Court of the Fallen
[PQ] [RQ] The path of least resistence - Printable Version

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[RQ] The path of least resistence - Hadama - 02-02-2023

Melita and Flora had found them a plethora of stones from the Rainbow Road. Blues and reds, golds and yellows predominated, though the deeper the water became the more those colors would change. The rocksminerals had been piled into a tide pool within easy reach of the Merfolk during high tide, and Hadama had arrived with a pale turquoise cloud manta stone for Harper after the kind-hearted human had volunteered to help.

For Kaiden there was the promise of a spear forged just for them; the King knew his subject well enough to expect the need to barter with the mershark, rather than requesting their assistance without recompense.

Once they had all arrived and made their greetings Hadama nodded to the pile of rocks and explained what would be needed.

"Someone will need to sort these by color. The blue stones will become hard to see as the water deepens. They should be used for the shallow area. The reds will turn dark quickly, but will be hard to see in the twilight depths near the City. The yellow and orange rocks will stay brightest in the deepest water. Those should be used for the end of the route."

He looked back out to sea, seeking some sign of fins cutting the water. "And one will need to scout ahead. If there are large corals or other obstacles, we will need to move them. Or route the path around them."

He tilted his head in gratitude to both of his partners in the undertaking. "I will guard against predators while we work. Or help where it is needed." If either of the others asked for his assistance he was happy to provide it, but echo sharks had been seen in the waters near shore lately and at least one of them should keep an eye out.

Welcome to the RQ|PQ for marking the path of the fast-travel bubble stream between Haulani and the Underwater City!

1. Hadama
2. Harper
3. Kaiden

Round 1:
1. Sort the rocks into piles of blue, red, yellow, and orange.
2. Scout the first section of the bubble stream path for obstacles/flora/fauna!
3. Hadama will help as needed, or otherwise stand guard.

RE: [RQ] The path of least resistence - Harper - 02-08-2023

Harper has not had the chance to meet Kaiden before today, but it's not the time for introductions and small talk - at least not yet. There is an array of colorful stones, some cracked and exposed and others whole and externally plain, and an expanse of cold blue water that needs exploring. Considering the cutting breeze out on the ocean's edge and his own plainly human resistance to cold (that being not much) Harper can't help but eagerly jump on choosing from all the available tasks first.

[say]"I'm not exactly eager to swim in this weather, so I'll sort the stones,"[/say] he pronounces with a jaunty salute and a grin Hadama's way as he goes about doing just that. It's a mindless but nevertheless enjoyable task, something he would've done in grade school if he'd ever gone. With hands protected by flexible gloves, Harper sets about making piles, ensuring they're far enough apart to not have any overflow issues.

- - -

Harper begins sorting the colors!

RE: [RQ] The path of least resistence - Kaiden - 02-16-2023

Kaiden would never admit it, but they wished they'd jumped onto the sorting before Harper did. Colors were fun, ok? And sorting things was sometimes soothing, even in a tedious way. Granted, they'd have complained over the sorting regardless. As it was, the mershark huffed but nodded. The promise of a spear was enough to get them to work. The King knew them well, another thing they'd never admit.

[say]"I'll scout."[/say] With that, Kaiden set out, focusing intently on their task. They noted obstacles, moved which ones that they could, and kept an eye out on their surroundings. Even with Hadama keeping an eye out, they refused to be careless.

RE: [RQ] The path of least resistence - Hadama - 02-16-2023

Harper had a good eye and deft hands in spite of the gloves he wore to protect them. Not being color blind was a big help in this situation and his piles of rocks began to grow into neat heaps under his watchful eye. He was so darn good at what he was doing that the piles didn't even shift or spill over into each other, and his separation went off with smooth efficiency.

And then there was Kaiden. The seafloor nearest to the shore was clear and relatively free of debris and obstacles thanks to tidal action, but a ways out from the beach there was a reef that was going to prove tricky to navigate through. It was just their luck that the easiest, most direct spot to lay the path also happened to host a long stretch of active, healthy corals of impressive size that helped to protect the shore from heavy waves.

Take note of that, Kaiden. You'll be coming back to help deal with that in a later thread.

And Hadama? Unfortunately his attention was so focused out to sea and the surrounding waters that he missed the threat that came from the land. Slithering stealthily along through the sand, a mudtiger had set its sights on Harper where he was hard at work. Unfortunately there was no warning before the beast lunged out of the sand at the distracted councilman, toothy maw gaping wide and aiming for an arm or a leg to snack on!

Round 2!

1. Defeat the mudtiger!
2. Defend the rock piles so they don't get knocked into each other!

Hadama will help as needed.

Mudtiger (uncommon/mythical) - A mudtiger resembles a cross between a shark and an aquatic lizard. It has a sinuous body covered in scales, a pair of triangular ventral fins, a blunt snout with a toothy maw, and a pair of thick, stubby forelimbs tipped with broad, rayed fins. A mudtiger’s body is iridescent green with blue-green stripes. On land, a mudtiger slithers and hunches along, occasionally pausing to hold itself erect on its forelimbs. In the water, a mudtiger wriggles its body and steers with its forelimbs. A mudtiger also can burrow through soft or loose material such as sand, ooze, or mud.

