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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

Chaos Gays Rescue Their Son | Caged

[empyrean_mirror]

[Well, you're in luck, Sherlock, because that wall into the prison just...exploded. Mehrak comes through first, beeping as she scans through the room, but if she's here...then her dads probably aren't too far behind, are they?]

[indispensable]

[Indeed, seeing as Mehrak is now here, its not hard at all to assume that her owner isn't far behind—and in a situation like this its also easy enough to assume that her owner isn't alone, too.

It only takes a second, but Alhaitham is the one who steps through the resulting cloud of smoke and dust first, the bottom half of his face tucked behind the elbow of his raised arm. Though he isn't exactly fully recovered from his own ordeal, there was also no way he was going to stay behind and let Kaveh charge into this by himself for a variety of reasons. Even if there's a veritable force coming in this time, it doesn't change the fact that Alhaitham trusts nobody else with Kaveh's safety except for himself.

He does the quick sweep of the area first, not really paying attention to what's around but more so ensuring that there's none of the culprits here to stop them. As far as he can tell there isn't any of them at all, so Alhaitham turns back and calls out—] Clear.

[He'll wait for Kaveh to catch up while Mehrak continues to scan the area, and while it doesn't seem like there are none of the culprits around, he still has his sword in hand just in case somebody in hiding tries anything funny.]

[astudyinviolet]

[ At the explosion, Sherlock pushes himself up to see what was going on. Part of him expects this to be some new torture or to destroy evidence of this place. But then the dust starts to clear to reveal Mehrak, and he hears Alhaitham. Sherlock pulls himself to the bars of his cage and looks down from up high. His voice is rough, worn from both disuse and from having screamed in pain during his interrogations. ]

A-Are you actually here?

[ Sherlock wouldn't be surprised if he had detached from reality. Yet, Jon isn't here, and he'd hope that if he lost his mind, he'd have his old friend beside him at the least. ]

[empyrean_mirror]

Alhaitham, I told you, don't run so fast--

[Kaveh isn't too far behind, panting slightly as he's had to jog a bit to catch up, but he's immediately focusing on something far more important: Sherlock's voice. Mehrak makes a loud chiming sound as she locates his cage, and Kaveh sucks in a sharp breath.]

Archons, what did they do to you...? [No, focus.] We're here. We're going to get you out of here, alright?

[indispensable]

[How is he not supposed to be fast senior have you looked at the kind of place this is? Much of the darker aspects of Azar's reign was never revealed to the public, but Alhaitham had been there to dismantle everything in the three months where he'd been forced to be in charge, and what he sees now holds a good amount of resemblance to what he'd seen back then. Of course, Elezar and mad scholars are quite different from what is being done here, but the inhumanity that is involved in the process don't differ as much as one might imagine. There are no other words that can be used to describe any of this besides 'sickening'.

Alhaitham only has a moment to process the sound of Sherlock's voice before Mehrak and Kaveh catch on as well, and while it only takes a moment to see where it'd come from identifying the man himself requires a few seconds more because—well. To say that Sherlock has seen better days would probably be an understatement, even with the experiences that the detective has told him about.]

Stand back. [He tells Kaveh as he readies his blade, calling forth the power of his Vision to summon out a blade of pure Dendro energy which he uses to cleanly slice the lock into two. Once its gone the gate to the cage easily swings open, allowing them to get in and get Sherlock out of this abysmal place—the sooner the better, in Alhaitham's opinion.]

[astudyinviolet]

[ Sherlock also takes a step back from the bars because on the chance that he isn't hallucinating a rescue, he doesn't want to in the way. Whoever helps Sherlock out of the cage and avoid the water will find he first flinches at the physical contact but then leans into the solid presence. They're here. They're really here.

Perhaps the most telling of Sherlock's condition is the utter lack of stubborn bravado. No attempt to say he's fine or deflection from his many injuries. He'll wordlessly accept any offered help. Once they're on the ground, Sherlock's legs buckles beneath him. He looks from Alhaitham to Kaveh and back to Alhaitham with the one eye that still works. ]

You're free. When did you get free? Were you here as well? I don't know where Freminet or Professor Turo are, or who else is here....

[ Because surely they didn't come for him. Sherlock wracks his brain trying to pull together some useful information, but he's seen so little of the place, seen even fewer people. ]

[empyrean_mirror]

Freminet was freed the same time as Alhaitham, a few days after they were taken. You were...already gone when we returned.

