[Island Quest] The Fractured Isle

[yuezun]

Who: The Raiders of the Lost Arts Crew
Status: Semi-Closed; If you have CR with anyone in the crew and want to participate, poke them OOC to confirm that they'd be up for inviting you IC; as long as that's true: come join in!
Where: The Fractured Isle
What: The Raiders of the Lost Arts are claiming an island
Warnings: none atm, but players should put warnings in subject lines if something does come up
Notes: per the island quest rules, this quest is worth 12pts for members of the Raiders of the Lost Arts and 4pts for non-members

THE FRACTURED ISLE

Deep in the Fevered Sea - an expanse of the flooded world where the water is always warm and often boils due to the underwater volcanoes that line the ocean floor - lays an island shrouded in smoke and fog and the details of what lay beyond have been lost to time and now exist only in rumor. Called the Fractured Isle, this island's location is documented well-enough in the Archives of Antam to be located with minor effort. However, it is because of it's location that it has been unable to be explored at any length in the many long years since it was first noted in ship logs.

With all the volcanoes creating the oft-boiling sea around it and occasionally erupting - creating geysers that could tear apart most ships, no matter how well armored - landing safely on the small patch of shoreline that can be seen past the obscuring fog is a daunting and near-impossible task. The Archives of Antam contain only two entries from ships that successfully landed, but only one of those ships was also successful in escaping. The other log was brought back with the second ship and noted as being found in the rotting husk of what was once a fine schooner. The log from the first ship described how they were hit by a geyser as they attempted to navigate away from the island and only barely managed to return to shore, condemned to live the rest of their lives on what they described as 'the fractured isle'. Their legacy a few crumbling logbooks and a name to call it.

What exists beyond the smoke and fog is still unknown, but an eerie light shines day and night from somewhere within the smothering haze. Somewhere within... and somewhere above.

Having found just enough information on the Fractured Isle during his investigation into the Archives of Antam while researching leviathans and the pearls left in Antam's care by Norhpip, Dongfang Qingcang has decided that it's worth the risk to sail the Fevered Sea. After all, what does he - and by extension, his crew - have to fear from volcanoes?

Navigating the Fevered Sea

While the captain is very assured of himself in being able to protect the ship from super-heated geysers, that doesn't mean the ship is well-protected from boiling seawater. Getting too close to active underwater volcanoes too often will eventually begin super-heating the metal of Phantom Moon and the heat from that will interfere with the sailing crew's ability to actually sail the ship.

Finding a safe way through the waters may require a bit of creativity...

...and maybe some help from the strangely small green whales that sometimes breach the surface along side the ship and express their curiosity at their new visitors in whale song?

...like getting up into the crows nest and trying to track the changes in the water's color as it darkens and lightens around the volcanoes?

The Bay
While they could weigh anchor on the strip of shoreline that existed outside the fog and smoke which shrouded the isle, Dongfang Qingcang directs the crew to sail carefully into the fog, hugging the shoreline, to see if there was a place they could land closer in. It takes time, almost two hours of careful skirting of the sheer cliffs that were hiding in the fog, but they reach an opening that was more than wide enough for four or five ships of their size. Water deep enough to pass without too much risk of hidden crags just below the surface.

Not long after clearing what quickly becomes obvious is the single entrance to the bay, the smoke and fog lift and the full expanse of the Fractured Isle is revealed:

A near continuous, circular mountain range that remains the only evidence of what was once a massive volcano that now lays dormant below the water. One side is much, much higher than the other. The lower side, easily identified as the side where a great eruption once took place, ripping the hole in side of the ancient, sunken volcano and - if it occurred after the Great Flood - may have been what created the bay in the first place. The higher side rose in a grand mountain with two peaks: split by a great waterfall from what must be a massive lake far above. It's fall thundered into the waters of the bay and the spray mixed with the steam from the lava which flowed down from the higher of the peaks. The remnant of the once great volcano. On the mountain faces of both sides are the clear ruins of a former civilization.

And above even this floated pieces of land in a slow orbit of a strange black void that sheds light like a miniature sun.

There are no sandy shores to dock at, but multiple large openings where the cliffs meet the water are all around the bay. One of these caverns may provide a way to safely weigh anchor. Send out the longboats and explore them!

Much of the cliffs are choked with vines and other greenery. There may be a way to climb them to reach the ruins. Or perhaps stairs leading up to the ruins are hidden beneath them somewhere. Anyone on a longboat (or who can fly) should be able investigate while the boats navigate to one of those large caverns.

If a path can't be found through the caverns or the cliffs, then making one should be discussed. There are people who can fly and teleport. If they (or someone they take with them) can secure ropes to some of the trees up there, a ladder can be strung between them and the anchored ship. Watch out that you don't pick the wrong trunk to wrap the rope around, though, it could actually be a sleeping bird's leg!

The Ruins

Clearly crumbling and dangerous, the ruins are scattered all along the cliffs, but are most prominent on the face of the split mountain. It's probably too dangerous for most of the crew to try and explore the ruins that have lava spilling across them (for now), but the other side of the waterfall should be safe enough to set up a base camp to begin exploring and investigating what secrets the island may hide.

