I wonder out loud why there are warriors if the world is so small. I'm curious as to why the men are kept in the position they're in; generally, a population's growth is more dependent on the number of women, which is why most societies keep their women well protected. Hmm. Well, I suppose that their society works, so more power to them. During this week I will be sticking with Cass.
(How) are the men dressed?
*Men are dressed in simple clothes, the women in better clothes, armed and sometimes armored. The men are browbeaten, and basically third class citizens. It's a hard place to figure out to be honest. Cass is treated well, like a goddess, and she plays the role well. Are you doing anything specific during the week?*
I'm sticking with Cass, walking a couple feet behind her to show my deference. I don't want to stray too far from her; the worst wouldn't be them assaulting me, it would be finding out Cass lied to them.
*The week goes by, she picks up supplies, a tent, sleeping bags, food and water and heads to the main city, it's a 3 day walk through rough terrain, no trouble finds you, and you see an ivory city in the distance, easily twice the size of Manhatten*
*Cass says*
"That's Carid, The Ivory Seat of power here, and likely the place to find some answers."
I nod to her, and say, "That would be good."
*You walk up to the gate, it is 20 feet tall, white metal, four guards, female bar the gate, they cross their halbards and Cass once again talks to some guard, this time, it doesn't go like last time, but they finally relent and allow you entry. You walk along a path of white stone, Cass is staring in wonder at the buildings and the people, as you walk up the main street.*
*Cass looks around*
"I still have no idea why we are here and what we are looking for, any ideas?"
"Well, we're here because I got infected with this stuff that makes it so I never die. Instead, when I die, I go to another universe somewhere..." I'll continue with the entire explanation, but I think she's heard it enough times to stop me before I even get as far as that and tell me that's not what she meant, so I shrug. "You mean like destiny or fate or something? I don't know. I'm not a big believer in destiny. I'm more a believer in free will, but maybe we were meant to see people living a society like this, with women in a place of power and men beneath them. I haven't seen anything terribly wrong with their society, personally; it's different than what I'm used to, sure, but it's not the worst I could imagine."
*You get the first sentence out and she continues on not in the mood, she starts heading down a side street and then onto another path, not the main drag but one parallel to the one you were just on, and she talks to someone who points to a large building across town and that's where she starts heading.*
Well, at least now she's treating me like most other women in this world would. I continue on following her in silence.
*It takes a good hour and a half to get to the library, Cass is still forging ahead and talks to the guards, getting permission for both of you to enter the library, and she heads to the index book, and then to the section on history and takes a few books and opens them up and starts reading, still not having said a word to you.*
Well, I doubt any of it is in a language I could read anyway, so I'm still just waiting.
*it takes another hour before she slams the book she is reading closed*
*She looks at you*
"When I ask a question in earnest and ask for guidance, I do not want sarcasm and humor. I am all for levity in all other cases. So, you are going to learn Greek, so you can help with this reading. Before it gets light out, we need to secure a place. I was gifted enough money for a room for awhile, so I hope we figure out what to do here, by the end of that time, unless you have any suggestions on that now?"
"Library was a good thought; whatever we do, you have to be our front here, and this entire place is probably more frustrating for me than it is for you; I really doubt we can do anything for men's civil rights while we're here, so it's really going to be an uncomfortable time. Did you find anything interesting in your reading? I'm always up for learning new things, but I don't think I should try speaking at all to anyone other than you, and then sparingly in public. On a fifty mile island, a foreign language probably sticks out like a sore thumb. If you can teach me to read Greek, of course I'll do my best to help."
*Cass sighs*
"It's a partial history of the city, but it reads like a textbook, so it's not easy nor fun reading. I will teach you what I can at night. I have no problem with a woman led society, but something is wrong here. It's like the men are breeding horses, only fit to procreate, take care of kids or cook food. At any rate, the library is huge, and I don't know what I am looking for, and may not know it if I see it."
I've got really good reading comprehension skill, and I've always been good at learning language, so this shouldn't be too bad. Also, I enjoy reading textbooks. "This society is somewhat similar to certain aspects of the past in the world I first died in, generally reversed in most cultures. The civil standing the men have is unfortunate, and one couldn't really say why they put up with it; but, no one can really say why it is that slaves don't always rise up in revolt."
*Cass smiles*
"Well that's what I want to find out then."
*She leaves the library and finds a room at a seedy inn for cheap, the food there is ok, better than what you expected for the inn, and she begins to teach you 1@1 Greek P0@1, the night goes uneventfully*
Ahh, the Greek alphabet. I apply myself to learning as best I can and study the alphabet and phonics.
*You two are back to the library the next day, some of the women stop you in the street and start putting their hands all over you, and Cass says sometime to them sternly, and they nod and back off*
*Cass says*
"Well the oppression means there is 2 women for every man here, so sometimes they get grabby. Not a healthy society in any rate, and that's why we need to know why it is like this."
I agree at Cass. "Thanks for stopping them. Someone was about to die."
((If this was a live game, I probably would have stolen initiative and attacked before Cass did anything, if you want it to go that way.))
"Let's figure out what's wrong with this place as fast as we can. I don't know how long I can put up with the affronts to my esteem."
((It was a sexual grab, or pawing if that changes your actions, if not we can go back))
*Cass nods*
"I won't let them use you for breeding material, that is all mine."
