What do you get when two ruthless assassins raise their daughter travelling through the wildest reaches of Caido? Take one look at Theea and you'll get a pretty good idea. Cheerful and tenacious in equal measure, and curious beyond all else, she began her journey on a mission to find those her mother once called family. And find them she did, soon rubbing elbows with demigods, leaders and even ghosts from the past. Her determination is resolute, her thirst for knowledge unmatched. We can't wait to see where her next adventure takes her!
Congratulations, Theea!
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!
09-09-2024, 11:36 AM (This post was last modified: 09-12-2024, 09:20 AM by Koa.)
Koa
There's going to come a day when you feel better You'll rise up free and easy on that day
Having sent out invites with the date (today) and time (in about an hour), you arrive at the Grotto early enough that the sun is barely in the sky, grey and pink light seeping across a distant horizon. Recent forays near the entrance to this bramble have left you with distaste in your mouth, and a burning desire to affect some meaningful change. Once, when you were young, the Grotto was your playground.
Now it's a monument to corruption and the dark, both purple and people in persuasion.
The letter had instructed Lena and Zavien to bring what they thought would best help. You've taken stock of your own supply: bracers, ring, chakram, and wraps lie on a nearby stone, waiting to be put on, as well as some extra padded armor and three headlamps. The encounter with the shadow serpent had been a strong reminder that not everyone was as well equipped as you, though now as you look upon your bounty you're rather off-put by how measly it is. Really you need to work on arming yourself if you're going to be doing any sort of meaningful heroics, but that's a problem for another day.
For now you wait for your companions, while Pip looks on from a nearby perch. Too antsy to be still you've decided to do some stretching, and as the sun rises your body bends, a soldier's silhouette against the rosy sky.
This is a PQ+ to clear void matas / smugglers from the Grotto! Please post your characters arriving and any supplies they brought! Koa has everything on his profile, headlamps for everyone, and some extra padded armor for the squad.
Being ever punctual, Zavien arrived to the Grotto with an abundance of energy and a positive attitude. He immediately gave Koa a wave, stepping down to the looming entrance of darkness and potential danger. Unlike his friend, he hadn't spent much time in the tunnel system as a kid, preferring the dirt clearings above ground for playing and training. His recent visit didn't add to his desire to explore the area, however, for his friends and the overall being of Stormbreak, he was more than willing.
Sol rested on his shoulder, peering into the shadows with a curious tilt of his head. Zavien made sure to instill caution in the little dragon, not wanting him to run off into any danger so soon. They would need some extensive training before he allowed the companion to do more than be present.
Joining Koa, he offered a friendly smile. "Hey! Lena's not here yet?"
Zavien arrives with Sol, his sword, and a travel pack full of pertinent supplies!
Be like a solid tower whose brave height remains unmoved by all the winds that blow.
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
09-09-2024, 04:50 PM (This post was last modified: 09-09-2024, 06:17 PM by Lena.)
Lena
This was something - and Lena would be damned if she was going to wallow when grit and determination were at the forefront of her mind now.
Having previously encountered the Grotto with Sohalia and Everest, she knew some portions of what to expect. Her shifts could do a great deal amidst the portions where neither land-based man would be able to maneuver, and if she had the opportunity to be helpful, she’d snag it immediately.
So, she snagged a few herbs from her gardens, bandages, rope, food, and canteens, and stuffed them all into her simple bag, along with her healing staff, before making her way down to the Grotto. Mittens wouldn’t be left behind, so it hovered alongside as they traversed, and she waved to her assembled friends. “Sorry! There were a few new ramphires that needed tending,” she explained upon arrival, brushing her hair out of her face and hoisting the bag up higher along her shoulder.
Granting both Zavien and Koa a smile, one of stalwart impact, she glanced at the armor, which she’d never worn, and the headlamps, that would be beneficial. “Where do we start?”
--
Lena has brought Mittens, her healing staff, and a bag filled with herbs, bandages, rope, food, and canteens filled with water.
sunlight on mist; summer lightning your choices outweigh your substance
There's going to come a day when you feel better You'll rise up free and easy on that day
Zavien earns a warm grin as he appears at your side - a warm, upside-down grin, because you're currently in one of those yoga poses that has your head between your thighs. You know the ones. "Hey, not yet. Just gettin' warmed up, wanna join?" Whether he says yes or not, you'll finish your set - there's not much left, and you are nothing if not a stickler for routine.
