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]

analienprince: (Grin)

[personal profile] analienprince 2018-06-17 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
You know me too well, B. Should I get you something to do with Lord of the Rings? Maybe a 'Speak Friend and Enter' sign that's not hand written on notebook paper...

[He manages another smile for Billy, meeting his eyes briefly. They're being left alone now... and after a moment, he starts to shift up. He should get off the floor, now that the pain has eased up a little at least.]
wiccant: (i'm the one to blame.)

[personal profile] wiccant 2018-06-17 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
I could say the same for you.

( attention shifted solely onto teddy, and billy has full intentions of keeping it that way. a hand moves back, grabs onto a shoulder to gently help teddy back up even if billy keeps himself angled to block him off from everything else. everyone else. )

Maybe I like my notebook paper.
analienprince: (Grin)

[personal profile] analienprince 2018-06-17 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
It was an adorable sign, Kaplan.

[He lets out a groan when he's upright and his body protests it a little. He can't quite help it, it sneaks up before he can stifle it back down.

He really can't wait to get this collar off. Let his body do its thing and heal already.]


Gotta leave me something to get you though.
wiccant: (i'm all、 all unraveled.)

[personal profile] wiccant 2018-06-17 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
I want you, in one piece. ( that's easy enough to catch. one hand to teddy's chest, staying firmly planted and the other--moves to wrap around his waist. holds onto him gently as billy shifts his own weight up onto his knees and keeps in close. )

Not full of cuts and bruises, not hurting. That's all I want, okay? That's the best housewarming gift you can give me.
analienprince: (Yeahhh)

[personal profile] analienprince 2018-06-17 05:53 am (UTC)(link)
Billy-- as soon as the collar comes off, I'll be okay. I always am...

[He doesn't protest it when Billy seems to want to wrap around him even more. If it's keep him calm-- well, that's for the best.]

Worry about taking care of yourself, okay? I don't want to see you hurt, no matter what.

[He lifts a hand, carefully brushing his thumb over Billy's split lip.]

You've already been hurt enough.
wiccant: (how completely wrong can you be?)

[personal profile] wiccant 2018-06-17 06:06 am (UTC)(link)
( under the assumption it will come off before teddy gets himself into more trouble. before something bad happens. these guys here don't seem to give a shit what condition they're in and teddy has a knack for throwing himself in front of everyone else.

it's one of the things he fell in love with: teddy's overly courageous knack for getting into trouble in an effort to save everyone else around him.

but here, it doesn't make him feel any better. the thumb over his lip garners a wince, but he doesn't move away. )


This is nothing. They're--just acting like crazed school bullies, I'll heal.

( look it's fine for him to take a few new bruises on, it's not fine for teddy. )
analienprince: (Default)

[personal profile] analienprince 2018-06-17 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
[There's no real promise of that, honestly. He'll try to do it away from Billy, if it happens. He'll try to keep the worst of it to himself. Worrying Billy isn't one of the things he necessarily wants to do.

He drops his hand after a moment, giving a wry smile.]


I know you will. But I still don't like seeing it. You can't blame me for that, B... not when you hate seeing it on me.

[He lets out a sigh, resisting the urge to wince again.]

I can't wait to get out of here. I feel like I could sleep for a week...

[Except he probably won't sleep at all. Too many bad memories coming to the surface.]
wiccant: (i can still hear your laughter.)

[personal profile] wiccant 2018-06-17 06:21 am (UTC)(link)
( none of them have slept in what feels like forever. or not slept much. billy--has dozed, only to be rudely woken up. but this is okay. this is fine. this is something they'll get through. they're missing some of the avengers, they'll be found eventually.

billy raises the hand he had wrapped around teddy's back, moves to press fingers to the back of his neck, instead. tries to yank him down a little. )


Take a nap. I'll try and make sure no one notices. ( as best as he can, anyway. ) When we get out--show me your new place? We can--take turns, sleeping it off. Make sure it's safe.
analienprince: (Default)

[personal profile] analienprince 2018-06-17 06:29 am (UTC)(link)
[They'll get through it, yeah. Or Teddy will try his hardest to make sure Billy and Tommy and anyone else he can manage get through it -- he doesn't have to say that out loud though. He lets out half a protest when Billy tugs at him--

Then he relents a little, scooting down until his head is resting against Billy's shoulder. Hopefully, it'll look like they're just huddled together, trying to keep warm or something.]


