LANDFALL | TAVIMBI | MARCH MINGLE LOG

[ironwood]

Characters: ALL!
Date: March 1 - 31
Location: City of Hatal, Tavimbi
Situation: Tu Vishan is still anchored just off the coastline of Tavimbi, and the city of Hatal continues to welcome kedan and Foreigners alike.
Warnings/Rating: Add warnings as needed.


( click for full size )
The Tavimbians continue to be welcoming to their guests, and while Foreigners are still required to carry their issued pass stamps while in Hatal, they are starting to become recognized. The stamps are made of a brassy metal, a little larger than a credit card, and inscribed with their information, their date of arrival, and whether they've had any run-ins with the laws in Tavimbi (it will be stamped accordingly by the authorities if such happens.)

OOC: There are starters in the comments for various areas of Hatal, or you can use the rest of the post for anything on Tavimbi which doesn't fit under those headings. All city descriptions, as well as NPC contacts for threading, can be found in the Tavimbi OOC post, which is currently stickied in the OOC comm.

Be sure to also check the March Itinerary for up to date happenings in Hatal, and to tag this entry with your character tag when you join in.

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LINKS
Hatal Exterior - The Metal Heights | The Causeway Level | The Reservoir Level
The Artery Level | The Lorn Level | The Jagaiz Rings | OOC Post

Comments

THE LORN LEVEL

[ironwood]

A. Before March 13
Visitors to the Lorn Level will find it largely unremarkable, although the Kin'nal seem much more at ease with visitors. Like the previous month, they will invite them along and into the tunnels to help collect various cave fauna, although the Kolaxu scorpions are still a threat they may run into. Foreigners may also find themselves shyly gifted with strange trinkets intended to show their appreciation -- most of Hatal's visitors have little reason to come to the outskirts. Seemingly most coveted by the Kin'nal (and therefore the most precious of gifts) are strange looking semi-iridescent spiral shells... which is kind of off, considering most shells aren't found in the depths of a mountain.

B. After March 13
Two separate sections of the Lorn Level -- which is actually a cluster of smaller settlements that ring the rest of Hatal -- are completely demolished by the earthquake and subsequent rock slides. One of these areas had been deemed "safe" by the Sinayg engineers, and the other "acceptable". There are dozens of Kin'nal deaths from falling debris -- they are not a particularly hardy species, and it doesn't take a lot of injury to cause them to succumb. Injuries are rampant, particularly broken limbs, so healers and doctors are especially welcome.

Earthquake Aftermath and Cleanup (OTA)

[hadthehighground]

Obi-Wan had been on the Lorn Level when the earthquake had struck. A particularly appreciative Kin'nal had just gifted him with a strange looking shell. And while he had tried to politely decline, it had been insisted on him, thus he took it gratefully. But when the shaking started, all hell seemed to break loose, and the rock walls as well.

Kin'nal had fled in all directions, with Obi-Wan using the Force to try and steer clear as much falling debris from running people as he could. But he was only one man, and he had to make sure he didn't get crushed as well. There was only so much he could do, having to witness a great deal of destruction and death. Once the shaking had stopped, he went right back to where the slide had occurred, again using the Force to lift debris as he helped search for survivors. Eventually, also placing a call out to his fellow Force Users, and anyone else what was willing, via the radio.

The scene was heartbreaking to say the least. So much devastation and destruction. Not to mention the lives that had suddenly been silenced. He would be here assisting in the rubble removal, lifting and moving the large boulders, for as long as it was necessary.

[clonekiller]

Starkiller Galen was still adjusting to life in the city. He was still reacquainting himself with his original identity, in addition to being in such a strange place. When he feels the earthquake, he rushes immediately to when it felt strongest, and found Obi-Wan already there, helping the survivors and clearing debris.

"You look like you could use a hand. Mind if I lend mine? It's not exactly tearing a Star Destroyer out of low orbit, but I think I can help."

