escordvi | [[Open]] MANTA Promots and Catch-All

Entry tags:

[[Open]] MANTA Promots and Catch-All

Who: Dongfang Qingcang and you!
Status: Open
Where: All Over!
What: MANTA Quests and Crew-Related
Warnings: None at current; will update as needed

A Strange Shopping List
Having been convinced by Rem that a ship of their own, set up with the equipment and libraries needed, would be more useful in conducting the research they were interested in, Daqiang has done his own research into how mortals of the world go about acquiring one. There were the usual mentions of sometimes having ships stolen out from under a captain - particularly if a Corsair was boasting about taking a ship previously owned by a Paladin. But the most common consensus was that if you wanted a ship that would match your needs, you should gather appropriate materials and 'offer' them to the God-Beasts.

What sort of materials? Well, besides the usual wood and cloth and such, it seemed that items and components that would have significance or relevance to the ship the God-Beast was creating for you were just as important. As such, Daqiang had inquired with Rem and then Kimmuriel about what they felt was appropriate and came up with a short, but very odd, list: Magitech Items (still determining what sort), Stainless Steel, Black Jade, and one Dragonfly. And since it was so odd, gathering the materials became an exercise in visiting multiple ports for both information and discussions with merchants.

During the first half of December, Daqiang can be found on Elah, Eltrut, Nogard, and Antam speaking (or arguing) with various merchants over the costs of stainless steel, out in the wildlands of the leviathans chasing down rumored veins of black jade. Maybe you've chosen to help him in acquiring the materials and that's why you're knee deep in mud while Daqiang releases yet another dragonfly you caught because it's 'not good enough'.

Recruiting
If you've been invited to join the Raiders of the Lost Arts or have heard the rumors of them recruiting, and have yet to meet the strongest in the Three Realms, the great devil and Moon Supreme, Dongfang Qingcang, well he's not that hard to track down. His inquiries into procuring a ship have made it easy for anyone unfamiliar with him to get pointed his way by most merchants and port authorities.

On Nogaurd he is easiest to find onboard the Stormbringer as he still has a cabin there. If he's not immediately available, go ahead and hang out with Deathstar, the large, black, warrior cat that Daqiang took on as a 'servant' but whom gets treated more like minor royalty himself. He's very friendly and affectionate and would enjoy a shoulder ride even if he's too big for shoulders in question.

On Elah or Eltrut, he is largely keeping to the merchant quarters and around midday, you're certain to find him enjoying a meal at a private table set up where he can watch the various mortals walk by. He's the perpetually grumpy one dressed like he just walked out of a royal court.

MANTA quests TBA and Linked from Comments
Bite-Sized Blessings (General)
Fey Fighters (General)
Picture of Dorina Grey (General)
Magitech Madness (General)
Coins of the Crescent (Corsairs)
A Steamy Winter's Heist (Corsairs)
Poke 'N Prance (Corsairs)
Untitled Goose Bounty 2 (Bounty)

Wildcard
If the non-quest prompts aren't catching your fancy and the quest prompts aren't what you want either, feel free to put up something else and we'll go!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Go ahead.

[Daqiang answered easily, his gaze not leaving the dragonflies even as they began darting away at his approach. G'raha tagging after him reminded him a bit of Orchid doing so. She sometimes had questions, too.

And G'raha had the fortune of not being the source of the curse on Daqiang, so his curiosity was automatically less annoying.]

[ This isn't quite working. They are making quite a bit of noise and therefore startling their targets. G'raha stops where he is. Stands perfectly still in hopes of drawing the insects towards him... Or to better blend in with their surroundings. ]

Why are you in need of a dragonfly? Is it a hobby of yours?

[Daqiang stills just a couple steps after G'raha and tilts his head to look over his shoulder at him.]

No. This venerable one seeks to obtain a ship of his own. This venerable one has been told that in addition to the usual materials, those seeking a ship should provide whatever they wish to influence it's construction to the God-Beasts that create them.

[The dragonfly was one of those items.]

A ship?

