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

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

TOPLEVEL DIRECTORY (Updated November 25)

ELTRUT

With the Ghoul's Moon festivities over, it's time for everyone to clean up and prepare for the coming winter season. Of course, with the leviathans capable of moving and keeping to warmer waters, it's usually not much of an issue. But it never hurts to be prepared, and the crops and products are always great for export.

One of the biggest products that will be sent off this season will be everything pumpkin. The giant pumpkin shell Eltrut created for Ghoul's Moon will start to shed and the leviathan will need some help in gathering the large chunks before it falls completely into the ocean. Harvesting the pumpkin shell off of Eltrut is no easy feat, but not only is it edible, the rind is also tough and durable.

🔪 Harvest. Using carving knives and pickaxes, everyone must head out of town and into the forests to remove the pumpkin and clean off the shell beneath. Large tubs and wagons will be provided to help haul off the goods.
🐢 Pumpkin Spice Turtles. Drawn by all the pumpkins are small little pumpkin turtles. They are forbidden from being harmed or caught, however, they produce a special "pumpkin spice" and "pumpkin cinnamon" dust that can be carefully collected. While most will respect the law, others will be greedy and try to capture these turtles. Help protect and catch any who try—or perhaps get some extra cash by successfully catching and selling them off.
🔨 Build-A-Pumpkin. To help spur motivation and creativity, there are numerous competitions centered on building the most interesting and durable creation using only the pumpkin rinds. Some small things like nails and bits of wood can be used to help, but it must otherwise be made out of the rinds. From unique artwork to small buildings to carriages to boats and ships—the possibilities are endless. Just don't mind the mess.

Of more concern, both Eltrut and the Naughtilust were weakened from the attack from the Ghost Ship and are dozing a bit for the first week or so. Those in charge are requesting help in preparing special food that will help with their recovery. But to help keep spirits up and to hopefully provide some positive energy to the leviathans, a special hotpot gathering will be hosted for anyone to come and help cook, either for the leviathans or for others. A perfect chance to socialize and catch up with others. Just keep an eye out—someone may try to spoil the food.

To aid the two weakened leviathans, a list of key ingredients is provided for volunteers to head into the forests and out to sea to gather. Large tables and several grills, pots, and other cooking equipment will be provided for anyone to use.

🔥 Fire Sprites. Instead of normal flames, the food for the leviathans needs to be cooked over a special fire created by special fire sprite. They will only appear around campfires or bonfires where stories are told, so time to create a suitable fire pit and get to storytelling! Any kind will work.
🌰 Chest of Chestnuts. One of the most prized ingredients is a special type of chestnut that can only be found in special acorn chests buried underground by squirrel scavengers. These squirrels specifically gather these chestnuts because they are so rare, delicious, and known to have medicinal properties. Said squirrels will also gladly relinquish their store…if they can remember where those chests are. Time to go on a wild treasure hunt!
🐡 Fish Puffing. There is a special type of pufferfish that will be carefully collected and brought to the pier where volunteers must wear special gloves and carefully squeeze the fish to force it to secrete a special fluid that has potent healing properties. Soothe the fish and make them more willing to be handled by singing a cheerful tune. Whistling and other music can help. Feeding them special kelp and gently petting them will also keep them calm and less agitated.
🍲 Cookoff! Whether it's for the leviathans or just cooking a meal to be shared with others, the cooking stations are constantly in use. Who can prepare the most delicious meal?

ELAH

Things are a bit hectic within Baleen, the capital city of Elah. A wild flock of singing turkeys have been set loose and they are running amok, causing a disturbance to everyone. They are getting stuck in chimneys, popping into bathrooms, and swimming in the many fountain pools found all over town. What makes them more disruptive is their singing, which, unfortunately, sound more like nails dragging down chalkboard. While some may be ready to roast them to send to Eltrut for a feast, perhaps some may try to catch them.

And send them to Nogard. (They likely came from there, anyway—)

Researchers would especially appreciate it if these turkeys could be caught and removed as they are busy studying the tombstone relic brought back from the ghost ship. What secrets could it hold…?

