escordvi | « september: competition in the mists »

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 prompts are worth 4pts!

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

TOPLEVEL DIRECTORY (Updated September 21)

RIVALRY

As a sort of annual tradition, the two Armadas are holding a "friendly" competition between each other. It is a time where they set aside most of their differences and perform some kind of exercise or compete in a game against each other. This tradition hearkens back to when the Armadas were first formed, recognizing that despite their differences and the conflicts that arise between them, they share the same seas and there will be times they will need to rely on each other to survive. Of course, while there are "rules" and the Paladins are more upstanding, both sides have a tendency to see them more as guidelines, especially the Corsairs.

This year, a mysterious island has emerged from a dense fog that had covered an area for quite a long time. In the past, any who sailed into it were never seen again, or if they were, it was only in pieces of wreckage that have managed to drift to a far shore sometimes years later. One would think it an odd place to try and hold a competition, but given the strange nature of the island where the fog still remains, it's agreed that this is one of the times where it would be better if they worked together to investigate. Not to mention, it would help motivate those who volunteer to participate (or questionably drafted) to work harder to figure out what is within these ruins.

For those participating in the competition, the rules are simple:

» Paladins wear blue pieces on their clothes, Corsairs wear red. These could be ribbons, bandanas, whole articles of clothing—whatever will help clearly show which side they are on.
» Preliminary scouting and investigations have determined specific areas that need to be explored and focused on, thus each side has an objective they must fulfill for points. Pictures and sometimes tokens will be used as evidence of completion. There will be "observers" from the MANTA group to keep watch, but anything can happen.
» For the most part, each side is working separately from each other, however there are some shared goals where the two may work together.
» Ideally the two groups don't try to kill each other, but there's really no way to enforce anything, so the best they can do is discourage. And if something should happen while out there, well—try to make it look like an accident is what the Corsairs say, and try to make it justified is the Paladin's.

Each side is also given objectives to help give some additional focus while going through the island.

As if to initiate the competition, the Armadas will host a mock naval battle as a kind of exercise between the two. To keep things fair, no real ammunition is to be used, and anyone caught cheating will have a hole blasted directly into their ship and seized. Crews are especially invited to try and show off their skills. Crews must figure out or create substitute ammunition to fire at their "enemies." Could be food, silverware, liquids (~~not the rum!!~~), laffy taffy, silly string, confetti—whatever they can think of. It is also possible to board each other's ships and "fight" one another, but again no real weapons or lethal magic can be used. Instead, they must use "prop" weapons, and the Armadas will have toy weapons available for those who need them. Remember, this is all in good fun!

SHARED OBJECTIVES. These objectives can be done with opposing Armada members, or they can be done between the same members. Whether one can trust their partner not to backstab them, well, that's just part of the fun.

🏺 Collect the artifacts. A simple scavenger hunt where each side will try to find and catalog as many different items and artifacts as they can. Most will be easy to find, but others may try to look in hard to reach places to see if they can find any hidden treasures.(There is no specific list, feel free to be creative and submit findings during AC!)
🐗 Clearing out creatures. While the area is mostly safe, there are still wild animals and creatures from the forest that roam through the overgrown brush. Wild boars, giant insects like trap door spiders, mischievous pixies or sprites to name a few. Some are friendlier than others and may be easier to shoo away or avoid, while others may need some help fighting back. Might as well work together!
🏃 Stop looters. Whether they are defectors from either side (most likely Corsair) or unaffiliated individuals who are pretending to be part of the group, there are those who try to steal the artifacts. Stopping and bringing them in (dead or alive) will be worth a lot of points, so try and team up to score big! (Or a Corsair might try to steal again, always hard to say with them.)
🕳️ Pitfalls. While there are no real "traps" around, there are places where the ground may give way or a structure may suddenly collapse and trap someone inside. As a show of good faith, work together and help each other.

PALADIN OBJECTIVES. These objectives are for Paladins only, however Corsairs could try to disrupt them from succeeding.

