put to good use here.

[anoshe]

Actually, I don't at all. Unless you would count living in the same very large building - but I've never shared space.

[Mostly he's had servants. Never anything like a roommate.]

Perhaps I'll start off on my own for now. Maybe I can find someone to share with later on.

[leashed]

It might be more dangerous that way.

[He warns.]

Are you capable of defending yourself?

[anoshe]

I can, yes. In any case, I won't die, so I should be fine.

[Living alone sounds like an adventure!]

Mostly I'll have to figure out how to survive without servants.

[leashed]

Of course.

[The best and worst kind of an adventure, probably.]

If you do need assistance you can ask me. I know how to survive in this place.

[anoshe]

Thank you. I'll keep that in mind - I may very well need the help.

[He smiles and holds out a hand.]

I'm afraid I don't know your name, though. I am Rhy Maresh.

[leashed]

Romulus Hart.

[He reaches out and shakes Rhy's hand, firm and polite.]

I'm a member of the Guard. You can ask us for anything.

[anoshe]

Excellent. It's reassuring to know there's a force for law and order here.

[Though mostly the city seems like it's governed by chaos.]

Pleased to meet you, Romulus.