He smirks, lifting several hundred pounds of rubble all at once with the Force.

"So, where should I go with this?"

[ignitethestars]

Anakin himself went through the area trying to help others as the earthquake hit, though one of his first priorities when it stopped was to locate Obi-Wan. He did stop to help who he could before he finally made it to the other Jedi's side.

"What caused all of this?"

So much death and destruction that hit Anakin like a crushing blow. The people Anakin couldn't save weighed very heavily on him. What good were a couple of Jedi if they couldn't keep things like this from happening?

[purrns]

Chat arrives after the worst of it, but he's willing to help all the same. It would be pointless him being here if he didn't. He's been lifting rocks with his staff, levering them carefully away and digging through the remaining rubble to pull people to safety.

Eventually, he comes across Obi-Wan, giving an appreciative whistle at what he assumes is some...awesome floaty power. THAT has to be handy.

"Now that's really taking the gravity of the situation," requisite pun done, he gestures to the damage in general. "Do we know how many people are trapped here? Did anyone get away before it all came down?"

[littlelightofmine]

When the call came from Obi-Wan to the Force users for help, Kylo almost disregarded it, but he was smart enough to know that it wouldn't help him in the long run to not help out when he could, so he had shown up in the Lorn level, hood covering his face so as to not really garner much attention to himself as he used the Force to move the rubble out of the way so it could be disposed of properly.

He was also trying his best to avoid Obi-Wan while he was helping clear rubble out. Kylo had learned from their first conversation that he didn't want much to do with the man and was going out of his way to not be around him unless he actually had to, but avoidance only lasted so long when he was actually not in an area the size of a gigantic turtle and when the opportunity presented itself, Kylo brushed past him when he was sure he wasn't in the middle of moving rubble around.

B (OTA)

[purrns]

As much as he lives for the superhero gig, seeing innocent people getting hurt is not a welcome part of it. Adrien had caught the news of the earthquake and quickly transformed, making his way to the Lorn level. It's Chat who lands deftly into the mess of the settlements, frowning at the destruction around him.

He's seen Paris ruined plenty of times, but Ladybug could always put it right. By the time they were done, it was if nothing had happened at all. But she's not here, and he can't fix this. That's not what he does. He doesn't lose his resolve, however, instead focusing on doing what he can without her.

Perhaps some will find him trying to lever rocks twice his size away with his staff, attempting to reach the poor Kin'nal trapped underneath them, offering quiet words of encouragement and the occasional quip to ease their fears. He daren't use Cataclysm here, everything is already too unstable to risk using a one-shot surge of destruction on the place. He'll have to do this the slow and methodical way.

Later, when the rockslides have eased, they will find him helping injured Kin'nal to healers, or digging through the rubble for their meagre possessions buried underneath - giving them even the slightest offering of normalcy. More often than not, he'll just be crouched near them, a hand on their shoulder, speaking quietly and offering whatever comfort he can. This is always his favourite part of the gig. Helping the people afterwards. It's just as important as the heroics in the first place, as far as he's concerned.

[peacefullywreathed]

"Stop that," Solomon said sharply, hearing the groan of rock and, worse than that, the flicker of lives underneath. Some of them were injured, and that wasn't doing anything to help the stability of their lives, but trying to move the rocks without regard for how the rest might fall would only result in more lost lives.

He'd only just come into the tunnel, but now he came toward the fall, the shadows at his feet sweeping aside debris he couldn't see so he didn't trip. His suit was impeccable, dark in shades of black and green, if covered by a layer of dust.

"You might cause the rocks to fall more," he explained as he crouched, hand on the ground to steady himself and control the shadows. "Let me figure out if you'll set off anything first." The shadows rushed into nooks and crannies, leaving him without one (leaving Adrien without one too). They sorted through the rocks and dust, coating the sides of stone so Solomon could read the dimensions beneath the rubble.