[Kaveh uses Mehrak's telekinesis to help steady Sherlock, and holds his hand out in an offer, slowly, where it can be clearly seen. Palm up, hand empty. He's got you.]

We found your casebook. But finding this place was...difficult.

[Kaveh has a feeling now, about why Alhaitham was separated from Freminet--to bring him here. a handsome man with a pretty face, to be frozen and put on display--yes, they'd want Alhaitham over a young boy for that.

That's what they'd wanted for Sherlock, too. Fury feels like icewater in his veins.]

We'll get you out of here, but the only way is via ship. I'm sorry.

[indispensable]

[Where Kaveh uses his telekinesis to steady the detective Alhaitham goes for the direct approach—that is, by reaching out and grabbing hold of an arm, using his own strength to keep the other upright. Its hardly the most elegant of solutions, of course, and probably not ideal either, but in this moment it doesn't really matter. As long as it works, that is all that Alhaitham will concern himself with.

There are a lot of things that can be said and felt, some of which are present right now within him. But this is not the time to express one's feelings, especially when finding Sherlock is but a reprieve from the rest of the chaos that's going around this atrocity of an island.]

I have some medicine that can deal with the seasickness, but its hard to say if it'll be effective in your current condition. [He doesn't mince words here too since he sees no reason to—he'd rather present the facts as they are to Sherlock without any of the sugarcoating others might try to do.] Either way, don't worry about the others for now. There'll be other people getting them out.

[The two of them are hardly the only ones who have stormed this place after all, for better or worse.]

Do Chaos Gay Dads want to show off how badass they can be?

[astudyinviolet]

[ Sherlock appreciates the assistance up because now that Sherlock has reason to (instead of conserving energy to keep for interrogations), he finds his body isn't responding as it should. That said, the relief of learning that Freminet was also freed still manages to be visible despite half his face being crystallized. They found his casebook. Bringing that up meant that something had to help, that he didn't risk and then suffer all this pain for naught. ]

Don't worry about the ship. I will manage as long as I--

[ He coughs. His captivity and crystallization do not agree with his lungs, and the coughing brings new winces of pain from his injuries. ]

--I'll manage.

hella

[empyrean_mirror]

Oh, don't be so stoic about it. We'll get you out of here--

[Kaveh's head snaps up around the same time Mehrak chimes a loud alarm.]

--Shit. Alhaitham?

["Do you want to take this or take sherlock?" Normally, Alhaitham is far and away the better fighter, but he's not fully recovered from his own injuries...they've only got seconds to decide, from the sounds coming towards them.]

\o/

[indispensable]

[Alhaitham may not be fully recovered, but he does still stand a better chance in a fight compared to Kaveh especially with Sherlock in the picture right now. So its not so much of a surprise that he only takes a moment to consider it before he not so gently lugs Sherlock over for his senior to hold onto instead.]

Go. I'll meet you back outside.

[He gives a shove for good measure before stepping back, both normal and Dendro blade quick to appear in each of his hands as he turns to face their approaching enemies. In some ways this might be considered as some form of payback, and Alhaitham isn't going to deny it. He owes these people a thing or two for the number they did to him, even if indirectly.]

cracks fingers

[astudyinviolet]

[ 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. ]

[empyrean_mirror]

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.]

[indispensable]

[Alhaitham eyes the people as they enter, making sure to keep his back to Sherlock and Kaveh as he does his best to shield them (Sherlock, mostly) from their view. Five in total, all of them bearing some sort of animal trait and features... he can't say that he's too familiar with fighting people like them but he's pretty certain that they'll bleed the same way for the most part, so he's not too concerned.

He doesn't think much of what the man with the oxen features—most likely the leader of this particular group—says at first, but it clearly strikes something in Sherlock, given his fierce retaliatory outburst. It's enough to have Alhaitham frown, and he makes a note of this—some questions will have to be asked later, preferably as they choke on their dying breath.

With the path blocked Kaveh has no choice but also step in, a fact that Alhaitham doesn't particularly like but understands, given the situation. He doesn't say anything to the architect even after he mutters those instructions, but he starts moving after a second, talking as he does so.]

This is your only warning. [He says, fearless and composed, gaze never leaving the five hybrids as he continues walking to try and circle them from the side.] Turn back and leave, if you value your life.

[He doesn't think that they will. But he has no desire to be held responsible for their own poor choices.]

[astudyinviolet]

[ Luckily, for Kaveh, there are pipes. Something has to fill the pool underneath what was Sherlock's cage for there's no apparent natural or magical source. The pipes are designed to fit in this strange ideal of luxury. They are hidden along molding and columns as "decorative" elements. An architect of Kaveh's caliber could pick them out. The pipes themselves probably place too much emphasis on looks rather than a balance between design and function.

