epidemiology | EVENT ★ THE FRACKING FIELDS

EVENT ★ THE FRACKING FIELDS

THE EARTHQUAKE

One day, early in the morning before the mechanical rooster at Amos Zephyr's farm even crows, there's a sudden rumble in the distance. Perdition's Rest shakes and the ground roils, knocking things off shelves and startling the mechanical horses in their pen. Look out the window and you'll see Qorral locals blearily stepping out into the street, murmuring anxiously amongst themselves: Earthquake.

Ever since the argecite mines started to dry up, the Qorral colonists have been turning to fracking in order to pull all available argecite out of the planet as quickly as possible. The technique has caused more and more earthquakes to shake the planet, though the fracking fields are far enough away from the town that damage is minimal.

However, the fields and mines aren't as lucky. The mayor rushes out into the street, his assistant and Sheriff Holladay flanking him, and asks for any willing heroes and adventurers (that means you!) to venture out to the fracking fields and assess the damages. Though the tunnels aren't being actively mined, there were likely miners and other workmen inside, so there will be rescue needed as well. Get your provisions ready and hop on the train: you're going to work.

THE FRACKING FIELDS

The fracking fields are a wide open swath of land peppered with looming, iron machines going on for miles. These machines are the Qorral's final attempt at scraping the last remnants of argecite from the planet before abandoning the colony and moving on for good. This destructive practice is causing obvious instability to the planet, but they don't seem to care. This is what their species does: seeks out argecite, mines it, and moves on.

The fields are dry and dead, with no plants around -- and now, after the earthquake, there are sinkholes. The iron machines are falling into the sinkholes, slowly being swallowed by the planet, with desperate workers trying to pull them back out. They could use the help -- but be sure not to fall in yourself.

Grotesque alien birds circle overhead, searching for the dead or the dying, workers caught in the collapsing earth. Save them before they're swallowed by the earth or swallowed by carrion birds -- and if you're too late, the locals would be happy to have their loved ones returned to them intact.

Also found in the fields is the Argecite Refinery, a massive factory filled with machinery meant for the refining of the crystal before it is to be shipped back to the Qorral home planet. The outside of the factory is surrounded by a 610cm (20 ft) tall electric perimeter fence, whose energy shorts out sporadically after the earthquake cracked the service box. If you're quick enough to make it through one of the gaps in electricity, don't relax quite yet -- there are malfunctioning guard drones throughout the facility, the earthquake rattling their sensors and making it impossible for them to tell friend from foe. The drones resemble dogs, though they are capable of folding their legs in for aerodynamic superiority when they take flight. They are equipped with energy lasers to destroy, sticky glue to slow trespassers, and a thin blade in the tail to poison attackers. The poison is quick-acting, causing hallucinations and fever, but it is not deadly.

Inside the factory, the machinery has collapsed in on itself from the earthquake; electricity sparks from damaged wires, dangerously nearby spilled oil drums or pools of standing water. Fire can start at any second. There are factory workers here that need rescuing, but also a variety of inanimate objects, including barrels of argecite, machinery parts, files, computers, etc. Anything that isn't bolted down needs to be moved outside of the factory before it explodes. Of course, no one is really keeping track of what's inside...

THE MINES

The Qorral have been digging in the mines since arriving on this planet 30 years ago, but recent efforts have shifted to fracking after the argecite veins slowly became depleted. The mines are still maintained by a skeleton crew of workers, making sure there is no build-up of dangerously flammable gas and patrolling the tunnels to look out for cave-ins -- which, after the earthquake, have happened in spades.

The tunnels are winding and deep, turning in on each other and ending in dead ends or sudden, steep drop-offs into the dark. There are workers trapped within, and some at Perdition's Rest have said that their thrill-seeking relatives -- typically teenagers -- have gone missing. It's possible that they have found themselves trapped in the mine, so it may be a good idea to look out for them as well.

And even deeper in the mine, there is a writhing, pale danger: sand worms, blind and hungry, wait in the dark. The earthquake has begun to drive them further up the tunnel, their tooth-lined maws open as they slither through toward the surface. Those focusing on the fields above may find a straggling sand worm or two, thrashing wildly in pain from the unfamiliar heat of the sun. This will definitely put a damper in the rescue and recovery efforts, so take them out as quickly as you can -- with as little damage to the fracking equipment, please.

OOC NOTES

Please direct all questions pertaining to the mission to the dossier page to keep questions and responses in one place for easy player reference. General game questions should be directed to the FAQ.

