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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

1. Winter Lodge

A. Stargazing

[ After the last few months' rush of activity, even he can admit that it's nice to slow down a little. He still has his notebook in hand, of course - thinking about his findings is always ongoing - but it's more soothing than he'd like to admit to look up at the stars.
He doesn't feel the need to use a telescope; the glories of the stars on their own are enough for him. He's reminded very much so of the Astral Sea.
He's in a good enough mood that he doesn't completely stonewall anyone coming near him, though he's not particularly seeking out company. But on occasion, he will in fact strike up a conversation, or at least make small talk (which is as close as conversation gets for him). ]

These stars are quite beautiful. It is a rare opportunity to view them.

2. Volcano Exploration

A. Relic Hunting

[ Kimmuriel wouldn't usually venture into such extreme places - at least not without substantial preparation - but, well, there are treasures to be found and he certainly doesn't want them to be all retrieved by the Paladins, who seem to be very fond of knowledge going in and not out. So here he is, picking his way through the volcanic caves and having traded his usual clothing for something more suited to subterranean wandering.

Depending on when you come across him, he could be carefully trying to extract a relic, taking a break from the sweltering heat by planning his next move, mapping what he's already seen of the caverns, or simply searching in a slow and methodical way, looking for any traces of the treasures he seeks. ]

B. Sulfur Fields

[ The sulfur fields are vast and even hotter than the rest. And honestly, smelling salts suddenly become a lesser priority compared to, well.

The horse. The clearly on fire, kind of fucked up horse. ]

Is that a demon? [ He sounds suddenly a bit concerned. ]

3. MANTA Board

A. Fun with Mimics

[ Kimmuriel knows well what mimics are, though he hasn't had to deal with them very much. They're more of an amusing anecdote - there are plenty of ways for nobles, drow and otherwise, to trap their valuables in far deadlier ways that don't involve hungry chests.

He seems to find the whole thing sort of amusing, really. You can find him sitting and baiting one such chest into snapping at some meat he's bought (he's not hubristic enough to use his actual hands to provoke the creature, but he's not above pettiness), dangling it tantalizingly above the mimic with a fishing rod.

He's...having fun..?? ]

4. Wildcard
[ Anything else! Hit me up if you just want me to roll with it. ]

...No, that's a horse.

[She can understand the confusion, though, horses are pretty similar to demons.

Misaki, it's on fire.]

...It is a regular occurrence for horses to be aflame where you are from? [ That bit of concern is surprisingly still there. ]

I cannot stress how much horses are never a regular occurrence in my life, on fire or not.

[A long pause.]

But it doesn't feel like a demon. I think horses might just come on fire here.

[ He supposes he can relate. There were certainly no horses in the Underdark. ] They are strange beasts. You do not find them in caves, for obvious reasons. And presumably, neither do they live where you live. But neither were they on fire - save the one my co-leader owns as a mount, which is most certainly a demon.

Can you be certain of such a thing? [ He does sound genuinely curious, just a bit. ]

Ninety-five-point-six-eight-repeating percent certain. [She pauses.] I would say one hundred percent, but I'm not sure yet if demons exist in this realm, or if they'd feel different.

[Misaki shrugs a little, but she's still staring right at the horse. And...hm.]

The problem is, mostly, that horses generally have nastier temperaments than most demons, and this one happens to be on fire, and also it appears to be staring at us, which is probably not good.

How exacting. [ He sounds the tiniest bit amused.

The horse does look angry. It also looks like it very much dislikes them standing around, and paws the ground. ]

It seems to consider us intruders to its territory. That will be inconvenient. [ He did want to collect treasure from this place... ] Is it a natural creation, or something bound here by a wizard? If it was bound, that could well account for its poor temper...

Precision in language is important when dealing with demons or the fae--

[She pauses. Squints. Begins drawing glyphs in the air. she is making a bunch of Big Ass Ice spears.]

I believe it's about to charge. There seems to be an altar there behind it--that'll be the answer, one way or the other.

That is true, but I try not to deal with them at all. [ He's seen enough botched demon summonings (and successful ones) to decide that is solidly not for him.

And there are all the other memories, besides. He doesn't like demons.

Kimmuriel barely moves at all. He's just keeping an eye on the horse, which is starting to gallop towards them. ]

It must be defending the altar. Else it would be roaming the whole fields, not just here.

I don't think herbivores are usually territorial. So we need to get to that altar--whup.

[Just going to launch a spear into the horse at the last minute and watch it get knocked back. And shake itself off. And look pissed.]

Ah. Ice isn't as effective as I'd have hoped.

I do not think it matters what the creature eats if it is that angry--

[ Oops, here it comes. He simply shimmers into intangibility as the horse charges and goes right through him. It circles in irritable bemusement, attempting to bite him and finding no purchase.

On the bright side, it being distracted with him means Misaki is going unnoticed for the moment? ]

Hmm.

[Misaki does seem to consider this for a moment. and then a great deal of shadowy--hands? claws? Tentacles?--raise up out from underneath the horse to grab it and slam it hard against the ground. So it's at least dazed for a little bit.]

I think we'll need to have a look at that altar.

