Plotlogs
Digging Into Danger Missing In Action Sr Selina 240425
In the shadowy depths of Zambia's Mumbwa Caves, an operation unfolds that is as dangerous as it is clandestine. The locality, rich in archaeological heritage, unknowingly plays host to a dramatic rescue mission undertaken by two determined women, Meridith and Autumn. As the twilight embraces the encampment outside the caves, these women stand on the precipice of venturing into the unknown, their mission twofold: rescue the captured archaeologists and safeguard the cave's historical artifacts from the malevolent hands of Hunters.
The saga commences with Autumn and Meridith arriving at the caves, greeted by the vast expanse of stars that dance above the Zambian landscape. The stark contrast between the bustling life in the United States and the tranquil yet ominous atmosphere of Zambia is palpable. Unbeknownst to the duo, their venture is set against an epic backdrop where the Scalebound Covenant plots to transform the caves into a hatchery for dragons, shrouded from the eyes of the world.
Their interactions with Chulo and the Watcher provide the initial roadmap to their journey. The essence of their task is crystal: extricate the archaeologists while ensuring the cavern's integrity. Yet, woven into their objectives is the perilous reality of traversing a labyrinth rigged with death at every corner. The duo recommits to their quest despite the logistical and emotional hurdles that shadow their every step into the cavern's maw.
The caves, a network of darkness and danger, immediately test their resolve. From the ghastly sight of a Hunter gruesomely affixed to the cave wall by shrapnel, to navigating the myriad of traps with lethal precision, Meridith and Autumn's path is laden with perils that would daunt the bravest of hearts. Yet, the revelation of a monstrous red dragon, Gonthorian, adds an unforeseen layer of complexity to their mission.
In a dramatic confrontation that illuminates the cavern with fire and fury, the women face off against Gonthorian. Powered by resolve and wit, they manage to prevail, only to realize the dragon's true essence - an apparition foreboding a sinister future should it ascend before Shemra, the dragon they seek to protect.
Through teamwork and resilience, Meridith and Autumn free the hostages and navigate their return from the treacherous depths, their spirits singed by the dragon's fire but undefeated. The conclusion of their mission leaves them riddled with questions about the implications of their encounter with Gonthorian, and the realization that their adventure might just be the prelude to an even grander saga.
As they emerge from the darkness of the Mumbwa Caves, the stars overhead bear witness to their triumph. Yet, the night's silence speaks volumes of the challenges that lie ahead - a testament to the enduring spirit of those who dare to venture into danger for the sake of others and the safeguarding of history's delicate tapestry.
(Digging into Danger, Missing in Action(SRSelina):SRSelina)
[Wed Apr 24 2024]
At in an operational tent, outside The Mumbwa Caves
The Mumbwa Caves in Zambia are a rich archaeological site, revealing artifacts from the Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Iron Ages. These caves contain layers of deposits with both animal and human remains, showcasing the advanced skills of their ancient inhabitants. Evidence like hearths and material selection suggests their sophistication. Excavations here are shedding light on the late Pleistocene history of south-central Africa. The Scalebound Covenant intends to use these caves as a hatchery for dragons once cleared and properly glamoured to hide the new, draconic inhabitants.
Currently, the tent has been setup outside the caves to act as a temporary operational base for those potentially going into the caves.
It is dusk, about 59F(15C) degrees,
[OOC: Welcome to Digging into Danger, Missing in Action. I will be your Storyrunner for the evening, and I just want to make a special mention that I love seeing when people use Think, Recall, Feel, Internal, and Attempt to try to do things. I will try to go slow to allow each person to do one decent post per 'round.' If you slide into some Banter, I may stay quiet for a bit, if it is appropriate. If you see a message in all this color, that is a private message, directly to you, which you may act upon, and others may not know any information from it. If you're ready, let us begin...]
However the pair arrive, they make it to Zambia and specifically to the entrance to the Mumbwa Caves. Several authorities have quarantined the area, trying to keep anyone from entering or exiting the caves without detection. An operational tent has been setup in front of one of the entrances, and based on the number of people exiting and entering said tent, it is the central hub for the operation taking place in the area. Those that paid attention to the operation earlier in the afternoon might have noticed something peculiar about the combatants in the nightmare. But the dispersing of the combatants there has led to tighter security and possibly lower resistance in the cave, as local authorities may have had a chance to do some initial rounding up of the people in the caves.
With some assistance from an ally with pathing, Autumn arrives outside the cave and surveys the area. "I have never been here outside of nightmare before," she murmurs until her gaze falls upon the operational tent and she tilts her head a bit.
Meridith nods to Autumn appreciatively. "Thank you for joining me, I didn't wanna take this one on alone," she offers. She follows along slowly with her, eyes tracing around her former battlefield. She looks back to Autumn once more. "We need to meet with the watcher and find out what is going on in this place."
Autumn nods her head back to Meridith when she finds her. "Right," she replies before she walks to tag along with the other woman.
Late night in Zambia feels different than in the United States. Where civilization allows lights and streets and people to be all around on the other side of the ocean, in Zambia, outside of some flood lights pointed at the cave entrance and around a couple of paths, inky darkness surrounds the makeshift encampment around the caves. Above, the skies are filled with stars, despite the surrounding safety lights, and the sky is entirely clear of clouds, no chance of precipitation in sight. A warm breeze blows compared to the New England area, carrying warmth and humidity.
If anyone would know where the Watcher is, they would be in that command tent. Which, if the pair decide to go into it, they would indeed find the Watcher they seek. A table in the middle of the tent holds dozens of papers, maps, writing implements, and markers for the map. Two people inside do most of the talking, one is an African man, emphatically explaining to the weathered European chap that the perimeter of the quarantine has captured more than a dozen people fleeing from the various entrances. As the two women enter, they stop though and turn to look at them. "You must be the Haven team," the older European says, British accent coming out strong. "Come in, we were just discussing the events from earlier. Apparently, the cave started echoing with dragon roars and scared a bunch of the Hunters out," he explains, motioning toward the African man, likely Michelo Chulo by process of elimination.