There were already too many dead, and he could feel each and every one.

[ooc: Solomon can see souls, but more in the manner of 'that there is a human/kedan/some alien thing' than being able to read deep inner secrets. basically he can see what their souls look like, but can't tell what individual appearances might mean in terms of personality. if there's anything that might look odd about Adrien, let me know (or whether you'd prefer Sol not catch it, either way!)]

Earthquake Aftermath

[shroudofgray]

Yorda sat quietly with the dying.

It was a small alcove where survivors that had been too gravely injured were brought so that what remained of their families could have some relative privacy with them. There was a weight there, a sense of hopelessness - if a Lorn resident was brought here, it meant they didn't have much time left. There was a powerful smell of blood and decay.

Yorda moved between the makeshift beds like a pale shadow. This was one of the few things she had some degree of power over and she hoped it could help.

She could be found holding the hands of those who were alone, whispering words of encouragement. Most were beyond her capacity - though the ones that perished looked far more peaceful than their injuries should have permitted. But sometimes, there was a miracle.

A wound that should have bled out didn't. A fever broke. An infection stopped spreading. One Kin'nal child didn't succumb to the shock of a severe break and was now on the mend.

Statistically, it barely mattered, but Yorda had no concept of percentages and probably wouldn't care if anyone tried to explain them to her. She wanted to help where she could, and she stayed out the way of the more powerful healers, and busy physicians.

b ; ota

[omnivident]

Tragedy, no matter its form, was something that always hit Leo hard. Even just the sadness or troubles of one or two people are enough to bring out the brunet's empathy and sympathy.

So the sight of chaos such as the one in the Lorn Level was enough to leave him breathless. At the moment of the earthquakes, he had not been too far off from the area- enough to have seen parts of the landslides from a far distance. Cries- no, wails for help began to resound in his ears, along with those of pain and loss. This wasn't fair. No one should have to go through something this painful in their lives.

But Leo did not dawdle for long. With goggles on, the male opened his eyes, and the world came to light in a familiar, blue hue. Those under the rubble became visible to him as if they were in the light of day and he got to work, calling for help in digging out those he could see under the debris.

[peacefullywreathed]

After a few instances of direct intervention, Solomon stepped back to alert the rescue parties as to where there were survivors. Some tunnels had no one at all still living under the rubble. Not all the rescuers listened -- it was tough to believe someone might just know who had died and who hadn't -- but some did, and it helped their efficiency.

Just as well, because Solomon was using a few judicious bodies to dig out others and he didn't particularly want to be leapt upon for desecration accidental graves. It was a practicality; in tunnels like this there was the risk of bad air from damaged tech. Reanimations could dig where others couldn't.

This tunnel was far enough out that he didn't see anyone there amidst the general soulishness of the survivors, but he heard the cry for help as he entered, and paused. The shadows around his feet simmered, pushing away debris so he didn't trip on what he couldn't see.

"I'd got some diggers here," he said. "Try not to break down or kill me at the sight of them." With a motion of his hand the two dozen or so Kin'nal reanimations trotted into the tunnel and went about starting to remove some of the debris. Once the fall was more accessible, they could start thinking about digging the survivors out without the rest of the rock falling on them.


[ooc: Solomon can see souls, but more in the manner of 'that there is a human/kedan/some alien thing' than being able to read deep inner secrets. basically he can see what their souls look like, but can't tell what individual appearances might mean in terms of personality. if there's anything that might look odd about Leo, let me know (or whether you'd prefer Sol not catch it, either way!)]

[purered]

"You're here, thank goodness," Klaus said, coming up behind Leo.

He'd been about to radio for the young man, but it seemed there wasn't a need. Leo always did have spectacular timing. Not so great in the luck department, but then who was that true of for anyone in Libra?

"How many can you see and where?" There was no time to waste on niceties. Even if it was just the two of them, there was work to be done.

