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

[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.

[pragmatism]

[ An expression of trust is always welcome. He doesn't know Shirou as well as Forneus would, so there's still room for more knowledge. ]

There have been many gods upon Teyvat who have sought to stem the flow of time and the passing of change. For the longest time, I too wanted to maintain the status quo. however, it has since become clear to me that it is no longer possible. The flow of time and entropy are dictated by laws that are even above them.

[ A pause. ]

What do you think?

[justicefang]

[He stares at him for a moment. Confusion flickers in his eyes as he lifts his head up slightly.]

Gods tried to stop time passing and change from happening? [He says with disbelief in his tone.] What…purpose does that have? How can anything grow if it isn’t allowed to change? What happens to those people when their gods die?

Do they just…die out? .

[pragmatism]

They turn to dust, as all things do.

[ Gods do really stupid things sometimes. ]

There is no growth without change, no life without death. A truth that humans find difficult to accept, and it is even more difficult for the gods.

[justicefang]

So, every time humans reach a certain point they are prevented from tipping over that threshold. Is that right?

[A surge of protectiveness flickers inside him. For the first time since he woke as a god like being…for humans. It is just a tiny wisp of wind but it’s the start. Zhongli asked for his opinion. Well, he’ll have it.]

Are they even truly free? [He doesn’t know he sounds like a certain bard.]

[pragmatism]

That is correct.

[ The promise of a world sheltered from the abyss turned out to be another cage for mortal beings. ]

There is no true freedom in Teyvat. It is one of the reasons the God of Freedom chose to join as well.

[justicefang]

[Since the tragedy that made him an immortal his anger is like a storm. He has been on the edge of too far for a thousand and more years. And people have tried to decide the actions of Beastman for that long. It isn’t aimed at Zhongli but those who would decide the freedoms of those who can’t fight them.

His human guise tears like paper. The growl that rolls through the air is savage and full of ancient fury. He turns his head away but his voice is deep, more beastial. There is a reason that the Beastmen saw him as their god.] They all sound the same. Anyone who decides freedom is something they can control. They all sound the same!

Be they human, immortal, or otherwise… [That seems to bank his bubbling wrath because his fur settles and he sighs, scrubbing at his face. He visibly steps away from the edge of his rage as he shakes his head.] …I side with you. All I am will be bent towards freeing those who can’t free themselves.

[Further and further away from the edge like a storm rolling on. He dips his head and breathes in slowly.] I was supposed to give my opinion. Sorry.

[Except he did in a way. He is old and damaged, a man built by others attempts to hold back time and control freedom. He lifts his head and while the rage is still in his eyes he is just an ancient being staring at another older than himself. A peer for the first time in…ever.]

[pragmatism]

[ Zhongli watches Shirou's outburst without a word, meeting his eyes with an understanding gaze. Even amongst the gods, he had been respected as a source of wisdom due to his age. None have endured as much as he did... none have lost as much as he did, in this false, preserved paradise. ]

There is no need for apologies. We share the same wish, even if it is expressed in different ways.

[ Had he been a few thousand years younger, he may have reacted with the same ferocity that Shirou did; but time has long since worn down his anger into a silent, unyielding steel. ]

If you are willing to tell me more about your world, I am interested in hearing about it.

[ Zhongli has never had a reason to step out of Teyvat, nor was he able to without the intervention of other gods. He's curious about these other worlds, both in administrative terms and also in principles. If Forneus' claim of concept resonance was true, then there would be inventions or traditions that remain the same across worlds. ]