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seaboards ([personal profile] seaboards) wrote in [community profile] escordvi2025-04-05 01:09 pm

« mini manta board log: abductions finale »


ABDUCTIONS FINALE

This mini log is for the Special Quest listed on the April 2025 MANTA Board. All threads are worth 12 points.

Somewhere far out in the ocean, many days away from where the leviathans currently drift and settle, rests an "island" that can only be described as a beautiful abomination. Completely manmade, at first it looks to be an island of crystal and mist, its colors shimmering in the moonlight to give it a mystical aura. But every so often, when the mist moves and the light happens to pass through the crystal, large shadows with large fins and tails can be seen trapped within. Moving in closer will reveal even more than just crystal—large curved bones protrude here and there, but they are still placed carefully, supporting the crystals that make the island. In the front the bones arch around to look like the skeletal form of a massive whale, the tail deep into the water and a magnificent palace made of crystal and bone on its back. More bones curve around the tail with floating crystal lights illuminating the path down towards the island, the waters stained red.

Several luxury yachts are docked along the pearl studded pier, the sound of music, laughter, and other party making sounds drifting through the wind and echoing throughout the island. Inside the mansion, a number of rich, elite members of society are reveling in the ambergris wine and staring up at the numerous crystal statues of people and animals lining the walls and even hanging from the ceiling. Their eyes sparkle through the clouded haze created by the sweet fragrance that permeates throughout the building.

A stark contrast to the groans and cries that drift from deep, deep down beneath the island, where the crystal and rock form numerous dungeons and caverns housing those who were taken in for one reason or another. Whether they were arrested or kidnapped, they had been rendered unconscious and found themselves in these dungeons for the past few days, even weeks and months. Their tattoos wiped clean and stripped of their powers, the trapped are contained in all different ways: locked in barred cells, sometimes chained to the wall; locked in small isolation rooms, crystal from the walls slowly creeping closer towards them as if to swallow them; hanging in cages over tanks of water where others struggle in their water confinement. Humans, animalfolk, animals, riftfarers, and locals alike—all scattered throughout a giant dungeon and all in some process of being crystalized to become the next grand centerpiece to be put on display. It all seems hopeless…

…Until an ominous song echoes throughout the island, a sound so deep and raw that it rattles both the giant bones and those of the living. A song of no words yet sings of death and doom as the waters around the island begin to recede, making the structure suddenly sink down and slam into the ground. The seafloor, now exposed, reveals piles of bones and barely decomposed bodies of untold numbers of whales of all ages and sizes along with other remains of the victims that were once held on the island over the past few months. As the waters continue to recede and reveal the ghastly graveyard, the waters begin to rise and rise and rise to form a giant ocean wall, a massive shadow slowly passing before disappearing.

And riding at the top of those waves is a fleet of ships, Corsair and Paladin flags whipping in the wind. It is a partnership formed by the renowned Stormbringer and Royal Fortune captains, Fiona "Redbeard" O'Malley and Miranda "Wavebreaker" Thorn, both of whom are ignoring orders from the higher ups to work together, with Miranda leading the fleet through the violent tides, living up to her reputation as the "Wavebreaker". Lines are dropped, row boats surf down the wall to land on the wet sand, and people rush out towards the doomed island.



⚔️ Insignias. Due to the distance, the effects of the insignias on everyone will be lessened a little to allow cross-Armada interaction for longer periods of time. Otherwise, the effects are still active and while there may be some remedies around the mansion, it's still so new there wouldn't be too much.

🏃‍♂️‍➡️ Escape. Due to the sudden drop of the island, some doors may have broken open or sealed even tighter. Chaos will have erupted so the guards may also be scattered and confused, making escape attempts much more viable. Just be wary of the crystal golems and mechanical sentries that will be roaming through the lower dungeon.

💎 Crystallization. The crash has activated the magic system that will seek and target anything that appears living and try to fire a blast of cold air that will crystallize the area hit, similar to ice freezing over. Some fire more concentrated "goop" of crystal that will quickly solidify and start growing to encase the target.

