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Character of the Season
Frail in body but dangerously quick of mind, Nikandr is the sort of character who proves that curiosity can be just as perilous as any weapon. A necromancer, inventor, and problem-solver with more ambition than self-preservation, Niki approaches the world like a puzzle box begging to be opened, even when what’s inside has teeth. Blunt, dry-witted, fiercely independent, and carrying a history best left partially buried, he has a knack for making even failure feel fascinating. Whether he’s raising the dead, moving across Caido to King's End, or experiencing a hangover for the first time, Nikandr brings a wonderfully strange spark to Caido, and we can’t wait to see what trouble his brilliant mind wanders into next.
Congratulations, Niki!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
OG Skinning provided by Kaons, with functionality and many custom plugins made by Neowulf!
With the decision made, Jack nods and falls into stride beside Iskra and Deimos, trailing back down the pathways and keeping his eyes peeled for anything, y'know, spooky. His companions' thoughts are the only ones around, at least, so he's largely free to let his other senses wander, and by the time the ominous rumbling hits them and the strange, disused path comes into view, the captain is already on edge.
Nodding at Deimos's idea, Jack exhales a silent breath and glances down the path. "Ain't suppose anyone got tell of what kind of dragon it was?" he asks. It's no good preparing a particular element that might end up being useless on the daemon, whatever form it might take. "If not, I guess it's just trial an' error 'til we know what hits."
Jack agrees with Deimos and holds fire for the time being.
Well, at the very least his sense of direction seems to be dependable, even if his magic prowess leaves more to be desired. It's easy enough going that Iskra has to wonder when they'll know if they picked the wrong path or not, and if they'd be wandering these haunted hills for hours on end chasing the tales of townsfolk. Luckily (?) the rumble that is produced seems to signify they found what they'd been looking for, which is maybe a questionable victory, what with it being a dragon and all.
At Belial's flared retreat, Iskra doesn't hesitate to send Goose off running again. "Shield never hurts," he says in agreement to Deimos' idea, grimacing into the distance where the beast isn't yet visible, but awaits all the same. "Unfortunately not," Iskra mutters with a touch of disappointment for not thinking ahead more. "I can go fire first," he offers, since his lightning variety pales under Jack's so better to let the captain wield that for testing purposes at least.
Agreed with shield and Iskra offers to use fire first.
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
Jack’s inquiry was justified, but Deimos hadn’t heard any distinctions of the dragon daemon, but then again, it made sense – he wouldn’t want any of the merchants to have been in the crosshairs. “Give me a moment,” thinking he could do something to ensure they knew what they were heading towards.
He lifted a rock from nearby, combining earth and air into smooth fixtures, and launched it over the set of mounds blocking both creature and people from one another. Within a second, there came a beam of ice, ridges and icicles flickering, freezing the stone as it went over and out of sight.
“Answers that question,” and he clenched his jaw. “I can form the earth shield so it looks like we might be part of the barrows,” after taking all of this into consideration. “Might give us a minor advantage.” Plus Iskra wouldn’t be able to melt it. And then it’d be blocking, shielding, and barraging. He had a sneaking suspicion the beast wouldn’t have to be lured like the griffins though.
So thereafter he did just as described – proffering the massive earthen shield, seemingly locking it into the side of the small hill, and giving them an opportunity to do their bidding.
--
Deimos has formed an earth shield that looks like the barrows, to give everyone the element of surprise! Go forth and all that.
Dragon Daemon: 500/500
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
08-05-2025, 03:37 PM (This post was last modified: 08-05-2025, 03:38 PM by Iskra.)
ISKRA
Iskra's eyes widen a bit at the sudden blast of ice that coats the stone as it flings overhead, a spectacle of glitter and devastation alike. It's an awesome display that fills Iskra with that familiar surge of anticipation that comes with facing off against something that could wipe you out, but which you mean to fell first. "Smart thinking," Iskra grins back at Deimos, impressed as ever at the Sword's decisive action and battlefield talents. The comment could be extended again as Deimos works to deliver not just a shield, but a disguise. It might work at first, but soon enough they'd be pinpointed by the daemon.
Falling into a ready stance under cover of the false barrow, Iskra once more withdraws a match and strikes it to life. "Any good weak points to aim for?" he asks either of them, never having personally attack a dragon before, deamon or otherwise. The limit of his range requires him to be a hell of a lot closer to a dragon than he'd prefer, and he's not about to get caught out in the open. So he waits by the shield, ready to snap the fire from his match to the deamon's hide as soon as it stumbles nearby.
Iskra will hit the dragon with fire if it gets within range
Fire Manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can manipulate flames. Must be within a 5ft radius, control is weak and unstable and requires concentration.
