softheartedshizun | (no subject)

THE UNCLEAN REALM

The Unclean Realm is a replica of the ancestral home of the Qinghe Nie Sect, recreated by the Augur and presently owned by Nie Huaisang. While technically a private residence, it is a also a sizeable estate spanning several acres of land on the outskirts of the Nameless City, not far from the Lotus Lake. Within its borders lies a fortified manor in the traditional Chinese courtyard house style and a small, natural cold spring. Despite its design being heavily influenced by ancient architecture from the Shang Dynasty, the estate has undergone a number of anachronistic upgrades such as flawless plumbing and electricity and a full staff of sex-punning robots to perform mundane housekeeping and maintenance tasks on the premises. In Erku, Nie Huaisang has chosen to break the insular traditions of his native society and open up his home for use by outsiders, primarily as a fortified shelter during crisis situations, a base of operations for militia efforts on the island, or even simply a safe place to live among companions during their stay.

A simplistic, general map of the Unclean Realm can be found here.

→ LOCATIONS

The Main Gate Tall, imposing, and made of sturdy materials produced by the robots in Erku. Both the outer walls and the main gate are designed to withstand onslaught by monstrous, undead, and human threats. How much of a barrier it will serve against giant or machine threats has yet to be seen. Typically, manned by the robot staff. Twin stone lions, symbols of protection, flank the entrance.

Rear Facing Rooms The servants' quarters. When they're not tending to their housekeeping duties elsewhere, this is where the Unclean Realm's robot staff congregates.

Sedan Room Ordinarily, this is the room where sedan chairs would be kept but it's presently empty and unused.

The Inner Gate Additional gate leading into the residence proper. Made of the same sturdy materials as the outer walls. This gate is also manned by the robot staff when they're not occupied with other tasks.

Training Courtyards and Rest Area Large, open spaces where the disciples of the Qinghe Nie Sect once practiced their meditation and saber cultivation practices. On the western side of the keep is a sideyard where struggling disciples underwent extra training. On the eastern side of the keep lies shade trees and such to be used as a rest area during practice. Militia drills and training take place here.

Audience Hall The imposing main hall where the leader of the sect receives visitors and guests. Steps leading up to strong, wooden double doors serve as the main entrance at the front of the building though there are smaller side entrances on either side of the building. There are two side rooms that serve as waiting areas for visitors. As for the room where actual audiences with Sect Leader Nie are held, the most notable features are the carved decor reminiscent of ancient China during the Bronze Age and stately looking throne. This is the sect leader's seat and it's considered bad form for anyone but Sect Leader Nie to sit in it.

Central Courtyard The main courtyard of the residential portion of the Unclean Realm. Like the other courtyards, it's paved with stone and is home to several flowerbed and four stone beast statues.

Central Residence Originally, the residence for the main branch of the Nie Clan and currently where Nie Huaisang lives along with his current companion. For the most part, this residence has been declared as off-limits. Residents and visitors are strongly discouraged from entering without Nie Huaisang's permission.

Current Companion: Shi Qingxuan (air_head - frequent)

Eastern Residence Where Nie Huaisang houses his more esteemed residents. In the past, it was where he put up his fellow sect leaders and other cultivators of high rank. It contains three full suites each with their own bedrooms, sittings rooms, and bathrooms. However, rather than having the quality furniture of the original Unclean Realm, it's all been replaced with low end replacements. Players are welcome to redecorate their suites however they wish.

Current Residents: Shen Qingqiu (softheartedshizun), Shi Qingxuan (air_head - transient)

Western Residence Where Nie Huaisang puts his other guests that aren't quite of high enough rank to qualify for being placed in the Eastern Residence. There are three rooms in total. They aren't full suites but they're moderate in size. There's only one shared bathroom and common area for the whole residence. As with all the other residences, it starts out with low quality furniture that the characters are free to upgrade at will.

Current Residents: Xiao Xingchen (blindforlove), Song Lan (bitterfrost, Song Jingyi (whiteplume)

Northern Residence Originally, the disciples quarters, now where Nie Huaisang houses outsiders unless they can persuade him. These are small, windowless room and sparsely furnished with a bed, a nightstand, a dresser, and a chair, all low-quality. There are eight rooms in total. The one closest to the rear gate is locked and serves as a makeshift sex dungeon for the young master to engage in secret trysts in.

Current Residents: Annie Leonhart (lyingheart)

Northern Courtyard It's about the same as the other courtyards, just smaller, plainer, and a little more claustrophobic due to being wedged between two buildings. The natural lighting here isn't all the great either.

