isleofavalon | eighth shot ⊗ open november log

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eighth shot ⊗ open november log

🧙 WHO: Eustace and anyone
⚔️️ WHAT: various things
🕒 WHEN: throughout November
🗺️ WHERE: various
⚠️ WARNINGS: none except any potential violence against lettuce

⊗ a: task - flappy veg

[Guarding flying lettuce....is certainly something Eustace never would have found himself doing, yet here he was in one of the known locations where some have landed from their migration. Whether they're technically animals or not, Eustace couldn't understand them through animal magic regardless, but he's able to at least communicate that he's there to help and not harm. They seem a bit jittery with all the poaching around.

a. updrafts. The place they landed in is mostly a clearing, but there are a few "obstacles" scattered around in the form of tall rocks and small trees. While most of the Butterfly Lettuce remain on the ground vibing, some also choose to perch on the trees to prune their leaves. However, due to their physique and unreliable drafts at this time, they end up either flopping about or plummeting to the ground. Fortunately none are too bruised, but it's hard to just sit still when nothing much is happening.]

...Hold on, let me help.

[Either by picking them or using wind magic to create some wind to help the lettuce, Eustace can give them a boost up. It's still not perfect, but it works.

Some of the younger lettuce realize they have an on demand draft maker, and Eustace can also be found creating wind streams to help the smaller Butterfly Lettuce "flap" over a mini obstacle course as they play a game while also practicing their skills. It's good practice for him as well. For anyone who might there also guarding him, they can either assist or just watch out for any stray Butterfly Lettuce that flap in the wrong direction—or help catch any that might fall from their perches.

b. poachers. Of course not everything is peaceful. Eventually poachers will arrive. If Eustace is able to sense something amiss soon enough he could send out a warning shot before they enter into the area. If not, he's fully prepared to fight and bring on the thunder, er lightning. Help keep the lettuce out of the way or assisting Eustace in fighting the poachers!]

⊗ b: cure on cloud nine

[Having managed to avoid the basilisks and already wearing gloves, Eustace is prepared to help in retrieving the mysterious Nimbus flower deep within the Forest of the Felled. Having a lot of experience in infiltrating and dealing with traps, including those out in the wild, also helps. So while traversing through a particular are, his suddenly looks up and holds his arm to stop whoever he's with.]

Careful. The branches here have been cut and the ground looks it had once been cleared away. Better to go around.

[Although there are leaves and growth all over the ground, if one looks carefully there's a small patch that looks thinner compared to the rest, indicating that at some point it had been disturbed and recovered. Most likely a pit trap, but no need to try and find out.]

⊗ c: floor is lava

[Although he had (for some reason he still can't comprehend) been granted the both the knight and noble titles, he still hasn't accepted the new grant since it seems too much of a hassle and not really his thing. But he does go out to check on the new townships being built out of curiosity...and also because of the little prank that had occurred. This had to be the most ridiculous thing he's seen yet, though he feels he thinks that every month... After hearing about it and seeing it with his own eyes, Eustace just sighs as he first notes the affected buildings.]

...Rather than play this farce, wouldn't it be easier if I just transformed into a bird and fly directly to the circles to destroy them? Or shoot them down from a higher enough point.

[His hand is already on his holster. He just has to get up to a building and aim, and he has elemental magic on his side it should be easy right??? But will he be allowed is a different matter—

If anyone manages to convince him to do it properly, they better be prepared to join in and expect a riveting platform game where nothing is stable and teamwork is key!]

⊗ d: wildcard

[Although I only picked the cure part of the basilisk questline, I'm open to the other parts! If interested in anything else not included here, just hit me up on

laenavesse or discord and we can work something out!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Fair enough. People usually don't set traps for no good reason.

[Unless it's a very elaborate red herring, but in this particular instance, that's very unlikely to be the case.

He steps carefully as they make their way, shrewd gaze searching for any tells as they go. After a few more steps, he points to a spot ahead of them between the trees with his gun, then gestures upwards.]

There— a hanging snare, likely hidden beneath the brush. Careful you don't get strung up.

[Eustace looks over and notes the positioning before an odd glint catches his eye not far from it.]

There's some kind blade hidden in the trees near it as well. It could be connected or separate, but better be careful. [...Hmmm.]

We might need to look for another way around.

[He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.]

A bit of overkill, isn't it? It's not as though we're raiding a royal tomb.

[Even some of those are less guarded than this. He knows.]

Who knows. They could have just had a surplus and decided to use them all.

[A joke? If so it's said with his usual neutral, deadpan delivery as his eyes roam the trees. He could use wind magic to try and reveal more, but that risks setting off a trigger.]

See anything on your side?

[Is that humor? It's difficult to tell, but Balthier seems to accept it as such, giving a bemused sort of snort in response.]

Well, that's one way to handle excess.

[Ridiculous. He visually picks out the path that seems to safely skirt the most recent trap, shaking his head as he ventures forward a few steps.]

Clear on this side, though given their frequency, it will be mere steps before the next. The brush here makes it a prime spot for pit traps, especially.

[And snares. And nets. And triggered projectiles hidden within the trees.

He hates nature.]

