This catchall log is for the Hunting Competition special quest listed on the November 2025 MANTA Board. Players are free to use the log for non-quest purposes, but only threads related to the Hunting Competition are worth 12 points. If you have any questions, comment
here. If you wish to share cool creatures or finds, comment
here. For additional plotting, refer to the
CR Workship.
To help prepare islands in colder climates for winter, a hunting competition will be held to help increase the supply of meat and valuable materials that can be sold or donated for use. It's also a great way to bolster spirits and show off one's fighting prowess!
Here are some rules to be followed:
» Do not overhunt. Because the locations are all islands, resources will naturally be limited, and disrupting the ecosystem too much will only harm everyone in the long run. Of course there will be those who only listen to their greed, so anyone is free to stop those they see overhunting or poaching.
» Rare creatures are off limits. A subset of the first rule, and the same risks are present. There are some exceptions, but all hunters should read the guidelines given at the start of the hunt.
» No illegal smuggling of creatures. While some creatures may be tempting to keep or tame, they are not to be captured. Rescues can be performed but the animals are wild and best left alone after all the stress. .
» Avoid nests and young. Exceptions are harvesting common eggs, but even then must not empty an entire nest unless the species is marked as overpopulated and needs to be culled for the health of the habitat.
The following information and characteristics can be generally applied to all species types within the environments, but players are free to come up with more or different qualities to suit their needs or they think is cool. Players are also free to come up with new islands and make other discoveries such as artifacts, relics, or even ruins that could be used in future plots or tie in to current storylines. Although not specifically listed,
elemental golems and sprites of each region do exist and can offer elemental minerals, cores, and other resources.
Not specific to the hunting competition, but current MANTA Board entries can be included in the log. Some good candidates are
Bread Curse Continues with the mushrooms,
Acorns for the Web-Wardens where the Acorn Spiders could be found in many wooded areas,
Where the Water Tastes Like Wine,
A Sheep in Sheep's Clothing,
Shrimply the Best,
Suspect Fowl Play.
Non-hunters can assist hunters or tag along or be in the area to gather and harvest other resources found in the area.
Grasslands. An environment that is usually wide with sparse trees and mostly vegetation, like fields or plains. Creatures that live in these environments will often have these kinds of qualities: keen eyesight, high agility, earth elemental attacks, etc. Most creatures in this environment are more passive and live in herds which can be safely hunted for their meat and resources. Many plant types of creatures are found here, such as
vegetable rabbits and the dangerous
jacaranda. A great place to gather other resources such as wheat, flowers, special grasses, etc.
Woodlands. Forests, woods, jungles—any type of environment that has large amounts of trees. The creatures here are more likely to hide and will need special traps and bait to lure them out. Many also inhabit the trees which can make them more difficult to catch as well as dangerous for ambushes, particularly birds of prey or snakes. These
rabbits may look harmless, but they hunt small mammals like hawks. Some islands may have living trees to be watchful for, but their bark and fruits can be valuable if harvested safely. These
antelope know the best spots.
Desert. With extreme heat, desert areas have little vegetation and water, filled mostly with sandy and/or rocky terrain. Any creatures hunted here are more for their hides, scales, bones, or minerals rather than meat, but there are some that could make for good jerky. Because of the harsh environment, most creatures here are hostile and dangerous. Beware the various
snake dragons and
sand sharks.
Tundra. Land covered in ice and snow, the frigid temperatures have hardened its creatures to have thick hides and thicker, high quality meat. There are some
deer whose antlers are highly prized. The predators, however, are even stronger and more dangerous, camouflaging well with the snow or
freeze with their breath. Although vegetation is scarce, there are valuable and sought after berries and other resources that can be harvested. Be careful during blizzards.
Mountains. From tall peaks to rocky cliffs (see UNDERGROUND for cave environments). Creatures that live in these habitats are quite hardy and know how to climb in ways that seem impossible. Even these
moose are like mountain goats. They can also survive steep falls, but will knock their enemies to fall to their doom. These areas can either be rocky or have snow and trees around them. Many aerial creatures can be found here such as harpies, gryphons,
winged lions, and large birds of prey. Watch out for avalanches and rock slides.
Underground & Caves. These environments can be found in any of the other environments. There will rarely be any light sources, so be sure to bring torches! Most creatures here will more likely be small mammals, reptiles, insects, and rocky golem types who are adept at traveling with no light. This does mean blinding them can be an advantage. But there are larger creatures like
giant bats and
cave critters that camouflage themselves on the walls to ambush. Don't get lost in the myriad of tunnels, and if mining minerals, be careful not to cause a cave-in.
Water. Anything that is predominantly water, from rivers to lakes to oceans and even swamps. Many will be familiar with the type of creatures that inhabit these environments, but be careful all the same of those that are more than happy to drag unsuspecting hunters down to a watery grave.
Later in the month, while the hunting competition is well underway and large stocks of meat, materials, and other goods are starting to come in, a small disturbance starts to take place near the ports of Eltrut before it starts spreading further into town. Small
baby pearl crabs that barely fit in the palm of one's hand are found skittering about in all sorts of places. From businesses to residences to even farms, these little critters are wandering about causing all sorts of mischief and destruction. They are also quite hardy, rolling up into their shells like a ball and rolling out of harm's way and able to withstand even the strongest stomp or throw.
No one knows where they came from, but the truth is they are from the large pearl that the seamstress Dame Cordellia Stitchbane had been looking for. Turns out that "pearl" was an egg! Many are trying to collect the baby pearl crabs either to rescue, keep, or to kill and sell. Regardless of the motives, there are over a hundred of these crabs and they need to be dealt with.
At the end of the month, all three major leviathans will move in close to the island Nogard has settled on and a massive feast will be held. Hunters and other participants can donate what they've gathered throughout the month, and cooks can show off their skills and share unique meals. Just be careful of the
bread as there could be "infected" bread that will inflict the "bread curse" on those who consume it. Fortunately, there are remedies available, but it will surely cause some panic regardless. Otherwise, it's a big potluck party with
a lot of alcohol that will be filled with boasts, tales of heroic feats, and songs and words of honor for those who lost their lives trying to hunt the big game.
However, as the festivities are coming to a close, there are loud shouts and cries for help at Eltrut's port as a giant crab suddenly emerges from the water, ships knocked away and some flung onto shore. Its entire body shimmers in the light, and it's quickly realized that its entire exterior is made out of pearl, the carapace tougher than thick steel. Hunters and other fighters in the area quickly rally to try and fend off the sudden appearance, but it is a massive crab that towers several stories high.
To make matters worse, those little pearl crabs from before will start gathering, pinching their little claws at everyone as if to try and help the larger one. The sight of the little crabs will also either calm or send the giant one into a frenzy depending on how they are treated. Perhaps if enough of the baby crabs are given back unharmed, the giant crab will return to the ocean depths. Or hunters might think that pearly material and perhaps tasty meat is worth trying to kill. It's a very tough crab so even if attacked, it will take quite a lot to take it down.
The fate of the giant crab and the other pearl crabs will be determined by AC Submissions!
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