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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

Oh, Lyney saw the way the large, black cat had leapt into the water, and how the man had to scoop the monstrous cat out of the water. It was honestly quite a funny sight to behold, one that made Lyney chuckle once they were close enough.

"Seems like your feline friend is quite happy of your little game! You've certainly found a way to engage your own feline friend, haven't you? Look at how happy that cat looks!"

Lyney, by his own merit, has his own new cat companion; perched on his shoulder is a sprightly orange and white cat, which is watching the exchange with a swishing tail.

"It is not a game," Daqiang answered absently in a coldly bored tone as he glanced up at the newest witness to his servant happily making a mess. The mortal looked quite strange, even for the mortals he'd met in this place. The orange cat on his shoulder, Daqiang recognized as similar in nature to Deathstar.

"And his happiness is not relevant," Daqiang continued as he checked a small pile of towels he'd already used to dry Deathstar off previously to see if any had dried out at all. "Only that he serve this venerable one as he's been trained to."

Deathstar, meanwhile, continued to loudly purr, turning over onto his back and stretching his paws out while his tail also swished. He was clearly conveying to his fellow warrior cat that the training of his own 'human' was going very well.

Wow, what a response. But in a way, it reminds Lyney of some of the nobles that frequent the high society of the Court of Fontaine, and Lyney is well adept at navigating the peculiarities of nobility. Which is why he merely offers a pleasant chuckle and a light shrug.

“Forgive me for assuming, it just seems that your cat is so pleased with your actions that it led me to believe that you were engaged in some sort of elaborate game with him!” He says in a light tone, before motioning to Deathstar’s stretched out pose.

“Have you owned cats before? I’ve worked with cats before, so I’m well-versed in their behaviour. You see the way he’s purring so loud? That’s a sign of his happiness. And a happy animal is one that works the best.” The cat on his shoulder meows as if in agreement, purring as well as she looks down at Deathstar. Lyney chuckles, scratching her in the head.

“You see? Even dear Foxtrot agrees with me. Animals won’t be swayed by cruel words or promises of Mora, but rather mutual trust and understanding. The fact that your cat seems so happy with you is a great first step towards a good working relationship!”

Daqiang paused at the declaration that Deathstar was pleased with him. He'd been aware that the cat was pleased with himself. That was obvious. But pleased with Daqiang?

"Of course he is," Daqiang agreed, straightening up as he finally found a towel that would suffice to begin drying Deathstar off. "He serves this venerable one."

The venerable one who was now draping that towel over Deathstar's belly and gently rubbing over the fur while discreetly heating up the cloth to help dry his cat faster. Deathstar, meanwhile, was happily getting a warm towel massage and purred even louder.

"That sound means 'happy'?"

"Oh yes, I'm sure he is quite happy to be working alongside you."

Oh, this is amusing. Lyney's training with the House of the Hearth has enabled him to be good at sizing people up and getting a good impression of them, and right away he can tell this one here is one who is used to being in a position lording over others. But when dealing with cats? He seems quite lost, at least in Lyney's point of view. It makes him chuckle softly, but his smile stays warm.

"Yes, it does! Cats purr like this to show they're happy. And you see how he is lying on his back like this?" Lyney kneels down a bit to get more on eye level with both the man and his giant cat. "Cats may be small, but they're hunters all the same. And hunters don't show weakness or vulnerability easily; in the wild, it marks them as easy prey for something bigger and stronger. And for a cat, their stomach is the softest part of their body, and so they are careful to keep it hidden." He motions to the exposed tum of Deathstar.

"But having a cat do this? Stretch out on their back like this? It's actually a sign that they're feeling comfortable and relaxed, without a care in the world. And if they show that to you, then that means they feel comfortable arounf you." Lyney chuckles a bit. "You should feel honoured, my friend! It's not easy to have an animal trust you like this!"

The assumption that he was unfamiliar with how hunting animals acted just because he was unfamiliar with cats as ~~pets~~ servants rankled. However, he let that go as the explanation turned back to Deathstar's actions in particular. Though at the declaration he should feel honored, Daqiang couldn't help but scoff. Him. honored. Because a lesser being recognized his superiority as one naturally should.

