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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

[...

She heaves a giant sigh, her amusement and the glint in her eye flickering out.]

A teaspoon of each.

[And she grabs the bowl of eggs, searches for a hand blender, and gets to work on whisking them in silence to turn them into the light, fluffy foam that she intends to scoop on top.]

[...Is she pouting.

Primals she's pouting.]

I'm not sure what you're playing at here. You know I've never made drinks before and I don't even know what we're making.

[Speaking while measuring it out and dumping it in.]

[Yes, she is pouting!!!]

Never mind.

[And still whisking the eggs in the bowl with one hand, another skillfully stretching below the counter to scoop up two ice cubes with the tongs.]

Slide a couple ice cubes into the shaker, and give it a good shake.

[Wow.

He'll just watch her as he holds the shaker for her to put in the ice before he closes the lid and shake shake shake. It does make for a satisfying sound.]

How's this?

Edited 2023-11-15 00:32 (UTC)

[The sound of the shaking does finally turn a couple of eyes in their direction, a few patrons—and some girls whose eyes light up upon seeing the "cute bartender"—come wandering over.]

Let's give it a taste.

[With her free hand, she'll pick out a glass and slide it across the counter to him, one with a wider rim than bottom, perfect for the sort of grog that she wants to make.]

[Completely oblivious of whatever attraction he's making, he catches the drink with one hand and opens the shaker before pouring it in. He's not even trying, literally just pouring it, and yet his form will appear appealing to those watching as the liquid fills the glass.]

You first.

[Since she would know how it should be.]

[When those girls start to squeal as Eustace pops off the lid and pours, something has Tifa pressing her lips together in displeasure. She isn't sure what, but...

...

It fades just as quickly as it had come when he addresses her, and she looks down at the eggs that she'd been whipping until they've turned into a rich, thick foam.]

One sec.

[With a spoon, she scoops up just enough to carefully lay on top of the drink, and she drizzles a bit of honey on top, and sprinkles some brown sugar, and...]

All done! Could use a lemon twist, but for a prototype, it doesn't look so bad, yeah?

...Yeah, it looks good.

[Even Eustace can't help but admit that it looks more appealing like this. Well, not that he would care one way or another personally, but he could see how it may attract others.

...

Is that why there are more people here? (Yes, he is only now really registering how many have approached since he just ignored it all before.)

Now, is she going to taste it or—]

[She is. And she lifts up the cup to her lips, the eyes of the crowd all on her, but—]

Oh, I almost forgot.

[Lowering it just slightly, she lifts her hand to it and a warm flame drifts over the foam to torch it just a little, the honey and the brown sugar sizzling on top before it turns into a sort of caramelized drizzle mixed together. A few people gasp in surprise, and she lifts it to her lips.

Alright, now it's ready.

And she throws back her first sip.

...

....

.....]

Not bad!

[There's some foam sticking to her upper lip when she lowers it, but she's all smiles as she hands the glass to Eustace.]

I think it could use a little more honey, but... for your first grog, I'd say you passed.

[He'll notice that foam—and not say anything as he takes the glass and inspects it.]

More than a teaspoon next time then.

[Yes he's just going to make a small jab, but there's a faint smile before he takes a sip from the other side of the glass. Slowly running his tongue over his upper lip to wipe away the foam in thought before wiping the rest with his hand (and again, ignorant of whatever looks that elicits), he contemplates the taste.]

But seems fine enough to me. Would be too sweet for my tastes if there was more.

[Oh, that gets some looks alright from the girls that are watching them, and there's that furrow of Tifa's brows again before she whirls her attention back to Eustace, a hand tapping against her chin, still none the wiser to the foam on her lip.]

How about half a teaspoon, meet somewhere in the middle?

Could try it.

[His eyes flick to her lips, specifically the foam.

...

Should he tell her.

...

Nah.

With a grin, he washes out the shaker and starts measuring out the ingredients again.]

[Tifa just watches him, ignoring the way those girls screech when he grins.]

What are you smiling about?

Nothing.

[Just another glance before he starts to shake the canister with that wry grin.]

Edited 2023-11-15 05:48 (UTC)

[A slight narrow of her eyes before she slides the bowl of egg whites across to him with a grin.]

You should give it a try this time.

[A grog from start to finish, now that he's seen her do it, and one girl pushes to the front of the crowd.

"I'll take that one!"]

