nysalogs | (mini-event) THE COALITION OF REFUGEES

(mini-event) THE COALITION OF REFUGEES

THE COALITION

On the day of the council, there are markers tied with ribbons in the colors of both Olympia and Wyver that line the paths from the cities to the South Outpost, meant to guide anyone with an invitation to the first meeting of the Coalition of Refugees.

While during the previous festivities of the gala the Great Hall was sharply divided between Olympians and Wyverns, the differences between the factions are not so apparent now. Inside, the hall is decorated with a more subdued mix of the white and gold of Olympia and the red and black of Wyver. Banners, pennants, and bunting drape from the ceiling and wind around wooden pillars. To one side of the hall, there are tables set up with drinks and finger foods — refreshments for the guests, for after the opening speech. A raised platform has been set up at one end of the room, flanked by contingents of both the Royal Guards and the Knightryders standing at attention side by side, differentiated only by the make of their armor and the colors they wear.

Ashti, Shenya, and Heryn stand waiting for the arrival of their monarchs, pointedly ignoring each other; notably, Raysc, Shanrian's son and the leader of Mythi's Fangs, is conspicuously absent.

Staff members cluster to the side of the stage, waiting for the speech to begin. A whisper drifts over from a woman in one of the Olympian groups: Do you really think the Empress will try to negotiate for Nithor's skull?

The man she's speaking to shakes his head and scoffs, answering: Ha! Not a chance. She thinks it's too soon, who knows if this peace will last. Besides, there's no way she's willing to give up Ysevrai's heart.

A horn sounds, and the staff members subside, glancing around to see if anyone's overheard. A moment later, and Simwe and Shanrian make their appearance, walking together to the stage for their speech.

Aha… we have quite the gathering here, do we not? All of our heroes in one place… This may be an unprecedented meeting, but it seems as though it will be a productive one. Let us begin by thanking all of you for your contributions to our cities in recent times.

Since your arrival, you have weathered the plague that swept through our cities and aided us in finding its cure; you have withstood the scorn of those who were meant to shelter you turning against you, and helped us quell riots in the very hearts of our homes; you have been taken right off the streets and endured hardships too terrible to tell, and have proven heroes in bringing our people safely home. You have done much for us, and shown yourselves loyal beyond many who were born within our walls. We will allow your voices to go unheard no longer! Today—

Today, we will hear you. You have demonstrated both strength and valor in equal measures — it follows that you will be wise as well, and it is that wisdom that we wish to hear brought in council to our cities. You are gathered here to look beyond our history of violence and hostility, to see beyond the prejudices we hold. We hope that with your clearer sight, you'll keep in your hearts the betterment of both of our fair cities, rather than allow pettiness to hold sway and lift one over the other.

Those gathered here are deemed worthy by action and by the trust of your brethren: a council. Amongst yourselves, decide what matters most to you about your lives within the cities. Discuss what changes you wish to see, and how those changes should come about. Reach an agreement, put your motions to us, and should they be feasible, we will see what sort of effect your ideas will have. The two proposals with the most support among your fellows will be those we implement, so argue your reasoning most convincingly!

And remember, this is your chance to impress us. If your advice is sound, we will look to you again.

At this, both rulers fall silent, and withdraw to a balcony to oversee the proceedings. This is not their meeting, after all — this is something that only the refugees can determine the outcome of.

FINAL OOC NOTES

Welcome to your first chance to have a voice in the NPC governments, Players! Your task is, as a group, to decide the two most important IC issues you would like to see Olympia and Wyver address, and then put forward a plan of action for how to improve whatever those problems are, which will then be implemented in May.

Since these are strictly Olympian and Wyvern issues, topics should still adhere to the Natha's policies of not revealing anything about the Storm or the Natha's existence, but beyond that, you're free to propose any topics you think should be addressed about your characters' way of life in the cities — after all, haven't the Orbiters sent you here to make a difference and improve life on El Nysa in their stead?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Link to discussion: Here
Summary of your character/group's proposal: Establishment of a more permanent council of representatives (i.e., diplomats) for the ongoing goal of cementing peace between the two kingdoms and bettering the lives of all citizens.
How will this proposal be beneficial to Olympia and Wyver? Possible opportunity for peace.

