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Festival of Journeys - In the Air.

Posted by First HeadmistressFor group 0
First Headmistress
GM, 746 posts
Academy Founder
Main Storyteller
Fri 2 Oct 2009
at 01:42
  • msg #1

Festival of Journeys - In the Air

Above the Festival ground level, complex scaffolding supporting temporary stairs, bridges and platforms have been built around the tallest and sturdiest of buildings along Main Street. Though not permanent by any means, ingenious construction and high quality materials makes these walkways strong enough to be safe for large amounts of spectators.

However, the most sought after vantage points for Festival goers would undoubtedly be flying vessels. What better way to enjoy the Festival of Flight than suspended in the air? Unfortunately, not every would be flier is skilled enough to pilot themselves, daring enough to try illusory flight, or rich enough to own a personal flying device, so many settle for the next best thing: airship rides!

A few organizations have 'generously offered' (more likely, had commissioned) their own flying vessels to provide aerial viewing for the Festival of Journeys, ranging from the simple to the luxurious. Each has their own separate take-off and landing platform, though only two of them seem to be setting up to take tickets.

Gale's Shipping and Transport (available) - Transport vessels of the Excellent Air Boat type. Simple, but does the trick, and open-air means a wider field of vision for the festivities! Cost: Resource 2 or <1 Wealth for one ride.

Anoura & Anoura, Merchant Princes (available) - Their canopied, aerodynamic vessels offer a smooth ride with less air noise, as well as the opportunity to shop an aerial market offering exotic goods from throughout Creation. Cost: Resource 3 or Wealth 1 for one ride (price of market goods not included.)

Theater Ship Harlequin (available) - Captain Brazen Emerald's luxurious, high class flying vessel, providing dining and entertainment for festival goers who want to ride in style. Cost: Resource 4 or Wealth 2 for ride, meal and entertainment, Resource 3 or Wealth 1 for just the ride.

Two more aerial platforms are reachable by provided shuttles or personal flight only. One of them, ornately decorated in onyx and silver, has the sign mysteriously covered in a black velvet cloth. The other platform is tiled in lapis and white marble, hosting the ubiquitous azure tents of the Emporium of Aerial Conveyance. Eager to beat the dawn, the elemental sponsors of the Festival Races are already starting to set up booths for last minute race signups, right alongside vendors selling personal flight artifacts. (OOC: Will provide signup sheet if needed.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:33, Tue 06 Oct 2009.
Rajha
player, 291 posts
Fri 2 Oct 2009
at 01:54
  • msg #2

Re: Festival of Journeys - In the Air

Rajha also beat the dawn, on account of being...well, addicted to the thought of flying. Vanileth definitely found himself another enthusiastic worshipper, at least for today. (After which point she probably won't be getting any good wings for...oh, years. Pity her.)

The shuttle arrived at the Emporium platform, dressed in her "flying clothes" (in other words, her usual bikini), where she bowed to the saleselemental before pulling her Pinions voucher out of her cleavage.
Saleselemental
Fri 2 Oct 2009
at 02:51
  • msg #3

Re: Festival of Journeys - In the Air

The cloud person that receives the voucher from Rajha seems in great spirits. "Off to an early start, my lady?" she says pleasantly. "Just a moment and I will bring your artifact."

She withdraws to a tent, where she speaks softly to someone, and some rustling and shifting of wares can be heard. Finally the elemental emerges with the ornate orichalcum shoulder plates, and smiles as she hands them over. "You've rented for a day, so you may return the artifact in the morning back at the Shopping Center. Please enjoy the Festival of Journeys, and have a safe flight!"
Lehanih Sheilit
player, 59 posts
Humbled Architect
Transferred Eclipse
Fri 2 Oct 2009
at 14:01
  • msg #4

Re: Festival of Journeys - In the Air

Lehanih floats over the courtyard on golden essence wings, her severely limited skill in navigation marked in the slow manner she moves in the hustle and bustle that is the final preparations for the festival.