Storage Room A On the surface, it seems to be a simple storage room, but there's something weird about it beyond how securely it's locked up. Sounds as if something is moving about can occasionally be heard coming from within, and there's a heavy, oppressive aura that extends to the room's immediate vicinity and might cause headaches to anyone spiritually sensitive who chooses to linger nearby. The inside is a seemingly-haphazard arrangement of the basic provided furniture as if it were carelessly thrown in once no longer needed. However this chaos deliberately hides a carefully-crafted set of wards (magic circles) drawn on the floor in the back. One pair of wards contains Baxia, the sword of Nie Huaisang's older brother; another pair is currently empty.

Storage Room B Much more straightforward in manner, this storage room is kept latched but not locked. It is currently mostly empty, used primarily by the robot staff to house cleaning supplies as well as for long-term storage of non-perishable food. Residents are also welcome to store belongings here that they won't be keeping in their rooms.

Kitchen At odds with most of the rest of the residence, the kitchen that the Augur provided is fully outfitted with modern fixtures, with a layout as seen here. There are several chairs along the center table/island. The ceiling currently has a number of feathers embedded into it due to a mishap involving Shen Qingqiu and a goose; many of the cabinets also have the same, or holes left behind from said feathers.

Dungeon Located primarily underground with an entrance in the northeastern corner of the premises. The dungeon itself is a long corridor that extends the entire length of the northern wall under the Northern Residence and kitchen, with cells lining one side. Though the primary method of confinement is secure metal bars, there are structures in place to construct wards for additional security. No wards are active and there are currently no prisoners.

Rear Gate The back door into and out of the Unclean Realm, this gate wastes no effort on appearances and could be considered even sturdier than the ones in the front. Though manned by robot staff, visitors will almost universally be directed around to the main gate, with residents and those with special permission being the only ones allowed to make use of it.

Cold Spring Located beyond the outer walls of the main complex and secluded within a forested area, the cold spring was provided by a former resident. As its name suggests, it is a small bathing area that is consistently chilly. Though uncomfortable, it is useful for healing injuries, among other things.

→ SIGN UP!

The Unclean Realm offers several different positions for those who wish to become involved with it! Positions include militia members, permanent residents, and regular visitors. For most characters seeking permanent room and board, Nie Huaisang will ask for a small contribution or service in exchange for his generosity. This can be something as simple as supplying provisions of some kind to the fortress, bringing him pretty things, or performing miscellaneous tasks that would be of use to an ancient Chinese aristocrat whose laziness knows few bounds.

It's essentially structured as a player business with affiliates in game. Players will be contacted for plotting and coordination purposes such as mobilizing militia operations, group meetings among fortress residents, planning residential mingles, etc, but for the most part, it's a passive commitment to simply help facilitate fun CR opportunities and give players something to do with their characters if desired. If you'd like to participate, please fill out the form below!

→ QUESTIONS?

A militia in a sex game? What are you thinking?

Opportunities to explore fighting kink and aspects of martially inclined characters that otherwise might not get much play in a sex game. Outside of the Nameless City, there are plenty of monsters roaming around from different canons as well as local fauna, making it dangerous for characters to venture into it. This allows for some interesting IC encounters and scenarios that could lead to fun CR for everyone involved. It also gives folks who want a little extra plot to go with their smut. However, given that Erku is a low key game, these plots will also have low key involvement and probably focus more on IC interpersonal drama that will hopefully, get those kink bingos flowing since in the end, that's what we're all here for, right?

I play a martially inclined character but I'm just here for the smut. Can I just not bother with this?

Of course you can! Militia participation is strictly voluntary both ICly and OOCly and players are always welcome to join or bow out whenever they want. Fighting kink isn't for everyone so just treat it as you would any other kink you're not into - opt out of it, move on, and live your best life while we do the same.

Isn't a militia an IC police force? Are you going to be policing anyone's characters?

Nope. Militias come in different forms but this one is simply an organized defense force of volunteers that performs a protection service in times of need. In game, they would mainly be skirmishing with monsters outside the city or defending the city's inhabitants against invading threats during events.

What if I don't want my character to be protected or rescued?

Then they won't be. It's as simple as that.

Are there going to be any events for the Unclean Realm? How will they be coordinated?

Just a monthly log that players can tag into at their leisure or not tag in at all. A lot of plotting will be done via a private Discord server so if you'd like an invite, feel free to let me know! If you prefer alternate forms of contact, that's fine, too. You'll still be included.

Do you have any questions or need further clarification on anything? Just ask here!