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« january open log: avaleci »

This is our Open Log for players to have an easy opportunity to tag others and have fun with prompts that deal with current happenings that are not covered by our MANTA Board quests. Sometimes we provide extra quests at the bottom, but oftentimes we just let the MANTA Board cover it. Players are free to include MANTA Board quests in their toplevels!

For your toplevel, please include the following: Character Name | Canon | Armada Choice.

TOPLEVEL DIRECTORY (Updated January 16)

WINTER LODGE

As part of an annual migration of sorts, the three leviathans will journey north where the waters are cold and small icebergs and chunks of ice will float aimlessly. As if serving as a "boundary point," there is a large island called Avaleci. It is a unique place where one half is an active, submerged volcano and the other is a snow-capped mountain. For a few years now it has become a place to serve not only as a waypoint for those traveling through the area, but a tourist vacation destination. It is here the three leviathans will rest, Nogard attaching itself in the black coastal sands where the mountain and volcanic plains meet.

Riding up a special sky gondola will take visitors high up on the mountain to a luxurious winter lodge that will allow anyone to stay in one of their cozy cabins—for a fee, of course. If one cannot pay with cash or treasure, then earning one's stay through labor, such as hunting for cooks or helping clean and assist others is an option.

The lodge itself will provide for most anything visitors may need, from appropriate clothing to gear and equipment for any sports or activities they may wish to partake in the area. Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, bobsledding, snowshoeing, mountain climbing—most everything is available with marked trails and areas that would be safe to partake in such activities. There are also a few special activities visitors may want to try their hand at.

Along with the mountain slopes and the snow covered forests surrounding the lodge, there is a large frozen lake just a small hike up a trail from the lodge. There are also ice caves that some may try to venture through, but should take caution as there are also natural predators and monsters that live in the area.

🎣 Ice fishing. There are two forms of ice fishing: 1) the usual dig through the ice and drop a line into the frigid waters, and 2) have a net ready to try and catch flying fish that will fly over.
⛸️ Skating. Show off your moves! Just stick to the thicker ice, and watch out for anyone trying to play hockey instead.
🌟 Stargazing. Although chilly, there is a designated platform where one can use telescopes or just lie out on the ground to stargaze. Maybe if they're lucky, an aurora borealis will appear to paint the sky with a curtain of colors.
🦇 Snow bats. There are special little white bats whose homes were devastated by a small avalanche not too long ago. There are now rescue efforts to help rebuild their habitat to create hollows for them to build their nest. Form a positive bond and they may gift helpers with a special powdered sugar that falls from their fur.

Although not the tallest mountain in the world, climbing to the peak can be a challenging feat, especially as it includes venturing through some ice caves. The staff try to keep the trails and caves clear of any dangerous animals and monsters, but they still sometimes come through so be careful. However, should one reach the peak, they can collect a special mountain ice crystal that will stay frozen no matter how it gets. Just beware of potential avalanches. There is a magitech system installed to automatically create a special dome shield in certain areas to help protect anyone who can reach the safe spaces in time. But if otherwise caught, rescue efforts will be quick and should be able to pull anyone out to safety.

Finally, there are a number of wildlife and monsters that inhabit the mountains. For the most part they will leave the busy lodge and recreational areas alone, but encounters are inevitable. Territorial mountain goats, ice golems lurking the ice caves, and the occasional yeti may appear. Some may be persuaded to leave peacefully, especially with food. But others may be hostile no matter what. While the lodge would prefer no bloodshed, they understand if it must happen. Otherwise, for hunters looking for game in the wilderness, they will find the usual variety of animals and will need a permit before venturing out.

HOT SPRINGS

Warmed by the volcano, the hot springs are located at the foot of the mountain, where the snow disappears and the terrain is rockier with short cropped grass and valleys before it fades out to the barren volcanic plains beyond. Built a bit simpler compared to the winter lodge, the hot springs' inn is set outdoors where the pools are, but it, too, has special rooms and lodgings for people to enjoy themselves for a relaxing stay (again, for a fee). Because the hot springs are easier to access on foot, the sky gondola starts down there and connects to the winter lodge above.