[ He fades back into tangibility as Misaki tosses the beast around, temporarily distracting it. ]

Is there anything in particular you are looking for? From the prevalence of artifacts in this cavern, I do not think we will be able to read anything upon it. [ In short, if there's instructions on how to Stop A Fucked Up Horse he doesn't think they're going to be conveniently accessible. Better to have a battle plan. ]

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torinoko - 2024-01-26 17:44 (UTC) - Expand

[Come for the treasure, stay for the-]

Horse.

[Of fucking course he'd be here, of fucking course he'd need to come along. Of fucking course he'd been snagging gems and fire crystals (carefully)!

But this officially trumps gems and crystals by a vast margin, and that overbright gleam in his eye suggests someone here has gotten a very bad idea.]

Perhaps a demon that looks like one, but regardless.

[Horses are for riding and boy does he like his mounts.]

Edited 2024-01-08 21:57 (UTC)

[ Despite the sweltering heat, it's been strangely comforting to just do this sort of work with Jarlaxle. It's something they both know and Jarlaxle, especially, enjoys, and Jarlaxle's enjoyment is something that's been on his mind lately for...some...reason.

He opens his mouth. Closes his mouth. Decides it's a futile battle to discourage him because he's going to do it no matter what he says. ]

And how are you going to capture this...horse. [ If it even is a horse and not something shaped like a horse, which are very important distinctions. ]

[There's a thoughtful hum, Jarlaxle glancing from the horse, over to the obsidian altar just visible from within the small cave.]

Do you see there? The altar, there appears to be something upon it. I wonder if it has anything to do with the creature itself...

[There's some gears turning here, looking from the altar, to the horse, back again...]

I've an idea, but it would involve you accessing the altar and whatever is upon it.

I would like more detail before you run off to enact it and get yourself in trouble.

[ He gives Jarlaxle a Look, but he does glance at the altar. The creature does seem rather protective of its contents...perhaps as a way to bind the beast? ]

It'll hardly be any trouble at all.

[He thinks. He's pretty sure. He is hedging his bets on it not being a problem for very long!]

The beast appears to be guarding the altar, does it not? Surely there must be something of use upon it. If you were to try and approach it now, you'd most certainly be attacked, but if someone were to distract it for long enough, we could collect whatever is on the altar.

[Maybe it has something to do with taming the horse. Maybe not! Either way, he could only assume whatever was over there had to be valuable.]

And as luck would have it, you happen to have a very distracting someone accompanying you today.

[Please let him be stupid with the horse.]

This plan is absurd, but I suppose I can see your logic.

...Tell me you bothered to obtain something at least partially fire-resistant. [ He changed his clothing to go walking around in a volcano!! ]

You haven't even seen it in action yet.

[Which means it is definitely absurd and a terrible idea, he's going to do it anyway.]

Of course I do, we're in a volcano after all. I've an entire collection of fire crystals to attest to my readiness, thank you very much.

[You know, as if he wouldn't show up unprepared or something. How silly would that be?]

[ He did prepare enough to pick up fire crystals, but the horse was unplanned for, is what he doesn't say. He'll just have to trust that Jarlaxle can carry things through somehow. ]

I have long accepted I need not see your plans in action to accept that they often work. [ Said with the tone of someone who's just gone well, this might as well happen. ] You seem to have perhaps a disproportionate amount of luck, for reasons I do not understand, but it has served you well.

So you will distract the beast, and I will gather anything valuable-looking from the altar. Ideally, you will then dismount, and we can make a clean escape. Is that the shape of it?

[He's beaming, just a big wide gleaming smile from ear to ear. That's right, his plans work quite a bit, thank you for noticing.]

I have the exact right amount of luck for my needs, thank you.

You've the general idea of it! The finer details will be worked out as they become necessary to. I assume you're ready to begin?

[No he's not going to explain just how he plans on getting on the horse, don't worry about it, it's fine.]

[ HE'S WORRYING ABOUT IT. EVEN MORE WHEN YOU SMILE LIKE THAT, JARLAXLE. ]

You ever do. [ His tone is dry. ]

We may as well begin. The beast is not getting any less angry the longer we stand here.

[ He'll follow Jarlaxle's lead, and not go for the altar until Jarlaxle has made his...distraction. Whatever form it takes. ]

[DON'T EVEN WORRY ABOUT IT. He looks confident enough! You just gotta believe!]

Excellent, then without further ado.

[He unclasps the shimmering cape, tugging it off his shoulders and shaking it out a little. After a quick once over of the item, he promptly marches right out in front of the fucking horse, swinging the cape about to gain the enraged beasts full attention.]

Here boy, this way!

[And good golly gosh is that horse fuckin' mad, because that drew all of the aggro immediately, that is a full fledged demon animal hurling itself right at him! Way's clear for Kimmuriel though, good luck little buddy!]

[ He immediately regrets agreeing to this plan.

But since Jarlaxle is enthusiastically doing his part, he must do his own, he supposes. He skirts around the enraged horse, to give it less reason or opportunity to notice where he's headed, and opens a door to get him to the altar quickly.

Once there, his attention is divided, quite reasonably he thinks, between Jarlaxle's trying to distract a horse with his cape and quickly trying to assess what isn't simply a waste of time on the altar. He begins by taking several photos of the altar itself and the treasures littered around and upon it - they ought to be of interest if nothing else. ]

WINTER LODGE

HOT SPRINGS

VOLCANO EXPLORATION

Kimmuriel Oblodra | Forgotten Realms | Corsair

B - Sulfur Fields

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Sulfur Fields

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