🤖 Defense systems. Defense systems outside the island are still active. The "underwater mines" are now settled on the ground and while easy enough to avoid, some may still detonate. There are also sharkfolk mercenaries that will rush out to fight anyone they see. For those who may try to sneak through, there are some hidden entrances now made available, many of the larger crystal structures cracked to reveal ways in and out. However beware of the leeches that might attach to those not careful. They're mostly harmless, but instead of blood they will drain one's energy if not removed quickly.

⛓️ Arrests. While some may be quite happy to just stab their captors and those operating this island, taking a few back for questioning would also be worthwhile, especially since clearly a number of powerful people are here. But there are also some well-known riftfarers in the mix…

🪦 Underwater graveyard. As the tide recedes, it will reveal an underwater graveyard. Anyone rushing in to help with the rescue efforts or escaping might recognize partial or whole remains and bones of not only countless whales, but of animals and people who had been taken as well. The Captains are asking people to find and take back what they can find, whether they are remains or mementos, so that they can have a proper burial.


The raid is thorough and brutal, more and more of the island rumbling as it is gradually destroyed from within and without, ships firing cannons to chip away at the structure. However, they cannot stay forever. Once more the seafloor and the waters start to tremble as a high pitched shrill call pulses through. It's enough to knock anyone off their feet, even stun them for several seconds before there is a whisper of hundreds of voices. Voices so low and eerie, filled with a hatred that claws directly into the minds of all who are there:

"Drown."

That is the final warning before a large red eye glows from behind the waves, so large and bright it could swallow the island itself. Then the once high walls of water start to tip forward, a slow drip before it all starts to cascade downward and rush in to flood and destroy the island completely, crystal and bone shattering into oblivion.

As everything is flooded over, whales and dolphins will rush in to rescue those they can while orcas will move in to hunt down any criminals who managed to escape the first time, biting into their limbs and throwing them high into the air like toys before breaking them with their weight. The fleet of ships that had remained behind will sail in close to pick up those still stuck in the water.

It will be a long voyage home, and those who are injured or have the crystalized effects will receive immediate treatment with Eltrut able to provide more full treatment.

If you have any questions, comment here.

telepathicignorance: (Bleed)

[personal profile] telepathicignorance 2025-04-10 09:25 am (UTC)(link)
Feels too vulnerable without them.

(Again, it's a feeling they know.)

Fortunately, I've still got mine.

(Their powers, they mean.

The other part of that sentence, that they'll use them to make sure thry both get out, goes unsaid.

Not that they need to say it, because they're finally stumbling out of snow exit and... well yeah, they sure are on an island of whale bone resting at the bottom of a shallow sea strewn with the remains of the dead, the water forming towering walls ready to crush and drown everything, everyone the moment the magic holding them up is gone.

There are ships up there, and smaller boats waiting to take people up to them, to safety.)
velocityraptor: Credit recadreuse (Hawks 11)

[personal profile] velocityraptor 2025-04-10 09:34 am (UTC)(link)
...Yeah. [ Hawks doesn't really want to admit that, but it is true. He feels vulnerable without his knife arsenal at his back.

He doesn't add to it, because he doesn't need to. He looks worse for wear, even though he's acting like he's fine, and he's more than ready to be out of that place. He didn't think he learned all that much in the end. ]


I owe you one. [ That he will state plainly, because he does. ]
telepathicignorance: (Smirk)

[personal profile] telepathicignorance 2025-04-10 09:52 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah yeah.

(But they don't say he doesn't. A favor might come in useful.)

Lets just get to the boats.
velocityraptor: Credit recadreuse (pic#17383440)

[personal profile] velocityraptor 2025-04-10 09:55 am (UTC)(link)
[ That's not a problem, Hawks will keep his word on that, they have nothing to worry about.

He keeps moving, heading towards the boat and moving as fast as he's able to clear it. Not fast enough for his liking, but he can't always get what he wants.