Aftermath / cleanup

[dragonaught]

There wasn't much choice but to help, in Casey's mind. With everything that had happened and all of the ones injured and trapped, Casey was there quicker than they even really cared to notice. This wasn't about them or whatever magic they were still trying to learn; the magic they already knew was what was needed for now. Earth rose up to their call, hands raising and the clouded crystal hanging from around their neck beginning to glow dimly.

This was something they knew, something every humanoid child was taught, to tease out the infrastructure and fix anything they might end up breaking with their own magic. Stabilize and mend, pull apart and reorganize before fitting it all back together again. Rocks broke apart into dust and dirt, used to pack up the cracks elsewhere and keep things together like glue or clay. Healing in the way these people needed wasn't in their forte, their own medical knowledge not large enough to get to them in time, but perhaps they could help find survivors or make the area safer for those who could do something more.

"Don't move," they said to one of the kin'al slowly coming forth from underneath the rubble. "Please don't move yet. It isn't safe. Just... one more minute..."

One such a large scale, however, there was only so far Casey could reach at any one time to keep collapse at bay. With how vast the damage had been, there was no telling how long the repairs would take or how many lifeless bodies they would find as they went further into the disaster.

Earthquake aftermath| OTA

[pompous_today]

There was no question at all in Simon's mind that he was going to help after the earthquake hit. He wasn't sure how much good he would be able to do, since there were many distinctly non-human species here, but he could still set bones, sew wounds, and apply bandages.

He worked tirelessly, to the point where he was beginning to exhaust himself because he wasn't getting sufficient rest. But he wouldn't slow down unless someone told him to.

[lasergrenades]

Pepper hasn't seen Simon much since they talked over the network, but his face has been a near-constant one as they clear the rubble. She's brought more than a few injured Kin'nal to him, and each time she comes back he looks more tired.

She's overtaxed herself when they were moving the turtle, and someone stepped in to remind her she needed to rest. So when she next brings in an injured survivor and sees Simon, she takes a moment to check on him.

"Hey, Simon. I brought you some tea," Pepper says, holding out a cup with an armored hand. "You look like you could use a pick-me-up."

[problematical]

"Simon," she said, fixing her brother with a Look. It was like the time on Jiangyin, where he'd spent so much time getting the hodgepodge hospital into a satisfactory state (still not good enough for him, she knew, he missed the cleanliness and straight lines of Osiris' state of the art facilities) that he'd ignored his own needs.

"I'll help... so rest?"

After March 13th

[purered]

Klaus wasted no time in getting to the Lorn level after the quake struck. He was no stranger to this kind of situation, and though he's burning with indignation over how utterly infuriating that all these deaths could have been avoided were those on the upper levels willing to put resources into securing the infrastructure below, he managed to keep a level head.

For the next few days, he can be found using his blood arts to stabilize structures or his inhuman strength to shift rubble so that the handful of rescue teams can get the survivors out. The Kin'nal aren't too fussed about the bloody crosses holding up collapsed roofs and floors - after all, beggars can't be choosers.

Once all that can be done has been done over the next few days, Klaus will be helping with clean up, and talking quietly with the survivors.

Earthquake Cleanup

[portal_refugee]

OTA

Days off from working at Central College have recently been spent by the Callaghans touring around Hatal to continue their own personal attempt to decipher the fascinating engineering behind the unfamiliar technology. So when the quake hits, Abigail is present for the tremors and distant rumbling. Although not readily apparent from the higher level after the signs of the disturbance quiet, a call through the radio system from Obi-Wan notifies those within range of the devastating effect it had on the Lorn Level.

Notes closed and stowed readily in the pack she carries, Abigail and Robert head straight for the area impacted.

