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« 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.
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.
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.
🏃♂️➡️ 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.
no subject
They...?
[Her brow furrows in confusion as her hand slides down to scrunch the collar of his shirt into a fist.]
There was a voice, and then the water, and... we fell...?
no subject
Aye, I... Don't really know what happened, either. It all happened too quickly.
no subject
She grabs Cid's face, lifting his gaze to her own, her thumb brushing against the spots beneath his eyes as her nose brushes his.]
And you—? Are you alright...?
[He was... crying...]
no subject
I am—now. I was just...
[He takes a shaky breath as he ducks his head lower towards her.]
...You were not breathing so in that moment...
[He's glossing over the true details, but this part there's no way he could hide and he doesn't really need to since it's still true. Seeing her lying there pale and unmoving... She should quickly understand now.]
no subject
But she quickly understands, and while she would admonish him for it any other day, she chooses not to. Not right now. Instead, she simply kisses him softly, and then a little more fiercely, as if to tell him—to remind him that they are both very much alive. And perhaps to remind herself a little of that, too.]
It is okay...
[Her voice is rough against his lips, still choking for air, and she's not sure that she can completely believe the words that she says right now.]
We are okay.
no subject
But then it's his turn to pull back and look at her, a hand going to her face and then her shoulders and back...]
We'll need to get you treated—both of us. You used so much...
no subject
You first. How—how do we get back?
[A hand clutches at her necklace, at the charm and the rings that sit around her neck, while the other reaches for his left arm.]
The rings... They did not work to get me to you.
no subject
[His voice is grim as he watches her before his own hand finds her over the rings.]
But I think we're being taken the ships now.
[As he looks out, the shadows of the ships grow louder and smaller boats can be seen with some of the other bubbles and whales starting to surface. With something for him to focus on, his voice becomes steadier.]
Was the Enterprise part of the rescue?
no subject
I... do not know. I came on my own.
[For a while, she and Joshua had spent time looking. Benedikta and Arlecchino, too. But at some point, she had become so restless that she could not stand it any longer. She had to go and find him...]
But I suppose we will find out.
no subject
I'm sure they'll spot us once we surface...if we haven't already sent them in a panic.
[He gently strokes her back.]
...But did you really fly all this way? You must have at least came with the other ships...
no subject
... I did, yes. I followed the Stormbringer here from Nogard.
[Meaning that she did, indeed, fly the entire way. She had been exhausted by the time she got here, but that did not stop her from going in to find him.
The bubble is jostled a little, knocking Benedikta gently into him, as they rise closer to the surface where the waves are still a little more violent, crashing and rolling over each other in the aftermath of that storm.]
no subject
Even if it may be hypocritical of him since he would do the same, that doesn't mean he still can't be a little mad, perhaps a little upset about it or disapprove. Who wouldn't feel such things, to have someone hurt themselves for their own sake? But because of that...
He is upset with himself because the only reason she ran herself to the brink is because of him. That she did it all for his sake, wanting to save him, avenge him, fight for him, and if their places were switched he would have done the same.
So he is also touched, but it's a painful feeling, a love that is difficult to find joy in when he sees her so battered, all the blood and stains mixed between those she killed and her own. Her complexion also seems much more gaunt, and not because of their near drowning. And that just what he can see? What of what he can't? What of the pains and sorrow and fears she must have suffered in these past few days be was held captive?
It hurts to see her like this and know why she did it. So because he is also tired and he can see her looking guilty, as if knowing all that, he just sighs and hugs her closer, as if to steady them. Perhaps to even steady and calm his own turmoil.]
We're going to run Alfyn ragged like this. [A small attempt at a joke though it sounds flat to his own ears.] When we're back on deck, I'll see to my arm, but you need to get your wounds tend to, too.
[And his hand may be brushing against her back, worried if she had also used any of her aether and if that worsened her condition.]
no subject
She doesn't know if she can handle that conversation at the moment either.
At the mention of the ship, however, Benedikta groans.]
... I want to go home.
[All she wants is to crash into their bed and be with him. To just run away from the world for a little while. The last thing she wants—and she knows that it will come—is to have the healers scold her for what she had done, and she is prepared with every biting word to snarl back at them when they do. But...
