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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!
Leafchange came with screaming rain – not nearly as much rain as they’d had at the start of the year, but after the dry and far too hot Longheat they had, Sunjata wasn’t going to complain. Hopefully it meant that it would be easier to gather everyone here in New Haven to talk about their next task, something that Sunjata had put off for a bit between the whole ordeal with losing his heart and with Colt’s ranch burning down.
But with the notice board post stating the meeting would be happening today, he’d gathered some help to cover a section of the courtyard in New Haven with covers so the rain wouldn’t drown them all, a few of the constituents in the region had helped provide food and drinks for the meeting while they talked about what was coming next.
Sunjata doesn’t look much better than he had at the end of last season – still exhausted, rings under his gaze from the lack of sleep, but he still seems put together well enough for someone who’s new moniker was the Heartless. “Thank you all for being here.” He greets them initially, shooting a lopsided smile – entirely masked, though only the fair few would know it. “I’ve talked with Rae about making a healing river here in King’s End for all of us. But we need to decide together where we should put it. I’m open to suggestions, though I think keeping it either here in Mourn, the Boondocks, or the Barrows would make the most sense for us to access it.” He starts off, letting anyone offer in their own two cents with the three sections he’d suggested.
ME for deciding where the healing river will go! Sunjata's open for basically anywhere except Queen's Gambit. Let me know your votes!
rely a bit too heavily on alcohol & irony
BASE INSPIRED BY ODD <3
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Sunjata, without killing him <3
Sunjata speaks with an Australian accent and has a passive magic that makes him produce a subtle scent that matches exactly to whatever those around him most desire him to smell like.
Although he hasn't been in King's End long, it seems only appropriate that he stay up to date and somewhat involved in the plans impacting the Breakers who have decided to make this place their home. Some would categorize him with them, but Zavien still feels unsettled, his roots not having met soil that suits their tastes. He's still restless and uncertain, meandering through his daily life with the only goal of helping those around him without ever truly feeling like part of the community.
As such, Zavien helps set up the seating, ensuring there are enough for all who attend before choosing a comfortable post to lean against for himself. One hand propped on the hilt of his sword, he listens closely to Sunjata talk. The man looks haggard, worn in a way he hasn't seen on anyone but himself. He's heard rumors of the leader's recent ordeals - of the shifted moniker - but hasn't confirmed them for himself. They're not close enough for him to feel like he'd be a source of comfort for the man; and yet, seeing him so strained makes him wonder if he should reach out.
For now, he focuses on the decisions at hand, considering his own thoughts and opinions in silence. If the moment comes, he might speak, but for now he waits, offering encouraging nods to those he recognizes - Sunjata included.
Zavien watches and waits to hear others' opinions.
Arriving at the meeting and gathering a cup of warm tea, Thorn drifts through the crowd nodding to those he knows and even a few he doesn’t before he settles in beside Zavien with a crooked smile aimed over his way. “Hey.” He greets warmly, cradling the cup in between both hands as he turns his attention to the Flood.
The new moniker had taken the House of Midnight by storm, the Flood becoming the Heartless, and with the view of the man he sees standing there and speaking to them, he realizes it’s taken a bit more of a toll on him than he’d otherwise have expected. And once the Archon finishes speaking, Thorn looks across the crowd without anyone piping up yet, glancing over to Zavien with a shrug before he clears his voice and offers his thoughts on it.
“A healin’ river sounds great. Maybe we can keep it in Mourn an’ then it’ll be kinda central to the whole region?” Given that’s where they’re standing – a central city that felt equidistant between the Boondocks and the Barrows.
Thorn votes for Mourn!
thorn
— i am all you've ever wanted, what all the other boys all promised //
suddenly i'm spinning like a ceiling fan, around and 'round we go
With the courtyard being so close to the Sunbean it only made sense that Caly had offered to help out when it came to refreshments and drinks. Making a fair few options to set out as well as taking custom orders should anyone wish, when it starts to die down the young blonde drifts toward the outskirts of the meeting, watching as Sunjata speaks.
Her interest is piqued, because a healing river sounded phenomenal, but she wisely stays silent until everyone else has had a chance to say something. At least, so she thinks, because so far the only person to speak up is one of the courtesan’s she’s seen on occasion, and as her gaze flicks toward the Heartless with a raise of her brow. He still looked awful in comparison to the version of him she’d seen at the start of the season, but she can’t help but to agree with Thorn’s thoughts, and selfishly it’s because of the fact she lives here that she would also want it close.
“Mourn is good for me, too.” Caly calls out, bouncing back on her heels once she’s done talking, arms folding across her chest and squishing up the olive sweater she wears as she scans the rest of the crowd purely out of interest.
