INTRO LOG - JULY 2013

[rekindlemods]

Who: Everyone Where: The Welcome Plaza When: 18th July, afternoon Summary: The new arrivals, freshly pulled from their worlds or others, awaken in a strange plaza... Warnings: Inbox death may occur. System overload at own risk. SOME NPC RESPONSES WILL BE SLOW UNTIL THE ONE WHO PLAYS THEM IS PRESENT. The first flickering of a lantern... It's a shuddering breath, a sensation of being pulled to elsewhere and finding oneself pressed against something rather hard with the sound of water coming from nearby. However, before one can fully stir, there is something that lifts you up from the rather warm (yet why did it feel like a chill going down your spine?) stone when you begin to drift off once more. It felt as though someone had thrown you from the frying pan, and then into the freezer - all you wanted to do was sleep... Yet the feeling passes quickly, and when you awaken, you begin to realize your surroundings. It looks like...a plaza of some sort? As they look around them, the ground beneath them is an intricate mosiac - a water fountain at the center of the plaza in this foreign world. There are many buildings around its perimeter, making this location seem like a central hub of whatever town this was. Some may even recognize the peculiar design of the buildings and sloped tiled rooftops as a Far Eastern theme. Were they somewhere along the Pacific? Who knows! But what is quite apparent is this: Along with the many buildings surrounding the plaza, the first thing that is noticeable is the amount of people sitting or standing around you in a similar daze. You are not alone... One building seems to stand out among all the others; one that seems large enough to house all of the completely lost and confused masses gathered here to the welcome plaza. A sign outside the door reads: WELCOME CENTER Newcomers: Please come inside for refreshments and your welcome packets! Odd... This wasn't written in your own language, and yet you find it easily understandable. Soon enough, if you don't enter on your own, someone comes from inside the double doors to usher you and everyone else inside. "Welcome to Saeng Seong! I know you must be confused as to where you are and what's going on, but we promise to explain this to you once we're inside and away from the hot sun!" Whether you go inside immediately or linger outside a little longer, eventually you must come in from the hot summer day, and sooner rather than later would probably be better. You'll find yourself in a well-lit lobby, filled with comfortable-looking couches and chairs. Along one wall are refreshment tables, loaded with all sorts of food and drink, including some you probably aren't familiar with. On the wall opposite are a pair of desks, each with a sign and a person seated behind them - Irene, General Assistance Devin, Technological Assistance However, before you can go over and give them a piece of their mind and ask for questions, the same person who ushered you inside hands you a manilla envelope that contains your welcome packet, urging you to read this before asking the three figures questions that the packet likely answers. Inside it, you will find: a ring with a key and apartment number on it, some kind of cash card, a map and informational guide to the city, and a letter folded neatly on the top - Welcome to Saeng Seong! You are among a new group of arrivals to our city, from many far-apart worlds. We have gathered you here because our city is in a crisis, and we are at our last resorts. The energy of the city is in a slow downward spiral, and is dangerously close to expiring altogether. That's where you come in - you and everyone else we've brought to the city. Unlike those of us here, you have the potential to generate the energy the city needs, but you'll need to work together to do it. Why? Because the energy can only be generated when two people touch each other. Any touch will do, but it must be between two of you who are new to the city. If you don't keep in contact with someone, eventually your energy will begin to drain as well, making you dangerously ill. A few other things: The closed-off sections of the city are closed off for a reason; approaching them will cause your energy to drain very rapidly. We're working to open the rest of the city to you as soon as we can, but for now, please remain within the two central districts of the city. You have been given a key to a one-bedroom apartment in a complex set aside for you and the other new arrivals, near the riverside in the 1st district. You're free to change your living quarters whenever you like, and we encourage you to move in with someone in one of the larger apartments. When you want to change, just come back to this building to exchange your key. We've also included a cash card with a living stipend; if you're unfamiliar with this system, or the network established for new arrivals, you can talk to Devin in the lobby for help. It's what he's here for. If you need medical assistance, contact Mai, one of our nurses - she'll be going around today for anyone who needs help. Again, welcome, and thank you for all your help. Irene Arrival Liaison Back behind you, others still linger, and through the translucent glass you can see a banner hanging from the tiled roof of the building across the street in the blistering summer day: WELCOME TO SAENG SEONG (ENJOY YOUR STAY!)

Comments

[vereinigt]

I know Ireland and England who represents the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I have not meant the other countries of those islands, though I expect England has brothers, as well.

[England would probably rant about Ireland and North Ireland if asked about it]

My people vote for their Federal Diet and State Legislators who send representatives to the Federal Convention which elects the President. The President is Head of State while the Chancellor, elected by the Federal Diet, is the Head of Government. [he's not expecting any of this to be understood]

My last emperor abdicated in 1918.

[beforetights]

Oh!

[He takes a moment to go through the information.]

I've heard something from other people about how there's people who choose their leaders. You must be very wise. Even if what you believe about Gods is silly. Otherwise, how could you pick good leaders? Are the Diet like the noblemen then? In my home, noblemen elect the king and his successor, but they only get to be king if the nation approves of them afterwards.

[He scratches his head.]

But what's am Emperor? And how is the state different from the government?

[vereinigt]

The Diet decide on laws and make sure the voice of the people is heard.

[cutting the politics out of politics, wonderfully]

The people don't vote directly for the president of chancellor, but since they vote directly for the Diet members it is believed that the collective voice is heard. The members of the Diet speak to the people before the election so that the people can find out what the canidates believe and how they would represent them. Multiple canidates compete against each other to best understand the people in their areas.

