riverviewlogs | exploration mingle: CAPTIVITY

Entry tags:

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 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]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Don't lose hope.

Be brave.

Be strong.

Jacinda's voice echoed in Lucy's mind, making her miss her mother terribly. She was cold and curled in the corner of a cell. This was the sort of place she read about in scary stories, not a place she'd ever willingly go. She was upset with herself for not fighting back hard enough, for not paying more attention to her surroundings, and the other half had anger directed at the cultists who kidnapped them. Other adults and other kids.

Her hair was a mess, with bits of dried blood from landing on the floor where they dropped her after bringing her in. Leaves, twings and dirt clinging to a few strands. Her jeans and jean jacket had seen better days, but she was still alive. She was still fighting--even if that meant mouthing off to the guards--not an idea one should follow through when held captive. Demanding to be freed got her a good smack on the face, causing her lip to split. She tried hard not to cry from it, but the pain stung badly.

She curled in further on herself, tired and hungry from lack of food. Being a brat didn't win her any brownie points, but it was the only thing she could do. She wasn't going to play nice if she could help it--and she really wished she had taken lessons in sword combat or had to fight.

A familiar voice caught her attention, but she didn't want to get her hopes up. Someone was cupping her face and involuntarily flinched. Her lip still hurt. She opened her eyes and looked so confused.]

..Jim?

[Was he kidnapped too?]

[ Disorientation has been a fairly common symptom among the captives. Jim can only imagine the conditions they've been kept in, with minimal or no food or water, some of them likely beat up and thrown around constantly. He was hoping that at least they wouldn't do that to the children, but finding Lucy in the state she's in has served to show him how horribly wrong he was.

She's not a complete mess like most of the people here are, at least. But she's still exhausted, malnourished and she has a split lip, with a bit of dried blood around the wound. They hit her. Jim doesn't give a crap how it happened or why, the fact that it happened at all is more than enough to get his blood boiling in anger.

His jaw tenses and sets, teeth gritting behind pressed lips. He nods at her question, trying to soothe the bewilderment in her tone by stroking her hair and the side of her face. ]

It's me. I'm here to save you. Okay? [ He wraps his arms carefully around her and pulls her closer to him. ] I'm getting you out of here. Right now.

[She flinches a little when he touches her head. The backside of her head was where they hit her to knock her out and the area was still a bit tender. Lucy wanted to try and stand on her own, but she was so hungry and tired. Her limbs felt like heavy stones that she couldn't pick up.]

No, help the others. I can...I can move. I'm not as bad as them.

[Trying again, but it feel nice to be in his arms and...darn it, she didn't want to be this weak!]

I don't care, Lucy. I'm not letting you stay in here another second.

[ It's not even open for discussion. If she really thinks he'd just leave her here and go save other people, then she doesn't know him at all. She's weak and hurt enough that he doesn't think she'll oppose for long— he just hopes she won't make too much noise and draw attention to them. ]

Please. The quicker we leave, the quicker I can come back for other people. [ He brushes strands of hair away from her face, trying to get her to look at him. ] Victor's waiting just outside— he'll help take care of you. Okay? Will you come with me, please?

[She does know him, but she's also trying to be strong and show she isn't so weak. The tone in his voice tells her he's made up his mind, and that's okay. She's not in a position to fight him.]

Papa's....he's here?

[That gets her attention very quickly and now she's trying hard not to cry. Both ~~dad's~~ men are here and she never thought she'd see them again. There's a weak nod of her head as she agrees for him to pick her up and carry her out. Once she's in his arms, she's holding on tightly to him.]

[ Jim smiles a little at her words. ]

Of course he's here. We were both crazy worried when you went missing.

[ Neither of them could just sit back and wait for other people to come save her, after all. While Jim has joined the group of people infiltrating the facilities, Victor's just outside, waiting with a team of medics to take care of the captives as they're smuggled out.

With Lucy holding onto him, Jim easily lifts her weight up in his arms, hiding in the shadow just next to the cell and taking a look outside, to see if it's safe to come out. ]

I'm sorry..

[For making them worry--first with her getting sick, and now with getting kidnapped. She wants to cry--from being tired and for being happy that she's reunited with one of her parents--that's what they were now. She had her mom and dad, but now she had Victor and Jim too.

She's holding on tightly, trying to stay quiet.

When Jim looks outside, there are people there with weapons in hand trying to keep everyone inside the holding area. The commotion outside starts to get louder--people breaking into fights, trying to get out.]

It's alright, honey. [ He speaks barely above a whisper, pressing a kiss to her forehead. ] Not your fault.

