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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!
Rumbling warnings might’ve been difficult to access through the haze of other grumbles, but Thalassa ’s intentions became very clear moments later, when she smashed the hapless gourd straight into the ground. It gave a pitiful outcry, portions and pieces breaking apart, but still alive. It did, however, relinquish its hold, and perhaps sensing it was out of its element, tried to scurry away.
Sah ’s shifting from crow to fyrhund didn’t go unnoticed either – the wily sentiments of the vicious pumpkin managing to outstretch its vines and grab hold of a nearby rock, out of the acidic spray’s initial range. Of course, this meant it couldn’t assault the hybrid in turn, but it kept spewing vicious warnings.
Only for it's ally (Gourd 3) to be immediately pummeled by Noah ’s over-arching dome, screeching its anger and pain. Thalassa would also feel a healing sentiment towards her prior wounds, but the scampering gambits of her opponent evaded Noah – out of range.
Leaving Deimos to continue his siege upon the possessed gourd – and on the next onslaught of rocks and earth, it succumbed quickly. Huffing at it, he rolled his eyes, figuring he could turn and assist with others.
Which was good, because shia surprise, none of them were to be outdone. It could’ve been the amplified hissing and screeching, but directly beside Gourd One, another grumbling persisted; and out from the ground popped a second, but much larger, Possessed Gourd.
--
Thalassa hits Destroyer Gourd 2. It’s trying to run.
Sah misses Gourd 1 and it seems to have summoned a much larger friend.
Noah hits Destroyer Gourd 3 and heals Thalassa. It’s super dead.
Deimos has killed the Possessed Gourd. And now there’s another one.
A satisfying wet crunch sounded as she pummeled the gourd into the hard ground. Thal let out a victory growl, whipping her head to snap at the leafy tendrils trailing behind it when it somehow escaped her grasp. She registered a large dome arching over her and the others, which divided her attention. As she continued after the gourd, the subtle ache in her hind leg vanished, letting her move faster without the discomfort.
Thal also happened to notice the explosion of dirt that revealed a very large possessed gourd. As much as she wanted to rush to help against the new formidable enemy, her own enemy still stood before her, and she didn't like leaving unfinished business. On quick wings, she flew forward, planning to divebomb the gourd into the ground again.
Thalassa pursues Destroyer Gourd 2, planning to fly down into it.
I feel the pages turning, I see the candle burning down before my eyes
His dome faded out in sparkling, brilliant light. Though he hadn’t sustained any injuries since they started their siege against these Leafchange creatures, Noah still felt a resurgence of power through his muscles and bones that only came with his faith and loyalty to Vi, and the reminder of that the dome was.
Able to decimate and repair all at once, Noah was ready to move on to the next endeavor. It made itself apparent quickly, coming up from the ground with violent purple in its vines that made the demigod scowl. Gritting his teeth slightly, the spirit stag made a reappearance. Surging forward, sunlight and divine power aimed to bring an end to the void-touch gourd.
—
Noah uses spirit stag on the new little friend
Magic: Spirit Stag | Can summon the spirit of a mighty stag; an echo of Noah's former shift. This will last for 1 post per thread and appears to be made of pure sunlight. Noah can direct the stag to charge at a target, dealing fire damage and causing disadvantage on their next roll.
Type: Light | Rank: Upgraded *** (it’s mastered on his profile but that happened after this thread started)
Magic: Wise Hunter (FEAT) | Animals roll with disadvantage against Noah.
Regional Score bonus: +9 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +9 should be included)
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
11-13-2024, 06:44 PM (This post was last modified: 11-13-2024, 06:45 PM by Sah.)
sah
If Sah were in human form, his eyebrow would have risen at the newcomer. The fact that the gourd was able to pop out of nowhere was certainly concerning. More concerning than his irritating miss. Snarling, he notes Noah going for the possessed gourd and decides to quickly finish off his initial target to take it out of the picture. Then he can focus on helping the Demi-god take down the bigger threat.
Taking a few steps back as he takes a breath the Wild Thunder sends acid at destroyer gourd 1 yet again. He can't risk having it summon another big friend.
~
Sah puts some distance between him and gourds and sends acid at Destroyer Gourd 1.
Regional Score bonus: +9 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +9 should be included)
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
What had once been moderately successful somehow managed to become a mess in a matter of moments. Thalassa advanced upon Gourd 2, but the beast took it upon itself to out-maneuver the Ancient, a bit more wily and cunning than before.
Then Noah ’s spirit stag burst upon the scene, headed straight for the larger, possessed cretin, but whether by happenstance or slyness on the beast’s part, it too missed, heading straight for the glade and dissipating into the ether instead.
Even Sah, striving to simultaneously evade and attack, would find it difficult. Worse off, Gourd 1 managed to launch after the fyrhund, and without any qualms, bit sorely into the hybrid’s leg.
