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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!
12-26-2024, 07:29 PM (This post was last modified: 12-27-2024, 02:31 PM by Sah.)
yet my blood renders me a King
Sah placed down the bags of stones and gems in front of the rainbow gate. Beside him lay the rest of the materials for the day. Materials and tools for mixing mortar, the shell of a mirage crab, buckets, and a variety of tools were placed on tarps. The hybrid wasn't certain on how the original gate was formed but if they were just reinforcing in, then what he had in mind was likely okay. If they crushed the shell and mixed it into the mortar, they could then use it to attach the stones and gems to the gate in a new arc.
As he spotted the others approaching, the Wild Thunder waved. Once everyone arrived, he explained the first task. "Good morning. How about we start by sorting the stones and gems by color? That way when we build the newest layer of the gate, we can do so in rainbow order.
~
RQ PQ for the rainbow gate! Post your characters arriving and getting to work sorting. No post order.
Last portions of Rainbow Gate upgrades left him with some manner of relief; Sah had taken this role on, and for once Deimos only had to assist and follow directions. Nothing monumental. Nothing serious. Nothing catastrophic. “Morning,” he rumbled in part to everyone upon arrival; Zuriel and Belial in tow, in case there was need of them. His eyes went to the materials – the mirage crab recognizable from earlier exploits with Evie.
Sorting he could do, and required little incantations or methods beyond the usual. Heading for the stones and gems, he began snagging at all hues, making separate piles for all of them to utilize.
--
Deimos starts sorting by colors and making separate piles for everyone to use.
It's with a sense of deja vu that Amhran approaches the Rainbow Gate, bundled up in his ningo hat, gloves and heavy coat, and he offers a smile through rosy red cheeks towards Sah and Deimos. "Hallo," he greets, glancing from the gate to the materials - shell, mortar, buckets, tools, and of course the gems. "I can get right on this," he chirps, nodding between them and crunching across the snow to join Deimos in his work.
Crouching down beside him, he grabs up some more of the assorted gemstones and begins to add them to the Sword's pre-existing piles, ensuring that they aren't duplicating their efforts. He pauses every now and then, unsure if a stone is blue or green, and holds it up for the older man's inspection to help make a decision. So far so good, though.
With a similarly strong impression of deja vu, Elizabeth made her way to the Rainbow Gate to join the others. Unlike her vision, she was laden with large, insulated jugs and a platter of sweet breakfast pastries (some obviously pumpkin). Spotting the others just ahead, she gave a large smile and an arm movement that was somewhat like a wave. "Morning guys!" She found a nearby spot to lay out the food and beverages before shouting towards them again. "We can't work on empty stomachs! When you get a moment, come grab a warm drink or sweet treat." Or both. She didn't mind.
After grabbing her own mug of hot tea with plenty of sugar, she settled next to the assortment of stones and gems, making sure to pick a spot away from Belial. Using a mix of her telepathy and hands, Elizabeth began sorting through the pile as Sah instructed. "Amhran. It's been awhile. How are you?" She gave the man a warm, polite smile as she worked.
Elizabeth arrives (with sustenance) and helps sort.
Sah grinned as Elizabeth arrived with provisions "You're a godsend. I completely forgot to have breakfast this morning." Pad had been moping all morning, following him around like a shadow while glaring at Frog. It seemed that now that they were home, the pettiness and anger that he had expected of the possessive wolf was in full swing. It had made their morning routine far more stressful, and the hunter had nearly forgotten one of the bags of gems in the process. Grabbing a hot chocolate and a chocolate croissant, he joined the others in sorting.
The morning started out smoothly. Deimos's eye for detail shone through as he worked through his section with admirable efficiency. Even the trickiest of stones were rapidly sorted into their proper piles. With the Sword's assistance, Amhran was also able to make suitable progress.
Sah and Elizabeth managed to sort through a significant section of their piles, although their progress was far slower than that of Deimos. Taking stock of what was left, the younger hybrid smiled, "We're more than halfway there. If one of you wants to, you can start crushing up the crab shell into a powder so that we can later mix it into the mortar. There should be the proper tools on the tarps."
