From being an Abandoned who had rarely left the Hollowed Grounds, to embracing the call of adventure, to dying and being reborn first as an Ascended and then as an Ancient, Maea has gone through quite the amount of changes in her life. One thing remains common, though, in her attempts to find out just where she belongs; she’s always had a craving for knowledge which has brought her to so many places and to meet so many people here in Caido. We can’t wait to see what else is in store for her!
Congratulations, Maea!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
Skinning and hosting by the epically talented Kaons, and functionality fanciness by the coding magic of Neowulf. If you ever see either of them around, make sure to show them some love!
The wind whipped and howled and raged. Luxere persisted in terrible throws of violence and intended gore. The hunters did not back down, did not stop. They were men that had seen far worse than this herd of catastrophe-touched deer. Even as the onslaught made Noah's stomach turn (and he thanked Vi that even with the killing and maiming and destruction he maintained some of his humanity) he did not relent.
Celestial arrows flew but only disipated into the snow and ice, as the warden and the hunter attacked in succession. Turning immediately as his arrows died, Noah lifted the summoned celestial weapon again and readied his assault. But just in case Noah missed -- "Keep your shield up, Sah!" -- Noah said to his friend, aiming his celestial bow and letting two arrows fly.
Noah tells Sah to keep his shield up and shoots at Luxere one
Magic: Vi’s Ranger | Noah may summon a celestial energy bow with which he can shoot two celestial energy arrows (at one target) up to 30ft. Control is excellent.
Type: Light | Rank: Upgraded
Magic: Wise Hunter (FEAT) | Animals roll with disadvantage against Noah.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Regional Score bonus: +3 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +3 should be included)
Sah was having shit luck this hunt. He gritted his teeth as the luxere slammed into him, knocking him back a step. The Abandoned nodded when Noah called out, quickly coming up with a plan. His armor needed to recharge, and he needed to both protect himself and avoid any misfires.
Calling forth his earth magic, Sah forced a wall of earth to encircle him. The luxere would slam into it and harm itself while any stray attacks would be blocked. If he were lucky, the Wild Thunder would also get a chance to strategize and come up with a better solution.
~
Sah creates a circle of earth around him for the luxere to (hopefully) slam into and to protect himself in case Noah misses.
Earth Manipulation: Can create and control the earth. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
Mageglass Necklace | A pendant made of mageglass. Will amplify the magical abilities of Abandoned by one level. (Basic becomes upgraded, upgraded becomes mastered, and mastered adds on additional basic damage)
Regional Score bonus: +3 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +3 should be included)
I think therefore I am, But what if all I do is bleed?
before bones, before dirt, before even light this is who we were
The trepidation and frustration slowly churned into a growing abhorrence – especially as he shifted his sights away from the fallen deer, and the one remaining. They were too daring and too bold, and all the protective, shielding forces in his body advanced upon the scene, ensuring Sah, Noah, and companions alike, would be safeguarded – if he had anything to say about it.
It was fire that scorched this time from his prowess – a powerful, engulfing inferno suddenly consuming and ravaging the beast. It stopped its movements, likely out of pain, as the ferocity began to eat away at it. Between these semblances, the arrows from Noah would be able to fire directly into the creature.
Its screeches and screams echoed, and with one last falter into the earthen magic near it, the luxere fell, directly outside Sah and his earthen protection.
With one long, long sigh, the Sword strived to bring his blood away from boiling measures and down to its usual composure. “Everyone all right?” Belial trilled from overhead, giving no other warning, as he began to set his fire upon the other corpses as well.
--
Due to everyone’s attacks/defenses, Luxere One has been felled and destroyed. Deimos has begun setting the corpses on fire.
Assess your current situation and/or help assist in the blaze. No post order!
this untamable expanse churning proof that we have always been deep, restless souls
Noah’s arrows flew true and straight and immediately brought heinous destruction to the void luxere. Between the other two men and their prowess, the creature was snuffed out and no longer a worry. Noah sighed and his celestial bow dissipated in a glitter of ethereal stars.
”No damage here.” Noah said, crossing the distance to his unicorn. Vi’dore snorted and pressed his horn against Noah for good measure, but it brought only comfort. The Forsaken patted the creature on the poll and scratched his ear. Eira chirped ahead and above, sending images out towards her bond mate.
Vi’dore then stepped over towards Sah with Noah’s mental prompting, offering the abandoned healing should he need it.
Noah says he has no damage and Vi’dore offers to heal Sah if he needs it.
03-21-2024, 09:34 PM (This post was last modified: 03-21-2024, 09:34 PM by Sah.)
Sah
The luxere fell dead and the Abandoned was slightly disappointed that it didn't slam into the shield. Getting at least one hit on it, dead or not, would have been nice for his bruised ego. At least he could help Deimos with the cleanup. Sah dusted off his armor, removing the remains of crumbling rock, "I'm unharmed." His armor had done its job and he could feel the power returning to it. He gave Noah and Vi'adore a smile for offering to help, "Thank you".
