exploration mingle: CAPTIVITY

[riverviewmod]

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: exploration mingle: rescue mission!
when: June 15 - August 15
where: The River Structure
warnings: violence and/or torture; please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

captivity

One of the major and most highly-valued cultural concepts in Riverview is that of exploration, expansion. Especially now that, with the recent influx of new arrivals, as the portal kicks into high gear for reasons not entirely known, the Inhabited City, already comfortably full, is rapidly becoming overpopulated. With all the refugees from other worlds pouring in from day to day, the city's safe space and resources are being taxed to their breaking point.

Right now, exploration and expansion is key, and each month, the government has decided to focus on a particular objective, in order to unite citizens in expanding, securing, and supplying the city for everyone's benefit.

the story so far

Exploration & Expansion Progress Report ● The Guardians of the Deep ● What Lies Beneath ● Plotting & Questions

After some serious flooding at the banks of the river, the cause was discovered to be the Guardians of the Deep, creatures protecting a circular labyrinthine structure underneath the river. Residents of the city explored and mapped the structure, and dealt with a good portion of the traps and other dangers, until they found a little piece of history in the Central Chamber of the structure, revealing that it was inhabited by the first people to live on the moon.

While this news has been exciting scholars and historians in the city, something a little more pressing has been bothering the average citizen - an ever-increasing number of missing persons. People have simply been disappearing all over the city, and only now are residents starting to realize why...

how it works

● Phases: Each prompt is a different phase of the operation. Characters may partake in whichever part of the operation they choose, whether it is a large and prominent part, or a more of a backseat or support role. Characters may participate in as many phases as they wish.

● Completion: When next month's exploration mingle goes up, the mission featured on this exploration mingle will be considered complete, and game canon, providing the entry has 200+ comments on it.

● Entry Reward: The reward for completion of this month's exploration objective will be...well, the safe return of everyone who was kidnapped. And some sweet hurt/comfort.

● IMPORTANT NOTE: Having observed how the pacing of exploration mingles has been going and how they are tagged, I have noticed that posting one exploration mingle each month has been a little hectic, both plotwise and for me as a mod (writing three mingles a month has been tough!). I have decided to space them out a bit further, and post an exploration mingle once every two months, starting with this one - the next exploration mingle will be posted in August!

phase i: the abducted

People don't simply go missing, they don't disappear into thin air, they have to be somewhere. And while those who are missing people keep frantically searching, those who have been kidnapped are the only ones besides the kidnappers who do know where they are.

Abducted by a group who have taken up residence in the structure under the city after last month's exploration died down, the missing are trapped in the Central Chamber, in fear of the kidnappers. Their abductors are a group of people that is starting to slowly take on cultist tendencies, believing that the remaining spirits of the First People still live in the structure, that it is a temple, and that those First People need offerings of host bodies to inhabit so they can return and bring their wisdom and magic back to the moon. Things are getting a little hairy - there's no agreement among the kidnappers as to how 'intact' the host bodies have to be and whether or not the sacrifice is in the form of alive or dead captives. Even worse, some of the kidnappers are only with the group to enjoy having power over others and using it to hurt them.

Captives are held in the Central Chamber of the structure, with next to no amenities. Blankets, food, water, and other necessities are in short supply, and they are kept huddled together, constantly guarded and either restrained, wearing or in the presence of a power suppressor to keep them subdued. But the captives haven't lost hope - they are working on getting a message out, finding a way to contact the outside world so their loved ones can rescue them...

This prompt is to play out interactions among the captives before they are rescued, and may include violence or other character suffering. It is also to enact plotted plans for the abductees to find connections with the outside world to summon help.

phase ii: distraction and infiltration

Once would-be rescuers become aware of where the captives are being held, they start making plans to rescue them - whether someone they love has been taken, they're just a good person, or they just want to feel like a big damn hero, there are lots of people willing to take the plunge and jump into the rescue. But the cult group has been in control of the structure for a while now, they definitely have the home team advantage. They know the lay of the land and where the traps are, and have used some of them to their own advantage.

It's not going to be as easy as storming the castle.

There are two parts to this phase of the rescue: a distraction and an infiltration. Distractions are planned to draw as many of the kidnappers away from the hostages being held in the Central Chamber as possible, while those who are stealthily infiltrating will try to find another entrance into the chamber so they can surprise and surround the remaining kidnappers.

This prompt is to play out any plans for distraction and infiltration. If you have plotted something out on the plotting post, feel free to post up a header for specific groups for threading rather than an individual character top-level.

phase iii: the brawl and after

Distractions only last so long, unfortunately, and so eventually the whole thing is going to break down into a big fight. Rescuers versus kidnappers, on the kidnappers' home turf, and surrounded by traps left over from the First People, while pieces of stationary tech throw out auras and waves of power suppression. It's going to be a doozy of a fight, so prepare for an epic throwdown!

