JUNE MINGLE

[stellafortunamods]

June Mingle: Time For A Hike
Welcome to Teyvat - a vast magical world of adventure.
Finally, it's time to leave Death Mountain for warmer climates. THe Travelers will begin their journey from Mondstadt to Liyue on the first of November, after packing up and saying goodbye the Mondstadt's Adventurers' Guild. But worry not - if you ever miss the City of Wind and Song, it's possible to teleport back for a brief visit.

The Travelers will head out of Mondstadt through Stone Gate, cross Dihua Marsh and then reach the Guili Plains. You'll be camping out under the stars on some days, while getting to enjoy various roadside inns on other days - including the famed Wangshu Inn, all under Forneus' bill. But it does bring up a question: where did he get all that mora from?

Speaking of Forneus, it seems that he's too busy to accompany you on this road trip. Instead, Zhongli will serve as his stand-in. For those who do not know him well, he introduces himself as an Adeptus... and also the Geo Archon, who has enlisted your help to test his nation. What will you do?

State of the World

June will be a lighter period in the game for characters to bond with each other while traveling as a group, and later while exploring and trolling Liyue to the best of their ability. Forneus will not be available for the first two weeks as he is busy; instead Zhongli is tasked with answering questions in his place. A reference of the scenery your character might see on the way can be found in this video here! Feel free to check out Liyue's music here as well.

For all questions regarding June's mingle and events, please head over to our OOC post.

Comments

[justicefang]

[So an Archon had been walking with them this whole time. Considering Anima city and the secrets - his own and others - it's not as surprising as it probably should be. Shirou approaches Zhongli in the late evening at camp.

He'd kept himself mostly human since crossing the border into Liyue. But sometimes little things give away his real nature. His steps are more like a wolf's than a man's.]

If you have a few moments, I'd like to talk.

[His tone is neutral, the same one he uses for anyone else. If now knowing the man he'd seen in passing is a god bothered him, it doesn't show on his face.]

[pragmatism]

I do.

[ Zhongli greets Shirou with a nod and a slight smile. He's seen how the man helped to organize and shepherd some of the younger members, and it's something that he appreciates. Given that he's an Archon and a native, he can't do too many things on his own. ]

[justicefang]

[Shirou nods back as he stops within a polite distance. He'd seen this man in passing among the group but never been able to get the read of him.]

There are a number of things I want to ask but it shouldn't be a one-way flow of information. If there's anything you want to know, ask it.

[He pauses, in case Zhongli wants to start the questions. It's only fair when he's come here looking for more knowledge.]

[pragmatism]

[ What does Zhongli want to know? ]

I am interested to hear your opinions on what you have experienced so far.

[ Shirou is newer than most of the current group, and he hasn't experienced the controlled chaos of the earlier months. He might have a different perspective. ]

[justicefang]

[It takes him a second to consider what to say. When he does his voice is calm.]

I’ve heard the first people brought here had their memories of accepting erased. It created unease. I wouldn’t have responded well to it. Even now.

[Whatever that means he doesn’t elaborate. He folds his arms over his chest.]

...my opinions are from an outsider view. I can’t help but wonder what the end of this is intended to be. Right now it seems like pointing out a problem, [He nods to the sky, just once. He assumes he doesn’t need to say the word out loud. Celestia.]

And seeing what we’ll do. [He remembers what he heard from the others but he wants to hear what Zhongli has to say.]

[pragmatism]

The ideal end is for this world to continue existing as how it is now. The long-term effects of being without predestination would be hard for you to witness. I assume you have a desire to return home.

[ It would take decades, even centuries for the repercussions to play out. ]

None of the people here have ever known a world without divine authority. For that purpose your perspective is valued; to see if you would think this world can live without the gods.

[ Forneus is pretty open to feedback too. ]

[justicefang]

[He doesn’t say anything at first and looks out over the camp. How much to say? It seems pointless to hide anything.]

I agreed to help because it serves us both. I have spent a very long time looking at the world from one perspective. It’s time that changed. Time isn’t the issue, at least, for me it isn’t.

[Eventually his inability to die would kick back in. He doesn’t age or die. He could learn all they needed to know. If it came to that.] As long as I return home to the time I left, I can stay as long as necessary.

