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

[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.]

[eternitymods]

[The group will be able to reach the alcove before the current begins again. It rushes toward the southwest still, and will push them forward down the hallway if they do not take shelter from it.

The current stops again, and from the vantage point of the alcove, the party will be able to see a doorway partially down the passageway. Inside, a treasure chest is visible. Trap? Reward? Who know! The doorway will provide shelter against the next blast from the current, at least, if they decide to enter this side room rather than progressing straight forward.]

[saint_sami]

[Sasami was thankfully safe from that water when she took sight of the treasure chest down the hallway.]

Everyone, look!

[Her excitement got the best of her. A real life treasure chest like in stories and games! She was already down the hall in her excitement and curiosity.]

[songbird_slayer]

[Now, she's an adventurer and she can't help feeling like salivating a bit at the sight of a treasure chest. Sweet, sweet loot. But she'd only twice encountered chests that could grab people and shove them into their gullets.

...And there goes Sasami.]

Ohhh dear. N-now hold on a moment, we're coming!

[She's sloshing along to catch up, but turned to Papyrus.]

Well, this might just be your first test, darling.

[modelcivilian]

Y-Yeah! We shouldn't go opening treasure chests we just see out in the open!

[Not here at least. They might still be within the city, but who could say if it was or wasn't a trap? It's such a video game trap set up...]

[Huh, had the hallway been part of the puzzle or not?]

[einspine]

[Papyrus winces. That's... one of the oldest tricks in the books. Fortunately, he has the courtesy to refrain from facepalming in lieu of following Madhuri's lead.]

AH, YES! ADRIEN'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!

[As he runs, he looks back at Frisk, just to make sure they aren't too far behind.]

THERE'S A GREAT LIKELIHOOD THAT THIS CHEST IS RIGGED WITH A TRAP! THUS, I THINK WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT VERY, VERY CAREFULLY. PREFERABLY WITH A LONG ENOUGH OBJECT TO KEEP A RESPECTABLE DISTANCE UNTIL WE CAN FURTHER ASSESS ITS DANGER LEVEL.

I WOULD ALSO ADVISE KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR SUSPICIOUS TILES AND HIDDEN PANELS IN THE WALLS THAT COULD LAUNCH ARROWS OR OTHER NASTY SURPRISES.

[despairing_hope]

"It might be a mimic, those are a staple for this kind of situation. But I have confidence everyone can handle it, you all seem amazing afterall!" He stayed to the back, his optimism shining, despite his rather worrying words.

[doodlebuginette]

"Yea, you can call me Mari if it's easier." She's glancing over at Frisk to see how they're doing. If there'd ever been any doubt that being in this world was going to be different than just running around as Ladybug, this had to be it. So many things were happening all at once, and while she'd dealt with a group of not-quite-calm people in exciting situations in the past, this was definitely new.

She was supposed to be the one with the plan, at least back home. Now, though, there was barely any time to think, and she was feeling kind of useless if she was honest. And then one of the group decided to go charging off in pursuit of a chest that just happened to be there. This was probably not going to end well. "Wait!" Because calling out had worked out so splendidly for everyone else. "We don't know what's in that chest. It could be empty... or there could be trap!"

The sound of Nagito's odd remarks caused her to glance over at him with a puzzled expression. How could he be so calm about all of this?

[sassafrisk]

"Wait, don't-" But it was too late. Frisk, sighing, frantically swims with the others to try and catch up with Sami before she cracks open the chest. Oh joy. This was bound to end well. They'd played enough classic RPGs to know a mimic when they saw one. But maybe...

"What I wouldn't give for a twelve-foot pole right about now," Frisk mutters, before pulling out their iMog Slate, changing their class to Dragoon, and saying, "Buuut I suppose this will have to do." Realizing something, they turn the blade around so it's facing them, and hock the weapon at the chest, hopefully before Sami reaches it. "What? If there's really treasure in there, I don't want to skewer it."