As her fingers continue to trace lightly over the crystal on his shoulder, she knows that they cannot. Not yet, anyway.]
After that, we go home.
no subject
Soon... We'll be home soon.
[And as if on cue, the whales chirp and push their bubble up so that they surface where some people on a rowboat shout out asking what Armada they are in. Cid calls out their affiliation and the group on the boat call out to another one nearby as they were Paladins. But they stay with them until the others arrive, and after a quick exchange they are helped into the boat, the whales still sticking by.
Keeping Benedikta close, Cid tells them of their crew's ship and after noting Cid's arm, they make their way while sending a request for healers to head to the ship if there weren't any already. From there they hear a bit more of what happened—of how whales pushed their ships back and then the voice and the waters rushing down on the island. Many panicked because they knew there were still people down there and part of the reason why so many boats are out already is because they were going to try and find any survivors. So they were all surprised when people on bubbles and other means were appearing alongside whales and dolphins.
It's been pretty grim, with everyone overworked to treat those who were rescued and handling those who didn't make it. There had also been a few of arrests, and rumors are that a few of the people on the island were members of the high elite. The Corsairs lower their voices to say that there were a lot of notable members from Elah, so the Paladins are even more agitated. Of course they have no doubt Corsairs were involved but that wouldn't be so surprising. So things were definitely going to be interesting...
They speak of more things that were discovered, and Cid listens but he barely manages to. He had suspicions already from what he could see and hear, but to hear the extent of it... It all because extra noise until they finally reach their ship where the Hideaway crew shout and hurry to help them on board, some crying because Caaappptaiiiin, Lady Captaiiiiinnnnn!!
Seeing everyone's face does help ease some of that growing tension, but seeing how there were already healers brought to their ship to treat those who were of the crew or close relationship to their members harden his expression again. But it's not long before both he and Benedikta are taken inside. Knowing they wouldn't want to be separated, they don't dare try, so the two will be next to each other as they first treated for their injuries and then Cid for his arm. Given how many injections he had received and for how long, it would take a few days for it all to clear. Most should be gone before they arrive back on the Roost, but they will need to monitor the treatment to see if there weren't any other possible side effects given what he went through.
It all makes him glance at Benedikta, knowing that this isn't going to help matters... But at least it will heal, just need time and rest. Something the crew knows their Captain has a hard time doing...]
💚💜
Unlike him, the familiar faces only make the tension and those feelings worsen, her defenses and her walls shooting up the moment they are brought onto the ship's deck. She says nothing to no one, eager to get behind closed doors and get through whatever treatment the healers have in store for them as soon and as quickly as possible. She does not want to spend time explaining herself, answering questions, or listening to the cooing and squawking of anyone who wants to admonish her for going off on her own or baby her. Anyone who tries will be met with anger, if a single look could be a bite.
And the healers have it no easier. Refusing to leave Cid's side, those who remind her again and again that she should be lying down, that she should not have gone off on their own, promptly shut up when she reminds them of who is in charge. She may have thrown a small temper tantrum when one particular healer would not stop telling her what to do, the winds knocking everything from their table.
She would not have it.
She would not have any of it.
She is only here because Cid made her come here, and only here because that is where he is. Everything else is of little consequence to her. She is exhausted, her magic is depleted, her body is sore even in spite of any healing they tried on her. More than that, she is angry that this has happened at all, that he was hurt and experimented on, and now must deal with that crystal on his arm, and now that her head has started to clear, it's hard to feel anything besides that. It's hard to think about anything else other than their warm bed in their warm home, and the silence that comes with it, and hard not to think about all the thousand things that she could have done differently to stop this from happening.
She does not need healing magic or medicines.
She needs him. She needs quiet. She needs home.
Except tonight, she is too tired to object. So once it is all said and done, the two of them head back to the Captain's Quarters and collapse into their soft bed together and after only a few minutes of holding one another, angry tears stinging in Benedikta's eyes as she closes them and pretends to fall asleep, she finally does drift off to the sound of his breathing, the waves, and the soft groans of the ship as they sail back to the Roost...]