20.5

[bravenewmods]

[The quakes continue.

It has been over 24 hours since the first major earthquake shook Union and the aftershocks have yet to relent. Though the majority are of a much lower magnitude than the original quake, the occasional rumble shakes the city with almost as much intensity. It is approximately one hour after one such occurrence that the Warp Band and the emergency broadcasts flicker to life once more of their own accord. The efficient voice sounds forth - there is a bit of strain noticeable this time...]

This is the Union emergency broadcast system with an ongoing assessment of the present situation. All citizens, please stop your activities and make note of the instructions given within.

Due to the unusually prolonged nature of the earthquakes, it has been determined that the current situation is unaccountable for by normal tectonic motion. While experts suggest that the most likely source is wild Pokémon activity, new developments have led the Council to suspect otherwise. A report from a group of Rangers searching for an iron mine describes the Eastern Mountains as the epicenter of the original earthquake; additionally, an unusual radio signal has been detected from this area. No radio towers have been constructed in this region.

In the face of the ongoing seismic activity and the immediate dangers presented to Union, the Council has determined that it is of the utmost priority for the quakes to stop. At this time, all able-bodied individuals willing and capable of mounting an expedition are asked to travel immediately to the Eastern Mountains to investigate. If the radio signal is determined to be related to the earthquakes, the Council requests that it be blocked by any means.

All supplies for these expeditions will be provided by the Outpost, free of charge.

For those unable or unwilling to leave Union at this time, a significant amount of work remains to be done. The following are updates concerning the present status of Union:

Currently, the foundations of Sector 3 have been damaged to a sufficient extent such that the towers may become structurally unsound. All residents in the Sector 3 towers should therefore prepare for evacuation. All residents are expected to vacate their homes within the space of 2 hours, following which Swords and Guardsmen will be making rounds. Temporary shelters are being constructed in the Entertainment District.

Thanks to the efforts of all involved, the wild Pokémon situation has been improving, though vigilance and caution must still be exercised around the Old City entrances. While accommodations cannot be made for all individuals, calm Pokémon may be taken to the Habitat Tower for temporary housing. The majority of Pokémon now appear to be coming from Entrance 6 and Entrance 8 into the Old City.

While the eastern mountains are considered higher priority, the Council also asks that those who wish to stay in Union investigate the Old City for a possible cause as to the fear of these Pokémon. While the continued quakes make investigation dangerous, the interval between quakes has never been shorter than three hours, making travel possible within this time.

All citizens should continue to be ready for further quakes. Please remain alert for further updates as they come.

[The voice cuts off once more.]

((This post may be used as a mingle thread to address any of the issues raised within. You may also make individual posts at this time. Responses may be addressed in regards to the announcement, or forward dated to describe preparing for an expedition. The locations described within are named for the purposes of RP; they may be used as places your character is familiar with or towers your characters live in.

Expedition groups should be no more than four in size. If you would like us to randomize you a group, please respond to the OoC post here. The linked post may also be used for planning groups.

The IC post for expedition groups, either to the iron mines or down to the Old City, is here. The linked post may also be used for groups simply reacting to the situation in Union.))

Descent

[bravenewmods]

Iron Mines:
The trip to the eastern mountains is punctuated by the continuing aftershocks. After each one, it may be tempting to glance back at Union to see if any of the towers have fallen yet. The expedition parties move with incredible speed, knowing that the fate of their City hangs on the line.

When they reach the mountains, guided by the coordinates given of the 'strange radio signal', the parties will find that many of the normal entrances and routes have been blocked by cave-ins. In contrast, however, a gaping hole has opened up where none existed before. As this seems to be the easiest way to gain access, the parties slowly lower themselves in...

They will find themselves in the long-sought iron mines.

But there are so many twisting turns and tunnels, it will be impossible to stay together and make any sort of progress. Each group will have to take their own paths from here...

Old City:
Each of the twelve entrances down into the Old City take a different meandering route through the ruins. Though several are blocked off by this time, there are still many potential paths to take. The state of the Old City is poor, being underground as it is, and occasional soft rumblings are certain to cause unease. As the report states, however, there is enough of an interval between quakes that it should be possible to investigate safely.

It would be unwise to venture down alone, but it is impossible, too, for everyone to stay together if they wish to make headway.

Union:
The wild Pokémon continue to come out of the Old City, though the frequency has been somewhat lessened. Rubble lines the streets and though no towers have collapsed as of yet, some seem to be dangerously close and certainly nobody should be staying inside of them. As stated, the towers in Sector 3 are the worse off and construction crews work frantically to attempt to restabilize the foundations of these buildings.

The injured are innumerable, the number of casualties is as of yet unknown, and the chaos and panic is difficult to fend off.

There is a great deal of work to be done.

((Please post below with your groups - in the first comment, please note the members of your group, where you are, and whether or not you intend to keep a threading order. Regardless of threading order, mods will be responding at least once every 24 hours to keep the event moving. Groups should be three to four people in size.

At this time, all characters entering the iron mines will be able to choose to bond with a free extra Pokemon listed under 'Cavern' in the Map and Wild Pokemon post. Please respond there if you intend to make use of this. Characters who have already claimed a free Old City Pokemon may not do so.))