The ruins on this side of the mountain are often choked with overgrown foliage, but all of them seem to be carved - partially, if not fully - from the mountain itself and most seem to go at least a few rooms deep. They're connected by crumbling stair cases both inside and out which makes navigating them upward both difficult at times and surprisingly easy at others. The lower ruins are more obviously set up as what were probably residences of fishers and hunters and possibly some sort of farmer or herder. There are a variety of animals that seem to be as much flora as they are fauna.

Higher up, the windows of the ruined buildings are more often than not covered over in vining plants but their depths are less congested as light and water ceased to be able to penetrate. There are strange creatures here as well, but they seem to be more on the insect variety than anything sizable.

Even further still is a great expanse of what was once clearly the main outdoor thoroughfare at the crest of mountain where it meets the waterfall. The building here are little more than broken walls and knee-high edges of what was once a bustling town. The bridge that connects the two peaks of the mountain and overlooks the lake, all the remains intact enough to be usable.

Explore them and pick a spot to make the base camp:

In and around the lower ruins, lots of strange flora-fauna can be found. There is a small herd of what appears to be a variety of sheep who are curious and unafraid - making it likely they have never encountered a human-like being in their lived lifetimes. Birds here are quite colorful and smaller creatures can be seen scurrying to hide from potential treat, disguised as the plants they share traits with.

In the middle ruins, there is more room, but less easily obtained food and water. However, the amount of dry and mostly stable remains of buildings offer the ability to spread out a bit more and make the camp comfortable - and even provide a bit of privacy here and there. These are the buildings that small discoveries of broken artifacts can be found. Things that an archeologist could spend a lifetime studying. Broken shards of pottery. Petrified wooden utensils and objects that could be some kind of carved jewelry or accessory. Stone tables formed out of the same rock as the rooms themselves. Tiny openings in the walls that, if cleared out, could be air holes for breathing and cooling - or could allow water to flow through to some of the depressions carved into certain rooms that are laid out much like a bath or privy might be.

The upper ruins offer little but the bridge and the expansive view of the lake. But what a view it is! And the crew has equipment for camping. Perhaps a few tents at what is not quite the top of the mountain might be the best location? With access to the lake, fishing was definitely a possibility. And from what can be seen from the bridge, there were certainly a variety of colorful, oversized, fish. Just one looked to be big enough to feed the whole crew for at least one, if not two meals!

The Library

Across the bridge, on the side of the mountain with the active volcano, lay the first truly significant find: the ruins of what was once a grand compound. It's broken walls were as equally choked with plants as the grand plaza that acted as entry to it. Many rooms still with etched decorations in the walls and shards of colored glass in their frames left the impression of what could have once been a palace... or an academy! Without knowledge of the society that once graced this island, all guesses had equal weight.

What was indisputable, though, was that whatever it was, it was once home to a grand and spacious library that could have even put the Archives of Antam and Elah to shame. The tomes on the shelves in the atrium were rotting and crumbling, becoming soil for the plants that now reigned. Deeper in, however, the tomes on the shelves seemed more intact. At least at first glance. Now little more than shells of what was once a massive store of knowledge, attempting to pick most up causes them to crack and crumble with age. If anything has survived to still be readable, it will have to be handled with enough care to keep it from becoming so much dust. The grand library could probably be said to be the pride and joy of whatever civilization once called this place home. It's a shame so much of it is no longer in any condition to be used.

Explore the library! Investigate the probably-decorative and possibly-magical carvings on the walls and what is left of the many-paneled stained glass windows. There might be a pattern in them that is significant in some way.

It's unlikely any of the books in the atrium are salvageable, but deeper in, in the less disturbed rooms (especially those with doors still closed), a few might be able to be saved. If they are handled with great, great, great care.

The library proves to be as much an archive of objects as it is the home of literary knowledge. In some of the closed rooms are still-intact displays with engraved stones that seem to be labels of some sort attached to them. The language is unintelligible and unfamiliar to even the sailing crew, who have seen a lot of things in this world that the riftfarers have not. Considering how old the island is and how little is known of it, the writing might even be from before the Great Flood. There's no way to know for sure, but with all the books that cannot be touched, these small plates offer a sample of the language that was used here. However, the displays themselves are... well... empty. It seems that either they were long-since stolen away, or whoever once lived here carried them off when they left the island to its fate.

The Magical Confluence
The strange black sun that hung in the sky over the mountain was definitely aligned to fire in some way. There was a connection between it and the volcano. Dongfang Qingcang could feel it. However, approaching it proved more difficult than he had originally thought. While he could certainly fly and teleport to the smaller islands that floated in the confluence's orbit, any attempt to approach the confluence itself caused him to immediately lose his ability to fly and teleport. The block was definitely magical in nature and subtle enough to be determined by the intention of the being being kept away. Birds flew between the islands, some even passed across the corona of the confluence, and none were turned away or fell from the sky. They were either too unintelligent to have an opinion on the black sun, or they had no intentions toward it in any way.

Another approach would have to be taken.

Dongfang Qingcang's goal is to get himself in physical touch with the confluence to see if he can manipulate it in any way or figure out what it's purpose was. It has some kind of connection to the volcano that he can sense because of his alignment to fire. Others with magical senses may be able to tell that it is also connected to the air, water, and earth of the island as well. It clearly influences the island in some manner and may even be able control the elements it's connected to in some way.