Meridith moves along into the cave, she's wary. She just fought a bunch of people here after all, and intel on who or what she should be expecting was sparse. Her eyes trace to the two, the local and the decided unlocal man. She nods her head in confirmation of the title. "Meridith Walker, of the Covenant," she declares. She nods warmly to Michelo Chulo, familiar with him to some degree, she helped get him this job after all.
Approaching the two men, Autumn adjusts the cloak covering her body and speaks. "That is right," she tells the Watcher with a glance at the maps. "And I am Autumn Lynx of Order. I have heard of Hunters before and I believe they come in two kinds. Ones who hunt animals and those who hunt supernaturals..."
Meridith clears her throat gazing at Autumn. She leans over to whisper
"Capital H Hunters. The ones that hunt supers," Michelo confirms to Autumn with a stoic nod. "Our reports indicate they believed fortifying this area before the Covenant could get a tight hold would allow them to ... hunt the dragons when they showed up," he continues with obvious disgust in his tone.
"Regardless," the older Watcher says, looking over at the two women. "The archaeologists have been taken, possibly tortured or killed, we do not know. None of the ones we captured have said one way or another. Our primary concern is getting them out safely. Secondary is not damaging the cave. There are still things to be found of historical significance," the old man tells the group, looking back and forth as the women whisper.
"The main issue now is finding all of the hunters and the hostages," Chulo agrees to some degree, motioning toward the maps on the table. "We have all the known entrances covered, so no one should be able to get in and out without us knowing. But this is also an enemy that has had the better part of a week to prepare for someone to come after them in those holes. I would expect heavy resistance," he shares as his bit of wisdom on the matter. He gets a copy of the map and offers it to the women, along with a radio, a couple of flashlights, and a radio. "The entrance outside is marked on the map. Good luck, unless you need something else?" Chulo asks the pair in front of him.
Meridith nods back to Autumn following their short aside. She turns her gaze to Michelo. "Whatever the fate of what is in here is, it will be decided by us, not those despicable monsters," she states plainly.
Meridith shakes her head at Chulo. "Some back up, would be nice," she notes pretty plainly. "Seems poor that we're expected to do all the heavy lifting," she remarks with an eyebrow raised.
"Yes," Autumn speaks with a nod of her head after her whispering. "We will not let dragons and hostages be in danger and protect them from Hunters."
"My forces are spread thin maintaining the quarantine, miss. Anyone that I spare to go with you opens a hole where the vermin might escape the sinking ship," Chulo says to Meridith apologetically. He gives her a feigned smile and says, "The Voice has assured me that you can handle some Hunters with ease. And I trust her judgment." Then Chulo bows slightly toward Meridith and looks over at the Watcher to see if he has anything to contribute.
"I'm too old to go rooting around in a cave filled with Hunters. Bad enough going down there in the cold season when I'm not getting shot at or kidnapped," the European replies with a shrug of his shoulders. "My understanding of the layout though, if you stick to left turns, you should end up at the largest cavern. If I were betting on where they'd be, that's where I'd wager," he tells them with a curt nod.
Some folks believe helping others to help yourself is the way to be, but clearly these two want nothing to do with going in the caves while Hunters are on the loose. Chulo, obviously, is a supernatural, and likely wants to stay that way. The old man just has a decent excuse.
Meridith exhales and waves a hand. "Whatever," she says softly. "Let the pregnant girl and her friend beat up all the bad guys while you sit about. I expect some glowing praise when we effortlessly pull this off," she insists saucily, hands on her hips
"...I see," Autumn slowly nods at Chulo and the Watcher and glances at Meridith. "If scent trail of Hunters or their hostages have not completely disappeared, maybe I can also track them while sticking to path."
"Just think, you pull this off, you get to tell the Voice you have removed an enemy from a fortified position and turned it into a base that can be used as a hatchery for when Shemra ascends to the skies," Chulo tells Meridith, but he gives her a smile. "To the victor the spoils and the acclaim," he adds after a moment.
The Watcher gives Chulo a long look, then tells Meridith, "If I were twenty years younger, I'd have already gone down there and dragged them out by their ears. Alas, time has not been so kind."
Since the pair are unlikely to get support from the thinly stretched authorities in the area, they will just have to go it alone. Two against an unknown horde of Hunters that want to kill them and then hunt the dragons that will one day seek refuge in Zambia.
The entrance just outside the tent is large enough for the women to walk into side by side without stooping. The ground inside slopes gently downward, worn by feet from many archaeological digs in the past. In some places, there are even hand rails to help protect people from falling into holes along the sides of the path down into the darkness.
Meridith rolls her eyes at Chulo's brown nosing and waves her hand some. Though, for Shemra, she offers a faint smile. She looks to the watcher and nods some, but since she doesn't find any help she simply gazes at Autumn and nods. "We'll be enough together," she assures her.
Autumn nods in agreement with Meridith. "Right," she replies to the other woman. "Plus, I can summon my familiar in case things get tough."
The cave continues to spiral down and around, but thankfully, there is no rain in this part of Africa that the pair needs to worry about getting out of. Instead, they come across something rather chilling. A man, a Hunter by his garb and armament, has been stapled to the cave wall. There looks like an explosion occurred. The man is obviously dead, based on the number of punctures and the volume of dried blood adorning him and the slivers of metal holding him up. He could not be more than six hours dead, roughly in time with the completion of the operation earlier in the day (or yesterday by Zambian time).
There have been no branches yet, so this person almost made it to the entrance before his unfortunate demise found him. He has a couple of grenades, a rifle, some ammo, and some bandages he did not get to use. But they are also splattered with blood already.
Meridith keeps her path along the left side path. A typical strategy for most maze solving, not perfect but usually fine enough. She hesitates, as they find the man stapled to the wall. Her brows raise some as she looks upon the silver metal holding him up. "Silver...?" She examines it, is it like that the Temple uses for restraints? A kind used for hunting werewolves...? She hesitates.