At the Archives, researchers are hard at work studying the broken pieces of the black tombstone that was brought back from the ghost ship. They believe it's the reason the ship and its undead crew appeared, but how?

💤 Energy Drain. Although precautions are set, those who are exposed to the relics start feeling a bit drained, as if their energy is being sucked away. Quickly remove any affected and find a way to seal or contain the relics without being affected as well.
🪦 Undeadly Experiments. Although now in pieces, the tombstone relic still holds some power. Thus researchers decide to perform direct tests and experiments to see how it affects the undead. There are requests made to those who have previously died either in their world or this one, and some venture to graveyards where dead and ghosts are sometimes active. When in close contact with the relic, all who have experienced death in some way will become more hostile and aggressive, some even outright attacking any nearby. Help protect those performing the experiment and subdue the affected until they calm down.
🏃‍♂️ Thief! Those damn Corsair, they can never respect important research! A few bad eggs are breaking the agreement and are trying to steal the fragments, perhaps to sell them off to someone else or for some other purpose.

NOGARD

In Nogard, the island the leviathan has settled in is teeming with wild beasts, and perhaps due to being in a warmer climate, they are appearing more and more often, as if coming out of hibernation. It makes for a perfect opportunity for hunters to head out in hopes of collecting rare meat, materials, and hides that can be used and sold. To prevent overhunting, a competition is hosted with rules and regulations that all participants must abide by.

As such, there will be a group to help ensure security and they will even request assistance from Paladins, who are also allowed to participate in the hunt if they wish. Thus those who prefer to go after people will be quite useful to keep track and go after anyone who is poaching, hunting creatures under the "protected" list, or wasting the kills. To any who are caught…well, the Paladins may fare nicer compared to a Corsair.

While most predators and creatures of large populations are eligible for the competition, there are a few notable hunts that will reap great rewards for those who dare. Those who turn in their kills will receive a decent portion of the profits and first choice in what to keep for their own. The rest will be turned in to be sold, with the Elphantin tusks going straight to Eltrut to be used for the recovery efforts.

🦈 Goblin Shark. This deep-sea shark has a distinctive long, flattened snout and protrusible jaws, making it look quite unusual compared to other shark species. All parts of its body can be used so it makes for a profitable hunt—if one can brace the cold depths to take it down.
🐍 Coibara. Head of a cobra, body of a bear, and tail and coloring of a koi fish, this snake chimera can be found in dark coves and anywhere near deeper bodies of water. Capable of sprinting over the ground and swimming, beware of its poisonous fangs, which can also fetch a pretty penny along with its hide. The venom can also be collected for both poison and anti-venom purposes.
🦚 Pexeo. An equine beast with the body and markings of a zebra and plumage and head of a peacock that roams the greener valleys. Although not hostile, it can be dangerous if attacked, its beak revealing sharp rows of teeth that can tear up anything that gets caught in it and its hooves sharp as blades. Rather than killed, the feathers are the real prize and can be carefully plucked instead. But its meat can be considered a delicacy in some areas.
🐘 Elphantin. This giant elephant like creature is considered as the top hunt of the list. They can only be found deep within the forests and only appear at dawn when the foggy mist is thickest. While every part can be used, what makes this the top prize is the medicinal properties of its tusks. But it is very difficult to track and hunt and will take a group of skilled hunters to take down.

Afterwards, a large feast to celebrate is thrown, though of course it can get rowdy and with the alcohol fountain brought in, fights and brawls are bound to happen.

But there will also be a "special guest" rushing into town: wild boars. Perhaps agitated by the hunts or out for revenge against those who targeted them (which was allowed), the boars are crashing and charging into everything they see. While this may look like a good opportunity to prepare some BBQ Boar, the conservationists of the Corsairs would like to drive most of them back into the wilds.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It would be quite cruel of me, to take away her choice in the matter.

[She is looking at the cat, and then at him. But she'll reach up and actually pull off her mask to crouch down? She is going to talk to this cat and get her opinion, but it's not going to sound like much to people who don't speak cat.]

You're being quite patient with her, for someone who hates cats.

[Oh look, the mask comes off.

