escordvi | << july open log: into the abyss >>

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<< july open log: into the abyss >>

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!

ALL THREADS CAN COUNT 6PTS.

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

TOPLEVEL DIRECTORY (Updated July 17)

LEVEL ONE

A strange island seemingly appearing overnight can be seen on the horizon very close to Latrommi. The island is extremely large and is surrounded by tall dangerous mountain ranges which will make it hard to dock and explore further. But if crews and explorers can make it through and over the mountains they will find a massive deep crater in the center of the island that looks so deep it looks as though they're looking into a dark endless abyss.

Mysterious as it is, adventure, vast treasures, and perhaps other important relics and information can be found, making the journey a worthwhile one. However, word will eventually spread as early explorers warn of thick, poisonous gasses that worsen the further they descend, so caution will be needed and better preparation taken as everyone learns more about the abyss.

Travelling down into level one of the abyss seems safe enough. There are old abandoned hemp ropes, wooden bridges and pathways that spiral downward towards the middle, making it easy enough to get down to the jagged ground, rocky cliffs and grassy plateaus below. This level is illuminated by strange balls of bright sun-like energy in the air that follow travellers around for hours. So despite it being a part of the abyss, it is very well-lit and almost sunny to explore. And while this level doesn’t seem dangerous, spending too much time on this level will have explorers experiencing mild dizziness, because a strange abyss sickness will start to seep into travellers…

🍃 Leafy dragonlings. This level is overrun with tiny baby dragonlings that have mastered the art of looking like tree leaves. They are hard to see and often camouflage into the surrounding trees and brush. But they are mischievous little things that want to bite and snap at travellers. Be careful dodging them or they might try and knick a finger off.

💧 Steamy waterfalls. Some beautiful waterfalls can be found that pool nice hot steamy water at the bottom of them. These waterfalls are incredibly relaxing to enjoy, although the longer someone might spend in the hot water, the hotter they will feel. The hot water tends to make people feel particularly heated or aroused. So be careful if sitting in the hot water with another person. Or enjoy!!

🕰️ Platform jumping. With all of the ropes and old wooden platforms littering the cliffs and plateaus, it might be a fun challenge to test one's climbing and jumping skills by hopping from one rickety platform to another. Just be careful because if something breaks from under them, they'll be falling for quite some time…

🔸Ruby dust. Strange pockets of fine ruby dust can be found all over the ground and embedded in the mountainous walls. The ruby dust is hard to collect since it’s so fine. Yet, it is warm to the touch and might be valuable if one can collect it somehow. Beware: if any ruby dust is inhaled, it might induce some terrible migraines.

🍄 Mushrooms. Huge mushrooms can be found all over the place. So huge that they can be climbed on or used to make giant hats. None of them are particularly tasty to eat and if they are eaten raw, they’ll more than likely give people a nasty stomach ache. With the proper preparation and cooking, these mushrooms make excellent medicinal and herbal soups. Try making camp and cooking with them. Just add the right seasonings to make it taste decent.

LEVEL TWO

Level two of the abyss doesn’t seem much like an abyss. Descend far enough down and travellers will find themselves in the thick of a giant forest heavy with massive plants, flowers, and bushes. This level is completely overrun with wild bioluminescent plant life that might make it very difficult to traverse. It is full of glowing exotic plant life including strangling figs, hanging vines, and abnormally coloured cacti. It might be handy to keep a sharp weapon to cut the plants down to size. The biggest areas to note on this level of the abyss are two very large flower fields that look frighteningly similar. Spending prolonged amounts of time on this level will induce nausea, headaches and numbness of the extremities. It seems that the abyss sickness is heavier and noticeable here… But one can still continue.

🌼 Flowers of fortitude. These delicate teal-coloured flowers are often called Life Flowers and breathing in their pollen and scent will cure people of their ailments. If anyone has any injuries or illnesses from coming this far, the flower pollen will do wonders in easing any pain or clearing any nausea. They are natural painkillers, and they might be useful to collect to ease the coming effects of the abyss sickness.

🌼 Eternal fortunes. These delicate blue-coloured flowers are often called Death Flowers, breathing in their pollen and scent will likely kill a person. They look awfully similar to healing flowers found in the area so travellers should be careful when testing each. Inhaling the pollen will aggravate and inflame current injuries as well as accelerate the effects of the abyss sickness. However, could there be a better use for such dangerous flowers?