Drawn into the commotion, the Sword shook his head and launched another siege by fire, ensuring his control was impeccable, and landed upon the Possessed Gourd’s vines; watching them shrivel in pain.
--
That round was almost a bust, and Thalassa, Sah, and Noah have all missed. Deimos has hit the Surprise Gourd.
Fool me once, fool me twice
Are you death or paradise?
At least she wasn't the only one struggling. Out of the corner of her eye, the Ancient vaguely noted that nearly everyone missed as the gourds seemed to gain a new level of determination, dodging the attacks with ease. It didn't mean that it bothered her any less.
Thal let out a deep growl of annoyance. She justified her own failure with a lack of practice in her newer lyvern form, choosing to shift midair and roll to a crouched position. Her dagger was already palmed again, striking across the ground in a single motion to ignite the blade. It was as fluid and graceful as any dancer, as if embodied by a dangerous ocean storm that tumbled in the breeze. Pulling from the flames, Thal let them trail her movements. With unbridled aggression, she threw the force of her magic at the gourd attempting to escape her.
Thalassa lights her dagger and attacks Destroyer Gourd #2 with her fire magic.
Type: Dark | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic
Flametouch Daggers | A pair of obsidian daggers licked with crimson along the blade edge. On hit, the daggers become wreathed in flame.
Fire Manipulation: Can manipulate flames. Must be within a 30ft radius. Control is excellent
Type: Dark | Rank: Upgraded
Now you'll never see me cry
There's just no time to die
Sah lets out a growl as the gourd evades him and bites into his leg. The gourds prove themselves annoyingly lucky as Sah sees attack after attack misses in his peripheral vision. Deimos' strike lands true, however, and it further inspires the younger hybrid to finish off the normal gourds so that he can go help.
As for the non-corrupted gourd on his leg, Sah reacts in the best way that he can. They fyrhund twists and leans down to give the damn menace an acid-filled bite. This better finish it off. Otherwise, he'll have to shift and punt it into the sun.
~
Sah bites Destroyer Gourd 1 with acid!
Regional Score bonus: +9 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +9 should be included)
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
I feel the pages turning, I see the candle burning down before my eyes
Noah’s frustration grew as more attacks missed and the gourds were able to attack those in the party. Deimos seemed to have the best luck, so Noah was able to shift his focus. If the Sword could keep the void gourd under siege, then Noah could use the time to help the hybrid and the ancient and damage the gourds attacking them. His eyes flicked between Sah and Thalassa and he growled, the sound reminiscent of the polar bear beneath his skin.
Noah called to his griffin across their bond, maneuvering his body to get better aim, and turned his attention towards the ancient. He lifted his arms and took aim against the gourd that faced off with Thalassa. A celestial bow formed and the hunter shot two arrows in succession towards the gourd.
Eira, feeling her bonded’s growing frustration, came at his call. She divebombed from the sky to come to the aid of Sah and thrashed at the gourd on his leg with venom filled claws.
—
Noah shoots two celestial arrows at destroyer 2 attacking Thal, and Eira swoops down to scratch at destroyer 1 attacking Sah.
Magic: Wise Hunter (FEAT) | Animals roll with disadvantage against Noah.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
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
Regional Score bonus: +9 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +9 should be included)
And suddenly, just like that, the accuracy prevailed.
Whether it was through steadfast determination, stubbornness, or pride, Thalassa and her daggers managed to make their fiery mark. The flames scourged and seared across Gourd 2, and only by the barest margins did it slither on –
To then be decimated by Noah ’s arrows; skewered on the spot. It might’ve been an amusing image if they weren’t all so occupied by the incoming decimation. Eira was soon joined by Belial too, and they snagged and bit at Gourd 1, enough, on a combination of Sah ’s acidic efforts, to ensure that beast was felled as well.
Which left only the Possessed Vampire Gourd the Second, with looks that could kill, matched with the Sword’s stony defiance. While its vines threatened and stretched, they still couldn’t quite reach the Warden’s current stance, and so he rolled his eyes (Zuriel matching the sentiments completely and equally with a mare stare), mustering a conflagration beneath its denizens.
It screamed, it raged, it grew incensed, and unleashed a set of vines closer to Sah; attempting to whip at him. Or maybe bring his smaller form closer.
--
Thalassa and Noah have hit Gourd 2, leaving it very dead.
Sah, Eira, and Belial have hit Gourd 1, also leaving it very dead.
Deimos has hit the Possessed Gourd with mastered fire.
I feel the pages turning, I see the candle burning down before my eyes
Eira let loose a sharp cry of victory as the gourd attached to Sah came to an end. Flapping her wings, the griffin found her way to a tree and landed on a thick branch, clacking her beak and trilling gently as a thank you to Belial for the help.