She had purchased her pinions earlier, but the space around that particular stand still seemed likely to be the best place to start her day's adventure.
Five White Pebbles
player, 196 posts
Will loan you money at
Very Reasonable rates.
Fri 2 Oct 2009
at 16:16
  • msg #5

Re: Festival of Journeys - In the Air

Pebbles arrives on foot in a new outfit for the race, dressed in aviator's goggles, a long scarf, and a black body stocking so tight it would be obscene in anybody who actually had a figure, but just makes Pebbles look like a tetherball pole.  Overall she wears her new black cloak.  Spotting Rajha she briefly takes on the shape of a hummingbird and heads over to her aerial position.

"Hey!  Haven't seen you in a few days Rajha!  I've been really busy training for the race." Pebbles brags as she meets her friend.
Lehanih Sheilit
player, 61 posts
Humbled Architect
Transferred Eclipse
Sun 4 Oct 2009
at 13:30
  • msg #6

Re: Festival of Journeys - In the Air

The shifting lunar catches Lehanih's attention, but as she's clearly greeting a friend, Lehanih wings off, to look at other parts of the festival.
First Headmistress
GM, 761 posts
Academy Founder
Main Storyteller
Mon 5 Oct 2009
at 05:08
  • msg #7

Re: Festival of Journeys - In the Air

As the sun continues to brighten the sky, golden rays glittering from beneath the edge of the floating city, more ships begin to arrive in the vicinity, landing on private platforms reserved ahead of time for expected guests.

Given the theme of the Festival, every Festival goer with the means arrives with their best airship to show off the strength of their local industry, their connections with such industry, or their bank account. Or, in some cases, all three. The result is awe-inspiring to all but the most jaded viewer, as near every honored guest flies in luxury, style and aerodynamic grace. Sunlight gleams off sleek frames of moonsilver and orichalcum, articulated wings of jade in every color of the rainbow, starmetal antennae that reach for the heavens. Those with less funds make up for it by painting and decorating their older or slower model ships with bright Festival colors and the finest of natural materials gleaned from forests, mines, or the deep sea.

The airships come from all directions of Creation, particularly the East and certain regions of the North, where Anthegenia's allies are strongest. Most of the major Eastern cities are represented: Deheleshen, gateway to the East; Denandsor, the fabulous city of artisans; Sperimin, with which Anthegenia shares a healthy rivalry; and Hollow, not to be left out, on a cornucopia ship exhibiting the finest crops from the East's ubiquitous RPCs. From Dragon King-ruled Rathess comes a ship grown organically from a tree that has gradually been coaxed to fly; from Sal-Maneth, a vessel that represents a precarious, artistic balance, far from practical but amazing to behold.

From the North, where hydraulic energy powers some of the most productive factory-cathedrals of Creation, airships from the finest shipyards soar the morning skies. Concentrating on aesthetic combined with efficiency, these ships are among the lightest and fastest in the aerial panoply, assembled in Avalle and Salk Fields and Fellara, from materials gathered in Diamond Hills and the Opal Crag Mountains. A ship from Sezakan, capital of the people of the air, sports an avian-winged design that may have inspired Anthegenia's own winged ships, and from Sepporil comes an excellent airboat overflowing with flowers, herbs and grains.

The South and West directions may be less represented, but far from unnoticeable. The rulers of High Nyunda, Virtuous Jacinth and Joyous Agile Bat, have arrived personally to greet their sister city, in a floating vessel powered by the heat of an elemental of flame coaxed from the Fire Mountains. From Luthe in the West comes the Zenith Queen Amayana, in a gorgeous airship of moonsilver, black jade and artful whorls of lapis and nacre. Chiaroscuro's ship is constructed entirely of artifact glass that - when struck by the light - glitters with every color of the sunset, and An-Teng attempts to outdo both Hollow and Sepporil with its own organic design teeming with flowering vines and crafted of the finest tropical woods.

And there are still more to come...
Rajha
player, 295 posts
Mon 5 Oct 2009
at 07:12
  • msg #8

Re: Festival of Journeys - In the Air

Rajha cheerily waves to Five White Pebbles. "Hey, Pebbles. I did a bit of training myself. Aren't Lunar forms out of bounds for the races, though?" she asked curiously.