Deathstar, of course, took that moment to roll back onto his paws and stretch before batting at Lyney's hand, which had traveled just close enough to be considered fair game for play.

"It seems he does not trust you as easily," Dongfang stated with a superior air, setting aside the towel now that Deathstar was merely damp and not soaked through. His eyes moved back to the cat on Lyney's shoulder. "You have taken on the training of one of these beasts yourself."

As Deathstar moves to paw at his hand, Lyney merely chuckles and allows the cat the opportunity to bat at his hand. As long as those claws remain sheathed, he doesn't mind the big fluffball pawing at his gloved hand.

"I guess not! But we can't all expect to be friends at first sight. Perhaps if we spent some time getting to know each other, things could be different." He grins before looking up at Dongfang, then up to the cat on his shoulder.

"Why yes, I have! This one here is Foxtrot. A delightful name for a cat, isn't it?" Lyney reaches up with his free hand to give her a scratch on the head, and Foxtrot lets out a pleased sounding meow. "She may not be as mighty as yours, but her claws certainly are sharp enough to strike terror into the hearts of any mouse on deck!"

Deathstar bats a few more times at Lyney's hand before growing bored with it. He gave himself a quick shake and turned back around to sidle up to Daqiang's side and rub against his nearest arm before sitting down and beginning the process of grooming himself. He was still damp, but that would be sorted quickly enough.

Daqiang ignored the comment about being friends. Whomever Deathstar chose to spend his free time with was his choice so long as he remained loyal to Dongfang Qingcang. Daqiang would not actively encourage such behavior, however.

"Does she trot like a fox?" He asked, uncertain why else such an name had been chosen. Deathstar's name had been obvious. The one who had chosen the name either believed he would to be the death of stars or a star that heralded death. Considering how effective Deathstar was with his chosen prey, either interpretation was fitting.

"Deathstar is mighty," Daqiang agreed, frowning. "However, he prefers to hunt his prey in the sea around the ship rather than take aim at those infesting it. Until now this venerable one was not aware there were felines that had such affinity for water."

At the word 'sea' and then again at 'water', Deathstar paused in his bathing and hunched his body, tail lashing a couple times as his gaze turned to the edge of the pier only a few feet away. Noticing this, Daqiang settled a hand on his head (which Deathstar immediately arched into with a purr) and muttered, "no."

“Hmm! She certainly has a particular gait when she walks, I could see it being very fox-like. And her fur colouration reminds me of the foxes I’ve seen back home, so perhaps that goes to her namesake as well.” Lyney says, giving the orange and white cat on his shoulder a proper look. Foxtrot meows again before hopping off of his shoulder, trotting over to sit next to Deathstar and give herself a bit of grooming as well. It strikes Lyney as amusing, and he idly imagines the two cats gossiping about their new owners.

“Deathstar is his name? A mighty name for a mighty cat!” Looking at the massive black cat, he could see how the name was fitting. “But I’ve never seen a cat hunt in the water before! Usually the cats I’ve seen flee from water… you must have a very special cat, then.” Seeing Daqiang interact with Deathstar makes Lyney’s smile only grow, and he rests a hand on his hip.

“Well, in any case, I’d say the two of you are certainly a match! You both possess a regal air about you two; almost as if I were speaking to a pair of great lords!”

"You are speaking to one," Daqiang said, voice even and mild. "This venerable one is Dongfang Qingcang, Moon Supreme of the Moon Tribe. You may address this venerable one as Moon Supreme."

He inclined his head to Deathstar, "Deathstar is this venerable one's first servant in this world. He has not yet earned a position that would confer a title or lordship."

Deathstar didn't seem at all upset by that, simply rubbed his head harder against Daqiang's hand before sniffing at Foxtrot. He gave a soft chirp and then started tongue-bathing her head. They had lived together for a time, after all.