[ The people who took her are the ones at fault here, and Jim fully intends to make them pay for this.

He lingers in the shadow for a while. There are too many armed people standing guard, so they have to wait for a while. Eventually a few of them head out, presumably towards the commotion outside, while only two stay behind.

Shifting her weight so he's holding her with just one arm, he reaches down to his waist, then pulls out what looks like a small canister, with a trigger at the top. ]

Lucy, [ He whispers very quietly. ] Hide your face in my neck and cover your ears. Can you do that?

I'm sorry, Dad...

[The words slip out, still feeling guilty over what happened. She blamed herself for not fighting back harder, or keeping an eye on her surroundings. Calling Jim, 'Dad' had been a knee-jerk reaction--something she did with Victor in calling him Papa. Lucy loved Jim as a dad...and that was okay. He wasn't replacing Henry or Victor, he was...he was another person who she loved and took care of her.

There's a nod from her, fear gripping at her heart as she does what she's told. Her face is buried in his neck and her hands are over her ears to try and block out the noise.

One of the two remaining guards lets out a string of curse words and starts to head back towards the rest of the hostages. They had to be moved, the mission--the purpose--couldn't be jeopardized!]

[ That sounds like something they should talk about sometime, but right now isn't the time. So while Jim makes note of what she just called him, he doesn't say anything to it. It'll have to wait until they're out of here, and she's all better again. When they're home and relaxed and can talk a little more calmly.

Right now he files it away and focuses on the task at hand. There's a loud bang as the canister rolls underneath the guards and flashes a light, then starts releasing smoke, slowly engulfing them. It's harder to see that way— but it's that cloud of smoke that Jim rushes straight into. ]

Lucy! Deep breath, and close your eyes!

[ He hopes she'll understand it's so she won't breathe in the smoke. He doesn't have time to explain, though. The smoke is dense and he only sees the captors when he's right in front of one of them. Without second thought, he lifts his phaser up and uses it as a blunt weapon, slamming it sideways against the guy's head and knocking him to the ground. ]

[The bang is loud enough for Lucy to flinch. She's scared and wanting to cling to Jim rather than cover her own ears. She tries to stay as still as possible, and trying to be hopeful that everything will be okay.

Another nod of her head, taking in a deep breath and closing her head. She's trying to think about something else--anything else but this.

The man Jim knocks out falls to the ground, but his counterpart is quick to react. However, the smoke doesn't give him much visibility, so he tries to grab at what he thinks if Jim's arm to bring him down.]

[ It's not Jim's arm. As a matter of fact it turns out to be one of Lucy's legs, and that's what really sets him off in a fit of rage.

Letting go of his now broken phaser, he grabs the man's wrist and twists hard, hearing bones crack. The man cries out, letting go of Lucy's leg, but Jim doesn't stop there. He grabs a fistful of his hair and brings his head down at the same time he lifts up his own knee, slamming it straight into the guy's nose.

He crumbles to the floor, howling in pain. Jim steps over him, picking up the handgun that fell from the other assailant's hands, and taking it with him as he starts running down one of the hallways. He's definitely going to need it, if he wants to get Lucy out of here. ]

[Lucy yelps feeling someone grab her arm and hates herself for it. Jim told her to be quiet and now she had inhaled some of the joke. It's hard to know what's going on, but she's going to keep her eyes closed and ears cover.

With one man down and yelling out in pain, it's enough to make the others look around and start acting. Some of the prisoners take advantage of the distraction, fighting to break free, while the cultists are trying to keep people back in line. There's gun fire and people screaming, making Lucy tremble with fear.

As Jim runs, there are people running behind him, but it's hard to tell if they're prisoners who are escaping, or cultists trying to get them.

The sound of gun fire aimed at them doesn't help.]

[ The confusion works to their advantage. While everyone's yelling and breaking out of their cells, and with the remnants of that smoke grenade still in the air, he and Lucy both manage to run quite a good distance before anyone even notices them.

When gunfire breaks out, some of it is definitely aimed towards them, but that only makes Jim run faster. He doesn't stop to shoot back at the men chasing after them, but when he turns a corner and comes face to face with two of the cultists, he lifts his handgun and shoots them, aiming at the chest. He doesn't stick around for long enough to see where the bullet pierced through— he's just content with seeing them both fall to the ground. ]

Hold on tight, Lucy! We're almost there!

[At that, Lucy removes her hands from her ears and holds onto Jim as tight as she can. Her face is buried in the crook of his neck and her eyes are shut tight. Her lower lip is trembling and she's still scared of what's going on.