🌿 Herb-of-grace. Another powerful herb can be found at this level that might be useful to collect. The well-sought-after “Herb-of-Grace” that can be used to cure powerful petrifaction. But the special herb is guarded by a Froghemoth, a huge amphibian-like giant with long tentacles and webbed feet, that will fight tooth and tentacle to keep the herbs all to themselves.

🌲 Upside down trees. There are many trees here that have somehow grown upside down. The leaves and branches are connected to the ground while the massive roots grow out of control and reach for the higher level of the abyss, and it’s as if the roots are reaching for the sun and sky. Try exploring the roots by climbing them or hacking some of them away to collect,and perhaps see what happens if they are planted outside of the abyss. If they are planted outside, the roots will grow rapidly towards the sun too, but no leaves or branches will sprout, and they will start growing strange glowing pear-like fruits, too…

🌸 Pretty pollen. Many of the plants down here have strange side effects if they are inhaled or consumed. One notable thing is the pretty pink pollen fluff that floats in the air. The pollen can make the nose itch, but it also makes travellers feel warm and lightheaded, and they will feel pleasantly dazed and euphoric. All their troubles will just float away…

LEVEL THREE

Deeper still, the third level proves to be a bit of an outlier to the rest of the dark abyss. A large rustic village can be found here that is surrounded by a forest and rocks. The village is made up of several small wooden homes made of roots and animal bone all interconnecting with planks and rope bridges. It's a quiet place, littered with carvings and paintings of giant whales on many walls too, hinting at a cute and deep love for them. Half the village seems empty but there are many old rooms to rest in. And there are some small, mute knee-height village folk living here that will happily provide medical care, food and washing rooms for free, and they will offer everyone hot baths in wooden tubs as well as provide dry clean clothing. This Is a nice place to call a checkpoint and a resting area.

🎁 Trinket trading. The residents here may not be able to talk, but they do offer some great trades for small trinkets and talismans that might stave off the later levels of the abyss sickness. People can trade something valuable that they own to them and they will provide a protective item in return, but there are no tradebacks! Also, everyone should be careful with what they trade because some of the village folk might try and swindle them!

🥩 Monster eats. Seeing as this is the abyss, there aren’t many conventional ways to raise food and eat typical meats here. The village folk provide charcuterie boards of strange-looking meats that have been cooked for everyone to enjoy, but the meats are all monster bits—barbequed insect legs, roasted beast paws, slices of marinated green and blue steaks, huge pieces of deep-fried tentacles, plates of multicoloured eyeballs in sauce, bowls of bizarre monster eggs and more…

🥕 Plant vegetables. Despite the plates of monster meat, people might have a chance to help the locals plant some actual normal food. They have several wooden garden boxes that have been set up in an attempt to grow fresh vegetables. Help them by planting purple carrots, pink yams, eldritch potatoes and other crops in hopes that they can flourish down here and help diversify the local cuisine. And maybe help one's stomach in the process!

🚪 Building up. The village is also extremely run down. In return for being so hospitable, travellers are encouraged to help the village by restoring old buildings, building new rooms and reinforcing the wooden structures already built down here. Perhaps they will find a dusty relic or two while helping out?

🔥 Bonfires. Has anyone noticed that there are little to no abyss sickness effects on this level? It might be because of the village and their ability to stave off the sickness using various bonfires lit all around the area. The bonfires are cozy and relaxing, and permit the village to live without fear of getting sick. Take a rest next to a bonfire, ease the abyss sickness and share stories and plans for the levels to come.

LEVEL FOUR

Once they have rested and wish to brave the deeper levels of the abyss, level four proves to be a very challenging area. This area is dim, musty and little grows here besides resilient weeds and grass. There are a few reservoirs of water to be found but the rocky and dead ground leaves little to be desired. Luckily, it is dimly lit on this level with some moon-like balls of energy that float overhead. Because of the emptiness, it leaves this level prowling with dangerous creatures that are extremely hungry and bored. Spending time on this level will induce intense pain and bleeding throughout the body. So, it is recommended that people only venture this far if they are well-equipped and prepared for the trip.

