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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

[ Holland would call himself a blood magician if asked for specifics, but he can understand the meaning well enough. He can see how the words leave Fenris' lips like a snarl, and he can't say he's all too surprised.

Bone magic was the same kind of magic that had been used on him, after all. It brought Holland no joy to use it, but holding back and having 'principles' is not a luxury he bothered with. Still, Fenris took a blow for him, and he's no doubt suffered at the hands of mages with similar magic to Holland's. He's no fool.

He steps forward, showing off his open palms -- the cuts from earlier already healed. ]

My magic works with my blood alone. This left eye is a sign of the magic that courses through me, marks me as an Antari, and it is a this alone that grants me the ability to command the magic in my blood. The spells I use are an ability only I and two others in my world can use.

[ He does count Lila, but that's neither here nor there. It's the blood that makes them unique. And much as he may have cursed fate for granting him this "blessing," it's a power that he doesn't take for granted. ]

I also don't work with demons. I would tell you they don't exist, though that's obviously not the case in your world. But sure enough, I've never met one.

[ At this canon point, anyway. Osaron isn't really a demon, but that's to say, Holland definitely would consort with demons if he could. Good thing he doesn't know any! Regardless, he steps closer to Fenris, eyeing his wound and holding out his hand. ]

I can heal you, if you believe me. I won't hurt you, though in full disclosure, the healing spell will be draining -- for me.

[Even dizzy with pain, Fenris keeps a close eye on the man, trying to decipher any lie from him, trying to gauge if there was anything false to his claims that he only uses his blood, that demons don't exist for him.. (insight: nat 20) And doesn't read any deception in his words. They ring true enough for Fenris to lower his spines so to speak.

He was still cautious as ever when it came to such magics, but it seems that blood magic for this man works drastically different than it does in his own world.. How was it that Thedas was so corrupted magically compared to all other worlds he's met so far? How was it that people like Hawke were made to suffer because all other mages in Thedas were consorting with demons and using foul magics?

Thoughts for another time.

He was bleeding out slowly and Holland was offering help. Help that would drain the man.]

I believe you and will watch over you while you recover. [He was wasting time, so he moves his bloody hand from his wounds where it was putting pressure on them. The puncture wounds were big and deep.]

Do what you must, I will set aside my mistrust for such magics for the moment.

[ Well, good thing Holland really wasn't lying. But he has no reason to lie to Fenris, anyway. The man would draw his own conclusions, and if blood magic had some kind of demonic price in his world, then at least Holland can truthfully claim that he's never even considered that.

The magic in Black London had consumed everything and everyone, but it was just magic, not something as stupid as heaven or hell. He steps closer then, pulling out his knife. ]

I appreciate it.

[ Especially because Fenris' wound looks bad and Holland is far from a healer. No Antari is, really. Their magic is chaos. Healing like this was like trying to water a plant with a fire hose. You could certainly do it. But what a waste.

Nothing for it, though. Holland brings the knife to his palm and slashes deep, unflinching. He'd need quite a bit of blood for a wound like this. ]

This will feel strange.

[ Perhaps the added explanation will help? Perhaps it won't. He does owe this man, and this wound was for Holland's benefit. Perhaps that's why his usually blank face shows a bit of concern as he places his bleeding hand over the wound, pressing down into the bloody gash. ]

As Hasari.

[ Holland speaks the words with conviction, willing his magic, his very blood to heal. The magic flows from Holland, his blood meeting Fenris' own and wills -- nearly forces Fenris' own body to accept his healing.

Unfortunately, because this is Holland, his magic doesn't exactly feel good. It smells like steel and ash, feels cold where it meets Fenris' own, a comfort that feels unnatural. It works because that's how Antari magic works. It overrides that foolish bleeding and dying that Fenris' body was trying to do, and tells it to heal. Holland doesn't technically need to keep focusing on him for it to do its job, but he'd hate to waste so powerful a spell only to do it wrong, so he keeps his gaze intent, even as sweat starts to form on his brow.

It isn't even that this spell drains Holland's blood, because it doesn't. Once his blood has met Fenris' wound, that's all he needs. But it drains his energy, and if it were possible, he'd look a little paler. And as he pulls his hand away, the magic should keep working. The price isn't something Fenris needs to pay, in fact once it's done, he should feel good as new.

Holland on the other hand, looks like he'd fall over if he took one wrong step. Oh, he puts on a good face, sure, but his hand clutching his wound shakes with exertion. ]

All better.

[ He hates that spell. But it's done. ]

[To see the deep slash and the concern on the man's face is enough to make Fenris choose to endure this, as much as all his instincts are yelling against such magics. It was different, he had to remind himself, even as the pain and disdain made it hard to think beyond. It was of another world, this man has no idea of demons, he uses his own blood. It was like Merrell but... better, because he wasn't consorting with demons and spirits. She was a witch, this man was merely a mage.

He grunts at the feel of the man's hand against his wounds, clenched teeth as he says nothing and makes no other noise. Even when it feels strange as Holland warned it would. Like his skin was pulling together on its own. It felt grating and painful, cold. It felt so cold, like ice was pushed under his skin.