Jack arrives well-protected from the rain by his magic, though he nevertheless steps under the canopies so generously provided by their new and heartless leader. With his hands resting in the pockets of his Kingmaker coat and his telepathy sharp for any dissonance, he falls to a halt beside Calypso, offering her a quiet nod in greeting and arching an eyebrow towards some of the refreshments, as if to ask whether there's anything special (i.e. spiked) about them.
"Mourn is for the best," he agrees, voice carrying enough to be heard over the hush of the rain. "Lookin' at King's End from above, it's in the middle of things. Besides, fond as I am of the Boondocks, makes sense to have your healin' river central to your main city. Ain't like we can't keep supplies of water throughout the region."
Jack also votes Mourn!
you wanted perfect, you got your perfect but now I'm too perfect for someone like you
He waits, settling in while everyone listens and begins to offer their suggestions. The vast majority prefer the Boondocks, which honestly is a relief for the Heartless – not having wanted to deal with the maze in Queen’s Gambit and her wrath should they try to make an addition to it. So, he waits for a few moments until everyone seems to quiet down again, looking over toward Jack with a crooked smile for the additional insight. “Yeah, that was my thought too.” Available and easily accessible seemed like the best options.
“Mourn it is, then. Now, we’ve got a few other tasks. I’m looking for volunteers of any of these so we can make the process quicker.” He pauses, frowning a little with the initial task they have. “We need to get some unicorns rounded up and brought to the designated spot in Mourn. Then we need anyone with earth or growing magic and attuned to help accommodate for the presence of the river and relocate animals and plants. Then to dig out and level the spot where the river’s going to be and move around the trees. And lastly, to purify it with healing magic or other light related ones.” Looking out at his region and the citizens therein, he isn’t sure whether or not some preferred one over the other, but he knows if it were him he’d have a few preferences and fully intends to help out with the vast majority of them.
As for the unicorns and the ordeal they’ll have to handle, Sunjata’s smile shifts a touch apologetic and somber. “Now, some of you might know, but Colt’s starting a new venture of her own so we probably won’t have her help with it. So if anyone’s got experience, I’d love to hear from you.” For that, there’s a few in the crowd that had helped out the Deadiron Ranch on occasion who are willing to help with the unicorns, but the majority still falls to the rest of them.
Sorry for the delay! I wanted to make sure everyone had enough time to get in before I moved it on!
Now for the second round, any volunteers? You can look back at the pinned RQ note in the discord if you want a refresher for what yall signed up for or if you want to change anything up!
rely a bit too heavily on alcohol & irony
BASE INSPIRED BY ODD <3
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Sunjata, without killing him <3
Sunjata speaks with an Australian accent and has a passive magic that makes him produce a subtle scent that matches exactly to whatever those around him most desire him to smell like.
He smiles to see Hawthorn, lifting his chin in quiet greeting as he says, "Hey." It's nice to see another familiar face amongst those present, and he makes a note to catch up with his friend soon. Maybe it will help with feeling so unsettled by the move here.
Then the Archon is talking, listing out the steps and requirement for the river that would be formed in Mourn. There's a lot to be done, plenty of which he's willing to assist on.
Waiting a second to make sure he's not cutting anyone off, Zavien raises his hand from his sword in a silent request for attention. "I can help with some of the healing and any manual labor you need," he announces, offering Sunjata an encouraging smile as he lowers his hand back down. He knows it's not much, that he doesn't have magic or abilities that will make the process easier, but he's willing to help where he can and lift up those who need support along the way.
Zavien offers to help with healing the land, along with any manual labor along the way.
Having been reaching for and lighting a cigarette while Sunjata addresses them, he offers a quiet nod of agreement as they settle on Mourn for the location of the healing river. The mere mention of the unicorns has him scrunching his nose - no, Jack will not be volunteering for that thanks, though he does raise an eyebrow to hear that Colt has removed herself from the region. Her reasons are her own and the Captain frankly couldn't give a fuck why she's gone, but he knows a fellow telepath who might be interested to hear about it.
As for the rest of what needs to be done, he exhales a long and smoky breath before throwing in his two cents. "I can relocate trees an' help adjust the flow of the river," he says. A combination of earth and water magic should make it relatively simple, and as a bonus there are no horses involved.
Jack offers to help relocate trees and help the river flow more slowly! (I had to check the chat to see what he signed up for lol).
you wanted perfect, you got your perfect but now I'm too perfect for someone like you
Settled at Zavien’s side, the courtesan listens as Sunjata begins to explain the project once the explanation is done and the placement of said river is decided. The news of Colt is not new to him, but it still sparks a small frown to tug on his face that he blocks out with the sip of the cup, already quietly missing his friend despite how short of a time it felt like it had been. He remains silent while Zavien speaks and the Captain over there that he recognizes by face and reputation only.