🧛 Vampires. Vampires! Humanoid creatures that stalk the darkness looking for victims with supple necks to bite into and drink from. Vampires stalk level four of the abyss as if it is their domain, confident and ready to hunt for a taste of blood. Yet… There is something very strange about these vampires. Their limbs are too long, their fingers nearly dragging across the ground and their legs are gangly and bent the wrong way… If someone is bitten or scratched by one of these creatures, they will be inflicted with vampirism. They will grow fangs, their eyes will turn red, and they will gain an insatiable thirst for blood. The only grace is they won’t grow longer limbs. Escaping the abyss and seeing the sun will be the only way to cure this vampirism, but maybe they can manage their vampirism and continue on?

👁️ Eye of the beholder. A giant floating eyeball with four fanged tentacles prowls this level of the abyss. It has a massive mouth filled with hundreds of slimy teeth and is terribly hungry. It will hunt down anything that moves, using its large sharp tentacles to grab its prey and rip it apart to eat. To slow down its potential snacks, the giant eye has the ability to turn creatures to stone with direct eye contact, as well. Anyone running or battling this creature should avoid direct eye contact with its giant void-like pupil.

🐑 Creature burrows. There are big creepy holes of all sizes that can be found all through this level. The holes are filled with dusty roots and soft materials such as bird feathers, animal fur, ripped cloth or dried grass, and it appears that some sort of creature lives inside these burrows. Those who are brave enough can try blindly sticking their hand inside one of these burrows to see what they can find. They might touch something soft? Or something scaly? Something slimy…? If they can get over whatever they feel, they might be able to pull out rare monster eggs that are both delicious and fetch a good price back on the surface.

🗳️ Boxed in. Walking along, people might suddenly find themselves falling into a random pit with whoever they are travelling with, and people will find themselves suddenly boxed into a tight space in the ground. It’s dark inside, but just light enough to be able to make out their companion’s features. No one will be sure if this is a creature that has swallowed them up whole or if this is a hallucination, but being boxed in together does do one thing. The effects of the sickness still hurt, but being tightly close to another warm body seems to ease the pain, and they will feel rested inside of this cramped space. Stay as long as one needs to, and rest and cuddle up tight with their companion. Or try to wiggle out and escape.

🧰 Treasure gacha. Finding relics and treasure on any level is possible, but level four proves to be rich for treasure farming. There are so many hidden chests and buried caches to find in the ground. Comment below in the designated toplevel for the mods to roll to see what kind of treasure they might find buried here. What they find will be entirely randomised and there are no promises if the relic or treasure found will be useful or not. But keep digging!

LEVEL FIVE

Entering the deepest parts of the Abyss will be the darkest challenge yet. This level appears to be one massive stone labyrinth-like maze that is covered with clouds of thick fog and hazy, smoky ash. The massive walls of the maze tunnels are old and cracked and bits of glowing fungus and thorny moss grow across the cracked stone, and the ground is uneven, littered with heavy dead roots and jagged stones. The darkness is so heavy and threatening here that one can almost feel it weighing on their shoulders. Like the other levels, the abyss sickness grows stronger here and prolonged time on this level will challenge explorers with hallucinations, blindness, deafness or the loss of all feeling. This level plays tricks on the mind and steals the senses everyone has always relied on… Should they keep going? Or return home?

😱 Hallucinations. A bitter white fog permeates through this level, clouding over the top of the maze and flooding through the tunnels. It is heavy and when inhaled, it burns the nose and eyes. Getting the fog inside the lungs will bring about terrible hallucinations of one's deepest fears. They will see them come to life before their very eyes, and these hallucinations will seem so real that they feel like they could reach out and touch them. Worse still, if they are with someone, they will be able to see the same hallucinations. Whatever one is scared of, they’ll see too. Beware whatever it is, be it dogs, cats, drowning, darkness, spiders, people in costumes, being naked in front of a crowd or more…

🌘 Maze tunnels. Exploring downward through the maze tunnels is tricky. As explorers move, they will find that some of their senses will start to fade or numb. The more they explore, the more their senses will fail. Eventually, they may find themselves without their sense of hearing, sight, touch, smell or taste. Maybe one sense will fail completely, or maybe a few of them. It will make escaping or exploring the maze tunnels that much more difficult, especially if they lose the sense that they rely on most.