Upon arriving at the edge of one of the two sites of the settled rock slide, her hurrying momentum is disrupted briefly as an odd feeling hits her alongside the cold chill the sight of the collapse stirs, making it all the more potent. It's enough to make her pause with a frown, shaking her head as if to ward off a spell, but she does not let it cause her to linger when there is so much to do. She hasn't any gear with her, but a quick adjustment to slide her shirt sleeves down over her palms affords her some protection from the sharp edges of stone as she joins in the process of removing the debris. Abigail has no great strength to offer nor does she have any special equipment, but it may be surprising what one can accomplish with a simple metal bar she comes across and an astounding depth of knowledge in physics.


For Ris-iss

Physical activity, even heavy labor, can allow one to think with greater clarity, if only due to the occupied hours giving the mind little challenge. Throughout her time spent aiding the removal of the debris, Abigail has been deep in thought over the matter of how to prevent another disaster like this. How she could possibly help with such limited resources available. Yet, an idea strikes and spurs a cascade of planning around a simple concept.

The idea is kept to herself while working at the two sites, but after she has had a chance to confer with her father in private on the matter, Abigail is certain of how to proceed with the potential implementation - assuming that, as a Foreigner of Keeliai, she will be able to without causing an incident.

Asking around the Lorn Level after the majority of the debris has been cleared away successfully, Abigail learns an important name. Ris-iss is the Kin'nal she needs to find, and without wasting time, she makes her way to the site where he was last seen directing preparation for repairs. Still covered with a layer of dust collected during her time aiding the clearing, Abigail searches visually for a Kin'nal overseeing others. When she finallly spots him, she makes her way closer, lingering back a short distance until he is not speaking directly with other Kin'nal. In this pause, it is a simple matter to confirm who it is by asking a passing Kin'nal his name.

Approaching with care to make herself visible before she comes close enough to talk, Abigail tries to strike up a conversation, "Excuse me... My name is Abigail, and if you have just a moment, I have something I would like to discuss with you."

[rawiron]

Most of the kin'nal are dusty these days, though the dust is dampened by the moss and lichens often found on this level. They aren't everywhere, but they do serve to soften the visual damage--and get in the way of repairs.

But for the kin'nal the natural fauna is an important part of their livelihood, being--among other things--what insulates their homes when the city's utilities fail on them, or used as natural water purifiers. It still needs to be gathered and distributed, especially with a good number of kin'nal being unable to gather it themselves.

Ris-iss turns at the sound of hard footsteps, most unlike the near-silent pad of the kin'nal. There had been more of that in the last few months than most kin'nal were used to. "Yesss?" He inclined his head, examining Abigail and the dust on her clothes. With the dampening influence of the fauna, only those directly involved would be so dirtied. "You have our thankss for the aid."

[pushtheboundaries]

Robert's certainly been curious about the new landmass, but he's been a bit distracted with Abigail's presence. However, when it becomes clear she can't be stopped, he's moving right beside her. And while he's aged, he's still kept his fitness and is more than able to apply his strength to where Abigail needs it.

Of course, the whole knowledge-of-how-to-apply-levers thing helps, as well.

"Hold it steady," he directs, steadying himself at the same time. "I'm going to shift it, and on three, you push down. One..."

After the earthquake | OTA

[lasergrenades]

Pepper hadn't managed to get down to the Lorn level much yet before the earthquake happened, but now she's wishing she'd spent more time exploring and less time shopping. In any case, she'd suited up as soon as she heard what had happened.

Because the armor makes her far stronger than she normally is, Pepper can be seen lifting large sections of rock. On rare occasions she might use the repulsors to cut or blast away pieces as well. She leaves the faceplate open except when she's searching for survivors under the rubble using the suit's sensors.

When she does find those who are injured, she's also able to make quick assessments of their condition and report them accurately to the healers and doctors who are tending to the wounded.

[highprofilerichkid]

Tony had rushed down to the Lorn level as soon as he heard about the earthquake. Disaster relief isn't his usual gig, but he knows it's something he can help with.

