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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!
Momentarily distracted by the image of someone with a strange accent yelling something about a tree, Vesper just blinks at Thalassa before flinching as Elizabeth 's second bolt of lightning strikes true. The scent of sizzling scales has the demigod wincing and dragging his shirt up even higher. Had he thought it wouldn't draw the snake's attention, he might have tugged it over his head to properly wrap it around his nose and mouth. Alas.
Seeing absolutely nothing wrong with a bit of the old rinse and repeat, Vesper once again draws upon his shadows, aiming for the viper's head once again.
Vesp hits the snake again with his shadow!
Magic: Shadow Touch | Can create and manipulate tendrils of shadow. 15ft radius. Shadows share his STR stat.
Type: Grey | Rank: Basic
Regional Score bonus: +13 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +13 should be included)
☆ has a pale star tattoo beneath his left eye, and freckle-sized constellations move across his skin
☽ hair changes from bleached blonde to brown
☆ telepathic: Sunlit Shadows | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 60ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
The world's a little blurry, or maybe it's my eyes,
She watched with sick satisfaction as the fire flared around the beast's head. If she had the time or power, she probably would have just torched the whole forest to hear it scream. But she was trying to change, remember? Snuffing out the flames with a flick of her hand, she assessed the damage.
At the same moment, the second bolt of lightning struck the viper and Thal raised an impressed eyebrow. But no matter how impressed she was, she didn't jump to redirect the attack at the woman. If she died, that was her own fault for being out here and attracting the thing's attention. However, it did make a good opportunity for her to attack again - lunging predator theory and all. Palming her second dagger, she let threw it at the back of the viper's head, running to grab her first dagger in the process.
Thalassa throws her second dagger and moves to pick up the first.
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.
The world is new to you, and you to it. During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with advantage on luck-based rolls and receive an extra name during drops. (In order to use this, make sure to note the ability at the bottom of each post)
Regional Score bonus: +3 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +3 should be included)
the friends I've had to bury they keep me up at night.
When her second strike landed, Elizabeth let out a small whoop of victory under her breath, but apparently the viper didn't like that at all. It moved with such speed that she barely had time to react, seeing the wet glisten of its fangs skim past her. She saw her life flash before her eyes, sending a cold sweat down her spine.
Her first instinct was to get away. Moving her weak legs as fast as she could, she put some distance between herself and the dangerous creature who'd just tried to kill her. Maybe this had been a mistake, but she was in the thick of it now, so she cracked her fingers and got the static flowing again. She let the lightning rip free in hopes that the new close proximity might help, directing it right at the viper's eyes.
Elizabeth uses her lightning magic against the Vernal Viper again, aiming for the eyes - and she gets as far away as she can.
Lightning manipulation: Can manipulate lightning. Must be within a 30ft radius. Control is excellent
Type: Dark | 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)
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
01-22-2025, 01:29 PM (This post was last modified: 01-22-2025, 01:30 PM by Court Official.)
Vesper ’s shadows lashed out once more, striking the Vernal Viper with a forceful sweep that sent ripples across its serpentine form. Thalassa hurled her flame daggers with precision, the blades slicing through the vibrant air but narrowly missing the elusive serpent. Not to be outdone, Elizabeth unleashed another bolt of lightning, the crackling energy arcing gracefully and striking the viper squarely. Each successful hit battered the serpent, its health now dwindling to hardly anything at all.
Irritated by the persistent assault, the Vernal Viper turned its attention toward Thalassa as she reached to retrieve her dagger. With a swift, venom-filled strike, it lunged in her direction, aiming to end the threat. However, Thalassa 's reflexes were sharp; she dodged the serpent's attack by a wide margin, leaving the viper's fangs to slice through empty air.
Frustrated by the miss, the viper released a dense cloud of toxic pollen, the hallucinogenic particles swirling rapidly around it. Using the distraction, the Vernal Viper slithered swiftly through the vibrant foliage, its shimmering scales blending seamlessly with the kaleidoscopic blooms as it made its desperate bid for escape.