💎 Elemental gemstones. Just like the rest of the abyss, there is great treasure to find down below. The maze is rich with elemental deposits that glitter and glow, and beautiful gemstones are embedded in the walls and ground that are ripe for harvesting: rubies, diamonds, sapphires, and all kinds of other gemstones. What makes them special is that all of these glittering gemstones seem to pulsate with some sort of elemental energy too. Travellers should do their best to harvest fire rubies, ice diamonds, water sapphires and more… They could be incredibly useful for power sources, magitech upgrades or fitting a ship with elemental components. What a find!

LEVEL SIX

The deepest and most dangerous level of the abyss. The abyss sickness is the worst here and explorers will experience a deep loss of their humanity or even death. This place is colourless and lifeless and everything seems black or in grayscale; it looks like ash or snow is falling from a “sky” that doesn’t exist. The pathways and tunnels here are barren and empty and nothing grows. Strangely enough, broken ships can be found down here as if this used to be where oceans flowed, now abandoned, broken and dry. Few people will be able to reach this level without several trips into the abyss to build up resistance to the abyss sickness. Only those with the most mental fortitude and physical strength should attempt to explore this final floor.

There will be easy to find teleporters that glow a soft purplish color and have what look like wave like squiggle lines on the stone base. Stepping onto it will let them choose to either return to the village (Level Three) or the entrance of the Abyss.

Good luck...

👻 Heliobi. Energy-sucking ghost-like parasites float around this level. They take root in a host’s nervous system and slowly feed on their emotions and energy. They will use the host’s deepest darkest desires to create wild delusions and manipulate the host like a chess piece. The host has no choice but to obey and is possessed. If left long enough, the host will no longer be who they once were and will be exhausted by the heliobi. To stop these creatures, an “evil binding matrix relic” will be needed to imprison the abominations. Perhaps they can find an old one abandoned somewhere, or maybe one of the village folk gave them one.

🍳 Mirrors. Odd floating crystal mirrors appear out of nowhere, unsuspended, and seemingly floating about like they’re alive. If someone looks into them, they will find a perfect mirror image of themselves. However, there is something uncanny about the reflection: it looks … too happy. The longer they look, the more they will feel… happy. The reflection will make promises to them about how happy they will be if they stay here, and not return to their former world, or their life on the surface. They will slowly be convinced to stay here forever, unless someone can break them away from the mirror.

💀 Undead Sharkenbear. Be careful of the massive undead creature prowling around. This creature is the size of a house and looks to be part bear and part shark. It has the huge, hulking body of a grizzly bear while sporting sharp-toothed shark heads for arms. It’s rotting, drooling, and hungry for blood and will attack if it picks up a scent. Luckily, its bear head is completely blind, but that doesn’t mean the shark arms can’t see anyone… Explorers should be careful if they pick a fight!

⬛ Ancient tablets. Scattered throughout this level are rusty ancient “tablets” that can be found buried in the ground or hidden away in or under old broken debris. These tablets appear to be made of a thin sheet of metal and have odd holes punched through them. No one knows what these thin card-like tablets are for, but they could be important. Collect them and bring them to the surface to be researched…

🪑 Bench. There is a single bench. It is abandoned and lonely. No one is sure how this bench got here, but it seems like the final destination. The end of it all. The place to sit and rest your weary feet. Congratulations. They have reached the end of the abyss. How do they feel?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Turo's not the only person pulling gems from deposits down in the maze. Turo will likely hear Darin coming long before he sees him.]

[He rounds the nearest corner, laden with sacks of gems, humming to himself. He's carrying far more than a normal person should probably be able to even despite his strong build. At 6'3" he's probably carrying most of his own weight with relative ease. He's clearly exhausted but thanks to the Abyss Sickness, he doesn't feel the strain in his body. Which is both a boon and curse to anyone with any sense of self-preservation.]

[He stops when he sees Turo. Specifically, he sees what Turo's using to extract the gems.]

Oh, hey! You're grabbing gems too? And here I thought I was the only one who wanted these things!

Indeed- their qualities of specific elements and the possible energy they may generate when refined makes them of great interest to me. I am one of those here who knows how to work with gems and crystals to best harness their power in order to use it for other things.

[The emerald was carefully placed amongst the others there in his bag, taking a moment of extracting them with that spoon he had been digging with. Quite the useful find in a chest some level above after all, more so when he figured out the enchantment it held.

Just the perfect size for this sort of work as well.]