A burst of fire came to life in his palm and the Wild Thunder stepped up to join Deimos in disposing of the bodies.
~
Sah thanks Noah for the offer and uses fire magic to assist Deimos in burning the bodies.
I think therefore I am, But what if all I do is bleed?
before bones, before dirt, before even light this is who we were
With no damage outright towards their group, his concentration narrowed into disposal. Between himself and Sah, they were quite capable of ensuring the luxere were reduced to nothing but smoldering ash, and even then, as the chilling wind coaxed through, they were eventually particles on the frigid earth.
“I do not like how aggressive they are,” he rumbled in turn, shaking his head. A complete change from any normal luxere, and simply signs of things to come. “We should continue heading around the bend,” where they originally were going to start, before everything crumpled and unfurled. “I will send Belial along to scout ahead again too.” As a heads-up and warning, presuming Noah would do the same with Eira.
Rifling through Zuriel’s saddlebags, he snagged at a canteen of water, taking a few swallows, before returning it back to its place, and patting the mare on the neck. “When you are ready,” he called out to both – and began marching down their designated route again.
--
Head towards the bend!
Belial is scouting above!
No post order!
this untamable expanse churning proof that we have always been deep, restless souls
With healing not necessarily needed at this time, they were ready to move on quickly. Noah followed in stride with Deimos on his right side, though he was a few paces away as to not keep them too closely clustered. If something -- for surely they didn't know all of the void touched that lurked in Caido, let alone Halo -- were to attack them, being slightly spready out would be better.
The unicorn walked on his other side, and the griffin still held her place in the sky. It was easy to glide and swerve, keeping her bright golden eyes peeled for any signs of danger. If she were to see anything, she would alert both the peryton and her bondmate through the mental bond and the clacking of her beak, respectively.
Noah and Vi'dore heads toward the bend, Eira scouts with Belial. If she sees anything, she will alert Noah mentally and Belial by clicking her beak.
"I don't like it either." Sah's brow furrowed, "I sincerely hope that there isn't a part of them that's aware of the change...that'd be heartbreaking." To be stuck in the back of one's mind while their body wreaked havoc in ways that were against one's very nature sounded like hell. Even the mere possibility of such a thing being true further the Abandoned's resolve to purge Caido of this corruption.
Ready to move on, Sah took the left flank, creating a 'v' formation of sorts as the hunters made their way through the snow. Seeing the companions made the Wild Thunder wish he'd brought his wolves. They would have loved this, but it was likely the right decision to leave them at home.
~
Sah heads toward the bend! He has lightning ready to go at any moment.
Type: Light | Style: Defensive | Level: Upgraded
Starmour | Beautiful lightweight armour that glistens faintly with starlight. This item blocks physical damage at the wearer's Upgraded level. Requires a 2 post cool-down between uses.
I think therefore I am, But what if all I do is bleed?
before bones, before dirt, before even light this is who we were
Sah’s comment left him with another nonchalant visage, striving not to let the thought weigh him down either. For ursur, they likely wouldn’t find any sentiments changed, save for a lack of self-preservation – for luxere, however, their dispositions had been completely altered into something almost unrecognizable. Even worse was how they had to slaughter them at all – for he’d always hold something in his heart for the creatures that had helped them LongNight after LongNight.
Keeping these entanglements knotted and noosed, they proceeded onward in companionable silence, until eventually the bend came along an outcropping of rocks. Convenient then, when Belial gave a silent urgency over the bond, and the muffled sentiments of another set of footsteps striding across the snow persisted from beyond the small wall.
The image though was a bit more hazardous than he expected, and relaying the news kept his jaw nearly clenched. “Three ursur on the other side. One massive one.” Pausing, because the size bothered him, his voice remained low, pitched intentionally for the beasts not to hear. “We will need a plan. I would be content in using the rocks for cover as long as we can,” and his gaze went towards the modest wall, where they could at least launch several sieges without being assaulted in return. The rocks weren’t entirely encased in ice, and they’d be able to stand on some portions with little issue, as long as they paid attention. “But let me know if you would like to try something different.”
--
Three ursur have been spotted on the other side of the wall, two regular, and one very large boi.
Plan and plot together! No post order!
this untamable expanse churning proof that we have always been deep, restless souls
It said quite a bit for Deimos to point out the size of one of the ursur. Sah eyed the rocks that the Sword pointed out and eyed the tundra ahead of them. "The wall sounds good to me. We could even expand it with earth magic to provide some flank protection." The Wild Thunder paused, humming as a rough idea formed. "What if we also took the time to create spikes on it, like a spiked shield? That way there's a chance that the ursur will harm themselves if they strike it."
He wracked his brain to think of anything else but was coming up short. As far as he knew, they didn't have anything on hand that could be used to distract or disorient the user. Enforcing their wall was likely the best option. Maybe he'd need to make his own set of flash bang marbles like the ones he made Luka.
