spellbinders | [PLAYER PLOT | HUB SCANNING SYSTEM INSTALLATION]

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[PLAYER PLOT | HUB SCANNING SYSTEM INSTALLATION]

Who: Any coven members interested in installing the hub scanning system OR exploring the (???) on the map!
Where: From the mansion to the peak of the hub's tallest mountain.
When: Day 128
Open/Closed: OTA!

[ Come one, come all, it's time to head to the top of the Hub mountain! Whether your character has been involved in the preparations up till now or not, anyone near the mansion on this clear morning can join the expedition that's going out. The mission: to boldly install some monitoring equipment up on top of a mountain, and see what's there while you're in the area. Time for departures and last-minute tinkering! ]

((ooc note: If you'd like to backdate any participation, please feel free to comment to the post linked above -- if not, jump in from here!))

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[ Morning is upon the hub island, and you'll need to be up and ready by the time the sun is fully visible on the horizon -- you're trekking up a mountain today! All interested parties can meet right outside the mansion while the collect themselves and all of their supplies.

a; The only preparation left to do on the mechanical side is a few last adjustments to the still-inactive mobile monitoring unit (or pod, if you're familiar with 9S's terminology). Its casing hasn't been closed up yet after a minor incursion of floodwater inside the mansions, and now that it's dry, the wiring needs to be replaced. It shouldn't take long, but grab some pliers...

b; If you have any questions you can ask one of those who are leading the expedition. If you need any supplies, then feel free to ask around for help -- or, if you have anything of your own to offer, speak now or forever hold your peace! ]

[ Luckily you won't be walking for two days to cross the entire island, and instead will be flown part-way by the extremely generous Geir and Mikleo. Your trip may be uneventful -- save for some upset stomach if you aren't used to heights -- but the view is certainly picturesque!

One thing of note is the atmosphere is incredibly thin the further up you soar, almost to the point of passing out if you breathe too deeply. The mountain's peak is even further up than the apparent limit, so flying can't be your only method of travel... ]

Edited 2017-11-13 01:08 (UTC)

[ About 3/4 of the way up the mountain, the party has to stop and take a breather -- literally. As it's unwise to fly any higher at this rate, foot travel will have to do.

a; The journey is initially somewhat simply -- the mountain isn't that steep at this juncture, and the oxygen-rich forestry around the mountain help to eliminate any breathing problems that may make climbing difficult. However, this road-less-traveled has a very obvious con -- the forestry itself is a double-edged sword. Various types of plants can cause rashes and blisters that sting and ooze almost immediately, and that's not even accounting for the prickly thorn bushes around each bend.

b; As your group draws closer to the very top of the mountain, the vegetation begins to subside and the oxygen levels dip again. Thankfully it's livable, but every breath may count here. Because the paths leading up the mountain narrow and become more jagged, wrong moves can result in rock slides and literally going four steps back. ]

[ The taste of victory is upon you! Those who've made it all the way to the top? A pat on the back is in order! Now that you've congratulated yourself, time to get back to business:

a; Those involved with the installation of the monitoring station can get to work without much trouble. The peak of the mountain is pretty flat and void of roadblocks -- your victory is well-won! The station itself is a sturdy pole a little like this and needs to be unfolded, anchored to the rock, and programmed.

b; The other technological element to be considered here is the pod, which is strangely wearing a pair of red, triangular sunglasses. It's looking around alertly, learning more about each coven member and waiting for its link with the new monitoring station to be completed. Shouldn't this upstanding young thing have a name of its own and some friends before it starts its duties? Or maybe you're one of the ones programming the linkage...

c; If technology isn't your thing and you're just here for the journey or accompaniment, there are still nooks and crannies to explore. For instance, a lot of the rocks on the top of the mountain have a silvery hue to them -- some look almost like pure silver, though the reality is they're a type of low-grade iron ore.

Something else of note is that there are actually signs of life around these parts -- human life. There are several obvious old campsites, complete with some leftover items: an iron pot here, a tent peg or two there. Though obviously not recent, this area isn't unexplored. Some of the tent fragments can also be found around the area, some sticking out of the ground while others are more visible. If you find a large enough piece, you may take notice of a large and looping insignia that's accompanied by a few faded and foreign words. ]

[ Despite all that hard work and effort, the job is only 50% done -- distance wise, of course. There's still that return trip back to make, and the sun is beginning to set by the time everything is said and done.

Do you have any thoughts about your journey? Things to note? Points of discussion? Whether you're climbing down the mountain or saying goodbye back at the mansion, there's plenty of time for discussion on the way back home. ]

[Pots are useful, and so is iron. Jay has the iron pot in one hand and a tent peg in the other, and sits down near one abandoned campsite to rest.]

More and more curious, hmm?

Is that for cooking?

[Geir's been distracted with making sure everyone-and-thing is unloaded from his back, but now he has the leisure to wander out as far into the campgrounds as he fits, tongue flicking out to taste the air. he peers with interest at the iron pot in Jay's hands.]

There's a lot of iron around here...

[in the midst of the flight, which should be perfectly straight, Geir slowly eases into a long, looping circle, taking in the view. he doesn't think that anyone on board will call him out on the detour, and he can't help but feel a little lift in his heart when he sees the bright sparkle of water far below through the trees.

the extra exertion makes him wheeze a little, but he tries to hide it with a cough, and surely no one will notice or be alarmed!]

[ to anyone who might be listening: ]

I have a first aid kit with me, just in case there's an accident of some sort.