"Naw, this is your only warning. You're out numbered." The three with weapons spread out before the ox man, and the human rolls her neck as she puts two fists together. "Even if I stay back, that's still two against one because my work in progress has already proven himself worthless in a fight when first captured him."

Sherlock ducks behind Kaveh to keep his lips from being read as he whispers, hopefully loud enough for both Kaveh and Alhaitham to hear. ]

The squid man tried to read my mind and seemed to break his own instead. This is the first I've seen him in days since then.

[ Yes, something in Sherlock's head was enough to cause another to lose his mind, and even now the squid man chants under his breath. "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn... Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn..."

Without waiting for any response to the ox man's threat, the rhino and badger women start the charge forward with claymore and sword respectively. The squid man wobble with his lance, and the single human on their side closes the distance to prepare for some hand-to-hand. ]

[empyrean_mirror]

...Read your mind? That's--

[No. Focus, he doesn't have time for this. Kaveh's eyes narrow and he sweeps Mehrak forward in a horizontal swipe--a move the claymore mimics, very effectively keeping rhino and badger from advancing towards the supposed "easier" targets. But that's not what Kaveh's really looking for. What he wants is--]

Aha!

[He swings upward, lodging the claymore firmly into one of those pipes--and oh. They're not well maintained at all--all it takes is a twist and a yank for water to burst out, raining down on everyone in the room until they're thoroughly soaked. It's left Kaveh just a tiny bit open to attack, but he's trusting Alhaitham has him covered...and understands what Kaveh needs him to do, here.]

[indispensable]

[With Alhaitham's focus on the people blocking their path (and them also talking at the same time) he doesn't quite catch whatever it is that Sherlock has said, but whatever it is clearly seems to mean something, judging by the way Kaveh reacts. But whatever that is will have to wait, as there is something much more important that he has to pay attention to right now.

He raises his sword and readies himself, springing into action the moment they start charging at him. Just like Kaveh he'd also noticed the pipes, though he wasn't as certain about the idea of making use of them. But he'd seen the way Kaveh shift his arm, and that had been all that he needed to know that Kaveh had made the decision for them—and from there, what their next steps are.

His Vision on his shoulder flares as he uses its powers, vanishing from sight momentarily as he flickers from one end of the room to the other, effectively going over to attack them from behind. The squid person is at the back looking fairly unsteady, but Alhaitham pays no heed to that as he quickly takes them out with a blow to the head using the back of his sword.

The human is next, and this time Alhaitham makes use of the Chisel-Light Mirrors that were summoned when he'd used his Vision earlier, each of them sweeping around to land swift, cutting blows that follow after his own blade. Alhaitham strikes quickly but also deadly, doing his best to aim for the vital points that will incapacitate them greatly, if not stop them for good.

Some may say it is too much, but frankly, considering what's coming, Alhaitham would say they're getting the better end of the deal.]

[astudyinviolet]

[ Water rains down on everyone. (Thankfully, Sherlock does not black out when it rains. He would not survive London, in that case.) The badger woman gives Kaveh an pointed look because she did not want to deal with wet fur today thank you very much. The rhino woman goes for the perceived opening, but the water makes the floor slippery as puddles. In combination with her speed, her sword swings go far wider than intended.

The squid man goes down with ease, still chanting those strange words that have never made it into Sherlock's notebook if only because he has no idea how to transcribe the sounds. To knock him unconscious (temporarily or eternally) would be a blessing given what his mind has been going through. The human falls next by Alhaitham, and by now, the ox man has realized he has underestimated Sherlock's rescuers. Their enchantments make them fast, but Alhaitham is faster as he flickers from one spot to the next.

"Looks like I'll only get my masterpiece out of this exchange. I'm grinding the two of you into chum for the fishes." The ox man enters the fray, charging like someone from the Collective of Plenty a bull towards Alhaitham. His feet breaks the floor with each step, keeping him from slipping like the other two might. Any hit by him will hurt, and some considerable force will be needed to get through his massive defense bulk.

Sherlock tries to find something that might help, but he's in no condition to fight or move quickly. He also has a very obvious blind spot as he can't see or hear on his right side. The badger woman may try to exploit that to knock Sherlock across the room and away from Kaveh's protection with the wide part of her claymore.

Although... wouldn't that only make things worse for them in the long run? ]