Anyone exploring the volcano will find that the ruins - the engraved walls - continue into the depths of the volcano. They'll lead to the heart of it, its own caldera where the lava boils and bubbles up before it falls off the side and traces it's burning tear-tracks down the mountain. Here there is what looks to be a shrine of some sort with a smaller 'black sun' the size of a fist floating over it. No magic can be detected from it despite being obviously magical. But that might be because once someone steps into the caldera, all magic that is not used to prevent death by fire is suppressed. This protection makes getting past the giant lava snakes that slither around the lava and nest along the walls much more of a challenge!

The connection to the other elements is only obvious when one gets physically close to the confluence, but can be traced back along a 'line' for those that can sense the element in question. For air, the path leads to the top of the lower peak, the one that isn't spewing fire. A partially overgrown shrine that is open to, and only accessible from, the air stands waiting to be explored. The carvings in the walls also suppress all magic that isn't related to keeping warm and breathing properly at such a height once within their influence. And just as with the lava snakes, this place is also protected by an animal-element hybrid. A flock of massive wind herons make their home there and are none-too-pleased at the visitors disturbing the many nests kept there.

Following the connection down to the water will take whoever it is to the bottom of the lake where a sunken temple lays fully intact. The only building on the island without damage - though covered in algae as it, and everything inside it, is makes that difficult to tell. The suppression of magic that isn't related to breathing underwater is difficult to notice at first, but happens just as one crosses through the main entrance of the temple. It's laid out in six-pointed star pattern, with all rooms connected to the shrine at the center. At the center of the shrine is the small alter where a miniature black sun floats, shedding just enough light to cause wave shadows on every wall. The light makes it difficult to tell that here, too, are guardians. As the fish creatures hide as soon as they sense intruders. Only their massive and plant-like tails are visible, waving lightly in the water like giant sea-flowers. If anyone approaches the black sun, they will rise up and interpose themselves. Their ancient task is clear: guard the life-giving sun or risk the world as they know it breaking again! Of all the creatures encountered on the island, they will have the greatest chance of being talked down. But they will also have little knowledge to share but the oral tradition of their purpose in guarding the black sun. None of them can survive outside the water.

After getting close enough to detect that the confluence seems to have some connection to the elements of the island, those with a connection to earth or plant magics, or have a general magic sense, will be able to trace the connection to a place on the mountain half that isn't volcanic, down near the lowest of the ruins. This place is also covered completely by overgrown plants and difficult to find without tracking it from the confluence. If the other locations have been found first, it's not hard to figure out why: the shrine that should have held a miniature black sun holds the floating fragments of a round stone that no longer glows. This would probably be why so much of the island - and the creatures that inhabit it - are, in some form or another, plants.

Taking Control of The Fractured Isle
After the shrines have been taken control of, the Crew will find that the confluence itself cannot be taken control of directly. Minor manipulation of one of the elements that remain intact can occur at the shrines, however. The volcano can be kept from erupting in the same manner it currently is - don't mess with it. The lake should not be messed with as it's balance is already delicate - don't mess with it. But the fog/smoke that surrounds the island can be lifted or brought back down at the air shrine without causing issue. The balance of air is less volatile than fire or water in this regard.

After taking control of the island, the crew decides to rename it: Luna Regia - 'Royal Moon' in Emet-Selch's ancient tongue.

Comments

Emet-Selch | Final Fantasy XIV | open

[emet_sulk]

1. Approach

Emet-Selch may have good Sight but that's entirely different to having good eyesight. Still, it's decent enough to watch for changes in the colour of the water so he takes his turn up near the crow's nest - hovering, naturally. These old bones aren't going to do something as menial as climb up rigging.

He has one hand on the railing though, because it's easier to let something else pull you along than to fly under one's one speed.

"Angle towards the right!" he calls down as the shifting sea of green and darker green snakes through deeper blue. He will continue to call down such directions until it's time to swap lookouts.

2. The long climb

It takes hours to bring the ship close enough to spot the hidden inlet and more time before they find a safe place to drop anchor. Being one of those who can freely take to the air, Emet-Selch grudgingly takes up the task of bringing ropes up towards sturdy-looking trees in order to secure temporary ladders.

Just as he's tightening the knot around one such trunk, however, there's a rustle. A shift. He jerks back as the 'tree' suddenly lifts. The slender things he'd initially thought to be roots are actually clawed feet. A shadow falls over him and he looks up into the eye of an enormous bird.

With a shout he propels himself backward, calling dark magic to his hand without thinking.

3. Exploring (ruins, library etc.)

As things settle and camp is made and the members of the crew begin to disperse, Emet-Selch makes a leisurely circuit around all the things which catch his eye.

a) The library initially offers an enticing promise of lost knowledge and the hope of learning what became of his mysterious island. Sadly, many of the manuscripts are old, fading, or rotten. Still he tries to carefully look through the tomes and glean what he can.