~
Round 2! No post order. Sah will take what's left. 5/8 of the stones/gems have been sorted.
1. Three people to finish sorting.
2. One person to crush up the crab shell into as fine of a powder as possible.
It turned out Deimos had not skipped breakfast (he knew better, given the hours he put in throughout Halo), but he wouldn’t mind a second iteration to keep him going. He had just enough impulse control to withstand finishing his portion of the sorting, and assist Amhran, before making a beeline towards the assorted beverages and pastries. “Thank you,” he granted to Elizabeth wholeheartedly, grabbing a piece of pumpkin loaf and some hot cider, while Sah listed off the next set of directions.
With the options though, and not as much destruction lately as he craved, he finished off both items and gave a boyish grin. “I would not mind crushing the crab shell.” In fact, it might be downright therapeutic.
Snagging at the tools, he got to work, intending to pulverize, smash, and shatter the remnants into a fine powder.
Given that he is a part of the Ignatius household, Amhran has also not skipped breakfast. But, like the head of said household, he will also never turn down the opportunity for seconds. "This was very kind of you," he says with a cheerful smile to Elizabeth, nodding gratefully to Deimos for his help before following him over to the jugs and pastries. Selecting a croissant for himself and some tea with plenty of honey, Amhran takes a moment to enjoy not being hunched over as much as the sustenance offered.
"I am very well, thank you," he replies to Elizabeth, dusting off his hands when he's finished and pulling his gloves back on. "I am hoping to see more of the Greatwood next season. How are things with you?" Given that Deimos has moved on to shell-crushing endeavours, Amhran returns to the stones and knees back down, reaching for more of the gems to add to the respective piles of growing colour.
With each 'thank you,' she nodded her head, granting them a soft smile. Laughing warmly, she said, "I'm glad you all like them. Please don't leave any leftovers." Gods knew she had enough goodies at home. And with the approaching Deepfrost, she was sure to be doing more baking.
Elizabeth turned to Amhran as she placed a ruby with the reds and an emerald with the greens a few feet away. "That's good to hear." Her eyes brightened as she added, "I've actually been meaning to see more of the Greatwood myself! Now that it's free of the Void again, the interesting plant life really fascinates me. Is there any particular area you want to visit?" Her head tilted curiously while she placed another stone.
Sah snorted at Deimos' eagerness to have some destrucive stress relief. Sure enough, the Sword had very little difficulty in turning the crab into a fine powder. The exoskeleton on the legs gave him some trouble as it seemed hellbent on cracking instead of turning to dust, but in the end, Deimos was successful.
Listening in on the conversation, Sah perked up as he sorted the gems, "You should check out the Wildwood if you're going to the Greatwood. It's beautiful." The Wild Thunder and Amhran slowly but successfully completed their sections as the conversation progressed. Elizabeth unfortunately sliced her hand on a particularly sharp gem. Noticing the blood, Sah reached over. "Here. Let me heal that for you." With his healing magic, her hand was as good as new in just a few minutes. Her injury, however, had interrupted her sorting, but thankfully, only a small portion was left.
"We have just a few more stones thankfully. One of us can finish that up while the rest start mixing up the mortar. Make sure to add some of the crab powder."
~
Round 3! No pot order. Sah will take what's left.
1. One person to finish sorting.
2. Three people to start mixing the mortar. (Don't forget the crab powder!)
Content on mutilating and destroying the crab, with however long the process took, the powder turned into a fine substance; satisfying enough on his end. Passing that over to whomever would be in charge of mixing the mortar, Deimos’ brow arched at the turn of necessary healing. One glance towards Sah indicated he’d taken care of it, and so Zuriel rolled her eyes nearby, and the Sword opted to take over the rest of the sorting.
“I can finish this up,” he added, hoping no one would end up injured over by the mortar either. Then he returned to the stones, enjoying another mindless sort of activity, quietly returning to the task of maneuvering particular colors of shells and gems.
--
Deimos passes the powder over to whomever and goes to finish sorting.
