This catchall log is for the special quests listed on the July 2025 MANTA Board regarding the preparations for the upcoming deep ocean trip. Players are free to use the log for non-quest purposes, but only threads related to the quests are worth 12 points.Although Elah's location has been finalized, the area is still vast, the region filled with stormy waters and waves that only the daring and the foolish ever try to sail through. Countless stories have been built over the decades and centuries depicting this region as a "ship graveyard," a "point of no return." However, they speak of those who try to sail on the stormy currents. What of
below?
Preliminary scouting has deemed it both easier yet more dangerous given the native inhabitants of the region, but if Elah is down there then it is up to them to reach the leviathan themselves.
An island in the area has been chosen as a main base for those who plan to venture down into the deep, dark depths of the ocean. Because it is completely uninhabited, structures need to be built and systems installed to help prepare for the dive. This base will also be where preparations for the snail leviathan, Liansa, will take place as similar structures will be needed atop it. However, more work will be needed for the Liansa base as the snail's body is more volcanic in nature. Engineers of all kinds will be highly sought after.
Creating a base of operations is key, both for the "station" island called "
Port Hope" and on Liansa. Cooking stations, healing stations, safe campfires and barracks and cabins to sleep through the nights will be essential. However, because of the locations the environments must be taken into consideration. For Port Hope, they need to prepare for the
rain and storms that pass through frequently, and the docks and piers need to be sturdy to prevent ships from crashing or snapping loose. The island is also rich in resources, but be wary of any hostile animals that may inhabit it.
Working on
Liansa, however, is a bit more difficult. The leviathan is a
giant volcanic snail, its shell as tall and large a mountain and is actually part active volcano, lava continuously flowing out from one of the craters that hardens over the shell. Although there are safer areas, the "land" is mostly barren—which makes sense given that the leviathan lives underwater most of the time. However, even so the shell has some enclosed crevices and "domes" that are protected from the water, allowing for some lush green forests that thrive from the fertile soil provided by the volcanic activity and water that is filtered from the ocean. There are several of these pockets scattered around Liansa's shell, and the largest one situated right by her neck is chosen for the base. It's a bit of a climb or flight up there, and the shell itself is
hot with ash and volcanic fumes a toxic threat for those who do not equip proper breathing gear or linger too long. Take care while venturing the leviathan's back, for while Liansa is friendly, the creatures and environment that surround it are not necessarily so…
🥽 Deep ocean gear. Although a full working submersible may be out of reach for now, work is being done to try and create both magic and equipment to help with underwater swimming. While most hope they do not have to venture out, there are those who think this is a great opportunity to further explore the ocean depths, be it for treasure, resources, or to interact with the deep ocean folk that are rare to meet (possibly for good reason). It is also good to have safety measures in case something happens to Liansa. Thus creating underwater equipment and machines are underway, with numerous workshops built and resources pouring in.
🔥 Fire sprites. The sentient fire sprites that can be found living in most volcanoes also inhabit Liansa whose shell is like a massive volcano itself. These fire sprites are lively, chatty things that like to tease, surround, and dance around anything and anyone. While they won't deliberately harm anyone, they may get in the way of those trying to establish a base on Liansa and they are a fire hazard. It is said that their cores are powerful but making friends with them might be more advantageous. Just don’t get burned.
💅 Snail serum. There are a fair few out there that want to make the most out of Liansa’s appearance. Snail slime is notorious for being a perfect beauty serum for perfect, glowing and shiny skin. Therefore, there are a lot out there that want a vial (or a bucket) of Liansa’s precious and legendary snail slime. Try and collect it… If you dare get that close.
🐌 Sticky slime. There are smaller volcanic snails that inhabit Liansa's vast shell, and while some may try to use them for the beauty serum, just like the slime from Adoportsag, their slime is a great adhesive. Even better, rather than just "glue," the slime will harden like molten steel, providing an even stronger bond. Just be careful because while their slime is harmless at first, as it hardens it becomes hot and hard like steel.
💎 Obsidian and other precious metals. Because of Liansa's volcanic nature, obsidian is plentiful around her massive shell—if one can extract it from the hardened lava they are found in. Unlike normal obsidian, they are stronger, can be made sharper, and if crushed and refined could be used in building material that can withstand the ocean depths. There are other metals and rocks that could be useful as materials for building and for underwater endeavors. Porous stones that can help filter toxic fumes, lava crystals that if refined could help with regulating temperature both hot and cold, even the ash can find a use.
🪨 Rock chips. It is rumoured that picking up hot volcanic rocks and using them in a hot rock massage can be extremely therapeutic and healing. Start saving those aching and sore muscles by collecting some hot rock chips and giving the massage theory a try. With a massage partner, of course.
⚔️ Hostile creatures. The creatures that inhabit Liansa are mostly fire and metal based as they prefer the safety and heat of the lava the leviathan creates. Used to the threats of the deep ocean creatures, they are not exactly friendly and while they will hide first, they will also attack if provoked or someone is intruding on their territory. Their forms take on slimes, crabs, golems, and other unusual creatures that one may not recognize. It is possible to try and form friendlier connections, at least enough that perhaps they can be used to help with some tasks.