Once he's reached the smaller boat, before he climbs up, he'll shrug off the bag and offer it back to them. ]
emet_sulk: (57 it can't be...)

[personal profile] emet_sulk 2025-04-10 10:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ Adding to the cacophony and chaos is probably not the best course of action but what other choice does he have? No magic, and no way to help himself other than to slap the bars again and shout.

In case Shadow still doesn't hear him, he manages - with a grunt of effort - to swing his crystallised arm against the bars and produce a far louder ringing. ]


Up here!
emet_sulk: (34 I AM an Ascian you know)

[personal profile] emet_sulk 2025-04-10 10:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ He scoffs. The goose is unaffected by Emet-Selch's apparent disdain for it and honks again. ]

I encountered it along the way. What was I supposed to do? Walk past it?

[ Okay, so maybe he did initially walk past it. Before doubling back and freeing it from its own cage with a lot of grumbling and muttering. ]

If we end up trapped then at least we'll have something to eat. But I would rather not be, so let us leave. Now.

[ It's just going to be a little hard to get out quickly what with one of his legs also crystallised. Maybe he should have stolen a quarterstaff off someone instead then at least he could lean on it. ]
telepathicignorance: (Bleed)

[personal profile] telepathicignorance 2025-04-10 10:22 am (UTC)(link)
(And they'll drop almost bonelessly into a seat on the boat, clutching their head as blood runs from their nose, dripping off their chin.

They take the pack and immediately fish out the lunchbox to get some sugar into their system.

Looks like Hawks isn't the only one who's gonna need a break.)
emet_sulk: (62 a trick of the light)

[personal profile] emet_sulk 2025-04-10 10:22 am (UTC)(link)
[ Whether by coincidence or design, the crystal is a very distinct sort of purple. Reminiscent of a certain staff of Zodiark, in fact. It can't possibly have gone unnoticed by Emet-Selch.

The old mage shoots G'raha a look that clearly indicates just how (un)happy he is to see them. But after a short while, he relents with an irritable sigh and holds out the goose. ]


I am not so helpless that I need help walking, thank you.
velocityraptor: Credit recadreuse (pic#17386438)

[personal profile] velocityraptor 2025-04-10 10:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ He didn't notice them take a hit, but that doesn't mean Chris didn't, possibly from knocking Hawks down. He doesn't have anything on him but he exhales. ]

You going to be okay?
telepathicignorance: (Misery)

[personal profile] telepathicignorance 2025-04-10 11:10 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah. Overexerted myself.

(They take out the first thing they can grab--a jar of candied lilacs--and open it, popping several of the little flowers in their mouth at once.)
emberized: (Hey | Arms Crossed)

[personal profile] emberized 2025-04-10 12:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sounds about right." [The assassin smiles grimly. If Captain Hook manifested a giant and overly strong heartless out of his sheer greed, Axel can only imagine what horror would have been cooked up here.]

"In other words, you think we are the end product, because we're a commodity they can't get anywhere else?"

[He attempts to cross his arms, the action is uncomfortable with the cuffs but he refuses to give up the air of nonchalance.]

"I guess I could see it. Though I do have to question their selection."

[The choices just seem so... random?]

"But why crystal?"

[Could it really be so simple?]
apothecarry: (chin taps)

[personal profile] apothecarry 2025-04-10 01:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[The flash of an appreciative smile - glad he asked! - and a quick nod.]

Doesn't even taste half bad, this time.

[Aflyn himself rather thinks it tastes like nothing. Maybe a bit grassy? Slightly sour. But carrying around the flowers themselves to inhale their benefits wouldn't suit having all of his supplies in a satchel that bounces around as much as he does.]

