The Fe'gan Mountains are the highest, coldest mountains Lambastia has to offer, with the highest peak recorded at 8589 m (28,179 ft). Only the toughest creatures survive here, and the trek to get to the Basantha Shrine lays through these harsh conditions. (+3 Endurance)

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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 07/18/2017 12:29 AM

"Not really," Bucky said. "It's just something I've been listening to. You should really go out to the jazz clubs sometime, Mr John. I think you'd like them."

"Shows what you know, kid," said John. "I don't like a damned thing."

Bucky laughed. "That's what Mr Kvaratskhelia said too," he said, by which he meant Zachariah, of course. John's brow twitched in irritation. This wasn't news, but he never did like the reminder that Bucky could be bothered to remember Zachariah's ridiculously long surname, and yet he was forever 'Mr John'.
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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 07/18/2017 12:31 AM

And what business did Zachariah have, having such a long surname anyway? His first name was long enough. He was always saying how hard a time he had, fitting it all on a business card or a name tag, nevermind people trying to stumble through it.

John hadn't bothered remembering the surname. To him it was Zachariah, or Mr K if he had to; the man was younger than John, even if he was the one calling the shots. And if he didn't like it, John could leave. He was always looking for a reason to quit anyway.
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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 07/18/2017 12:38 AM

"He said that, did he?" said John, scowling. Bucky only laughed again. John sighed. Well, he couldn't complain now, since he'd said it himself. But if the distaste went both ways, he couldn't exactly blame Zachariah either. The grief they gave certainly went both ways, so it was just as well.

Bucky was nodding. "He talks about you a lot, actually. Though maybe it's because it's me--- I'm your assistant, after all. Maybe he talks about his other prospectors to their assistants." He tapped his chin in thought. "That would make sense."
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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 07/19/2017 2:05 AM

John was more concerned that Zachariah felt that he had things to say. But then, he'd already admitted to himself that he couldn't fault the man for complaining about him, especially when he did the same.

He wondered who was initiating these conversations. He wouldn't have put it past Bucky to natter Zachariah's ear off, come to that. None of that was here nor there, however. "Just focus on the job, kid," he said, right as Bucky nearly tripped over a rock. Served him right. The boy merely laughed it off, however, and dusted himself off.
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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 07/19/2017 2:08 AM

"Thanks, Mr John! Boy, I feel so much safer knowing you're looking out for me." Coming from most other people, it would probably sound sarcastic, but John was pretty sure Bucky didn't know what sarcasm was. Just one of the many ways the boy was missing out in life.

John didn't bother with a reply, however. They'd been walking level for a while now, so it meant they'd probably come to the steep drop pretty soon--- the first of several, anyway. It was a pity they didn't have a map, but he would have had to draw it himself, and he hadn't wanted to go to the trouble.
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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 07/19/2017 2:10 AM

Then again, did he really trust anyone else to do it? He'd take his memory over someone else's depictions of the caverns, thanks very much. He'd dealt with enough faulty maps in his day that he didn't even bother with them much of the time now, even if there was one available for a region he didn't know. Sure, above-ground, it was well and good, but under the dark, all bets were off.

Sure enough, not five minutes after the thought entered his mind, the path began to grow steeper. This wasn't the worst of it, but it was coming.
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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 07/19/2017 2:12 AM

"Best brace yourself, kid; the first climb's coming up," he said. He wouldn't have had to bother with things like giving warnings if he'd been alone, but there was no going into the deep mountains like this without having someone with you. Things could always happen, and he really wasn't getting any younger.

At least the kid took instruction well. Bucky merely nodded, and didn't try to contradict him or show off; no way John would have tolerated him any longer than it took to file a list of complaints if that had been the case.
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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 07/19/2017 2:22 AM

As the incline grew steeper, the path also became narrower; several times, they came upon places where the path seemingly split off, but John knew better. Many of these paths were dug in pursuit of something of interest, or in an attempt to find an alternative way to dig, only to taper off into dead ends. Fortunately his memory did still serve him well, and he wasn't fooled.

Their going speed slowed down out of necessity. The footing was uneven as it ever was, but now one wrong move could send them sprawling.
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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 07/19/2017 2:29 AM

Worse yet, there was a place coming up soon where it grew so steep, there had been a ladder installed because there was no other way down--- not safely, anyway. With light, John wouldn't have minded; he'd climbed enough rock faces in his time that he felt pretty confident in himself.

But in the dark, and with the way these places got damp sometimes, even a ladder was its own kind of hazard. He wouldn't have taken his chances with nothing but his bare hands and whatever natural or blast-hewn underground cliff face was waiting for him.
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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 09/30/2017 9:51 PM

This was part of why it was so important to have an assistant. “Here, tie the rope,” John said, handing over a length of it to Bucky. Bucky knew the drill by now, which was probably one of the better things about having been stuck with him for a year. However much a nuisance he was, John had already trained him. Training someone else from scratch was a bigger nuisance than Bucky could be, even if John didn’t care for the boy’s chatter.

Bucky nodded, and secured the rope through a rock that had been chipped away slightly to serve just that purpose.
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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 09/30/2017 9:51 PM

John tugged it a few times just to make sure it was secure, before looping it through the belt harness he wore. Better safe than sorry, and better slow and cautious than dead. He checked it one more time to make sure it would hold his weight, then shuffled over to the ladder.

It was a good thing he had the rope. The ladder was steel so it wouldn’t rot away, and the rungs had rough surfaces to give his boots better purchase, but the rails themselves were slick with the damp of the cave.
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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 09/30/2017 9:52 PM

He was definitely relying on his rope more than his hands to keep upright, but that was what it was for, if he needed it. And it was hardly his first time down in these caverns. Even if it was unpleasant, he got down the ladder without any real trouble.

He wiped his hands off on his pants before untying the rope from himself, and securing it to another rock below. “Alright, let me know when you’ve tied your harness,” he called up to Bucky. “I’ll spot you.”
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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 09/30/2017 9:52 PM

“Very good, Mr John! Wow, you looked so cool,” said Bucky. More unnecessary nonsense. John sighed. He never could tell whether--- well, no; Bucky probably didn’t have it in him to make fun of anyone. But it still sounded damned sarcastic.

Hell, maybe that cheery manner of his was all just an act. Somehow, John found that easier to believe. But unfortunately he had no proof of anything like that, and without proof it was all baseless theorizing. Maybe if they spent enough time together underground, it’d come out.
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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 09/30/2017 9:53 PM

If there was ever a place for bringing out the worst in people, this had to be it. Damn, dark, full of strange noises and on occasion strange creatures; nobody there with you except your partner, and you’d better hope you get along with each other because there was no ditching them if you didn’t... Why did he take this job again anyway?

Ah, yes--- the money. The premiums they paid to get anyone half-competent to come down there. And sure, they could send derelicts, who would probably be more happy to take less pay, but then nothing would get done.
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Re: Miles Beneath the Rock [self; L]

Postby crow » 09/30/2017 9:53 PM

And John had experience, and hadn’t died, so even if he complained about everyone he worked for and every job he did, they kept him and kept him in good money so they could keep sending him into pits like this. Someone needed to do it. And fewer deaths meant fewer lawsuits too, which was always a nice bonus for Zachariah.

“All good, Mr John!” came the call from above. John nodded, though Bucky certainly couldn’t see him, and tugged on his own line to make sure it was taut.
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