[ACTION | Caverns Expedition Log]

[antiseptic]

Log Deputy: Rei antiseptic and Charles makeitquick
Participating Characters: Jade Curtiss, Imogen Moreno, Flynn, Chris Ramirez, Ezreal, Melaka Fray, William Flemming, Varun "Banzu" Elmas, Eren Jaeger, Armin Arlert, Elhaym van Houten (Elly), Ondorus Univir, Lux Crownguard...possibly more! Feel free to gatecrash the party at any time.
Plot Description: A group of intrepid explorers set out in search of an iron mine. Things probably don't go as expected.
Warnings/Notes: Possible violence?

QUICK LINKS: Pre-exploration mingling | Travel | Arrival at Caverns | Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3

Overview:
At 6AM, the group will be meeting at the city gates, where there'll be some time for mingling and last minute emergencies before they set off.

The group will travel east through the Verdant Forest for around half a day before reaching the Caverns. It will be freezing with a few flurries of snowfall. Try not to get lost! Or disturb hibernating Pokemon, for that matter.

At the Caverns, Jade will split everyone up into three groups. Group 1 will consist of Elly, Eren, Armin, Ondorus, Chris. Group 2 will be Jade, Melaka, Banzu, Flynn. Group 3 is Imogen, Ezreal, Flemming, and Lux. These groups aren't fixed, and characters are free to protest and try move around! Ideally, each group will end up with at least 4 members just for safety's sake.

Aaand after that, the exploration begins! At first there'll be nothing but caves and tunnels, but it shouldn't take very long for that to change...


Misc notes: Feel free to go wild with thread-jacking! The mods recommend not strictly enforcing a post order since things will probably stall that way. Also, if anyone wants a random wild Pokemon bonding encounter going in the mountains during any of this, just respond to the Map post as usual!

If you need to ask any questions, the quickest way to get in touch with me will be through PMs.

Comments

[choseneutrality]

[Flynn takes note of Jade's warning and his steps become much more carefully placed. Fran also has to slow her pace to keep herself from accidentally tripping and go tumbling down at a fast pace.]

[outtahere]

[Banzu stays second-last in their marching order and moves cautiously, but not cautiously enough that he'll slow the group down; just because he's effectively a noncombatant doesn't mean he's going to allow himself to be The Load. Spur-Mesh, his Klink, doesn't have any problems as it floats along behind him, gears softly grinding away.]

[choseneutrality]

[At some point, Fran's foot slips and she almost starts tumbling down to which Flynn is quick to stop her from rolling. The Normal-Type clings to his arm and expresses thanks to her human partner.

He lets her go after making sure she found her footing again.]

[makeitquick]

[ Melaka tries to keep near point. She was trying to prove herself, after all. So... she obviously needed to stay at the front and keep on her toes. Everyone had said there ought not to be fighting (and ideally, there would not be) but right now, she suspects that won't be entirely avoided. ]

[antiseptic]

[The slope grows even steeper. Jade comes to a careful stop, motioning for Melaka to come closer.]

Melaka, take point.

[It'll be a good chance for her to begin proving herself. Their journey had been uneventful so far, but he won't be surprised if that changes soon.]

[makeitquick]

[ Oh, good. Well then, she will - she even smiles a little in spite of herself, eager for some action. Let's see what's on ahead. She almost hopes that it's something she can punch ]

[antiseptic]

[What's ahead is a long, long tunnel, with a few side paths. But at the end of the main tunnel is a faint glow and complete silence.]

[The group might feel strangely drawn towards the glow.]

[outtahere]

[Banzu frowns and breaks his silence.]

We can't be near the surface, can we?

[antiseptic]

I doubt it. The tunnel has been leading quite steadily downwards.

[The sensation of being drawn towards the glow, more powerful than the curiosity he usually feels, has Jade instantly on alert.]

[He glances at the others.]

What do you think? Should we investigate?