Meridith hesitates, realizing it is indeed not silver, it is shrapnel
"Be careful, Meri," Autumn murmurs as she scans the ground and examines something. "This cave must be full of traps." She then sniffs around the area to find any scents before she turns to Meridith. "This must have been caused by some bomb."
Meridith says "Factional in fighting? Looks like a grenade, of which they have several. Mind control, perhaps?"
Autumn says "Maybe. "
Spikes of metal have skewered the man's body and nailed him to the cave wall. He probably has some zip ties on him somewhere if Meridith takes the time to look. Probably also splattered with blood, given the grisly scene. The actual metal seems to be steel, though it is not stainless based on the dull coloration where blood does not conceal the metal shards entirely.
Aside from the scents of death, blood, and fire powder, most would not be able to smell anything useful. Only capable drug dogs or the supernatural could track something out of this.
Meridith snags some of the gear. She of course, has such abilities as a member of the supernatural and trains her sense of smell, searching about the cave slowly, to see what she notices.
Meridith wrinkles her nose, disgust on her features. "Yes, traps. I'll lead, we'll go slow, keep your eyes peeled," she notes to Autumn, wary.
Autumn cringes while she catches a scent, and she turns to follow Meridith. "Okay," she replies to the other woman. "I will."
As the women go down the tunnel further, there are occasional rumbling noises heard from deeper down. The flashlights offer some visibility, but not a lot. And trying to look out for traps is harder than one might think when visibility is limited. A short ways down, the pair find a fishing line strung across the tunnel at Autumn's eye level. This string turns out to be connected to a an explosive rigged to collapse the tunnel. And at this point, the pair might realize they are not necessarily down here to fight Hunters, but to avoid the traps until they can find the hostages. Many of the Hunters might already be captured or killed from the traps. But many traps still remain.
Meridith gazes at Autumn as she spots the wire and winces. "This is so fucking stupid, what am I doing here," she complains quietly. One wrong step and that's it...?
"There's another one," Autumn tells Meridith in a hushed voice upon finding the string. "We don't want to trip and go boom." Approaching the string slowly, she raises one foot and goes over the line, making sure not to trip before she turns to aid Meridith.
Meridith follows after Autumn, following her instruction. If she knew anything about such devices she'd disarm it, but...better not to mess with it. She uses her blade to strike along the wall for their return
The pair duck under that particular line, since it is at eye level. But it remains a threat if the pair return in this direction. A fishing line cannot conduct electricity, but it might also have a pressure catch on the other end. But if they eave it alone, they continue down the tunnel and come to the first branch, which has four directions besides they one they came down. A slow perusal of the pathways will reveal traps on every single one of them, in some fashion or another. A smoke grenade rigged on one. An frag grenade on another. An improvised dart with a gas cannister hooked up to another, no doubt laced with poison of some sort. And on the left most path, another land mine is visible, though the trigger for it is not.
Meridith is going left hand wall for navigation, so, likely whatever path is left most along the wall, which she stays near and traverses very slowly. Her night vision is solid, but far from perfect, but he eyesight is also solid.
Looking between the tunnels, Autumn moves to follow Meridith and examines the left-most tunnel. Her lips are pursed as she attempts to see any trap triggers with her basic night vision but acute eyes.
[ooc: This might be a good time for a break. Everyone go ahead and take a 10-15 minute break, be back by 2230 Haven time, please. We'll get back to Autumn Walker and the Last Crusade after that!]
Neither woman can seem to find the trigger for the land mine down the left most corridor. No trip wires seem to be strung. No visible lines are drawn to the land mine. Taking a few moments to investigate further, they eventually spot several mirrors, hidden behind various rocks. While between each of those mirrors, they cannot see anything, but they do see a tiny red dot on each of the mirrors. The Watcher had said that was the way to get to the main area he suspected the Hunters were. But he did not know about the traps. If they do not want to mess with that one, perhaps one of the other tunnels will prove less difficult to traverse. But maybe not lead to the correct place.
Meridith frowns and gazes at the mirror, then at the mine. "Hm...break the light, it explodes, would it bring the place down?" she asks.
Meridith says "Really could have used a demolitions expert..."
"If this is where it leads to Hunters, how did they get through it?" Autumn wonders, examining the mirrors. "Unless Hunters are ones who set this up... And yeah."
Meridith says "They must have, perhaps planned to lead their quarry to it...or to keep others from following in suit..."
The hostage rescuers find themselves at a bit of an impasse. The way they were directed to go is trapped. Without a way to disarm this particular trap, they are almost guaranteed to set it off with the angles of the mirrors and everything including some vertical and diagonal lines.
As they wait, watching the left-most path to try to move forward somewhere down one of the other tunnels, a deafening roar reverberates through the caves. This is followed by a scream, then an explosion, and another scream, this one ending in a death rattle.
Meridith motions Autumn to get back behind cover, staring at the sound in horror.
With a nod of her head, Autumn follows Meridith and gets behind. "So that's roar that's scaring Hunters away," she murmurs.
Meridith reaches out, a reckless use of telekinesis. She reaches out to the mine and centers herself...then flings it with all her might down the tunnel
The land mine goes flying down the tunnel, but before it hits any walls, it certainly detonates in an concussive blast. The cave walls rattle with the noise, and bits of metal flash all over the tunnel in the opposite direction, peppering the cave with slivers and balls of metal like confetti, but stirring up dust, rocks, and sparks as they break off bits of the cave wall in their path. That at least gives the pair enough room to duck down that tunnel before whatever was in the other tunnel comes looking for them. As they pass the claymore blast, it seems there are fewer traps down this tunnel. Sure, an occasional trip wire and gas grenade or something, but no more mines or explosives to bring the cave down. This area of the cave seems a little more used. Lots of foot prints, and it curls down into a large cavern. There, the rescuers can see a barred off section of cave. Two Hunters sit guard in front of those bars. Beyond the bars, archaeologists huddle in fear, staying away from both Hunters, bars, and roaring monster whatever it might be.