From her perch Pip opens an eye to gaze imperiously at Sol, who she still has a strange sort of superiority-slash-inferiority complex toward. She perks up more when Lena appears, rising up on her hind legs to trill a greeting to the Caretaker. It gets your attention and you turn around, raising your hand in an eager wave before bounding toward the brunette.
"Alright, great. Gang's all here. Now before we get started: gear." Gesturing toward your proffered wares, you look back at your friends. "Everyone should have padded armor at least. Normal Matas can be nippy; the void ones are even worse. And then weapons- Zav, I figured you might wanna use the chakram again? But like, actually throw it this time." You chuckle, reaching out to playfully punch the other Dragoon.
"Lena... I wasn't sure what you'd be comfortable with. But I got this," you say, reaching down into his bag and pulling out a small buckler with a black-and-silver dragon motif, "That I thought you might like. It was my Ma's," you add softly, smile sad and crooked. "She always admired your work in the Celestine. I think she'd be happy, knowin' you were using it."
Gear up! Koa has offered Zavien use of his chakram, and Lena a bracer that used to belong to his mom! He also insists you all wear armor, and will let you borrow any of his other items.
And float from branch to branch, lighter than the air Just when that day is coming, who can say?
Zavien was about to say 'yes' and join in whatever strange contortions Koa was exhibiting, but then Lena was arriving and he breathed a sigh of relief. Shooting her a matching smile, he joined them around the equipment, gratefully accepting the offered armor and chakram. A blush painted his cheeks as he said, "Right. Throw it." He made a practice movement as emphasis, imagining it sailing through the air at some purplish creature. It felt more comfortable in his hands the second time around and he hoped to make good use of it. Flashing Koa a grin, he added, "Thanks."
The Dragoon then proceeded to add the strange, padded armor to his body. It reminded him of sparring equipment, but at least it was an extra layer of protection. He was tempted to try and slide something on Sol, but he was too busy flapping his wings to try attracting the attention of the older dragon.
Once he was gear up, he looked to the others. He tried not intrude on the moment Koa was obviously having, so he stepped away to keep his companion from leaping at Pip while he waited for them.
Zavien accepts the chakram and puts on some padded armor!
Be like a solid tower whose brave height remains unmoved by all the winds that blow.
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
The Caretaker gave a greeting to both dragon companions via Attuned reaches, before snagging her attention upon the matters at hand.
Her eyes went to the armor, uncertain if she was discomfited by the nature of it or the idea that she had to wear it to be protected against whatever they were due to face – but her fingers went for it regardless, beginning to place it on herself, feeling awkward and stiff and not entirely sure if she was doing it correctly. “I’ll warn you, that if I have to shift, I can’t wear any of -,”
She stopped, of course, when Koa offered the buckler; dragon emblems and ancestral insignias, with a dose of melancholy and lost things. Taking a long breath, she tilted her head, glancing back at the Dragoon. “Of course.” Strapping it on, and withholding something in herself too, she granted a warm and bright smile to him. “She was an amazing person. I’ll use it with pride.” And try not to fail so utterly this time.
--
Lena gears up!
sunlight on mist; summer lightning your choices outweigh your substance
There's going to come a day when you feel better You'll rise up free and easy on that day
"Yeah, she was." There's a lump in your throat that you cannot deny, one you simply don't have time for now. So you swallow it down, ignoring the pain behind your eyes at any mention of your mom and plastering on a confident smile in place of real feeling.
Dark, but we gotta survive.
"Alright!" Rubbing your hands together, you take in your assembled team. Lena, Zavien, Mittens, Sol, and of course Pipsqueak who has hopped from her rock and is now sniffing aloofly at the younger wyrm. Maybe they aren't demigods, but you wouldn't replace 'em for the world. "Everyone grab a headlamp, and let's head in. Keep your eyes sharp, and stick together."