You know how they work?

What do you plan on using them for??

[Darin is definitely interested and approaches curiously.]

I do, after taking some time to study the elemental crystals found on some islands. These work similarly so I hear, but still take a careful hand to make use of.

[Turo moved so he was sitting on the outcropping of odd crystal; easier to talk that way, take a bit of a break to try and gauge himself as well as he spoke.]

Power sources for various magitech items. I and a few others have been working on barrier shields, and these could do just the trick for a certain boost of energy needed. A few more personal projects as well. Applying the elemental affect alongside that.

No way! A friend of mine and I are studying the elemental stones applications on magitech as well! I'm a blacksmith! I wanted to see if I could use these to enhance armor and accessories!

[Darin realizes he hasn't introduced himself yet. He drops his considerable haul and holds a hand out.]

Name's Darin Altway, Master smith! Pleasure to meet you!

I do not doubt that they could be, if shaped and refined in the right way to both fit and bring out the potential power held within. Usually only jewelers have that skill here, so I have heard in speaking to people on Eltrut. I have had quite fascinating conversations with them.

[That hand was taken, and there would be a surprisingly firm shake from him, but still in that warm friendly sort of way—]

Professor Turo, or simply Turo, I am a scientist who dabbles in various fields of study. A pleasure in turn.

Are you familiar with the process? Because I have experience making fittings for jewelry and customizing equipment to allow for gemstones to be slotted. I was wondering if some sort of refinement process was necessary for the gems to be effective...

[Darin drops heavily and digs around in one of his pouches for a notebook.]

Do you know if something needs to be done to draw power from the gems or can they just be slotted in?

...Sorry, I've just been dying to find something like this and I'd love to pick your brain a bit.

I do, given my work with crystals back in the world I am from. I have also worked with the elemental crystals here to draw out their potential power in order to power what magitech devices I have helped create.

It is a process only those with the skill should do, or risk causing some explosive results simply from cutting one the wrong way.

[Turo chuckled softly, shaking his head.]

You are perfectly fine- it is understandable as I can get the same way at times.

Something does need to be done, to help focus that power as it is drawn out, but at least that comes in the shaping and refining process. After that? You can slot them in, and with a little tap to help seal it in place- of course something more if you are working towards a specific elemental enchantment I suppose. Sometimes a bit of rune-work can be done, usually where you are slotting the gem in.

You've created magitech devices? What kind, if you don't mind my asking?

[Darin is already dutifully taking notes.]

Do the gems resonate with each other for combined or amplified effects? Can I combine two differing elements for a whole new effect or do they cancel out??

This is just...this is so surreal. I was hoping to bring up as much as I could carry and maybe sell off a portion to fund the construction of my forge.

[-- The railgun must never be spoken of again, quickly as Rem and Turo had destroyed that thing after it practically incinerated a few heads off that hydragoose beast.]

Smaller barrier shields, meant to be used by one person to shield themselves and perhaps a few others for a short amount of time. A group effort there, of course, but testinh proved successful. I also have a personal lamp I use at my desk, and tweaked the design of an ice making device into something of a fridge suitable to have in a bedroom. Things like that so far.

[Things meant to be useful- make lives easier, or protect.]

So far only one elemental affect has been gone for- such as pieces of jewelry to keep you warm in the coldest of climates. I do believe that multi-effects is worth testing, of course. There are also weapons that have a single element to them as well I've heard of.

I am sure you would get quite the amount for some of them as it seems they are not easy to come by. I know I'll be keeping a larger portion for myself to run tests on and see just how I can manipulate them.

I'm not so much interested in weapons. I know it's probably weird to hear a smith say that but I don't like the idea of making powerful weapons available to people who might underestimate them or overestimate themselves. Armor and accessories and tools are more of my interest...though I wouldn't say no to someone I'd properly vetted.

[Darin snaps his notebook shut with a smile.]

So, how are you planning to get a sizable haul to the surface? This place is dangerous enough and I haven't been able to feel anything for awhile now.

I much rather create things to either protect, or make people's lives easier- hence the hope to one day make a barrier-like shield perhaps large enough for a Leviathan to use if such a thing was ever needed. They do join large battles after all.

[The time it took for Eltrut to heal, the others that did jump in during the attack of the undead. What happened during the attack of those shark beings and their shark-ship.