She strapped her Pinions on her back, then stretched her arms. The Pinions weren't the kind of high-end equipment that would win the race for her, but at least she could do her best with them.
Five White Pebbles
player, 200 posts
Will loan you money at
Very Reasonable rates.
Mon 5 Oct 2009
at 16:09
  • msg #9

Re: Festival of Journeys - In the Air

Pebbles raises one finger to make her point to Rajha.
"Only if the form can fly naturally, 'cause that's not artificial flight.  But once I get ahead there's no rule says I can't turn into a flying yeddim and be too wide for anybody to pass me.  Oh, there's Professor Uthar, I need to go encourage him, I've bet a lot of money on him beating Desus.  Excuse me Rajha."
Pebbles flaps down to the


OOC~ Sidereal alert: I'm placing this post before the discussion with Professor Marek Uthar that I wrote earlier, as Pebbles would otherwise have to either Ignore Rajha or Ignore the Professor's command to go help the Exalt.
Rajha
player, 296 posts
Mon 5 Oct 2009
at 23:13
  • msg #10

Re: Festival of Journeys - In the Air

Rajha shrugged, then took the shuttle back down to ground level. Why not fly herself? Well, she didn't want to burn too much Essence before the races.
First Headmistress
GM, 766 posts
Academy Founder
Main Storyteller
Tue 6 Oct 2009
at 01:48
  • msg #11

Re: Festival of Journeys - In the Air

Airships land upon aerial docks and people in lavish festival clothing step out, welcomed to the city by Anthegenia's winged servants in blue and white. Much like their vessels the guests themselves shimmer with wealth: precious gems and crystals sparkling at ears, throat and wrists, costumes of the finest fabrics (natural or bio-engineered), exotic flowers or feathers woven into impeccably styled hair, ceremonial armor, weapons and artifact wings of all types of magical material.

As the visitors are guided to ideal vantage points for the ceremony - or invited personally to the Aerial Pavilion - several more flying ships arrive. A small, sleek ship crafted of adamant and starmetal floats in, large enough to carry maybe a half dozen people, recognizable as the personal vessel of Tammiz Ushun. Signifier of Peaceful Victory, the Solar famous for building the Glorious Clouds raceway, arrives in a Manta-class flagship of orichalcum, blue and white jade. Among the most eye-catching are Desus' First Rule of Conquest, sporting a 30 yard long swan-shaped hull of pure orichalcum with feathers wrought in exquisite detail, and alongside it the Invierna, its sleek body and fluid, articulated wings crafted from a uniquely Thalian blend of moonsilver and pure unmelting ice.

The Invierna and the Conquest are not good friends, and spend an inordinate amount of time quarreling with one another over a landing space. The golden bird hovers over the black and silver platform apparently set aside for Anansi's ship, causing the Invierna (whose AI has been trained to recognize its 'perch') an inordinate amount of grief until the surprise arrival of a thousand-forged dragon screaming across the airspace pulls them both apart. The Invierna lands in its expected area while the Conquest smugly manages to find higher ground, and people wonder where the war beast came from.

In the meantime, though, Shogun Vanileth's vessel arrives on scene, a majestic orca-shaped carrier of blue jade and air-enchanted steel escorted by a squadron of warbirds. Built to be an assault vessel in times of war, its weapons have all been deactivated, and it flies flags and banners in their place.
First Headmistress
GM, 770 posts
Academy Founder
Main Storyteller
Tue 6 Oct 2009
at 19:33
  • msg #12

Re: Festival of Journeys - In the Air

Vanileth's carrier continues on its way toward the Aerial Pavilion at a more sedate pace. Most of the other airships have either found a place to land, or - for those capable of hovering - are floating within clear view of the main attractions.

The thousand-forged dragon from earlier settles on a perch opposite where the Shogun's ship approaches the Pavilion stage. The flying automaton lets out a mighty roar before begrudgingly settling down as High Priestess Laelia's prayer and hymns begins in earnest. The figure standing alongside it is a woman, and a Solar, if one judges by her shining winged armor and visored helmet.

Desus steps out from the First Rule of Conquest, heroically dashing in a white and golden cloak draped over the finest silken armor and orichalcum ornamentation, holding his swagger stick in one gloved hand and Lilith's slender waist in the other. Lord-Captain Anansi is alone but for his attendants, clad in a lustrous blue and black ensemble with moonsilver accents; he brushes the Invierna's icy beak reassuringly before shifting into the shape of a magpie, fluttering toward the Aerial Pavilion to meet his wife. Anansi is neither the first nor last to do so, as Desus, Lilith, and other special Exalted guests head to the Pavilion on artifact, sorcerous or shapeshifted wings to witness the ceremony in person, or greet the Princess Sophia and other important Anthegenians.