But when she says that the cat's choice in the matter... well.. he can kind of feel for that and looks down at Pumpkinpatch who is looking at this woman while leaning all her weight against him. Pumpkin will quite clearly inform this woman that she has picked this person because she likes the shape of his ears and the way he smells like a hunter. A good hunter deserves a good hunter. Plus he doesn't smell like other cats, so no touching, this one is hers.

He grumbles at the comment, looking down at the two.]

I am not about to be cruel to the beast... What are you doing? [He raises an eyebrow.]

I am asking her opinion on the matter. It seems she has no desire to share her person with any other cat...so I'm right out.

[She smiles a bit--she understands, Pumpkinpatch, and she is doing her best to be convincing. She does offer a hand to sniff, but without any expectations or pressure.]

...It's my experience people are quite ready to be cruel to what they hate. So either you are a very honorable man, a very kind man...or you don't particularly hate this little one as much as you say.

[Pumpkinpatch sniffs the hand but leans more of her weight on Fenris, until she is pretty much sitting on his foot, tail curled around his ankle. Are all people with pointy ears this stubborn? Shadowlily didn't have this much trouble with her pointy eared one.

Fenris' brow pinches when she says she is asking the cat... are they speaking? Was this magic? But he didn't see any spell being cast. Strange.

Before he can ask though, she's still talking and well...]

I.. [He frowns down at both of them, Pumpkinpatch looks up at him with slowblinks.. because the woman wasn't wrong, he is normally very cruel to that which he hates.] I suppose I see her usefulness.

[Some pointy-eared people take a long time to be honest about their feelings, Pumpkinpatch. Do not give up.

Naeva doesn't press the issue with her fingers, and straightens back up, with a bit of a grunt because Thickrump is doing his best impersonation of a scarf and even if his weight is no trouble for her, he is right on her neck...]

Usefulness, is it? [The look she gives him is largely as impassive and bland as her other expressions. 'Usefulness'. Alright, if that's what he has to tell himself.] Indeed, a cat is a useful companion, particularly on ships, I'm told. Dogs tend not to do so well, in such enclosed spaces for a long time, but cats are quite suited to them.

[Pumpkinpatch chirps a thank you at Naeva, pressed up close to Fenris' calf almost as if she could meld with the man.

And he was used to getting such impassive and bland looks, he knows what they are and what they mean, he can't help but brood a little heavier. He can't help it, he's a tsun over this cat okay. Why was she being so cute and persistent over him, he was bound to give in, just maybe not where people could see.

Besides, Cats were Anders' thing, which made him not want the cat more..

Though if he could convince the cat to hate Anders...]

You.. give light to reason that I cannot deny, a dog [As much as he would prefer one] would not fare well on a boat in the way a cat can and with the rodent problem.. it stands to reason that cats are especially necessary as of now.

[With a sigh, he looks back down at Pumpkinpatch.] If she is so stubborn then.. I suppose I could manage the care of it for the good of the ship.

Then, for the good of the ship, would you prefer a...training course, on the basics of caring for her?

[Naeva chooses the world training carefully. No need to offend someone's sensibilities by reminding them of their own lack of knowledge. Rather, frame it, at least in her mind, as an opportunity.

...She's never been very good at this, mind you, but for Pumpkinpatch's sake, she will do her best.]

[He raises an eyebrow at the mention of training. Looking down at the creature once more, who seems to be sizing him up for some reason (Pumpkinpatch: I want up, how do I get up without him dropping me).

With a grumpy sigh he nods.]

I am not versed in the care of felines, I understand the care of canines much better.

[He hopes there are similarities.]

She will be feeding herself yes? What more do I need to know?

[He gives this woman his attention.]

She can feed herself, but you'll have to make sure she has access to fresh water, same as you would for yourself, or a dog. Salt water doesn't do any of us any good.

[She glances down at Pumpkin and thinks for a second. Pulls Thickrump into her arms to point at his toebeans. Let's see if he takes the bait....]

Since she's a hunting cat, you don't need to trim her claws, but you should still check them for injuries now and then. Cats are proud creatures--they'll hide when they're in pain, so you have to check like this now and then.