More and more it was something Turo wished to make a reality one day. For now he was, of course, happy to make them for people and perhaps eventually ships.]

My partner is waiting for me in the village on a higher level- I do also have some help with me, but I have kept them in their pokéball simply because of how much they helped traverse already.

[Giving Miraidon a chance to rest.]

Whoa...a barrier for a leviathan? Hell of a lofty goal but...one I could get behind. Probably could have helped with that giant winged bird monster a couple of months back too...

[Darin was going to ask about Turo's partner but...the mention of a "pokéball" catches his attention.]

A...what ball?

It will take a lot of work, and time- mostly to find a suitable power source that can generate enough energy to form such a thing as well as maintain it for long enough against attacks. Still, something to work towards for the future.

[Turo slipped a hand into one of the large pockets of his lab coat, and pulled out an odd ball that rested easily in the palm of his hand. Still keeping it small since he wasn't calling anything out of it-]

A Pokéball; an item from my world that comes in different varieties, all designed to safely house a creature known as a Pokémon inside. This is simply used to keep up to six pokémon on someone's person at a time as they travel, with the idea to keep them safe and comfortable during that time.

So there's...a creature in there? Like a monster?

[Darin inches forward to scrutinize the ball. There was a monster in there? Had to be pretty small to fit, honestly.]

[He considers asking Turo to see but...then he remembers the poison and the Abyss Sickness.]

A-Ah, you don't have to show me. With all of the miasma or whatever in the air I don't want anyone or anything getting sick...

There is, yes. The one within this pokéball is called Miraidon.

[--Oh! Right. He had nearly forgotten in all honestly. Turo slipped the ball back into his pocket and went into the other one, pulling out a metal container and what looked like something of a rudimentary breathing mask-]

This is an inhalant made from the Flowers of Fortitude pollen, a button press and a dose of it will move into that to be breathed in. It should help you.

[-then he went for his bag, digging into another pocket as he pulled out an odd bit of wood made into a torch.]

Wood from those bonfires the villagers above burn to ward off the miasma. They did not mind sharing the information of how they keep it away when asked. I have a few of these on me, in case I encountered those in need of help in these depths.

[Darin looks at the offerings with no shortage of wonder. This was an incredible kindness...one that Darin appreciated but admittedly didn't exactly need. His powers and superhuman constitution gave him a bit of an edge down here. But he didn't want to refuse the Turo's generosity.]

[Darin takes the wood carefully and turns it over in his hands.]

I...that's really nice. But I don't want to take more than I need. The wood should help but the medicine...I think you should save that for someone who's in dire straights. The...truth is, I'm sturdier than most. This stuff effects me but it takes a much longer time for it to really take effect.

I'd feel better knowing someone else who needed it more could use it, you know?

But, if it's all the same to you? I'd like to thank you. When we're out, I'd like to donate some of my gem share to your research...

[Turo's head tilted briefly, but there was a soft hum of understanding with it. Even if unspoken, there was another reason that he did push downwards through to this level. Even with Dojima's worry -which he didn't blame the man for, considering what happened recently enough- he knew he could withstand the miasma for simple reasons.

Such as... not needing to breathe, really.

So, he kept the make-shift 'inhaler' in hand while the wood was taken.]

If you are sure, I shall not press. That is the reason I created a few of these once at that village after all, given the time to try and throw something together with what I had on hand. [Dismantling a few other things on hand that he could afford to-]

It is fortunate that lighting that torch made of abyssal tree will ward off the miasma enough that there should be no worry in allowing Miraidon out to help leave this level easier- and only if you're sure, I would be grateful for that donation. I could create better power sources for some of the equipment I'm building for the Cosmo Conservatory's main medical building.

[Amongst other things that could be widely useful.]

Of course! And hey, if you find yourself needing a master smith and burgeoning engineer, I'd love to come by and lend a hand!

Honestly, I'd love any chance to learn. Being in this world has been a hell of an experience. I never got opportunities like this back home.

[Darin leans back thoughtfully as he looks up. They're too far down to see the sky but imagining it brings him some measure of comfort.]

I very well might- there are only so many things that I can put together myself for the Conservatory, quite a bit of it involves metalwork, and there are group projects amongst the crew of the Phantom Moon as well that involve creating magitech devices.