An Emperor is like a king, but rules over an Empire, which is many nations under one unified government.

The State is largely the ceremonial part of ruling. Heads of State also meet and greet other heads of state and publicly perform many functions that Nations perform.

The Government is the law making and policy making branch of ruling. They approve laws, make military choices, and more.

[beforetights]

[By now, he regrets asking all these questions because the answers are starting to make his head spin.]

So...people choose the Diet. Who chooses the president and the other person. And then they're both like kings doing different jobs. And an Emperor is like a High King?

[vereinigt]

[he's beginning to realize that trying to explain the workings of modern democratic government to a kid might be more difficult than expected. He had a sudden, increased appreciation for teachers, and even his brother's teaching methods]

That is... overly simplified, but a good basis for understanding.

[beforetights]

Yay, I got it!

[He throws his arms up in celebration.]

Thank you for teaching me all of that.

[vereinigt]

[ah, so this was the feeling of satisfaction that teachers get that make it all worth it]

You're welcome.

[beforetights]

Can you tell me a little bit more about your country, Lord Germany? Like if people there live in underground houses?

[vereinigt]

Most house are above ground, in fact, it's odd and a novelty if someone chooses to build their house below ground. [really weird, he couldn't imagine anyone living below ground willingly]

My people are pretty simple with our needs. A safe place to live, work to do, beer to drink, and sausage and potatoes to eat. We are also very organized and do not lose things easily.

[beforetights]

What's a sausage and what's a potato?

[He's never heard of either food before.]

And who's the greatest hero of your land?

[vereinigt]

A sausage is ground meats and spices stuffed in a casing so that they have a cylindrical shape. They are often cured, the length of time and procedure for curing differ based on the type of meat, spices, and intended end product. They can also be cooked in different ways, boiled, smoked, grilled, fried, and even baked. They can also be mixed with different foods.

Potatoes are a root vegetable. The most common variety has brown skin and white meat, however, other common varieties can have red skin, or yellow insides, or even orange insides. They are a common staple food and can be prepared in a variety of ways.

Heroes? [he considered that] We no longer have one person recognized as a hero to everyone. Most people look up to everyday heroes, like firefighters and police officers. Parents are also often heroes for children.

[beforetights]

Vege...table?

[He's not sure what to make of that description. Currently, he's imagining some sort of brown rabbit-like creature with a flower spouting out of its back.]

...That sounds a little boring. Don't you have any really strong knights or warriors? Who defends your borders from invading countries then?

[vereinigt]

Do you not have vegetables? Vegetables are one of the types of foods that plants produce. They usually come in two varieties, leaf vegetables like lettuce, and root vegetables like potatoes. There are some debate on whether gourds, cucumbers, and tomatoes are vegetables or fruits.

[he can go on and on about this]

There has not been any country invading mine for over sixty years. Wars in Europe are rare and tend to occur in regions that were under Soviet control. [lets not mention East Germany] If someone attacks my people, they turn to the police and military to protect them and bring justice to the attacker. They turn to fire fighters, paramedics, and doctors for rescue and health care during disasters.

Heroism is a collective effort. [and now he wants to honor them again]

[beforetights]

I didn't know people could eat leaves!

[He had thought it was reserved for rabbits and cows.]

And there's plants that grow food under the ground? Really?

[He nods.]

I know a lot of people can do more big things than one person, but some heroes are so good that they can do more than anybody!

[vereinigt]

Ja, leaves are common food. Spinach, lettuce, and cabbage are among the most common leafy vegetables. There are also grains, the seeds of grasses, that are commonly eaten, wheat, rice, and oats being the most common. Rye is a popular one in my home.

Plants grow roots. Tubers are a word for root vegetable. The most common root vegetables are potatoes, yams, and carrots. Not all roots are edible, however.

We do not recognize them as individual heroes, but place them into leadership positions. Firefighters who do exceptionally well become company leaders. Military men and women who do well are made officers with the best making general. Police officers can make Lieutenant, Detective, and Captain. In other fields we have people recognized for being better than most in their academic pursuits by giving them academic doctorates.

[beforetights]

That's a lot...

[As always, the sudden influx of information makes his head spin, but he's glad to hear about various types of food.]

We give awards to heroes in my country too. Though I've never heard of degrees before.

[vereinigt]

Degrees are a measure of academic knowledge. Anyone can read a book, but a person with a degree in the subject that book is about will know more about the background of the book. A person with a Masters degree in that subject may have helped write the book. A person with a doctorate in that subject likely wrote the book and performed the research necessary to the book's publication.

[beforetights]

Oh, so you mean like druid. Are you sure it's okay? To have so many druids?

[His voice drops to a whisper.]

THey could curse you if they get angry.

[vereinigt]

Curse? [he is a bit confused and trying to decipher the hidden meaning, but then realizes that he's speaking to a child]

Magic is not real in my society, so no one curses anyone else. Everyone works together to benefit the greater whole.

[beforetights]

[He quickly shakes his head.]

You're being silly again. Everyone knows magic is real. But I'm glad to see nobody ever curses anyone else.

[vereinigt]

[he opens his mouth to correct Cu, but his rationality is tempered when he remembers that this is a child. It would be wrong to prove the fakeness of magic to a child, that would be the responsibility of the the parent]

Perhaps things are just different where I come from.

[beforetights]

...They do sound a little different.

[A pause.]

I guess it'll be different for you to live here too?

[vereinigt]

Yes, this place looks, from the little I can see immediately like a place in China's or Japan's house. Both have a different culture than I do.

[beforetights]

[He nods.]

And where are China and Japan?