And so you head into the tunnel of vines and roots and gods know what else, swallowing as the Longheat sun fades away to the perpetual murky dust for which the Grotto is known.
------
The first few minutes are pretty uneventful. The path is wide here, familiar and well-worn, a popular haven for kids and lovers. Deeper in things start to change: three branching paths open in the murk, one left and down, one right and even, one central and arcing up. "Thoughts?" you ask, looking to your companions for their opinions on the choice ahead. None seems more decrepit than any other. Really, it's anybody's game.
Vote on the path you think we should take! Right, Center, or Left!
And float from branch to branch, lighter than the air Just when that day is coming, who can say?
With the moment gone, Zavien stepped forward to gratefully accept a headlamp. And then they were off. The dusky darkness of the underground swallowing them without remorse. Sol gave a mournful trill, and he sent the little dragon a wave of reassurance that he didn't quite feel himself. He had no doubt that he and his friends would protect each other, but who knew what they'd encounter (except Shark and the admins).
After some time, they came along a split in the path and Koa called for their opinions. Zavien looked down all the passageways, looking for any differences. However, other than the slope of the path, nothing seemed to distinguish them from each other. Shrugging his shoulders, he said, "Well, the whole point is for us to go down below the city, right? So I'd think we want to take the left one."
Zavien thinks they should take the left path!
Be like a solid tower whose brave height remains unmoved by all the winds that blow.
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
Glancing down at the ground, or purposefully tightening knots as Koa gathered himself, she breathed another solid and stalwart essence into her chest, formed the determination, and gave more encouragement through smiles. She grabbed a headlamp, but figured she wouldn’t need to use it – there, just in case.
Instinctively, the moment they reached the darkening portions, her eyes shifted to cat-like portions – reminiscent of her newest Attuned measure underneath the skin. It made walking along the familiar path easier, a little hum hastening upon her tongue, until they came to the splitting pathways. Mittens scowled and growled for no real reason, while her gaze took in every portion.
Nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing suspicious. They all knew better, but then again, there would always be alternatives. “We can go left,” she opted to agree with Zavien, not particularly fussed either way, and not wanting to cause any dramatics. “If it doesn’t work out, we turn around and try one of the others,” she offered with sentiments of probably misplaced-optimism.
--
Lena uses a half-shift of cat eyes to see better in the dark, and agrees with the left.
sunlight on mist; summer lightning your choices outweigh your substance
There's going to come a day when you feel better You'll rise up free and easy on that day
"Left it is," you agree, leading the way down the path.
The narrow trail starts at a gentle slope, but it isn't long before things change. About twenty feet in the tunnel grows steep, a near-vertical mass of vines about ten feet high looming up before you. You eye it critically before glancing back at your friends. "Should be an easy climb," you say with confidence, nodding to Lena and Zavien to follow as you go.
Which may not have been the optimal move. Even with your extensive climbing experience, you find yourself struggling against this wall. Maybe it's because the vines are slick, or the murky dark, or the general disuse, but as you reach the halfway point the vine you've chosen to cling to snaps. "Shit!" you exclaim as you scramble for purchase, finding air instead of a hold. Alas, it's not a very manly tumble that you take back down to the waiting pathway, a rotten plant clenched in your hand.
Your friends have a better go of it - especially Lena, who (literally?) flies up the wall, making the whole process look as easy as getting out of bed. It's a tougher time for Zavien, who will have a close call but ultimately make it. Only you, poor Koa, will have to try again, though the going may be tougher thanks to the injuries you've sustained, all of them to your pride.
---------
We've hit a wall! Lena will be able to climb up with absolutely no issue (thanks nat 20!), Zavien has a mild struggle but ultimately will make it, but poor Koa has taken a fall and will need to try again. Will you help him? Or watch and laugh?
And float from branch to branch, lighter than the air Just when that day is coming, who can say?
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
The wall didn’t bother her; had her own muscles not taken care of the job, her wings would’ve. Though, upon turning around and glancing down at her compatriots, it became clear that wasn’t the same for anyone else. Maintaining her half-shift of cat eyes for the dark, calm and composed, she wasn’t the least bit bothered by the situation – she’d been prepared for it. While Mittens hovered upwards, grumbling and growling, she immediately snagged at her bag. “Hang on! I’ll lower a rope down!” She called to Koa, and once Zavien had made it up, she was already knotting portions for both of them to use. “Are you hurt?” She had remedies for that too, if need be.
