isleofavalon | 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

[Eustace has taken a perch up in the trees, one of the butterfly lettuce following to perch on his lap. With an idle hand petting it, he glances over at Fenton and his progress.]

Looks like you got the hang of it.

[ He allows himself a grin, pleased with the results. ] It seems so!

[ It also seems he could alter the force to the wind just enough, making each draft slightly stronger or weaker and sending the butterfly lettuce up at different heights. When they catch on, it becomes a game of who ends up flying higher, and more start joining in. ]

[Eustace takes a moment to check their surroundings, listening to any reports from the nearby animals who live around as well as any birds passing by. Sensing nothing, he then turns back to watch the butterfly lettuce and grins a bit.]

See if you can help them keep their balance with this.

[And now he makes things difficult by adding another draft that pushes them around a bit.]

[ He's caught a bit off-guard by the additional draft, which does knock some of the butterfly lettuce out of range of his own and begin to tumble out of the sky. But he creates another draft to catch them, though with the additional wind from Eustace it becomes more of a game of juggling.

Not that the butterfly lettuce seem to mind. In fact, the additional forces of wind now have them flying around in a circle, and they seem to be enjoying themselves. ]

[He chuckles a little, watching the scene.]

You got it or need help?

I...think I - oops!

[ As he says that, one of the smaller butterfly lettuce slips by him, and he isn't able to let go of the draft or he'd drop some of the others. ]

[No worries, Eustace has him covered! Considering he's the one who caused the problem it's only right for him to do so. Just a quick spell to create a little whirlwind to have the lettuce spin around back to the group.]

[ He breathes a little easier once the little lettuce is back up in the air with the others. He continues letting them float and play around for a while. ]

It's good to see they're having fun, at least.

[ Considering how jittery they'd been with the threat of poachers, it was nice seeing them relaxing a bit. ]

Yes...it would be better if they could live like this all the time instead of having to worry about outside harm.

[Especially since poachers aren't even "natural" predators. .. ...Though what would be their natural "predator"—goats??]

[ Possibly rabbits? Or maybe some flying creatures like birds and bugs. ]

Yeah. I suppose that's why they need protection, but even if they continue on their migration path, won't there still be some people who will want to hunt them?

Unfortunately yes, and there won't be much we can do. Except perhaps try to teach them how to better defend themselves.

...will they be able to defend themselves? [ They didn't seem to have much in the way of defense. No claws or anything, and being a delicacy means they have no poison or venom. ]

...It's a fair question, but they've managed to survive this long. They must be able to do something.

I suppose that's true. [ Although hunters do tend to disrupt the balance of things like that. ]

For now, I guess all we can really do is our best to protect them so they make it through to the rest of their migration.

[Eustace is about to respond when he hears birds suddenly taking off into the sky in the distance and looks up, eyes narrowing at the sight.]

...Speaking of.

[He glances over at Fenton.]

They're here. We need to move them to the designated area and get into position.

[ Though the birds do get his attention, Eustace's command has him instantly focused, and he nods. ]

Right.

[ Then with a wave of his hand he uses the wind to sweep up the butterfly lettuce, gathering them together to make it easier to move them all at once. ]

[Eustace will do the same, quickly casting strong wind magic to collect all stray lettuce to sweep them into the designated area. It's thick with trees and brush, perfect for them to hide in, but as extra precaution Eustace has a bird on standby to act as his lookout and to alert him should poachers manage to reach them.

Once they're all settled, it's time to intercept the poachers before they get too closer.]

I'll cover from above.

[ Gizmoduck nods. ] I'll stay on ground level and head out to confront them first. [ If Eustace could see and warn if there was something coming that he couldn't see. ]

I'll leave it to you. Good luck.

[And then he disappears up into the trees, transforming into a smaller creature to more easily traverse to get into prime position.

Meanwhile, there is a group of three poachers approaching, and they're not being too subtle about it. Perhaps overconfident in taking the admittedly prey? Or perhaps aware of potential defenders, they're itching for a fight. Perhaps their skills will match their bravado but time will tell.]

[ Once Eustace is in position, and after one last check to make sure the lettuce butterfly were all safely hidden, Gizmoduck then places his hands on the ground and sends out a wide pulse of electricity, where it spreads and travels up to shock the poachers. It was a warning shot, just to give them a chance to turn back before things escalated. ]

[At the jolt of electricity, the poachers let out a surprised yell. It's a good thing they weren't really trying for stealth or it really would have been ruined. But it doesn't make them alert, and rather than turn away they just shout angrily, demanding for whoever just shocked them to show themselves instead of hiding like a coward!!!]

[ Gizmoduck isn't even trying to hide. ]

I suggest you fellas turn around and head home now. No one has to get hurt here.

[ While Fenton himself is pretty small, the Gizmoduck suit helps him stand at a comparable height to humans, even taller than some average people, and the armor itself can make him seem like an imposing figure. ]

eighth shot ⊗ open november log

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject