Click here for a list of weather descriptions, seasonal festivals, and a real time:site time conversion.
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!
The barren wasteland of Hak Etme brought back the unwelcome memories of his recent experience. Bones rising from the ground like giant dogs. Walls of flames and strangers' faces. And Maea's limp form in the sand. He still didn't know what'd become of Maea after Flora had vanished with her, but he'd had his own tasks to focus on. Maybe after Nature Frey helped him get his dragon, Zavien would take the time to investigate the following events.
In the meantime, the Dragoon trekked across the sandy dunes, shielding his eyes from the occasional snapping wind. The Draig Cordillera towered over the horizon, a beacon and a warning to all those who dared approach. He'd never personally traveled to the area, but the rumors of hordes of dragons called to his spirit like a song. Even if they were dangerous and deadly, he couldn't deny his admiration for the creatures, evident by his current quest.
Dragging his eyes away from the mountains breaking the clear blue sky, Zavien found the base of a hill that finally seemed suitable to his needs. Clearing a ditch, he pulled his supplies from his bag: a bag of Hak Etme sand (not that there was a lack of it here), an armload of fiery stone and gemstones, and the meat from an allogator he'd hunted. In addition, he removed supplies for a fire. Then he began to set the stones in a large circle to create a sparkling wall that would contain his fire. Next, he dumped the sand and firewood into the middle. Settling next to it, he struck a match to start his bonfire. With nothing and no one in sight, Zavien felt relieved knowing the flames wouldn't spread, and people wouldn't be subjected to his horrible cooking skills. He couldn't burn down a kitchen if he wasn't in a kitchen.
08-26-2024, 11:09 AM (This post was last modified: 08-26-2024, 11:09 AM by Talyson.)
The Peregrine coasted above the desert on wings of canvas and plumage of aged teak, driven by the wind and the magic that kept her aloft. Although Flowerbirth was the gentlest of seasons in the desert, the skyboat's captain didn't seem inclined to stop and smell the flowers this time. Not after what had happened the last time!
His dragon, however, had both a shorter memory and a much better sense of smell.
The glacial-pale companion had been soaring above and a little ahead of the boat when she suddenly flapped her wings and banked into a circle, senses sharpening onto the ground far below. That was all the warning that Tal got before she folded her wings and dove, arrowing down towards where a small fire was sending up a thin trail of smoke. "Boreal!" he yelled after his dragon, but she conveniently opted not to hear him as she was drawn to the scent of cooking meat like a nugget of iron to a lodestone.
Tal had to wrestle the rigging and the tiller to cut the Peregrine's forward momentum and bring her down in a gentle spiral before he could 'land' by dropping the ground anchor from a dozen feet up and shimmying down the rope ladder he dropped over his skyboat's side. His dragon had long since presented herself to Zavien with bright eyes and a bass grumble of greeting, offering her head for scritches while surreptitiously trying to worm her way closer to the roasting meat.
As he placed the prepared meat on a spicket, rotating it around, the smoke and delectable scent began to waft into the air. Although the entire purpose of the task was to ultimately meet a dragon, he wasn't expecting to meet one so soon, or so familiar. Still, he laughed loudly as Boreal trampled up beside him, immediately drawn to the bonfire and its contents. Zavien held her back slightly, rubbing a hand along her head. "Hey girl! What are you doing here? As much as I'd love to share with you, this is for another lucky dragon. However.." The ever-present jerky in his pocket was presented to the dragon as a compromise. "This is all yours."
Glancing around, he spotted the Peregrine anchoring nearby, smiling brightly. "At least you didn't leave Tal too far in the dust." Zavein chuckled again, offering her another treat as he gave a welcome wave to Tal.
Distracted by scritches, Boreal paused her advance on the meat to lean against Zavien's side and push her head into his fingers, grumbling happily. She might not have stayed distracted for long, but the appearance of jerky quickly caught her attention and her nostrils widened as she inhaled the beloved smell of her favorite treat. She looked at the cooking meat longingly, but in the end she relented and accepted the jerky with dainty gentleness from the human's hand, settling down at his feet to worry and gnaw at the meat-game with contentment.
Tal managed to catch up at the tail end of the exchange and he waved back with a sheepish smile. "Hey, Zavien! Sorry 'bout this. Hope she's not causin' too much trouble for you..." He trailed off, taking in the circle of shiny stones amidst the sand and the fire burning merrily in their midst. The aroma of the meat hit his nose and he sniffed appreciatively, his grin turning wry. "Though I can see why she stopped! What're y'doin' havin' a barbecue way out in th'middle o'nowhere, anyways?"