And once the dust settles, there's going to be a lot of injuries to tend to, a lot of people traumatized and hurt and frightened. A lot of hungry, suffering people will need to be transported out, given medical care, and brought supplies.

This prompt is to play out the final fight between the kidnapping cult and the rescuers, as well as anything in the aftermath of the fight.

phase iv: wildcard

Have an idea for a mission-adjacent plot, or want to make up an unexpected plot twist or problem and solve it with your character? Just write up a starter, and don't forget to give yourself props by submitting it for the Progress Report.

navigation
[Asterion - Environment Art: Ariadne's Forest by Nicolas Mendoza]

Comments

Tony Stark | MCU

[buildsomething]

PHASE III
i. the brawl

[Tony is not supposed to be here. Tony has a very nice hospital room he is supposed to be semi-comfortably ensconced in while he deals with a pesky stab wound. But Sam had come, Sam had said people are missing, Steve is missing and hadn't even bothered to look surprised when Tony immediately got up to go find his armor.

He'd meant to hang back and provide support during the infiltration -- subtle is not a thing Iron Man does well and Tony knows it, especially with the barely-leashed energy currently vibrating under his skin -- but when everything goes to hell so does the last of Tony's restraint. It's not often he lets the full power of the armor loose, not with the sheer destructive potential in it, but people have been taken and Tony's not doing a great job of holding it back.

The last, careful part of his brain is at least keeping him from turning the worst of it on the actual cultists. Any of them that he sees might get taken down with slightly excessive force, but he's doing his best to stay non-lethal, repulsor blasts turned down at the last second. No, the bulk of Tony's attention is on the technology, the traps, even the walls. He's got a decent map of the labyrinth down here but absolutely no patience for it, so if there isn't a door where he wants it, he's just going to make one. He knows which walls will hold. Anything to get to the captured people faster.]

ii. the aftermath

[By the time everything winds down, Tony seems to have less of an idea what to do with himself. He still has too much adrenaline, needs to do something, but with no go place to put it, he finds himself hanging back around the area they've gathered all the injured and rescued people in. If you can catch his attention he'll give it, and probably be happy to do whatever is asked, but left to his own devices Tony just stands there watching everyone like they might suddenly vanish again.

The armor is covered in dust and at least one scorch mark, maybe a few dents, and Tony has either forgotten or is ignoring the fact that he started this whole thing injured. He's almost eerily still for the most part, to the point where you could be forgiven for forgetting that there's someone actually underneath all that metal. The sight is probably not all that reassuring. But he'll turn to look at anyone who approaches, the armor shifting just slightly.]

What do you need?

[Please give him something to do.]

iv. wildcard
[Want to do something else? Feel free or come poke me at talkincodes to plan.]

i

[glowfeelers]

[ Lost in the labyrinth and separated from anyone friendly, Mantis is alone when she happens to find herself in a hallway where one of the walls, well, suddenly decides to not exist anymore. She's not close enough to be in the line of fire, but it still startles her enough to raise a surprised shout from her, and to be hit with a few smaller pieces of debris from the exploding wall just as she turns to protect her front.

Mantis has no weapon, and she looks a little worse for wear after a few unfriendly encounters down here - but ultimately, she's still standing, and there are two of the cultists fast asleep (snoring, even), face down on the floor behind her.

She holds herself in a defensive stance, taking a step back, but quickly recognizes the armour that comes through as, ] Iron Man?

IW SPOILERS

[buildsomething]

[Tony's hands are already up when he spots someone moving, but the name stops him. It takes a moment for the figure to register -- one of Quill's people. She was on Titan. And she's standing right there, in one piece if not looking a little worse for wear and for just a second Tony can't breathe. She's fine. She's not -- she's fine.

He thinks.]

Mantis. [His voice is even through the helmet filters, once he manages to find it.] You okay?

[glowfeelers]

[ Mantis nods. ] Yes.

[ Wait. He called her by name. ] Oh! You remember me. [ If they were still in universe where time made sense, that wouldn't be surprising. But Mantis has had several strange and confusing encounters with people she knows here, and has found that nobody else seems to recall anything in her most recent memories. ]

Your friends do not remember me, and my friends do not remember you.

[buildsomething]

[He can't help but twitch slightly at her obvious excitement with that fact, though it's not all that noticeable through the armor. Considering what had gone one when they'd met, Tony wouldn't blame her for trying to forget.

Though from what he remembers of Mantis, she hadn't responded to just about anything the way Tony had expected.]

Yeah that...happens here. Timelines being off, things like that.