After the umpteenth time a book's pages crumble to dust in his hands, he grimaces. "I think we shall not be learning anything from these."

b) The ruins offer much more insight into the daily lives of their former occupants. History is all well and good but it's the everyday people which keep a society running. Emet-Selch stoops to pick up a mossy stone bowl, looking it over closely before his eyes turn to take in the room he's in. There is a depression in the centre of the floor and what look to be benches running around its edges. It's cool and dark but he can easily imagine it being some manner of shared bath.

"Hmm..." If they're going to settle here, a communal bath would not be such a terrible thing.

c) Eventually he follows Dongfang's lead and heads up to examine the magical confluence. He can shroud himself and bypass most creatures on his own but if he's with company then he'll remain visible to help them make their way past all the aggressive wildlife.

The caldera puts an end to the ease with which he's been clearing the way however. Discomfited by the dampening of his magicks, Emet-Selch remains at the edge of the sloping depression and observes the sunken temple from afar. If magic will not work...what about his Brand of the Sea?

"Mayhap we should leave this spot alone," he muses aloud. "The less we meddle with the natural order, the better."

4. Wildcard

I'm up for basically anything. Feel free to send me a DM either here or through plurk. ch1ps0h0y

Library

[yuezun]

"Disappointing," Daqiang replied with a sigh of his own. If he had the full range of his power, he could handle them with it and be as delicate as needed. Make copies of them with a wave of his hand. They were entirely mundane as far as he could tell. Copying and creating things of such mundane nature was so simple that he could have done it without thinking about it. Having that power returned to him would make life in this world so much simpler. It remained sealed away, however. No matter that he'd renewed his tattoo four times since entering this world, none of his powers that had remained sealed after it was first applied had managed to slip through with the new ink.

"We don't have the time at the moment to go through all of them. But once we are established and have proper residences, perhaps we can invite some of the specialists from the Antam Archives for a long-term attempt at preservation."

[emet_sulk]

"You think they can preserve these things? They fall apart at the slightest touch - and I am not a careless man as you know."

He refrains from trying to touch another book though. No sense in losing another tome for no reason.

"Well," he concedes, "anything is worth a try. We'll not lose anything we haven't already lost."

He slowly starts to circle the space and take in the whole library. Eventually he halts by one of the plates written in foreign language. "Hmm..."

[yuezun]

"Not the ones that have been fully exposed to the elements," he conceded. "However, they may have techniques for some of those deeper in. There are many books here and it will take months regardless. "

Daqiang paces through, following Emet as he did his circling. When Emet came to a stop, so did Daqiang. He leaned slightly to look at what had caught the man's eye.

"The strange translation magic that helps us understand each other's speech works oddly with writing," he mused. "There are some signs and books that this venerable one can read despite the language barrier. And then there are older ones like this that the magic cannot seem to touch. This venerable one has yet to perceive a pattern, save that the older the writing, or the more magic it may contain, the less likely it will be translated."

Which wasn't really a pattern so much as it might be a sign that whatever force created the translation magic that blanketed the world may have been restricted to specific written languages by some means. Or perhaps time. Or even having someone alive that could still understand it. There was only speculation to be had so any theory was as equal as any other.

[emet_sulk]

"The less likely, you say?"

He frowns in thought. What factors could contribute to that? An old language that has been lost, for one. The inability to change the physical form of letters, for another. A book and its inked pages feel the same to anyone reading - as does a digital screen - but a plaque is beaten metal. The words are immutable.

"That catboy would probably enjoy attempting to translate this if you showed him. He is a scholar of ancient civilisations."

Orchid | Love Between Fairy and Devil | ota

[xiaolanhua]

❀ Approach

[ Orchid doesn't do well with excessive heat (or extreme colds), so as they make their approach to the island, she stands near Daqiang and touches nothing. Should they experience any rocking of the ship, Orchid reaches out to grab hold of Daqiang's arm to keep from tumbling to the deck. Despite the temperature of the air, it hasn't yet reached dangerous levels for her yet - perhaps due to the presence of their captain.

She does hear the whale song, but isn't brave enough to risk getting closer to the railing and the boiling seawater. ]

❀ The Bay

[ Orchid has never explored a place like this before, but there are plenty of plants that she can converse with or express interest in. She may need someone to watch over her and get her moving because she stops at every single one to talk to them. Such as now when she talks to vines that are blocking their path forward. ]

Hello, I'm called Orchid. We'll be living here from now on, so could you please let us pass?

[ Plants are sometimes slow to act, so now it's a waiting game. ]

❀ Ruins

[ She stays far away from the lava, instead preferring to set up camp and make meals for everyone over an open fire. Perhaps they've gone off to explore, or they've stayed behind to set up the campsite - but either way, Orchid has been at the fire stirring up a soup for everyone. She reaches into a small bag and pulls out a lunchbox, that she opens to reveal all sorts of baked goods made especially for this trip.

After setting it all up, including all the bowls and silverware to eat with, she looks at anyone who is here. ]

Lunch is ready, please help yourself!

[ Or...

Orchid can be found exploring the ruins where plants are still thriving, feeling as though it's safe enough for her to be there on her own. She is so happy to see the sheep and gives them plenty of affection and tries to feed them.

As for the other creatures in this area, she tries to gently coax them out with words - kneeling on the ground to allow them to come to her. ]

Please don't be afraid, I'm just another flower like you.

