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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

Are you out of your mind?! You would free something that is likely to be the root cause of this malevolence? That stone may have been its prison once upon a time and 'tis biding its time before it completely shatters.

[ It makes sense to him, at least. Auracite exists; why can't this tombstone be something similar?

Gritting his teeth and sucking in a sharp breath, he tries to focus on weaving a magick that would at least not let whatever it is escape the general vicinity of the tombstone. To Rem's eyes, an unfamiliar, glowing, arcane circle starts to draw itself on the floor. ]

If you're going to try then at least stand outside this circle.

[ His sharper tone gets her to pause, and-- fortunately for the both of them-- she lowers her hand because he is right. It would be a rather reckless move to try to extract what she could without any precautions, and the magical glyph he appears to cast appears to be just that.

But the stone has already begun its effect upon her. Whereas normally she would heed his caution with gratefulness for being mindful of their safety, she feels rather irritated at even being suggested to stop. The soul-like power within the stone doesn't interest her as much as the physical relic itself. If she can get her hands on it after it's emptied of its power-- ] Fine. [ The indignant, impatient huff is also uncharacteristic of her.

Exhaling through her nose, she steps out of the circle, lifting her hand once more. Concentration causes her brow to lower, and she slowly flips her hand over, fingers curling back into her palm as if grasping the air. Her hand appears to strain, and then her arm. ]

...Ah. It-- [ Rem's lips turn down into a frown, then a strained scowl. In some part of her mind, she's begging herself to stop. There is something wrong, something foul at work near this stone.

Yet, already subconsciously angered by the tombstone, she continues. ] It's as if it's stuck. [ Perhaps she needs to apply just a little more pressure, a little more pull. Just a little bit more--

A violent cracking sound ensues, thundering within the research chamber, and a shockwave of empty power ripples out from the tombstone. The connection breaks with a snap, and Rem is thrown back to the ground. ]

[ He's distracted. If he weren't, he would probably have reacted a little quicker to stop her. The noise in his head is only growing worse, and when the tombstone explodes, well... Emet-Selch lies on the floor where he's been thrown back for a minute or so blinking away stars.

At least it's cleared his mind some. ]

What in the name of Zodiark--? [ He struggles upright, one hand rubbing the back of his head. Did his ward break? Is she dead? ] Girl, please tell me you're still alive.

[ From where she had fallen nearby, he'll be able ascertain an answer almost immediately, albeit not verbally. Quivering, her hands plant themselves on the ground as she pushes herself upward, and her chest heaves as an ugly cough grips her. The familiar taste of iron lingers upon her tongue.

Her gaze falls from the tombstone to the ground, and she goes absolutely still, shoulders locking with tension as if wrestling with her next action. The moment passes as swiftly as it had gripped her, and when it's over, her eyes lock upon him. ]

....What is Zodiark?

[ It's asked innocently enough, voice light and curious as a pheasant's feather falling from a tree. Rem cants her head to the side, once again narrowing her eyes at him in a puzzled manner, blinking, then tilting it the other way. As she brings herself upward, kneeling back upon her heels. The distant look of her gaze may give away she's not herself-- that, or how there's blood ignored at the corner of her lips-- and if not the expression she wears, then it's certainly how her hand raises toward him in the same graceful, practiced manner she uses to reap.

A fine, greyish mist begins to condense around them. It glimmers with crystalline lights that immediately wink back into nothingness. The question, it seems, means little to her. Much more important, suddenly, is the taking of his soul.

At last, the tombstone's effect upon her has reached its zenith. ]

Zodiark is--

[ He doesn't know her well enough to notice the change in attitude per se. However, he does know danger to his person when he sees it. From his place on the floor, Emet-Selch thrusts out a hand himself and red lines - like vines with curled leaves - spiral down his arm. He doesn't attack just yet but he IS wary. ]

What are you doing?