"Only two guards?" Autumn quietly says to Meridith. "Unless there's more hostages held in other places, we should subdue those two from afar."
Meridith shakes her head. "Nobody when attacked turns and just attacks the hostages," she declares, perhaps over confidently. "But yes, strike fast and hard, take them down. I've got my bow at the ready, when you're ready, we'll strike?"
Opening her backpack, Autumn pulls out her bow from inside and wields it in her left hand before she turns to face the Hunters. "Want me to burn one of their armor?" She wonders of Meridith while she readies her left hand.
Meridith pulls her bow and draws an arrow. Outside of haven, one must be prepared to kill. In truth, she doesn't mind it, in truth? She probably enjoys it. When the target deserves it. These hunters, well, probably wouldn't fit the bill of not for the hostages...and all the traps. "Yes," she notes, motioning to her quarry. "I'll take this, you take the other, then pivot once your target is dealt with," she notes. Then counts down from three, and fires.
Catching a pair of normal, mundane humans, even if they are Hunters, unaware with a coordinated assault and even some magic to boot? The fight does not last long, in all honesty. A few rounds of arrows, a couple of gunshots that echo annoyingly in the cave, and there are two unconscious men passed out on the floor in front of the barred hostages. The Hunters may survive if they don't lose much blood. The hostages cower even more as the fight breaks out, but once the Hunters are dealt with, they start to realize Meridith and Autumn may be there to save them. "Oh thank goodness!" one of the archaeologists says, moving over to the bars. He points at one of the fallen men and says, "They have the keys. And remote controls for the traps. We heard them discussing it."
Meridith nods to them, moving cautiously across the cave, she gazes down at the bodies and a dark expression passes her face before she looks for the keys and remote.
With a gesture of her left hand, the bracelet on that hand glows as the other Hunter's armor smoulders before Autumn shoots an arrow to his knee. "I see," she nods, strapping the bow behind her back and, slowly walking towards the man, she rumages through his pockets for the items.
The pair are able to find the keys and remote devices for many of the traps littered in the place. They get the hostages free, and provided they can remember the way out and not set off too many more traps, they may be able to get out of this in relatively short order. Another roar is heard elsewhere in the caves through one of the other tunnels that leads down into the cavern. Someone else screams, and then there is a sickening chomping noise. Whatever terrorized the Hunters is still down here, and while Meridith and Autumn may want to investigate it, the hostages certainly do not!
Meridith disables what traps she can and then picks a hostage she trusts. "Right hand on wall, you'll find your way back out," she offers the remote. "Take this, use it to disable the rest." She turns to Autumn and nods. Their work isn't done with yet.
"We should get these people out- Yeah, also good idea," Autumn turns her head to nod at Meridith. She then looks at the hostages before she looks back to the other woman.
Meridith says "We could also split. I could go ahead, you lead the hostages back, then rejoin me?"
Autumn says "Yeah. "
The archaeologists waste no time taking the remote and right hand wall walking their way the hell out of here. They probably know the caves better than anyone else, but in their current state, simple instructions are probably best. If someone wants to follow the hostages, they can. But they are ready to book it the hell out of this nightmare.
About the time the hostages get into the tunnel leading out though, quaking steps herald the arrival of the source of the roar: An adult, red dragon. Shemra might be cute and adorable in her hatchling form, spirit eidolon or not. This dragon is an example of why dragons are feared. Red eyes that gleam like rubies in the noonday sun. Two tons of solid muscle, armored in titanium-hard red scales, armed with fangs the size of a human's forearm and claws that are each the size of a scimitar. "There you are. I was wondering when you would arrive," the red dragon snarls at Meridith and Autumn. It draws in a deep breath, and fire starts to well up in its chest and neck!
Meridith's eyes take in the impossible form of this creature. One she did not even truly believe existed on earth. She is harrowed, and awed, and all other sorts of emotions. But, as he speaks, she scowls. She wake up, and the rather short woman throws a hand forward. "Halt! You are transgressing against the Scalebound Covenant!" She bellows. "We are not here to hunt you!"
"Yes, we are not like those Hunters who want to harm dragons," Autumn speaks, looking up at the dragon in awe.
"No, I am here to hunt you!" the red dragon bellows before his head lurches forward, his mouth wide. Fire continues to build from inside his neck and chest, spewing forth a gout of molten liquid that flies toward Meridith and Autumn. "I am Gonthorian! And I am here to burn your world!" the mighty draconic entity roars thunderously in the cavern. He starts to bob his head from side to side then, sputtering up more fire to add to the first volley. Then he starts surging forward to try to swipe a claw at either of the women that his fires might have missed. He has no specific target, either will do to him.
Meridith scowls. "I am not prey!" she bellows defiantly as she moves to sprint to onside. "Flank! Autumn!" She shouts, springing with a force of telekinesis as he lets out a gout of flame towards them. She pivots and tries to steady her aim, body alight with adrenaline as she draws an arrow, aims, and fires at the drake.
"Ack!" Autumn steps back when the liquid is spewed. "Come, Ifrit!" Chanting words of power, she glances at the puff of black smoke that her fiery-winged, glowing salamander familiar would arrive and she pulls out her bow once more. "On it," she replies as she moves to flank Meridith and fires an arrow at the hostile dragon.
Instead of arrows tinking off scales, the arrows pass right through the massive red dragon, as it becomes semi-transparent. He begins to laugh, causing the cavern to shake with the force of the noise. "It will not be so easy. Yours is not the only dragon seeking to rise. I will get there first, and the sky will rain ashes for a century in my wake," the dragon informs Meridith and Autumn before fading out of existence entirely, leaving only the frightful realization that there was a dragon here that attacked the Hunters to disperse them. Did the ripples from the Operation earlier cause that? Or did another cult summon Gonthorian? What will happen if he Ascends before Shemra? The pair are left with far more questions than answers at this point.
But on the mission at hand, rescuing hostages and facing the trap filled caverns, and not dying to the dispersed Hunters, they certainly succeeded. Once they make their way out of the cave, singed but not really harmed, they can make their reports and get headed back to Haven. There is work to be done.
