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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

That Cid could go up a level and had not from the start was somewhat irritating. But no matter. This kind of power was enough to measure by.

"Continue to strike at this level if you can sustain it," he answered. "It is acceptable for now. Do not stop until this venerable one falls."

Until he falls...

Cid unconsciously rubbed and flexed his wrist as he thought.

"Nah, I'll switch it up. Would just be a waste with how you were able to withstand that much." A light grin. "Just consider it as a little warmup."

Could he throw a few more at him? Sure. But it would be more taxing than if he used one or two strong bolts that would be the equivalent of tens of those. So there would be a brief wait as he gathered all his aether, the purple and blue lightning now crackling around until with a shout it burst around him, his physical appearance changing. Gray skin, white hair, glowing eyes, with those purple vein-like streaks pulsing with the power that he wielded.

Power that he exercised at least once since arriving here, but one he still hadn't quite fully tested. From here on, Cid knew the clock was ticking and he would have to unleash everything he had. This would be a test not only for Dongfang, but also for himself.

Once the residual lightning settled, Cid once more gathered his aether, feeling the difference between how he was right before he came to this world and when he was back in his prime. If Dongfang wants a barrage, he can give him one. Like a storm, a series of lightning bolts cascaded down directly on him, each one more powerful than the last until—

"HA!"

A loud shout as a large, singular bolt of lightning, one large enough to completely engulf Dongfang struck directly down upon him, scorching the already charred ground. This was a lesser version of Judgment Bolt, one of his ultimate attacks, but it had enough strength and force to knock and down and fell even large, powerful creatures.

Cid staggered a step back after, shifting out of his semi-prime state as he coughed into his hand. Just one, fortunately, but he can feel the fatigue setting on, a weariness he was familiar with, but at least he wasn't hacking up a lung. So he'd take it.

Now it was just a matter of waiting Dongfang's judgment as he caught his breath.

Edited 2023-11-12 05:51 (UTC)

Well.

This was much more interesting. The increase in power was significant. It actually felt like Cid was the embodiment of the heaven's most powerful punishment. The first strike hit and it was significantly stronger that that first one. The next was stronger. And the next. And the next. Each forcing him to brace himself - not just to keep from stumbling, but from staying standing at all.

He'd counted a total of twelve strikes before the final one - ten times as strong as the first - ripped through him. His body spasmed with the force of it and he found himself on one knee, gripping the cloth of his robe as he took breaths heavy with pain.

"One moment," he called out, holding his hand up to signal Cid to pause his barrage. "This venerable one must catch his breath."

Edited 2023-11-12 06:13 (UTC)

That was certainly a bit more satisfying—but for Dongfang to still be able to withstand it all was a bit daunting.

"Take your time," Cid waved his hand before wincing and rubbing his left shoulder. "Doubt I'd be able to pull that off again for a while, anyway."

Technically he could, but he would be pushing himself way too hard and much too far. There was a reason why he only semi-primed when he had to and why most should save it for when it was absolutely needed. Still, he got some valuable insight for his own limits. Even though he shifted back, it was mostly to preserve his remaining energy. He felt he could have lasted a little longer, but he would likely be sitting than standing, and there was no reason to push more than he had to.

"But I'm impressed. Most would be dead if not close to it by now."

Edited 2023-11-12 06:26 (UTC)

"Many lesser gods would, yes," he agreed before taking a few, slow breaths. His eyes shut as he circulated his energy to restore himself. The experience was far from enough to kill him, but it was also decidedly less than he was used to being able to take before he risked injury. And he would like to continue. Push himself as far as he could. Cid's admittance that he couldn't continue like that for a while made doing so a problem.

Not one he couldn't solve, however.

When Daqiang stood, he gave a quick shake of his head and rolled his shoulders. He looked no worse for wear than when they'd started. He walked over to Cid and gave him a quick once over to determine how injured the mortal had made himself before saying, "If it is power you need, this venerable one will provide."

And without waiting for agreement, Dongfang Qingcang reached out and pressed his hand against Cid's chest. His eyes lit with blue fire before the same energy wreathed his body and flooded down his arm and into Cid's.

Edited (grammar) 2023-11-12 06:49 (UTC)

Cid watched him approach, a bit wary as a hand instinctively grips the hilt of his sword. So far it hadn't felt that Dongfang would attack him, but one could never know when it came to immortal beings.