Rubbing his hand over Boreal's head, Zavien chuckled. "Of course not! She's always welcome, as are you." He waved for Tal to join him by the fire, happy for the company. Maybe it would keep him from burning the meat. With that in mind, he rotated the allogator meat, letting it glisten with juice.
Considering the location sheepishly, the purpose seemed easier to explain that his reasoning for the place. His green eyes were sparkling brilliantly as he said, "It's part of my quest for my own dragon." He let the statement sink in, giving Tal a wide, excited smile. Since the Accepted had Boreal, Zavien knew he'd grasp the gravity of getting his own companion. He just couldn't wait to meet the being he'd get to share his life with.
Even so, Tal's presence was a pleasant surprise. "What are you doing out this way?"
Tal grinned sheepishly at his dragon's antics and didn't hesitate to plop himself down next to his fellow Accepted with Boreal between them, protected from the heat of the desert by his Frostbite Cuff. If the dragon started to get distracted by the cooking meat again, he figured one or both of them could grab her before she could get to it. He had lots of practice at it, after all!
And it sounded like a skill that Zavien was going to need to learn, too! Tal's face split into a wide grin at the news of the quest, and he reached over to clap his friend on the shoulder in congratulations. "Hey, that's awesome! We can't wait t'meet 'em!" Boreal had never met a baby companion that she didn't try to mother - a habit she'd picked up from growing up with Tal's sled dogs in the years before the War and the invention of skyships - and Tal was just happy that Zavien would have some company for his various travels around Caido. "Just let us know when we can come visit!" Hopefully soon!
Retrieving his hand so he could rest it between Boreal's wings, scritching lightly - and making sure she didn't try to surreptitiously wriggle forward - he shrugged at the question in return. "Just th'usual, really. Takin' some packages from th'Grounds t'Halo." Working his ass off, same old same old. Which made Flora's last little dig at him for not making many deliveries for Caido's Famous and Powerful lately even more annoying, but what could you do?
"Who'd y'get your quest from?" he asked instead, deflecting back onto what was hopefully a more interesting topic.
"Of course! You'll be right at the top of the list!" He didn't mention that Lena was technically the top of the list. Instead, he offered Boreal another piece of jerky as he turned the meat again. It looked to his untrained eyes that it would only need another minute or two. The fire had burned strong enough that it was working faster than expected. That also meant the heat was hotter, bringing forth a sheen of sweat on his brow.
Wiping away the moisture with an arm, he smiled at Tal. "Well, I'm glad your travels brought you out this way! I've missed our bonfire sessions." His grin was playful, filled with memories of sweet treats on an even hotter biome.
At the next question, he paused. Knowing Tal wasn't on great terms with the herald, Zavien was a little reluctant, but he said, "It was actually Nature Frey." He didn't think his friend would blame him, especially considering his own bad experience had been with Sex Frey, which the Dragoon had no desire to contact. However, he still felt a need to explain a little. "Another friend was telling me all about them, and I thought that since a dragon is part of nature, it might be a good idea."
Tal beamed at being told he was at the top of someone's list, blissfully oblivious to being in second place. Boreal was just happy to be bribed with jerky, and she licked Zavien's hand with a broad, rough tongue before accepting the treat to nibble on daintily. Tal grinned down at her, knowing that she was putting on her best manners for an audience, before looking back to his friend with a snort of amusement.
"I've had worse traditions," he admitted ruefully. "Fire an' food an' a friend is definitely one o' th'better ones!" Even if this time around they weren't getting to eat the practice snacks! At least they weren't in danger of falling into an open volcano?
Maybe he'd been hoping to hear Safrin or Ludo's name, but the mention of Frey didn't sting as much as it used to. There was a moment of hesitation on the courier's part, an odd look on his face as if he was prodding a place where a sore tooth had been, only to find it gone, and then a release of the breath he'd been half-holding. "Yeah? I think all th'gods'll help with companions, but it makes sense," he agreed slowly. "It's better'n my new quest from Ludo, at least." He reluctantly drew his Dagger from its sheath and turned it idly in his fingers so it caught the light of the sun and fire in alternating flashes. "I think it'll be my last one from it. It's gettin' t'be askin' too much." He cleared his throat awkwardly, eyes on the blade with its sheen of divine poison glimmering faintly on the steel. "You, uh... don't happen t'have any healin' items on y'by chance, do you?"
Content to let the dragon rough up his skin with her sandpaper tongue, Zavien chuckled lightly. "I can agree with that! Beats finding trouble. That seems to be one of my talents." He gave Tal a wide grin, thinking of the times he'd found himself in the middle of a Void infested swamp, a herd of moving skeletons, or the appearance of a certain leader on his mission. He definitely preferred the sweet aroma of smoke and food with present company.