You don't have to-- [Billy should sleep anyway. He hesitates at the offer, letting out a short laugh.] You don't have to, you know. You got a life you should get back to...

[Babysitting Teddy because he's scared shouldn't be at the top of the list honestly...] But sure. You can see my new place...
wiccant: (don't ever let them see you cry.)

[personal profile] wiccant 2018-06-17 06:38 am (UTC)(link)
( every other problem currently going on seems so small in comparison to what's happening now. he could complain, bitch about all the stupid fights he's been having, lately. about screaming loki out--what, the day before this happened? about needing to find a new place to live, because he needs that extra space. from all of them,

but none of that matters anymore. all his drama problems are minuscule when in comparison to this. to teddy getting beaten up, to being depowered and not able to do anything to help. billy hasn't felt this helpless in a while. he can't say he's missed it. )


You're part of that life, you know. ( voice lowering but he keeps talking. ) Please don't act like you're not.
analienprince: (Grin)

[personal profile] analienprince 2018-06-17 06:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Considering the way everything is going at the moment? All the fights lately do seem pretty small. None of it matters right now when they have lunatics who could decide to start sacrificing them any minute or come along and beat them seemingly just for the fun of it.

He'll fix the other problems when he gets out-- if he gets out... however he can. If it means backing off because Billy doesn't want to hurt him even though he's apparently content with his life here, or staying part of-- whatever the hell they're trying to do, or something in between, he'll figure it out. They'll figure it out.

Right now, he just shifts until he can stretch an arm over Billy's lap, Holding out his hand.]
Hey-- give me your hand?

[He just wants to hold it, that's all.]
wiccant: (i'll take the light through time.)

[personal profile] wiccant 2018-06-17 06:50 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah. ( the intent for that is clear enough. billy moves his hand off of teddy's chest, moves it over to grab onto teddy's hand instead. it's not his heartbeat, but the warmth off of him is close enough to be comforting on it's own, and having more of him to hold onto isn't too bad--right?

not when they both need this. need something safe to grip tight to, take comfort in knowing that this, at least, won't let them down. a deep breath in, and he tries to settle his own panic. lets shoulders loosen a bit. )


Close your eyes, I've got you.
analienprince: (Default)

[personal profile] analienprince 2018-06-17 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Teddy holds on maybe a little more tightly than necessary, but-- at least if he's holding on to Billy, he doesn't have to worry about anyone pulling him away, not that easy at least. He'll know, even with his eyes shut.]

I know. You're not a half-bad pillow either.

[He lets out a sigh, making himself relax a little bit. Billy has his back and he has Billy's... that's what matters, right? Still, before he lets himself start to doze off a bit--]

Love you, B. So you better at least try to take care of yourself.

[In here, whenever they get out there. Whatever else happens, he wants him to at least try to do that. It's okay for him to be a little bit reckless, but not Billy, not right now.

And maybe it's not okay to say that anymore, but considering this situation is sort of potentially life or death? He figures he gets a little leeway to be truthful. Not like he expected anything else from it.]
wiccant: (this is more than just life for me.)

[personal profile] wiccant 2018-06-17 04:01 pm (UTC)(link)
'm a little bony. ( but if teddy's fine with that then whatever. being wrapped up in teddy's arms, holding onto him--this is as comfortable as billy's going to get, here. and within the circle of his arms, he can try and pretend they're not underground stuck in tunnels, not panicking, not getting thrown around and hit and being potentially used as flesh suits for some old dead guys.

it'd be lovely if it were true, but for the moment, billy can pretend. )
Love you too, T. That's one of the reasons I need you in one piece.

( no one will get to teddy without first removing billy. not now, not while he's resting. the arm he has wrapped around his frame tightens, thumb moving to brush over a pulse on the hand held captured. )

I won't let anyone hurt you.
analienprince: (Default)

[personal profile] analienprince 2018-06-17 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm in one piece.

[Or as close to it as he'll get for right now. And at least Billy is right there with him, close enough that he'll know if someone is messing with him. That's enough right now for Teddy to let himself start to doze off into a light sleep.]<small
wiccant: (did they get lost in the sound?)

[personal profile] wiccant 2018-06-17 07:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I know. Please stay that way.

( it's when teddy starts to doze that billy starts murmuring soft under his breath once more, a iwanttogetusout,iwanttogetusout. useless spells that won't--seem to work, but he keeps trying anyway. )
Edited 2018-06-17 19:00 (UTC)