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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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(They snort.)

I'm not sure there even is a liar that could fool me.

(There Hawks, you're free.

And whenever you turn to look, you'll find that the cell entrance has ...are those Xolos from the Conservatory? Looks like it. It has Xolos standing there, watching them with something that might be impatience.

They need to go, before an enemy comes along that can't be destroyed or driven off by flame and tooth. Before whatever is holding the waves back lets them come crashing down.)

[ Hawks flexes his fingers now that he's free, and slides his glasses up onto his forehead. It's not that he can't see without them, but the tint is obstructing his vision slightly and his other senses are offline. The problem is that he is going to need to remember to blink and not be creepy about it.

He straightens up on his feet and takes a very wobbly step. He's been without his feathers before, but the only time he's been without the proper bone structure was when he first arrived in this world.

Each step is slow, like he's on a rocking ship when he isn't. ]

Good skill you have. [ Please don't notice he's a disaster. ]

(It's too late for that Hawks. They're probably only this nice to you because you're a disaster.

And well, they'll move to help support him.)

We need to get out of here. The whales have dropped this entire island to the bottom of the ocean and I don't want anyone to drown because they were looking for us when they let the water in.

[ Bless their kindness.

Hawks will let them help hold him up because his balance is seriously affected, even if he looks rather annoyed by it. He should be better than this. The Commission wouldn't stand for it. How he could've failed so badly, it defies expectation. ]

Have I mentioned yet that I'm not a duck? [ He doesn't want to be in the ocean. ]

Pretty sure you were a caged bird up until a few minutes ago.

(Look, he started it, he can't blame them for making jokes back. They'll do their best to help him navigate around the bodies, several Xolos following them. An entourage of fire breathing feathered dogs.

That's not all they brought, but it's what's visible now.

One of the bodies groans, still alive. It's a guard, so Chris doesn't stop to help. They may, in fact, kick them as they pass. There's suffering all around them, threatening to drown them in it just like the water will eventually drown this island. They'd normally feel horrified and guilty, but right now they're just angry. None of this should have happened. None of this needed to happen. None of this would be happening if it weren't for these assholes.

Their brand is tingling ever so slightly, the distance from Nogard rendering its magic weaker, but not entirely impotent. That makes them angry too. They wonder how much input these fucks had in the decision to punish inter armada cooperation. How much it benefits them to have those below them tearing at each other's throats.)

Ha. [ Hawks chuckles like it's funny. It kind of isn't, only this time it's not metaphorical, so it's undoubtedly true. Bird in a cage. Hilarious.

As much as he should protest, these guys had no problem kicking him around, one kick isn't going to be half as much as repayment for everyone they hurt, so he doesn't. Hawks just gives an impassioned glance as they walk by.

The brand is new, Hawks notices it because it's tingling and he stares at his hand with distaste. ]

Something else I have to cover up.

Armada higher ups have decided they can dictate who we're friends with, now.

(Can you hear the fuck that and fuck them in their tone, Hawks?

Most of the cells they're passing appear to be empty, contents freed. A small animal with crystals covering its face and clouding its eyes is stumbling around in confusion. Suddenly, it turns and shambles over to join the pack of dogs following Chris, despite clearly being unable to see or understand what's going on.)

[ Hawks is a bit confused by the squirrel's odd movements, but it's the moving that's caught his attention and he's staring, tracking it with his eyes, unblinking. He really should not be doing that.

He can't help but scoff. ]

I didn't think I had any friends they'd be concerned about.

[ Chris could be a friend? Maybe? But Hawks isn't sure he has anyone else who he would pin down with that unfortunate label when it comes to him. He's used to that. No connections. No getting close to people. That's always been his intention. It's what they want him to do too. Don't let anyone close enough to ask any questions. ]

Doesn't matter. They don't want the armadas working together at all.

(They frown deeply.)

Makes it a lot harder to rescue people, and given that this rescue crashed an armada higher up party... I have to wonder if it's intentional.

(They'll have to pay more attention. See if the higher ups have brands or not.)

[ Hawks is not in a good mood. Who would be, after enduring imprisonment and torture for some days, the crystal doesn't feel great either, he's been in a bad position. His lips pull back a little bit in an unpleasant sneer that would not be unlike baring his teeth at something unpleasant. He's clearly tired. His eyes are menacing, even without the wings for a moment he looks just like the apex predator he's named after.

It's a side of him he takes great pains to hide most of the time, but the news has him pissed off. Were his wings there, they would be completely ruffled and betray his irritation. ]

I've had just about enough of armada bullshit. [ He's as Paladin-coded as they come, but the Paladins are not acting like they should be. They're deeply corrupt and if he wanted to deal with another corrupt system he could have stayed home. ]

Yeah. Think I'd prefer to stay friends with you and the others regardless of what some pencil pusher who probably never leaves their island says.

(They look over at him and ...he's really not doing well. Fuck.)

You want some pemmican?

(How long has it even been since he's been able to eat? What about water? Sleep? This wasn't the kind of imprisonment and torture they needed him to survive.)

[ Hawks takes in a slow breath and remembers to blink, softening his features back to something neutral and open. He has a terrifying side, but it's not meant for them. He's not mad at Chris. ]

Let's worry about getting out of here first.

[ He's barely slept, he hasn't eaten - he didn't trust anything they brought him, and he sipped at water, barely. Just enough to keep going. He knows what he's doing. It's been awhile, but Hawks knows how to ignore a gnawing hunger. ]

...Alright. (Can you hear the sigh in their voice, Hawks? What about the eyeroll?)