Type: Dark | Rank: Basic
Raising his eyebrows at the blast of ice, the slow tilt of Jack's head suggests that it's also his first time facing off against something like this - which it is. But he's seen his fair share of monsters, even if it's mostly been out at sea or on the Torchline beaches. "Sounds good to me," he mutters. As for weak points, he shrugs to Iskra and steps into the shadow of the shield that Deimos creates.
"Some stories say if you shoot 'em in the mouth, their insides are a lot less resistant to damage," he offers. "But to be honest, I reckon you could say that 'bout most things." Regardless, as soon as he spots the creature come into anything like range, he'll strike out with a whipcrack of lightning from their hiding place.
Jack offers some sage(?) advice and, once the daemon gets into range, will attack it with lightning.
Regional Score bonus: +17 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +17 should be included). Residents cannot be cursed at shrines in this region.
Lightning manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can create and control Lightning. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
Mageglass Ring | A silver ring with an unrefined stone of mageglass. Will amplify the magical abilities (range and power) of Abandoned by one level. (Basic becomes upgraded, upgraded becomes mastered. Mastered range cannot be amplified, but mastered damage will add on +10 in KQs/PQ+s)
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
Mageglass Bracelet | A bracelet of leather and silver, decorated with a piece of polished mageglass. Will amplify the magical abilities (range and power) of Abandoned by one level. (Basic becomes upgraded, upgraded becomes mastered. Mastered cannot be amplified, but mastered damage will add on +10 in KQs/PQ+s)
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
Mageglass Ring | A band of silver crafted to look like waves, with an unrefined stone of mageglass. Will amplify the magical abilities (range and power) of Abandoned by one level. (Basic becomes upgraded, upgraded becomes mastered. Mastered cannot be amplified, but mastered damage will add on +10 in KQs/PQ+s).
Type: Dark | Style: Defensive | Level: Mastered
KingMaker Coat | A coat made from the elephant-portion of the mythical KingMaker. Blocks physical damage. Has a 2 post cooldown
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
“I vote anywhere,” Deimos muttered for points upon a creature of such magnitude and might –but then they were off, melding into the soil and terrain. Quietly, amidst the subterfuge, winding their way into the shield would render the group able to fully see the daemon in question. Smaller than a regular dragon seen out in the wild, but certainly much larger than anyone’s once-companion, perhaps it had grown in its grief and anger, guarding over its masters’ last domain. The details probably scarcely mattered. The objective and goal were clear.
It snorted, lifting its nose to the wind; likely catching their scents but not yet puzzling through the meaning. Jack ‘s lightning came first though, rippling through the air with ease, casting a sizzling spark upon the beast. It roared in defiance, immediately ricocheting an icy blast nearby – but with no target to spy upon, the cretin’s siege only landed upon the earth below, freezing portions near the men’s feet.
Iskra ’s fire, though not as potent or powerful, still maintained its vigilance, searing towards the daemon’s feet. It must’ve hit in some portion, because there was another scream, and the next blast centered directly at the shield. It held – mighty and stalwart under Deimos’ strength, and he rippled another layer to its forefront, as he launched rocks at its head. They went wider than he accounted for, only piercing where the beast had stood before…because now it was taking flight, hovering over the guard.
--
Shield is holding for now~ Dragon has taken flight over said shield.
Dragon Daemon: 376/500
Deimos: 1320/1320
Jack: 150/150
Iskra: 30/30
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
The success of their assault is dwarfed beneath the shudder of their shield under the return fire. It holds, but Iskra glances first up at it, then across to Deimos, as if to ensure both are holding steady against the rampage and all the heft of the beast. Just the force of it suggests to Iskra he in fact does not want to peek his head out from under the shield like a rabbit from its hole, but the blocked view and the lack of feet to take aim at do make him equally wary.
The sound of wings is clue enough, and Iskra fears that it means to completely crush the barrow and them with it if it gains enough height. "Think the wings could be frozen? Or layered with rock?" he asks of them, creeping to the edge of the shield. He tries to drop his head down and crane his neck, angling for a peek without exposing himself, but it doesn't offer much. Another match has been lit and billows between his fingertips, ready.
Iskra suggests trying to disable its flight and is ready with fire but doesn't attack
"Ain't sure freezin' it will do much," Jack says, "even if it's just to immobilise it. I'm all for stoppin' it from flyin' around, though..." Hunkering down beneath the shield as well as he hears the flap of wings overhead, the captain follows suit with Iskra and inches towards the edge of it. "For now we'll have to just hedge our bets, I reckon. If nothin' else, I can guarantee it'll want a piece of us if we hit it."
Which... hooray? Or something?
Regardless, Jack readies his lightning about himself, the scent of ozone filling the air and sparks beginning to jump across his skin and through his dark hair. As soon as he spots the dragon come into view, he will unleash another strike, trying to aim for its wings.
