(event) WAY DOWN WE GO

[vestigemods]

EVENT LOG: WAY DOWN WE GO

AUGUST 14TH - 24TH

► THE BASICS

Not halfway into the month of August, the lake starts to recede - slowly at first, but then in great leaps and bounds until only a foot and a half of sun-warmed standing water remains. The lake going dry is concerning, for certain, but it's hardly the least of our problems... because on the lake bed is a hatch, askew and emblazoned with an unknown but eerie insignia, and beyond that hatch lies nothing but trouble.

Over the next few days, a brave and reckless team of explorers delve into the cave beyond - what is later revealed as a maintenance tunnel, just before the ceiling of that very tunnel caves in and traps them from both sides. Their supplies are limited, and phone signal is shaky at best. And what's worse, not more than a day or so later, the lake begins to fill back up, water pouring down into the open hatch. Can those who remain stage a rescue in time to save the explorers from drowning?

► MOD NOTES

• This log is a general dump for all log threads pertaining to August's Way Down We Go event - and in lieu of the lack of catch-all for August, you can feel free to do non-event log threads here as well! Go ahead and utilize vestigenet for any event-related network posts you'd like to make.
  
• The main chunk of the event takes place between the IC dates August 17th (reveal of the hatch) and August 22nd (the latest the spelunkers can be freed before they drown). No rush leaping on this event post, since I know most folks are honestly still plotting about it.
  
• All event information can be found on the July Event Infopost!
  
• Please take special care in this event to label your top-levels with identifying information such as the IC date, any prompts specifically pertaining to event roles (spelunker, rescue efforts, etc), and/or 'non-event' for any non-event prompts you may include. Just trying to keep things organized!
  
• I'm going to help solidify the plotting efforts over the next few days to help make sure everyone's on the same page, but none of it will be set in stone just in case latecomers want in too. If you want in, chime in on the spelunkers, rescue efforts, or support roles top-levels as applicable!
  
• Any questions can be directed to this top-level or, for a quicker response, to Trace on discord/plurk.

Comments

Bless.

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ He wasn't really aware of the pressure when it was on him, but as soon as the heavy rock is gone, he gives a relieved sigh and drops down on his back for a moment. Much better. ]

Maybe.

[ He gives one leg an experimental wriggle and pull, and his ankle smarts in protest.

Never mind. ]

No.

[deferences]

[well, that's good to see. relief is, anyway, but the fact geralt can't even wiggle out the slightest bit proves more worrisome. sizhui thoughtfully chews his lip, considers the current placement of rocks then spares a brief glance around.

they need a lever of some sort because if he can stick it in there just right, he'll be able to lift enough weight, the man should be able to pull himself free. his sword might've been a good idea, though there's an unfortunate problem of rocks falling everyone dies and never being able to get it back turns him off that thought. might be one other way, but it could require some inconvenient positioning.]

It'll be a little awkward, but... [he stands, shifts to geralt's opposite side and crouches, moves until he's leaned on his elbows with his heels braced against the very top and outermost stones.] As soon as I push, you have to move back though, understand?

[coolmotivestillevil]

Sure.

[ That's easy enough. He digs his elbows a bit harder into the ground beneath him in preparation. He's not sure what about it will apparently be awkward, but as long as he gets free he doesn't really care. ]

[deferences]

[it's awkward because the moment geralt is braced and ready, he shifts so both his legs are stretched above the man's, his heels settled against the uppermost stone now, this way he can push with all his might.

just long enough for geralt's legs to be freed— then the moment they are, sizhui pushes off, tumbles himself backward, is upright as the rocks come crashing down. the whole thing happens so quickly, it shouldn't be that surprising when he's beside geralt all of a sudden, grasping him by the shoulders and hauling (or trying to? here's hoping he can still use his elbows!) him backward out of harm's way.]

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ That's an impressive amount of strength, but Geralt has no time to marvel at it. As soon as the pressure on his legs eases up, he starts pushing himself back--

And before he knows it he's being manhandled further away, genuinely shocked at how quickly Sizhui moves. Enough that his eyes are wide with surprise as he sits up. ]

[deferences]

[they narrowly avoid anything falling back onto geralt, but good gods, sizhui's going to call that a win. once the dust has settled somewhat, he huffs a relieved sigh, averts his attention back to geralt and— is promptly astonished, too.

more-so by the look he's being given because while he knows his strength, he's more worried about,] Are you okay? That didn't make anything worse, did it?

[coolmotivestillevil]

I'm ... fine.

[ Perfectly fine. Just very surprised. Where does all that strength fit in this man's body? ]

[deferences]

Good to hear!

[probably a bit more chipper than they need, but sizhui's relieved and it seems like geralt is doing alright, too. he kneels beside his legs again, head tilted questioningly.] Can you move your legs at all now?

[coolmotivestillevil]

Mm.

[ He pulls his knees up to his chest and everything, and then slowly tries to stand, keeping one hand on the wall just in case. There was nothing to worry about, though, because he's steady enough, and his twisted ankle only smarts a little. ]

[deferences]

[thank goodness, sizhui is there too, anyway. he does stand beside geralt, ends up reaching a hand to catch his other arm just in case the man isn't as steady as he seems, although it seems unnecessary when he's doing alright. so, he draws the hand back and smiles faintly.]

Good, you're able to stand, so let's try walking? Any pain you might have afterward, I could try helping with.

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ Okay, that's enough. ]

I'm fine.

[ Definitely way too harsh and unfriendly towards someone who's been nothing but kind and helpful, but Geralt just doesn't deal with that well. He's used to seeing to his wounds by himself, and has only very begrudgingly accepted Jaskier's help.

It's starting to feel overbearing, and he's over it. ]

[deferences]

[oh. well, alright then, that's totally fine, too.] Okay. [and the boy withdraws even further, squaring his shoulders, lips pursed with worry in spite of himself.

nobody's sincerely refused his help in such a manner, it's a bit surprising, but sizhui can take a hint. many people here wouldn't have accepted it from a stranger in the first place, he's impressed geralt let him do as much as he's done— but now he's just. awkwardly sort of standing there with his hands clasped behind his back.

should he leave? if geralt's able to handle himself, what else is there left to do?]

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ Well, Sizhui, there aren't very many places to go. Geralt's going to act like there aren't a bunch of other people now caught behind this cave-in, as he walks over to the pile of rocks to see if they could potentially simply dig their way out.

There's definitely a slight limp in his step, but it's not much. It hardly hurts at all. ]

[deferences]

[no, there isn't, though there is plenty of space away from geralt he could be occupying. which is what he plans on doing, considering he's meandering in the opposite direction for now to hopefully distract himself with something else.

but don't think he isn't keeping an eye on you, geralt! especially considering the limp and all.]