Event || Mysterious Fathoms Below

[eternitymods]

Who: All characters who signed up
When: June 23rd-25th
Where: Ka'Pandol, the underwater city
What: While the outworlders and their guides are touring the new arena at Ka'Pandol, the city begins to flood. It is up to them to activate the ancient drainage system beneath the city before the Blitzball Association is forced to cancel the upcoming tournament.



The Zora guide, Pharce, is leading the group from the Curti Center through the center of town, waxing poetical about the legend of the First Zora, when the sirens begin to wail. At first, the residents of Ka'Pandol wave it off as a drill, but the sirens do not stop, and as they walk, the visitor shoes are beginning to get soaked through with sea water that is slowly rising.

"Come along, quickly, all of you!" the guide calls, leading the group to the Bureau of Tourism near the city center. As they walk, the group will see the aquatic residents quickly deploying bubble helmets around their 'exotic' pets -dogs, cats, parrots, squirrels- heads, just in case City Management takes their time righting whatever issue the dome is having.

"Inside, please. Safety first is our motto, so let's get you outfitted," Pharce says, waiving them inside. Each person is given one of the patented Ka'Pandol Bubble Helm, which will allow them to breath comfortably for several hours. Those that cannot swim are issued an emergency life vest as well.

The water had reached knee-level now. An emergency evacuation message broadcasts from loudspeakers.

"Well, yes, you could...but where's the fun in that?"

Pharce waves at the Hypello gift shop owner, and the two bow their heads in discussion for a moment. When they part, Pharce pats the Hypello (whose nametag declares him 'Shtan') on the back.

"My good friend will lend us some of his wares, if you will join me in saving the city. We wouldn't want this little mishap to delay the big game, after all."

Those that agree to hold off on fleeing the city will be split into groups and given instructions on where to go in order to help the sinking city of Ka'Pandol.

Comments

[despairing_hope]

Why not just let it take us and see where it goes?

[He was far too carefree, but then Komaeda trusted his luck far more than it was healthy to do so.]

We might end up somewhere interesting and needed.

[einspine]

[Papyrus chuckled, chin up and chest out.]

NYEH HEH HEH!!! FRET NOT, FRIENDS! WITH OUR COMBINED EFFORTS, I'M CERTAIN EVEN THE FIERCEST OF TIDES WILL BE NO MATCH FOR US! AND BESIDES, DOESN'T THE ADDED DANGER MAKE IT ALL THE MORE THRILLING? JUST THINK OF THE TIDE LIKE A PUZZLE TO OVERCOME!

[Because it's Papyrus. Puzzles make everything better.]

[sassafrisk]

Frisk smirks alongside Papyrus? They were an old hand at dangerous, potentially lethal puzzles at this point. This would be easy-breezy. "Water or not the tide is a problem, I'm shore we'll get through it just fine," they quip, winking egregiously.

[despairing_hope]

Though he didn't say anything his disdain and disapproval was almost palatable. However, he moved on.

"It's definitely exciting. In fact, the more dangerous and unlucky it goes... will make our chances for victory even better!" The thought excites him far too much.

[songbird_slayer]

[If they die, she's blaming Komaeda. But for now, since everyone else wants to flex and make the puns when water's not really something to play with lightly- she didn't see a heavy and sturdy figure among any one of them- she turned to Sasami and offered an arm for support. The water was far deeper for her than it was for the rest of them. Well... for the most part. Madhuri herself wasn't the tallest figure.]

We'll get through this. But let's keep an eye open for something nice and weighty as a makeshift anchor, alright?

[modelcivilian]

It's not much, but if I can wedge my sword somewhere stable enough, it can be a temporary anchor. I can't guarantee it standing up against a riptide though.

[Adrien, fortunately, can swim if the water climbed higher. Hopefully, this mission didn't go... well, the way Komaeda was hoping it would go (why would he want it being dangerous and unlucky?) and they figured out this without issue.]

