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[[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!
Status: Open
Where: All Over!
What: MANTA Quests and Crew-Related
Warnings: None at current; will update as needed
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'.
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.
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)
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!
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[ 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.
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[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.
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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.
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[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.
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[ 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.
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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.
no subject
Of course he's also shifting personalities again. Back towards his more... Youthful side. Which is why he takes hold of the other's sleeve. Trying to get a look at that face - though there is hardly any hiding the impish look in his own. ]
Now when did I deny your own? Am I not providing this advice because I already assume that you will prove to be the victor in all of this?
[ Translated as: Are you saying you and yours aren't going to win this fight? In other words, G'raha isn't concerned about the victory, but how the pieces will be picked up after. It's as though he is placing confidence in Daqiang's ability and not denying the strength of his own people. ]
Or was I mistaken in assuming as such?
[ :3c ]
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Daqiang gulps down a breath and leans his head back as G'raha attempts to look up at him. He blinks hard a couple times as his eyes widen at the sudden softening of the other man. Like a pastry melting under the sun, sticky with it's sweetness.]
This venerable one...
[He started but was at a loss for too long before he managed to make sense of what was actually being said. That... that G'raha intended to return with him? If he was trying to advise about what came after? Surely that was what it meant.]
Yes... No. No. You were not wrong in your assumption.
[He cleared his throat, eyes going back down to that hand on his sleeve. Then he nodded and straightened up, chin lifting as he regained his composure
and maybe puffing himself up a bit]This venerable one will destroy Shuiyuntian and bring peace to his people.'
[His lips curved very gently into an almost smile.]
And you will be there to... advise... this venerable one and what to expect after he succeeds.
no subject
Of course he's just grinning - knowing full well that he has won in a sense - as the other man rights himself. Seems to fix his stature and everything. ]
Full well am I glad to know that this is the case.
[ Though he isn't sure about destroying a whole realm. But that discussion can be saved for another time. Especially when G'raha is a little shocked by what comes next. A smile and a statement that G'raha would be there too.
When had he said - ]
Ah, that's to say -
[ Once more G'raha is going to be cut off. Because in the midst of maybe trying to correct a misunderstanding, there is a dragonfly. Landing neatly between two red ears. Perfect coloration and size.
And it's stuck in G'raha's hair now. ]
no subject
[Daqiang's attention fixed on the dragonfly.
He carefully took out the paper cage and released the one already there while it was at waist level - no need to disturb the perfect one on G'raha's head with the escape of another. Daqaing then lifted his hands very slowly, very carefully. At the point that the dragonfly began a slow beat of it's wings, he brought the paper cage down on top of it to keep it from flying away. The soft 'ppft' of it hitting G'raha's hair was the only noise in the sudden silence of the moment.
He slid his fingers through the front of G'raha's hair, under the cage and the dragonfly now within it. Lifted his hand and the cage together.]
How lucky this venerable one is to have you as his.
[He murmured as an involuntary smile - one that was deeper and more real than anything Daqiang could have done if he actively tried - curled his lips and made its way to his eyes.]
no subject
But what he does feel is the fingers gliding through his hair. Now his ears twitch as does his tail. A small smile.
His eyes catch sight of that smile. Notices the tone of voice. That, more than the words actually spoken, is what gets him flustered all over again - enough to fuss with his bracers once more. ]
S-so your standards are met, correct?
[ Totally talking about the dragonfly. ]
no subject
[Totally not talking about the dragonfly.]
Dragonflies are agents of change and good fortune. Creatures of both the air and water. It will bring good fortune to the ship.
[He cleared his throat and looked down at his prize. The dragonfly.]
You would be welcome on it. Once it the God-Beast Nogard has seen fit to provide it.
no subject
[ There is a fond smile there too. G'raha has been on quite a few ships. It reminds him of all of the costal places he has existed in.
Then he looks a little surprised. ]
Wait. Welcomed? Me?
no subject
[And he was not currently inclined to deny him.]
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I see. Honestly, I am not sure what I expected you to say. Now I feel rather foolish for thinking you would have had any other response.
[ Yes, he is quite certain his interpretation is correct. This G’raha doesn’t mind the statement being made. Who is he to determine whether or not someone wishes to include him in a list of persons to protect? To feel responsible for? ]
Mayhap when it is finished you should ask again. Regardless, I would love to see the ship when it is completed.
no subject
[He agreed with a nod. Then he tilted his head toward their feet - where G'raha's clothes were muddy and wet even above the waterline of the pool they stood in. Daqaing's were noticeably not.]
Since this venerable one now has his prize... let us return to the city and give you time to dry off and be cleaned.
no subject
I suppose now that you have what you need, it is about that time.
[ To part ways, is what he thinks. Because the task is finished? ]
no subject
[The task is finished, but when Daqiang said 'us', he meant 'us'.
He tucked the dragonfly into his sleeve and then reached out and put his hand on G'raha's shoulder to turn him in the direction Daqiang wanted to walk.
...And if G'raha did not begin walking, Daqiang would take his nearest wrist and start tugging him along. Not quite holding hands. But he also wasn't going to let go until he felt that G'raha was going to follow.]
no subject
But instead he grabs G'raha's wrist. Pulls him along like so! ]
Daqiang?
[ What are you doing? He is so confused because people don't. Tug him along? At least the last person that had done that was Lyna... ]
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[ As in. Public. A public bathhouse? ]
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[They have private rooms. Some of them.]
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[ He is intelligent, oh great Moon Supreme. But this is baffling him. ]
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[yes. they were heading to one. eventually.]
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[ He's not really fighting Daqiang tugging him along so they are getting there. ]
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