"Dongfang Qingcang, Moon Supreme?" He says the name slowly and carefully, making sure to pronounce it right. Goodness, what a title. Fortunately Lyney does know of some Liyuean names, so it's not too unknown to him, but it looks like he was right on the Mora when he said that Dongfang was a lord of some kind. Fortunately he knows well how to act around lords and ladies, knowing so Lyney moves to stand before him before offering a flourishing bow.

"Well, it's certainly an honour to meet you, Moon Supreme! Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Lyney, the greatest magician in the Court of Fontaine!"

The bow is different than he is used to, but recognizably grandiose. The sort that he might expect to be given in a stage play to represent how much higher a character's position was from another.

"Lyney, Court Magician of Fontaine," he repeated, inclining his head. Such positions were not entirely unheard of in the Three Realms, but they were mostly relegated to the works of fiction that were brought back from Yungmengze. Mortal kings who did not cultivate themselves often had court magicians who did. He had assumed that the magicians did not take the throne for themselves via a challenge because it made for a more entertaining story if there were strange rules that had to be followed. And that such positions weren't actually a thing. And yet... here Lyney was claiming to be one such.

"Is your lord a very powerful magician as well?"

Daqiang is right to assume a stage play's performance in Lyney's bow, because Lyney is a performer; both figuratively and literally, at home both dazzling audiences for his magic shows as well as putting on elaborate acts to trick and bamboozle potential targets if the situation called for it. He knows how to work a crowd, and there's an understanding in Fontaine between performer and audience, the collective agreement to suspend disbelief and shatter the barrier between reality and fantasy, all for the spectacle of the stage.

The honest question from Dongfang makes Lyney pause briefly. His lord... well, that's one way to describe "Father", isn't it? He chuckles, offering a smile that is just a bit tighter than natural.

"Ah, well, you could say something like that! "Father" is quite strong indeed, though not a magician like my sister or I. Though I am flattered to hear you consider me so powerful! I haven't even had to perform a single magic trick to impress you. Perhaps my reputation is growing stronger by the day!"

"No," he replied with the shake of his head. "This venerable one has never heard of you until now."

Daqiang crossed his arms and shrugged, "This venerable one is unfamiliar with the ways of mortal courts. Having a position just for someone who works magic is not the way of the immortal realms. Everyone can work magic."

Granted, some were more skilled than others and truly exceptional skill was worth remarking on. But overall, it wasn't something a king or lord in Cangyanhai would create a singular position for. Especially if that magician were more powerful than them. It would be expected that the magician would challenge the lord for their title and then they wouldn't be court magician anymore. They would be the lord.

Lyney blinks in surprise, taking in those words. Ah, did he think..? It takes him a moment, but he finally realizes what's going on. Oh, Lyney can understand the misconception here. He chuckles, shaking his head.

"Ah, forgive me, Moon Supreme, but I believe I wasn't entirely clear with my words. The Court of Fontaine is the city from which I hail, and my title as a magician is less a position held and more an occupation I engage in. While I am also able to use elemental powers, the magic I refer to is a special kind of magic; one that is meant to bedazzle and mesmerize the audience who beholds it!"

He makes a flourish with his hand and seemingly out of thin air, a few cards appear. When he flicks them, they vanish into a small burst of orange sparks.

"Would you care for a demonstration, my lord?"

That... that wasn't magic? Or not... entirely magic?

Daqiang frowned and stared for a long moment, then waved a few fingers, curious, "Go ahead."

Lyney grins at the permission granted, and he flicks his fingers dramatically. When he does, a deck of cards appears in his hands, which he plays with a bit before moving to shuffle them.

"Why thank you. It may not be as flashy as elemental magic, but I hope you're entertained all the same." He shuffles, bridge-shuffles, flicks he cards from one hand to another, before suddenly fanning them out before Dongfang.

"Pick a card, if you would. Any card you'd like; just don't show me what's on it, alright?"

Daqiang's eyes follow the cards as they are first fanned out - what an unusual use of playing cards. They bounce from one hand to another in long dramatic sweeps and then are presented to him and he gives Lyney a uncertain look.

But he does take a card.