In terms of amenities, the hot springs have both separated and mixed pools. They are usually well marked, but sometimes pranks happen. There are several located outside with some near lava streams that flow out from the volcanic crater far from the springs, to the ocean. There are invisible, protective barriers to prevent anyone from accidentally touching the lava. All rooms will have their own small private pool. There are also foot baths, saunas, spa and massage rooms, a gaming room, and several food stalls and restaurants for one to dine at.

Of course, just like up on the mountain, there are some "hazards" that those using the larger pools, especially those that are near the lava streams, to be wary of.

🦎 Fire Drakes. Fire drakes are a common sighting around and in the pools. They are for the most part "friendly," in the sense that they won't outright attack unless they are injured first. But they can sometimes crowd the pools, so one may have to gently "shoo" them away.
🥚 Drake eggs. Nests can be found scattered here and there, and the eggs are a delicacy of the island. Blue eggs are safe to harvest as they are unfertilized, just like chicken eggs. Red eggs, however, are considered protected. Should a drake catch anyone trying to take a red one, then all hell will break loose as the entire hoard of drakes will descend to save their egg and the entire springs will shut down until it's settled.
🐧 Waltz of the Penguins. It just so happens this is the time when large flocks of penguins will migrate down for mating season. They usually won't bother anyone as they are more intent in performing special dances to find a partner, which can be beautiful to watch. Or perhaps someone may want to try and play matchmaker. But it isn't unheard of for someone else to catch their eye…

Some unusual activity is happening outside of the springs, and a local environmentalist will run in distress. Ice giants were spotted attacking and trying to collect a special native breed of tortoise. They grow up to be as large as giant boulders, with their shells made of molten rock. They are formidable in their own right, but the ice giants are larger, capable of picking them up and knocking them over. Rescue the tortoises either by guiding them to the safety of the springs or beating back the ice giants (killing is allowed). Save the tortoises and be handsomely rewarded!

Finally, those in Nogard may find their leviathan's choice of stay a bit…warm. They already had to experience witnessing their leviathan turn into a flesh dragon and engulf them in its gut only to be popped back out to the sweltering heat of the volcanic plains. Good luck to anyone who decides to stay in their homes. Elah and Eltrut will be unaffected.

VOLCANO EXPLORATION

Note: All threads involving prompts in this section will count as "quests" and be worth 4pts.

On the other side of Avaleci where the lava is hottest and where there is no cold to ward off the heat is a dangerous terrain where only the brave and more adventurous should go. Make sure to bring plenty of water and anything else that might help beat the heat. Who knows, even a bit of snow might help. There will be several tunneling entrances leading to winding corridors and wide caverns, some even boasting floors of lava, so watch your step! Fortunately, those who are fleet-footed should be able to make it across on the stones.

Within the caverns, there is plenty to discover: from gemstones and fire crystals to fire blossoms (interesting, they look strangely like the winter blossoms only red), and even some old magitech that appears to be broken. Still, there is no one around to tell people not to collect any of it...

🌋 Floor is lava. Getting across the volcanic terrain will require adventurers to hop from safe stone to safe stone to get to the other side of a lava lake. Beware of lava blobs that will shoot lava balls.
🧂 Sulfur smelling salts. Journey deep enough to find a sulfur field, where smelling salts can be harvested to help ease the nightmares brought on by the sleeping curse. However, too much exposure to the smelling salts will leave one feeling hyper energetic to the point of acting sleep deprived.
💎 Fire crystals. These crystals are a hard sought after item as they can be used for a large variety of magitech and even jewelry. However, they are extremely hot to the touch and can even burn if not handled carefully.
💾 Old relics. Scattered throughout the caverns are odd remnants of what appear to be old relics from the past. Researchers and archaeologists have tried to study here before, but due to the dangerous nature of the environment they've been hindered in their efforts. Those who retrieve pieces to return for study will be able to learn and work with the researchers. (note: Players can come up with any kind of relic that could be found here, from old magitech parts to fantasy genre artifacts. We'll ask for submissions during AC, but you are welcome to ask if you're not sure if your idea is okay or not!)

