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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.

indispensable: (reticent.)

[personal profile] indispensable 2025-04-11 12:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[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: Sherlock with his ear to a door (Silence is Golden)

[personal profile] astudyinviolet 2025-04-12 06:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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: (62)

[personal profile] empyrean_mirror 2025-04-13 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
...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: (sonorous.)

[personal profile] indispensable 2025-04-13 02:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[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: Sherlock about to enter a cultist space (⩜ Llllnah hnahr'luh)

[personal profile] astudyinviolet 2025-04-13 05:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ 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?
]