Edited 2018-04-22 23:40 (UTC)

I believe there are factions who have already decided we are spies, no matter where we live.

[The suspicions dig deeper the more bad things happen. People get nasty in times of stress.]

But you are correct. The Outpost is inadequate, and the continued arrival of more people who do not have particular loyalty to one city or another will only make tensions worse. And perhaps a new city for those on either side who do not wish to be part of this could be an example of Wyverns and Olympians living together.

It goes without saying that the one thing we refugees desire above all else is peace.

[When Mephisto takes the stage, his voice is clear and commanding -- the voice of someone who is no stranger to public speaking, and drawing as much attention to himself as possible. Which should really just go without saying, given his general appearance and all. Is that a pinstripe suit??]

But it's not our respective leaders who have made our lives difficult since we've arrived. It's the tension that still exists among the people, allowing them to be swayed by the mad ravings of those responsible for last months ordeal. Even now, there remain sympathizers to their cause -- and I for one have no desire to see such violent extremists gain a foothold in either city.

[He's wearing his gold brooch in clear sight, easily identifying him as one of those involved in the kidnapping -- but the less said about that the better.]

To that end, I believe it's important that changes be made that encourage good relations between the people of Wyver and Olympia, so that the bitter feelings of old may be soothed. Encourgaing free trade of goods and services between cities would be a fine place to start. If the sight of Wyvern businesses became a common one in the Olympian marketplace, I doubt Wyver's citizens would recieve such unfair treatment in Olympian streets and shops -- a phenomenon I think we, all agree happens far too often.

But I also don't believe we should stop there! For we've already seen firsthand what mutual cooperation can accomplish -- and the ease at which both cities were able to provide an antidote for that dreadful disease once they began to work together. We should establish a network of mutual cooperation in researching magic and technology -- both old and new.

Even as we learn more about the magic of the past, new advancements are being made every day [He's going to show off here and snap his fingers, causing a small bouquet of flowers to appear in his hands from seemingly out of nowhere in a poof of smoke. Which he'll then toss to someone in the crowd, complete with a winky face because he's gross.] and as man embroiled in the study of such things myself, I believe it would be better for the sake of Nysa as a whole if those brilliant minds behind such research were to pool their resources and minds together to make a better world for all of us.

I for one would find no greater joy than in improving the lives of Olympia and Wyver's citizens through my research.

[He certainly sounds genuine enough, but anyone who actually knows him well will be able to guess that he's lying -- or at the very least, embellishing quite a bit.]

[His last comments are aimed more at the Empress than the King, but his attention is trained on them as he closes--]

--ah, with conditions to be agreed upon by each city's respective leader, of course. Baby steps, after all.

[ooc: Please feel free to treat this top-level as an open discussion, and threadjack to your heart's content! If you'd rather not get threadjacked and just want to thread with Mephisto, please mention it in your reply!]

[Outside; closed to Justice.]

[Perhaps she doesn't have her mother's silver tongue, but Diana will be damned if she doesn't feel like she has something to say-- something to bring to the table-- on this. The Cavendish legacy is one of peace and helping mend fences, so she should try to live up to it.

But without an official invitation, they are not letting her get inside. She argues with some of the guards for a few moments before they send her off; she doesn't go away, though. She lingers, outside... trying to think of a new way to get in.]

[Inside, OTA]

[She's in! And it's her turn to speak.]

Regardless of the political differences between the kingdoms, I think any negotiations or peace agreement must also recognize that there is deep-seated, lasting mistrust not just among the leadership, but among the general populace. Even if all parties in this room right now agreed to permanent peace, I fear that the tensions would still remain.

None of this will be solved overnight, or easily. Such historical enmity leaves scars that do not heal quickly. But I believe these scars can be healed.

I think we must seriously consider cultural interchange and intermingling of the populaces of Wyver and Olympia, in whatever form it takes. If we can perhaps show them that the people of the other kingdom are just as human as they are-- rather than an amorphous Other that they can freely hate-- it might lead us to true, lasting peace.