Roaming around the volcanos, especially in the caverns, are small flame sprites that can talk, sing, and dance. They are mischievous little things with a penchant for trouble, and love playing tricks on people, so keep your eyes peeled for them. Be careful, they also have some very sticky "fingers" and will try to steal whatever you might have on you. However, those sticky fingers are also very fiery, and will burn whatever they get their grubby little hands on!

The sprites will lead you on a merry little chase with your items, over lava pools, through winding tunnels, deeper and deeper into the volcano to take their new items to their secret stash of treasures. They will be hard-pressed to give it up, but should one have the charisma or the charm to convince them, they may instead be swayed to return with you if they are promised a comfortable life elsewhere! A large ship, perhaps? Or a fireplace? Away from that "big, scary, flaming animal" that lives further in the volcano.

Guarding the sulfur fields is what one could surmise is the "big, scary, flaming animal" that lives within the deeper depths of the volcano. Should anyone journey too far, they will no doubt hear its hooves thundering throughout the tunnels. Whether you choose to fight this fiery horse or attempt to tame it will be up to you, but it will not be an easy task… Especially upon close inspection it appears to have a few bones sticking and not quite "whole."

There are some odd things about this area with the flaming horse. Not too far is a small cave where what looks to be remains of a broken altar made of obsidian, the ground charred along with bones and bits of fabric. Dark red stains can be made out as well, but is that just the red rock of the volcano, or something else? Other artifacts can be found, such as torn books, stone tablets, but it all seems made within recent years.

More details about the flaming horse:

Attempts to tame the fire horse may be partially successful. If characters manage, one of two things will happen:

The horse will stare at them as if in a daze before it retreats into the lava, stopping its attacks for a short period of time.
The horse will charge off towards where the strange altar is, attempting to break the remaining structure and dig at the markings on the ground. A strange black smoke will appear and it will retreat back in anger before rushing into the lava and disappearing.

Subduing the horse will be very difficult, but we will leave it up to players on what method will work, and whether it is successful. We will ask for AC submissions, as this will unlock a follow-up quest in February.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He understands. A genuine need to protect someone always makes feelings of anxiety bubble up. A restlessness and hypervigilent. He knows it well. ]

I can't say, but I don't know why they would be. Surely not. The best we can do is offer our protection, perhaps.

[Well, at the very least, she does feel a bit more at ease with Dion here, having seen what he could do. Still, it doesn't make it any less anxiety-inducing, especially when she thinks about the possibility of having to face off against people she knows.]

Yeah... you're right.

[His words help to remind her that she just needs to take a breath.]

Nothing's happened yet, and I'm just worrying over... well, nothing. [A pause, and her eyes move to him.] How about you, Dion? How are you feeling?

[ He's listening to Tifa. He knows and recalls their last foray together being quite successful and so he's also at ease knowing she's with him. Not that he's concerned exactly about who he's facing. ]

Alright. [ A long exhale. ] The challenges of a duty like this is remaining prepared for a longer period of time, keeping your senses sharp so I feel on edge.

Something about all this business has left a bad taste in my mouth. Even the Corsairs couldn't possibly support what this poor woman has gone through, could they?

[Tifa looks over to her—the seamstress—who looks to be dozing off in her corner behind some crates. She feels wrong for it, but she does take some solace in knowing that she isn't alone in feeling this way.]

That's my thought, too. That there might be something more to it than even we know. The Corsairs that I do know wouldn't put up with hunting some woman down over some fabric.

[Of course, she doesn't know the entire story, only that she is being hunted down for her fabric, which is supposedly woven with some kind of magic. Even then, it doesn't seem worth it to her.]

Something tells me there's more to it than we know. It all just feels... off.

That is precisely the problem. I know many Corsairs, and none of them would do something like this nonsensically. [ And he knows many, and he's met even more. None of them seem like bad people. ]

It does, and in my experience if something feels off than it is. There's more than meets the eye perhaps.