[doodlebuginette]

Marinette was, fortunately, a strong swimmer, and she was confident that she could handle herself if the occasion called for it. But would she be able to help others if they weren't quite as good at it? Only time would tell, she supposed.

"I like the idea of using Adrien's sword as an anchor." Or anything, really, as long as it was stable enough to be an anchor. "Do we have anything else that might work?" Would they need more than one? Hopefully not.

[einspine]

[Ah, a sword! Crafty. Very crafty. Papyrus nods at Adrien's remark, offering a quick thumbs up.]

AN EXCELLENT IDEA! SADLY, I LACK ANY WEAPON OF COMPARABLE LENGTH, BUT ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, I'M VERY TALL AND MY BONES ARE TOUGH AS TITANIUM!!!

[Note: not actually tough as titanium. But what's a little helpful hyperbole, really?]

THAT IS TO SAY, IF YOU FIND YOURSELF TEETERING, FEAR NOT! I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, CAN LEND MYSELF AS A BEACON OF SUPPORT.

[sassafrisk]

"That's... actually a pretty decent idea," Frisk says, cupping their chin. Not that they expected anything less from Marinette. And they might have something that could help. "Give me a moment, this isn't in the Ninja's gearlist so I'm going to have to dig through my inventory a little." Frisk rapidly swipes through the menus of their Slate, and several seconds later a Dragoon's Lance appears in their hand. "Here. This should work, right? I mean, it makes about as much sense as much classic adventure game puzzle solutions, soooo we should be good."

[songbird_slayer]

Fair enough. I've got my mage staff as well. That's three pillars of support... communication will be awfully important should anyone feel their grip is weakening.

I'll scoot in first.

[Because that's what usually happened with her group back home: Madhuri went in first, and would use her bag of tricks to handle problems that may arise. She had no portals, but she certainly had magic on her side.]

[eternitymods]

[The trapdoor opens up above the the Oubliette, which is filled with water that is rushing with a strong current to the southwest, in the direction of the city’s center. Glowing algae grows sporadically in the hallways, providing the heroes light to see by.

If they choose to use their weapons and rope to anchor themselves, they can progress more slowly down the narrow hallway, exploring as they go. If they let the current pull them as Komaeda suggests, they will be pushed into a large chamber with openings to several other hallways (more description to follow when they reach it).]

[saint_sami]

If you need my Gunblade, I got that, too...

[Since Madhuri had offered her arm for support, Sasami had taken it and opted to follow along with her just in case.]

[modelcivilian]

[With the trapdoor opening and sending rushing water their way, unless Adrien hears an objection, he's already removing his sword from his hip and making it a firm hold, sheath and all, to plant himself and help stall a few others should the rush knock them off balance.]

[songbird_slayer]

[She grit her teeth and proceeded, jamming the staff into the earth as she moved along. Perhaps following the current would be faster, but there was no knowing where the water would lead. They needed to find the system and activate it, and she hoped the other groups were holding up okay.

She had to wonder how many among those pulled in from the Dream Width could swim...]

[doodlebuginette]

"Thank you Frisk, Adrien... everyone!" It occurred to her that she didn't actually know everyone in the group by name yet and that made her kind of nervous.

"Quick show of hands..." she said, after watching the trapdoor slide open. "How many of us can swim?" With that, she's raising her hand. Perhaps they should've figured this out earlier, but now seemed like as good a time as any. She glanced over as the weapons were anchored, while still trying to keep an eye out for hands. It was a relief, though, that they seemed to be decided against just letting the current sweep them away at random.

[despairing_hope]

"I can swim," he made a rather long pause before continuing. "But I have no stamina," he would probably be the first to most likely be swept away or drown if that was possible.

"But, I'm sure it will all work out in some way."