[ His ears perk up and his tail moves again before he reminds himself to be still. It's hard to control how he reacts to surprise and curiosity. G'raha had heard about ships being available, but he hadn't thought that one could be created by the leviathans! ]

The leviathans have the ability to do this? How, I wonder....

This venerable one assumes it is similar to the magic of creation that some skilled jade carpenters have in his own world. There are likely other ways to make or obtain ships, but this venerable one was told offerings to the God-Beasts were how one assured the ship would meet this venerable one's needs.

[Their holding relatively still seemed to be working. At least one of the dragonflies was darting in their direction without seeming to care or notice them more than it did the waving cattails that grew plentiful in the water.]

I would be interested in speaking about the differences between your star and mine, particularly when it comes to magicks. Creation magicks are not unheard of where I am from, but no one of my era is capable of such a feat, creating something from a mere few items such as the ones you are collecting.

[ G'raha isn't dismissing the possibility, at least. He's just curious to know the process. It's the scholar in him. Something new. Something unexplored. Questions without answers and thus he can discover said answers.

These are the things that excite him and it shows on his face.

And the dragonflies are slowly growing in number. ]

Creation magic of that nature is not uncommon in the Three Realms. Greater magics, the kind that can create whole worlds and bring life into being... those are the ones that exist only in legend now.

[The number of dragonflies to choose from was indeed growing. Daqiang lifted a hand and let it hover as the small crowd grew. Eyes flitting from one to the next as he looked for the traits he wanted it to have.]

Remember, blue and green. With large wings and a large tail.

Create whole worlds... That implies that they once existed. If that is the case, then such knowledge is merely lost or forgotten.

[ And perhaps for the best. Depending on who might seek such magicks, well that could be a disaster waiting to happen. Best leave some things buried. At one time, G'raha might have thought the same of the Crystal Tower. He is still uncertain if mankind is truly ready for everything within...

Though he might have threatened his companion that if they were to delve too deep into the Crystal Tower and find themselves wounded that he would shut the doors forever. Never to be opened again. No matter what.

G'raha shakes his head. Carefully lifts his hand. ]

Of course. Do be mindful not to get bitten.

[ Because the moment that one lands upon G'raha's palm, he strikes. Not to crush it, but with nails that have yet to be trimmed, it forms a neat cage around the dragonfly. ]

[Daqiang huffs out a soft scoff. Not enough to disturb the dragonflies that are now getting so very close. But he can only find amusement in G'raha warning him not to get bitten. As if the dragonflies could do any real harm to him.

As G'raha's hand comes down to trap the one that landed on him, Daqiang's hands dart out to trap two dragonflies that had been flying too closely together between the cage of his own fingers. He only wanted to look at one, but having two to examine would give him time to stand quietly and allow the small crowd that just scattered to rebuild itself.]

Of course the magics of creation existed. They are simply lost now that the Three Realms has succeeded in becoming real where other realms have not. The Ruins of Ten Thousand Heavens are evidence enough of that.

[ Unfortunately, Daqiang is going to realize that G'raha is someone who fusses. An endless fusser that is always concerned about others and their wellbeing before his own.

He looks at the dragonfly. It is the right coloration and fairly large. ~~G'raha rolled a 15~~ But will it suit Daqiang's needs? ]

You know you mention these terms and I hardly know what you could be referring to. Three Realms, I assume, mean three different fragments of a whole.

This venerable one's world is the Three Realms. Shuiyuntian, where gods and fairies dwell in the clouds and spread their lies about bringing peace and protecting the world. Cangyanhai, where the Moon Tribe have found their home away from the hypocrites of heaven and fight daily for their right to survive free of heaven's command. And Yungmengze, the mortal realm. There are other smaller realms, but those are the three that the world is balanced around.

[He says all this with a mostly bored tone, but there is a definite sneer of disgust when he speaks of heaven and the gods and fairies. As he speaks, he carefully lifts his hands to be level with his eyes as he gives the dragonflies trapped a good long look. One is big enough, but the color is not quite what he wants.

He releases them both and drops his hands to turn and look at the one G'raha had caught. Correct colors. Large. Not as large as the one he'd caught himself, but... large.