It's kind of a long walk. (The prisons fill an entire network of caverns beneath the island. Gotta make their way to the surface and then navigate through the main buildings where hundreds of statues are on display and then they have to walk across the sea floor which is a graveyard of whale bones and the possessions of the dead... if they'd been too late to save Hawks, would his headphones be among those bits and trinkets?

It's an upsetting thought, which is probably why they say that they say next.)

I mean it though, about being friends.

(Right now, there's not much other than cooling corpses, a combination of prisoner--recognizeable by the crystallization on their bodies--and guard. There's noise up ahead though. Two of the Xolos split off and race toward it.)

[ Hawks grimaces, feeling that grip of fear that comes with failure, that expectation that something bad will happen to him. He's usually better at visibly hiding it, but he always thinks about it. ]

I'm sorry. I should be better without my wings. I'll find a way to train it so this never happens again.

[ Chris has to support him and he's showing weakness. Not only does he know that Chris probably doesn't want to be keeping him on his feet right now, touch doesn't seem to be something they do - heck it's not even something he does unless he has to, but he would take a long time to walk out on his own.

It's unacceptable. ]

And I'm...I didn't realize you considered us friends. I didn't really think about it. I've never had a friend. Not really.

...You're not in trouble Hawks. (Not in that sense, at least.) And even if you were, I have no interest in being anyone's handler. (Dictating people's lives. Punishing them for not following orders. Hurting them even when they do. Keeping them afraid of disobedience or failure.

It's not something they ever want to be a part of.)

I didn't have any either until a while after-

(The Xolos thst ran ahead are out of sight, but not hearing range. One of them starts screaming.)

[ It's a force of habit, and not a good one. Normally he only talks to his handlers, or the President, so the urge to apologize and acknowledge his mistakes is well formed. He slumps slightly at Chris' words.

No sane person would want to be a part of that. Not in the way he was trained. Part him him knows that. ]

Good thing you're not my handler. [ He should say it's good he doesn't have one, but it's baby steps. He still does - they're just not there. Honestly, if he rebelled, they'd never know what hit them.

No. Bad thoughts. Never. He owes them.

The screaming does get his eyes to focus in that direction. Out of sight for most people is not out of sight for him, but it doesn't matter. There's nothing he can do. He should be doing something but he isn't. He feels tired and heavy. It shouldn't be an excuse, but it is. ]

I have a couple of people I get along with okay at home. I mean, they've never thrown me out. Endeavor's thrown me out of his agency constantly. [ It's a weak joke. ]

Nothing concrete. I spend most of my time with villains. [ And isn't that sad? ]

(Out of sight in this case means around a bend, but he'll be able yo see one of the other Xolos backing up, barking and snarling and spewing fire at something with an absolutely massive hulking shadow--the screaming cuts off and whatever it is advances.)

You mean the-(Guys you were spying on, they don't finish because they're now distracted by the sense of enemy, something big that fire and teeth can't fend off. Something they can't sense directly, only through the Xolos and their perception of...

...Fuck.)

Might be able to move faster if I carry you.

[ He does indeed mean them. It's not entirely friendly, there's no real trust between them and it's going to end up blowing up in his face most likely, but it's the most contact he's had with people ever in his life.

His chatter is mainly to distract from the horrors around them, but at that alarm, he hums and nods a little bit. ]

Yeah, okay. [ He knows logically at the moment he's not going to move faster. As much as he doesn't like people grabbing him out of nowhere, at least knowing is more than enough for him to be okay with it. Hawks doesn't even need people to ask like Chris is, but well, it's really nice of them to do so. ]

How? [ Fortunately, he's not quite as heavy as he looks and without the wings, a lot less awkward looking to carry. ]

Got a preference?

(They don't really care, just that they need to get away before whatever it is comes after them?)

On your back is probably best for me. [ He would be much more comfortable than having hands where his wings should be. That's just weird. ]

Alright.

(They'll crouch a bit for him.)

[ They don't have time for him to protest or say he's fine - he isn't - nor do they have time for him to dawdle. Hawks drapes himself over their back, grasping his own arms around their shoulders to help stabilize him. ]

I'm really sorry about this.

[ All he'll say on the matter, really. He feels like he's being troublesome, and he shouldn't need help. ]

It's fine.

(They'd almost stopped noticing the brand but the pain abruptly jumps in intensity in response to them having the audacity to carry a Paladin, and it's a struggle not to gasp.

They support him as best they can as they stand back up and do their best to ...not run, they can't, but at least jog away from whatever horrible thing is coming...

If Hawks looks back, he might get a brief glimpse of something big, slow, and made of clockwork. No longer preoccupied with the Xolos which have wisely begun to flee, it sees them fleeing and turns to give chase, picking up speed.)

[ He kind of shut out the pain and forgot about it until they made contact, but Hawks doesn't react, not even minutely. The brand definitely hurts, but he's had more pain and he can easily ignore it.

He can't ignore the fact they're being chased, more interested in that than the flare of pain in his hand. ]

If it comes to it, dump me and save yourself. I'll fight it.

[ He's completely unarmed, but he sounds serious about this. ]

What?!

(No! Fuck you Hawks! Just for that, they push themself to pick up speed.

Even at its top pace, the robot is slow. Problem is, it's also relentless, so what they really need is to get out of its sight and duck down a side path or into a cell or something. Hawks is right it'd be easier for Chris to do this without carrying him, but again: no, and fuck Hawks for even suggesting it.

They round a corner, only to nearly smack right into an absolutely massive guard. Chris snarls, throwing the weight of their mind at him in a fury and he drops near instantly, clutching his head, screaming, thrashing and vomiting on the floor, and Chris barrels past, turning down another passage before spotting an open and empty cell and leaping inside, slamming the door behind them.)

ABDUCTIONS FINALE

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