Throwing down a massive portion for the Dragoon below to snag, she offered more of the cable and cord for Zavien to snag. “Help me pull him up?”
--
Lena maintains her half-shift cat eyes to see in the dark, and tosses some rope down to Koa so she and Zavien can pull him up.
sunlight on mist; summer lightning your choices outweigh your substance
As he walked along the dark pathway, he honestly wasn't paying much attention to where he was walking. His eyes were focused on his feet, ensuring that they didn't catch on any stray roots or random steps in the floor. Zavien hadn't quite thought about the fact that there could be a wall before him. Luckily, the shifting in light clued him in to glance up just in time, his nose stopping a hair's breadth from smacking into the solid obstacle. The sigh of relief he released blew back into his face before he scanned upwards. Koa may call it 'easy', but, as evidenced by recent events, Zavien was not the best climber.
However, he wouldn't let the first sign of difficulties keep him from their task.
Giving Koa an exasperated look, he started the climb. It was slow and tedious, full of second guessing and careful consideration of each decision. One moment looked a little dicey when a particularly suspicious rock proved too weak to support his weight, although and desperate grab of nearby vines helped keep him from tumbling back down. It all paid off when he reached the top, only slightly short of breath with a sprinkle of sweat on his brow. His eyes met Lena's with a nervous grin. "I think I'm good." But then she was enlisting his help to get Koa up.
How the 'expert' climber had somehow struggled to scale the wall was beyond him, but Zavien didn't hesitate to add his strength to the rope. Gripping the cord tightly in his grasp, he yelled down, "Koa! Grab on!"
Zavien helps Lena pull Koa up!
Be like a solid tower whose brave height remains unmoved by all the winds that blow.
There's going to come a day when you feel better You'll rise up free and easy on that day
Ok look, my post was deleted and I'm salty about it, so we're not gonna write the whole bit again. TL;DR: Koa makes it up the wall, but it isn't smooth and he's a grumpy little brat. Turns out egos bruise worse than bodies.
Moving on.
Having conquered the great wall of vines, the trio now finds themselves in a surprisingly wide space. Investigation will find that this isn't natural: it's clear that something - or someone - has chopped away at the roots and vines to create a little vestibule about seven feet tall and ten feet wide. Even the ground is overlaid with planks, well worn and scratched by feet and booty.
Branching from the vestibule are four paths:
1. A narrow opening in the vines, only wide enough to slip through single file
2. A short tunnel, which would need to be crawled through
3. A sudden gap in vegetation where an old vine-and-wood bridge stretches over open space
4. A path half-hidden by a curtain of vines. You cannot see beyond.
Koa looks between the exits, lip worried between his teeth. "None of this is familiar," the Dragoon admits, squinting in the thin beam of the headlamp. "Usually smugglers use symbols, but I don't see any. You guys?"
----
You've found a vestibule! You can take one of the four paths, investigate for more clues, or turn back and try another road.
And float from branch to branch, lighter than the air Just when that day is coming, who can say?
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
With Koa successfully up the wall, Lena breathed a sigh of relief – so far, so good. No one hurt, save for maybe egos, and those could mended easily. She gave a small smile in return for the Dragoon’s sulking and pouting, and then put the rope back into her bag. Onward.
The wide space was wholly unfamiliar, despite having gone on previous excursions amidst the Grotto with Sohalia and Everest. And truthfully, there had been multitudes of signs and symbols etched into wooden frameworks hidden underneath the city.
Here? She didn’t recognize anything.
Ensuring her cat eyes were still in use, she stepped closer to the planks, looking for things off to the side or sketched deeply into the figures. “No – but I wouldn’t put it past them to put it someplace only the smugglers would be aware of.”
--
Lena continues to use her partial shift/cat eyes, while looking at path two and searching for signs.
sunlight on mist; summer lightning your choices outweigh your substance