[ Provided anyone here with her is just as calm, a few of them poke their heads out curiously. ]

❀ The Magical Confluence

[ Truthfully, while Daqiang is busy trying to connect with the ball of fire, Orchid stays far away from danger so that he can focus. She spends her time with the plants and the plant creatures while he's doing so, which is how she senses that there is something odd about them. ]

What is that? [ Some of the plant creatures are rustling in agitation, and Orchid seems to be listening to them quietly. ] Shall we go see, then?

[ She gets to her feet and brushes off her hands, then leaves their campsite. One hand will come out to touch the vines and plants as she passes, but anyone following her will see that she's clearly following something unseen. ]

Approach

[yuezun]

[He was focused on keeping as much of the heat of the water away from the ship as possible, but more focused on his senses being open for the threat of geysers. It meant he had to rely on the sailing crew and whomever else was taking point as a lookout to guide the ship while he immersed himself in his spiritual sense. The element of fire was everywhere around them in this overheated part of the ocean. It was like walking through the lava fields of Cangyanhai, where legendary fires of all kinds had been born. Each kind an exhilarating sensation that he learned to use, control, and further his own power when he cultivated there. This place would provide a similar experience once they settled, he certain.

He was only moderately aware of what was going on around him in the immediate sense. Though Orchid's presence was far sharper than anything else. It still broke his focus every so often when she grabbed him to keep herself steady before releasing his sleeve.

When it became apparent that this would continue and maintaining his focus became too important he sought to solve the problem by reaching out and grabbing her hand. If she was connected to him, he would not be distracted by her touching him more firmly at every rough toss of the sea.]

[xiaolanhua]

[ There isn't much she can do for anyone here while the ship tries to fight the violent sea. Leaving Daqiang's side to try to do so doesn't seem like a good idea, lest she get hurt and cause him to completely lose focus on protecting the ship.

She didn't think he was too distracted every time she reached out to cling to him, but apparently she's wrong. Daqiang grabs her hand, and Orchid blinks up at him for a moment. The next, she brings her other hand to wrap around his arm and shifts to stand more at his side than his back.

Orchid rests her forehead against his shoulder. ]

Does it hurt, Daqiang?

[ If the lack of emotions is what allowed him to wield Hellfire, then what does the return of them mean? Is he struggling to control the element that he controlled so easily for most of his life? Is it painful? ]

[yuezun]

[He had expected his return of emotions to weaken his control over hellfire. But he had yet to experience any change. He didn't know what that meant. He didn't want to question it too hard, though. He was perfectly able to control fire without it, but the power of hellfire could not be matched.]

No.

[He was not in pain.]

Fire is everywhere here. But so is water. This venerable one can control the heat of it, pull it from the water. But he cannot control the water.

[Which was the struggle. With the geysers he had to pull the heat from the water before they could become strong enough to break through the surface and become a danger to the ships. He had to cut off their power, the heat that tossed them upward, sometimes with only bare seconds of warning.]

[xiaolanhua]

[ Hearing that is a relief, she doesn't want him to hurt after all he's already had to suffer. If he was, Orchid may have tried to heal him - without resorting to using her blood. ]

Can you summon a storm to disperse the heat?

[ It might not help with those underwater geysers themselves, but perhaps wind would be better to control over fighting with the water. Stir up the sea to help release the heat.

Like a boiling pot settles after stirring. ]

[yuezun]

Much of this venerable one's power was sealed. Calling on the storms and lightning was one of them.

[He had admitted to his power being sealed in some ways before to her. He was certain of it. Though he may not have mentioned that this world did not seem to view lightning as an extension fire as it most certainly should be. In this world it was an entirely separate 'element'. Barely influenced by fire when it was influenced at all.]

He could possibly gain some control if he altered his tattoo's element. But that may interfere in his control of fire.

[Not a risk he would take when hellfire was so integral to his abilities.

He squeezed her hand and brought his other to rest on the one holding his arm. Taking comfort in her presence. Even if the task at hand was testing his control, she was safe and his attention was not pulled in many directions just to ensure that.]

Finding a clear path through these waters will have to happen regardless, if we are to make it ours. We cannot rely on controlling the weather to see our ship through them or ships of those that may bring supplies.

[xiaolanhua]

[ She had known some of his power was sealed, but they had swapped bodies so quickly that it hadn't seemed important which ones they were. While in his body, Orchid had little ability to use his powers, and he had access to none of his own in hers.

What powers he has and which are sealed don't particularly matter to her, so long as he's safe and unharmed. A cool wind would be nice, even if the thunder is too loud to her ears.

Orchid lifts her head to look up at him when his other hand reaches out to touch hers. Her own powers aren't good enough to protect the ship, are they? Even if they were, it wouldn't protect any ship she wasn't on. ]

I heard whales. If they live in these waters, maybe they know a safe route through to the island.

[ They must know how to avoid getting hurt by the hot gesyers, whether that's a route through them, or a pattern to their eruption... perhaps they could be persuaded to share it with them. ]

[yuezun]

They at least know how to avoid the most dangerous areas.

[He agreed, eyes remaining closed as he kept his senses otherwise focused.]