“I’ve got healin’ magic so count me in for that one. An’ I can help move the unicorns if there’s nobody else offerin'.” He doesn’t think any of it would surprise the Flood – after all, the Archon wasn’t just his leader, he was his boss, but he settles back in for the rest of the volunteers to hopefully add their two cents.
Thorn can help with healing and the unicorn herding!
thorn
— i am all you've ever wanted, what all the other boys all promised //
suddenly i'm spinning like a ceiling fan, around and 'round we go
To the eyebrow Jack offers, Caly shakes her head silently almost as if mournful for the result, but she doesn’t hide the silver flask she lets wiggle in her hand for him to see, offering it over to him once he’s done speaking should he want it. Inside is nothing too fancy, a deep and rich bourbon to adorn the coffee of the cool morning.
Listening between everyone as they pipe up for their volunteered rolls, she rolls on her heels a touch, quietly smug about the loss of Colt and absolutely thinking along the same lines that Jack probably is. “I can help relocate the critters.” She doesn’t offer more than that though, not as she quiets down and nudges her father with a smirk. “My shifts should help.”
As offers come springing out, Sunjata makes a note of it all so he doesn’t forget – prone to that these days, it seems. A nod is offered to each of them, quiet thanks as the list slowly starts to get filled out with a variety of people all willing to make this happen, and once it’s finished he shoots them all a bright and slightly relieved smile. It was going better than expected, though the only reason he had to think otherwise was the rancher that was now gone.
So he closes the little notebook and straightens back up. “Great. Alright, so since I have all of you here, now’s a good time to open up the floor for any questions about anything else in the region you guys want to see or have questions about, feel free to let me know.” Anything else that might help in the future once this was done are welcome – but even the menial things he wants to hear about if anyone wants to share.
Alright, tasks assigned! Now to try and make sure this ME gets 3 replies for yall for leveling and stuff he’s opened the floor for any questions anyone might have or ideas for future RQs!
And THANK U ALLLLL <3
rely a bit too heavily on alcohol & irony
BASE INSPIRED BY ODD <3
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Sunjata, without killing him <3
Sunjata speaks with an Australian accent and has a passive magic that makes him produce a subtle scent that matches exactly to whatever those around him most desire him to smell like.
His thoughts return to what Sunjata had said about Colt as they begin wrapping up the meeting. He'd heard rumor of the fire, but it bothers him to find that there's truth to the rumor. As someone who's lost everything just recently, he wouldn't wish the pain on anyone, and he reminds himself to be sensitive of the topic next time he meets her.
For now, he keeps his mouth shut. He feels that Sunjata has done a great job keeping things clear and concise, leaving no gaps in understanding. It just came down to doing the work and playing their parts, and they could count on him to do whatever they need, if only as appreciation for the kindness they'd shown him and his people.
Zavien turns to Hawthorn, leaning towards him to offer a friendly smile. "Let me know when you have a free day off. We still need to catch up." He swears he's said it a million times at this point, but he misses his friend's company.
Tutting under his breath at Calypso's apparent lack of variety in her offerings, Jack promptly changes his tune to see the flask she produces, the corner of his mouth kicking up as he accepts it. Adding a shot from the flask to one of the coffees on offer, he raises the cup in a cheers once he's done and settles back to listen as they arrange themselves according to their talents and proclivities towards herding livestock.
"Torchline's able to take their healin' water outta the region," he says after a long sip of spiked coffee. It might be of interest to Sunjata or it might not, but either way it's not like it won't be useful should the archon decide to pursue such a venture. "In case you were thinkin' of havin' this river become a little more mobile in future."
Jack suggests an RQ allowing them to take the healing water with them out of King's End if needed.
you wanted perfect, you got your perfect but now I'm too perfect for someone like you
suddenly i'm spinning like a ceiling fan, around and 'round we go
She, too, lifts her cup in a small cheers once she’s pocketed the flask to settle in and listen. With their plans already made and dished out, she cradles the cup of coffee in one hand, braced against her other arm that winds around her slim figure as she adjusts how she stands. Gaze flitting toward Jack to hear his answer, Caly nods along with agreement – something like that would be immensely handy.
But in terms of other thoughts and plans for the region, she comes up relatively empty for now – stuck on the prospect of the up and coming region with the promise of the healing river. “I second that.” She calls out, before settling in again until they’re dismissed, casually glancing around to everyone else for any input they might have.