[He has his own thoughts, but he'll keep them to himself for now.]

[makeitquick]

Yeah, might as well. That's what we're here for - to see what's to see.

[ With her arms crossed, that is ]

[choseneutrality]

[Flynn silently nods his head in agreement with Melaka. Though to be on the safe side, he hardens his left arm so he can bring it up to defend him and everyone else in their group should something come at them in the shadows.]

[outtahere]

[Banzu silently nods as well. So far, despite all the walking and the potential for danger, exploring these caverns is at least interesting. Too tense to be fun, but interesting for sure.]

[antiseptic]

We seem to be in agreement, then.

[He had wanted to proceed anyway, and since nobody is protesting, he nods for Melaka to continue leading the way.]

[The tunnel opens up into a vast cavern, much larger than the initial ones, with many tunnels branching off of it. What's notable about the cavern, however, is the multitude of glowing stones scattered everywhere, some embedded in the walls and ground, but most of them should be easy to pick up. A few of them glow much brighter than the others.]

[At the very center is a large boulder, and the source of that strange draw the group may have been experiencing. And, almost unnoticeable among the other curiosities in the cavern are a few Nosepass, none of them stirring despite the presence of intruders in their home.]

[makeitquick]

[ Melaka, up front, has taken note of the stones but - to be frank - largely ignored them. She's been trying to keep attentive, in case they need to get caught up in a fight. She's trying to be situationally aware of any upcoming pokemon, and notices the Nosepasses before their upon them. She holds up her hand ]

Hold it, we got something in the corner there.

[ The boulder is interesting, but those not moving things have big red noses which... are probably a pokemon ]

[choseneutrality]

What is it?

[makeitquick]

No idea. Can anyone see better?

[outtahere]

[Banzu's initial curiosity about the glowing stones is clamped down when Melaka sounds like she sees something dangerous. He squints and peers over at the corner.]

All I can see is something red.

[antiseptic]

[Jade moves closer, slow and wary. Being part Ghost-type, it's easier for him to see in the dark, and he can make out the way that the red rocks are attached to blue ones, all of them too geometrically-shaped to be natural.]

They may be Pokemon. Flynn, can you attempt to speak with them? Ask them if they know where iron can be found.

[Although he's curious about this cave, searching for the iron mine took precedence.]

[outtahere]

And if they're okay with us taking some of these stones.

[choseneutrality]

I can.

[Flynn approaches one of the Nosepass and clears his throat.]

Excuse me, could I ask you something?

This is largely an NPCing comment hi

[makeitquick]

[ The Nosepasses do not respond. In fact, they don't turn either. There aren't that many in this group, maybe only five or six, but all of them are pointing in the same direction and are immobile. They also don't seem to even acknowledge Flynn's presence. Or the presence of any of them for that matter ]

[choseneutrality]

[Huh...]

They don't seem to be responding.

[antiseptic]

How odd. [He's surprised that they are so unconcerned about intruders.]

Well, let's take a look around the cave. Perhaps there's some sort of clue in here.

[And he's quite curious about these glowing rocks. It might be worth taking a few of them back to the Union for research purposes.]

[outtahere]

[Banzu nods, though no one is likely to have seen him do so. Keeping one eye on the Nosepass (and Spur-Mesh keeping two on them), Banzu slowly and carefully makes his way to the nearest of the brighter-glowing stones. He crouches and, watching the Nosepass, picks it up, then pauses to see if there's any reaction from them.]

[makeitquick]

[ There is no reaction. Really, the things don't seem to be aware of much of anything. Just standing there. Like immobile statues.

Which is why Melaka is ... not quite disappointed, but definitely confused. She had thought this chance to prove herself would result in a fight she could win. But if they aren't even going to react to anything. ... Well, whatever. She follows to examining the stones, keeping her weapon in hand for good measure. (Even if it does feel heavier for some reason, like it might be being pulled lightly by someone ]