[eternitymods]

[All these suspicious eyes scanning the room will find...no signs of traps or hidden panels. It is a bare stone chamber with one treasure chest in the center. Frisk's sword hilt connects with the chest with a heavy thunk. It appears to be an ordinary, unlocked treasure box, made of wood with bands of metal connecting the boards.

The current outside rushes by again. If the party exits before the current cycle ends, they will be swept forward into another large chamber. They can wait out the current and continue onward. Or, they can open the innocuous treasure box. Decisions, decisions.]

[despairing_hope]

It was anyone's guess what might happen before the chest is properly open, but, Komaeda still felt optimistic.

"Perhaps were actually lucky today. Though, I hope were not too lucky before we've finished our task."

[einspine]

OH. WELL, THAT'S A RELIEF! IT SEEMS LIKE A PERFECTLY ORDINARY TREASURE. IN THAT CASE, LET'S SEE WHAT SPOILS AWAIT!!!

[He points dramatically for added effect. Oh, this is actually rather exciting.]

AFTERWARDS WE SHOULD PROBABLY CONTEMPLATE OUR NEXT MOVE. WITH LUCK, THE CURRENT WILL STOP AGAIN, AND THE PATH WILL REOPEN...

[modelcivilian]

"... Well, I guess if you guys want to open it..."

It didn't already snap open and try to bite Frisk's weapon. And it didn't explode either. But maybe that was still being too optimistic.

[songbird_slayer]

Well, I confess to not having opened a legitimate treasure chest in quite some time. Plus we've time until the water passes.

I'll keep a horn out for it, but we need to hurry. A quick pop, collect what's inside, and then we keep going for the drainage system. That rushing water is all headed somewhere and we ought follow it.

[sassafrisk]

"The less fishy this gets, the more antsy I become," Frisk says, frowning. Something about this seemed kinda... off. "But you know what? Nothing ventured, nothing gained." With this, Frisk retrieves their spear. "If there's no objections, I'll open it using the spear. If it is a really smart mimic, it'll hopefully gobble up the glorified stick and we can skedaddle while it's doing that. Sound good?"

[doodlebuginette]

To be fair, she could kind of agree with Frisk. Even though nothing crazy had happened up to this point, that didn't mean things would continue to go that way. And Marinette, for one, preferred to be prepared for the worst. Just in case. Even if it was just her being a little paranoid. "That's right. We'll never know if we don't try," she said. "And hopefully we'll get lucky and it'll just be a regular chest!"

[saint_sami]

"Mmm... go ahead."

Sasami stepped back to let Frisk open up the chest. To be quite honest, being told by everyone to not run to the chest kinda took the wind out of her sails at that point. She was more than certain that if she saw another chest, that one would have traps and would get everyone into trouble.

[eternitymods]

[Frisk opens the chest to reveal... an ordinary treasure box! Inside, the group will find a Piece of Statue. Made of metal, untarnished by the water, it appears to be the base piece of a small statue. It is small enough to carry, despite its weight, and it appears to be a serpentine section with openings at either end where other pieces can be connected.

The current finishes its cycle, and the party can progress down the hallway to a central chamber. The chamber has a door on each of the four walls. The doors each open into a hallway. The group entered from the south. Currents are rushing past the east and north doors at the time the group enters. The party may observe that the currents for each door stop and start in different intervals.

The groups can study the doors if they wish to learn the intervals in which the currents run, or go ahead and move on. If they wish to split up to cover more ground, they may do so as well.]

[einspine]

[Oh! Well that's a relief. Papyrus sighs softly at the sight.]

WELL! THAT SEEMS IMPORTANT. KEEP IT CLOSE, FRISK! GUARD IT WITH YOUR VERY SOUL! IT MAY COME IN HANDY LATER.

[Ah, but the current's concluded, and the hallway awaits. Multiple doors. Multiple possibilities. He glances from one door to the next, rubbing his bony chin.]

HRMM... DO WE TEST OUR LUCK WITH ONE, OR SHOULD WE SPLIT APART FOR THE TIME BEING? WE'D COVER MORE GROUND THAT WAY, BUT IT'D ALSO LEAVE US MORE VULNERABLE...