Hadama considered Yuna’s suggestion and compared it to the plans scratched into the shellprints. Nodding thoughtfully he pulled an urchin spine out of his hair and corrected them to account for the new angling. That is better than what was here. Thank you, he nodded respectfully to the many-legged mermaid and her excellent idea.
Strength and teamwork saw the final ring sunk and tilted at an angle, providing much-needed stabilization to the curve of the tunnel-to-be’s roof. Now we can begin the tunnel beneath the Court, he said with quiet satisfaction, taking a short break to consider the next section of the project. There are ribs from a ghostwhale that was killed three years ago that we can use as braces as we go. And once the rest of the merfolk were rested and ready to continue, forming a chain to help remove the excess sand and dirt and stone, Hadama began to dig again.
Melita was a force of nature as she shoveled with furious focus and a prodigious application of both strength and endurance. Although the initial progress had been slow and fraught with setbacks, the deeper she dug the more firm the sediments became – and the less slippage occurred. Under her unceasing attack the hole grew both wider and deeper and she descended into the depths…
LuckilyMaeve had an excellent strategy to keep further slippage from occurring, and with the help of their fellow Torchers she and Aidon were able to stabilize the walls. Hardened to black glass, the well no longer suffered from collapsing and Mel was able to dig in safety with her assistants (and companion). Much like the honeybee girl, Maeve and Aidon would find their pace increasing the deeper they went as the shaft required less thickness for stabilization; and the smooth glass shell would keep the water that would soon fill it from softening the walls over time, as well.
Round 4: Turning Points
The mer have begun their cross tunnel beneath the Court! There are several tasks to choose from:
Digging
Carrying sand/dirt out of the growing tunnel
Bracing the tunnel as it’s dug out
The humans have almost caught up and now face the same question the mer did:
How to start/stabilize the turning point of the cross tunnel on their end? And how will they stabilize the tunnel once they start it? Using the same ribs as the water side (though those may be harder to move outside of the water)? More fire? Something else?
They can also begin cleaning out the well shaft of debris in preparation for the imminent shift in direction.
Strength and teamwork saw the final ring sunk and tilted at an angle, providing much-needed stabilization to the curve of the tunnel-to-be’s roof. Now we can begin the tunnel beneath the Court, he said with quiet satisfaction, taking a short break to consider the next section of the project. There are ribs from a ghostwhale that was killed three years ago that we can use as braces as we go. And once the rest of the merfolk were rested and ready to continue, forming a chain to help remove the excess sand and dirt and stone, Hadama began to dig again.
Melita was a force of nature as she shoveled with furious focus and a prodigious application of both strength and endurance. Although the initial progress had been slow and fraught with setbacks, the deeper she dug the more firm the sediments became – and the less slippage occurred. Under her unceasing attack the hole grew both wider and deeper and she descended into the depths…
Luckily
Round 4: Turning Points
The mer have begun their cross tunnel beneath the Court! There are several tasks to choose from:
Digging
Carrying sand/dirt out of the growing tunnel
Bracing the tunnel as it’s dug out
The humans have almost caught up and now face the same question the mer did:
How to start/stabilize the turning point of the cross tunnel on their end? And how will they stabilize the tunnel once they start it? Using the same ribs as the water side (though those may be harder to move outside of the water)? More fire? Something else?
They can also begin cleaning out the well shaft of debris in preparation for the imminent shift in direction.