[OOC: Thank you for coming along on this little adventure. Give me a moment to do some behind the scenes stuff, and if you have any desired awards from your Adventure XP, feel free to let me know!]
The saga commences with Autumn and Meridith arriving at the caves, greeted by the vast expanse of stars that dance above the Zambian landscape. The stark contrast between the bustling life in the United States and the tranquil yet ominous atmosphere of Zambia is palpable. Unbeknownst to the duo, their venture is set against an epic backdrop where the Scalebound Covenant plots to transform the caves into a hatchery for dragons, shrouded from the eyes of the world.
Their interactions with Chulo and the Watcher provide the initial roadmap to their journey. The essence of their task is crystal: extricate the archaeologists while ensuring the cavern's integrity. Yet, woven into their objectives is the perilous reality of traversing a labyrinth rigged with death at every corner. The duo recommits to their quest despite the logistical and emotional hurdles that shadow their every step into the cavern's maw.
The caves, a network of darkness and danger, immediately test their resolve. From the ghastly sight of a Hunter gruesomely affixed to the cave wall by shrapnel, to navigating the myriad of traps with lethal precision, Meridith and Autumn's path is laden with perils that would daunt the bravest of hearts. Yet, the revelation of a monstrous red dragon, Gonthorian, adds an unforeseen layer of complexity to their mission.
In a dramatic confrontation that illuminates the cavern with fire and fury, the women face off against Gonthorian. Powered by resolve and wit, they manage to prevail, only to realize the dragon's true essence - an apparition foreboding a sinister future should it ascend before Shemra, the dragon they seek to protect.
Through teamwork and resilience, Meridith and Autumn free the hostages and navigate their return from the treacherous depths, their spirits singed by the dragon's fire but undefeated. The conclusion of their mission leaves them riddled with questions about the implications of their encounter with Gonthorian, and the realization that their adventure might just be the prelude to an even grander saga.
As they emerge from the darkness of the Mumbwa Caves, the stars overhead bear witness to their triumph. Yet, the night's silence speaks volumes of the challenges that lie ahead - a testament to the enduring spirit of those who dare to venture into danger for the sake of others and the safeguarding of history's delicate tapestry.
(Digging into Danger, Missing in Action(SRSelina):SRSelina)
[Wed Apr 24 2024]
At in an operational tent, outside The Mumbwa Caves
The Mumbwa Caves in Zambia are a rich archaeological site, revealing artifacts from the Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Iron Ages. These caves contain layers of deposits with both animal and human remains, showcasing the advanced skills of their ancient inhabitants. Evidence like hearths and material selection suggests their sophistication. Excavations here are shedding light on the late Pleistocene history of south-central Africa. The Scalebound Covenant intends to use these caves as a hatchery for dragons once cleared and properly glamoured to hide the new, draconic inhabitants.
Currently, the tent has been setup outside the caves to act as a temporary operational base for those potentially going into the caves.
It is dusk, about 59F(15C) degrees,
[OOC: Welcome to Digging into Danger, Missing in Action. I will be your Storyrunner for the evening, and I just want to make a special mention that I love seeing when people use Think, Recall, Feel, Internal, and Attempt to try to do things. I will try to go slow to allow each person to do one decent post per 'round.' If you slide into some Banter, I may stay quiet for a bit, if it is appropriate. If you see a message in all this color, that is a private message, directly to you, which you may act upon, and others may not know any information from it. If you're ready, let us begin...]
However the pair arrive, they make it to Zambia and specifically to the entrance to the Mumbwa Caves. Several authorities have quarantined the area, trying to keep anyone from entering or exiting the caves without detection. An operational tent has been setup in front of one of the entrances, and based on the number of people exiting and entering said tent, it is the central hub for the operation taking place in the area. Those that paid attention to the operation earlier in the afternoon might have noticed something peculiar about the combatants in the nightmare. But the dispersing of the combatants there has led to tighter security and possibly lower resistance in the cave, as local authorities may have had a chance to do some initial rounding up of the people in the caves.
With some assistance from an ally with pathing, Autumn arrives outside the cave and surveys the area. "I have never been here outside of nightmare before," she murmurs until her gaze falls upon the operational tent and she tilts her head a bit.
Meridith nods to Autumn appreciatively. "Thank you for joining me, I didn't wanna take this one on alone," she offers. She follows along slowly with her, eyes tracing around her former battlefield. She looks back to Autumn once more. "We need to meet with the watcher and find out what is going on in this place."
Autumn nods her head back to Meridith when she finds her. "Right," she replies before she walks to tag along with the other woman.
Late night in Zambia feels different than in the United States. Where civilization allows lights and streets and people to be all around on the other side of the ocean, in Zambia, outside of some flood lights pointed at the cave entrance and around a couple of paths, inky darkness surrounds the makeshift encampment around the caves. Above, the skies are filled with stars, despite the surrounding safety lights, and the sky is entirely clear of clouds, no chance of precipitation in sight. A warm breeze blows compared to the New England area, carrying warmth and humidity.
If anyone would know where the Watcher is, they would be in that command tent. Which, if the pair decide to go into it, they would indeed find the Watcher they seek. A table in the middle of the tent holds dozens of papers, maps, writing implements, and markers for the map. Two people inside do most of the talking, one is an African man, emphatically explaining to the weathered European chap that the perimeter of the quarantine has captured more than a dozen people fleeing from the various entrances. As the two women enter, they stop though and turn to look at them. "You must be the Haven team," the older European says, British accent coming out strong. "Come in, we were just discussing the events from earlier. Apparently, the cave started echoing with dragon roars and scared a bunch of the Hunters out," he explains, motioning toward the African man, likely Michelo Chulo by process of elimination.
Meridith moves along into the cave, she's wary. She just fought a bunch of people here after all, and intel on who or what she should be expecting was sparse. Her eyes trace to the two, the local and the decided unlocal man. She nods her head in confirmation of the title. "Meridith Walker, of the Covenant," she declares. She nods warmly to Michelo Chulo, familiar with him to some degree, she helped get him this job after all.