Zavien didn't miss the slight shift of expression, but he didn't comment on it, fully aware of the fact that it would probably bring up sore memories. Tal's cryptic words had him raising his eyebrow though. "At least you can always refuse." However, before he could elaborate or ask questions, he was rummaging through his bag. "I don't have any magical healing items, but I have some first aid. They require that all Dragoons carry them. Just in case." His head was down as he searched for the small pouch of gauze, poultice, and other various items in his cramped bag. While he searched, he didn't look Tal's way, asking, "Why? Are you hurt?"
TW: This post contains self-harm for a God Quest "You an' me both!" Tal's agreement was maybe a little too fervent to be entirely a joke, but haha, what was a little PTSD between friends, right? And speaking of trouble, the courier was reminded of his current quest. One that he could have absolutely refused, if he wasn't so determined to make himself less of a deadweight the next time he ran into Big Trouble in Little Halo. The memory of the Voidshade Ursur's violet roar still gave him nightmares - as did the memory of his missed attacks against the corrupted bear.
Magical healing might have been preferred, but fuck it, he had his ring for that. It would take several charges now, but if Zavien could patch him up in between he'd probably be okay. Mostly. More or less. As the gauze and poultice came out Tal took a deep breath and shoved his sleeve up, aiming for a place a little to the side of the previous scar on his arm. "Yup. An', uh, for what it's worth... I'm real sorry about this. I just gotta get it over with," he apologized, the words coming fast and already carrying a wince in them as he tensed and then forced the blade down into the meat of his forearm. Even with his teeth clenched he let out a strangled yowl and hurriedly pulled the Dagger out so he could trigger his Ring of Mending and send a burst of Healing through the wound to staunch the worst of the flow. The poison was stronger than the Ring these days, however, and there was still plenty of damage left for Zavien to wrap while the Ring recharged.
Totally oblivious to the self-inflicted trauma about to occur, Zavien focused his efforts on procuring the supplies while thinking about all the fun things he still hoped to do with friends. Bonfires were obviously a hit. Maybe he could hold a house party? Or a welcome party for his new dragon? Or maybe someone would throw another ball! He hadn't gotten the chance to attend the last one. With these warm fuzzy thoughts in his mind, Zavien turned to find Tal bleeding profusely from an arm wound he swore wasn't there before.
He quickly jumped into action, his soldier brain taking note of the damage as he cursed lightly under his breath (think "dagnabit" level). As the glow of Tal's healing ring staunched the majority of the flow, he didn't feel the need for a tourniquet, but he still wrapped a strip of gauze tightly around the wound, putting pressure on the site. The tight grasp would probably add to the pain, yet if it could stop the man from bleeding out, that's what he'd do. Concern radiated from him as the gauze already turned a light pink. He growled at the sight, but tried to reassure his friend. "Don't worry. I've got you. Just stay with me." Zavien didn't know how if Tal would be squeamish or lose too much to remain conscious, so he tried to think of other questions to keep him focused. "What happened, Tal?"
While waiting for a response, his observant gaze took in the dagger and the previous scar, eyes widening as the courier's strange words and the evidence before him clicked into place. Before he could stop the words, he shouted, "Seriously, Tal?! This is what Ludo has you doing?!" Part of him wanted to slap some sense into the man, but with his hands occupied and themanalready injured, he chose to restrain himself. Instead, he just shook his head, pity and disappointment overwhelming the anger. Zavien hadn't met Mort's herald, but he could already feel an opinion being formed about it. To make his friend do something so painful to himself was despicable. Yet, Tal couldn't go without blame. He could have said no. Zavien would've expected that. He thought he'd known the courier better than that.
Confused and more than a little blindsided, the Dragoon looked up with painfully green eyes. "Why would you do this?" It was almost a whisper, the betrayal lacing his tone, a stark contrast to the joy he'd been feeling just moments before.
The wound didn't look good, but Tal was made of sturdier stuff than his Dagger could take out in one hit, at least. He ground his teeth together against the pain, but he was, sadly, getting used to the experience. And at least it didn't come with the soul-sucking despair that the Voidshade Ursur's roar had carried with it the last time he'd been hit so hard.
