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

It's a good a place to start as any other. [What could it hurt?]

You get the leaders to settle things, eventually, the rest of the country follows along. Not overnight, but then no one said it had to be.

A vote.

[It seemed simple enough.]

By the people that want to go live there, not the people staying in either city. Gather up the people that want to get the fuck out of here and have each city pick a handful of potentials. The new... city group or whatever picks one from each, and then there's a representative from the neutral group that stands in as the medium. Maybe a refugee. Just not a goddamn psycho.

Link to discussion: link
Summary of your character/group's proposal: A neutral zone for people from either city or for refugees that haven't chosen a side to be that isn't involved in the political nightmare or aggression between them. With a sitting council made up of one head from Wyver, one from Olympia, and one from the refugees or neutral parties to avoid hung decisions and to keep things neutral.
How will this proposal be beneficial to Olympia and Wyver? It can be a hosting ground for hostile negotiations, or a place where there isn't bias over one side or the other in case of severe atrocities committed against one side or the other. And it provides a safe place for the citizens of the city in case of incidents that force its citizens to harm themselves/each other. It gives people a place to go to and avoids having cities suspicious of each new face when they're on the level of paranoia they all currently are.

Well, the solution seems obvious to me.

[ By presses a hand to his heart. He's looking his most dapper in deep purple, and the look he casts up to the balcony is quite sultry. Clearly trying to make very flirtatious eye contact with both Simwe and Shanrian. ]

Give us all chances to...experience one another's culture. I know that those of us who work at Shades Darker would be simply delighted to entertain esteemed guests from Wyver. And I've seen some of the delectables on offer in Wyver, too - heavens, I'd like to spend a bit more time in those temperate regions.

So why not have a bit of a mingle every month? Like we're doing now, but much less solemn. Let the wine flow and the love will flow, no?

[ Is he serious? Who's to say.]

Link to discussion: Here
Summary of your character/group's proposal: Byerly is proposing that there be raucous parties every month or so with copious wine, decadent foods, and...interpersonal contact.
How will this proposal be beneficial to Olympia and Wyver? Well, it'll stimulate economies. And also stimulate...other things. (And also forcing people into close contact could foster cultural exchange.)

[ Okay, Jim had said, upon meeting Rocket. He's seen and worked with dozens of races of extremely small (compared to humans) beings, and seen plenty of things that talked that didn't look like they should be able to, but one that looks like a terran raccoon is a new one.

Still, that's all the reaction he gets. Alright, moving on. So when he appears on his gadget, Jim just offers a lopsided smile, somewhat wry. ]

You don't sound as happy about that as you should be.

I. Grapes are easy to acquire and easy to eat

[During much of the coalition, Cam Buckland is milling around, trying to look important. His golden brooch from his... efforts during the hostage situation is on full display, attached to his vest. But his journey around the room regularly features a trip past the snack table, where he is snagging finger foods, and, most specifically, grapes by the bunch.

Unfortunately, it's inevitable that on Cam's eighth trip there, he is met with disappointment as the empty bowl that had once held grapes stares back at him.

Scanning the crowd, he spots at least one person with a handful of the delicious fruit, and sidles up next to them.]

Some party this is, huh? Everyone together like this.

[He is totally eyeing the grapes that they are holding.]

II. Ideas are a dime a dozen
[At some point, when the floor has been opened for discussion, but after at least half a dozen other people got up and made good points, the green-bandanna'd man is going to step up, clearing his throat,]

Hey, so, uh... Great party. Meeting. Coalition. Let's hear it for our hosts, Empress Simwe and King Shanrian, right?

[Maybe there's a spattering of applause. Maybe not. Awkward. Cam scratches the base of his neck,]

Um. I was just thinking. [Clears his throat,] Since I've been here, most of the problems seem pretty self-inflicted, yeah? I've been living in Olympia [A nod toward the balcony where the Empress presides (and a wink—looking for any more concubines, Simwe?),] and it wasn't people from Wyver that were rioting, or kidnapping Olympians. The point is, there's people with a chip on their shoulder that has nothing to do with the other city. There's a lot of them, and they're coordinated.

[He pauses. Then, belatedly, as if realizing he had just made an observation instead of actually suggesting anything, he stutters on,] Anyway, I think we should... Stop them? [That's not a very solid plan.] Maybe stage some kind of trap to capture some for questioning. Oh! Or a cool task force?

Haha, why not?! I've heard worse ideas! At least this one is something everyone can have fun with.