Approaching the two men, Autumn adjusts the cloak covering her body and speaks. "That is right," she tells the Watcher with a glance at the maps. "And I am Autumn Lynx of Order. I have heard of Hunters before and I believe they come in two kinds. Ones who hunt animals and those who hunt supernaturals..."
Meridith clears her throat gazing at Autumn. She leans over to whisper
"Capital H Hunters. The ones that hunt supers," Michelo confirms to Autumn with a stoic nod. "Our reports indicate they believed fortifying this area before the Covenant could get a tight hold would allow them to ... hunt the dragons when they showed up," he continues with obvious disgust in his tone.
"Regardless," the older Watcher says, looking over at the two women. "The archaeologists have been taken, possibly tortured or killed, we do not know. None of the ones we captured have said one way or another. Our primary concern is getting them out safely. Secondary is not damaging the cave. There are still things to be found of historical significance," the old man tells the group, looking back and forth as the women whisper.
"The main issue now is finding all of the hunters and the hostages," Chulo agrees to some degree, motioning toward the maps on the table. "We have all the known entrances covered, so no one should be able to get in and out without us knowing. But this is also an enemy that has had the better part of a week to prepare for someone to come after them in those holes. I would expect heavy resistance," he shares as his bit of wisdom on the matter. He gets a copy of the map and offers it to the women, along with a radio, a couple of flashlights, and a radio. "The entrance outside is marked on the map. Good luck, unless you need something else?" Chulo asks the pair in front of him.
Meridith nods back to Autumn following their short aside. She turns her gaze to Michelo. "Whatever the fate of what is in here is, it will be decided by us, not those despicable monsters," she states plainly.
Meridith shakes her head at Chulo. "Some back up, would be nice," she notes pretty plainly. "Seems poor that we're expected to do all the heavy lifting," she remarks with an eyebrow raised.
"Yes," Autumn speaks with a nod of her head after her whispering. "We will not let dragons and hostages be in danger and protect them from Hunters."
"My forces are spread thin maintaining the quarantine, miss. Anyone that I spare to go with you opens a hole where the vermin might escape the sinking ship," Chulo says to Meridith apologetically. He gives her a feigned smile and says, "The Voice has assured me that you can handle some Hunters with ease. And I trust her judgment." Then Chulo bows slightly toward Meridith and looks over at the Watcher to see if he has anything to contribute.
"I'm too old to go rooting around in a cave filled with Hunters. Bad enough going down there in the cold season when I'm not getting shot at or kidnapped," the European replies with a shrug of his shoulders. "My understanding of the layout though, if you stick to left turns, you should end up at the largest cavern. If I were betting on where they'd be, that's where I'd wager," he tells them with a curt nod.
Some folks believe helping others to help yourself is the way to be, but clearly these two want nothing to do with going in the caves while Hunters are on the loose. Chulo, obviously, is a supernatural, and likely wants to stay that way. The old man just has a decent excuse.
Meridith exhales and waves a hand. "Whatever," she says softly. "Let the pregnant girl and her friend beat up all the bad guys while you sit about. I expect some glowing praise when we effortlessly pull this off," she insists saucily, hands on her hips
"...I see," Autumn slowly nods at Chulo and the Watcher and glances at Meridith. "If scent trail of Hunters or their hostages have not completely disappeared, maybe I can also track them while sticking to path."
"Just think, you pull this off, you get to tell the Voice you have removed an enemy from a fortified position and turned it into a base that can be used as a hatchery for when Shemra ascends to the skies," Chulo tells Meridith, but he gives her a smile. "To the victor the spoils and the acclaim," he adds after a moment.
The Watcher gives Chulo a long look, then tells Meridith, "If I were twenty years younger, I'd have already gone down there and dragged them out by their ears. Alas, time has not been so kind."
Since the pair are unlikely to get support from the thinly stretched authorities in the area, they will just have to go it alone. Two against an unknown horde of Hunters that want to kill them and then hunt the dragons that will one day seek refuge in Zambia.
The entrance just outside the tent is large enough for the women to walk into side by side without stooping. The ground inside slopes gently downward, worn by feet from many archaeological digs in the past. In some places, there are even hand rails to help protect people from falling into holes along the sides of the path down into the darkness.
Meridith rolls her eyes at Chulo's brown nosing and waves her hand some. Though, for Shemra, she offers a faint smile. She looks to the watcher and nods some, but since she doesn't find any help she simply gazes at Autumn and nods. "We'll be enough together," she assures her.
Autumn nods in agreement with Meridith. "Right," she replies to the other woman. "Plus, I can summon my familiar in case things get tough."
The cave continues to spiral down and around, but thankfully, there is no rain in this part of Africa that the pair needs to worry about getting out of. Instead, they come across something rather chilling. A man, a Hunter by his garb and armament, has been stapled to the cave wall. There looks like an explosion occurred. The man is obviously dead, based on the number of punctures and the volume of dried blood adorning him and the slivers of metal holding him up. He could not be more than six hours dead, roughly in time with the completion of the operation earlier in the day (or yesterday by Zambian time).
There have been no branches yet, so this person almost made it to the entrance before his unfortunate demise found him. He has a couple of grenades, a rifle, some ammo, and some bandages he did not get to use. But they are also splattered with blood already.
Meridith keeps her path along the left side path. A typical strategy for most maze solving, not perfect but usually fine enough. She hesitates, as they find the man stapled to the wall. Her brows raise some as she looks upon the silver metal holding him up. "Silver...?" She examines it, is it like that the Temple uses for restraints? A kind used for hunting werewolves...? She hesitates.
Meridith hesitates, realizing it is indeed not silver, it is shrapnel
"Be careful, Meri," Autumn murmurs as she scans the ground and examines something. "This cave must be full of traps." She then sniffs around the area to find any scents before she turns to Meridith. "This must have been caused by some bomb."