He relinquished his arm to Zavien's care with relief even if it meant some extra pain from the binding of the wound, wincing a little but managing to find a weak smile - or at least, faintly upward twitch of his lips - at his friend's assurances. "No worries. Not goin' - hsst - anywhere," he reassured him in return. Boreal, just as surprised as Zavien at her bonded's sudden pain, snorted angrily but snuggled tight against him as her tail lashed behind them, sweeping through the sand in a display of high emotion she didn't dare vent in any other way.
Before Tal could answer his friend's very reasonable question or do more than drop the Dagger so he could reach awkwardly over to pat Boreal with his uninjured hand, Zavien had done the math and joined the dragon in being pissed off. Which... yeah, Tal winced but didn't argue. It wasn't his brightest impulse, and he was going to have a lot of apologizing to do. Especially when those big, sad, puppydog eyes were turned on him, piercing right to his grouchy little heart.
"Ah... fuck, I'm sorry, Zav. Really I am. I was afraid if I thought about it too hard I'd chicken out, an' if I didn't have someone around t'help I'd have a hail of a time bindin' th'hole up afore I could Heal it," he admitted with yet another wince. "I know it wasn't fair, springin' this on you." And hooo boy did he owe the Dragoon an explanation now. And maybe he was babbling a bit to try and distract himself from the pain. "It's th'price o' makin' my Dagger stronger. Well, th'poison on it, leastwise. Ludo wanted me t'know what I was - fuckin' ow - inflictin' on others with it, if It was gonna make it stronger." And at least this time he only had to stab himself once? ...But maybe telling Zavien that wasn't the best idea right now.
"Believe me, I wouldn't be doin' this without good reason. But th'last Voidmonster I fought..." He trailed off, jaw tensing as his eyes went momentarily distant. The pain brought him back before he could get lost in the memory, and he drew a sharp breath and activated the Ring again, his brow easing as the wound finally closed and the gauze stopped turning red. "That stuff isn't fuckin' around. An' th'only thing I can do against 'em is t'stab 'em. An' th'more damage I can do in one hit, th'faster they go down, an' th'less they hurt me an' my friends."
As hurt and frustrated as he was, Zavien still didn't enjoy seeing his friend in pain. The moment the oozing of blood seemed to stop, he decreased the pressure, although he kept his hands there as support in case the wound opened back up. All the while, he listened to the rushed apologies and excuses. He could tell that Tal really was sorry, but the physical and mental wound had still landed.
Sighing, he sat back on his heels, finally releasing his hold to run a hand through his sweat slick hair. "I can understand your reasoning. Gods know I've felt the same, but to harm yourself..." He shook his head, trying to push aside the actions and focus on the friend he knew. "Even if I can't support the methods, I hope you understand that I will always support you. You're my friend and I would never abandon you to fight alone." His eyes were earnest and sincere as he looked to Tal. He would never judge someone for their choices and he hoped his friend knew that, but he also would have preferred a warning. But then again he thought, would he have let Tal do it? Zavien wasn't so sure.
Then some of the rambling came back to him. "Wait. There's poison on it?! Tal! I don't have any antidotes! Are you going to be okay?!" He rushed to grab the arm again and look at the skin, checking for any black, purple, or green hues. Fear coursed through his veins. Was he going to see another person die in the sands of Hak Etme? Why was Tal so calm about it? He kept looking at the man, wondering if this would be the last moments they'd be able to spend together.
As the pain was Healed away to more manageable levels Tal was able to relax a little, though he left his arm in Zavien's care. He felt bad enough for what he was putting his friend through, and if it made the other man feel even a little bit better the courier was more than willing to let him keep tending to the faded wound.
When the dragoon sat back, Tal exhaled a deep breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding. He dropped his other hand to scritch Boreal's shoulders in apology, though the dragon huffed and grumbled in subdued protest, clearly not appeased.
"Thanks, Zavien. That really does mean th'world t'me. An'... t'be honest, I guess it's why I felt safe enough t'do it with you," he admitted without meaning to. "Hadn't really been plannin' on doin' it yet, but... you're a good friend. An' I knew I was gonna need help t'get through it. Help that wasn't gonna try an' stop me," he added ruefully, not realizing he was echoing the other man's thoughts.
Both Elizabeth and Sah would have stopped him if they'd been able to get to him in time during his last quest, he knew. But they'd also made him realize the importance of having someone else around to help him in the aftermath. Still, maybe he should have warned Zavien...? "Actually, there's somethin' else for this quest I could use some help with--" he started to say, right before his friend yelped and grabbed his arm, causing the courier to wince as freshly-healed skin pulled taut over new muscle. "Ouch! Hey, it's okay! Th'Ring got rid o' it," he rushed to assure his friend. "Th' poison's kinda... instant-use? It doesn't linger, promise!"