RE: [RQ] The path of least resistence - Harper - 02-21-2023

It's a wonderful start, if he says so himself. Artist eyes and well-trained hands make this particular task a breeze for Harper. Which means it's suspicious. If it's in Caido, it has to be. Still, he can't help but ease into a rhythm, which promotes a relaxed state that inevitably lowers his guard. Not enough to completely dull his reaction times mind you, but enough to catch him unawares as a mudtiger comes lunging out of the sand.

Startled, Harper spins, and instinctively his arms and legs cover themselves in the thick, almost impenetrable skin of his elephant shift so that when the mudtiger bites down, it does barely any damage. [say]"Mudtiger!"[/say] he calls to the two mermen, just so they're aware of what's happening. Unsure how much they can help from the water, the councilman covers his hands in the same thick, leathery skin and tries to grapple the mudtiger like an unruly housepet. Reluctant as always to harm or kill it, the man instead tries to grab it long enough - and far enough away from its snapping jaws - to try and run for the water's edge.

- - -

Harper covers his arms and legs in his elephant shift skin, alerts the others that the mudtiger is present, and tries to grapple/hold it with the future intent of relocating it/throwing it in the water.

RE: [RQ] The path of least resistence - Kaiden - 02-25-2023

Kaiden was circling back when they heard the shout. Eyes going wide, they swam faster to reach the others. Seeing the mudtiger and Harper going for each other, the mer headed over to the nearest rock pile and put their arms protectively around it.

Teeth barred in a snarl, they eyed the commotion, ready to defend their chosen rocks with teeth if necessary. Kaiden watched cautiously as well, observing the other piles to see if they needed to quickly swim over and defend them. The mershark really did not want to deal with any other delays on this mission. Dealing with a mudtiger was more than enough.

[say]~
Kaiden moves to defend the rock piles! [/say]

RE: [RQ] The path of least resistence - Hadama - 02-26-2023

The mudtiger was vicious but not particularly smart. When it clamped on to Harper's arm it didn't realize how well the man's shifted skin protected him, and it locked its jaw and attempted to drag the human into the water. Its teeth prickled and might have drawn a small amount of blood, but Harper was mostly unharmed thanks to his quick thinking.

Kaiden dashed over to protect the piles of sorted stones just in time! As the mudtiger thrashed around it imperiled the piles, but the mershark's presence was enough to fend off the flailing length of sinuous tail. He might be a little bruised and battered afterwards, but thanks to his efforts Harper's hard work was preserved.

Hadama wasted no time berating himself for missing the beast. At Harper's cry he turned and swam for the shore, lifting his trident as soon as he was near enough to strike without hurting the human. He sighted along its length and waited until there was a brief moment of stillness before firing a blast of starlit water at the beast. It struck true, stunning the mudtiger long enough for Harper to fling it away and into the water.

I will take it down the coast, he called to the others. You can place the blue stones along the path Kaiden has marked. And scout the next section for the best route.

Round 3!

Hadama will finish the mudtiger wrangling.

1. Lay out the blue rocks along the first section of the future bubble stream.
2. Scout the second section of the bubble stream path for obstacles/flora/fauna! Past the reef the water grows deeper and both light and colors begin to fade, but there are still plenty of sea plants here, and it is home to larger fish and the predators that hunt them.

*Harper has been given a cloud manta stone for breathing underwater.

RE: [RQ] The path of least resistence - Kaiden - 03-02-2023

[say]Fine.[/say] Kaiden grumbled but turned to scout once more. Harper might have been able, but the mer figured that they'd be able to do so quicker. Even if they did want to play with the pretty blue stones. Focusing on the area around them, the mershark tried to identify a usable path. There were times where they had to double back and reroute. It was difficult to imagine what kind of path humans would need versus mer. Legs were weird.

There was a particularly tight spot that Kaiden had to find an alternative route around. It didn't help that an octopus was staring them down the entire time. Its eyes were far too knowing.

[say]~
Kaiden scouts![/say]

RE: [RQ] The path of least resistence - Harper - 03-07-2023

The mudtiger is summarily dealt with, and Harper gives Hadama a big thumbs up and a smile in lieu of spoken gratitude, elephant skin shifting back to tanned human shades as he does. There's a few pricks of blood where the teeth had punctured, but it's nothing Harper hasn't contended with before, so back to work he goes.

Oblivious to the much cooler task he has been given, Harper takes the manta stone and takes a large but not unwieldy armful of rocks. He marks the mouth of the trail on land, and slowly begins to walk into the water, laying the rocks as he goes. He's uncertain how well they'll hold up, or if that would be part of Safrin's magic, but for now that is the acting King's job to discern. Or any mer's, really, given they have a better understanding of longevity underwater.