More civilians and visitors incapable of flight are starting to flock toward the airship ride platforms, to get a better view of the unique construction and decor of visiting ships, or an eagle-eye vantage point of the introduction ceremony. Fortuna Gale finds her transport vessels to be widely popular, considering the inexpensive cost, while the Anoura brothers draw Festival goers attracted by the idea of shopping for exotic goods and sampling Southern cuisine while viewing the festivities. Somewhere in the flurry of arriving airships, Brazen Emerald's magnificent open-air theater ship has landed as well, and his brightly, briefly garbed attendants start to accept payment for tickets.
First Headmistress
GM, 788 posts
Academy Founder
Main Storyteller
Fri 9 Oct 2009
at 02:55
  • msg #13

Re: Festival of Journeys - In the Air

Though a large amount of the Emporium's staff is staffing their official float on ground level, there's still plenty of cloud people keeping things running at their tents in the air.

"Last minute signups for the Races! Beginning in two hours, right after the ADF Demonstration!" a turbaned air elemental announces in a booming voice. "Test your mettle at multiple skill levels! Win the favor of Shogun Vanileth, or one of many fabulous prizes!"

Meanwhile, ticket sellers at the airship ride platforms beckon to Festival goers on the balconies, or floating up by the power of Mitsumi's magic. "Airship rides, affordable and safe! Get an eagle eye view of all the Festival attractions!" A couple of Gale's transports and one of Anoura's merchant ships are still docked and waiting for passengers. A handsome Southern man next to the latter calls out, "Shop, sightsee and relax aboard our skyships for an experience you won't soon forget!"

"Theater Ship Harlequin, soon to embark on a scenic flight above Anthegenia! Purchase our luxury ticket for included meal and theater performance!" hollers a lovely blonde in spangled harlequin tights, low-cut vest and jester hat, winking and jutting out her hip.

Not to be outdone, a female Emporium employee wearing a set of Phoenix Pinions appeals to the young Exalts in the crowd. "Rent a flying artifact for a day or even an hour, for a taste of true aerial freedom!"
First Headmistress
GM, 792 posts
Academy Founder
Main Storyteller
Sat 10 Oct 2009
at 00:51
  • msg #14

Re: Festival of Journeys - In the Air

The race signup booths are full of excitement now that Desus has come by to drop his name in the box and lingers to chat. He doesn't discriminate: he talks to the elementals at the booth, to other racers signing up, even to mortals who dare get close enough to ask for his autograph. (He signs them, too. With a smile.) Already there are moon-eyed girls and envious men gathering in floating groups, or whispering at balconies, wondering what vehicle he will be racing with, and why he's even bothering if he'll just win it all anyway!

Among the others that come to sign up is Atmadja Kigal-Usha, one of the kazei of the ADF - but an infantry commander, so not technically prohibited from the race. (Figures such as Iblis and Anansi, as airship pilots of Anthegenia, are prohibited. Much to their respective fan clubs' dismay.) The flame-haired commander signs up for the Medium course, just for kicks! After all, nothing prevented a Terrestrial from testing her skill. She has a few of her soldiers around her, grinning and patting her back. "Go get'em!" they encourage her, while she chuckles and glances up into the sky. "Can't let Iblis have all the fun..."

At the same time, a woman with tanned skin, tawny golden brown hair and leather cords tying up her hair comes by to sign up for the Expert race, giving her name as "Idiori". No one has ever seen her before, though her accent and sun-bronzed skin give the impression of a Southerner. She dresses in practical clothes, snug leather breeches and a sleeveless top. She also appears young to be racing against ancient Celestials... but with Celestial lifespans it's difficult to tell.

Desus exchanges a few words with the Southern woman, perhaps some expression of luck or some such, but she just tosses her hair behind her shoulder and shrugs. "Oh, am I supposed to know you?"

Amidst gasps of shock and derision, Desus' answer is a simple grin. "You will."
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