🥷 Infiltrate. Disguise as a Corsair and beat them at their own game. Give them false leads, learn of what plans they have to alert other Paladins, and basically make them feel like a fool for being duped.
🐎 Repair security golems. Remains of what look to be some kind of mechanical winged horses can be found throughout the area. Repairing these will allow them to move and act as security to help keep the site secure.
🗿 Wishing orbs. It is rumored there are white orbs that are capable of granting small wishes to those who hold it. This is dubious at best, but the higher ups are concerned and want as many collected as possible for the Corsairs catch wind. (Note: Those who find and hold these orbs will discover they don't grant all wishes but only small earnest, hopeful ones.)

CORSAIR OBJECTIVES. These objectives are for Corsairs only, however Paladins could try to disrupt them from succeeding.

📑 Steal research notes. It may be underhanded, but that's the Corsair life! Steal or copy research notes from the Paladins to try and get a leg up on the other side.
🪤 Trap a Paladin. For extra brag points, try and trick and trap a Paladin somewhere embarrassing.
💎 Dark crystals. Artifacts are great, but treasure is better. Surely they won't mind if a few gems and jewels are taken? There are also black crystals that are rumored to help cast dark elemental spells including curses and hexes. Now wouldn't that be useful? (Note: Small fragments can be found that do seem capable of creating dark elemental spells, but they are minor with short term effects. )

MYSTERIOUS RUINS

The ruins site is located deep within the dense forest that fills the large island, and the number and spread of the stone structures suggest it was once a large, populated city. Most buildings look like they could be homes or businesses, but there are larger ones that could be temples or some other kind of function. These in particular appear to be floating on large portions of land. Most of the areas designated for the competition will be around this area, but there are a few places located in the far cliffs. Those who go out there will be doing so at their own risk. IMPORTANT! Players are welcome to come up with whatever kinds of items found on the island. The only restriction is any "tech" will be similar to the magitech found in Escordvi today, and there seem to be a lot of horse themes scattered around.

The wild environment of the site, particularly all the overgrowth on the buildings, provide natural challenges that those overseeing the competition have marked. Although designed for Armada members to compete against each other, there's nothing stopping those who may want to challenge those within the same group for some fun! While anyone can do these activities on their own, if there is someone else, then it automatically becomes a challenge. Just be careful of the fog that drifts in and out, as well as strange shadows that lurk around. Although not thick, it's easy to get turned around because of it, and trying to follow the shadows lead to nowhere. Perhaps it's just an animal or a trick of the light?

🌿 Vine swing. Some structures can only be reached by swinging via vines over large gaps between ridges, or even between the tall buildings themselves. Just be careful as some may be weaker than they appear and break.
🧗‍♂️ Climbing. If stairs aren't available, ropes, scaffolding, and natural ledges and hand holds may be the only other options. See who can get to the top or the highest point faster.
🍄 Bouncing Mushrooms. There are large mushrooms that are not only large enough for one to stand on, but have such strong elasticity that will allow anyone to jump several feet upwards. They are found everywhere, including by the tall structures of the ruins and cliff sides. Use these to try to get to the top to enter places that can't be climbed easily.
🌉 Crossing Bridges. The "floating temples" will be difficult to access, particularly when the bridges that once reached them are broken. There are a few different ways to earn points here: 1) find a way to remake the bridge; 2) fashion a hang glider and either catch a draft or use wind magic to get across; 3) hop across strange clouds that are just solid enough to jump on before they disappear (watch out for the storm clouds that could break right away); 4) use some other method!

Throughout the larger floating temples there are strange indentations around the doors and it becomes clear that something is required to be placed into them. There are special tapir shaped stones that come in white and black scattered throughout, sometimes even right next to the door. One of each must be placed into these indentations for the door to open. However, the moment the stone is placed, a unique vision will appear that is visible to all. The white stone will create a vision based on one's hopes, dreams, and aspirations. The black stone will create a vision based one's weaknesses, fears, and sadness. In addition, once a person has placed one type of stone, they will not be able to place the same type until they've placed the other. Fortunately, these visions are brief and only last a few seconds, but may still make for awkward conversation…

INTO THE FOG

For those who may venture outside of the ruins into the forests will find it most unusual. It drifts in and out almost like the waves of the sea, and oftentimes one might think they hear the ocean just a few feet away, but they are too far inland for it to be possible. Sometimes they may even hear crying or singing somewhere deep within the fog, yet the source remains elusive, always moving, never still. While not officially part of the competition, interesting discoveries may be counted.

