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« november: open log »

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

[You know. You know. Kaveh doesn't like to consider himself the unilateral authority on art. Yes, sure, with Sumeru the way it was, he seemed to be one of maybe four people who understood the value of aesthetics, and yes, he was quite good at it, thank you. But this is a different world full of people from different worlds and he's trying to keep an open mind. Mostly, he feels like there's a lot to learn.

And then there's this...pumpkin.....horse? He thinks it's a horse. Fuck, when was the last time he even saw a horse? But he was pretty sure they didn't have horns??? And then the rider...and the scimitars....This is such a strange creation.

All he can think to himself is, oh god, his roommate would love this fucking thing.

Kaveh's been standing here staring down the Pumpkizzt Gourd'urden for a solid ten minutes at this point, brow furrowed, hand over his mouth, trying to discern the thought process of the artist responsible. He's not getting anywhere.]

[It is the dumbest fucking thing and the thought process doesn't help it one bit, let him assure you. Even if Drizzt isn't here to be embarrassed, he will continue to tease this poor boy, that's true affection right there.

But he hasn't missed how Kaveh is staring at this ~~stupid dumbass pumpkin man~~ expert work of peerless art, and the smile on his face couldn't have possibly grown much wider in that span of time. Like the Cheshire cat, it's a mile wide and brilliant. He's very proud of himself, clearly, and he gestures both at the Pumpkizzt and at Kaveh.]

Admiring the art, are you? Why don't you join in and make some of your own?

[He taps the rider's gooey head.]

He could use a friend.

The...art.

[Kaveh looks up at this man--who looks quite strange to him, but he's not going to point that out, that's rude--with the flattest expression imaginable, before he manages a polite smile.]

I'm a little more qualified to provide him a house than a companion. Or perhaps a grave.

[By all appearances... the tone seems to have flown right over Jarlaxle's head. No, the drow continues to look just as cheerful as he did a moment ago, not a flicker of anything else in there.]

I don't think he needs to be put in the ground just yet, he has at least a couple of days before the mold starts to kick in. But maybe then he'll at least be chromatically more accurate.

[The brigand indicates a spot beside him.]

An architect, are you?

[Well, he'll come over towards that spot, though he's not sure what he's meant to be doing. Sitting? Standing? Oh gods, he just spotted the octopus, why.]

Yes. And pumpkin isn't my usual medium, though this stuff is...surprisingly sturdy...hm.

[Kaveh's mind is starting to click to the task of making something. The shape of the pumpkins lends them to...]

Hmm. A palace, maybe.

[It is an octopus and it is further more, an octopus made by a person that has probably only seen one maybe a handful of times, and even then it's questionable if he even got a good look at it.

Jarlaxle however, is less focused on the arts and crafts hellscape he's created before him, and more on Kaveh, as the other man actually seemed to be contemplating these pumpkins.]

They would make for a rather striking palace, wouldn't they? I imagine sliced they'd make for fine buttresses. If properly fitted even a few domes and spires!

Even a pumpkin cathedral, if you were so inclined.

Cathedrals aren't really what I'm known for. But these circular shapes are similar enough to Alcazarzaray...Mehrak!

[And out comes the suitcase. Who is projecting a...blueprint? Schematic? Of a lovely palace. Kaveh's started muttering to himself.]

If it's to scale, I'll have to start with quite a large one...

[...Jarlaxle, what have you done.]

I don't believe I've heard those names before.

[It's a prompting question, and the second that suitcase is out, he moves to pull his creations aside to make room for it, clearly interested in seeing just where all this is going now. The projection is, of course, fascinating, and as Kaveh mutters to himself, the drow takes a moment to acquaint himself with the image, admiring the image of the palace before him.]

You're an ambitious man, intending on making this out of pumpkin rinds.

[There's not a bit of insincerity in those words, he sounds delighted by this turn of events.]

It'll need to be symmetrical as well, I'd imagine. No less than a pristine specimen of a pumpkin.

[He's helping, he is being a helper that's what he's doing.]

Mehrak is her name. My little light.

[Kaveh taps his knuckles gently against the suitcase, who makes a ^_^ face and beeps happily.]

The Palace of Alcazarzaray is my masterpiece. Now, this will be much smaller, but...

[he taps a few points on Mehrak, and then pulls the feather out of his hair to reveal it's a pen, before scribbling down on the first note-taking surface he can find. He may steal napkins or a small pumpkin for it.

He is writing out the exact size of pumpkins and in what quantity, along with additional supplies.]

Yes, I think--it's just a matter of sourcing all these, now.

She's quite darling, isn't she? I've never seen anything quite like her before...

[And responsive too! Jarlaxle is far more interested by the apparent intelligence of the suitcase than the blueprints now, peering quizzically at the device as Kaveh begins to jot down notes. There is, helpfully, a few napkins being pushed towards the other man by the drow who, despite his seeming distraction, is still paying close enough attention to Kaveh.]

You made this building? A masterpiece indeed! I think I understand the prior scrutiny now, you're a man of high standards.

Well, what precisely are we looking for then?

[Yes that's right we, this is a group project now.]

Of course she is. My closest companion...at least, that's what I made her to be.