I wish it'd been more worthwhile on the stone curse side, though. [He shakes his head quickly and reaches for the axe again.] Ain't got time to think about that right now though. That way, you said?
apothecarry: (apothecary)

[personal profile] apothecarry 2025-04-10 01:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[The hisses and gasps of pain make Alfyn's heart ache, but they don't slow his hands. For all he knew it wasn't going to be any fun for Sherlock, and hates how much of a toll it took on him, the alternatives were all worse. He tries to talk him through it, saying gentle reassuring things until he's satisfied that Sherlock isn't about to suffocate or drown right here on the deck. The crystallization of his wounds is at least helpful in that it means he isn't bleeding out on top of everything else.

Gods - it was so awful there are tears on Sherlock's face. Alfyn abandons the rest of his immediate plans. They can go slower, now.]


'M sorry that was so bad. You're doin' great, though. [When he carefully picks up Sherlock's hand, it's so cold. No wonder he's shivering like that.] Let's warm you up a little, yeah?

[Someone has come around with supplies. Alfyn is only gone long enough to grab a couple of blankets (not the softest or the biggest but they'll have to do). When he kneels back down it only takes him a few seconds to cut enough of the drenched chemise to whisk it away; in its place he quickly tucks the blankets around Sherlock. It would be better if he had some kind of spell of warmth or something to dry him off - it'll still take a while for him to feel warm, like this - but it's better than lying there soaked to the skin.]

That'll do 'er. [Once again he moves into Sherlock's close visual range. He has on his best companionable smile.] Just rest a minute, catch your breath. I ain't goin' anywhere else.
garudas: (🗡️ 296)

[personal profile] garudas 2025-04-10 01:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[Benedikta, meanwhile, is still so very lost and confused and angry. She isn't sure what to think of this—them recognizing him, the crystal that spreads through, talk of needles. It doesn't take much to put two and two together and figure out, but she stands there in shock for several what feels like very long moments.

"Grab him!"

One of the men rushes at Cid, but Benedikta interferes. With a loud WHOOSH, she's crossing the room with wings out, colliding with the man and sending them both crashing into the table.]


What is this!?
wherethereislight: (Can you see all of me?)

[personal profile] wherethereislight 2025-04-10 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[His expression remains neutral as they retell their experience. Why did that sound familiar...? He attacked plenty of things with his spears, so--

...Azul was a prisoner. He remembers having to deal with one rowdy captive while he was on that island.

...

He crosses his arms, refraining from saying anything for now. His objective is to get the truth potion first, paying more attention once they're onto explaining it's properties and instructions.]
That's good enough. [Whatever information he needs should be beaten out within that span of time. He extends his hand, a pouch full of money inside being presented.] The remaining payment.
wherethereislight: (squints harder)

[personal profile] wherethereislight 2025-04-10 02:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[His ears twitch to the sound of ringing bars, the voice calling out again. That is...the captain of that one crew. He clicks his tongue. Leaving them after he had offered his service would undo all his efforts. The jets in his shoes come to life as he flies up toward the source of the noise. Others pleading to be freed as he flew passed them.

He finally locates Emet-Selch, one of the lower cages. He hovers there for a moment, taking in their current state. That strange crystalization on their arm as well. He moves forward to grab hold of the bars. Seems filmsy enough.]
Stand back.
astudyinviolet: Scruffy Sherlock in the rain (⩑ The Adventure of the Remade Problem)

cracks fingers

[personal profile] astudyinviolet 2025-04-10 05:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Stoic? Far from it. Sherlock just wants to be gone from this bloody place, and if that means a ship where he'll get seasick, then so be it. It's preferable to here.

Mehrak's alarm and the sounds of someone approaching cause Sherlock to somehow turn a shade paler (which has a green cast to it). He'll clutch onto a sleeve belonging whoever is closer, like a child onto a parent. Sherlock is all too familiar with the voices which follow.

There are five in total, full of confidence and cruelty. Two (an ox man and human woman) are solidly built and appear practiced hand-to-hand combat. The other three (rhino woman, badger woman, and squid man) are armed with weapons, which are worn but functional. The squid man in particular looks unsteady on his feet, like he's been suffering from some kind of head injury. They all have a charm which increases their speed. Getting past them without a fight will be difficult.