[ this honestly isn't Emma's area of expertise. as a former sheriff, her strength has always been in looking out for people. she won't claim to understand the politics of this world when she's only been in it for a few months, and while she appreciates someone finally asking them for their opinions, she's reluctant to add her two cents in.

for most of the night, opts to mingle, staying almost protectively close to the pirate she brought along with her. she's a little more at ease in the company of someone from Storybrooke, and will introduce Killian if someone happens to catch the pair of them together.

but she's never one to turn down free food, and can also be found alone as she grabs a snack, helping herself to a small bite to eat or another drink. when the discussion opens to the floor, Emma moves in a little closer, listening to suggestions with interest. she's not as interested in neutral land as she is in avoiding a war, but will quickly agree to more representation.]

What if we established a shared unit of protection between Wyver and Olympia to help resolve conflicts in the cities before they escalate? The people here are protective of their homes and their people, but if they had forces they could count on within both lands, guards who they could see working collaboratively and without bias, that might go a long way towards keeping people safe.

[ more importantly, it might keep innocent citizens from being unfairly targeted by anyone who wanted to look the other way out of loyalty, and lower the odds of retaliation in their home land.]

Edited 2018-04-23 00:38 (UTC)

[She couldn't argue that, because he was right and she knew that to whoever had decided there was an 'us vs them', there was no way to convince them of it other than letting them figure it out on their own. So she didn't bother trying to argue it, focusing on the rest of it instead.]

Whatever heads of state or city officials get put in place, there should be one of each. Wyver, Olympia, and a neutral. Keeps there from being hung decisions and no one city is going to have an advantage over another, but it can make sure each has a voice.

[Politics wasn't her strong suit, but every American had their opinion on how they felt the world should be run.]

No goddamn magic hoo-doo making people drink blood or kill each other. I'm done with that shit.

[Rocket has been buzzing the whole place in his aerorig as subtly as one can when you're a flying furry creature. He's like a fuzzy drone, but quiet enough that no one looks up while he picks places to watch from.

It keeps him busy, because this turned into a much less fun stakeout than he was imagining. He's just finished his last circle and lands on the ground beside Jim, the aerorig destabilizing around him so he can pocket the disc for now and save energy. It's only gonna be good for a few more circles until he can charge it again, so better make them out.]

Unbelievable. This might actually be going well.

[ 60 foot robot, reporting.

By which I mean at some point during the set-up stages of this little shindig, there's the telltale whistling of verniers cutting from somewhere in the sky. Mikazuki's never brought Barbatos planetside before, but what better time than — well, as a good vantage. Besides, he's not going to be first in line for another trip up shit creek without being armed.

There's not much he can do for not looking threatening, though. Luckily the locals aren't going to raise much of a fuss thanks to the Natha, but it's still a sight when thirty metric tons of machine comes in for a landing, sending dirt and treetops into a disarray.

He's aiming for the most heavily wooded part of the South Outpost, giving the verniers a pulse to soften his landing. There's definitely a good shake in the ground when he does so.

Spotting Jim, he opens up an external comm, voice mismatched to the way this thing looms. ]

Can you see much from down there?

[Richie spends about half of her soapbox pitch marveling over the notion that a native Wyverian would be so even keel about peace. From the few forays he'd made down south it all seemed rather bone clubs and bar brawls, might as right and sippin' mugs of blood. There were dissenters in both cities, naturally, but after spending how many months hearing nothing but nationalist threats it's rather refreshing.

Then it dawns on him that no, the only people here outside of the brass and their resplendent leaders were the refugees. It's just the dragon ring and the dress style that had him fooled. Her speech matches the tone of all these medieval minstrels and crown-toters, too, so sue him for being the dunce.

Perhaps it's why she's also one of the few taking a real swing at the proceedings. She fits into the scene like nobody else yet.]

Shouldn't we make sure it's not just the two cities doing all the electing as well? There's other settlements getting caught in the crossfire. They may be smaller, but they need a voice if their asses will be on the line.

[Richie waves haphazardly at the motley crew surrounding them.] Same goes for us expats. If I'm going to get snatched out of the comfort of my own home and shot up with needles, I want a congressman I can mail angry letters to about it. At the least.

