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[seaboards]

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.

Comments

[octoblot]

[Azul doesn't have a verbal response to that, at least not one that can be heard very well in that tank.

But, he doesn't seem to have found that very funny, given the way a tentacle can be heard thumping against the glass inside the tank again briefly, not unlike how an annoyed cat or rabbit might thump their tail or back legs when mad. The hand on the glass curls a little into a fist, and for a brief moment Leona will see that the nails on said hand are... not looking too hot, actually. They look chipped, as if he had probably tried to scratch at the glass at one point during his time in here before he flattens his palm against the glass again and is trying to say something that Leona might catch part of.]

Did you... anything... can change back?

[Ah. He's probably asking if you brought anything on you that he can use to try to change back to human form.]

[sunsetking]

[He can't help but smirk at that. Looks like Azul's still got that fire in him, but he does notice those nails. Hmm. How long has he been trying to break out, he wonders?]

Sorry, but I can't quite understand what you're saying. Might have to speak a little louder.

[Yes, he's being an asshole. Azul might've honestly lucked out more if it had been someone else to find him. Alas, it's this lion.]

Try morse code if speaking is difficult for you right now.

[octoblot]

[Oh my god you are the worst...

It may occur to Leona at this point a certain question, namely why Azul hasn't just... swam up to the top of the tank and poked his head out or something like how he had been able to move some of his tentacles over the top briefly. Because Azul still hasn't done so: instead Azul's hand pulls away, and after a few minutes, it comes back into view... this time coated in octopus ink, as he attempts to write with his finger on the glass from his side.]

Did you bring anything I can use to change back to human?

[However, the words probably wont stick there on the glass, on fact it already looks like its sliding off the glass back into the water, so after a moment of a tentacle thumping in irritation, he then taps against the glass in what morse code he knows of to try to get the same message across.]

[sunsetking]

Of course I didn't.

[A scoff.

Leona does eye the tank almost critically. Strong enough to withstand the octopus' strength, which means they probably sealed the top to prevent him from sneaking out, too. At least, enough where he can't escape completely. If he was a full octopus, he could squeeze himself out.

Hmm...]

Ain't like you tell me which potion is which to become human, y'know.

[So don't go blaming this on him.]

[octoblot]

[Honestly, Azul should have seen that coming. His workshop has a magic spell lock on it to prevent intruders, and he can't just expect Leona to have gone through his coat pockets at his apartment or something, let alone know which one in there is the correct potion.

So after a moment, he starts to try to ask a new question--]

Are you alone?

[sunsetking]

[Maybe these are important things for Leona to know in case he has to save your ass again.]

I am.

[Ah, could it be--]

Are you finally going to come out?

[octoblot]

[Yyyyep. You can give Azul shit for his stupid priorities later, but right now...

There's a pause, before one of his tentacles emerges from the water again--its the one that has a layer of crystalization affecting it, and once again, it seems like it can't grasp the edge of the tank well because of it, before it sadly slides back into the water.]

Can't.

[And then, after a moment, a new message slowly spelled out:]

Help me get out.

Please.

[sunsetking]

[Ah, he's desperate.

Leona's eyes narrows almost thoughtfully before he places his hand flat against the tank. With his other hand, he takes out his magic pen and has it turned into his staff. Just for that little extra boost of power.]

I am thirst
I am hunger
I am what robs you of tomorrow--
King's Roar

[Reciting the spell to its fullest isn't what Leona initially planned, but he needs to test the thickness of this tank and how well it can withstand magic. With his palm against the glass, golden sand emerges and begins to disintegrate the tank.]

cw: bruises, restraints, signs of torture, you get the idea

[octoblot]

[As the tank disintegrates, that murky water gushes out onto the floor, and Azul has quickly retracted his hand away from the glass, curling in on himself as he pulls his tentacles closer to himself so that they're not touching the glass either.

Once the tank and water are no longer an issue, that initially just leaves Azul remaining as an awkward pile of octopus limbs, before after a long moment, he slowly, carefully, unwinds out of the position he had been in here.