Welcome to the KQ! This is now an easy level 3 KQ
Remember to include a summary at the bottom of your post with all action taken. If weapons/upgrades/abilities/items/shifts/etc are used, please include their desc. from your profile at the bottom of your post as well.
Your randomly assigned posting order is: Vesper HP: 90/90 Thalassa HP: 88/88 Elizabeth HP: 51/51
Vernal Viper: 41/222
Vernal Viper (Uncommon/Mythical)
The Vernal Viper is a brightly-hued serpent that has adapted perfectly to Suvahasi’s toxic oasis. Its scales shift in color, allowing it to blend with the lush yet treacherous foliage. On particularly hot days, the Viper slinks among flowering vines, stirring up hallucinogenic pollen clouds that blanket the area in a disorienting haze. Prey caught in these plumes often see mirages of safety or shelter, wandering directly into the serpent’s venomous strike. Despite its vibrant appearance, the Vernal Viper is notoriously difficult to spot until it’s too late—its shifting scales and the swirling pollens combine to deceive even the wariest traveler. When threatened, it can flare out a shimmering hood lined with petal-like scales, releasing an extra dose of toxic pollen that intensifies hallucinations, ensuring that Suvahasi remains its personal hunting ground.
REMEMBER: KQs are rewarding but dangerous. They may cause death and/or permanent changes to your characters.
The differences in approach between the two women was near enough to pull Vesper's attention away from the viper entirely, and had it not tried to make a break for it, the demigod might have indulged himself in a bit of mental tresspassing. However as the creature tried to slither the fuck off back into the oasis, the demigod found himself shaking his head, the corner of his lips turned upright in a sneer. "Oh no you fuckin' don't." Didn't matter that the snake hadn't landed a blow, that it had tried was enough for a vendetta to have flickered to life for Vesper.
Misty-stepping his way in the direction that the snake had done, Vesper gathered up a new pool of shadows and thrust them toward the retreating serpent, moulding them into something flat and blunt like a hammer coming down right on its middle.
Vesper misty-steps toward the snake (uses his feat so it doesn't cost an action), and then tries to hit the serpent with one of his shadows again
Magic: Shadow Touch | Can create and manipulate tendrils of shadow. 15ft radius. Shadows share his STR stat.
Type: Grey | Rank: Basic
Magic: Misty Step | Can teleport up to 15ft away
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Magic: Blink (FEAT) | 2x per thread can use Misty Step without it costing an action
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Regional Score bonus: +13 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +13 should be included)
☆ has a pale star tattoo beneath his left eye, and freckle-sized constellations move across his skin
☽ hair changes from bleached blonde to brown
☆ telepathic: Sunlit Shadows | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 60ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
The world's a little blurry, or maybe it's my eyes,
No good deed goes unpunished. As her dagger hit true, the viper had the audacity to target her again, its fangs slicing through the air. It wasn't very good at the whole 'attacking' part and Thal was starting to wonder what all the fuss was about. Maybe the victims had deserved the trauma and death if this thing was able to catch them off-guard. However, as the cunning serpent decided they weren't easy meals anymore, she didn't hesitate to follow and finish the job.
Echoing the man's sentiments in her mind, Thal clenched her teeth and ran after the creature. She pulled embers from the burning dagger behind her, throwing her flames forward in a fiery dagger-shaped projectile of magic. It wouldn't be able to escape without a fight.
Thalassa goes after the Vernal Viper, flinging flames.
Fire Manipulation: Can manipulate flames. Must be within a 30ft radius. Control is excellent
Type: Dark | Rank: Upgraded
The world is new to you, and you to it. During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with advantage on luck-based rolls and receive an extra name during drops. (In order to use this, make sure to note the ability at the bottom of each post)
Regional Score bonus: +3 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +3 should be included)
the friends I've had to bury they keep me up at night.