*Jokes*
*GE roll 19, looks to about 3 weeks of research*
J
((That was my base assumption and also the precise reason for my actions. That sort of touching from people I don't know makes me feel embarassed and dirty and I will lash out at someone who tries it. If you don't want to go back we can say Cass got them before I could react; I have a feeling that fighting them is going to get me out of this world before I really know what's going on, but it's the truth about what I'd do in that situation.))
We'll take the three weeks in stride (assuming you want to go that route).
((Fighting them will likely end on versing you out, so would need to know how you would feel about that, and then i will do a GE roll to see how well it aligns))
J
((I know it would, and that's not my goal, but what I would do is attack them on impulse without considering the consequences of doing so))
((GE 18))
*They grab you, you knock them back on their arses, Cass intervenes, The guards come, everyone is talking in elevated tones. Cass points at those two and then you, and looks pissed, the guards talk to the two women, they are angry but do not say much more. The Guards point at Cass and you, and point away and say something, and the other two women, saying something and pointing them another. They walk away.*
*Cass smiles when everyone is out of range*
"I said they were molesting my man without permission and they claimed they didn't know I owned you. The guards were not happy they were called over, but since you were my property, they had no right to take those actions. Can you really blame them my beloved?."
*she leans in for a kiss*
J
I kiss her back. "Well, I don't mind being *your* property. But I certainly won't be felt up like some schoolgirl on a train in Japan. Shall we continue, my dear?"
((Narrowly dodged a bullet there))
*You do your studies for today, you find out, only the female greek goddess have representation here in the city, as both temples and statues, but of course, you get getting bits and pieces, well Cass is and your trying to help with your limited Greek at this point. Cass does take you out to eat at a nice place, serving traditional greek dishes, Pita Bread, Cheeses, Meats, Cucumbers, and a cream substance tasting like cucumbers, it's quite good for Greek, now whether you like Greek or not, is up to you. The night goes uneventfully.*
Well, some Greek food isn't bad, as long as it's not covered in foot cheese.
"So, no Zeus, no Ares, no Hermes, no Apollo, no Dionysus; no wonder this place is so upside down."
Who seems to be the head Goddess?
*Cass does some checking, and after about an hour*
"Seems to be Athena, but only because of her wisdom and ability at war, it seems they have a council and they all have equal power."
"Hmm. Well, at least equality isn't a completely foreign concept to them... and no information about Athena's brothers, I'd wager.
"Personally, I've always thought Artemis was hotter, but that's just me."
*Cass nods*
"I don't think it was about hotness, or else all the female gods would have had a cat fight. Well they seem stable, so this isn't a chaotic event, or at least not that I've read about so far."
*she yawns*
"It is getting late, and I was thinking of granting you leave to tuck me in and take care of me."
*she winks*
"I couldn't agree more."
Sounds like an enjoyable evening.
§
*Morning comes, no molestation, to the Library, it's closed today, anything you want to do, or explore while in town with your forced day off, or have Cass lead you to do or explore?*
"Hmm... library's closed... at any rate, we should see what we can do to make money while we're here. I don't think splitting up would be a good idea, though... you're the Goddess of Love, maybe we could set up some kind of shrine and have people make offerings to you in exchange for love advice and fortune reading?"
*Cass looks annoyed with you*
"You said it was a bad idea to pretend to be a goddess, so I stopped, and haven't done it here, so I think that option is gone.
*She lightens up*
"Um as for work, that's tough, would have to speak the language, we can check out the job board, but that would likely be in front of the town hall, so that's a bit of a hike. We don't have any other plans."
*She starts navigating through the city*
((12 GE roll))
*There is a woman arguing with another woman in front of the board, one of the is wearing traditional wear you have seen, the other is wearing a mix of jeans, robes, a futuristic pistol on her left hip, and a large black bound book on her right hip, she is about 5'5 Brown Hair, 120, fairly pretty, and is speaking English*
"Yo comprende english Getting sick of this place already."
I'm going to relax and feel for that sense that led me to Jhiaxus on the tropical island; the similar one that leads to my equipment.
"Likewise. At least you're a woman, though."
*She is indeed like that sense before, and it wasn't one here the last time you looked*
*She looks you both up and down with a small smile on her face*
"I'm Darla, I just arrived here, are you two faring any better with the locals?"
"Cass speaks their language. Unfortunately, the men here seem to exist for the abuse of the women even more than is usually the case." I keep an eye on Cass to avoid being swatted for that. "We're on a fifty mile square island, no one knows of any other land, the people worship Greek goddesses but there's no evidence we've seen that they exist."
"Oh, sorry. I'm Arziay, and this is Cass, my lover. It's good to meet you, Daria. Have you ever heard of the Nazi Multiverse Domination project?"
*she grins at certain information, especially lover*
"Can't say that I have, but it wouldn't surprise me. Good to meet you Cass and Arziay, I don't know Greek, so that's my problem, the men thing doesn't seem so bad. *she smiles at that* So, that's interesting, not much dealings with the Greek pantheon myself."
*she rummages through her pack, and comes out with a box and a small earpiece*
"This little thing comes in handy for communication issues."
I'm watching interestedly, wondering if it will really work.
*She hits some buttons and moves some dials and smiles, she listens for a few minutes*
"It's working, I understand them now, doesn't help them understand me, but one way understanding is better than none. So how long have you two been here? *she seems to be flirting with both of you*