riverviewmod: (Default)
Riverview Moderator ([personal profile] riverviewmod) wrote in [community profile] riverviewlogs2018-06-15 09:35 pm

exploration mingle: CAPTIVITY

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 ReportThe Guardians of the DeepWhat Lies BeneathPlotting & 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]

dothelokimotion: (You could say really awful things)

[ phase ii ]

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-06-17 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
[ Loki keeps an eye out while Jim talks to the victims. His voice is a low hiss which cracks at the end without his volition. Loki inwardly restrains the urge to curse at his own weakness. ]

We cannot dawdle.
winscenario: (thirty eight.)

[personal profile] winscenario 2018-06-17 12:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not dawdling.

[ Jim sounds a lot calmer by comparison, though he doesn't feel particularly calm. He checks for injuries on the captive, who is pretty much passed out and slumping against the wall. ]

I can't take the collar off here, but there's people outside who can. [ He promptly picks up the person in his arms, holding them close and adjusting the weight so they're easier to carry. ]
dothelokimotion: (Presuming awful things about people)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-06-17 12:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Loki glances at the victim, impassive. ]

I can break it.

[ With that, he doesn't wait. Loki reaches out, resting his hands on the collar. It starts to ice, turning brittle before Loki easily snaps it off, tossing the pieces away. ]
winscenario: (fifty seven.)

[personal profile] winscenario 2018-06-17 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He pulls back slightly, giving Loki the room to do his thing. He sighs in relief, nodding as the collar breaks into small pieces. ]

Brilliant. Thanks.

[ It's one less problem. Now they just have to make it through the compound without drawing any attention to themselves, or raising any alarms. ]
dothelokimotion: (Thoughts are magic)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-06-18 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
[ Loki waves it off. He doesn't want to linger here. He feels on edge, memories cluttering his vision. ]

It's nothing. Let's go.
winscenario: (hundred eighty six.)

[personal profile] winscenario 2018-06-18 12:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Jim nods, adjusting the weight of the prisoner in his arms. The removal of the collar doesn't seem to have set off any alarms either. That's a genuine relief. ]

Lead the way. [ Best that Loki goes ahead, so he can build whatever illusion they need to get out of here unnoticed. ]
dothelokimotion: (All hail the mighty glow cloud)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-06-18 12:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Loki flicks his fingers as they start making their way quietly through the tunnels. His magic can easily disguise sound, smell and sight, but even Loki is not keen on taking chances. ]

Is there anyone we should find?
winscenario: (fifty six.)

[personal profile] winscenario 2018-06-18 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucy. [ He's quick to say her name, even though he intends on saving as many people as he possibly can. ] But we should help anyone else we find, especially if they're in bad shape.

[ He slows down and looks behind them when he hears footsteps in the distance, but it's quiet and paced. No voices shouting, no running around. ]

Let's get this guy out first, then come back in. [ There are medics waiting by the exit, though not too close that they could be seen or caught. ]
dothelokimotion: (A thing which exists to be not known)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-06-19 01:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ Lucy. Loki's frown deepens. ]

Shouldn't we find her first?
winscenario: (sixty two.)

[personal profile] winscenario 2018-06-19 01:31 pm (UTC)(link)
I've looked around— can't find her, so far. If we linger too long we might get caught.

[ He'd rather just take the person in his arms back out, then try again. He has to hope they wouldn't treat a kid this poorly, at least. ]
dothelokimotion: (Not certain we even have questions)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-06-19 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Loki doesn't like it . . . but not getting caught is paramount. ]

All right. We'll come back soon.
winscenario: (fifty three.)

[personal profile] winscenario 2018-06-24 09:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Jim likes it even less than Loki. Whether he's ready to talk about it or not, Lucy has become like family to him, and it's taking every ounce of his self-control to not lose his focus and do something very stupid and reckless right now.

At least they can get other people out, while still looking for Lucy. He's bound to find her sooner or later. If he doesn't— well, then he really will do something stupid. ]
dothelokimotion: (Comfort was the answer to all)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-06-25 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ He glances at Jim. ]

I am vaguely surprised you did not protest.
winscenario: (forty two.)

[personal profile] winscenario 2018-06-26 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Protest what? Getting more people out?