[With that out of the way he says,] I can’t say how this world will react to a lack of gods. Speaking from experience of great society upheaval...I would say they’re going to go through a messy time at first. And any land with a more hands off god will still feel the effects. In one way or another.

To that end, exactly how are we to test your people?

[pragmatism]

No change will come smoothly. We are all prepared for that sort of eventuality.

[ Which is why he's intending to take the lead and pre-emptively resign without Forneus needing to stage a coup. But now that Shirou has asked: ]

The Cryo Archon has agreed to help me as well. She will send her military agents to pose a threat to Liyue. While Liyue's public service officers are well-trained by my hand, they have never faced a threat without my intervention. You may choose to help her, or help the people become more confident in taking matters into their own hands.

[justicefang]

[There’s a flicker of relief in his eyes before he sighs,] The later. I’m done doing things I will regret.

[He says it with a bit of weariness. Shirou rubs his throat where the collar rests. Then drops his head and focuses fully on Zhongli once again. Clinging to the past is useless. He has a job to do for both their sakes.]

What can I expect to face as a traveler? What organizations hold the most sway?

[It’s nothing new to observe and carefully encourage. He does it all the time at home. It feels comfortable enough he seems to relax a little.]

[pragmatism]

[ Zhongli had been careful to give a more positive role for the travelers to play. Some may be fine with causing chaos (looking at you, Tsuru), but ultimately the outlanders were hired to be a force of constructive effects. ]

Liyue is officially ruled by Rex Lapis. [ Which is him. ] However, most of its mundane affairs are run by the Liyue Qixing and the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The Qixing consist of seven of the most influential merchants in Liyue. The order within the nation is kept by the Millelith. The Millelith previously served in the Archon Wars; its present day incarnation no longer faces dangers such as rogue divinities, but they are still a force focused mainly on defense.

[ A country protected by a god did not have much need for a large military; the presence of their Archon was enough of a deterrent. ]

Merchants from all nations dock and conduct their business here, so you are likely to meet many people from different cultures. All who step foot into Liyue must abide by its laws, though they do bring with them habits and customs of their own nations as permitted.

[justicefang]

[Shirou puts the pieces together in his head to build a picture of the tasks ahead. So far that’s two factions that work in tandem. With Rex Lapis presiding over all.]

And the Qixing? What do they run, I assume it has to deal with the economy and commerce.

[So he has a traveler would be expected to fill out some paperwork. Possibly-]

Regular travelers can come and go as long as they obey the laws? [He needs more information.]

[pragmatism]

The Qixing each administrate the commerce of their own domains, as well as regulate the laws of Liyue as a whole. Civil disputes and mortal crimes are under their purview to resolve. Rex Lapis only intervenes when events involve a power that mortals cannot contend with.

[ Luckily, Teyvat hasn't progressed to the point of needing passports. ]

Yes, all are welcome to conduct business as long as they obey the regulations. Failure to follow the law, or breaking a contract, will result in punishment.

[justicefang]

[Liyue is operated by a public council. Above them like the sun in the sky is their god. Well, that's what they think. He has a nagging thought that won't let go.]

From the proper authorities. [He says, thinking further and turning things over in his head. He crosses his arms over his chest.] And these military agents of the Cryo Archon? What can we expect from them?

[pragmatism]

[ Shirou is... not wrong, hm. ]

The Fatui are an organization that have spread out all over Teyvat. They are formally known as Snezhaya's foreign diplomats, however they are willing to resort to less scrupulous methods to get their way. Thus, most of Teyvat's residents are suspicious of them. However... most of their ranks are comprised of common people. The foot soldiers merely follow orders of their lieutenants. To disobey the Cryo Archon's will is to face death; thus many join the Fatui because they have no better options. While they will play the part of antagonist, I advise you to avoid treating them with scorn.

[justicefang]

[His neutral expression doesn't shift. He merely nods,]

I won't. [It would put Zhongli's people at more risk than planned. And limit future movements across Teyvat.] And what about you? What do the people think you are?

[He leans back slightly, glancing briefly around. No one but them here and they're far from likely to be overheard. If he's asked questions he has already decided to answer plainly.]