Daqiang held out his hands with palms close for G'raha to hand it over.]

This one is almost perfect.

[ Ah. So that's how it is. Even if Daqiang's tone is bored and somewhat neutral, the words that he chooses are not. It's clear where he comes from and what his opinion is of this Shuiyuntian is. Of course fairies are not unfamiliar to G'raha either and he knows Fae in general to be rather. Capricious. Playful tricksters. It may not hold true for the other man but -

Oh how he wishes he could jot all of this down. As a historian, he wants to ask more questions. Get more details.

Though now he is slowly, carefully handing the dragonfly over. ]

I would tuck it away. We can keep looking for another, just in case.

[ They find a better one, that is. ]

You are from Cangyanhai then? Why would there be a need to fight for freedom?

This venerable one is the ruler of Cangyanhai.

[Speaking as a casually as he had most of the day, Daqiang paid more attention to transferring the dragonfly to a small paper cage than he did his own words.]

And Shuiyuntian has been attempting to wipe the Moon Tribe out since our ancestor first left heaven and crossed the Memory Loss River after she was betrayed by her fairy lover. Heaven does not like those that will not bow to them and makes a villain of any who do not.

[With the dragonfly secured, Daqiang lifted his head to look G'raha.]

This venerable one is the most successful villain they've ever had.

Edited 2023-12-10 09:33 (UTC)

[ It's a rather cute cage. G'raha wonders why it is made from paper rather than some other material. Though again he wonders why he can't have some magical item write all of this down for him.

Daqiang's world seems to be full of political strife - at least the equivalent of it. There had been a time where G'raha had engaged in such things. The thought of "most successful villain" makes him chuckle as he walks through the area towards another set of plants that should attract dragonflies. ]

A villain, you say. It would appear you were far more successful in that endeavor than I. Though what of the people you rule over? What is their opinion?

This venerable one is a tyrant and a monster. The worst in all the realms.

[He answered easily and without emotion, as if he was making small talk about the tides coming in.]

This venerable one is also their ruler, whose strength they admire and whom they value as the one to lead them in reviving Cangyanhai and destroying Shuiyuntian.

[Daqiang shifted his position just a couple steps to lightly agitate the water and send the group of dragonflies darting around before they settled again and got comfortable with the presence of the two hunting them.]

The Moon Tribe values strength. As long as one is loyal to the Moon Tribe, this venerable one's people can endure any suffering that is necessary in reviving and protecting them.

That is hardly convincing, considering one of the initial statements you made regarding your protection.

[ Things like that, claiming someone as theirs and then making bold statements about how they protect what is theirs... It isn't something to take lightly. And G'raha understands that feeling. Understands the need to protect those that have gathered to him. That had believed in the Crystal Exarch and what they had been building for near a century.

The people of the Crystarium had endured much. Losses stemming from the Flood of Light that had nearly encompassed 90% of their star. The population dwindling from the constant attacks of Sin Ears, born from this Flood of Light. Fighting for resources, for a way of life. ]

People tend to be able to endure much if they are given hope.

This venerable one's people do not rely on hope. It is the strength of their hatred inspires them.

[The Moon Tribe's past was a bloody one where hope had little purchase. But hatred for Shuiyuntian? There was so much of that.

G'raha might notice, however, that the way Daqiang replied put a divider between himself and his people. They were inspired by their hatred.]

Daqiang, if that is the case then I would ask of you to reconsider.

[ His tone shifts. It becomes a little firmer. Spoken with more authority than a mere historian and a flustered young man would have. ]

Hatred can only carry one so far. Hatred does not fill bellies nor does it provide homes. It is a fire that burns and is short lived, leaving nothing but ash and bitterness in its wake. When hatred is exhausted, naught remains and their is a void and a lack of knowing what to do next.

[ Which, G'raha doesn't think that this is really going on. Not at all. But separating oneself from the people rarely... Is beneficial in the long run. ]

Hope endures and is not something that easily dies. Many true tyrants throughout the ages have tried time and time again to crush hope and yet it still continues to manage to survive and spread when nurtured.