[Justice is on his way to the gathering ready to listen and try to guide the cities towards peace when he hears some very loud thoughts coming from a human. They're not hard to decipher--she wishes to go inside so that she can help along the peace process. A noble goal, but she doesn't have a way in.

Didn't they say he has the right to bring a guest?

He turns abruptly to walk towards the woman in question.]

You may be my guest, if you wish.

[No preamble, no introductions, no indication of how he knows she wants in, nothing. Justice's social skills are... rough.]

[The idea of the general populace having a voice in government is a strange one to someone who's come from a world that's still stuck with royalty and feudal systems, but after a moment of consideration, he nods.]

That seems like the best way to avoid one side or another rioting. [Not perfect, but no system can be perfect.] How would you suggest these officials be selected? If the rulers of Wyver and Olympia were allowed to hand pick their own officials for the settlement, I fear that they would choose specifically people who would attempt to make the settlement their favored city's territory.

There are ways to guard against blood magic and its ilk. That will have to be part of guarding any rulers. [Justice doesn't like the hypnotism he's seen thus far.]

[It had been so long since Phoenix had participated in such council meetings. But it was upon insistence of his childhood friend who had been one of the rescued hostages that he came along. He was dressed up, of course. Wearing the same tuxedo that he had donned a few months back during the winter gala. But this time it was not in celebration.

For the first time, he had an opening to something he had wished to discus for quite some time now.

So when suddenly, Empress Simwe and the leader of Wyver (Sharian was it?) opened the floor for open discussion, Phoenix was absolutely stunned.

This was it. This was the in to creating change that he had wanted all this time.]

If I may--

[He spoke up confidently and with a seriousness that he seldom expressed. But this was a serious issue after all.]

I couldn't help but notice that there is a bit of lenience in regards to the legal system of both countries. I've been studying both Olympian and Wyverns political situation for the past few months now as well as the laws each country enforces. And, no criticism in part of how you run your own countries, but I cannot help but feel the way you uphold your laws are a bit, well, one sided.

For your own people that is entirely up to your dictation, but for the refugees who are acclimatizing themselves to the customs and cultures of both lands as well as traversing openly between them, it can be a bit of harsh thing to get used to.

So, perhaps, if it's is all right with all those here, I was thinking it would be a good idea to have a legal representative for the refugees. A person or group of people who can present an equal ground for any refugees who happen to fall into legal or cross-political trouble, especially seeing as the tensions are undeniably high between both Olympia and Wyver at the moment.

I've noticed it's already happened quite a few times in the past, where innocent refugees were inadvertently involved in incidents which have directly affected both countries. Perhaps having such representation would make it easier to decide the correct actions that should be taken between those of us who are still adjusting to your countries ways as well as those who have lived here most if not all their lives.

I know of quite a few refugees who are extremely experienced in such matters as well, so it shouldn't be difficult to aquire volunteers.

Edited 2018-04-23 21:24 (UTC)

Link to discussion: here
Summary of your character/group's proposal: Separate legal and political representatives to stand in for any refugees who inadvertently get themselves involved with the turbulent situations both countries are currently experiencing.
How will this proposal be beneficial to Olympia and Wyver? Give the refugees a say in situations they accidentally end up involved in. Multiple sided legal representation to keep unfair convictions from affecting those who are still trying to adjust to the ways of both countries.

[Kale truly hadn't expected to be invited to speak, and she almost chooses not to. There are other people who are smarter and more confident than her here. But it's when she really thinks about what she might have to offer that she decides that maybe she should give it a try after all. There are so few people among the refugees who are accustomed to the idea of intelligent species on other planets, much less the idea of there being multiple universes.

So she tries to think of how her planet's King might approach this, or even someone like her friend Cabba, who served on the Defense Forces.]

Um...

[Then she realizes people are looking over at her, and she has to push herself to keep speaking, rather than run away, to annunciate, and to not stutter.]

I come from a colony of warriors, and we served as peacekeepers among the colonies surrounding ours. We used our strength to protect others, and we would step in to prevent further casualties when there were wars starting.