I would not think she could drink salt water.

[Was that a slight pout? Maybe, but it doesn't linger long as he looks at the toe beans of the other cat and pauses to look at Pumpkinpatch once more... with a put upon sigh, he reaches down and picks her up, much to her delight, and holds her the same to also look at her paws.

Him holding her was not nearly as natural as the woman holding her own cat. He has dealt with proud creatures before.. he himself was one even, so he could understand the want to hide when in pain, to hide when sick. Afterall, Fenris was much the same. Perhaps it even sparked the start of a kinship.]

Like this? [He wasn't ashamed to learn, checking the cat's paws while she started to purr loudly.]

It would be rude of me to assume and leave anything vital out.

[Naeva remarks placidly, and manages not to smile. Yeeesssss you've got him now, pumpkin!]

Yes, like that. As long as she feels her weight is well supported, she should be fine...this is also an exercise that can build trust. Such a thing...well, you probably won't have any issues. But while dogs have been bred for centuries to serve their masters with love and loyalty, no matter who they be, cats chose their people...their trust is a gift earned, and once lost, is never regained.

[She pauses, and rubs under Thickrump's chin.] Both wonderful kinds of love, when nurtured, mind. And both excellent partners and companions. But the difference is important to keep in mind.

[Pumpkin was absolutely delighted, she wasn't a huge cat, but she fit perfectly into his hands and was quite pleased with herself as she purrs.

The rumbling of the beast was... oddly pleasant, so he didn't mind it as much as he thought he might. He raises an eyebrow down at her as he listens carefully.]

Seeing how she stubbornly clung to me despite better judgement.. I would assume they pick their owner as you say. It is unfortunate for her that she didn't pick someone more well suited to the task.

[He will do his best, but half expects her to leave him the second she finds someone more suited to the task of her care. The idea that holding her is a trust exercise makes him adjust his hold to support her better.] Until then I shall.. not squander her trust.

[His trust was also one hard earned and quickly lost, his loyalty intense and strong, but easily broken. He could understand this creature for that much at least.]

You do yourself a disservice. Unpracticed is not the same as unsuited.

[Naeva's tone is still mild, but there's a thread of iron-hard firmness to it. People are infinitely suited to growing into new skills--is she not proof of that herself? So she won't hear otherwise from this sullen young....man? Man. Perhaps a dryad, with those ears and those bare feet. Hmm. It'd be rude to ask, anyway.]

If she is regularly hunting, she won't need things to sharpen her claws on, but providing something--rope wrapped around a piece of wood will do--will go a long way in times rats are scarce. Ah, and...

[Coughing delicately.] A small covered box with some sand or clay in it. Just dump it overboard and replace the sand when it's used. She'll keep herself clean otherwise.

You are not wrong, I merely was implying someone who is.. hm, more open to the task of owning a cat.

[It was good that she will be mostly self sufficient, that makes this easier, he would not want to be the cause of the creature's death because he was, as this woman says, unpracticed.

While cruel to slavers, there was no reason to be cruel to an animal.

He nods along, making mental note of everything the woman says.]

I can provide those. Thank you, I will be sure to keep her alive for as long as she stays within my care.

[Pumpkinpatch wiggles from his hands and with prickling claws moves to sit on his shoulder. Luckily his armour keeps him safe from any harm, but it seems that Pumpkin has found her new favorite spot as she rubs up against his ear (Mine~).]

Hmm, well. I believe she will be the final judge of how suited you are to it.

[Naeva does not manage to hide the smile this time, since she has to shift Thickrump in her arms (he's a fucking LARGE cat) to cover her mouth. There might have been the flash of fangs? Don't worry about it.]

There is no need to thank me. In truth, providing this kind of guidance was one of the more pleasant and, unfortunately, rarest parts of my work.

[With a frown, he tilts his head to the side to try and get the beast to stop rubbing up against his ear, but she just preens and purrs happily. Strange creature. Yes, it would seem this stubborn creature doesn't know what's best for her and has picked him, so be it, he will take care of her for the good of the ship and crew.

And maybe because she was kinda cute.

Just a little.