Whatever you do, I won't betray it. How you protect your people is your own business. I'm here to help, not hinder you.

[pragmatism]

In my current form, I am a consultant to Wangsheng Funeral Parlour.

[ Which works out for many reasons, one of them being that people of a funeral parlour tend to be strange in the first place.

He gives Shirou a slight smile ]

I am grateful for your assistance.

[justicefang]

You can count on me. [His expression goes blank. Where had he heard that name before? Then he remembers the strange woman when he first got here.

Pieces click into place but to be sure,] …Did your employer know before we did?

[Is she like Rose the Mayor of his city? Or didn’t know and now has to recalculate?]

[pragmatism]

Yes. Her family has been the guardian of a few Liyue secrets for generations, as per our contract. She inherited her position as the family head due to unfortunate circumstances.

[ Since the Hu family already have a contract with Rex Lapis, it thus fell to him to step in as her guardian once her last living relative passed away. It was unfortunate that Hu Tao's parents died before her grandparents, but such is fate.

A fate that could have been avoided, if only predestination did not exist. ]

[justicefang]

[The breeze pulls at him. He lets himself shift to his true self, shedding his guise as a man as easily as someone taking off a coat. He will not have the chance to just be for a while and best to make the most of it now. He nods once,]

Good. [Then there's a pause as he internally goes over the things he has asked and what he wants to know before all this is set in motion. It comes back to one question.]

...what are the Adepti? And what is their role in all of this.

[pragmatism]

The Adepti are a group of beings who have attained great magical power and longevity. They are inhuman; similar to the legends of Xian from other worlds, yet different. Each of them have signed a contract with me to protect Liyue. However, their great power was only needed to repel threats that came from supernatural beings. In this era of peace and prosperity, their strength is not needed... and thus they have secluded themselves away from humanity, thinking it below them to mingle.

[ Zhongli sighs. ]

They were my comrades in the Archon Wars. While they have always been ready to defend Liyue from external threat, most of them still cling to the old ways. They have become... out of touch. The world is changing; moving away from the era of the supernatural.

[justicefang]

[There's an underlying thread in those words he can hear. Had he imagined it? No. He decides he hasn't. He stares at him for a long moment, something too knowing about his stare. Then he looks away with a sigh of his own.]

And short of their worldview being shattered, they won't bend for anyone.

[A blonde-haired man with a sneer on his face drifts to the surface of his mind and of Alan's real form of a vast three-headed wolf not unlike the sun in the sky. Yes, beings like that don't bend easily.]

And in secluding themselves they have forgotten the vast potential of those who live shorter lives than we do. I'm starting to see the full scope of the situation.

[pragmatism]

Yes.

[ Shirou Gets it. He's grateful for that. ]

The best outcome would be that the Adepti are able to work together with the people. Though, if they can concede and understand humanity's potential, then I am already satisfied. I have planned a trial for the humans to handle. If the Adepti are able to witness humans handle a great danger by themselves, then they would be more inclined to change their opinion.

[justicefang]

[He closes his eyes and thinks about that. He can see how that could alter their views. Shirou nods slowly,]

If the threat is large enough and Adepti's self-thought status appealed to, I could see them coming together. But they need a motivation to involve themselves or that won't happen.

[He glances to the side. The only reason he had involved himself in the Michiru's plight had been the threat her supposed sickness had to Beastmen. But she more than proved her strength and the potential of humans as she kept running right at his side, into danger after danger.

Until even in this place so far from home he looks for when he charges into the fray.]

I assume you already have an idea in mind for that.

[pragmatism]

I do.

[ Morax is the Prime of the Adepti, after all. If he were to disappear... ]

There are some amongst the Adepti who are more partial to the idea of humanity taking the reins. I will put the outlanders in touch with them, so that you can better understand their position as well.

[justicefang]

[It's like a coat being slipped on as he shifts from Beastman back to man. He adjusts his gloves that had shifted when he had claws.]

Then I have no further questions for right now. As I said before, should you have any questions for me, I'll answer them.

[He pauses, glancing back. No one around. Shirou returns his gaze to him.]

With you, I see no reason not to.