Beware the fog because there are side effects if one stays in the fog around here for too long.

👥 Shadow forms. The fog will start to change and take on the form of something from the person's memory. It could be a person, an animal, or even a place, and the affected individual will see these shadow forms as real. They're just hallucinations, but to them the form they see is the same as the real thing and they are all good things. However, others who are not affected will just see the strange fog shapes. Even creepier, if the fog is taking on the form of a person, a voice can be heard but it's distorted and unreal. Either pull the person away or try to destroy the fog to break them out of the trance. If not, the person will remain lost in that place, drawn in by the pleasant feelings the hallucinations bring.

💫 Jumbled memories. Either in conjunction with the hallucinations or completely separate, staying too long in the fog can also make one forgetful. It will start subtle, such as briefly forgetting why they are here or who they are with, until things become more jumbled to the point of forgetting who they are. Should anyone be found in this state, they must be taken out quickly and the effect will eventually wear off.

💣 Fog spheres. Turns out, this fog may not be so natural after all. Scattered around the forest and particularly up on the cliffs where the fog is thickest, there are strange spherical devices that are creating the fog. Find and destroy these to lessen the fog in the area. Unfortunately, this fog covers most of the island, and even after destroying the sphere and trying to disperse the fog will only have it creep right back in. Perhaps there's another source out there…

To try and combat the fog, a special lantern can be lit that will have a unique incense that helps clear the mind as well as help show a way through the fog. Chewing on bitter herbs and mint will also help stave off the effects, if for a little while. Should anyone feel stressed out or disoriented by the fog, finding a capybara will also do wonders to heal the soul. The docile creatures may happen to wander into the fog or one may stumble upon them. Capybaras particularly enjoy oranges, so feeding one will have the creature follow the person for a time.

Should one be able to avoid or navigate through the fog, there will be a number of strange things found around and beyond the forests, particularly closer to the cliffs where there are numerous caves and strange buildings that are considered part of the ruins.

🌷 Sweet dreams. There is a beautiful field of flowers that has such a lovely aroma…that may make one feel sleepy. Should someone drift asleep, they will find themselves having pleasant dreams, which doesn't sound like a bad thing—until they don't wake up and risk falling asleep for eternity. One way to find a sleeping person is by seeing a baby tapir floating above them. The tapir can be seen sniffing and snuffling around their head and can be shooed away if they don't fly off first. Rescue the person before getting caught by the flowers' sweet fragrance. Methods to counteract the scent are possible to make! One could also burn the flowers, but then the baby tapirs will fly in and cry about it. Loudly.

☁️ Cloud Riders. There is a strange area by the tall cliffs that have small clouds drifting around them. Turns out they are actually quite "solid" enough for someone to step onto and even sit on. They are also the best way up the cliffs, where there are numerous caves and signs of ruin structures. There are two types of clouds: fluffy white ones that will provide a slow but relaxing ride, and dark thunderclouds that will go in random directions and zip and zag here and there while threatening to drop rain on anything below it. Perhaps some people may figure out a way to control them. Race each other to earn more points!

🚩 Lost flags. The various structures on the cliffs are actually small towers that seemed to be used as watch posts. While there are some artifacts and weapons found, there are also a number of tattered flags and pennants scattered around. They have turned black and touching them brings a wave of grief and hopelessness. But there are those that still have some of the colorful patterns with what looked to be a horned horse. Perhaps cleaning and repairing them may reveal more about who lived here.

🪶 Feather fall. Winged horses can be found at the top of the cliffs. They will be wary and stay away from the adventurers, however their feathers are said to help keep nightmares away and induce pleasant dreams. Since the horses will be hostile and refuse to be friendly to anyone, find a way to collect the feathers. However, should someone try to collect a feather by either harming or killing the horse, the feather will turn black and plague them with nightmares instead.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Despite his looks and scholarly appearance, Joshua is in fact a corsair. But because he's also a scholar, that means he's also here taking part in the competition to steal some research notes. He's very curious what might be written in them.