Especially one who seemed so intent to test his powers.

But before he could comprehend his words—

"What—!?"

The moment Dongfang reached out to his chest, Cid staggered back a step, not knowing what the hell he was planning to do. But when he felt that surge of energy rush into him, he stilled, stunned.

...Certain thoughts passed through his mind before he snapped out of it and stared at his arm, already feeling the surge of aether and power gathering into his hand, the lightning crackling around it.

"...The bloody hell did you do?"

He pulled his hand back, satisfied at the instant rise in power and the lightning already crackling in Cid's veins.

"This venerable one has ensured you can continue," he answered, strolling back to where he'd been standing before and readying himself for what was to come. With his own power coursing through Cid, the results should be far more satisfying.

Dongfang Qingcang tilted his head and ordered, "Again."

He just continued to stare blankly at Dongfang before he once again stared at his hand, feeling that power surging through him. Was this what it was like for Clive when he absorbed all of their powers?

Clenching his fist, he could semi-prime right now with ease, but...

...

He could feel something else.

A power that had remained silent and dormant, but now tugging at him. A power that had awakened briefly when Benedikta almost primed.

The real reason why he was bothering to do this to begin with. The real reason why he wanted to know his limits, how strong he was now. Because if he had to face her again, if she actually primed and he couldn't—

"...All right."

Once more he shifted to his semi-prime state, but that power continued to surge, that familiar pulse, that beat as he feels Ramuh's power flowing into him—through him. The lightning seems to engulf him, arcing and whipping around him until there's a flash—

"...What the fuck?!"

Although his voice seemed to sound normal and still boomed through the air, instead of floating in the air in all his true Ramuh glory, Cid finds himself hovering several inches above the ground, barely a foot tall, and staring up at where Dongfang is. Also, why is his staff held by his beard!?

Edited 2023-11-12 07:22 (UTC)

Dongfang Qingcang watched, eyes widening in anticipation as the lighting crackled. Flared. Engulfed Cid in the same bright flash as bolt striking the ground...

.
.
.

His head titled the other direction and further still as his brows scrunched. The spiritual presence before him was unmistakably that of an immortal. No longer that of the mortal vessel alone, but the god itself.

"Your presence is not as imposing as this venerable one would have expected from a god of lightning," he said. Then straightened up and nodded, "No matter. This venerable one is ready."

After all, it was his own power coursing through Cid. How bad could it be?

Normally Cid didn't really care much about being a Dominant or being Ramuh's vessel. Unlike some others, he held no feelings of glory and pride like he once did in the past.

...

However, that didn't mean he was happy to find himself like this! Even if he had heard from Joshua of his own priming experience, he still wouldn't have expected he would become this small.

And Dongfang's attitude only irked him more.

"Better hope you are!"

Where once he had been filled with that desire protect, now he just had a very strong desire of spite. Still empowered by Dongfang's boost of energy, Cid lifted the staff held by the ends of Ramuh's beard high, lightning gathering at the tip. Then with a loud shout that booms like thunder, a giant blast of thunder hurls down from the skies, Judgment Bolt slamming Dongfang at full force. While his power had originally been greatly diminished in this small form, the boost had brought him back to practically full.

Edited 2023-11-12 07:55 (UTC)

There was very little warning between the answer and the lighting strike. Daqiang's eyes widened and his head snapped back just in time for the Judgement Bolt to slam into him. An avalanche of power. A single moment of clarity where he realized he was not going to come out of this unharmed flashed through his mind before pain erased all other thoughts. Where earlier he'd been detached toward, though not dismissive of, the strikes from Cid. This time he had no room to be anything but fully present. The kind of pain he hadn't experienced since his time in Fugu cave.

He screamed.

His voice ran ragged as it echoed over the cacophony of the bolt. Stopping only when the last of the blast cut off.

When it was over, he was left curled up on himself. Body alternately seizing and shaking violently as electricity found it's way out of him in snaps and crackles to the rock beyond the spill of his robes. He couldn't make himself move. He could barely breathe. He fought to keep his eyes open and on Cid.

If the mortal attempted to harm him now, he'd have to use the last of his power to escape.