When the serpent turned its focus elsewhere, she wasn't sure if it was due to her 'fantastic lightning skills' or the fact that the other woman seemed really intent on killing it. Whatever the reason, she let out a small sigh of relief along with another burst of pride in herself. She still needed practice, but maybe she was doing better than she though.
Her motivation to continue fighting was waning, but Elizabeth didn't want to leave the others to fight alone as the viper decided to make a quick exit. Even if she would have let the viper go herself, they obviously weren't going to, and she didn't want them to be put in a difficult position. Although they both seemed really capable of handling themselves. So with a last rub of her hands, she released one more remorseful bolt of lightning at the retreating form, sure to avoid the following people.
Elizabeth gives it one last parting shot of lightning, making sure to avoid the others.
Lightning manipulation: Can manipulate lightning. Must be within a 30ft radius. Control is excellent
Type: Dark | 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)
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Vesper stepped forward, his hands weaving intricate patterns as shadows coalesced around him. Dark tendrils surged toward the Vernal Viper, intent on smothering the elusive serpent. The viper, a shimmering blur of iridescent scales, sensed the impending threat and twisted aside with serpentine grace, effortlessly evading the shadowy assault.
Thalassa seized the opportunity, her flames igniting with a fierce brilliance, arcing through the air, striking true and engulfing the serpent’s scales in intense heat. The vibrant oasis momentarily dimmed as fiery light danced across the foliage, and the viper let out a pained hiss, its movements becoming frantic under the searing assault. Simultaneously, Elizabeth attacked again, lightning crackling at her fingertips as a brilliant bolt of electricity arched toward the viper. The electric charge struck the serpent with devastating force, sparks flying as the intense energy coursed through its body. The combination of flames and lightning proved overwhelming; the viper's vibrant colours dulled, and its once-mesmerizing movements slowed to a staggering halt.
The Vernal Viper, unable to withstand the relentless onslaught, let out a final, agonized screech before collapsing lifelessly into the saturated soil. The toxic pollen cloud dissipated, and the oasis returned to its deceptive tranquillity, the vibrant blooms now unmarred by the serpent's presence.
For now, at least, no more caravans would be troubled by the creature's problematic presence.
Congratulations! You've completed the KQ! (And none of Dew's characters died!) If you harvest a piece of the snake you'll receive:
Vernal Viper Snake Skin | Lightweight opalescent snake skin that can be crafted into armour by a god. When struck at close range (melee), releases hallucinogenic pollen that causes the attacker to roll with disadvantage on their next turn.
Vesper HP: 90/90
Thalassa HP: 88/88
Elizabeth HP: 51/51
Vernal Viper: 0/222 **Killed by Elizabeth for levelling purposes.
Vernal Viper (Uncommon/Mythical)
The Vernal Viper is a brightly-hued serpent that has adapted perfectly to Suvahasi’s toxic oasis. Its scales shift in color, allowing it to blend with the lush yet treacherous foliage. On particularly hot days, the Viper slinks among flowering vines, stirring up hallucinogenic pollen clouds that blanket the area in a disorienting haze. Prey caught in these plumes often see mirages of safety or shelter, wandering directly into the serpent’s venomous strike. Despite its vibrant appearance, the Vernal Viper is notoriously difficult to spot until it’s too late—its shifting scales and the swirling pollens combine to deceive even the wariest traveler. When threatened, it can flare out a shimmering hood lined with petal-like scales, releasing an extra dose of toxic pollen that intensifies hallucinations, ensuring that Suvahasi remains its personal hunting ground.
REMEMBER: KQs are rewarding but dangerous. They may cause death and/or permanent changes to your characters.
Vesper watched as the snake collapsed under the combined force of Thalassa and Elizabeth’s attacks, its iridescent scales flickering one last time before going still. He lowered his raised hand, the shadows dissolving back into the dusty oasis ground, and exhaled a soft, wry chuckle. His ego wasn’t bruised—he’d learned long ago not every shot landed.