[Ace of ♦]

Edited 2023-12-14 05:51 (UTC)

Lyney nods as the card is taken, and smiles to Daqiang once he gets a good look.

“Okay. Now, place the card back in the deck.”

Once the card is back in the deck, Lyney will shuffle the cards, quick and sharp and with a bit of dramatic flair as he does. Then, suddenly, he stops, holding the deck face-down in the palm of his hand.

“Now, I need you to knock three times on the back of the deck. That’ll help knock your card to the surface.”

Is this magic? It seems strange, doesn’t it? But Lyney seems to be having fun with it either way.

He watched the cards very carefully. Looking for magic, any hint of it. Usually he could sense it when he went looking for it. Unless Lyney was very good at obscuring it's use, there didn't seem to be any touching the cards.

Daqiang's cautious curiosity remained plain as day on his face as flipped his hand over and knocked one knuckle against the top of the card deck.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

It’s true, not a single piece of magic, elemental or otherwise, has touched these cards during his whole performance. After all, this kind of magic doesn’t require the use of Visions or elements, just sleight of hand and misdirection. Once that third knock sounds Lyney will snap the deck back up in hand, holding it carefully in the other.

“Now, I will draw a card, and you’ll tell me if the card I draw is yours!” He says it dramatically, taking his time to draw a card and hold it between two fingers. But when he goes to reveal it, the card is… blank?

“Huh? That’s strange… let me try again.” With a puzzled look, Lyney draws a second card. It, too, is blank. He blinks a few times, looking at his deck, before looking up at Dongfang.

“It seems the magic must have gotten confused along the way, my lord! For you see, none of these cards are yours.” Lyney takes the deck and carefully fans out the whole thing in his hands, revealing each and every card is blank.

Daqiang leans back as the deck is fanned out, eyes moving along the blank faces. He was certain there had been other designs on them before. He hadn't seen them well, but during the shuffling there had been colors on their faces. And, of course, the card he had drawn had a design.

But the entire deck was now entirely blank.

Without saying anything, he reached out to take one of the cards from the deck so he could examine it closer. See if was really blank or if a subtle illusion had been cast on it to make the face only appear to be blank.

Lyney doesn't put up a fight when Daqiang examines the cards. In fact, he can examine them all he wants; the deck is completely blank, with not a trace of ink or design on them at all. A miracle indeed... or a testament to how good Lyney's sleight of hand is, being able to swap decks without anyone noticing.

But it's a magician's job to keep his audience in suspense.

Once Daqiang examines the deck to his liking, Lyney will take the deck back and shuffle them once more, before drawing one card from it. "Perhaps your influence is simply too strong, Moon Supreme! It may do better to simply do away with the whole trick and start again."

With a flick of his hand, Lyney makes the rest of the deck vanish, the holds up the blank card again. "Now I want you to focus very hard on your card again. See it clearly in your mind's eye, and will it into existence with me!"

If he could have actually willed it into existence, he would have. But that part of his power remained sealed - to his eternal frustration. So instead he just sighed and waved at Lyney to get on it with it. There was no use asking him to do something that was currently beyond him.

Lyney can't help but chuckle at that response, but he relents and nods. He brings a hand up, holding it flat just above the card in his hand.

"Very well. Let's see if this worked..!"

He slowly lowers his hand, briefly covering the card with his hand. It's barely there for a few heartbeats, but when it lowers, the card is once again bearing a face; a grinning cat with a top-hat. Lyney flicks his hand holding the card once again, and the deck re-appears, fanned out in his hands. And lo and behold, the faces on the cards have returned!

"Haha! It looks like our powers worked, Moon Supreme!" Lyney says cheerfully, holding the cards out for Daqiang to take and inspect once more. "Ah, but it seems we're still missing your card. Let's see, where else could it be..." He makes a show of thinking, before he appears to get an idea.

"Of course! Since it was your card, perhaps it might be best to check your pockets..?"

And if Daqiang were to check his his clothes like instructed, he will find, somehow, tucked into his pockets or belt, is the very card he had chosen.

« november: open log »

ELTRUT

ELAH

NOGARD

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