This venerable one cannot speak with them while he protects the ship. He cannot seek to follow their path. They will not know what we seek unless they are told.

[Even then, he didn't know how helpful they would choose to be. Though speaking with them would not likely cause active harm.]

Do you wish to speak with them?

[xiaolanhua]

They still might help us.

[ Orchid convinced flowers to give her pollen to put Daqiang's guards to sleep, perhaps she could get the whales to help them now. It could be the way she helps with this part of their journey. ]

I want to try.

[ She sounds determined to do this, even though getting closer to the water is so very dangerous for her. ]

[yuezun]

Try then.

[Taking a deep breath, he feeds her energy through their joined hands. Enough that she should be able to throw her voice far enough with it to be heard by them. A simple enough trick.

He hoped it was one she had learned.]

[xiaolanhua]

[ A soft sigh of relief that she doesn't actually have to go near the boiling water. It was enough to feel like she was burning up once in her life.

Orchid turns away from Daqiang, though doesn't let go of his hand or arm - not wanting to speak too close to his ear and prevent him from his own task at hand. ]

Whales of the sea, please guide us through this danger. Will you lead us to safety? Lead us towards the shore where the waters are calm?

[ A pause, but the whales are silent for now. ]

If you help us, we will protect your home for as long as we're in this world, and never take away from your food.

[ One moment passes, then the next before one whale's answer could be heard, followed by another until the whole pod is agreeing to her request.

The largest of the whales is increasing speed until it's out in front of the Phantom Moon, guiding them. ]

[yuezun]

[Orchid's voice - now amplified just enough to carry and be heard wherever she cared to throw it - startled a few of the sailors on the port side and some rigging had to be hastily recovered. Once they had it down, though, they managed to make sense of what they were hearing and realize that even if they couldn't understand the whales, Orchid could. And the response as the pod began to move into position around them made it clear an agreement had been made.

This did not make Daqiang's job simpler, but it did make it somewhat easier. As the whales were well-attuned to the waters. The geysers were still a danger, as the whales could maneuver away faster when they threatened. But the deeper waters, the ones that were very warm rather than boiling, and wove through the Fevered Sea in a chaotic web of hidden paths, were easier to stay in with an entire pod of whales flanking the ship and gently nudging it one way or the other outside of the times they darted away over the threat of the geysers bubbling up. Geysers Daqiang ensured never breached the surface.

The change in the effort Daqiang needed to make after another ten, perhaps twenty, minutes of the whale's involvement was noticeable. He opened his eyes and allowed himself to lean into Orchid's shoulder.]

We will have to see if they are agreeable to continue helping.

[If they were, then perhaps they could make an arrangement where the whales acted as guides for those their people wanted to make it safely to the island.]

[xiaolanhua]

[ Ah, she hadn't meant to startle the crew and hopes no one got hurt. Once they have a moment to breathe safely, Orchid will go around and check on them. She gently squeezes Daqiang's hand as the ship shifts to follow the whales, saying nothing as he works to keep them safe through the last of the journey to the island.

When he leans into her, her grip on his arm tightens to gently support him. Without his full power, it must have been tiring to manipulate the forces of nature for such a length of time. ]

Mm! We can ask them after you rest.

[ She insists on it, even if it's just for a few minutes. ]

[yuezun]

[The shores are not far now. And the whales have made it clear there should be no further danger as the seas around the island are perpetually calm. It is a haven in the Fevered Sea. One whose waters they are fond of. And it seemed they did not get visitors often. Not ones that managed to get close enough to weigh anchor intact and certainly they were the first to be spoken to and be understood by those who were not of the water themselves.

With that in mind, Daqiang allowed himself to be pushed into taking a rest. He did not fight it hard at all with them being relatively safe. He enjoyed Orchid fussing over him. If she thought him more tired than he really was, then maybe she'd fuss over him longer?]

Mm. This venerable one is exhausted. He will need help walking to a chair that he may take his rest.

[He leaned bit more against her, as if suddenly frail.]

[xiaolanhua]

[ With no more danger, the crew can handle the ship without Daqiang. Orchid will come out to the shore to speak with the whales whenever she can, to see how they are doing and if there is any danger to them. Even if there's not much she can do to help them, she can at least relay their words to the crew.

When Daqiang leans into more, she frowns up at him. Of course, she's worried about him, but she's also wise to his tricks. If this is a trick. Orchid tucks herself under his arm, hugging his waist to help him over to said chair.

Once he's settled there, she gently brushes her fingers over his cheek. ] I'll fetch you a drink.

[ Orchid turns to head below deck to the kitchen. ]

[yuezun]

[He had not expected a waist carry. With her arm around him, and his arm over her shoulder, he leaned just a bit more. To play it up a bit more, but without causing her trouble from his weight. At the chair he takes his time sitting down, too, so that she is forced to keep her arms around him or risk having him 'collapse'.

He's just so exhausted right now. Poor him.

Her fingers on his cheek has him leaning into the touch. But then she's turning away and making to leave!

Daqiang's hand snatches hers before she can get too far for him to grab.]

Send someone else to fetch the drink. You should stay here.