Stepping forward, he knelt by the viper’s body. "Hope you two don’t mind," he drawled, producing a slim knife from his belt. "This looks like the sort of shit my sister would love." In a deft motion, he sliced away a small patch of shimmering hide—just enough to craft something special for Nova, who he could practically already hear squealing in his head.
Straightening, Vesper held the trophy in one hand, before turning and tipping an imaginary hat in Thal and Elizabeth's direction. "I'm Vesper," he offered, short and to the point. "Pleasure crossin’ paths with you in the middle of nowhere." A faint smirk curved his lips, as if he found the whole situation a little too amusing. "Next time, maybe I’ll let you do all the work again." He grinned.
Vesp takes some scales!
☆ has a pale star tattoo beneath his left eye, and freckle-sized constellations move across his skin
☽ hair changes from bleached blonde to brown
☆ telepathic: Sunlit Shadows | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 60ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
The world's a little blurry, or maybe it's my eyes,
The Viper's throws of death were dramatic and vibrant, fire and lightning glinting off the scales that weren't singed black. It seemed like a fitting ending to the creature who'd tortured so many, and Thal found herself satisfied with its suffering. However, when it went still, she waited a moment to ensure it didn't move, watching as the man veiled in shadows made his way forward with a cockiness that irritated her.
She wasn't surprised to hear about his sister's preference (more surprised that he'd offer such personal information willingly). Most young girls would probably like the shimmering scales. And although Thal wasn't most girls, she couldn't deny that it would catch a pretty penny on the market. Or maybe she'd upgrade her own style to include something more... colorful. New her, new look, right? Something to consider.
"Thalassa." It was short and barely considered polite, but her eyes narrowed as he suggested benefiting off of her work. "Maybe next time you can pull your own weight." This time the words were more biting, a warning in sharp fangs and a flick of her tail. She sheathed her flame daggers and stepped forward herself to retrieve her own prize. Her weapons were traded for one of several hidden knives that she used to slice off a portion of the scales.
A glance up had her seeing the woman who'd managed to somewhat impress her with nailing multiple lightning strikes. She certainly didn't look like the kind of person who'd be here to kill a viper, too warm and soft for battle. Yet she'd done a heavy amount of the damage. So with a cold demeanor, Thal threw another section of scales towards the stranger, offering a simple "Nice work" before turning briskly to leave. She had other places to be.
Thalassa takes some of the scales.
the friends I've had to bury they keep me up at night.
She hadn't expected to contribute so much to the destruction of the creature, watching with unmasked pity as it writhed in pain. Luckily, there wasn't a lot of blood with fire and lightning, so her stomach didn't feel queasy at the sight, although the smell was another matter. It didn't seem to bother the other two as much, especially as he knelt down to harvest a portion of the scales. Elizabeth looked away, biting her lip as she tried to focus on his words rather than actions. "Your sister must be very important to you." For him to think of her rather than himself, and to speak so openly, it made her wonder more about the depth of their bond.
As names were exchanged, she added her own. "Elizabeth. Pleasure to meet you both as well." Unlike Thal, her smile was warm and friendly, willing them to relax. Which made her ever more surprised to hear such hostility from the Ancient. Automatically, she slipped into mediator mode with any easy grace. "Maybe next time we can meet in a different setting." One that didn't involve work or weight-pulling.
Then the smack of scales hit the sand before her, catching her off-guard. Elizabeth jolted and looked down at the patch of detached skin. It wasn't exactly her idea of a 'reward,' but it seemed like that's what Thalassa was trying to do. Gingerly stepping forward, she gave the woman a grateful yet uncomfortable smile. "Oh. Uh. Thank you." She took some time to package it carefully into her bag before rising to leave. The woman had already gone, but she gave Vesper a small wave. "See you around."
Elizabeth accepts the scales for herself.
[FIN]
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