If you haven't already, make sure you check out the Bounty Board for side missions! Remember you can also request bounty missions or submit player plots at any time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Lucina's first thought is a magic user, similar to that of Laurent. Only ... he carries no tombs ( in fact, despite being in the mines he seems to be lacking any sort of tool to defend himself ). Her head moves to follow the rune as it skates around their immediate area, tensing when it comes into contact with her. Only nothing happens, and ... it's gone. ] How—

[ A brief glance at the man proves her initial assumption to be wrong: he's a spear wielder, only ... that definitely hadn't been there before, right? But while she's startled, it also serves as a reminder that there are other things to focus on. Namely, the sandworm. Questions later, despite the unfamiliarity of it all even she can tell that the rune is going towards something important. ] As you said — "I'm good."

[ She's gone up against worse. One more brief glance back towards her new comrade, and she lunges towards the worm, sword raised for a swing downwards. ]

[ Having companions in ALASTAIR doesn't mean all his friends now are competent fighters, magi, whatever. Meeting one that can keep from asking too many questions, answering with a sword—that's something he can get behind. He spins his spear with a bark of laughter, charging with her.

And so begins the adventure of full-body sweater and full-body tights. As they converge on the worm, it squirms away from Lancer only to fall on Lucina's blade. The noise is makes is guttural, like its lungs are half-formed and squishy as the rest of it, lashing its great body to try and drive them both back.

The rune-engraved stone, meanwhile, skitters to a stop ahead of them. It bounces impatiently, hopping about like a fieldmouse, but waits all the same. Wherever it's leading them, it knows there's no point in skating too far ahead. ]

[ Lancer is skilled — it's easy to see that much, even within the first seconds of battle. They move together, having never fought alongside each other yet never getting in each other's way. Some part of her finds this almost ... refreshing? exhilarating? fighting against monsters without worrying about the fate of her world.

She uses her sword to absorb any impact from the thrashing directed at her, though that doesn't help much against the sheer force the worm exerts. It nearly throws her back — she has to stagger a number of steps, and regaining her balance is a conscious effort.

But she definitely doesn't stop there. The time she initiates the attack, driving the worm towards Lancer's spear. And if she can get a slash of her own in there, more of the squishy body being cut open, then that's a nice bonus in itself. ]

[ Nothing like a good, mindless fight. And for someone nearly bowled over by a giant sand worm, his newfound comrade-in-arms is quick to parry, quicker to strike.

Lucina's blade bites into its side, and he goes for the kill as it's pinned. He dashes with a low, passing spin of his lance, a spiraling slash that tears open the worm's underside. Its skin rips like a package, contents of its belly spilled out between them.

One down. ]

Pretty sharp with that blade, missy.

[ A compliment made on the move, because the worm's barely twitching when he's starting down the dark passageway. There's still work to do, chop chop. ]

[ One down, ideally not as many left ( though with their luck, this will never happen ).

Lucina lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding, straightening her shoulders the moment the monster falls for good.

No time to rest, though — she's right behind him, eyes searching for the strange, almost sentient stone that's been waiting impatiently. ]

Your skills are something to be envied, yourself. [ Another compliment made while on the move, though it definitely begs to be said. ]

Ooh, I'm flattered.

[ There's a note of unexplained humor to his tone as the stone zips around a corner with a sharp turn, scouting every which way before deciding on a path. While it deliberates, Lancer takes the moment to speak, eyes kept on the rock's path. ]

Now that we've both established how good we are...

[ His earrings dangle as he cocks his head, listening for something. The sound of shifting dirt, unstable stone grinding against concrete. Structural instability from the earthquake and the worms tunneling their massive schism through the sand. ]

This place isn't gonna keep standing long. I'm looking for somebody, but we're gonna have to book it on the way out. [ not a great explanation, but it should be enough. ] Or you can head back now.

[ No judgment if she does. He's sure he can make it out in one piece—he wouldn't take a huge risk for something like this—but the idea of staying in an underground cave on the verge of collapse might spook some people. ]

[ Is that even a question he needs to ask? Her first instinct, anyhow, is to ask who he's looking for — but from the way he speaks, they probably don't have time for something like that. Which means they have that much time to find the last of the stragglers, to ensure they can rescue as many as they can before this place comes crumbling to the ground.

She shakes her head, head turning from the runes back to the stranger. ] If you do not mind the company, I'd like to stay. [ "I can take care of myself" goes without saying, the confidence of sorts bleeding through her voice.

If he doesn't want the company, she'll take a different route down the mines, or something. ]

[ Like he'd turn down the company of a lovely lady—though he's in Battle Mode right now, so truthfully, it's more like he's not one to spurn a capable companion. There's something to be said for someone who's willing to jump into the mouth of the underground with a stranger, for a stranger, without asking questions. ]

Don't get me wrong—I'm happy to have you along. Let's get moving.