If there weren't so many I'd say we use magic to trigger them all and be done with it. But it may cause an unintended domino effect.

[He has a lot of patience, but since they're not necessarily sneaking around then he really would rather they set them off so they can just walk unhindered. However, he knows it's also a reckless route so he doesn't seriously consider it.]

Even transforming into a bird would do little help as the canopy is thick. [.....Hm.] A bat maybe...?

Especially risky, with so many unseen. A little bad luck and we could find ourselves in deep trouble should even one of them backfire.

[Otherwise, it is a tempting approach. The part of him that sometimes finds itself with an itchy trigger finger enjoys the sound of it, but he knows it's not a particularly wise move on their part.]

A bat may do the trick. I don't pretend to know much about how animal mages operate in-depth, but I assume you would be able to mimic more traits than the creature's form?

[A bat's particular brand of spatial awareness and maneuvering could come in quite handy.]

I'll be honest and admit I haven't actually tried a bat, however I've been around them and an animal's natural abilities tend to be innate when I transform. At worst I am incapable of using their echolocation, but I would be small enough to at least fly through and see what I can find quickly.

[And although less useful in the light, he would be able to see things in the darker areas and traverse through tight spaces, which would be prime locations for traps.]

Fair enough. Even in the worst case, it seems a reasonable approach.

[He gives a knowing smile, gesturing broadly towards the woods ahead of them with an open palm.]

By all means, then— there's no time like the present, and quite frankly, I'd like to see this.

[It has to be quite something, seeing an animal mage at work.]

Don't set your expectations too high.

[Just a wry remark as he gets the sense Balthier hasn't witnessed much animal magic. And there's no real "razzle dazzle" or anything fancy to his magic, which is fitting for his character. He just briefly closes his eyes, channels his magic, and with the image of a bat in mind there's just a bit of poof before the tall Erune is replaced by a small silver gray bat, its ears a bit more furry than a normal bat.

Flapping his wings a bit to get used to the way it flies, Eustace then turns away from the traps. He'd rather not try the echolocation and somehow get his magic crossed and end up with the waves becoming more physical and trigger them instead. After a few quick tests, he then flies over to Balthier, his voice not really changed despite having a much smaller body.]

I won't be able to maintain this form for too long, but I've managed to understand how to use the echolocation. I can already tell there are three other traps within ten feet of the ones we already noticed, so wait here and I'll do a quick sweep of the area.

[A bit less flash than Balthier had expected, but he supposes he had been warned. It's amusing nonetheless— even moreso when Eustace speaks and sounds just the same as he had in his original form, causing the pirate to raise an eyebrow at him.]

That was fast.

[Even from where they stand, he can already sense more than their naked eyes had been able to see.]

I'll stay put, then— wouldn't want to set anything off before we're prepared to move ahead. Do what you must.

[A small nod even if Balthier might not be able to tell due to all the wing flapping and the small bat body hovering about.]

I'll be back soon.

[And a glide, sonar blast, and fluttering about later, Eustace manages to scope out most if not all of the traps in the immediate area. It's actually rather impressive how much is stacked here, and it makes him wonder if there really is something back there being protected.

So after a few minutes of waiting for Balthier, Eustace returns and "lands" in his original form.]

I'm starting to think we should turn back and move elsewhere. I located several crossbolt rigs in the trees, net and pit traps, and even some spiked logs not far ahead of us. Either someone just unloaded all their traps in this one spot or there's something there no one wants to be found.

[Little did Eustace know he had missed a certain...something in his scouting, a small shadow lurking above them before it hops away silently.]

[Much as he dislikes the idea of giving up in pursuit of anything, the reminder that they're after a flower rather than some sort of treasure that would speak to his pirate heart does help to soften the blow a bit. He lets out a soft hmm, arms crossed as he passively watches Eustace regain himself.

Really, the transformation bit is a handy trick, even if it lacks some showmanship.]

If it's truly that perilous, then you may be right. The more traps there are, the more I'm inclined to believe that whatever is being guarded is worth having— but there's always another route.

[There's no one way to get your hand on treasure.]

We must be able to find a way around. With your ability to take to the air, it's not as though we'll have no way to confirm our heading, either.

[Teach him how to make it flashy, Balthier—]

It shouldn't be a problem. During my flight, I did notice a relatively clear—

[There's a sudden loud SNAP from high in the trees that makes him stiffen before he grabs Balthier's arm and yanks out of the way just before a crossbolt arrow embeds itself in the ground right where the pirate once stood.]

...

What was—

[He doesn't have the chance to finish that thought before Eustace seizes his arm and pulls him aside— just in time.

For a moment, he can only stare at the crossbow bolt that now pierces the ground where he'd once stood, his gaze narrowing sharply.]

... we're not alone in this place.

Apparently not.

[Another twitch of his ear right before the sound of another string snapping, this time the crossbolt landing away from them.]

But we don't have time to find out.

[And as if to prove his words, there's a series of snapping and crashing, a surefire sign that nearly everything is starting to set off.

BETTER START RUNNING FANCY BOY.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

eighth shot ⊗ open november log

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I'm so glad

i knew you'd like it

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