Edited 2023-11-12 08:17 (UTC)

Truthfully, given how Dongfang had handled his attacks, he expected something similar. Maybe finally making a mark? But seeing the way he screamed and was now on the ground, panic flashes through.

"Dongfang!"

He tried to shift out, but for whatever reason he couldn't. Nor could he feel that surge of power anymore, which frankly after this he was glad for it. He had taken and scorched countless lives in the past, seen firsthand the damage he could do, but at least they died. There it was always to a battle where one had to survive, to kill or be killed—and even then he never primed against any one individuals. So to see Dongfang left writhing in pain was a bit—

Unable to do anything, he quickly flew over to try and get a closer look.

Blue fire flared out around him as Cid flew closer. A shield to stop the assault that Daqiang was certain awaited him. It surged once. Twice. Then sputtered out as a hacking cough ripped its away out of Daqiang's throat, bringing blood with it, staining his lips and chin. From where he lay, the best Dongfang Qingcang could do was attempt to give Cid a warning glare.

He had the strength to do no more.

He stopped when he saw the blue fire, uncertain how much he could withstand should it be thrown at him. He had never felt so...light, where he can feel the ebbs of his power yet drained enough to know he wouldn't be able to do much.

But he caught that warning glare, and he tried to raise his...tiny arms in surrender.

"Take it easy, I'm not here to kick you while you're down. Couldn't if I wanted to, I'm tapped out."

Still this left the...very unfortunate problem how the bloody hell was he supposed to help him.

"Will you be able to heal on your own or do I need to get help?"

Should he try dragging his robes over? Or would he still be vain enough to not want them dirtied...

If Cid went to retrieve Daqiang's outer robes, he'd find them gone. They disappated during that last strike. The energy needed to sustain them and whatever protections they'd have provided diverted to just surviving the onslaught of Dongfang Qingcang's own power channeled through Cid... No. Through Ramuh. He'd given a god of lightning too much of his own power. Should he survive this, he would not do so again.

He coughed again when he tried to speak. Hands curling into fists, he shut his eyes and shook his head as best he could. He needed to either have energy transferred back, or left alone. But it wasn't something he could easily convey in his current state.

...Hoo. This was troubling.

He couldn't shift back, which meant he couldn't access his shellphone. He couldn't ask if Dongfang had his, and if he did he hoped it wasn't melted in that blast. He...might could fly off to a nearby port, but would anyone listen to him for help? And the rest of his group would be farther out still.

Damn. Why couldn't he shift out!? At least then he could treat and carry the man.

Frustrated, he stared down at his useless, tiny hands until he caught a glint.

Ah! Of course!

"All right, hang on. I think I can teleport us back somewhere where you can heal up." A small pause. "Or at least send you off."

If he could bare his teeth in a proper snarl, he would. He didn't want to be touched. He didn't want Cid anywhere near him while he was like this. He wanted the man to leave him on the rock so he could try to meditate. Alone.

But he couldn't even get the breath to say no. Every time he tried to, all he could do was cough. And with every cough was a little more blood.

If only Dongfang could see his little beady eyes roll at that snarl.

"None of that now." He would wave his staff and even tap him on the head if he didn't think he would be misunderstood as an attack.

Now... First Cid tried to remove the ring, but that was proving more difficult than he expected, and in the process he realized it wouldn't work even if he could—damn thing would be miniscule.

"Tsk, gonna have to try and take you with me. Might not work, and if it doesn't I'll come back once I've figured out how to return to normal."

Without waiting to hear a response, Cid hovered over Dongfang's head and pressed his teeny, tiny hand on it before activating the ring.

Which of course did not work as Cid hoped. The contact was too small, so the only thing that instantly blinked out of existence was Cid.

Edited 2023-11-12 19:23 (UTC)

The only thing Dongfang Qingcang cared about was the fact that Cid's spiritual presence had disappeared. He was finally alone. He could only hope that Cid had transported himself so far away that it would take several days to return, if he did actually make good on that terrible promise to come back. It would, at the very least, be a few hours, surely?

That would have to be long enough.

Daqiang stopped fighting himself and allowed his body to slowly relax. The energy he'd been using to stay awake and on the defense diverted to circulating through his meridians to encourage healing and the renewal of his depleted stores. One by one, his limbs became heavy. The tension bled out. His breathing evened. And finally - finally - he allowed himself the luxury of losing consciousness.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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