[ it very well might come in handy. jude did twist his own ankle on these mountains, after all. it's a miracle 9s was there to ~~carry him~~ escort him home. so besides being interested in a major project of 9s', the biggest reason he decided to come along was to be on medic duty. someone needs to be. ]

Geir. Do you have asthma?

[ jude's shoulders are slumped, forehead damp with sweat. What A Day. jude is in pretty good shape, sure, but a long expedition like this has been a bit tough even on him. he's barely keeping up with 9s.

at least he didn't twist his ankle this time. ]

You're amazing, you know that?

[ he nudges 9s' side. this had been his work, after all; one of the projects jude had watched him toil over for weeks. he'd given it his all, and it had paid off. ]

All that hard work and you still have energy to spare.

No. Dirk!

[Geir is mildly scandalized! of course he doesn't have asthma. he's never even been sick in his life. can he get sick now that he's on a low frequency world? Freyja's jewels, he hopes not.]

...the air's just thin up here. Feels weird to breathe. I got surprised by it. You guys are all okay, right?

[he does one more loop, allowing everyone who's missed the view to see it.]

[Jude's present condition is an object of concern for 9S. While he doesn't lose the bounce in his step at all and could easily bound ahead of the group, he's tried to keep stride with the others. And that means he's seen the gradual progression of a long hike slowly wear down those around him.

Likewise, he's seen the way fatigue has weighed on them. It's as new to him as it is concerning. He hasn't seen Jude look this exhausted since that time he had been ill, and as their walking pace continues to slow, his worries only build.

The comment, when it comes, is certainly flattering. 9S ducks his head with a given embarrassment, but it's not enough to distract him today]

It wasn't just my effort, or anything... [Even tired, Jude's so generous with praise] But are you okay?

I know it was a team effort, but none of this would have been remotely possible without you. The least I can do is remind you of that much.

[ he offers him a weary, lopsided smile, shrugging his shoulders. ]

Just a little worn out. Today was a long day. It's nothing to worry yourself over.

I doubt other people are familiar with pods, but... I don't think I'd have thought to try if not for Geir and everyone else.

[9S certainly doesn't want a replacement for Pod 153, and doesn't consider the one they've made to be a substitute. But he does hope it helps.

They've done what they can]

Only a little worn out though?

Well, I'll have to thank Geir, too.

[ jude nods. ]

Only a little.

[ that's not quite true, but he doesn't need 9s to fuss over him. ]

Everyone who helped deserves some credit. And that means you too.

[Because it seems to him that Jude overlooks his own contributions.

On the other hand, 9S does take pride in his work. And he certainly doesn't mind the praise, but it's certainly not solely his efforts that went into this venture]

Do you want a hand?

[ jude rubs the nape of his neck, a little embarrassed by both the compliment and his evident exhaustion. ]

Well...

[ it's not a yes, or a no. he looks a little conflicted. ]

I can't come up with a good enough reason to turn you down, so I guess I'll cave.

[9S offers him an easy smile before he halts, bending a little]

Okay, hop on then.

[Jude can't deny the last time he carried him on his back, there was hopping involved. That's clearly part of the process.

And he's assuming this method is preferable to how he's generally inclined to carry humans around]

[ they'd probably get Some Eyes if 9s carried him princess style right here, so he's grateful.

jude does just that, wrapping his arms around 9s' neck and locking his legs around his waist. ]

Gee, what would I do without you? Walk like everyone else has to?

[ well, besides geir and company. ]

[That's cause for a snort as 9S straightens, using his hands to help support Jude's weight. Mostly, it's to make him feel less like he has to hold on in order to avoid falling, as he isn't heavy by android standards]

Or trudge. It looked a bit like trudging.

[Although it's said lightly, now that he doesn't have to worry about Jude keeling over from exhaustion. Which is a valid concern from where he's standing.

Or rather, resuming walking, now that Jude's secured]

Okay, maybe I was trudging a bit.

Remember what happened last time we were up here together? You had to carry me all the way to your place. It was still abandoned at the time.

[anyone riding the other dragon in the group may have a bumpier ride; he goes a little longer in the thin air than is healthy, then finally gives in and coasts down towards the mountainside. it's not a bad landing, but a rather jarring one; he hits a slope with all his claws out like a cat, stopping there to catch his breath. while his passengers are strapped on securely, it may still be alarming to be hanging diagonal to the mountainside for a minute. he scrabbles over to a flat ledge as soon as he can.]

Sorry...it looks like we'll need to make a climb after all. Not too far now, though.

[Mikleo's still in dragon shape -- he can't transform back or he won't be able to fly anyone back down for the day -- which makes exploring and investigation a little inconvenient. it may be funny to watch him try to paw the dirt aside and expose more remnants of the old campsites without actually clawing them to bits; every once in a while his tail lashes with annoyance, or his wings flutter a little when something new is unearthed -- like the odd insignia on the tent scraps.]

Hey, can someone with thumbs come over here? I want to get a better look at this one!

[hmmmmm

hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Vern pokes around the campsites for a while himself, curious but not particularly invested; he does seem to be making a game out of finding the best of the silver rocks and sticking them in a pouch he brought, though. you might find him getting in your space a little for a particularly shiny specimen]

'Scuse me--

[this is what happens when a dragon with hoarding tendencies is one's housemate.]

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Page 1 of 12

[PLAYER PLOT | HUB SCANNING SYSTEM INSTALLATION]

Setting out from the mansion

Flying out

Climbing up

At the summit

Final thoughts and return

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closed to 9s

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