And then it's over. He feels.. fine. He looks at the wound first and while still covered in blood, he can see fresh pink skin under it, knitting and mending. It felt so different from Hawke's spirit healing or Anders' abomination healing.

There is a long pause before he look at the other man and sees him looking worse for wear. It really did take a lot out of him, he looks about ready to fall over.

Moving, he still feels a little lightheaded.] Let's find you a dry place to sit, then I will harvest what I can of our kills for the competition.

[ The scent of steel and ash fades as Holland's magic does, its work down and his own reserves well and spent. He's breathing a little hard, but he's obviously fighting any appearance of weakness. Not that it helps too much, but Holland has mastered the art of looking unaffected, so you know he really is exhausted. ]

I'll be fine.

[ He says that, but he takes a step backward to give himself space and nearly stumbles. Nearly because, again, Holland is a pro at this. If he'd shown any weakness around the Danes, they exploited it. He's fine. He'll be fine. Slowly, he steps away until he can lean on one of the walls of the cave. It's not that he wouldn't accept help, it's that he doesn't expect it. ]

I'll catch my breath and meet you at the mouth of the cave.

[ At the speed he's going, they probably will meet up at around the same time. ]

[Fenris watches the man for a good moment. Watching him trying to hide how he's struggling, how he's exhausted, how he is leaning against the wall of the cave for support and he just sighs.

It's not unlike something he would do in the same situation, especially early on, and that speaks volumes to him.

He's not one to touch casually or just pick up someone without asking first, but in this case, where he knows the man will likely refuse for his pride more than because he really doesn't need the help, well...]

I am going to carry you to the mouth of the cave so you can rest while I gather our prizes. [Is all the warning Holland gets before Fenris is picking him up bridal style with relative ease, though a little unwieldy at first with how the man is taller than him. Still, he then does exactly what he says and carries him to the mouth of the cave.

That is if Holland lets him. If the other man truly protests he will put him back down, but as it is, he rather carry him there to rest while Fenris goes back for the venom and fangs.]

[ Pride is a poor reason to die, or so Vortalis had said once to Holland. It's a mantra he's repeated to himself over the years, as he's had every shred of self-respect or honor stripped away from him by his tormentors. He may adhere to it as best he can in public, but ultimately -- survival is all that matters.

Still, Fenris' words surprise me. Fenris has done enough for him already, Holland hardly expected his help. He's truly caught off-guard when Fenris picks him up bodily, as though he weighs nothing at all. There might even be a less-than-dignified yelp escaping his lips at the gesture.

Holland doesn't fight him. If Fenris wanted him dead, now would be the time to do it. Holland is too tired, and too spent to use his magic at the moment. He could but it would truly knock him out then, and he'd be just as likely to get mauled by one of the monsters here than meet his end to a sword.

He balks instead, clearly confused. ]

Are you always this generous with strangers?

[His expression remains it's normally broody self, though there is a slight twitch to his lips at the yelp, not expecting it himself. Yes, if he wanted Holland dead, he would have already done it, but hasn't yet. For now he just carries the man to the entrance of the cove.

The question though, does catch him off guard, his silence telling of that as he thinks for a long moment on how to answer.]

No, most do not earn such from me. Perhaps we are strangers, but I know well enough to feel compassion for you.

[It's an honest answer, the compassion of the fog warriors saved his life, the compassion of Hawke allowed him to learn what freedom was despite their differences... He's learned to be compassionate from others and to pay it forward in many ways.]

That and you taking the time to properly rest will speed up the trip back, I see no reason to make you hobble your way back to the entrance and tire yourself further.

[ It's undignified but Holland allows it -- the alternative would get him killed, so he makes the rest of the journey without complaint. He's not surprised to hear that Fenris isn't normally this forthcoming with his aid -- very rarely do people who've struggled as they have offer their help. Still, it goes to show that Fenris is forthcoming with his reasoning. Holland would have deflected the truth, had he been in Fenris' shoes.

Perhaps Fenris really does know a thing or two about what it means to live, unlike Holland, who is barely figuring it out for himself. Ah, well. He's not dead, that's what matters. Sometimes that's all you need, and you think about the philosophical things later, in the comfort of your tiny apartment. ]

That's sensible enough. In the time it'll take you to take those apart, I should be well enough to walk on my own.

[ Just going to ignore the bit about compassion, even if he shares the sentiment. It's a little too soon for Holland to be talking about his feelings with anyone, honestly. ]

[That's reasonable, Fenris doesn't really want to talk about feelings while they are both covered in blood and stink like death.]

Good, I have no desire to carry you back.

[With that he turns and goes back into the cove, finding the three they killed together plus the one that Holland killed by himself beforehand. Taking out a number of large vials from the pouch at his side, he starts to collect the venom from the creatures before ripping out the fangs as proof of the kill. They didn't speak of needing any other parts from the Coibara, so he doesn't bother with anything else from them.

It takes a while to fill all the vials and extract all the fangs, but once he does he returns to the mouth of the cave.]

I collected from your kill before too, here. [He hands a satchel to Holland that is filled with his half of their shared kills and his solo kill, something Fenris did not help himself to since it wasn't his kill.] You should find it's properly split.

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ELTRUT

ELAH

NOGARD

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cw self harm for blood magic

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