It then becomes immediately obvious why Azul had not simply swam to the top of the tank and only a few of his tentacles had made an appearance: not counting what seems to be two of them that has noticeable crystalization, two of them are actually still tied down to the floor of the tank with some cords, while another has what looks like a recently acquired injury freshly bleeding bluish-black blood, one that almost looks like an electrocution burn. (Thanks for that one, Shadow.) There's pieces of broken cord that float away in the water where Azul had managed to actually snap through the others that had tried to keep his hands and tentacles tied down during the time he's been stuck in here.

As for the upper half... well, its hard to tell because of how dark his skin is in merform but judging by how he's holding himself here with one of his hands (the one he had not been writing with), he probably has some bruises, including one that's still healing from where he had gotten punched in the mouth on one of his first days here trying to chat up the guards. His mouth and eyes have black stains around them, the source of the ink that had turned the water so murky.

Frankly, Azul looks like shit. Probably feels like it too, as he hasn't exactly been sleeping or eating well while in here either.

Wordlessly, he gestures to the tentacles that are still tied down. Mind doing something about those too while you're at it?]

[sunsetking]

[Leona takes a few steps back when the tank disintegrates and water flows out. It isn’t exactly in his plan to get wet, after all. But seeing Azul like this is…interesting. Not quite something he was expecting to see either.

His brows furrows at the sight of the cords.

No wonder.

Walking over, Leona crouches down and his nose twitches at the scent of his blood. A glance over at the crystallization.

Interesting.

Ignoring the look Azul is giving him, he turns the cords into sand.]

Can you talk like this?

[Golden sand glitters around them briefly to get rid of the remaining cords tying Azul down. He does have to concentrate a little more to ensure he doesn’t accidentally turn the octopus into sand with it. Not that he thinks it would; he’d have to put more effort into it.]

[octoblot]

[Thankfully, the tentacles that are tied down don't wiggle too much when Leona starts turning the cords to sand, so that should mae it easier to not accidentally turn them to sand somehow.]

Yes... now that I don't have to try to shout at you from inside of that tank... for you to hear me.

[Now that he's not underwater and in a glass box, Azul can be heard more clearly now, and perhaps thankfully for Leona, despite the ink staining his face, there isn't any ink that spills out right now. However, his voice sounds awful, like as if he's trying to speak while dealing with a sore throat.]

[sunsetking]

[His ear twitches at his voice. It's...grating to listen to.]

Good. Are you able to get up or do I need to fetch something to carry you out?

[Because he'd rather not with all those tentacles floating about.]

[octoblot]

[Azul looks at his tentacles that are lying on the ground injured or otherwise dealing with crystalization before looking back at Leona, as if to ask if Leona actually thinks he looks like he's going to be able to just casually walk out of here just by expression alone.

However, instead of actually responding verbally with something snide, he just sighs after a moment.]

I don't think... I'm going to be able to get up on my own here.

[sunsetking]

[Look. He figured.

Leona lifts a hand up to his temple, rubbing it a bit as if having a headache. Then he keeps his fingers pressed against it as he thinks about his options. He doubts anyone here would have a potion for Azul to turn him back into a human. Leona trusts in his own magical abilities to lift the octopus, but even he can recognize the strain he'd put himself under. Not to mention that he can't focus on defending both of them either too well.

Well then...]

Alright then.

[A deep exhale. A flick of his staff and Azul will find himself starting to float.]

This'll have to do 'til I can find something to carry you back properly.

[Or at least outside of here.]

[octoblot]

[Azul, thankfully, does not fight the magic lift being provided here--instead, he carefully gathers his tentacles closer to himself as best as he can again. This way, they're not flailing all over the place and potentially in danger of smacking against other objects around them here. The injured or otherwise crystalized tentacles are not quite able to be comfortably curled around him properly, so he's going to have to hold those ones in his arms here so that they're not trailing against the ground.

But then, a thought occurs to him, and one of his tentacles taps Leona on the shoulder here to stop him before he starts moving.]

Wait... can we also look for something I can use to cover my face?

[A tarp, a blanket, hell someone's coat or hat that's been left behind, he doesn't care. What matters is that even now, while he's accepted that there's not a whole lot he can do about the octopus half of him being seen right now, he still wants to make sure he's able to hide any recognizable features regarding the upper half of him here in case they run into other people.]

[sunsetking]

[It isn't the best solution but it's one until Leona can figure something else out. It'd be a lot easier to carry the octopus out had he told Azul where his potions were, but alas. Here they are now.

A glance back when his shoulder is tapped and he stares.]