[And because he's not sure he wants to know but he had to ask anyway, Tony lets out a long breath.]

What do you remember?

i

[madeupnames]

WAAAAAA—OOF!!

[That is the sound made as Spider-Man goes flying through a wall Tony was probably considering knocking down as it was, and the red and blue figure huffs as he lays in a pile of rubble for a moment. And then his spider-eyes get all wide and alarmed as Iron Man steps into view.]

O-oh, hey, Mr. Stark. Shouldn't you be resting?

[IT'S THE TRUTH RIGHT.

Don't mind the guy with the big weird alien gun stomping towards them, this is the perfect time to discuss things.]

[buildsomething]

[At least the incoming doppler effect gives Tony time to point his hands somewhere other than the wall, by the time Peter impacts with it all Tony can do is stare a little incredulously. Not that his expression is visible, though his body language might be radiating it well enough.]

Shouldn't you?

[Maybe not the best reply, but it's hard to come up with witty comebacks when your heart is in your throat. He can't order Peter not to get involved in this and he knows it, but god does Tony want to try. He can't do this again.

But they're both here for a reason, so he's got to suck it up for now. Breakdowns come later. And it's a good thing Tony performs well under pressure, because he just raises a hand to shoot the guy pointing a gun at him without even looking.]

[madeupnames]

I don't know what you mean. I'm aces!

[There goes his weird senses, tingling. He hops up to his feet, crouched low on some rubble before leaping to the side as more goons come running down the corridor; since Iron Man's busy with blasting the other guy, he figures he'll do his civil duty and web up some dudes who only have swords coming their way.]

C'mon, guys, didn't your friends ever tell you not to bring knives to a gunfight?

[What a dork. But with the thread nullified, he scrambles up the wall nearest to Tony.]

Besides, you could use more hands! And I've got two!

So there!

[buildsomething]

Sure you don't mean eight?

[Not the snappiest of lines, but sue him. He stares at Peter for a long moment, then sighs and drops his hands.]

Fine. But stuck by me, okay?

[Because that had done so much good the last time. But Tony can't think of that, he can't. He has a job to do here, and maybe this one he can actually accomplish.]

[ iii ]

[sentiences]

[ Dorian had been thankfully rescued and propped up against a tree, since he couldn't help much beyond a missing leg and his circuits missing from his arm. Flecks of skin were missing, revealing the blue and purple wiring underneath. That being said, he seems to be in a good mood. ]

A very, very good mechanic. You know one?

[buildsomething]

[The voice is enough to pull Tony's attention and the sight of him is definitely enough to galvanize Tony into action. His eyes go wide from behind his helmet as he takes a couple of jerky steps in Dorian's direction.]

Jesus. [That might be a bit too intense. Tony makes himself take a deep breath and let it out before continuing.] You're not looking so good.

[sentiences]

It's not so bad.

[ A little difficult to walk and . . . do anything, but nothing Dorian isn't already used to, at least. ]

[buildsomething]

I'd hate to see what you do consider bad.

[But Dorian's insane calm is actually kind of soothing, and Tony feels moderately okay about pulling his helmet off and crouching down next to him.]

Don't suppose you've got those missing parts handy?

ii

[breqintopieces]

[That armor stands out, even with all the damage Tony has put it through, and the stillness he's keeping to in the wake of the battle. She'd seen him during the fighting, of course. Tony made himself all but impossible to miss, with all those fireworks he had going on. The destruction had been noteworthy, but ultimately helpful. In the end, she can't complain. They have their results.

She's determined to make sure they won't happen again. She's limping as she approaches, faint but noticeable.]

Tony. [She's blank-faced, not even a hint of emotion coloring her voice or her expression as she comes up to him, something not-quite-human about the deadness of it. Breq's all brusque movements as she gestures for him to join her.]

The tunnels around the main chamber need a final sweep.

[buildsomething]

[The helmet turns to look at her as she approaches, but there's another moment of nothing before Tony nods once. He moves just a bit stiffly as he makes his way to her side, but Tony's doing well enough. The fact that Breq isn't, quite, is noted but Tony's not really in a place where he feels like calling her on it. If she can keep going, so he can.]

You think there are more of them?

[The question is almost absent as he falls into step with her. He doesn't actually care. The invitation to do something other than just stare is good enough, even if it makes the back of his head itch. Nobody is going to vanish if he isn't looking at him. Tony is well aware of it.

He just has to convince the rest of his brain of it.]

[breqintopieces]

That's what we need to find out.

[He isn't arguing. That's--good. She can work with that. It's much better than wasting time with arguing over whether they should do it or not, which is what she was expecting. Not specifically from Tony, just. In general.