~
Sah suggests expanding the wall and adding earthen spikes to it for added coverage. (Think Elden Ring Spiked Palisade Shield).
I think therefore I am, But what if all I do is bleed?
Noah’s eyes widened as Eira’s golden eyes sent the imagery of the ursur ahead. Vi’dore snorted slightly, but Noah silenced him. The sheer size of the ursur, let along its void-touched nature, would make it a formidable enemy. Both Deimos and Sah gave their opinions. It seemed that they were all in agreement that they could use the outcropping, fortify it, and launch ranged attack at the ursur from there. Between the elements that the two mages could control and the shields they could create, Noah felt extremely comfortable with it.
”Zuriel and Vi’dore should stay as shielded as possible.” He added in low tones, already heading towards the outcropping. Once positioned and ready, the Forsaken would start the assault with his celestial arrows.
Noah agrees that they use the outcropping! Once there and set up, he will send a ranged attack of his arrows.
Magic: Vi’s Ranger | Noah may summon a celestial energy bow with which he can shoot two celestial energy arrows (at one target) up to 30ft. Control is excellent.
Type: Light | Rank: Upgraded
Magic: Wise Hunter (FEAT) | Animals roll with disadvantage against Noah.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Regional Score bonus: +3 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +3 should be included)
before bones, before dirt, before even light this is who we were
Nodding in accord and agreement, they settled themselves amidst the rocks. Deimos ensured Zuriel and Vi’dore stayed downwind and entirely out of sight, next to other portions of outcropping away from any impending chaos; he didn’t want them anywhere near impending violence. He trusted the mare regardless, considering her experience in multitudes of these events. Bellal could keep to the skies, safe and out of reach.
Much like his shield in previous notions, the spiked essences on the boulders could lend themselves to the additional coverage, so he unfurled bit by bit as he peeked over the ramparts, and ducked back down periodically. “Feel free to add more,” he motioned to Sah, knowing he was capable – in spikes or expansion.
With the animals oblivious, save for the one closest to them (small, but certainly not insignificant), nose in the air, scenting an alteration in the breeze, they’d be free to gauge a first effort.
Noah took the opportunity, snagging at his arrows, to hit the furthest out. They sank into the beast’s flank with might and precision, and all of them would be able to hear the bear’s defiant and sickening roar, as it turned its gaze towards their direction – alerting the rest.
At which Deimos sent a fleet of ice shards, collected and contorted from his Mastered Water incantations, towards the first bear. They also snagged and snarled on impact, and the creature began inclining its way, despite the massive limp in its marred shoulder, towards their wall.
--
Upon Sah’s suggestion, Deimos has placed spikes upon the lower portion of the wall. Sah may be free to either expand or add onto the spikes, or simply attack – up to you!
Tucked into the relative safety of the outcropping, Vi’dore pressed near Zuriel to help use her resolve for his nerves. While still valiant as his species’ nature, the younger unicorn was properly inexperienced compared to the roan mare. Eira, on the other hand, was well-seasoned in helping Noah on these more dangerous expeditions and she did well to keep to the skies. She knew that, up there, she would first see the danger coming and was relatively safe as far as the tundra was concerned.
Noah arrows flew and landed with a shimmer of bright stars and sunlight, calling the attention of the ursur trio towards them. He sucked in a breath before sending out another assault on the same ursur, though his eyes darted back and forth between his target and the largest ursur he’d ever seen, with the sickening, pulsating touch of the void present on every inch of it.
More Arrows at ursur three.
Magic: Vi’s Ranger | Noah may summon a celestial energy bow with which he can shoot two celestial energy arrows (at one target) up to 30ft. Control is excellent.
Type: Light | Rank: Upgraded
Magic: Wise Hunter (FEAT) | Animals roll with disadvantage against Noah.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Regional Score bonus: +3 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +3 should be included)
At last, they'd found the ursur that they were looking for and with preparations completed, the fight began. Noah and Deimos started the assault while Sah took a moment to further their defenses. The hunters could certainly survive a strike form a normal ursur but the Wild Thunder wanted to minimize the chances, especially with the negative effects of coming into contact with the void energy. He didn't know what a void ursur's claws could do, but if other creatures were causing hallucinations, it was something to be especially wary of.
Channeling his earth magic, Sah expanded the earthen walls around their group to better protect their sides. If the bears wanted them, they'd either have to go through the barrier or all the way around to the back now.
~
Sah uses earth magic to expand and strengthen their 'fort'.
Earth Manipulation: Can create and control the earth. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered
Type: Light | Style: Defensive | Level: Upgraded
Starmour | Beautiful lightweight armour that glistens faintly with starlight. This item blocks physical damage at the wearer's Upgraded level. Requires a 2 post cool-down between uses.
I think therefore I am, But what if all I do is bleed?
