:quality(75)/curiosity-data.s3.amazonaws.com/images/content/thumbnail/standard/e08157f8-0b8b-495b-ba6e-af374c49d84b.png)
the depths below.exploring the caverns.All of you will have the same entrance into the caverns -- it will involve going underwater and traveling about one hundred feet through a tunnel which breaks into into a massive cavern, full of air. The breeze is mysteriously fresh, for being both underground and underwater, and before you are three massive dark tunnels. It's hard to decide which one to go toward, but inevitably, you are drawn toward a specific tunnel.
For your top level comments, include what group you are in your subject line. . You will be in the caverns for roughly one week's time in order to get to the information at hand. That doesn't mean you have to stay below that long, but be prepared to pack whatever you need in order to live down there for that long There will be fish to hunt in the waters and the water itself is fresh, but sleeping on the cold marble-like surface might suck, especially if you're wet. And . . . once you get into the meat of things, what are you going to find? group a.
The tunnel by which group A travels down is narrow, to the point of claustrophobia. And along the way, you will run into several obstacles. You will have to travel through underwater tunnels that, again, are narrow and claustrophobic. Stalagmites and stalacites make navigating through the waters treachorous, and getting stuck is not an impossibility.
Additionally, as you move through the pathways (both water and not), you begin to notice little lights flickering in the water. At first, you think it may be crystals sparkling in the water . . . but upon closer inspection, you begin to realize that they are bioluminescent eels. How cool! However, about halfway into your journey, you begin to notice that theyre getting a bit . . . larger. And, should you allow yourself to be attacked by them, not only do they bite, they seem to suck out your energy. These eels feast on magical energy, and suffering a bite from one of these eels will completely eradicate your Astoria granted powers for five hours. Have fun with that.
Finally, at the end of your journey, you will reach what feels like a dead end . . . in that you come upon a small alcove type area, with no discernable exit. And, upon the far wall, you see what appear to be cave drawings. Intricately carved into the stone, with a language surrounding the pictographs that no one understands, are what appears to be two women. One has longer hair, to her shoulders, holding a white orb in her hand. The other, with cropped hair, appears to be holding a blackened orb in her hand. Their arms are intertwined, connected, but there is a large fracture in the rock, scorched across the woman drawn in white, as if someone (or something) has attempted to blast it to bits.
Eventually, upon some investigating, you come across words that you, somehow, do understand, scrawed in a messy text, carved into the stone. Those words?
group b.
The tunnels that Group B heads down are considerably wide, all things considered. Most of the journey in the tunnels for Group B is above-ground and doesn't involve going underwater . . . which may be a good thing, as the water pathways in this tunnel are deep. The water is still crystal clear, but you somehow still can't see the bottom of it. It looks as if it goes on forever . . . and ever . . . and ever . . .
Eventually, though, you come into a second massive cavern, with a huge underground lake. The lake is full of dark shapes that dart underneath the surface -- horses, with the tails of fish, as they pop up to the surface for a gulp or two of air. But when they notice the strangers on the shores of their territory, they circle ranks and edge themselves closer . . . and if you get too close to the shore, you may feel teeth sink into the edge of your coat and an abrupt tug to be pulled into the water.
To be clear -- the kelpies themselves are not particularly violent. However, they've never seen otherworlders like you before, and are definitely scared. Not fighting against them will ensure their slow trust, and they will generally leave you alone. But if you attack them? They'll fight back, and they will drag you down to the depths below without a second thought in order to protect their own.
Eventually, you come across a third massive cavern, with another underground lake. The water seems to sparkle with energy -- tiny lights dance across the water, skipping across the surface without a care in the world. Touching the water will result in temporary paralysis of whatever you use to touch it -- magic, so powerful that you cannot possibly comprehend it. The energy is too much to handle, and you, too, cannot see the bottom of this lake. However, scattered across the walls, are runes carved into the marble. It's a language you do not understand, but you do come across something that you manage to understand . . . tucked amongst the runic symbols:
 group c.