[Quite a few of them could be considered scientists and researchers on that crew, all of them in search of betterment- along with figuring out and perhaps finding the mysteries of this world.

Still, the help with megitech devices to help at the Conservatory would be rather welcome.]

This world has been quite the experience indeed, and one I am grateful for. Even with some of the attacks happening- there is so much to explore and see.

Phantom Moon...I've never heard of them. I assume they're a crew?

[At this point, it's clear that they'll be resting for a bit. Which, all things considered, Darin is quite happy for. He reaches into his pack and pulls some rations out, offering some to Turo.]

It's definitely different from my world. The leviathans alone are something I've never seen before. There have been legends and stories but no truth to them as far as I know. It's just kind of exciting to have this whole new world to explore, you know?

Partially correct. That is the name of the ship, the crew is under the name Raiders of the Lost Arts- we're actually a group of researchers, amongst some fighters, that wish to delve into the mysteries of this world. Find what is lost and figure out what it was- what happened to this world.

[A break was well needed, that was certain, and Turo held up a hand as from a different pocket he pulled out what looked like a lunch box. This he opened up and literallt reached deep inside of it to pull out what appeared to be a large sandwich wrapped in parchment.

He had more had enough food thanks to the enchantment of the lunch box, but-] I've plenty of food and water, if you'd like a little extra.

You are quite right that it is exciting. Sometimes this world reminds me a little of my own, of memories past; exploring various regions, working with friends. Coming here has practically fulfilled a wish of mine.

Oh...! I think I heard about them! I didn't realize that was your whole mission statement. "Raiders of the Lost Arts" kinda sounds like you steal relics and stuff, honestly. Not that I think I could come up with a better name.

[Embarrassed, Darin runs his hand through his spiky blue hair.]

Well, if you're offering...I could use a little more water. I didn't realize how thirsty I was getting with the way this miasma messes with your senses.

[He's embarrassed because he's normally better prepared. But he's never encountered a place that could strip you of so much so slowly. He's thankful he stumbled upon Turo when he did.]

That sounds nice. I wish I could have lived a life like that. All I ever knew up until recently was my hometown of Kenmore and the nearby capital city Arclight. As much as I wanted to travel and explore...well, it probably wasn't the best idea for me.

Given what 'raider' tends to mean, it is understandable. Part of it is likely what we find we do keep simply to study, further our research, in hopes of using it for the better. I tend to write up reports, sending copies to the Archival Conservatory on Elah, given I am originally part of the Paladins since arrival here, so anything helpful can be catalogued there as well. [Even if he didn't have full faith since a few incidents of- well, corruption amongst the higher ranks. So much they seemed to keep to themselves rather than share on all sides when it could be better to.] At least what information is fit to be catalogued, filling in some spots or record new flora and fauna.

It is a thin line, given anything turned over to the Paladin side as such would be locked away only for them to study. May not know if they discover anything- but I digress.

[He'd found a place amongst them, and knew that he was with good people. Some rougher around the edges in some ways, but it was company he had grown to deeply enjoy.

Speaking as he pulled out a large canteen, leaning to better hold it out for the offer-]

I make sure to carry enough to share, given I have an item that allows me to carry quite a large abundance of food and drink.

[That smile kept to something soft- Turo tended to over prepare with the thought of others in mind, and for good reason. Rather be able to help as much as possible, even if in only small ways.]

Work in the Great Crater of Paldea kept me rather tied down. [He was never meant to leave, no thought of it in mind. The crater and its lab, the research stations, to be all he was meant to know first hand simply due to natural limitations.] It was difficult not to at times be envious of the young students and trainers, having the entire region to explore with growing bonds with their pokémon and fellow trainers.

I may not know why it might not have been the best idea for you- but you've that chance here, even if not the world you knew.

Yeah, honestly...I'm kinda glad I wasn't picked up by the Paladins. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of pirates by any measure. In fact, I kinda hate 'em. But at least as a Corsair I've got my freedom. I'm not exactly good with authority.

[Darin laughs in spite of himself. Honestly, once upon a time, he and his brother wanted to be knights. To use their strength and power to bring about change in their country. But when Dromas died, Darin lost his way.]

Sounds like we're both being given second chances though. One thing's for sure...people here are a lot more welcoming. Part of the reason I never went anywhere is because I didn't want to get harassed for the way I looked.

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