At Baleen's Reach, it was possible to encounter some of the deep ocean folk that inhabited the deeper waters nearby, and a few have made positive connections with them. Returning there to meet them again, or trying to establish contact with those in this particular area will be another objective that organizers want to try and make. If they are able to make allies and have guides to help them, then the journey may run smoother as there is very little known about the deep—especially any dangerous creatures that lurk within. Thus there is a request for anyone who is able and daring enough to reach out to make those connections and gain information. Perhaps there are even friendly creatures that could also help aid in some way.
Port Hope is situated near an underwater cliff drop similar to Baleen's Reach. Some mermaids inhabit the area and will assist those who are experimenting with the new equipment and magic to swim further underwater, but they do warn of the threats the deep ocean holds. Although with the usual time and depth limitations, they will offer
transformation magic for those who seek out deep ocean folk or creatures to better understand what they are getting into.
🧜 Deep ocean folk. Perhaps already curious from the strange activity in an area that's usually quiet, some scouts from various deep ocean tribes will make their way upward, or at least as far as they can. These will vary from creatures based off of myths and legends and those similar to the other beastfolk. Players are free to be creative on the kind of folk their characters encounter, and we will be happy to incorporate them in some way either in August or a future event! No real restrictions here, they can be as hostile or as friendly as needed (there will always be varying differences so even if a character meets one that is peaceful, it is always possible another of a different group is hostile; thus there is no worry for conflict).
🦑 Deep ocean creatures. Similarly, although characters will not be able to descend all the way down, they can get far enough to start encountering more deep ocean creatures that live within that "twilight zone," capable of existing in the deep, dark depths but also higher in the surface. Bioluminescent creatures will be more prevalent, and while most will be curious, beware of the predators. There are rumors of a colossal squid, and while a few large ones can be encountered, one may only catch a glimpse of this massive giant… Won't be a problem in the future, right? …Right?
🦪 Resource materials. There are a lot of potential resources at these depths, from the coral to glowing pearls harvested from deep ocean oysters to special algae.
Although a memorial has been constructed in honor of the whales and lives lost and affected by the hunts and crystallization, organizers are asking for "extra" tributes specifically for Elah to help try and convince the leviathan to return. Officials have already started making their own petitions to show their own efforts in reforming the corruption that had run rampant, and the citizens are hoping to lend their own aid. Letters, paintings, music, and food are some common offerings, but anyone can create or perform whatever they think would work best.
One particular tribute that is being collected is a lot of giant shrimp. Capable of growing over ten feet long, these shrimp are just the right snack for a leviathan that is capable of swallowing thousands of them at once. They are quite plentiful in the warm waters that everyone will be situated near, so those willing to try and capture a few won't have to travel too far out of their way. Just be careful trying to catch these large shrimp as while they are not aggressive, their sheer size and tough shells can make them more difficult to catch and subdue, and ships will have to be careful that they are not towed away and dragged under.
Some good news is that at some point closer towards the end of the month,
Elah will make brief appearances in the area. Although the leviathan does not stay for long, its sighting brings some relief and hope to those who have been desperately searching. However, although Elah appears, it still maintains its distance and will often disappear back down just as quick as it came. Even so, knowing that they are on the right track has renewed the vigor and spirits of everyone as they continue their efforts.
In the meantime, on an island farther away but still within the warm waters of the region, the Paladins on Elah's island remnant are hard at work in trying to continue recovery efforts from
Krahs's attack last month and
Liansa's intervention. Although Liansa's lava has helped restore much of the land, there is still much to do to help settle and restore the land so that they can hopefully have it return to Elah's back. Perhaps this is also a way to try and show atonement and proof that they still treasure the land Elah once gave them…
🦐 Shrimp feeding. Perhaps lured by the giant shrimp collected so far, Elah will venture a little closer to those who manage to bring in the giant shrimp. Care must be taken that the shrimp aren't eaten by other creatures before Elah reaches them! Shoo and fend off any giant squid or other large fish that might try to eat them.
🎵 Whale song. Some of the tributes for Elah are musical in nature, and on dark nights some can hear the sad song of Elah's sorrow. Reach out to the leviathan with music, songs, and words of hope, penance, and forgiveness. Perhaps the songs will reach the whales who were impacted by the hunts and will gather to join them.
🔥 Cooling lava. With the freshly molten lava still flowing and creating new patches of land attached to and reinforcing Elah’s island, it is a dangerous and sticky mess. Help the landmass along by using skills and magic to cool the lava down faster so it can at least be walked on, or better yet, built on.
🌱 Replanting. Once the lava has cooled off and turned into fertile earth, the land must be replanted with plants, flowers, trees and grass as soon as possible to help regulate and restore the island. Groups and pairs are given batches of all sorts of seeds and start plants to help plant all over the freshly restored ground. Time to get to work, farmers.
🌊 Clearing waters. With all the commotion, the water surrounding Elah’s island have now become the hot place to be for a lot of dangerous sea life. Piranhas, sharks and man-eating octopi have started to gather nearby in hopes for an easy meal. Help clear the waters by shooing them away or culling what is necessary.
💨 Ashy smoke. The lava has left a cloud of ashy smoke in the air. It billows slowly, littering the sky and the ground with a thin layer of ash and soot. It’s messy and can make it difficult to breathe. Help by clearing away the ash as much as possible. Beware, inhaling too much of the ashen air might leave others feeling drowsy or sick.
If you have any questions, comment
here.
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escordvi! Anyone can participate in the test drive, regardless of invite eligibility. Just keep in mind that only those who have had their invitations approved by the mods can actually reserve on December 25th and apply on January 1st. Our EMP/ATP can be found here.