A quick call to Pepper confirms that she's already there and working on the cleanup, and he heads straight for her. He doesn't bother making a stop at the makeshift infirmary that's been set up. His suit is normally stocked with essential pharmaceuticals for emergency medical treatment in the field, but they've all long ago run out or expired, and he wouldn't know how they'd affect Kin'nal anyway. And the medical scanners will be useless on alien biology. He'd be useless. Sitting around with a bunch of dying people he can't help would just be a depressing and upsetting waste of time.

But he can blast rocks and clear debris and take seismic readings. So that's what he does. He gives Pepper a businesslike nod when he finds her, and gets to work.

Pepper leaves her faceplate open, but Tony keeps his closed so he can keep a constant eye on the readings displayed on his HUD. At the moment, they're working on clearing a large section of collapsed tunnel - there are several life signs just beyond it. As they shove one huge piece of rock aside, Tony picks up a small aftershock on his sensors. It's too small to feel, but along with the excavation they've done, it's enough to cause critical stress in the cavern beyond.

"Wait, stop!" He holds up his hands and takes a step back. "I just picked up an aftershock - this whole tunnel is destabilizing. If we move anything else we could bring down the whole thing. We need to find another way around."

Pre March 13 | For Raine

[edgeoftheknife]

Erskine's admittedly limited experience in Hatal so far had amounted to the shopping districts, which he'd visited almost exclusively as Rue, and the feast of Hapoyela. He hadn't really expected to do any more in-depth exploring any time soon. Not with his work at the Hotel and in Keeliai. That, however, was before Skulduggery disappeared.

Raine had suggested getting out, taking his mind off of things. To some extent he'd done that with drag night, but they'd planned to visit the mainland together as well--maybe the first 'normal' thing they'd ever done together. (Insofar as exploring a new continent populated by strange beings, after beaching a continent sized turtle on the shore, was more 'normal' than dressing in drag, anyway.) They'd meandered for a while, starting with the areas where they were more comfortable, and had gradually drifted out toward the Lorn Level.

"I'm guessing they don't get very many tourists out here."

[ruinsprofessor]

It was surprisingly nice. Approaching comfortable, when Raine let it be, wandering slowly down from the Causeway toward the Lorn level, pointing things out to each other here and there.

And it was normal, for a given value thereof.

"It doesn't look like they do, no," Raine agreed, shaking her head. "We haven't been actively discouraged, but there's a marked difference between this and the other levels, and the locals don't seem to come this way often, either." She frowned a little. "I'm simply not fully certain why."

After the quake

[highprofilerichkid]

1. OTA

Tony works tirelessly throughout the first day, not stopping until all the Kin'nal in the collapsed sections are accounted for. He returns to Keeliai just long enough to eat and sleep, and then he's back the next day, getting started on the real cleanup. Almost everything in the collapsed sections will have to be rebuilt, from the buildings themselves to the infrastructure that provides power and water, and that will take weeks or months. But Tony can at least clear things out enough so that the displaced Kin'nal can retrieve their possessions.

He's distinctive in his red-and-gold power armor, and over the next few days he can usually be found at the forefront of the cleanup effort, moving boulders and slabs of rock that no one else can budge so that the Kin'nal crews can follow safely behind. It bothers him that, aside from a handful of Foreigners, it's only Kin'nal. None of the other Tavimbian races have shown up to help with the disaster relief.

2. Closed to Ris-iss

On one of his breaks (it's okay to take breaks now that all the survivors have been retrieved) he goes looking for a Kin'nal named Ris-iss. He's some sort of leader among the Kin'nal, and Tony wants to talk shop. If none of the other Tavimbians care about what happens to the Kin'nal, someone has to pick up their slack, and it looks like it's going to be the Foreigners. Tony knows he can put his armor and his engineering expertise to good use.

He shucks his armor, and, following the directions of several other Kin'nal, locates the man he's looking for.

"Ris-iss? My name's Tony Stark. I'd like to talk to you."