This mini event log is for Kudzu listed on the MARCH 2025 MANTA Board.A strange large leaf as big as a wagon wheel drifts to Eltrut's shores with a barely legible message scrawled on it: hELp KUdZu
Beneath is a rough "map" that includes coordinates. Although it could be a trap and tensions are high, there is concern that a hostage may have been taken to this island or could lead to more clues for the investigations.
In response to the strange message that was shared through the MANTA Board, and despite the turmoil that was going on between the Armadas, efforts were made to organize expeditions to this strange island. The seas will be strangely rough the closer they get to it until large swathes of
green plant float by. Following it, they will soon discover the water completely covered with it to the point that it's almost impossible to discern what is floating over and what is covering the shore…
Because what they see ahead is an island completely
covered in vines, vines that extend all the way out to what should be a shore and then out to the water, the plant changing subtly to what they see in the water. This will make docking quite dangerous for a number of reasons, and if it already looks so bad from the outside, one can only wonder what lies within…
🥅
Dredging hydrilla. If ships aren't careful, they can either get tangled in the floating plants, hydrilla, or accidentally run aground or hit something hidden beneath the floating plants. Special care will need to be taken, and dredging up the plants will help clear a path…temporarily, at least.
⛵
Free ships. Although the plant is
not sentient, it easily sticks and gets caught on rudders and parts of the ship. It even seems to start crawling up the hulls, the currents and wind pushing the plant upwards. This along with any hydrilla that may get loose from dredging will definitely require those handy with blades to cut ships loose before they get trapped further.
🦆
Rescue sea animals. Most sea creatures seem to have adapted beneath the water, but those caught on the surface may be tangled. Birds, especially, can be found struggling if not already perished.
🐟
Piranhas. Not only is the ocean water sludged up with floating plants but a school of wild, aggressive piranhas are also circling the island. Avoid them or kill them before they can take a chomp out of everything in sight.
🐇
Sea bunnies. Small, fluffy
white creatures will eventually be noticed around the plants that are capable of consuming them quickly and by a lot. They will become vital in clearing away the hydrilla, but they need to be protected from natural predators like fish and birds. Dive underwater to try and gather more, just be careful not to get caught in the undergrowth.
🍤
Roasted eel. Rumour has it, there is a rare type of eel that can be found in the waters around the island. It’s said that these eels are incredibly delicious if they’re roasted over an open fire and eaten right away. Go get some eel and get roasting. Cook it right there on the beach or on your ships.
Once on shore, everyone will need to find some way to
cut through the thick vines. While some may be tempted to use fire, not only are these vines seemingly more fire resistant, because how dense and interconnected they are, it could go out of control quickly if not careful. Thus
cutting will be the primary method to get through.
Deep,
deep within the island is a small village of various humans and animalfolk that has barely managed to keep the kudzu in control. Although most of the houses are partially overrun, they've come up with different ways to keep it at bay: special herbicide sprays, digging, controlled burns, and their best bet—
goats. Although they don't know who sent the message, they are grateful for the help. They only warn for them to be careful not to be trapped and not to go too deep into the island. They seem to be withholding some information...but clearing out the island of the kudzu is more important.
🐐
Find stray goats. Some goats, their best kudzu killers, have strayed and are lost within the surrounding forest. There are still predators out there, so get these precious warriors back!
🍲
Harvesting kudzu. Turns out, there
are some uses for this invasive plant. Although the villagers are sick of it, they can make decent dishes and ingredients for others. There seem to be notable health benefits and can be used for medicines as well. Find other uses and who knows, perhaps this island can turn into a valuable resource.
🪢
All tied up. Careful—one wrong step and one can get tangled up in the vines, perhaps even finding themselves hanging upside down from trees! There are even
trapped villagers and others caught in the vines, so help them out!
🪲
Bug riders. One ship managed to bring special giant
beetles that are capable of using their pincers to cut through the kudzu quickly (and even have a small snack in the process). These beetles are specialized to be ridden and have special gear equipped to them. Gentle creatures, they can be controlled well even by a novice.
🍃
Koroks. Hundred of little
creatures using leaves as masks seem to live all over the island. They are incredibly playful despite being so shy. If anyone can seek out where these little ones are hiding, be it under rocks, in trees, in the sand or after solving some sort of ruined rock puzzle, the koroks will give little rewards. The koroks will give bits of metal, old gemstones, peanuts, dried grapes or other random bits and trinkets.
🪙
Buried treasure. With such an overgrown island, there is bound to be some buried treasure somewhere. Go digging in the ground while avoiding or hacking away the vines and massive leafy overgrowth and see what you can find. There are even strange stone pillars with strange squiggly, spiral carvings on them that sometimes glow… Weird.
🐨
Animal life. Along with the local plant life, the island is also home to a variety of small island mammals such as koala bears, bandicoots, kangaroos, wallabies and quokka. They tend to be fairly friendly in general but can get a bit clingy. Or punchy. Be careful.
The contents of this log can be carried over into the next month, so those who may not be able to participate fully this time can reuse prompts and setting material in their own threads later. Everyone is allowed to harvest the plants for their own needs or later markets.
Animals cannot be taken.
Keep in mind the
tension between Armadas is still around. Although the more neutral minded members are willing to work together, there will still be suspicion and some may even take advantage of the environment. For those who need a setup for their character to be taken or arrested, feel free to use the island's setting.
If you have any questions, comment
here.