[ His brow furrows. ] Perhaps all we can do is deliver her to safety.

[And even then, when they do... then what? Are the words that sit on the tip of her tongue. They deliver her to safety, and then they still come after her anyway. Even the last jobs involving seamstresses—and she's not even sure if it's the same one—wasn't this overt.

She's about to ask that very question, and gets as far as opening her mouth, when there's a loud BANG! from outside the ship, a splash, and the ship goes lurching to one side.]

What was that!?

[ Dion doesn't hesitate, the bang, the splash and the lurching sends Dion to the railing, leaning over to take a look at what's going on. ]

Corsair ship incoming!

[ No time for philosophy apparently. ]

[Tifa, for her part, only just barely manages to stay on her feet, her balance exercises coming in extremely handy as it returns back to its original state, rocking on the waves that come after the explosion.

She can see the look of fear on the seamstress's face, and Tifa rushes over to grab her by the shoulders.]

Dion, do you think you could hold them off until I get back? I'm going to get her to a safer room.

Understood!

[ Dion calls over his shoulder and stands on the railing, balancing deftly. His halberd is produced. He's at the ready.

He's a dragoon, he has excellent balance for perching. ]

[She at least knows that he can handle himself so she's not worried at all. The seamstress, on the other hand, looks as terrified as ever as they hear the splashes of something near the bottom of the ship.]

I'm going to take you below deck and find you someplace safe to hide.

[And as Tifa takes her down the stairs, she blocks her from the large splash of water that comes up onto the ship. Someone commanding the water? Or maybe some sort of device? It doesn't matter, she needs to get down below, because she can hear the sounds of hooks hitting the rails where Dion is waiting, and the shouts of men as they start to climb aboard.]

Edited 2024-01-13 04:24 (UTC)

[ These men are going to be disappointed, because he has no problem slashing through ropes that connect, and despite the turbulence to the ship, he's moving along the railing like he owns it. ]

You're going to have to do better than that!

[ One gets past him, but the Corsair climbing aboard does not. A swift, firm strike with the handle of his halberd sends him right into the ocean. ]

Abandon this folly!

[Except there are more of them than there are of the pair, along with the crew manning the ship. There's some sounds from below now when they see that the deck isn't the place to be with Dion perched up there, and there's a loud bang from below, and Tifa's cry calls out, muffled but loud enough.]

Dion!

[There's a blast of flames that fire out from the newly made hole in the side of the ship, the sound of another rope, and a thump.]

[ A change in tactics is not expected, but Tifa's cry for help has him frowning. The best way to handle this is to stem the flow. Go to the source. ]

Hang in there Tifa!

[ He calls before hopping down off the railing, giving himself a running head start and leaping across the chasm to land on the Corsair ship, halberd driven into the deck and white hot light magics spreading out and catching the deck slightly aflame. ]

Nowhere to run now. [ The crew is not going to like that, are they. ]

[They are definitely not, but these Corsairs are ruthless in their pursuit—more so than even Tifa was expecting!? Sometimes drastic measures must be taken.

She sees him flying across to the other side, and she curses under her breath and hurries the seamstress along until she decides it would be faster to pick her up and carry her. So that is exactly what she does, but not before kicking that corsair that had managed to climb through right back out into the ocean again. She's placing the seamstress down in another room and making sure to lock the door on her way out, telling her to stay put for now. They are far down within the ship, and it will take some time for them to find her there.

For now, she needs to get to Dion's side to help him.

She comes barrelling up the stairs to the deck in no time, checking around. A few more have managed to get aboard, and Tifa does the same thing, making quick work of them and throwing them overboard.

And she stares over the edge, looking down at the water below, and then to the Corsair ship that's been lit aflame.

Fire whizzes past Dion's head to take out a Corsair that's trying to run through them, knocking him back and to the ground.]

Sorry I'm late.

Never too late, I should think.