[Jean Valjean keeps to himself both by nature and out of necessity, but a desire to help compels him to accept the invitation that had arrived. When there are people suffering before his eyes and within his reach, he must do what he can. This was the principle that guided his politics when he served as mayor to Montreuil-sur-mer, and it shall guide his politics now - such that what is more aptly named a philosophy can be called politics.

As the debate unfolds, he avoids calling attention to himself. He observes and listens carefully to each viewpoint, offering the occasional question or assent, but remains a background figure in the proceedings. Should he notice an attendant who has not yet had a chance to voice their opinion - or perhaps one who struggles to claim the attention of the assembly - he turns to them with warm eyes and asks:]

And what have you to say on the matter?

[She blinks. It's clear she wasn't expecting to be spoken to at all, let alone out of the blue, and especially not with that offer.]

...I'm sorry?

Link to discussion: here

Summary of your character/group's proposal: Willing members could form a protective unit to help resolve conflicts for both lands and to offer all citizens of Wyver and Olympia the same protection regardless of where they presently are and what city they call home.

How will this proposal be beneficial to Olympia and Wyver? Additional shared forces would offer Wyver and Olympia the chance to work collaboratively to protect their citizens, and to give each other a chance to resolve conflicts without escalation or violent behaviors being encouraged by others. In the event of a crisis, it would allow both sides representation on a military force to eliminate threats against their lands.

[ There's hearing something described, and then seeing it. Jim's used to spacecraft of all kinds-- or so he thought. Because he's definitely not used to this.

If any flicker of alarm ran through him, it's gone in a heartbeat, since the natives don't seem to notice - which means there's some kind of Natha interference, and so this must be a refugee. He can feel the impact of the landing through the ground, comparatively gentle as it is. Jim takes steps back so that he can look all the way up, shaking leaves out of his hair torn between wonder and exasperation. And then.. ]

Mikazuki?

[ D u d e. ]

[ John was not exactly invited, but he's here anyway as Cain's plus one -- and continually makes a thing of that throughout the night. He's the trophy wife, the arm candy, etc. Not that Cain seems to mind, he's enjoying it too, but John's overall tone is perhaps... lighter, than the event necessarily warrants.

He's cleaned up, though, as best he can -- dressed smartly even if his hair refuses to be tamed without hair gel to persuade it down. Despite the offhand, casual air he's also here for a reason, too. Sure, he's new, and it's all spinning out of events he had nothing to do with -- but John is nosy as all hell and (equally) wants to learn who is effective here and who isn't. Who gets things done and who is just here for the free drinks and snacks.

(That said, he is equally here for the free drinks. He feels like he needs one in his hand at all times to cope).

War, kidnappings, all that kind of drama don't especially effect him too much because he's... used to it on a fairly regular basis, but he's quickly learnt that plenty of people here aren't. They're civilian, and for civilians without training an idea like Jessica's is... definitely not bad.

He mulls it over until he can corner her, trying awkwardly to work out a way to approach the discussion which... in this public venue, will not advertise he's a refugee from another planet.

He tries for casual, although it probably comes across slightly awkward. ]

Neutral ground is always nice, though you might want to be a little more specific on what kind of neutral ground. Demilitarized zone? Or just third party opt out zone?

[ This was definitely a topic that Reign was very much in support of, considering that he knew of someone whose friends had been treated unfairly due to certain incidents that were no fault of theirs, partaking in something that they had no knowledge of its consequence. ]

I agree with such a legal system, especially where the refugees could enquire the service of a legal representative to help them. However, I believe that such services should be extended to everyone, and not just the refugees. Wyverns or Olympians who may have been wronged while in opposite land, and yet judged harshly because of their allegiance. This should include an impartial participation of all factions involved.

[ Over on this side, Reign could feel the heat rise to his cheeks at Byerly's suggestion. After all, he was one of Koralle's Models working there. It was a bold suggestion, though one that Reign found himself quite agreeing on. ]

Are you implying a mingle of some sort at Shades Darker? Or perhaps a similar establishment in Wyver?

[ That certainly sound quite interesting in its own ways, and Reign was not oppose to it. Heck, he knew of a couple Wyverns who quite enjoyed Reign's services. ]

I believe we've yet to be properly introduce ourselves. I'm Reign Fear.

[ A slight nod of his head, though thankfully the blush on his cheeks was gone. ]

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(mini-event) THE COALITION OF REFUGEES

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PROPOSAL: NEW CITY/NEUTRAL TERRITORY

Byerly Vorrutyer | The Vorkosigan Saga | OTA

PROPOSAL: PARTY PARTY PARTY

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Cam Buckland | Olympia

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Jean Valjean | ota

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PROPOSAL: SHARED GUARDS

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