....You're in that condition and you're worried about someone seeing you like this?

[Seriously?

Leona looks faintly annoyed already, but at least he doesn't put in the energy to argue as he just shrugs off the jacket he's been wearing. It'll leave him in his shirt with rolled up sleeves, but that's not important. Instead, he tosses the jacket over to Azul. Hope the octopus can catch.]

Use that for now.

[octoblot]

[Listen, Azul is going to fix that problem when they get back by telling Leona where he can find them if, sevens forbid, something like this ever happens again, alright?

Azul catches the jacket suddenly thrown his way thanks to a tentacle grabbing it before it can smack him right in the face. At first, Azul is staring at the other in surprise, clearly not having expected the offer. Maybe under other circumstances, he would have complained about Leona tossing it at him the way he did, or even teased him about how much of a gentleman he is being for lending his jacket... but instead...]

... Thank you.

[Azul chooses neither of those two options for now, just giving a quiet word of gratitude before carefully arranging Leona's jacket so that he can use it to hide his head and face with it in case they run into other people on their way out.]

[sunsetking]

Yeah, yeah.

[Leona gives him a minute to adjust how he wants that jacket to hide him before moving them out again. Ears are standing straight, listening closely to whatever's going on around them. There are lots of prison breaks happening, so there are guards running about.

He'll just have to take care not to get the octopus caught in any kind of fighting. It'd be annoying having to defend both of them.]

Are ya capable of defending yourself in case a guard gets close to us?

[octoblot]

... I think so. If they try to come close enough in range to the two of us here.

[He says, with a slight wriggle of an ininjured tentacle to indicate what he means by range. He may not have been able to escape until now, but there are certainly a few guards that Azul has managed to injure whenever they got close enough to the tank for him to grab at or just outright smack bodily away from the tank.]

[sunsetking]

That'll be enough to work.

[A glance over at the tentacle.

Leona keeps moving, his magic still working to keep Azul afloat.]

Otherwise, be a good octopus and keep an eye out, too. There's too many of ya taken so it's bound to get chaotic.

[And ugh. Why does this remind him of their stint at STYX?]

[octoblot]

[It does remind him a bit of their time in STYX, honestly. But at least then Azul had not actually ended up reverting back to merform during their time being stuck there...

At the mention of his fellow abductees, Azul glances idly in the direction of where he thinks they are: he hasn't seen anyone else since that day his human form started wearing off, as he had been quickly dragged out of those cells and placed in that tank instead. But...]

... There are other people aside from you here... that are working on rescuing them now, right?

[If so, then Azul is not going to waste energy worrying about them. Yes, it's selfish, but its not like Azul would be of much help to those other captives anyway in his current state.]

[sunsetking]

There are.

[Even if there weren’t, it’s not Leona’s concern. He only really came for the octopus. He’s got no interest in the others unless it’s someone he specifically knows.

He’s not going back for them.]

I wouldn’t worry about them anyway. More concerned if any more of those wannabe guards are lingering around.

[octoblot]

[It's fine. Azul doesn't really want to waste time going back for them either, so he's not going to tell Leona he should bother to do so.]

Mm. Good point.

[Something then occurs to Azul.]

Before you found me... one of them used something that felt like... a form of electricity being jabbed into one of my tentacles? [The one with the fresher injury that looks like an electrical burn of some kind.] I didn't get to actually see what it was... but I don't recommend letting any guards that look like they're holding something that can do that get close to us.

[Although, the good news is that it was not actually a guard that did that, but Azul does not know this yet. The bad news is that the guards could have something completely different and just as bad to deal with intruders.]

[sunsetking]

That why you smell like barbecued octopus?

[Because. Yes. Leona can at least admit the smell is somewhat tantalizing. If it weren't for the fact that it's Azul, he'd consider taking a bite. Alas, Azul is still a person. Still someone from his world. And he'd very much rather not deal with anyone Azul's acquainted with if he does decide to eat the octopus.

Which he wouldn't.]

But noted. Ain't like I plan on letting any guards get that close to us, anyway.

[Still, electricity is a cause for concern, especially when he has a floating octomer behind him.]

[octoblot]

Do you have to say it like that?

[Is this really the time or the right mood to be making those kind of comments about him, Leona? He knows you have a sensitive nose but like, come on man.]