[Not that she was ever particularly brave or important. Her only importance to her home was when she was picked for the tournament to fight for her universe, after revealing power that most people hadn't realized she even had the potential for. It's remembering what she has managed, and that despite her timid nature, she's thrown herself into danger to help others consistently, that gives her the confidence to continue.]

With all due respect to both rulers, I will never turn my back on people who need help, no matter what country they're from...and I know I'm not the only refugee who feels that way.

[She's had a few conversations prior to this meeting, and other people are expressing a similar wish to avoid the divide.]

I think it's important to identify the people who are trying to cause problems and disrupt the peace, for the benefit of both countries. Identify them, have a mutual agreement to make them stand trial, and maybe that's where having a neutral territory would be the most useful. Since most of us have been here for less than a year, we don't have any reason to be biased in favour of one nation or the other.

[In fact, for most of them, Wyver and Olympia are just places to live, chosen for climate, culture, or getting in trouble in one country or the other.]

If the Guard and the Knightryders are willing to share information about dangerous criminals and possible plots to stir up discord, I think that would go a long way for keeping the peace, which would benefit everyone living in Olympia and Wyver. Normal citizens with no power don't benefit when there's a war. Very few people do.

Edited (subject line update) 2018-04-23 21:15 (UTC)

Link to discussion: here
Summary of your character/group's proposal: Identify and share information about dangerous criminals and involve neutral parties when they are brought to trial.
How will this proposal be beneficial to Olympia and Wyver? Few people benefit from war, and by increasing cooperation between the law enforcement of both nations, this will help to identify the people who would disrupt the peace for their personal gain at the expense of innocent people. By having neutral parties involved in the trials of these criminals, this removes bias and ensures fairness for all.

[Mephisto is much in the same boat -- a neutral land wasn't very feasible in his mind, seeing as the potential squabble over which city gives up how much territory could just end up sparking a war anyway.]

Sharing troops is frequently seen as a sign of goodwill from one nation to another. If Wyver and Olympia were to pledge to offer support should a third-party begin to cause conflict again, I can see it doing wonders for their political relationship.

Though I can't help but worry that it might prove difficult to find troops lacking in prejudice for the other city. We'll need one hell of a PR team, I imagine.

[Kale listens, and it's evident that he's quite accustomed to public speaking. But that's a good thing. Some people need to be, and if it happened that some of the people who got an invite actually know how to compose themselves and make a good impression, all the better.]

I think free trade sounds like a good idea. Um...it might involve some special arrangements with taxes, but if a business is successful and the owners want to expand into another land, then they could provide people with jobs and access to a good or service that they currently don't have.

That's where the benefits of free trade come in -- as it stands now, importing goods from Wyver is expensive, if not bordering on impossible. If foreign merchants were held to the same standards as those who live and work here in their own respective city, there would be a greater incentive for businesses to expand.

[So no extra complicated taxes, tariffs... there were definitely pros and cons to it, but seeing as it was chiefly trade between just two countries, it shouldn't be too complicated to figure out.]

Of course, I imagine there may be some friction after being implemented... we wouldn't want local businesses to think that their government is turning their backs on them.

It's important to consider every outcome when dealing with a delicate situation like this.

Edited 2018-04-23 21:48 (UTC)

Link to discussion: Link
Summary of your character/group's proposal: Allow and encourage free and open trade between both cities.
How will this proposal be beneficial to Olympia and Wyver? Free trade will allow a consistent flow of goods and silver between both cities, as well as allow a sense of familiarity and cultural exchange as foreign merchants and businesses become more commonplace. Natives and refugees would be able to freely expand their own business across city lines.

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Page 2 of 26

(mini-event) THE COALITION OF REFUGEES

PROPOSAL: DIPLOMATIC COUNCIL

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Mephisto Pheles | Olympia | Two suggestions in one!

Diana Cavendish | Little Witch Academia | OTA

emma swan | ota

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hits Jim!!

for jimbo here, but also up for some ota perching action

electric slides in here

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Phoenix Wright | Olympia

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Legal and Diplomatic Representaion of Refugees

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Kale | Wyver | OTA

PROPOSAL: LAW ENFORCEMENT COOPERATION

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PROPOSAL: Free trade between Wyver and Olympian businesses

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