Group C enters into a beautiful crystalized tunnel, with white crystals jutting out into the tunnel. It looks beautiful, but it makes for treacherous going -- the crystals are razor sharp, and sliding through them requires elegance and grace to avoid being turned into ribbons. Move slowly -- you need to in order to make it through this maze of crystals.
Eventually, you make it to a wider tunnel with various deep pools of water scattered along the floor. The pools seem to be endlessly deep, reaching to impossible depths that you cannot see. However, the pools seem to have an . . . alluring feel to them. You are drawn closer to them, curious, inquisitive . . . you want to get into them . . . and if you dip into the pools, watery arms of the sprites that live within these pools glide around you, and coax you into the depths below . . . but you feel calm, serene. Hopefully someone is looking out for you.
But as you move through the tunnel with the pools, you begin to notice signs of life. Not necessarily plant life, or animal life, but signs that people are here. There are footsteps from one pool to the next, wet markings that seem to be permanently wet no matter how much you wipe them away. There are watermarks along the walls, handprints against the marble. And as you begin to walk, begin to notice messages scrawled along the walls, carved deep into the marble.
Every single word is the same.
group d.
Unlike those below the surface, the lakeside shores of Lake Dona seem to be relatively peaceful. Nessie is lazily swimming around and offering rides to those that need it, and campfires are soon built up around this makeshift camp of those who are sitting around to wait. The network does work with those in the caverns, so keeping in contact is far easier than it was in Struxta!
However, in the last days of the investigation, as Group A, B, and C begin to discover the messages in the caverns, storm clouds begin to roll in. It begins to downpour, a frightening crack of lightning streaking across the side with alarming regularity. And, on the final day of the exploration, a voice seems to float through the deluge. And it isn't Astoria's. But it seems to be . . . odd. And suddenly, a message appears on your watches.
¿ɯǝ ɐǝɹɥ ʎon ɐɔu ˙nʎo ɥǝdl ʇo ǝuǝp ᴉ ˙ʎno ɥǝdl ʇo ɐʍʇu ᴉ ¿ɯǝ ǝɥɐɹ nʎo ɔuɐ
What in the hell could that be?
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acatalepsy_logs2018-10-04 09:55 pm
group c
[ Traversing along the caverns was a lot harsher than she thought. Haruhi felt an immense pressure on herself once she caught a glimpse of those crystals, and instantly realized: she was already being tested. She moved slowly, carefully, with as much caution as she could. There's no actual fear on her face, though there's a momentary wince as she grazes the back of her hand against one of the points of a crystal, stopping momentarily to keep herself steady.
Easy does it. She turns her head, trying to stay attentive but also gauge some kind of distance. ]
How much longer do we have to go?
[ Slightly impatient, but more because she's already tired of this obstacle. ]
b.
[ Getting a glimpse of the rest of the tunnel was an experience in itself. It was dawning on Haruhi how beautiful everything really looked, and how despite what felt like a bit of impending danger, this was actually really thrilling. Thrilling... but, oddly, peaceful. Conflicting feelings passed back and forth within her, as she stares down into one of the pools of water.
It seemed bottomless, but that in itself was interesting wasn't it? That felt like something that'd need to be explored in its own right... but, maybe by someone who could breathe underwater, or could project themselves through it. As much as she thought to tear herself away, she figured... what would go wrong? ]
...Just for a little bit. [ She murmurs to herself, deciding it's time to take her dip. ]
c.
[ Haruhi... is just staring at the walls, really. Carved in. A breath catches in her throat and she carefully, very carefully reaches her hand out to brush against the marble.
Was this meant to be a warning, or... ]
--What do we do? [ Do they keep going, or should they head back? But it feels like there's still so much more to see, she doesn't really want to leave. Her urge for adventure all seemed to counteract the somewhat concerned look on her face. ]
d.
[ wildcard, y'all. come at me. ]
c
He keeps one hand in his pocket at all times as he leans over her shoulder to stare at the words... ]
I think we should look for who wrote this. Someone was here. Maybe just before we got here. Maybe they're still here. Maybe they're in trouble.