Certainly not planning to leave any leftovers, Amhran is nonetheless too busy with his current task to snag another pastry or more tea, but it will make a nice break for later. "The Wildwood? I will make a point to visit," he says with a smile between Sah and Elizabeth. As she nicks her hand on a sharp piece of gem, his own power begins to rise in response, but luckily the Wild Thunder is already on the job. "I would quite like to visit the Mathair as well - I heard that she is a goddess who is also a tree."
Which, as a demigod who was also a plant... obviously he's interested.
With Deimos coming to take over the last of the sorting, Amhran gets to his feet with a smile, dusting the snow off his pants. "Alright, I will help to mix this." He says it with a confidence that will turn out to be quite misplaced; with long limbs still unused to doing things with finesse, the demigod covers himself in more mortar than he successfully mixes, and he lets out a yelp of surprise as it instantly starts to dry and solidify on his hands.
"Ooh. Both of those are going on my list." Her mind stowed the information, wondering if she should encourage her next few patients to meet in the fascinating Greatwoods. Maybe it would be a good atmosphere for therapy, and she wouldn't mind getting away from the biting cold for awhile. Tilting her head, she added, "The Saltkiss Estuary sounds really interesting to me! I'd love to see how the plants and animals all live in harmony there." As well as the Fae and other residents who inhabit such an aggressive environment.
Distracted by the conversation, a sharp burn ran across her palm as the edge of a sharp purple gem sliced through her skin. A quick inhale through her grimace was apparently enough to draw Sah's attention. Before the blood even had a chance to stain her clothes, the injury was gone, the pain receding as if it'd never existed. Letting out a soft sigh, Elizabeth gave the man a grateful smile. "Thank you. I can be so clumsy sometimes." She laughed lightly as she stood from the slowly shrinking pile of unsorted stones. "Perhaps it'd be best if I helped with the mortar." While Amhran occupied himself with mixing (and wearing) the substance, Elizabeth worked on adding the ingedients, being sure to include the crab shell powder.
Sah grimaced as the conversation progressed, "I'd be careful. The Mathair isn't very friendly. Please be careful." The last thing he wanted was to hear about someone else being nearly eaten. He smiled softly at Elizabeth once she was healed, "No worries. I'm happy to help."
Returning to work, Deimos sorted the rest of the stones and gems with quiet efficiency. By the end there were neat piles of each color, ready to be used. Elizabeth and Sah were able to mix their shares of the mortar, but Amhran had an interesting time.
The Demi-god was able to mix all of the remaining mortar in a manner that would make a craftsman weep with joy. The sunlight catching on the crab powder within almost glowed. However, Amhran found that he couldn't move. One of his arms was entirely encased in nearly dried mortar. In his panic, he'd also spilled a small portion that had dried and tethered him to the gate. He was well and truly stuck.
Blinking, Sah's brow furrowed as he realized the situation. "Gods. Are you okay?" Springing to his feet, he approached the trapped Demi-god. "Are you in pain? Let's get you out of that." He glanced up at the rest of the team, "Will one of you help me while the other starts placing the red and orange gems and stones?" Thankfully, the Demi-god was stuck to the opposite side of the gate where the fiery-colored materials needed to be placed.
~
Round 4! No post order.
1. Sah and one other person help free Amhran.
2. One person to start placing the red and orange stones and gems in rainbow order.
Deimos’s brow only arched, and he broke through the silence, as soon as the Mathair was mentioned. While Sah already imparted a warning, the Sword fully intended to follow up on it. “She does like to eat people,” he uttered point-blank, glancing back and forth from Amhran to Elizabeth.
He’d turned away, only briefly, to finish sorting, and upon glancing up again…saw the demigod stuck within the mortar. Uttering perhaps one of the longest sighs on record, his long strides took him quickly over towards Sah and Amhran alike, hoarding patience behind a wall of brief, fluttering amusement (because the image was funny, and he would absolutely be telling Evie about this). “Here. We can just alter some of the elements,” especially the Wild Thunder and him alike; utilizing his Earth incantations to free Amhran of the substance.
