the pines mods. (
officialnotice) wrote2017-06-29 02:12 pm
expeditions (archive).
EXPEDITION ARCHIVESo you've claimed an expedition? Well, you've come to the right place! The Expeditions page itself is dedicated exclusively to the posting and viewing of currently-available expeditions and those player-run expeditions awaiting approval.
Here in the Expeditions Archive is where the actual fun begins.
If you've claimed an expedition, you were probably directed to this page by a link provided by a mod. A top-level is created with the expedition listing here on this post and the link is provided once your expedition party is confirmed. Under this top level, a mod will walk you through the details of your impending adventure. In more basic or routine expeditions, the mod might provide a single comment detailing what generally will occur and noting any specific abnormalities. In more complex expeditions, the mod will provide a more detailed briefing, often stopping at a choice your party is required to make. The next chunk of the briefing is provided once the choice has been made, whether it completes the briefing or simply leads to another choice to be made.
While the listing on Expeditions proper will be deleted shortly after the expedition begins, all comments here remain untouched and can be referred back to here at any time!
► EXPEDITIONS SO FAR.

( 003 ) briefing
TEAM COMPOSITION: Any size. One academic recommended but not necessary!
DESTINATION: The Rainbow Peak basin, located east of Wayward Pines.
ESTIMATED LENGTH: The trek there and back is fairly long (4.5 miles), likely taking about 2 hours in each direction due to terrain. It's recommended the team keep an eye out for somewhere vaguely abbie-proof to rest for the night as you get closer to the basin, to keep from having to duck out early in order to make it back by dark.
THEMES + CONCEPTS: Investigation. Science? Potentially some horror, depending on how y'all want to go with it. Survival, if staying out overnight. Optional combat.
MOD INVOLVEMENT: Moderate-heavy - We'll give you the route + a description of the place and will guide you in steps through the investigation and resolution.
ETC: This can only be claimed one time, though a rescue team (3-4 combatants) will be dispatched by the second evening if the expedition team has not yet returned.
( 003 ) pre-mission
By the following morning, it had spiralled back down to the lower AM frequencies and begun to re-ascend. This time, it reached the upper cap of FM frequencies and disappeared altogether for 6.5 hours, then returned and once again looped back down through the frequencies. Upon disappearing again, the signal was re-discovered in the form of a faint but visible light emanating from inside the basin.
Since then, the signal has made a number of further cycles up and down the electromagnetic spectrum. It doesn't appear to be stopping, nor does it appear to have an upward cap. The most recent cycle as of today (the 18th) managed to reach the low end of the UVA spectrum. Each cycle beyond this will reach increasingly dangerous electromagnetic frequencies. Ortech isn't positive the source of this signal has the capability of achieving gamma-level radiation, but Wayward Pines is much too close to the source to leave that up to chance.
Rainbow Peak is 3.5 miles east of Wayward Pines, though the most accessible route is approximately a mile longer (4.5 miles total). You'll exit through the northwestern gate and pass over the plateau either to the north or the south of Wayward Pines - the above map only begins to measure distance once you leave the cliffs to strike southeast down the slope of the ridge.
The route marked on the map follows a small river between mountains (shown here with more visual clarity) for about 2.3 miles, then heads due east at a specified point until the basin is reached.
At the time of this briefing (directly before departure), the signal is emitting visual waves in the greens and blues. It is estimated to reach UVA or even UVB in approximately 3 hours, then exit ultraviolet again within as many hours, leaving a gap of ~12 hours for you to safely investigate the area and identify the signal's origin.
Ortech's cell service area is currently far too localized to provide signal beyond ~3 miles outside of the fence. You'll be taking a pair of FRS walkie-talkies with a range of 22 miles in case you need to communicate with Ortech during the assignment, but be warned that they likely won't work while the Rainbow Peak signal cycles through the higher radio frequencies (~1 hour each direction).
In the event that you've identified the source of the signal and are unable to contact Ortech for any reason, you are trusted to handle the situation however you deem most likely to ensure the continued safety of the citizens of Wayward Pines.
In the subsequent event that your assignment is complete with too little time to return to Wayward Pines before dark, do not travel at night. Instead, find a secure location to bed down for the night. It is recommended that you keep an eye out for places to hole up on your way in, so that you can do so if the need arises later.
Re: ( 003 ) pre-mission
Raven wants to know if Ortech has any technology that could be used to protect Wayward Pines from the negative effects of this signal. How urgent is it that the signal be turned off right now - is it worth risking their lives over, or if new information makes itself known should they return to town and share that info.
Weapons: Raven wants a rifle, Alex wants a small calliber, easily concealed handgun. Alloran doesn't want anything. Ikrie has all the weapons she needs.
Supplies: Ammunition. Specifically anti-abbie ammunition - including arrows, if at all possible.
Ikrie will request a container of some kind of flammable fuel (she'll specifically request something called 'blaze' but will accept anything presented to her as long as its flammable) and some about ten feet of lightweight cable.
Raven will request a portable tool set of some kind and a first aid kit.
no subject
Ortech's initial theory was that this was an attempt to communicate, likely automated in some way (like a technological message in a bottle) but not impossibly from an entity or group who managed to survive this long by their own means. The fact that it seems to have gone off the rails like this implies one of three things: a) it was an automated communication and has since gone off the intended script, b) it was a non-automated communication attempt and whoever sent out that signal has lost control of their technology in some shape or form, or b) it wasn't intended as a communication attempt in any way, which leaves us to figure out whether it was intended as some form of weapon/danger or as something completely unrelated to either contacting or harming other people.
So basically: No. They don't. Beyond educated guesses, any actual solid theory would need either a successful interpretation of some of the signal's content (which Communications employees have yet to parse out, or even confirm exists) or a good look into the basin itself. That's where this expedition party comes in.
Ortech does have the technology to protect Wayward Pines' residents, but it would involve evacuating them into an Ortech facility with much lower standards of living until a solution could be found, so it's certainly not an ideal solution. They only advise returning to town for further exchange of information if your team discovers a method of containing the signal at the source in the meantime.
Weapons:
Alex receives a Springfield XDs and concealed-carry holster.
Raven receives a CAA tactical RONI kit wrapped around a Glock 17, which is really just a glorified pistol but it goes semi- and full-automatic and they want to see her shoot before they hand her a full-fledged rifle and send her into the wilderness. It should be a familiar gun for her, regardless.
Supplies:
They receive ammunition for their respective guns, both regular and a smaller ration with anti-aberration tips. Ortech would like to emphasize that these are to be used on aberrations only, as the neurotoxin is fairly difficult to extract and synthesize for use. Arrows are a slightly different matter: Ikrie receives a 2ml spray bottle of slightly off-clear liquid. If she sprays it on each arrow, two arrows should be about as effective as one anti-abbie pistol bullet. Unfortunately, she can't pre-spray the arrows too far in advance - if it dries, it loses efficacy. And yes, 2ml is all they're able to spare.
Ikrie also receives a pint of kerosene lighter fluid and the requested cable (either steel wire, nylon, or something closer to regular rope - her choice).
Raven receives a set of basic tools and a small red bag a first-aid sticker on it. Rather than your typical first-aid kit, the contents seem primarily focused on a situation in which a large wound needs bandaged: Lots of gauze, antiseptic, and exterior bandaging. A surgical needle and thread for field stitching. What appears to be the apocalyptic rendition of a snake-bite kit. Oh, and also a tube of hydrocortisone. Plant life around here seems to love to make you itch.
Are we ready to go, explorers?