[Just an odd glance at the girl who pushed to the front before he takes the bowl.

He had watched her, and whisking... He's done it once or twice, but he'll try, anyway. Taking the bowl, he'll begin whipping the eggs with about the same speed and force that Tifa used, though his still manage to finish a little faster. He'll take a small taste, both curious and wanting to check he got it good enough, and satisfied he'll scoop it out on top of the drink.

Then... A drizzle of honey and a sprinkling of brown sugar.]

You'll have to torch it.

[He doesn't think his lightning could have the same effect, at least not right now.]

[Tifa's glance at the girl is a little more firm, but she watches Eustace work the eggs into the foam, and when he sets it down, she gives it a light poke with a spoon to test its cloudiness and fluffiness... perfect.

And when he asks—]

Don't need to ask me twice.

[She lifts her hand to it and applies another flame, allowing it to toast the top of the foam nicely until it's torched, the drizzle leaks into it, and it caramelizes.

And here comes that girl, already reaching her hand out to him for it so eagerly that Tifa has half a mind to bat it away.]

Here.

[Oblivious to Tifa's thoughts and just noting the girl's eagerness while assuming she just must want the drink, Eustace slides the glass over for her to catch it. Which she does, but why is there a flicker of disappointment? Did he do it wrong? Nothing spilled...

Regardless some seem envious while the guys around are just rolling eyes or snickering. So as they wait for that first taste, Eustace can't help but furrow his brows and lean towards Tifa to quietly say:]

You're right, presentation really makes the drink more appealing...

[The chatter has more people wandering over now, and Tifa notes the girl's reaction to the drink with some confusion of her own before she notices Eustace lean in...

...?

And she can't help but grin at his admittance, her teeth catching her lip to stifle the wider smile that threatens to bloom.]

I told you so.

[Just a gentle reminder before she turns her attention back to the girl, who takes her first sip, the foam sticking to her lips like it still is to Tifa's. Her friends all eagerly await her verdict—"Well? How is it? Is it good?"—and so does Tifa, and already, she can tell by the way her eyes light up that they've nailed it.

"Oh, this is... really, really good!"]

See?

[Her hand gives Eustace a pat on the small of his back as she watches her sip and sip and sip.]

Wonder if I could give it a go now.

[Of course, it's a different kind of presentation the girls are in for, but a good drink certainly doesn't help.]

Might as well.

[And though he doesn't really show it, he does feel a little proud of the results.]

[Yeah. She's still not sure how she feels about that, or why she feels anything at all, but whatever.]

Watch and learn, then.

[As deftly as can be, Tifa flips up the shaker into one hand, pours one, two, three measures of the different rum in, a pinch of brown sugar and a dollop of honey, two ice cubes to chill it, all in just a few swift, smooth motions. Pops the lid on, spins it into the air, twirls, and catches it right into a shake, shake, shake. Every movement leading into the pour into a glass is fluid, and with a scoop of foam, honey, and sugar, a little bit of a light show with her magic flames, the topping lighting up with a small explosion of fire before it suddenly goes out...]

One flaming grog coming right up.

[She hands this one to Eustace.]

[Ooooh aaahhh!!

Everyone is equally impressed by Tifa's skills, some even clapping and cheering. Even Eustace is impressed—if also wondering if she's just trying to prove something by showing off.

But he'll take the drink...in some confusion.]

Shouldn't this go out there...?

[Isn't this part for the competition???

And some of the audience members may be sighing or laughing into their hands, as if coming up with their own ideas about all this.]

No.

[Just a firm, amused statement before she's popping the cap on and slipping the shaker into his other hand, ignoring the comments that the audience come up with.]

Wanted my first real one to be for you. Plenty more where that came from anyway.

[Just a slight arch of the brow, especially when the shaker goes to his hand.]

...All right.

[Well, he's not going to protest any further about it. So he'll take a look at the drink, noting the differences how they appear, including the color. Similar, but somehow hers seems clearer.

He then takes a sip, and again he can taste the difference, his eyes widening a little as he saviors the taste. As he unconsciously licks his lips to wipe the foam away, he nods.]

It's really good.

[And here it comes—

As if his verdict was what it took, everyone that's been watching all line up to try a sip of their drink, the girls all shoving their way to the front to get first dibs on his next one!!!

While Tifa stands there, proud, and winks at Eustace.

Had she planned that? Maybe.]

ELTRUT

ELAH

NOGARD

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