"Oh, no you don't! He's my best looking catch I've had in a while," the ox man growls. It's clear he is the leader of the bunch. "I'm not about to let anyone take my masterpiece until he's ready to be put on market."

The term is a precision strike against Sherlock, one said multiple times during his interrogations. He's unable to stop himself from hearing another man's voice. "You're my masterpiece. I turned Sisyphus into Ozymandias." Sherlock takes the barbed bait, equal parts disgust and fear in his tone.
]

Fuck you! I'm no one's masterpiece! No one's!

[ Alhaitham may not get payback on those who did that number on him, but he will get the genuine pleasure of knowing he is paying back those who have inflicted pain and torture upon Sherlock. ]
crystalrepose: (12)

Drown

[personal profile] crystalrepose 2025-04-10 05:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[A beast had no need for burdensome conscious thoughts. A human sometimes did. Miriam was somewhere between the two now.

But she still remembered pieces of herself. She knew that person. She'd promised to help them. The specifics...she didn't remember. She was supposed to help. She could help. She might be a seven foot wolf monster, but she had hands. She could help. Something led her to him like a thread; the same thing that told her where Zack was. A packmate, a friend--the lycanthropy didn't distinguish the two.

The thing that used to be Miriam shambled closer, a clawed forelimb stiffened with the same jagged blue crystal that threatened to freeze her side solid. Her other petal-like Shard clusters stood out in the werewolf's dark pelt like the burls in wood. The werewolf could hear little over the noise of the distant moon and now the clamor of strange voices so loud in her mind. It was only the beast's single-minded focus that kept her moving forward. But the eye in the water--it glowed as virulent red as Gremory's false moon, drew her ire the same way.

Miriam's desire to help won out this time, but the werewolf was growling when she reached an unstiffened claw to grab Sherlock.
]
empyrean_mirror: (34)

[personal profile] empyrean_mirror 2025-04-10 05:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Tch--

[Well, that's the exit blocked. Kaveh glances back behind him and Sherlock at the pool of water, and grimaces. Well, that's a good plan B.]

Nowhere to go. Get them into the center of the room and keep them there.

[Kaveh keeps his voice low, to Alhaitham, even as he moves to put more of his body between Sherlock and their...new friends. Mehrak comes to his hand and then the claymore appears, held out at the edge of Mehrak's range to create a formidable distance. Kaveh himself is looking for pipes--there has to be some form of piping in here. He wants the inside of the room wet, not just the pool the cage is suspended over.]
ramuhs: (⚡ 158)

[personal profile] ramuhs 2025-04-10 05:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[Cid doesn't move, not even when he is threatened, because he knew. He knew Benedikta would act, and while he hates how she would have to learn about it like this, there is something cathartic in seeing her release her rage in his stead. He had already sated his own need for his revenge earlier when he escaped, so perhaps watching the others get slaughtered would be therapeutic. Or not, he doesn't know. He actually feels rather empty about it.

But one of the men will drop the papers when she sends them crashing into the table, the rusted chains rattling against the wood. On those papers she will see his name, diagrams of the male body and where they had injected the needle that caused his arm to crystallized. Notes of rate of progression, plans of where they would try next. Just those simple pictures would be enough to tell her as Cid will remain silent where he is.]
garudas: (🗡️ 213)

[personal profile] garudas 2025-04-10 06:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[With one of the men pinned to the table and the other staggering back against the cabinets in fear and shock, Benedikta's eyes flick down to the papers that have scattered across the table. She sees Cid's name, sees the notes and the diagrams, notes on "crystal's progression" and "test numbers", sees the needles and the chained cuffs...]

Is this true? Is this what I think...?

[It's hard to tell whether she's asking Cid, or the men, all of them, or simply herself, but when the man gulps beneath her, she takes him by the collar and slams his head against the table with a force that rings through the room.]

IS IT TRUE?

[She looks over at Cid.]
ramuhs: (⚡ 018)

[personal profile] ramuhs 2025-04-10 06:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[A part of him does wonder if he should take those papers... Wonder what it is they were able to find. Would it do anything for their own curse...?