Hatred has fed the fires in the bellies of the Moon Tribe for hundreds of thousands of years. Cangyanhai is the land of fire, the home of eternal flames. The Moon Tribe's strength, just as their hatred, is not so frail as to be extinguished due to hardships like hunger or the lack of roofs in ill weather.

[While it was clear G'raha was speaking from his own experience. But he had not the breath of years that Daqiang did. Nor the history of pain his people had endured.]

It is not something you can understand. You are too young.

Age has little to do with it. True, those of my star are not nearly as long lived but I have bore witness to plenty enough. Upon our meeting I stated I was a historian, correct?

[ Well there's a little more to it than that. The Allagan Eye is not merely his inheritance. It had been the will of Salina, moved by her own people. The desire to see the Crystal Tower as a beacon of hope rather than what it had been during Xande's resurrection and reign. ]

T'was not hatred that saved our star, but one hand reaching out for another in a moment of despair. It was saved not by striking one another down, but coming together and creating something new and innovative. Our Dragonsong war was not ended with hatred, but rather both men and dragon meeting one another together so that both might continue to thrive.

[ There are many other instances he can think of. Some he cannot openly discuss - since the use of time travel is. Hmm. A secret he would rather take to the grave. It's also difficult to speak of the Ascians and the Ancients without further frame of reference. ]

Every society that has relied on their hatred has fallen apart. They become corrupt and unrecognizable, eventually becoming the very thing that they hate. It is all well and good to fight for one's freedom, but there will come a time when the strife ceases and relationships will need be salvaged.

[ Unfortunately, G'raha does feel rather strongly about the subject. ]

I bear no love for Garlemald. Though they were originally run out from their homeland, they have taken many lives. They have subjugated many and were the very reason I was forced to leave my homeland. Yet I cannot stand idly by while their people now freeze and suffer.

That you have suffered and found a way through it is admirable. But your way is only one way. The Moon Tribe is strong, founded on the hatred of our ancestors for the betrayal of heaven and their continued hunting of us. In hundreds of thousands of years it has not fallen, nor become corrupted and unrecognizable. In the tens of thousands of years of this venerable one's own life, they have survived and remained true to their roots.

[Daqiang looked at G'raha for a long moment before looking away and shaking his sleeve.]

Forget it. You are too young. You may never live long enough to understand.

Edited 2023-12-10 11:36 (UTC)

[ The thing is... It isn't only G'raha's way. What he speaks of has been implemented many times throughout history. Long lasting peace and prosperity is not something that can be obtained through hatred - for that only breeds more suffering and resentment.

The number of years isn't in question. If these people are immortal then naturally what would take a shorter lived people a shorter amount of time... It would take Daqiang's longer. ]

If you say so then it must be so.

[ But G'raha isn't without his own petulance either. ]

It's been quite a while since anyone has called me too young for anything.

This venerable one is over 38,000 years old. You have barely...

[He waved his hand, trying to figure out how old the spiritual presence he felt from G'raha was. Something he'd had little success with judging about the people of both this world and other worlds that had been brought here.]

No more than five hundred. Even if it is difficult to judge, it cannot be more than five hundred.

I cannot compare to the time you have spent alive, no. Yet you should not be so quick to dismiss my words either. Not only have I seen a star on the brink of collapse once, I have seen it multiple times and its recovery. I have seen the fall of societies at the very edge of the universe itself. Experience is not always something that can be measured in mere years.

[ Someone can live many lifetimes in a single life, after all. ]

If I am one of your people as you claim, then so, too, is my experience. To deny it outright is also diminishing something you have already deemed worthy of that claim.

[Daqiang shot G'raha a glare, on the edge of actual anger over such a presumptuous statement. His people had suffered and sacrificed so much just to keep living and their hatred was often the only thing keeping them going. He had been made a weapon for that hatred. He had become a monster for it.

A moment later he shut his eyes and took a deep breath. The feeling washing away through force of will to leave him cold once more. Where he should be. Centered and without distractions.

Face as empty as his heart, he tilted his head in agreement.]

Yes. You are correct. Just as this venerable one should not deny your experience for being different, you should not deny his.

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