escordvi | Open log for MANTA quests (June)

Who: Emet-Selch and YOU
Status: Open
Where: See individual prompts
What: Busy old man keeping himself occupied for the month
Warnings: Maybe light horror with Tara-Tam Deepcroft because, well, undead. Also some mutilation and burning of an NPC in Eggscort Duty.

(Will match tag format)

1. Glory in the Hole (General MANTA 4pts)

Emet-Selch isn't a superstitious sort. However, he acknowledges that sometimes the simple reassurance of having a 'good luck' token can soothe nerves in times of crisis. It's less about the token itself and more about what it represents to those who look upon it. A man who might freeze up and wail about the coming end can demonstrate astonishing fortitude if they but believe wholeheartedly in the blessing of their little trinket.

So, as much as he wants to roll his eyes, he focuses on the glass-blowing instructions being given - both about how to actually blow glass as well as inject one's 'spirit essence' into it - and puts forth a decent attempt at making some glass ornaments for himself (and his crew; not that he'll admit to it directly).

The first is meant to be a simple orb...but he turns it unevenly and it ends up drooping sadly to one side. Emet-Selch is initially annoyed, until the instructor comes over to help him cut it off and comments about how much it resembles a human heart. Dissatisfied with the implications of that, he tries again and this time produces a lumpier shape. Like a bunch of grapes.

"Why bother to learn how to blow glass if these take form from one's essence?" he wonders aloud to the person next to him.

2. A Stink to Remember (General MANTA 4pts)

Per his network post, Emet-Selch is helping unfortunate souls who have become victims to the not-morbol's foul breath. He usually waits until the creature has moved on before coming in to assist, but perhaps a particular morbol is a little too ornery and requires...direct intervention.

a) The stinky creature is gone and Emet steps in to help ease the effects of its breath with curative magic.
b) The stinky creature is trying to go for the kill and Emet has to blast fire in its figurative face.
c) ??? Create your own funny scenario

3. Tara-Tam Deepcroft (Hard) (Paladin MANTA 4pts)

The sound of a woman weeping echoes softly off the walls of the deepcroft. Emet-Selch tilts his head, trying to pinpoint the origin of the sound. He had tried using his Soulsight earlier but with so many spirits adrift that had proven less than helpful. In fact, they're becoming a little bit of a bother, brushing against him and whispering in a way only someone with an affinity for the dead, like him, can hear.

"I cannot help you right now," he says with forced patience. "I need to find that woman. The one crying." A soul near his face bobs up and down. "If you will help me find her and do what needs to be done then I can come back and lay you all to rest."

The soul bobs again then lethargically starts to drift down a corridor. Emet-Selch sighs and gestures to whoever may be with him. "Come, this way."

4. Eggscort Duty (Paladin MANTA 4pts)

Near one of the fire serpent nests, a visceral scream rings out.

Emet-Selch flicks his hand and the pot of molten gold he had been trying to deliver to the nest rights itself. However, the pirate that had thought to ambush him and make off with it now cavorts on the ground, screaming as the gold burns their flesh and begins to harden.

"Since you like gold so much, take it with you," Emet-Selch says coldly. "I'm sure your fellows will enjoy peeling it off your skin piece by piece to sell."

5. Wildcard

For anything else! I'm open to other MANTA prompts or original prompts too. For Whale Memorial, I thought about having him sail out to take care of some actual whales rather than participate in the ceremony itself, if anyone would like to spot him preparing to sail off to do that. He can also help hunting down criminals in Closing Loose Ends.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Despite being a paladin quest, how could Della not do something so irresistibly spooky? This kind of adventure was right up her alley! Besides, the mansion had a ghost butler, so she had experience with spirits! ... Kinda. Sorta. Ish.

Okay the short version is she has no plan and is going to make things up as she goes along. Always ends well.

But at least she's not completely hopeless - she's got her friend here! (yes, they're friends, she decided it, he has no say in this.) She lets out an impressed whistle.

"So you can chit-chat with ghosts? That something you could always do, or a talent you got here?"

"I have been able to see and hear them ever since I realised I could touch the Underworld," he replies. "I suppose spirits across worlds are not so very different from one another."

They all have their regrets and resentments. Reasons to linger beyond their time. Having this as a constant is somewhat comforting, to be honest.

"I can use their power as my own. I expect I shall need to when we meet this woman - she has attacked not a few Paladins already."

Della nods as she listens, hands in her pockets as she follows him.

"So you're the perfect person for this quest! Like it was perfectly designed for you!"

Open log for MANTA quests (June)

Tara-Tam Deepcroft

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