[sassafrisk]

"I'm... decent at swimming, but I don't want to take my chances with the riptide," says Frisk, side-eyeing Komaeda. Amazing. The boy who would probably drown if he tried going with the flow was the one who suggested it in the first place. "Anyways, shall we? I, for one, was getting withdrawal from my life being threatened on a daily basis, so this is a nice change of pace." They attempt to dramatically plant their spear in an appropriate crack, miss, nearly fumble, and spend a few moments properly wedging the weapon in before it's secured.

[einspine]

While Frisk anchors their weapon, Papyrus tentatively offers a hand for them, just in case. He also shifts his weight a bit, trying to maintain a steady stance. Since he lacks a proper weapon for anchoring, he'll have to rely on his own stature to make up for it.

Still, he raises his other hand.

"I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, AM USED TO RAGING RAPIDS! THE RIVER CONNECTING THE VARIOUS REGIONS OF THE UNDERGROUND IS A PRIME LOCATION FOR CARDIOVASCULAR ACTIVITIES... EVEN IF I LACK THE HEART FOR THE ACTUAL CARDIO PART OF IT."

[eternitymods]

[Keeping themselves anchored using their weapons, the party withstands the strong current that rushes at them. The water continues for a minute, then stills.

If they move quickly, they can enter the Oubliette while the water is still and reach an alcove that will shield them from the rushing water. If they stay at their current position, they will observe that the current begins again after about a minute.]

[modelcivilian]

[Well, it's good that most of them can swim even if it's not against the riptide. Though, Adrien will send the same worried look at Nagito because floaties are a start, but still not necessarily going to save him from running out of stamina.]

[Working forward, he almost stumbles when he notices the water slow and then still.]

... Huh.

[Well, no point in lingering right?]

Let's go in case it starts up again. I'll stay in the back if it does.

[doodlebuginette]

So it seemed like almost everyone had some basic swimming ability. That was good. Possibly not necessary since it seemed like they were going to try and avoid the water altogether, but it was good to know!

"Seconding the notion of not wanting to tangle with the riptide," she announced, also glancing over at Komaeda.

But then the water stopped flowing and Marinette was blinking. Alright. "I'm going to hang back too," she said. With Komaeda, she added in her head. Just in case.

[sassafrisk]

Okay, now this was odd. What kind of contraption would cause this kind of thing? "Yeah, I agree with Mari and... um... Adrien, right? And is it okay if I call you Mari? Marinette's kind of a mouthful. Anyways, let's get moving, because man I do not want to get caught in that riptide without a good anchoring point. Let's take cover over there and try to see what's waiting for us down in the Ouby-thingy. I'll chill with you guys if it starts up again."

[despairing_hope]

He seemed completely unaware of the concern thrown his way, but then he himself didn't feel concerned so why would anyone else?

"I suppose we should check for traps before going in," or see if it needs a key or a special way of opening.

[songbird_slayer]

I suppose if you've the ability to disarm them... until then, I see a spot where we can wait out the next flow.

[Meanwhile, she's going to raise her staff momentarily and give off that soft white magic glow to add a little more light to the tunnel as she proceeded apace. Time wasn't on their side and, though risky, they couldn't exactly wait around and tiptoe to see what happened before making a move.]

What I wouldn't give for a Dimension Door...

[einspine]

[Ah! This is right up Papyrus' alley. So as the discussion shifts to disarming, he chuckles and grins.]

IN MY EXPERIENCE, EVERY DUNGEON CONTAINS AT LEAST ONE PUZZLE! AND PUZZLES OFTEN FUNCTION LIKE TRAPS. ERGO, AS A SEASONED PUZZLER, IT'S MY EXPERT OPINION THAT WE KEEP A SHARP EYE OUT.

...BUT REALLY, LET'S HURRY BEFORE WE'RE STUCK WAITING AGAIN. WHO KNOWS WHAT SORT OF EXCITING PUZZLES ARE JUST WAITING TO PERPLEX US?!"

[Once again, his priorities are a bit... skewed.]