Meridith says "Factional in fighting? Looks like a grenade, of which they have several. Mind control, perhaps?"
Autumn says "Maybe. "
Spikes of metal have skewered the man's body and nailed him to the cave wall. He probably has some zip ties on him somewhere if Meridith takes the time to look. Probably also splattered with blood, given the grisly scene. The actual metal seems to be steel, though it is not stainless based on the dull coloration where blood does not conceal the metal shards entirely.
Aside from the scents of death, blood, and fire powder, most would not be able to smell anything useful. Only capable drug dogs or the supernatural could track something out of this.
Meridith snags some of the gear. She of course, has such abilities as a member of the supernatural and trains her sense of smell, searching about the cave slowly, to see what she notices.
Meridith wrinkles her nose, disgust on her features. "Yes, traps. I'll lead, we'll go slow, keep your eyes peeled," she notes to Autumn, wary.
Autumn cringes while she catches a scent, and she turns to follow Meridith. "Okay," she replies to the other woman. "I will."
As the women go down the tunnel further, there are occasional rumbling noises heard from deeper down. The flashlights offer some visibility, but not a lot. And trying to look out for traps is harder than one might think when visibility is limited. A short ways down, the pair find a fishing line strung across the tunnel at Autumn's eye level. This string turns out to be connected to a an explosive rigged to collapse the tunnel. And at this point, the pair might realize they are not necessarily down here to fight Hunters, but to avoid the traps until they can find the hostages. Many of the Hunters might already be captured or killed from the traps. But many traps still remain.
Meridith gazes at Autumn as she spots the wire and winces. "This is so fucking stupid, what am I doing here," she complains quietly. One wrong step and that's it...?
"There's another one," Autumn tells Meridith in a hushed voice upon finding the string. "We don't want to trip and go boom." Approaching the string slowly, she raises one foot and goes over the line, making sure not to trip before she turns to aid Meridith.
Meridith follows after Autumn, following her instruction. If she knew anything about such devices she'd disarm it, but...better not to mess with it. She uses her blade to strike along the wall for their return
The pair duck under that particular line, since it is at eye level. But it remains a threat if the pair return in this direction. A fishing line cannot conduct electricity, but it might also have a pressure catch on the other end. But if they eave it alone, they continue down the tunnel and come to the first branch, which has four directions besides they one they came down. A slow perusal of the pathways will reveal traps on every single one of them, in some fashion or another. A smoke grenade rigged on one. An frag grenade on another. An improvised dart with a gas cannister hooked up to another, no doubt laced with poison of some sort. And on the left most path, another land mine is visible, though the trigger for it is not.
Meridith is going left hand wall for navigation, so, likely whatever path is left most along the wall, which she stays near and traverses very slowly. Her night vision is solid, but far from perfect, but he eyesight is also solid.
Looking between the tunnels, Autumn moves to follow Meridith and examines the left-most tunnel. Her lips are pursed as she attempts to see any trap triggers with her basic night vision but acute eyes.
[ooc: This might be a good time for a break. Everyone go ahead and take a 10-15 minute break, be back by 2230 Haven time, please. We'll get back to Autumn Walker and the Last Crusade after that!]
Neither woman can seem to find the trigger for the land mine down the left most corridor. No trip wires seem to be strung. No visible lines are drawn to the land mine. Taking a few moments to investigate further, they eventually spot several mirrors, hidden behind various rocks. While between each of those mirrors, they cannot see anything, but they do see a tiny red dot on each of the mirrors. The Watcher had said that was the way to get to the main area he suspected the Hunters were. But he did not know about the traps. If they do not want to mess with that one, perhaps one of the other tunnels will prove less difficult to traverse. But maybe not lead to the correct place.
Meridith frowns and gazes at the mirror, then at the mine. "Hm...break the light, it explodes, would it bring the place down?" she asks.
Meridith says "Really could have used a demolitions expert..."
"If this is where it leads to Hunters, how did they get through it?" Autumn wonders, examining the mirrors. "Unless Hunters are ones who set this up... And yeah."
Meridith says "They must have, perhaps planned to lead their quarry to it...or to keep others from following in suit..."
The hostage rescuers find themselves at a bit of an impasse. The way they were directed to go is trapped. Without a way to disarm this particular trap, they are almost guaranteed to set it off with the angles of the mirrors and everything including some vertical and diagonal lines.
As they wait, watching the left-most path to try to move forward somewhere down one of the other tunnels, a deafening roar reverberates through the caves. This is followed by a scream, then an explosion, and another scream, this one ending in a death rattle.
Meridith motions Autumn to get back behind cover, staring at the sound in horror.
With a nod of her head, Autumn follows Meridith and gets behind. "So that's roar that's scaring Hunters away," she murmurs.
Meridith reaches out, a reckless use of telekinesis. She reaches out to the mine and centers herself...then flings it with all her might down the tunnel
The land mine goes flying down the tunnel, but before it hits any walls, it certainly detonates in an concussive blast. The cave walls rattle with the noise, and bits of metal flash all over the tunnel in the opposite direction, peppering the cave with slivers and balls of metal like confetti, but stirring up dust, rocks, and sparks as they break off bits of the cave wall in their path. That at least gives the pair enough room to duck down that tunnel before whatever was in the other tunnel comes looking for them. As they pass the claymore blast, it seems there are fewer traps down this tunnel. Sure, an occasional trip wire and gas grenade or something, but no more mines or explosives to bring the cave down. This area of the cave seems a little more used. Lots of foot prints, and it curls down into a large cavern. There, the rescuers can see a barred off section of cave. Two Hunters sit guard in front of those bars. Beyond the bars, archaeologists huddle in fear, staying away from both Hunters, bars, and roaring monster whatever it might be.
"Only two guards?" Autumn quietly says to Meridith. "Unless there's more hostages held in other places, we should subdue those two from afar."
Meridith shakes her head. "Nobody when attacked turns and just attacks the hostages," she declares, perhaps over confidently. "But yes, strike fast and hard, take them down. I've got my bow at the ready, when you're ready, we'll strike?"