[Kaveh is always happy to hear praise for his creations, and Mehrak is special, so he's gratified to hear her praised. Mehrak also seems to beep happily to hear it, though she holds the wire frame steady.]

Standards are natural...if an architect is not exacting, then how can one make anything that lasts? It only takes one mistake to bring ruin.

[The 'we' brings him a minute of pause. Oh yes, group projects, a thing he is very normal about. Well, it's fine.]

Twelve...no, thirteen pumpkins. One needs to be about the height of this table, and symmetrical, the smallest should be about the size of his head, the rest I can make work. Also wooden dowels and some glue...

[Kaveh drums his fingers on the table, squinting at the wire frame.] Mmm, and paint. White and green.

You crafted her as well? You're a man of many talents! Well this should be very exciting, if you're capable of this much. I'm eager to see what you can make out of a couple humble pumpkins. I'm sure it'll be peerless.

[Like a one to one replica of a wholeass palace, he's invested now.]

That's quite a list, sir. With any luck perhaps we might not need the paint? I've seen a few pumpkins in green and white, though not quite so big as the orange ones.

[Though he's already scanning for supplies, peering out at the mass of pumpkins to see if he can spot one that meets the biggest criteria. He's already slapped glue down on the table though, how else is Drizzt gonna keep his swords equipped?]

I'll need help with the large order, I assume you're possessed of a strong back.

Haha, don't flatter me until it's done, sir.

[Not that Kaveh isn't confident in his abilities--he's very confident. But he prefers to be praised at the finish line, not for the potential. He does tap his finger to his lips, thinking.]

We'll still need some paint for the largest ones, then, but it should cut down on the amount needed. And Mehrak can help lift anything we need--ah!

[Mehrak has, in fact, already found and picked up an absolutely fucking massive pumpkin to bring over.]

...We---we need a clear table.

The more I see of your assistant, the more I find I appreciate her.

[That table is getting cleared off, Drizzt and the octopus are being carefully relocated, he likes them.]

The cleaning effort will be another task entirely, I don't suppose she happens to have come equipped with a very large spoon? A shovel, maybe? Opening it up won't be quite as troublesome as emptying it out.

Isn't she wonderful?

[Kaveh smiles, as Mehrak levitates up a carving knife and the biggest gardening trowel he could find.]

Oh...Don't worry about that. Now then...

[While mehrak sets to the task of emptying Big Pumpkin, Kaveh's picked up his pen again to start marking out cuts on some of the smaller pumpkins. Oh, he is excited now. He has forgotten he has no idea who this man is.]

If but I could have the same creation as well. Maybe Kimmuriel might want to test his skill with such an idea...

[He's making notes here, he's got some fun question to shoot by his co-captain when he gets back to the apartment that's for sure. But Mehrak is doing things again and she's getting 110% of his attention the second the knife and trowel appears. It's of course, a fine show for him, watching in equal parts amusement and interest as that big bathtub sized pumpkin gets hollowed out.

Oh, yeah. Introductions, he should probably know who he's talking to shouldn't he?]

I've seemed to have forgotten my manners though! And I certainly can't go about simply calling you 'sir' forever. Jarlaxle, at your service.

[Complete with a jaunty little tip of that outrageous hat, before he gestured at Kaveh.]

And yourself?

I'm Kaveh. An architect, as you've already guessed.

[Jarlaxle don't torment poor Kimmuriel with questions about enchanted sentient luggage. What has he done to deserve that?

........Aside from everything with Creshinibon, and that time the Baenre made him wipe your memories, and--you know what no go ahead.

Kaveh smiles brightly, the full customer service charm in effect. Mehrak is happily dumping pumpkin guts into a bucket, but Kaveh's begun taking the dowels and measuring them, marking where to cut them.]

Mehrak's core was a find from an ancient civilization...I'm afraid I can't tell you much more about the original core's functions.

[Kimmuriel is going to be subjected to questions about sentient luggage because that's just how karma works. He needs something to do here, he'd be doing him a favor.

Jarlaxle can barely bring himself to look away from Mehrak, watching with fascination and delight as the gigantic pumpkin is just easily hollowed out by the device.]

What a shame... Perhaps then we might be able to simply mimic it. Will she be doing most of the heavy work here?

[Dowel cutting included of course, he's trying to see if there's anything he can go about getting his hands on here. Helping!]

She'll be doing most of the scooping and literal lifting, so...

[He passes over the marked dowels for Jarlaxle, and he's starting to draw the shapes on various pumpkins as a guide. He can freehand a perfectly symmetrical arched curved, which is how you know he is some kind of architectural wizard.]

The carving will be up to us. She's not very good at control that fine yet, anyway.

[He'll get right on that dowel cutting ASAP then, any excuse he can find to stick around and admire that enchanted box just a little while longer.]

'Yet'? So she's capable of learning as well then?

Legally, no.

[Kaveh puts a finger to his lips, briefly.]

With time here, who knows what I could do with her?

[He is marking and passing more dowels, and continuing on to mark on the pumpkins how they need to be carved and where dowels will need to be inserted for stability!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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ELTRUT

ELAH

NOGARD

Build-A-Pumpkin

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