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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

[Benedikta looks him over once, arches a brow...

...

....

And then bursts into a laugh. One that she has not laughed in a long, long time.

That she had thought this man a threat, and yet here he is, hands folded behind his back, looking as meek as ever. Honestly, it would be more adorable if it weren't so surprising. She isn't sure what she expected when she came down to meet him, but it was not this.]

That was a genuinely impressive show, I will offer you that.

[She presses her pipe to her lips, her chest trembling with the snickers that she tries so very hard to stifle.]

And now we have a wayward sprite no doubt running amok.

[Amazing.

Granted, she didn't manage to put out all of the flames, only the worst of it before it had gone too far out of either of their control, and she looks over the ruin.]

I underestimated you, Dongfang.

[His eyes snap to her at the laugh and he immediately pulls himself up in what could only be described as a disgruntled pout but which he would argue was certainly a distinguished disdain at her audacity.

The disdain gave way to something more wary and then thoughtful as she finally spoke and offered the first words that could be described as at all respectful or flattering. It was strength that she valued. Seeing it, not hearing of it. Whether she was laughing at him or not, whether it had gone as planned or not, she did seem genuinely pleased at the display.

This was something he could understand. It was the way of his people.]

And you have a bit of the Moon Tribe in you.

[He offered back, a compliment, then asked simply and straightforward:]

What are your terms?

[She has no idea what that means, nor is she going to ask. Perhaps another time, when she isn't snorting with her stifled laughter, all attempts at intimidation thrown to the winds.]

My terms...

[She echoes, turning her pipe over to dump out the ashes, putting them out under her boot.]

Besides keeping those ornery powers of yours from Cidolfus? [Her lip quirks.] Well.

[She has since changed her mind, after seeing that. And meeting him first-hand. This could be interesting, she thinks.]

I am looking for ways to strengthen my magic, and I believe that we could mutually benefit from our goals, opposite though they are.

[He inclined his head after a moment of thought. He could probably help her with strengthening her magic. If not permanently, then certainly temporarily. How permanent any direct energy transfers he could give would be was mostly up to how she cultivated or practiced her magic and if she could integrate it into herself. Otherwise, temporary boosts in the manner he had provided to Cid - though with more thought given to how much he would give - were simple enough.]

Our goals are not entirely opposite.

[Daqiang finally waved a hand and what small fires remained - be they burning flames or the barest of smouldering wood and charcoal - went out, loosing all heat and any danger they may have otherwise been. He took a moment to look off in the direction the sprite had run, then turned back to Bene.]

Very well. This venerable one agrees. This venerable one will not challenge Cid nor seek him out on matters of testing himself, but will, instead seek you for any such matters that Cid would have made an excellent choice for. In return for this venerable one having a willing partner on those occasions, this venerable one will seek to aid you in strengthening your own power. As much as this venerable one is able to, barring whatever incompatibilities this world and the seals it has placed on our powers do not allow for.

Is there anything else you would ask of this venerable one, Benedicta Harman, Dominant of Garuda, Warden of the Wind?

[Oh, Dongfang, honey... How considerate of you, but—]

You may just call me Benedikta.

[She doesn't have the patience or the need to listen to all the fancy titles, and she even speaks over him before he can finish them. Consider it an honour that she doesn't command him to call her Lady Benedikta, though coming from him, she's not sure she would like it very much.]

But oh, there is plenty.

[So, so many questions, and many more now that she has gotten a taste of his magic for herself.]

Some best saved over a mug of ale, I am sure, and perhaps I'd deign to invite you next time I find myself at one of Nogard's taverns. For now, I suppose there is one thing I'd ask you to think about.

[A pause, her lip pressing in consideration.]

You claim to be a god, do you not?

Benedicta, then.

[He might be inclined to share some 'ale' with her. He'd been learning of the various alcohols of this world and coming to appreciate the strength of some.]

'Claim' implies you believe this venerable one is not what he says he is.

[Daqiang tilted his head and shrugged, not obviously offended or caring.]

Whether you do or do not matters little. What is the reason for asking?

[And she waves another dismissive hand. Though, maybe it's for the best that they simply move on. Benedikta's relationship with the gods as of late leaves much to be desired.

At any rate, she's just going to get right to the point.]

You mention that you have more powers than what you showed me. [A gesture to the crisp campground around them.] Have you any means of... say, closing rifts between worlds? Or perhaps you know of them.

[Would that he did.

Daqiang shook his head.]

Such things are beyond even this venerable one's ability. This venerable one is not a god of creation, as were those who brought order to the chaos of creation long enough to place the Three Realms inside the protection of the River of Stars.

An ancient god, if they were able to be found, may have the knowledge to travel the space between worlds that lay in the Ruins of Ten Thousand Heavens. But even within the Three Realms this venerable one would not be able to travel beyond the River of Stars and expect to return without finding a guide to lead him back.

[She had a feeling, but it was worth the shot in the dark.

So far, there have been no leads, and she's starting to wonder if it's a waste of her time trying more direct methods, and if she'll have to start taking on something more covert. Breaking into Elah's restricted libraries or research facilities and whatnot...]

And this is not something that you can simply... learn.

[Not so much a question as it is a confirmation.]

Not even if you were to retrieve all of your powers.

If it is a magic ritual recorded in a such a way that this venerable one could learn it, then it would be within this venerable one's ability to learn it. Powering it may be a question of how much power is needed.

[While it would be something he would very much be interested in learning - creating a portal that many people could walk through and be transported across time and space and the absence of such - it was more likely to be a singular ability of a singular entity born for that purpose than anything he would ever be able to learn.]

However, since the rifts in this world are thought to be the doing of an ancient relic, this venerable one sees no reason he would not be able to power and control it should it be found. If this venerable one is able remove the seal on his powers, finding the relic will become more of a priority. And would be easier, as well.

Perhaps exploring ways to further unseal our powers would be the swifter means of obtaining what we both desire, if control over the rifts and other such portals is of interest to you.

It is not control over the rifts that I am seeking.

[Though, if she could have the power to do something like that, then she would gladly take it. However, that is far too much responsibility that she does not want.]

I wish to close them completely.

[Whatever he takes from that in terms of its implications, she will leave up to him... but it is definitely exactly how it sounds. That she wants to close them so that no one can enter and, more importantly, no one can leave.

Especially her.]

If I find this relic and bring it to you... [She eyes him intensely now, watching to read every change in his expression, big or small.] ... Will you be willing to attempt?

[Closing them completely while he was still in this world would trap him here. That was not on his list of things to do. But if she actually managed to find the relic, it would be better for her to bring it to him so he could take control of it.

His expression does not, in this moment give much away. He is definitely contemplating the implications of her words, but he has no other outward reaction until he brighs his eyes back to hers and says:]

Yes.

[He'd be willing to attempt to see if he could use the relic to close them. Because if he could, then he should also be able to use it to open them as he willed it. And since it was only his own world he cared about getting back to, it didn't really matter to him what happened to anyone else.]

[She does note the lack of change, and there is the slightest upturn of her lip. She wouldn't be so foolish to give it up completely because she knows the implications of what she tells him and what she intends to do. It would go right back to Cid when she was finished with it, but she will take his agreement at face value.]

Very well.

[A verbal handshake that also comes in the form of a nod before she gestures to the campsite and starts to turn on her heel, putting an end to their conversation, unless he should have anything else he wishes to say to her.]

Until we meet again then, Dongfang, do be gentle with those sparks of yours. Would not want to burn the world down before then.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

« november: open log »

ELTRUT

ELAH

NOGARD

i just need you to know i've been laughing about this for 2 days 😂

I have, too!

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