Opening her backpack, Autumn pulls out her bow from inside and wields it in her left hand before she turns to face the Hunters. "Want me to burn one of their armor?" She wonders of Meridith while she readies her left hand.
Meridith pulls her bow and draws an arrow. Outside of haven, one must be prepared to kill. In truth, she doesn't mind it, in truth? She probably enjoys it. When the target deserves it. These hunters, well, probably wouldn't fit the bill of not for the hostages...and all the traps. "Yes," she notes, motioning to her quarry. "I'll take this, you take the other, then pivot once your target is dealt with," she notes. Then counts down from three, and fires.
Catching a pair of normal, mundane humans, even if they are Hunters, unaware with a coordinated assault and even some magic to boot? The fight does not last long, in all honesty. A few rounds of arrows, a couple of gunshots that echo annoyingly in the cave, and there are two unconscious men passed out on the floor in front of the barred hostages. The Hunters may survive if they don't lose much blood. The hostages cower even more as the fight breaks out, but once the Hunters are dealt with, they start to realize Meridith and Autumn may be there to save them. "Oh thank goodness!" one of the archaeologists says, moving over to the bars. He points at one of the fallen men and says, "They have the keys. And remote controls for the traps. We heard them discussing it."
Meridith nods to them, moving cautiously across the cave, she gazes down at the bodies and a dark expression passes her face before she looks for the keys and remote.
With a gesture of her left hand, the bracelet on that hand glows as the other Hunter's armor smoulders before Autumn shoots an arrow to his knee. "I see," she nods, strapping the bow behind her back and, slowly walking towards the man, she rumages through his pockets for the items.
The pair are able to find the keys and remote devices for many of the traps littered in the place. They get the hostages free, and provided they can remember the way out and not set off too many more traps, they may be able to get out of this in relatively short order. Another roar is heard elsewhere in the caves through one of the other tunnels that leads down into the cavern. Someone else screams, and then there is a sickening chomping noise. Whatever terrorized the Hunters is still down here, and while Meridith and Autumn may want to investigate it, the hostages certainly do not!
Meridith disables what traps she can and then picks a hostage she trusts. "Right hand on wall, you'll find your way back out," she offers the remote. "Take this, use it to disable the rest." She turns to Autumn and nods. Their work isn't done with yet.
"We should get these people out- Yeah, also good idea," Autumn turns her head to nod at Meridith. She then looks at the hostages before she looks back to the other woman.
Meridith says "We could also split. I could go ahead, you lead the hostages back, then rejoin me?"
Autumn says "Yeah. "
The archaeologists waste no time taking the remote and right hand wall walking their way the hell out of here. They probably know the caves better than anyone else, but in their current state, simple instructions are probably best. If someone wants to follow the hostages, they can. But they are ready to book it the hell out of this nightmare.
About the time the hostages get into the tunnel leading out though, quaking steps herald the arrival of the source of the roar: An adult, red dragon. Shemra might be cute and adorable in her hatchling form, spirit eidolon or not. This dragon is an example of why dragons are feared. Red eyes that gleam like rubies in the noonday sun. Two tons of solid muscle, armored in titanium-hard red scales, armed with fangs the size of a human's forearm and claws that are each the size of a scimitar. "There you are. I was wondering when you would arrive," the red dragon snarls at Meridith and Autumn. It draws in a deep breath, and fire starts to well up in its chest and neck!
Meridith's eyes take in the impossible form of this creature. One she did not even truly believe existed on earth. She is harrowed, and awed, and all other sorts of emotions. But, as he speaks, she scowls. She wake up, and the rather short woman throws a hand forward. "Halt! You are transgressing against the Scalebound Covenant!" She bellows. "We are not here to hunt you!"
"Yes, we are not like those Hunters who want to harm dragons," Autumn speaks, looking up at the dragon in awe.
"No, I am here to hunt you!" the red dragon bellows before his head lurches forward, his mouth wide. Fire continues to build from inside his neck and chest, spewing forth a gout of molten liquid that flies toward Meridith and Autumn. "I am Gonthorian! And I am here to burn your world!" the mighty draconic entity roars thunderously in the cavern. He starts to bob his head from side to side then, sputtering up more fire to add to the first volley. Then he starts surging forward to try to swipe a claw at either of the women that his fires might have missed. He has no specific target, either will do to him.
Meridith scowls. "I am not prey!" she bellows defiantly as she moves to sprint to onside. "Flank! Autumn!" She shouts, springing with a force of telekinesis as he lets out a gout of flame towards them. She pivots and tries to steady her aim, body alight with adrenaline as she draws an arrow, aims, and fires at the drake.
"Ack!" Autumn steps back when the liquid is spewed. "Come, Ifrit!" Chanting words of power, she glances at the puff of black smoke that her fiery-winged, glowing salamander familiar would arrive and she pulls out her bow once more. "On it," she replies as she moves to flank Meridith and fires an arrow at the hostile dragon.
Instead of arrows tinking off scales, the arrows pass right through the massive red dragon, as it becomes semi-transparent. He begins to laugh, causing the cavern to shake with the force of the noise. "It will not be so easy. Yours is not the only dragon seeking to rise. I will get there first, and the sky will rain ashes for a century in my wake," the dragon informs Meridith and Autumn before fading out of existence entirely, leaving only the frightful realization that there was a dragon here that attacked the Hunters to disperse them. Did the ripples from the Operation earlier cause that? Or did another cult summon Gonthorian? What will happen if he Ascends before Shemra? The pair are left with far more questions than answers at this point.
But on the mission at hand, rescuing hostages and facing the trap filled caverns, and not dying to the dispersed Hunters, they certainly succeeded. Once they make their way out of the cave, singed but not really harmed, they can make their reports and get headed back to Haven. There is work to be done.
[OOC: Thank you for coming along on this little adventure. Give me a moment to do some behind the scenes stuff, and if you have any desired awards from your Adventure XP, feel free to let me know!]