But otherwise he maintains that empty seemingly indifferent expression even when Benedikta looks at him.

And just nods.]
velocityraptor: Credit recadreuse (pro heroes 006)

[personal profile] velocityraptor 2025-04-10 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Alright. Can't really fault you there, I'm in the same boat. [ Quite literally, ha. He smiles slightly and sinks back so he's somewhat reclined on his back. It's rare for him to do that to begin with, but it feels better on the pain in his chest.

His muscles are still taut and tense like he's ready to move, despite the more relaxed posture. That's because he is. ]
emberized: (urgency)

[personal profile] emberized 2025-04-10 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[The thumping speeds up with renewed vigor in response. And not a moment too soon; he's running out of bits to chuck.]

“Is that you? Roxas? ROXAS!!"

[This close, it seems as though there is the sound of some activity behind the door; the redhead holds back on chucking his last piece to stare it down with baited breathe in anticipation of it opening.

He did it. Roxas found him.

Axel sighs, sagging with equal amounts of relief and weariness.

The redhead has definitely looked better, but no worse for wear than his teammate has seen after a particularly grueling mission; he's awake, alert and most importantly, now he's not alone.

The assassin stands about 10 feet away from the door and sporting four cuffs, one chain for every limb. Hope you have a key for those too!]


"Never.. a doubt."

[Mind your step, he tossed a lot of crystal at that door.]
garudas: (🗡️ 283)

cw: violence and blood >_>

[personal profile] garudas 2025-04-10 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[He does not even need to nod. His silence and especially that look on his face tells her everything that she needs to know, and that these two men had played a part in it all.

There's a moment of dreadful silence, like the calm before the storm over a vast, endless stretch of sea, during which the two of them seem to understand what is about to happen to them. There is the briefest flash of yellow around the rims of Benedikta's eyes, Garuda stirring once more in response to that spike of fury in her. But it is only for that split second before it is all of her own anger, all of her own pent up rage that comes pouring out. She is tired and spent after searching for him for so long, and to find out that while she had been looking for him, scared for him, that this is what they had been doing?

If only she had been smarter. If only she had been faster. If only she had been there when they took him so that they would not have hurt him at all. She should have been able to save him sooner.

She feels sick to her stomach with anger with herself and with these people. These despicable people who would dare harm the man that she loves.

There's a crash of metal from somewhere in the room, the rattling of cabinet doors, the shuffle and tearing of papers as they are picked up on the wind that grows and grows, creating a small but powerful vortex from where she stands over the table, clutching the man beneath her.

The other tries to lunge at her, but in the blink of an eye, she shifts. Her body pulses with magic, the marks glowing bright, and in the next second, she is impaling each one of them with those large talons again. They make choked noises together as blood spatters over their work, over the table, each other, and over Benedikta.]


If only I could make your deaths slower.

[But with the thundering booms from outside and the never-ending quakes that shake the entire island, she knows that she cannot give herself or Cid that satisfaction. She supposes messy, painful deaths will have to do.]

I hope you see my face while you burn in the depths of hell.

[And with a roar, a shrill scream that shatters through the room and the halls, the wind bursts outward and Benedikta slices through them both with a squeeze until she hears their ribs crack.

But she is not finished because they are not dead yet.

She drops them both to the ground and slashes at them, again and again and again, tears burning her eyes as she screams at them, as she tries to force back the memories of their past. How she felt when she first found out about the curse on his arm. How it felt to touch it for the first time, those little speckles of stone. How angry she was then. How her own feels as they still spread across her shoulders.

That they would dare treat him like some toy... Like some test that they could torture over and over...

And with each memory, each thought, comes another slash of her claws, tearing them apart, until their screams die out.

It is not until she is finally out of breath, her face dirty with sweat and blood and streaked with tears beneath the rippling magic, does she turn around to look at Cid, her chest heaving, the two men as good as dead on the floor at her feet...]

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