[ Did whatever was in the tombstone possess her? ]

Edited 2023-12-02 14:34 (UTC)

[ Her eyes follow the tendrils of red magic curling down his arm. Her head cants to the side by few, modest degrees, just enough to betray what could be curiosity, and just enough that the movement causes loose strands of hair to fall over her cheek. It could be that the potential relation doesn't register as a threat-- or, more likely, that whatever state of mind she's in doesn't lend itself caution at all. Without correcting the angle of her head, her gaze slowly lifts back to him, and the corners of her lips curve to a tender smile. ] To be effected... you've died, haven't you? [ She, too, is effected. Not that it appears to register. ]

Don't worry. [ Her voice carries an even, melodic cadence, sympathetic and caring. Unlike the cool, growing nothing-mist around them, warmth envelops her words not dissimilar to how a mother would comfort a child before their sleep.

Or how one would speak when soothing the suffering of another. ] I'll cherish you.

[ He might notice that the whitish aura seems to cause... some sort of drain, but it is the sudden contracture of her hand that might make it feel as if his entire being is being seized, attempting to be ripped from his body. ]

[ His breath escapes him in a sudden gasp. He had always wondered what it must have felt like to have one's soul grasped so and tugged out of one's body, like the Scions had done to Nabriales, like the Exarch and Warrior of Light had done for Elidibus. It must be similar. It feels like it would be.

However, Emet-Selch is not going to let some girl he's only met twice make off with his soul, thank you very much. ]

I'll be departing on my own terms this time.

[ He grits his teeth and dark fire gathers in front of his palm before blasting towards Rem. ]

[ Fire works wonders, especially in close quarters when there is nowhere for the smoke to escape. With the attack unleashed, Rem has no time to react-- or, perhaps, whatever's possessed her doesn't allow for any other thoughts than simply aggression. Defense? Dodging? What's that? With a roar, it strikes true. ]

--Ah! [ She cries out, stumbling to the ground as the flames catch onto her clothes. It breaks her concentration in more ways than one; first, the tether to his soul snaps. Second, the whitish mist that seemed to have been condensing around them dissipates, and third, her expression breaks from the serenity it had displayed to one of panic.

Which is a good thing, because now she's aware. ] Wh...what? [ Rem rapidly pats down the front of her clothes, having just enough grasp of her mind to cast a tiny flurry of ice magic to quell the flames. Her head snaps up, looking in his direction, to his outstretched hand, to the tombstone pieces. ]

....We-- we should leave. We should leave now.

[ Or at least she should while she still has a grip on her mind, and quickly, at that. Best to depart, then reassess. ]

[ Emet-Selch is inclined to agree, but there is no way for him to know if that isn't simply carrying whatever was in that stone out into the wider world. The plethora of souls she carries muddies his ability to distinguish them. ]

How do I know that whatever possessed you just then isn't the one speaking right now? [ he asks suspiciously. ]

[ Her hand clutches at her chest as she comes to understand the implications of his question.

First, they do not know each other. Second, because they do not know each other, there is no way for her to assure him that she is herself. Third, she does not know that whatever is influencing her will follow her out. The last thing she wants is to step outside and openly reap. That would ruin... everything, including her own plans.

The conclusion is obvious. ]

...Then leave. Leave, and lock or- or seal the door behind you, to keep me here.

[ He stares at her through narrowed eyes. Locking her in would be the logical thing to do. But even if he does, he has no idea who could even begin to deal with whatever possessed her. Seven hells, that's why the researchers asked for help in the first place, because they too had no idea what they were dealing with.

Emet-Selch grits his teeth. He really shouldn't care about some random mortal girl. He really shouldn't...

His fingers nimbly trace something in the air, too quick to see, which he flicks in her direction. She'll see a brief flash of light and then, hopefully, fall right to sleep. ]

[ As soon as the enchantment hits her, she falls to sleep, collapsing on the ground. She's safe to be taken away! ]

[ And take her away he shall. Luckily there are no shortage of healers and light magic (ugh) users about so it doesn't take long to find one and, he hopes, remove all trace of whatever had afflicted her earlier.

He doesn't stick around to see her wake up though. As soon as he is assured she will be fine, he imparts the results of their observations and then takes his leave. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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