[ He looks at Loki, gritting his teeth behind his thinly pressed lips. ] There's no point in losing control. I wouldn't find her, and I'd only end up getting the both of us caught. We'll— we'll find her. She'll be alright.

[ His voice falters slightly by the end. Lucy's strong, but she's just a child. He really doesn't know how much he believes his own words. ]
dothelokimotion: (This is the fear that looms)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-06-27 01:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ Loki doesn't quite understand it. Taako and a few others are his priority and he certainly wouldn't bother with any others until he was sure they were safe. But Loki can lie easily right now. ]

Of course. She's intelligent enough.
winscenario: (hundred eleven.)

[personal profile] winscenario 2018-06-30 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It both helps and doesn't that Loki lies for his sake, but he mainly ignores that. He peers into every cell and corner as they go, hoping to find Lucy somewhere, but to no avail for now. They might be holding her somewhere deeper into the compound, he thinks, which will make it much more difficult for Jim to get to her, help or no help.

But the more people he gets out of here, the better he will learn the pathways down here, and the spots where larger numbers of cultists gather, and what sort of weapons they have. Just so he knows what they're up against. ]
dothelokimotion: (All hail the mighty glow cloud)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-07-01 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
[ Loki notices of course, but to his credit, he says nothing. ]

We're almost there. Then we can have another try before the attack starts.
winscenario: (forty one.)

[personal profile] winscenario 2018-07-05 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Jim nods wordlessly. It's the best shot they have— likely the only shot. Granted, once larger numbers break into the compound they will be able to move around more freely, but it'll also be harder for Jim to find Lucy— or likelier for the cultists to try to use her as a shield against any oncoming attacks. ]
dothelokimotion: (Default)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-07-06 11:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ There isn't much else Loki can do at this point. He offered and Jim declined. The mark of heroism, he thinks, his lip curling. But enough of that, Loki can hear people clamouring up ahead. ]

Stay behind me. I have my shield up.
winscenario: (fifty three.)

[personal profile] winscenario 2018-07-10 01:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Jim nods, quiet as can be. There are voices coming from up ahead, growing louder the further they go. He holds the unconscious prisoner in his arms a little closer, hoping they won't somehow come to just as they're crossing paths with the cultists. ]
dothelokimotion: (Not certain we even have questions)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-07-12 09:03 am (UTC)(link)
[ Loki ponders his options as they came closer. The problem with certain spells is that he can't always juggle too many at the same time. Spinning an illusion and keeping up his small mental shield. But they seem to ignore Loki and Jim, passing by without a word . . . except for one straggler who accidentally puts his hand through the illusion.

Loki curses immediately slapping his palm over the man's forehead, throwing him into a nightmare. The cultist's eyes roll over and he topples to the ground, shaking like a leaf. Loki wipes his hand on his clothes in disgust. ]


Let's go.
winscenario: (fifty three.)

[personal profile] winscenario 2018-07-14 12:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Jim startles at first, when he sees that hand brush closer to them. His surprise is all the greater when Loki reaches out and presses a palm to his forehead, and seconds later he's collapsed on the ground.

He was ready to stun him, honestly. He wonders if this won't raise an alarm too, though, when someone finds the cultist curled up and shaking in the middle of the ground. But he does as Loki tells him, following after him in silence for a while. ]


Back there— what did you do?
Edited 2018-07-14 12:42 (UTC)
dothelokimotion: (Horses should not be trusted)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-07-14 12:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Loki glances back at him, annoyed at the interruption. ]

I submerged him in his worst nightmare.
winscenario: (forty.)

[personal profile] winscenario 2018-07-14 12:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He takes the hint and shuts up again, simply nodding. Questions can wait until they're out of here— until everyone's out of here. He was just caught off-guard, and it's not like he's yet aware of all of Loki's abilities. ]

Second tunnel, [ He provides quietly, as the tunnel they're headed down splits into three different directions. Just in case Loki can't remember the way back out. ]
dothelokimotion: (The stars at night are a fictional sight)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-07-14 01:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Loki nods, immediately following Jim's instructions by the letter. Finally, finally there were out into the woods, a fair distance away. From a distance away, he can see the others coming closer. The attacks will be starting soon. Then the rest of Riverview will descend upon this place —

— and Loki starts coughing. His body was starting to fail him, and the faintest traces of purple bruising was starting to show around his neck. ]

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