There's more people screaming and the sound of gun shots go off every few seconds it seems.

The cultists are spread out too thin; trying to take control of the situation, but with how many men that were now dead or knocked out, it was becoming a challenge. There doesn't seem to be anyone else ahead of them, it's a clean break to get away.]

[ He takes that opening immediately, and starts running fast towards the exit. He goes faster and faster, not caring if anyone steps into his path. If any cultists were to pop up out of nowhere, he'd just slam himself straight into them.

Luckily, no one tries to stop them. Everyone seems to be too busy trying to contain the prisoners now breaking free. Other people are rushing inside to help free the captives, and Jim tries to tell them where to head to in a rushed voice, before he makes his way to the team of medics standing by. ]

I need some help here!

[The team of medics were trying their best to keep with the steady up tick of people being recused. Some in good conditions, other worse. They have to assess each case to see who needed treatment first and so on.

Two people answer Jim's call, moving over to him to check on him and the child he's carrying. Lucy only clings tighter to him.]

No! Jim, please, I don't want to go!

[The words fly out quickly followed by her coughing. She inhaled some of the smoke, but she didn't sustain any additional injuries.]

[ Jim tries to lower Lucy onto the ground so they can check up on her, only for her to cling tighter to him. He holds a hand up to the medics so they give Jim a moment. This isn't going to work by forcing her to let go. ]

Lucy... look at me.

[ His arms are still wrapped presently around her. Once she looks up at him, he smiles at her. ]

It's alright. We made it out, okay? You're safe, now. But you went through a lot, and I need to make sure that you're okay. These people— are friends. They'll look you over, and help patch you up. While they do that, I'm going to go get Victor. You wanna see him, right?

[Lucy doesn't want to look at him, she wants to go home, but she has to be a good girl. She has to be brave.

She pulls back a little to look at him. Her eyes are watery and there are tear stains on her cheeks. She understands what he's saying, but she doesn't want to let go. Letting go means something else could happen and she doesn't want to be left alone with people she doesn't know.]

I wanna see Papa, but I don't want to lose you. Please, Dad, please....

[Trying to be brave was one thing, but she was still scared of losing him. As brave as she was, she was still a child who had her limits. Regardless of calling him 'Dad,' she didn't want Jim to leave her alone.]

[ He falls quiet, his mind going back to the people still trying to get out of the compound. Jim needs to help them.

But he also can't turn his back on Lucy, not when she's practically begging him to stay. His heart clenches a little when she calls him 'dad' again. He knows he can't just leave her now, not until she's calmed down at the very least.

He lets out a sigh, and nods. ]

Alright. I'll stay. But will you let the doctors take care of you, please?

[There's a slow nod of her head, followed by her sniffling and bringing a hand to wipe her eyes.

One of the medics says he'll grab Victor to bring him over, that way Lucy will calm down a little more.

Slowly, she lets go of Jim, but she does reach out to hold his hand, unwilling to let go. The medic who stayed behind began to check her over, asking simply yes or no questions to see if she was in pain. So far things were checking out well.]

[ He holds onto her hand, sticking close as they're led to one of the medic posts. They both take a seat and Jim makes sure not to move away or let go of her hand while the doctor examines her, first looking for external trauma, then checking her eyes, throat, breathing and heart rate.

She's not doing too terribly. A bump on her head, a cut on her lip, and a sore throat from the smoke. A bit of dehydration other than that, but the doctor says it should be remedied easily now. While he fetches a bottle of water for Lucy, Jim squeezes her hand, smiling at her. ]

You were very brave, Lucy.

I don't feel very brave...

[She feels tired, and she has been crying. That isn't very brave, but she has Jim with her. Now that the doctor has gone to get water, she moves back over to him and holds him.]

I was crying when you got me out. I tried to be brave in there.

[ He squeezes her hand again, moving closer to her and letting her hold him. ]

Listen to me, Lucy: crying doesn't mean you stop being brave.

[ Crying is a natural reaction, and a lot of people would cry in a situation like that, children and otherwise. The last thing he wants is for her to think that crying is somehow a bad thing, or the sign that she's a coward. ]

You were very brave. You did very well while we were breaking out of there. So you cried, so what? I probably would've cried too, in your place.

[She places her head against his chest, holding onto him. She sniffs a little, trying hard not to start crying again.]

I don't think you would've cried. You rarely cry. [Only if Papa was sick and going into a coma...and maybe when she was in the hospital--everything that day was a blur to her.

Her hold on him starts to tighten and she asks softly:] When can we go home?

exploration mingle: CAPTIVITY

phase II

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