He looks at the woman once more, catching what might be the barest hint of fang when she is smiling, but he isn't sure. Was she like Astarion? He was one of the only people he knew with fangs.]

And what is your work? I assume it's with animals if teaching someone the basic care of one is part of it?

I am the Guardian of the Black Forest.

[Naeva. Naeva honey that doesn't explain shit. Naeva you're not in your world. NAEVA--]

And that entails?

[He lifts an eyebrow curiously.]

It is my role to ensure the health of the Forest and all things within it. In simpler terms...to make sure what should live stays living, and what should die stays dead.

[She considers this for a while, head tilted.]

The Black Forest houses a great many rare kinds of plants and beasts within it. Some of it may be safely collected, but much cannot. Part of my work is to facilitate that safe collection that the borders of the forest remain protected by the people who live along them. It's in everyone's best interests the Forest never feels the need to defend itself. Trees don't have much of a sense of proportion.

Sounds almost Dalish to me.

[Them and their being protectors of certain areas they travel around in, collecting and securing lost Elven knowledge. She also sounds... perhaps like a--]

Are you a witch? [His eyes narrow a little, it's not as accusatory or icy as it would be if he was back in Thedas, he knows magic here and in other worlds is different, but it still makes him feel prickly and on edge.]

Dalish?

[She tilts her head a bit one way. Then the other.]

Well, in the sense that most witches are just apothecaries with a bad public image, I suppose. But you seem to mean something else, sir?

Ah, then the terminology is different between our worlds.

[Maybe insult of it is not different, he might have defaulted to the insulting word, but she has an air about her that reminds him of what he's heard about the witch of the wilds and of Merrill.. so it came out without much thought.]

I suppose a better terminology would be mage - a user of magics. You claimed to have spoken with the cat earlier, is that not magic?

Edited 2023-11-09 02:29 (UTC)

I was born with that ability, along with a few others. I suppose the case could be made they're magical, but they've been a part of my existence since I opened my eyes, so I can't say I think of them that way.

[She pauses, looking him up and down. He seems tense on the topic but--well. it would be much worse to lie to him. So be it. At least she got him to take the cat first.]

Much of my own magic was based in my connection to the Forest's magic. Living places that have lived a long time tend to...accumulate power. Here...well, they said something about tattoos when they pulled me ashore, but I won't lie to you, I wasn't paying much attention.

[He was tense, enough to that Pumpkin had even moved to curl against his neck to try and calm him, purring heavily that one ear was practically useless. Yet, it did keep him from immediately becoming unfriendly.

Sure, it wasn't his favorite subject, but Hawke had been a mage and someone he valued and trusted with his entire being, he knows that not all mages are Danarius, even if Anders and Merrell did much to try and prove that wrong.. He knows that Xenk uses magic and that others here do too and that magic isn't the corrupting power that it is in Thedas that few are strong willed enough to resist.

He knows this. Yet the topic of magic always sets him on edge, as if he will find yet another person who is like Anders.

Yet this woman.. she speaks to animals because she was born with it, her magic is connected to the forest not blood or demons.. she wasn't even sure about the tattoos...

He relaxes visibly, though his expression is as broody and calm as he has been.]

I see. Well, if you have magical abilities, they are inert here without the tattoo. How, I do not know or understand, but that is the way of it. [His own Lyrium is inert, though... he is considering a tattoo to reactivate it. After struggling when fighting at half his capabilities before, he finds he is reluctant to go without again.]

Ah, well.

[She watches himm tense up, then relax. She's not a telepath, she's not privy to what's gone through his head, but it is clearly related to magic. Naeva is curious, of course--it's hard to ignore what's clearly a source of pain--but she doesn't know this man well enough to pry.

Reflexively, she pats at her pockets. Discovers....a chestnut a squirrel stuffed in one? No, not useful. She needs to find a candy shop.]

I suppose the magic must be realigned to the sacred beasts, if I had to guess. It would be nice to be able to heal again, certainly.

[She pauses, and then extends a hand out, open palmed. Pay no attention to how long her nails are.]

...My name is Naeva.

ELTRUT

ELAH

NOGARD

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