- - -

Harper marks out the trail with the blue stones!

RE: [RQ] The path of least resistence - Hadama - 03-07-2023

Harper was wise to consider the long term sustainability of the rock path. In a world that was always moving it was unlikely the simple stones would remain in their current positions forever. Hadama wouldn't have had the answer even if the human had asked him directly, but he had faith in Safrin's solution to the request he had brought Her. Regardless, Harper had no problem laying the stones along the path Kaiden had scouted for them and - for now at least - they remained where he placed them.

And speaking of Kaiden, the mershark wasn't having quite as easy a time of it in the second section. Perhaps his distraction with legs skewed his perception of what constituted a workable path, or maybe it was the judgmental gaze of the octopus, but when Hadama returned from rehoming the mudtiger he helped realign the chosen route - and with a silent flaring of his large manta wings, he spooked the octopus off. It left an inky cloud in the water, but that would dissipate quickly.

The third section should be easier, he encouraged with quiet contemplation. As long as we avoid the Moonkissed Reef. But the currents are calmer on the seafloor at those depths.

The first section of the path is complete! Only two more to go!

Round 4:
Keep on keeping on, or switch it up! Tasks are first come, first served ;)

1. Place the red stones along the second section of the path
2. Scout the third section
Hadama will help where needed.

RE: [RQ] The path of least resistence - Harper - 03-07-2023

It is incredibly weird to be under the water in this way. Harper has never used a manta crystal before; never explored the Underwater City, or any of the islands. He's more of a life preservationist than a killer, and he'd seen no need, no pull or drive to be beneath the waves strong enough to harvest a crystal himself. He tries not to be too distracted by it all, to focus on the task that needs doing first before marveling at the way the sunlight perseveres beneath the surface.

Heading back to the surface makes it easier to discern the colors of stones, which is pivotal considering the color change he has to do. Grabbing another armful, Harper descends once more, following Kaiden's lead wherever the silent merman directs him from beneath the waves.

- - -

Harper places red stones next.

RE: [RQ] The path of least resistence - Kaiden - 03-08-2023

Kaiden relaxed slightly when the octopus fled, it's void-like eyes no longer peering into their soul. Giving Hadama a nod with only minor grumbling, the mershark returned to scouting. Kaiden avoided the reef as much as they could, trying to find suitable paths that rounded the corals clusters radiating out of it.

Flatter terrain free of coral or dangerous rocks would be good, right? At least, that's what the mershark decided. Seeking out such a path, they continued on. This route was free of judgmental octopi, thankfully. But a mean school of fish did glare at Kaiden as they passed. Baring their teeth, the mershark grumbled in annoyance.

[say]~
Kaiden keeps scouting! [/say]

RE: [RQ] The path of least resistence - Hadama - 03-08-2023

Despite their initial difficulties, things were moving far more smoothly now. No more mudtigers arrived to distract them and no one managed to cut themselves on the reef as they scouted and laid the path through it.

Harper would find the waters to be cold but still tolerable as he laid the rocks along the road that Kaiden had prepared for him. Several times he would find himself observed by schools of curious fish, but they moved along on their search for food. Once a barracuda that was as longer than he was came swimming within a dozen feet of him, but although it watched him from one unblinking eye until it was past, Hadama's protective presence guarding the human discouraged it from trying its luck. The mermanta swam back to shore and gathered more stones for Harper when he began to run low, allowing them to move faster than before.

Kaiden chose wisely for this last portion of the path. The shallow water corals thinned out as the seafloor descended and the light became too diffuse to support their food source. Though several volcanic stones needed to be bypassed, none were large enough to truly block the intended path of the bubble stream and they were able to ensure an easy route for the last portion.

As they approached the City the seafloor became smoother and the remaining deep water coral was more carefully tended into pleasing aquascaping that was easier to thread between without needing to worry about damage to either the delicate creatures or themself. Regular patrols near the City kept the more fearsome predators at bay, and so it was that the end was in sight! Once we lay the final section of stones we will be done, Hadama declared with satisfaction in their work and gratitude for their help. Everyone grab an armful and we will finish faster.
Round 5: Last round

We're almost there!
1. Work together to lay down the last section of yellow/orange stones
- Hadama will ferry them from shore for Harper and Kaiden to place.

RE: [RQ] The path of least resistence - Kaiden - 03-08-2023

At last, the scouting was done and Kaiden returned to the others satisfied. They perked up slightly at Hadama's next orders. Finally, they'd get to play with the stones. Squashing down the childish glee they felt so as not to let it seep into the bond, the mershark grabbed the orange stones.

Taking them by the armful, they began to lay them down. Kaiden made sure that the path was straight, but they placed the stones in swirling patterns before filling in the gaps. They created small designs before completing that section of the path and moving forward to the next.

[say]~
Kaiden grabs the orange stones and places them, (playing a game as they go). [/say]