[xiaolanhua]

[ Orchid does keep her arms around him so he doesn't end up on the deck instead of the chair, letting him play up his tiredness. The way he grabs her hand and tells her not to leave is so very familiar to her, but she doesn't mind. Doesn't mind giving him her attention and care.

She turns back towards him, letting her fingers curl around his hand. ]

It will only be a few moments. The rest of the crew is busy.

[ Still, she takes the seat next to his, hardly sitting on it as she leans into his space to reach up and feel his forehead. ]

Do you want to rest in your room?

[yuezun]

[He laces their fingers together after she sits. To make it more difficult for her to walk away.]

The crew can still bring a canteen around. No need to go into the hold.

[If something did happen, he did not want to be inside. Out here, though he was angling for Orchid's attention, he could still keep an eye on things.

Touching his forehead will, unfortunately, tell her little about his state. He is as warm as he ever is. The heat of the hellfire within him kept in check. At least he is not obviously flushed.]

No. This is fine. This venerable one can observe and decide our next steps. Besides, it is a nice view.

[Because she's in it.]

[xiaolanhua]

[ There's a smile at the way he interlaces their fingers together, as though she doesn't know his intention with it. Yet she doesn't say a word about it, letting him do as he pleases. ]

All right, then.

[ Orchid will look at the nearest crew member and ask him to get a canteen to their captain, turning her attention back to Daqiang directly after. After making sure that he wasn't warmer than usual or cold to the touch, she lets her hand rest on top of their already linked ones. ]

I like the view, even if it was dangerous trying to get here. [ She lifts her gaze to get a look at the island now that they're slowly drifting through calmer waters. ]

Do you think other ships will be able to withstand the heat if you're not with them? Even if we get the help of the whales to guide them.

[yuezun]

Yes. If they have a guide.

[His eyes glance toward the island, but move back to her. She was the only view he wanted at the moment. Now that he had some time to relax. Just a little time.]

The danger of approaching this place is what will make it safe if it proves to be livable. A place to... 'come home'.

[He said that last with a bit of hesitance. Because his last memories of Orchid in their world was of her fighting to return to her 'home' in Shuiyuntian, despite the danger. He knew she had accepted Cangyanhai by the tattoo. And wanted to marry him. But he didn't know if she wanted to think of Silent Moon Palace as her home. Or if Shuiyuntian would still be that for her.

And this world... it was both out of time from theirs and difficult to leave. There was not an urgency to returning to theirs when the relic which controlled the rifts was still far from anyone's reach.

So if she would be willing to call this place 'home'. He would be willing, too.

With her.]

[xiaolanhua]

[ Home. For as long as she could remember, Shuiyuntian had been her home. She hadn't been able to consider Silent Moon Palace as her home when Daqiang first took her there. Even fought with him about it.

So she understood the hesitance in his calling this a 'home' now.

Orchid hadn't given a lot of thought about what a home was before. Her gaze is on him as she considers it. That place called Arbiter Hall where shifu looked after her, taught her, cared for her, and her plant friends had been there. It was filled with her memories - good and bad, happy and sad.

Now so was Silent Moon Palace. She had only been there a short time, but so much had happened and her life was so lively there. In Yungmengze, there was an estate that also contained so many of her memories and emotions. Maybe someday, it won't hurt to go back there.

Gently, Orchid lifts the hand he hasn't claimed within his own to press against his cheek. She smiles softly and warmly at him, because of him. ]

Daqiang, it doesn't matter what place is called home, so long as I can be there with you.

[ This island, this ship, Arbiter Hall, Silent Moon Palace, or somewhere completely new... home is wherever he is. ]

[yuezun]

[She says that and for a moment he's stunned. He wants to kiss her. It's the only thought in his head.

He's just about ready to do it, too-



-but one of the crew comes back with the canteen and offers it to them.

Shooting the sailor a dirty look that he could not reasonably explain, Daqiang begrudgingly accepts the canteen and takes a quick drink.]

[xiaolanhua]

[ Daqiang is staring at her so intently, as if shocked by her words and thinking about something.

Yet he isn't alone in that thought, and before it can happen...




They're interrupted. Again.

Orchid leans towards Daqiang to press her forehead against his collar bone to hide her face from the sailor. As he drinks, he will feel and hear her faint laughter. ]

Sidestep | Fallen Hero | OTA (Invited by Turo)

[telepathicignorance]

(Who the fuck invited this asshole?

The answer, it turns out for anyone who asks, is Turo. For some reason the kindhearted and friendly professor has taken a liking to this sullen, rude, obnoxious little asshat of indeterminate gender.

Not that people who know them will necessarily recognize them right away: they're dressing slightly more femme than usual, wearing a pink split skirt with a dark cream ruffled shirt, and while the scarred face and thick loosely curled hair might be the same as always it'd be easy enough for people at a distance to find themselves wondering "who's that girl", especially with their characteristic fisherman's vest partially hidden under a gray, water resistant jacket.

Sidestep, for their part, will mostly avoid people, hiding in less frequented areas of the ship when not working on something or pestering what few people they have a positive relationship with. Once they reach the island they'll be one of the first off on the longboats exploring.

There are however, times when they can be found interacting with people...)