It doesn't matter. She shakes it off, gestures towards one of the tunnels, and starts toward it at a brisk pace, as if walking determinedly enough will eliminate her limp.]

Are the suit's capabilities still intact?

[buildsomething]

Yeah.

[This was a good idea, it feels like his brain is waking up a little as he gets moving. The stiffness slowly vanishes as he finds a rhythm, but he's still a little quieter than he might normally be.

It's been a long day.]

Everything's fine. What do you need?

i. the brawl

[worldsaway]

[Thor was quick to assign himself to the distraction team. Infiltration is not beyond him, but his strength lies in being loud and being able to survive whatever he might draw out of the shadows.

He has the other Thor's hammer in his hand, he's doing the whole thunder and lightning bit. He makes the walls and ground shake and he waits, listening for the sound of shuffling feet and weapons being drawn. He twirls the hammer in his hand, glancing over at Tony. He hadn't realised he was there, but he's happy to see him.]

Are you ready?

[buildsomething]

[Thor's a little hard to miss, what with all the lightning, which is why Tony made his way over. Not because he wants to keep and eye on him, no, but standing next to someone familiar is making his heart beat just a little slower.

Though he can't help but eye the hammer Thor is currently waving around. He was relatively sure that was gone, but part of him doesn't want to ask.]

Always.

[A slight lie, maybe, but he's ready enough for this.]

You go low, I go high?

i accidentally deleted this sorry!!

[worldsaway]

[Thor twirls the hammer in his hand, sparing a nod toward hammer before he prepares for this signature move.

As the cultists run toward him, Thor brings his hammer down hard. It sends surges of electricity through the ground at them, shocking a large number of them and sending them to the floor.

Thor glances up at Tony, brow raised.]

How's that?

[buildsomething]

...that'll work.

[And with that, Tony goes airborne, repulsor blasts taking out a few of the one's who'd managed to stay upright.]

Don't let me get in your way. [It's called down towards Thor as Tony shifts higher, trying to put himself in a good place to watch his teammate's back. A bit trickier in a cavern, but he can manage. Probably.] You look like you're having fun.

i. tl;dr as per usual i guess

[evite]

( she's not supposed to be here either. the good doctor had recommended rest, careful attending to her bandages and plenty of ice, and a reasonable number of small white pills intended to take the edge off. all very good advice, to be fair. it's just that skye's not really in the habit of taking advice. more importantly, her friend has gone missing. alex is missing, taken by a bunch of fuckhead douchecanoes who like to tunnel around like rats on a mission, and skye is pissed. this is supposed to be a nice place with nice people. she was promised that much.

as it turns out, even the moon can break a promise.

so she's here, taking orders instead of practical advice and hauling ass where she can, falling back into well-trained habits of corner clear and on your left as she shoves pure vibrational energy towards anyone who so much as looks at her funny. and, to be fair, there are a lot of dudes here — creepy cult dudes, no less — who are looking at her funny.

she makes her way up to where tony happens to be, the dust-coated metal of the iron man suit a red beacon in the labryinth. she means to ask which way, figuring it's a good conversation starter if anything else, but a cultist with a mean face and a meaner weapon in his right hand darts into the corner of her eyes — to which skye thinks quite simply: fuck no. a two-handed blast forward knocks the cultist off his feet and into the wall behind him, his head slamming into the wall with a sickening cracking sound. there's not time for regret, but she does wish she might have learned to temper that before unleashing the hounds of hell.

and, you know, learned how to do it without putting herself in pain too. )

Motherfucker!

( she wants to move forward, but it's evident that something is wrong. very, very wrong. )

[buildsomething]

[His focus may have mostly been on figuring out just how much the wall in front of him could stand to have a few holes punched through it, but nothing pulls the attention quite like the sound of someone slamming into solid rock followed by insistent swearing. Tony's head jerks in that direction, taking in the cultist slumped against the floor and the woman practically hunched over on herself and he makes some assumptions.

They may not be the right ones, but they get him moving in her direction anyway.]

Hey. You okay?

[evite]

Mmmmyep, definitely —

( so fake. the fakest words ever spoken — or grunted, technically — in a battlefield. she's so far from 'definitely okay' she could practically be on another planet. but it's cool, it's fine; iron man is talking to her and she needs to get her shit together. )

I'm so good. ( her arms feel like her bones are ready to spike out of her skin, but that's fine. just some steady breathing, maybe a little pretend lamaze. ) We should keep going, right?

[buildsomething]

Uh huh.

[The deeply dubious tone is probably audible even through the helmet, but if she says she's good to go, Tony's not going to contradict her. Not right now, anyway.

He is, however, going to keep a pretty close eye out. Starting with glancing over at her as he turns to keep going]

What happened?