Jack readies his lightning for when the dragon comes into view. When it does, he will try to strike at its wings.
Regional Score bonus: +17 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +17 should be included). Residents cannot be cursed at shrines in this region.
Lightning manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can create and control Lightning. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
Mageglass Ring | A silver ring with an unrefined stone of mageglass. Will amplify the magical abilities (range and power) of Abandoned by one level. (Basic becomes upgraded, upgraded becomes mastered. Mastered range cannot be amplified, but mastered damage will add on +10 in KQs/PQ+s)
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
Mageglass Bracelet | A bracelet of leather and silver, decorated with a piece of polished mageglass. Will amplify the magical abilities (range and power) of Abandoned by one level. (Basic becomes upgraded, upgraded becomes mastered. Mastered cannot be amplified, but mastered damage will add on +10 in KQs/PQ+s)
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
Mageglass Ring | A band of silver crafted to look like waves, with an unrefined stone of mageglass. Will amplify the magical abilities (range and power) of Abandoned by one level. (Basic becomes upgraded, upgraded becomes mastered. Mastered cannot be amplified, but mastered damage will add on +10 in KQs/PQ+s).
Type: Dark | Style: Defensive | Level: Mastered
KingMaker Coat | A coat made from the elephant-portion of the mythical KingMaker. Blocks physical damage. Has a 2 post cooldown
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
A long sigh filtered through the Sword. He’d seen and participated in multitudes of battles, but dragons had never been his favorite fights. Too many gone from the power of their assaults and sieges, and while this one was nowhere near the prowess, size, and impact of those within Halo’s reaches, the Climb, or the Draig, he wasn’t about to take it lightly.
His jaw clenched, eyes flickering upwards, watching from the edges of the barrier as everyone else – opting to adjust his fixtures. “I will be glad to hit it anywhere, truthfully,” he mentioned to Iskra, partially because at some point it would scarcely matter. If they didn’t get rid of it, they’d be here for quite some time.
Deimos waited until Jack unleashed his lightning before doing anything further. When the dragon dipped, needing to get into range itself to fire anything off at them, the lightning loosened its barrage, zapping, sparking, and searing across the daemon’s makeshift scales. The beast roared, still defiant, but certainly depleted from the assault.
Regardless, it began to take aim and fire – icy shards raining down once more. But this time, the Warden seized the opportunity, snagging at his Air and flickering the siege right back at the manifestation. More than a little shocked to see its own assault flying back at it, the beast’s eyes widened, but it took the full brunt of the exchange.
One of its wings became damaged, and much like Iskra had hoped for, it flickered downwards on a hazardous spiral, not quite crashing into the ground nearby, but certainly lacking the grace from before.
--
Jack and Deimos hit the daemon and it has been grounded for now.
Dragon Daemon: 165/500
Deimos: 1320/1320
Jack: 150/150
Iskra: 30/30
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
"Looks like you got your wish," Jack says with a grim smile over his shoulder towards Deimos, face illuminated by the residual sparks of lightning that flicker through his hair. He winces at the sound of the dragon's clumsy landing, its shrieking something he'd really rather silence sooner rather than later. As a result, already sidestepping Iskra to avoid any volleys of fire he might send out, Jack ducks from beneath the shield to get himself back in range.
He doesn't plan to put himself in danger if he doesn't have to, but equally he doesn't want to leave the dragon time to get itself properly upright. With that in mind, the second he sees the daemon, he'll unleash another bolt of lightning directly towards it, as ruthless in this as he is in any of his other undertakings.
Jack gets himself in range and unleashes another bolt of lightning!
Regional Score bonus: +17 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +17 should be included). Residents cannot be cursed at shrines in this region.
Lightning manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can create and control Lightning. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
Mageglass Ring | A silver ring with an unrefined stone of mageglass. Will amplify the magical abilities (range and power) of Abandoned by one level. (Basic becomes upgraded, upgraded becomes mastered. Mastered range cannot be amplified, but mastered damage will add on +10 in KQs/PQ+s)
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
Mageglass Bracelet | A bracelet of leather and silver, decorated with a piece of polished mageglass. Will amplify the magical abilities (range and power) of Abandoned by one level. (Basic becomes upgraded, upgraded becomes mastered. Mastered cannot be amplified, but mastered damage will add on +10 in KQs/PQ+s)
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
Mageglass Ring | A band of silver crafted to look like waves, with an unrefined stone of mageglass. Will amplify the magical abilities (range and power) of Abandoned by one level. (Basic becomes upgraded, upgraded becomes mastered. Mastered cannot be amplified, but mastered damage will add on +10 in KQs/PQ+s).
Type: Dark | Style: Defensive | Level: Mastered
KingMaker Coat | A coat made from the elephant-portion of the mythical KingMaker. Blocks physical damage. Has a 2 post cooldown
08-08-2025, 06:34 PM (This post was last modified: 08-08-2025, 06:35 PM by Iskra.)