A)

(Providing advice and warnings to those in charge of actually doing the sailing, in this case.)

There's a really nasty boiling spot in the direction we're sailing. The whales are worried we won't get through it.

B)

(Testing the safety of the vines on those cliffs by climbing up them. They're terrified of heights but they'll clamber up anyway, pulling and tugging and testing to make sure they and anyone else who tries to get up to the ruins via this method will be safe from their handhold breaking under their weight.)

I think climbing here should be okay!

(They haven't gone far, maybe 30 feet up at the most, but they make sure not to look down.

Fuck. Why did they choose this?)

C)

(A rare moment of peace this time, as Sidestep sits among the strange plants and offers some curious plant sheep pieces of a honey and sesame seed bar.)

I don't think they've ever seen people before.

(They say to whoever approaches, unstartled despite seemingly all their focus being on the ...animals? Plants? Before them.)

Sheep!

[yuezun]

They have not.

[Daqiang confirmed.]

This venerable one attempted to ask them what happened to the people of this place. Those that lived in the ruins and they told him what flowers and vines make their home there. They did not recognize what this venerable one meant by 'people' or 'mortal'. But when asked if they had seen any beings shaped as we are, they said they see us.

[The sheep having enough intelligence for Daqiang to speak to did not mean they had much to say or could understand concepts well.]


[[OOC: Daqiang has the ability to speak with anything that is at least semi-intelligent. The sheep do not know how to talk like people.]]

[telepathicignorance]

(ooc: I figured. He's got some abilities similar to Sidestep's yeah?)

That's about what I figured. Most animals familiar with people are more wary than this.

(They read the puzzled curiosity in the sheep creature's minds, but they aren't saying that.

Oh hey, it looks like they've got one licking at the candy they've offered it. Their lip quirks ever so slightly upward.)

Dongfang Qingcang | Love Between Fairy and Devil | OTA

[yuezun]

The Ruins
With the crew ashore and camp being made, Daqiang did his part in exploring to ensure the safety of the area. The island messed a bit with his senses. The way the animals and plants seemed to be extensions of each other at times and distinctly unique at others would take some time to get used to. The spiritual presences blended heavily and he could definitely tell them apart if he focused. But doing that left him less aware of his other senses. Extended time on the island would certainly allow him to adjust... but that would be weeks, if not months from now. For the time being, he had to allow his spiritual sense to fade almost entirely to the background and rely on the others for spotting both potential dangers... and potential food.

"That bush, with the berries," he pointed for now, rather than approach just yet in case of animals that might be hiding nearby, "Do those look more like blueberry or bilberry? Or something else?"

If they were one of the two berries, the would be edible. But if not...


Magical Confluence
Once the connection between the confluence and the volcano was found, and Daqiang made his way inside, he was fully prepared to take control of whatever fire burned within. He was not prepared to have his power all but sealed the moment he entered the cavernous caldera that served as home to both a shrine and lava snakes five times as long as he was tall.

Holding perfectly still just inside the border, he took a moment to assess the effect he felt: Attempted to teleport. Could not. Attempted to control the lava. Could not. Attempted to fly. Could not. Attempted to summon his sword. Could not.

He then stepped back, crossing out of the barrier of carvings on the walls, pulling back anyone who had stepped forward with him as best he could. Once back on the other side, he attempted to teleport across the space. Could not. He attempted to draw his sword. Ah. There it was.

"We will have to arm ourselves before we cross into the shrine," He said, calm and unperturbed. This was a puzzle and a task he could figure out. It required tactical thinking, not rushing in headfirst. "It is unlikely our weapons will retain their magics if our own powers are suppressed. But they should still serve to wound what needs wounding."


[OOC: Note to CREW: Useful items from Daqiang's Weapons and Dungeon Delving Tools and Magical Treasures that are NOT limited use or require attunement, can be borrowed for any part of this quest. They are not to be handed out to non-crew or kept long term, but Daqiang will provide this limited access to some of his collection for the initial exploration and claiming of the island.]

Daria Morgendorffer - Daria - open (The Library)

[standingonmyneck]

Daria spent most of her time in the walls of the library. Her mind went a million places at once. Despite the fact that adventuring wasn't her speed, she had to these days to make a living. Hence the newly made crewmember she was. But she knew her uses and her disadvantages all the same, so she spent countless hours exploring the ruins. She began examining the walls with magic symbols and trying to find any text of use. Anything that was readable was going to be scare, if it even existed.

She couldn't even be bothered to frown. As little hope she had, she still would like to be proven wrong that there was anything here.

She was careful and quiet as she tried to avoid destroying anything, keeping a close eye on Wendy the Bunger.

Armed with her elemental gun, she could get out of a pinch, but she hoped there wouldn't be any danger. Daria was small enough to fit through tight spaces, with gentle hands to boot. But the advantage of having a tame Bugsnax was that Wendy was more able to fit into tinier holes.

slides in here late

[emet_sulk]

Emet-Selch doesn't usually pay too much attention to the other members of the crew. But here, it's impossible not to. This young woman's unusual pet catches his eye and he ends up watching her use it to explore tiny crevices for a little while.

"You tamed that thing?" he calls out eventually, after she has the Bugsnax back in hand again.