Noah’s growl simmered again in his throat as the gourd died at the mercy of the celestial arrows. Then he turned his body, attention immediately going to the last unfinished foe. Knowing his celestial arrows would probably do little, if anything, against this fiend, he summoned his spirit stag once more to attack the possessed gourd and keep it from getting hold of his friend.
—
Noah uses spirit stag on the possessed gourd
Magic: Spirit Stag | Can summon the spirit of a mighty stag; an echo of Noah's former shift. This will last for 1 post per thread and appears to be made of pure sunlight. Noah can direct the stag to charge at a target, dealing fire damage and causing disadvantage on their next roll.
Type: Light | Rank: Upgraded *** (it’s mastered on his profile but that happened after this thread started)
Magic: Wise Hunter (FEAT) | Animals roll with disadvantage against Noah.
Regional Score bonus: +9 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +9 should be included)
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Fool me once, fool me twice
Are you death or paradise?
Her lips quirked at the sizzling bake of the gourd. As it tried to slither away, she planned to launch another fiery assault, only to have two arrows pierce the creature. Thal couldn't decide if she appreciated the help from Noah or not, but she gave him a nod of respect nonetheless. He'd been nice to her so far. She wouldn't let her frustration with the other stranger influence how she treated him.
The kind thoughts made her all the more eager to dive into the battle still at large. Despite the damage already dealt to the large Vampire Gourd, it remained a nuisance, trying to strike out at Sah. Stepping away from the carcass of the previous enemy, Thal kept her flames close at hang, drawing them back before firing them at the beast.
Thalassa uses her fire magic against the Big Bad Possessed Gourd.
Fire Manipulation: Can manipulate flames. Must be within a 30ft radius. Control is excellent
Type: Dark | Rank: Upgraded
Now you'll never see me cry
There's just no time to die
Finally, the smaller gourds are dead, but there isn't time for Sah to celebrate his meager win. The final possessed gourd begins to reach out to him, and the hybrid shifts as fast as he can, putting some distance between them as he does. He's tested two of his three shifts in combat now, and the Wild Thunder has a far better understanding of their limitations than he did before this.
Now, it's time to get serious and take the last menace of a pumpkin down. Sah calls forth his lighting, letting its full might surge in his veins before sending a strike straight at the possessed vampire gourd. It's still hard to wrap his mind around the fact that his lightning magic is more powerful than his air, despite the added effectiveness the lighter element has against the void. It's a blessing that he'll never take for granted.
~
Sah shifts back and sends lightning at the possessed gourd!
Lightning manipulation: Can create and control Lightning. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
Magic: Overcharge: adds additional lightning damage at mastered level on a successful hit when Sah uses his lightning magic.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Upgraded
Lucky Star Earring: A studded star earring that grants the wearer +2 luck when worn. (Made by Sah)
Regional Score bonus: +9 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +9 should be included)
It probably would’ve only taken one or two hits combined to take the beast down; and unfortunately for it, the creature received all of them.
Blasts of stags, fire, lightning, and then more flames surged through, pummeling the gourd where it levitated. It got back up swiftly after the deer tromped along, but then it wasn’t worth it thereafter; eventually sinking into the ground, naught more than wisps of vines and ash.
Deimos took a long, slow breath, before glancing around. While they’d been successful, without many wounds taken, the area around was a decimated mess. Earlier clean up remained from prior circumstances, but now there were further pumpkin massacres to take care of, strewn about the area, as well as the raft that likely still needed to be returned. “Good work,” he nodded to each, glancing towards Sah initially. “If you need to be healed, you can see Zuriel,” who stood off to the side, unbothered by the melee.
Surveying the grounds once more, he shook his head, snorting again. “Otherwise, I think we can clean this up, and then head home. We have done enough for the day.”
--
Everyone has hit and the last gourd goes down!
Help clean up again and choose a task – Deimos will take the last one:
- Return the raft back to where it was
- Sort the gourds into viable pumpkin bits and not viable
- Burn the non-viable
- Repair any burnt areas
Fool me once, fool me twice
Are you death or paradise?
Obliterating the creature was definitely satisfying, although she would've preferred more explosion than the creepy way it sunk back into the earth. Surprisingly, the teamwork also gave her an unfamiliar sense of pride that had her lips thinning in a shadowed smile. Containing it back into a stoic expression, she gave Noah and Sah a considerate nod for a job well done. She wouldn't verbally admit it, but she wouldn't mind working with the two of them again. As for the other man.... Thal had to respect his magical prowess and leadership skills, but she still didn't like him.
Picking the task that obviously best fit her abilities, she made her way to the pile, preparing her fire again. While doing so, she sent another searing glare towards the man. "Are you going to tell me your name now that we're not being accosted by monsters?"
Surprise surprise! Thalassa chooses to burn the non-viable with attitude.
Now you'll never see me cry
There's just no time to die