[ Lots of maybe's, but isn't that just how it is with mysterious caves? ]
no subject
[ What kind of weird reverse psychology is that? Haruhi's trying to slowly get into detective mode on her end, even though she's... definitely not sure about any of this. ]
But if there's anyone in here, it'd be bad to just leave them alone. You're right.
...[ A beat. ] You think we'll get attacked down here?
no subject
[ It's hopeful, but it's an idea. He's no detective, though, frowning as he rubs a hand over the back of his head, leaving his hair sticking up on end when he drops it. ]
I don't know. If there is something down here, we won't be able to run away the same way we came in. Not easily, anyways. [ Not without getting torn to shreds by the crystals, especially if they have to run and can't be as careful as they were going in. ]
In that case, we'd have to fight. Will you be okay?
no subject
Still... it couldn't be a matter of her being okay or not. If it came down to it, there wouldn't be much of a choice. ]
I'll be fine. If it seems like something I can't handle, I'll take cover.
[ As long as she can do something. That's how it is. ]
no subject
Sounds like a plan.
[ what plan ]
Let's get going, then.
no subject
[ The best plan is that there isn't a plan, of course. That's how Haruhi rolls, as she cautiously walks along. It's not like her to really be afraid of anything like this, as she keeps her eyes darting around.
Given everything, she has a question of her own. ]
What about you? Will you be okay? You seem kinda calm about all of this.
no subject
[ He can also fight and win, rendering the second half of that comment unnecessary, but, eh. Does he look like somebody who can fight? Not at all, with the way he keeps his hands in his pockets instead of out and at the ready, but there's confidence in his steps just the same. ]
Monsters and mazes aren't really unfamiliar things... Staying behind me would be best, but if you could tell me if you spot anything in the distance, that'd be really helpful.
no subject
[ Just being honest, Minato. Haruhi's eyes are fixed straight ahead then, considering he's sounding pretty confident in that statement. Monsters... it's still interesting, even if it's dangerous. ]
You're not going to wind up overdoing it, are you? It'll be tough to drag you back if something knocks you out.
no subject
[ It's not entirely out of kindness, but like... chasing after flies is tiring work, and he'd rather leave a window open and pray it goes away. In either case, he thinks himself as being good at fighting, even if he doesn't prefer it. ]
It'd be nice if your power went the other way, and you could shrink me down to something more portable... But I guess I'll just have to do my best not to get knocked out. That's why I'm trusting you with my back.
no subject
[ That'd be nice. For now, Haruhi'll have to just trust that Minato can get them out of this. ]
Just leave it to me. I bet I'm already stronger than I was before.
no subject
[ It's easy to fall back into the role of the leader, Minato stepping forward with his arm slightly out to the side of him as if to protect anybody running behind him; he wishes he had his sword— or bow or ax or anything else besides the small kitchen knife he keeps stowed away in his pocket, but again, he hopes it doesn't come to it.
At least it's a quiet trek, uneventful though hard to see, so he takes it slow through the cavern, one hand to his side, the other with the tips of his finger trailing across the "GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT"s ]
b
(She might need help though.) ]
no subject
H-Hey, hold on!
[ It doesn't take her long to get into action, reaching out to grab onto that flailing hand, pulling back. ]
no subject
Ignore the tears in her eyes, that's just from the coughing!! ]
Ugh... you... you bastards... I'll kill you!!!
[ She starts crawling back towards the water?? ]
no subject
Hey!
[ Haruhi's immediately grabbing back onto her arm. ]
Do you want to drown?! Leave 'em alone!
no subject
WHY SHOULD I?!?
[ s-sorry... ]
no subject
Because you'll wind up getting dragged under so far that we won't be able to reach you!
[ It's too obvious, isn't it?! ]
no subject
I-- I never asked for your help!! Damn it, this place is so lame... why are we even here?
[ She just came down to murder and enemy or two... she didn't mean to become a drown victim, ugh. ]
no subject
[ That's just obvious, isn't it? Gosh. ] Even if you didn't ask, I'd help you anyway. We're on the same team.