Even if he wasn't going to partake in this competition at all... He cannot help himself.]

I see I'm not the first one to find the notes...

[Joshua approaches cautiously.]

Wanna be quicker if you want to get the good stuff.

[He glances over at the herbivore.

…

Interesting scent.]

Should I ask if you’re here to steal or protect these?

That seems so.

[But Joshua doesn't seem all that put off by the fact that he's a little too late. The early bird did not get the worm.

And he's far from a herbivore... (ew veggies)]

Although, it wouldn't be safe for me to answer such a thing at a glance. What are you doing with the notes?

It wouldn’t be safe for me to answer that either, you know.

[His tail sways as he seems to study the other man for a moment.

Then he shrugs, looking back at the notes.]

I’m reading them.

[That answer might answer more than one question on his mind. Two men being cautious about having the notes? He could assume this man is a corsair as well.]

Then you've stolen them.

[He quirks an eyebrow.]

Hmm.

[His lips quirks up into a smirk.]

Possibly. But I get the feeling you’re not going to rat me out. You seem pretty interested in these yourself.

[How very interesting... Although, Joshua still feels as though he should keep his guard up.]

That may be true. [He isn't looking to tell on the man.] But I am not in the business of stealing from another corsair, either.

[So, is he going to share or not?]

[Leona contemplates briefly before he waves the notes over in his direction.]

Help yourself.

[See? He can be generous.]

[Oh, what sportsmanship. They're technically supposed to be teammates today, after all.

Joshua comes closer to the man.]

I've been told that there are more than only one set of note to be taken. How did you come across these?

[Leona flicks an ear in his direction as he comes closer.]

Came across it by accident.

[Sort of. Maybe.

In the distance, there can be a shout from a Paladin in a pitfall somewhere. Something about ‘catch that lion’ or whatever nonsense.]

[By accident...? Very funny. There's a whole ass man yelling from over there.]

That seems unlikely.

[Joshua glances in that direction and then motions with one hand.]

It seems it's best if we make ourselves scarce.

[Time to find a safer place to chat?]

[He should be happy Leona hadn't considered burying him under sand.

Leona inclines his head.]

Lead the way.

[After you, pretty bird.]

[Pretty bird...

Don't mind as he leads them to some rocky ruin area behind some broken stone and overgrown trees. They should be able to find some safe cover here.]

Here. Hopefully the paladins have overlooked this way.

Not yet.

[A nose twitch.]

I don’t smell anyone else nearby.

Then we have a moment.

[He holds out his hand.]

May I see the notes?

Here.

[He hands the notes over to him.]

You might make better sense of it than I can.

[Joshua takes them carefully.]

It appears to be a paladin's research notes on something called Wishing Orbs.

[Sounds... optimistic.]

...

[He lets out a deep exhale.]

Somehow doubt they'd be that effective in actually granting wishes.

[Sounds a little too good to be true. It'd have more people trying to find them.]

There may be merit in it if the paladins are researching it.

[Although, Joshua has his own doubts...]

It could simply be the type of orb to provide or cast luck. Because luck spells, I've heard of.

Or wishful thinking.

[Leona's ear flicks a bit as he thinks about it.]

Even then, it can be a little far-fetched. If there are any around here, then those herbivores would probably be searching for it already.

If it weren't the paladins looking into it, I would almost say it would be wishing thinking.

[Because a lot of corsairs would try and sell "wishing thinking" orbs to dumb people.]

I'm sorry... Herbivores? [He has to ask...?? Why that term?!]

[The corner of his lips twitch upwards at the questions.]

What is it?

[He sees nothing wrong with that term. Unless he smells otherwise, a majority of these people are gonna be called herbivores. Sorry, Joshua.]

Why is it that you call others Herbivores, exactly?

[Luckily, Joshua is just persistant enough to ask why.]

Because they're not part-animal.

[That's the only simple explanation.]

All there is to it.

[Joshua is still confused...]

I do not possess animalistic features, and yet... I do like steak.

[Beef is tasty... come on.]

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RIVALRY

MYSTERIOUS RUINS

INTO THE FOG

steal research notes 📕

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