[ The rune skates back into view, spinning in a tight circle and taking off again to usher them to follow. With that he sends her a nod, then resumes their 'chase.'

The deeper they get into the halls, the deeper the rumble of the incoming worms, ready to burst from the walls at them any second. But under that, something softer—distant shouting, and a panicked string of screams. ]

[ Well, with that settled — Lucina gives a curt, to-the-point nod, expression as serious as ever, and joins in chasing the magical rock further into the mines.

The rumbling is distracting though, so say the least. It puts her on edge ( as it should ), and she can't help but occasionally glance at the walls as if something will suddenly pop out of it. Occasionally her hand flits to her sword, sheathed again, its existence comforting her.

It takes her a little longer before she can hear the screams, and between the running her expression flashes to one of horrified concern. ] How many of them are there...? [ She asks, more at herself rather than at Lancer.

They seem to be getting louder, at least. She can only hope that they get there in time, and get all of them back out. ]

[ He doesn't know, but that's the upside to having a second pair of hands. The berkana rune is simply tracking signs of life—who knew if it'd be enough people to be a hassle for one rescuer.

That, and they can split their attention a bit. Lancer suddenly raises his spear. ]

Go ahead—I got your back.

[ Then, with a shout, he launches forward just as a pair of worms burst out of the dirt-packed walls, ceiling shaking with them. He slashes at one just as it twines free of the other, leaving an opening beneath it. ]

[ Lucina's first reaction is refusal. They should stick together, especially this deep in the mines; too many things can go wrong. She doesn't like the idea of leaving someone behind. Never has, never will.

She slows, hesitating as he lurches forward — in front of her are two giant worms, wrestling as if their lives depended on it. Her hand, on instinct, grips her sword tighter. Her body wants to move to help the strange man with the blood red spear, but the flash of the runes catch her attention again.

But there are people still waiting for them. And in that second her mind is made up. ] I'll be leaving it to you. [ She eventually resigns, voice raising just loudly enough so that Lancer can her. Darting towards the opening that's been created; while it's definitely not tall enough for her to walk through, she can use the momentum she's gaining to slide across the floor, feet first.

Once she's on the other side, she steals one last glance before starting to run again. She just has to trust that Lancer will catch up. ]

[ The two of them can handle themselves, and together, 'victory' is all but guaranteed. That's not true of the rest of the people in the mines, however—and that's why they have to split up. No two ways about it. She seems to understand, and once she makes her ~dashing~ exit, the worms don't have a chance to pursue.

The runic stone does eventually clatter to a stop, light fizzling into a dim afterglow as it dies down. It's accomplished its goal, and in return, there's a frightened group of workers scrambled and packed underneath some equipment, trying to shield themselves from any worms that burrow in through the walls. Some of their number's been picked off already, but it's still a decently sized crew and not a lot of time to act. ]

[ The layout of the mines from that point forward seem simple enough — no confusing twists or turns, nothing that'll have her struggling when she needs to climb back to the surface. Occasionally she thinks she can hear the echos of a fight Lancer is taking part of, but even that dies down soon enough.

Whether that's because she's too far away, or the fight is over, is something she can't decide on.

The workers are wide-eyed, wary of the stranger that appears out of no where. Some of them try to make themselves smaller, while others begin sizing her up, wondering what she's here for. ] You're safe now. [ She reassures, tone leaving no room for argument. They're not out of the mines, the worms could return at any moment, but she's not leaving any of these people behind.

She knows she'll meet up back with Lancer on the way, so — ] How many of you can move? [ Fortunately, all of them raise their hands; there's streaks of blood on some of their bodies, others holding onto half-bandaged limbs, but for the most part, they're okay. Luck is on their side, but the question is for how long. ] Then let's go, quickly!

[ She waits until the small burrow is completely emptied, following behind the group. When those at the front seem to hesitate, she barks out the occasional encouragement. Now, only if she could find Lancer... ]

[ She doesn't have to search long. The next time the mines reverberate, tunnels rumbling—runes sprawl across the walls, keeping them intact as the workers shuffle past, some gasping and groaning at a number of dead sandworms strewn across the path ahead. But they all keep to task, moving urgently as Lancer falls in beside Lucina again. ]

Hey, nice work. [ Said sincerely enough, though there's not much time for tomfoolery. He leaves her to the vanguard, patting her gruffly across the shoulder as he starts off to watch after the back of the pack. ] I'll catch up with you after, yeah?

[ They're both uninjured, and the workers staggering along with them are mostly in one piece. But life's taught him there's always plenty of room for everything to go to shit. They aren't out of the woods yet.

But as he heads off, he has no problem leaving Lucina at the helm—though it's just a first impression, he's got the feeling they'll be just fine. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT ★ THE FRACKING FIELDS

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