[ Dion is not slinging around magic, but rather slamming his halberd into them, or through them, pushing them overboard. It's a rather brutal way to do things, frankly, but they're not giving him a choice. ]

I don't think surrender is in their vocabulary. I did suggest it to them.

[ They declined. ]

I'm guessing they said no.

[Which is a shame because Tifa really didn't want to have to fight anyone.]

Stand back!

[But she isn't going to make Dion do all the work. She takes a few steps away from the railing of the ship, digs her boot into the wooden deck, and launches herself forward, vaulting across the gap between the Paladin ship and the Corsair's, landing with a tumble to break her fall right next to him when she just barely makes it to the other side.]

Have you seen their captain?

Not as yet!

[ Very impressive jump Tifa. ]

You could have made a very impressive dragoon. [ Just an observation such as it is. It's a high compliment. ]

The lower ranking members of this ship have no problem attacking. It seemed easier to stop them before they even went across.

[Don't make her blush, Dion! She thinks you're pretty cool yourself, and she'd love to talk more about what it means being a dragoon after they find the captain.]

If we can find him, we might be able to gain some control over this.

[As he said, the members have no problems attacking, and one of them comes lunging through the flames with an axe in his hand, raised for them both—]

[ Quips during battle are great but not at the expense of getting distracted. Dion sees the man approaching a hair too late, it's all he can do to shove Tifa out of the way and raise his arm to try and deflect the attack.

He's not very successful, the axe glances off of his armor and digs into Dion's shoulder, just barely missing something more vital.

He bites back a cry and responds by kicking the man hard, hoping to topple him and get him off of him.

The blood really stands out in all the white of his uniform. That's probably gonna hurt. ]

Edited 2024-01-25 15:54 (UTC)

[There isn't much that Tifa can do to guard against an oncoming axe, so her only choice is to dodge out of the way, rolling and coming up just in time to see it all happen.]

Dion—!

[The man falls back into Tifa, who catches him and throws him aside. And she would check on him if he wasn't already clambering for his axe.]

I don't think so!

[She pivots on her heel, digs in, and rushes him with a somersault, her toe clocking him square in the chin. There's a loud SNAP as something in his jaw breaks, sending him reeling backwards, into the wall of the ship, and down into the water.

No one messes with her friends.

And now she can run over to him, guarded momentarily by the fire, a cure spell already billowing from the materia in her glove over his wound.]

Are you all right!?

[ That really smarts. Dion's taken injuries before, he's not that concerned, although any closer and it could've been a much bigger problem.

Once she's taken care of him, he's already leaning over on his halberd, bleeding a river down under his armor. This is going to be hell to get out of his uniform.

The cure spell is very very appreciated. He coughs a bit as the pain leaves him and he's just left with the mess. ]

I'm alright. I will be alright. Sorry for that, I didn't mean to let him into my guard.

[ All the guilt he usually feels - injuries aren't one of them. He's fighting hard and they kind of just happen. ]

No. It happens.

[She gives him a light pat on the shoulder over his armour, and an equally reassuring smile.]

Come on. Let's go find the captain or whoever is manning this ship before these guys wake up. [A pause, just as she's about to move to the back of the ship where the wheel will be.] You'll be alright?

Yes, of course.

[ He's been injured before, and aside from some blood loss, and making a mess of himself, with her spell he's no worse for wear.

He will stalk in that direction with her, standing firm and strong so he can present that kind of intimidating image. ]

[She gives him a nod and presses on, and just as they're coming up to the steps leading to the top of the ship—]

Stop right there!

[The man who had been at the wheel abandons it and attempts to make a run for it. He tries to dash between Tifa and Dion both, but her foot finds his shin and she knocks him off his feet.]

[ He goes down and Dion plants his boot on the man's back, halberd at his throat. ]

I believe the lady had a request for you and it would be wise to honour it.

« january open log: avaleci »

WINTER LODGE

HOT SPRINGS

VOLCANO EXPLORATION

She sews lovely

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think we can start wrapping this, handwave the rest? 💜

Sounds fine to me! Thank you! 💜