[[Open]] MANTA Promots and Catch-All

[yuezun]

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!

Comments

[yuezun]

Be still.

[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.]

[afflatusexarch]

[ No worries there. G'raha goes completely still as he realizes what is going on. There are a couple of blinks, of course. A moment where he is holding his breath as Daqiang sees to removing it. Capturing it with that paper cage. Honestly he barely feels the cage descend upon his head.

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. ]

[yuezun]

They are.

[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.

[afflatusexarch]

Change and good fortune. Air and water. That is an interesting analogy. I can see why, then, you would seek one for the creation of your ship. Favorable winds and smooth sailing.

[ 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?

[yuezun]

You belong to this venerable one. Your place is wherever this venerable one wishes it to be. None save this venerable one can deny you that.

[And he was not currently inclined to deny him.]

[afflatusexarch]

[ There is only a brief second in which G’raha’s mouth hangs open with surprise. He soon shuts it, shaking his head and feeling a bit sheepish. A chuckle escapes him. ]

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.

[yuezun]

This venerable one will do so.

[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.

[afflatusexarch]

[ Well not everyone can be some kind of god, Daqiang. G'raha blinks and then looks down at himself. He doesn't really... Understand what the big deal is there? It's just mud and water. ]

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? ]

[yuezun]

Yes. There should be more than a few bathhouses to choose from.

[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.]

[afflatusexarch]

[ Well his ears are certainly shooting upward as a hand is placed on his shoulder. He expects a slight shove to get him going.

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... ]

[yuezun]

Yes?

[afflatusexarch]

Did you say... Bathhouse?

[ As in. Public. A public bathhouse? ]

[yuezun]

Yes.

[They have private rooms. Some of them.]

[afflatusexarch]

And we are heading towards one...

[ He is intelligent, oh great Moon Supreme. But this is baffling him. ]

[yuezun]

You are dirty.

[yes. they were heading to one. eventually.]

[afflatusexarch]

Well yes. That tends to go with the territory when moving about wet areas.

[ He's not really fighting Daqiang tugging him along so they are getting there. ]

[yuezun]

And bathhouses are for getting clean.

[See? He could state the obvious, too.]

[afflatusexarch]

Yes, I realize.

[ Smartass. 8U ]

You are night impeccable. It doesn't even appear as though you were meandering about in the water and mud.

[yuezun]

[He stopped walking and turned to face G'raha, a frown etching across his forehead.]

This venerable one is taking you to a bathhouse so that you may become clean.
Is the translation magic making this venerable one's words strange? Are they not clear?

[afflatusexarch]

What? No! No, not at all it's just.

[ G'raha also frowns. Just slightly. ]

Why? Now before you answer, I know that the "why" is that I require it. I am referring to the escort.

[yuezun]

Because this venerable one wants to.

[Wait. No. That was-

He clears his throat.]

This venerable one wants to-

...wants to make sure you get there.

[*ahem-em*]

[afflatusexarch]

[ G'raha watches for a couple of moments. Realizes that Daqiang is kind of fumbling a little. As though he had caught himself expressing something he wants to do just for the sake of it.

And then making up some kind of excuse.

G'raha stops looking bewildered and is amused. So amused that he starts laughing. ]

I see! Of course!

[yuezun]

Shut up.

[He shot a dirty look at G'raha at the laugh.]

Move. You are too slow.