ISKRA
He doesn't have long to consider their plans about stopping flight or not with their available means. Too used to limited range and power, he's perhaps more focused on exploiting weak points than they are, but the brute force approach seems to be effective, some tension in his shoulders easing as the beast careens down nearby. "Good," he mutters, ready to extinguish this threat too. It's staggered a bit by their efforts, and now with it in better view and a bit handicapped, Iskra feels braver about peeking out from the shelter. Perhaps with all of them descending upon it, this will be it's final rest.
Lit match in hand, Iskra steps in alongside Jack, leaving space, but equally edging closer to the daemon. Closer than he'd like, to be sure, to be counted as in range, so he sure is fucking hoping the lightning and whatever Deimos will conjure can keep it down. Iskra sends his fire towards the dragon as he draws in a steadying breath, concentrating on the thread of magic glimmering like a livewire amid a dark space between him and the match.
Iskra steps in range and fire blasts embers it.
Fire Manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can manipulate flames. Must be within a 5ft radius, control is weak and unstable and requires concentration.
Type: Dark | Rank: Basic
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
The dragon daemon, in all its righteous anger and rage, thrashed against the ground, striving to get itself upright. The tail whipped and throttled, and had there been no earthen shield, all three of them would’ve felt the sting and lash of the flailing limb. Instead, the ground within Deimos’ grasp held – diligent and strong.
So it compelled another momentous blow, spying Jack. A flurry of ice chunks unfurled from its mouth once more. The Abandoned’s luck held though, for between ducking underneath the barrier and striving to remain in range, the shards veered off rock and rubble, leaving his lightning open and ready for the siege. Another set of sparking blows pierced the fallen creature, and despite the screeching and shrieking, Jack was never once deterred nor distracted from his task.
Iskra would find himself in a similar situation. Distracted and bellowing in pain, the beast had no time to rally another volley, and the fire contorted across its scales, dastardly and fierce. Deimos followed up with another momentous blow, combining his earthen incantations with air and water, ensuring the billowing portions lanced and succeeded.
In a final outcry, the ghostly existence snuffed out – disappearing into the ether much like its flying predecessors, and was simply no more.
Snorting and shaking his head, and permitting a long, drawn out sigh to filter through, the Sword waited a few moments before withdrawing the shield, letting the barrows settle back into their true counterparts. “Everyone all right?”
--
And the daemon is very dead. Check yourselves over and make sure the area’s cleaned up, then they can get ready to head out!
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
The daemon perishes in a wall of sparks and flame and Deimos's elemental prowess, Jack having to raise a hand to shield his face from the ghastly illumination until it dies down. When he straightens up properly again - panting a little from the spell-slinging exertion and having to dodge literal shards of ice from the dragon - it's to the last vestiges of the ghostly dragon disappearing into the ether.
Sighing out a long breath (unintentionally echoing the Sword), Jack shakes out his hands and rolls his shoulders. "In one piece," he confirms. "This a common occurrence in King's End, you think? Fuck livin' in a place like this if it is." It's bad enough dealing with the ordinary hazards of a region (monsoons and volcanos, oh my) without spooky shit like this on top of it all.
Nodding between Deimos and Iskra, Jack steps fully out from beneath the shield now and peers around. "Doesn't look like there's much damage done. It was just squattin' out here." Not that he would know - he doesn't visit many barrows as a rule.
Jack scouts around but determines (rightly or wrongly) that there's nothing worth cleaning up for him.
08-09-2025, 08:47 AM (This post was last modified: 08-09-2025, 08:48 AM by Iskra.)
ISKRA
Overkill at least always gets the job done.
Iskra exhales with relief, unaware he'd been holding it in while he concentrated on the flame and its path towards the deamon's demise, just one of many elemental currents lobbed towards the unruly phantom. The unease of being away from the shelter and close to the thrashing creature ripples away with each breath and the dissolving phantasmal material as the soul drifts away from this plane. "All good!" Iskra says after mentally running the last few moments back, hands smoothing over his chest and patting his legs. The subsiding adrenaline would likely alert him soon if anything had been harmed, the pain able to break in, but he should be good this time, no nurse Zuriel needed. "Everywhere's got something," Iskra shrugs, although he agrees that he'd rather take on the ursurs he's more familiar with on the tundra than these ghastly echoes.
Lifting his hand over his eyes to squint down the barrows for any signs of destruction, Iskra can't tell what's a normal part of the rocky slopes and carved mounds and what's the signs of the dragon. The ice at least would melt. "I think we're set," Iskra confirms, kicking a rock to the side as he turns back towards Deimos, planning to head home with him if that's where the Sword is headed next.
