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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.
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01-23-2025, 10:09 AM (This post was last modified: 02-03-2025, 09:36 PM by Vesper.)
just because the fog is there
Vesper leaned against the rock face marking one of the many hidden entrances to the Fingers, the telltale tingle of Deepfrost making the humid air bite just a little sharper than usual. Despite the tropical climate, he’d dressed for the chill: a snug black shirt beneath a loose leather jacket, cuffs rolled up to reveal the gleam of a few silver rings. A thin scarf was looped casually around his neck, more for style than warmth, but enough to ward off the brunt of the breeze off the sea.
A faint shff-shff accompanied his languid motions as he fanned a deck of cards back and forth between his fingers, eyes flicking periodically toward the tunnel’s mouth. Sunlight and shadow danced across the wet stone at his back, and the salt-soaked air served as a constant reminder of just how quickly the tide could turn these tunnels into a watery trap. Vesper had come early, both to make sure no one else slipped in before them. Jack had mentioned that some of the smuggler's code written on the walls inside was beginning to get a bit too weather-worn for his liking, and thought it a good opportunity to teach the triplets about the various symbols within. All while getting them to clean out the grooves in the stone and refresh any markings that needed it.
Family PQ to make sure the smuggler's code in the Fingers is still readable!
Code 100% taken from the queeeeeeen herself, Sky <3
☆ 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.
Nova remembered being in the tunnels before, searching for a stray cat (that turned out to be three) only a few months ago. She hadn't necessarily enjoyed being in the damp, dark tunnels without any color or light. If anything, it was depressing, but when they'd been voluntold that they were going to learn how to navigate them by sprucing up the symbols, she couldn't really argue. So why wallow? She adjusted her jean jacket (that she'd artistically bleached with galaxy designs) over her white sweater and rainbow striped leggings then tucked a purple strand of hair under her sparkly gray beanie, preparing to take on the task before her.
Skipping her way into the first opening, she spotted the sheen of water covering the ground and skidded to a stop. "Oh oh! Look what I can do!" She stuck her tongue out to focus on a nearby puddle with an extended hand. It rippled lightly, causing the reflection of a torch to flicker. She spun around to look at the others, face and mind beaming in the darkness as she pointed at her achievement. "See! I've been practicing!" Extremely proud, she bounced gently as she waited for their praise and amazement.
Arriving in a dark coat, a midnight blue sweater and with a pair of supple leather gloves covering his hands, Jack is prepared for the dark and the damp of Rae's Fingers in the same way as he's prepared for any afternoon of work. Suffice to say that they also aren't his favourite place to be at Deepfrost, but it's either this or getting lost come Flowerbirth. Besides, sooner or later he figures his buy-one-get-two-free children will end up wandering too far in there, and he'd rather not listen to the bitching from the others if one sibling disappears forever.
Turning up the collar on his coat against the wind that whips a few strands of hair from the messy topknot he'd tied it up into, his lips part to speak when Nova's mind all but detonates at a small ripple of water. Feeling the automatic retort want to cut past his lips, he schools himself on the reminder of his deal with Vesper, nodding stiffly to the demigod in question before turning to his sister.
"Brava," he drawls, inclining his head to the puddles. "We can count on you to keep our feet dry, then."
it's not your fault that you're always wrong the weak ones are there to justify the strong
Caly had also been to the tunnels before – though she’d only arrived as a tide jaguar, scouting for anything gold she might be able to repurpose. Managing to find a necklace lost amongst a crate, it had been shortly after finding someone’s lost tooth which honestly is the one thing she correlates to the tunnels more so than the vast network it is for smuggling. Trying desperately to change her thoughts on it, she takes in the symbols she’d only barely noticed before as she slips in to meet her siblings and their father, dressed in a warm yellow sweater with a dark brown leather jacket over it, it matches the color of her boots that cut through the lingering puddles as she arrives.
Watching her sister’s delight at rippling the water, the young attuned can’t help but to snicker under her breath, flashing a sunshine grin toward her. “Great job, Nova.” Comes the sunshine praise, drifting toward her sister to snag her arm to settle her down as they await their task, her amber gaze flitting between her brother and their father, silently watchful, slightly judgmental, but nonetheless curious.
Vesper quirks an eyebrow at Nova ’s exuberant display, a lazy grin tugging at one corner of his mouth. "Well done you," he drawls, flicking a glance at Jack as if to say thanks. Calypso ’s quiet amusement earns her a subtle nod; he can sense her mix of curiosity and lingering caution, and it makes his lips twitch into a faint smirk. Sliding his deck of cards into an inner pocket, he pushes off the rock face in one smooth motion and turns toward the tunnel entrance. "Alright then—since Jack's the only one here who actually knows where we’re goin’, why don’t we let him lead the way." The note of grudging respect in his tone is almost genuine, though it carries just enough of his usual aloofness.
Before stepping in, Vesper swings a small satchel from his shoulder and begins handing out supplies. "You two get rags and chisels. If we see anything that’s faded, clean it up and we’ll mark it again." His gaze lingers pointedly on Nova’s bundle, as though already expecting her to get creative with the instructions. "Caly, make sure she doesn’t carve a smiley face instead of the code, yeah?" There’s a teasing glint in his eye as he looks between them. Then he inclines his head for Jack to take the lead, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets with feigned nonchalance as they begin their descent into the dark and damp.
We'll let Jack go first since he's the only one who knows where we're going. Lead us to the first bit of smuggler's code, dad
don't mean nothing's behind it
Code 100% taken from the queeeeeeen herself, Sky <3
☆ 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.
Leaving Vesper to divvy up the supplies between the girls and inclining his head to say he'll lead the way, he's at least kind enough to wait for them to be mostly ready before he sets off into the darkened tunnels. Light peeps in from random gaps and pools in the stone, painting them in odd rays of white and gold, and it isn't long before Jack is pausing next to a natural divide between two sets of tunnels - and what looks like a few chicken scratches on the stone.
"Here," he says, brushing a thumb over a particularly faded mark, then crouching to draw in the sand with his finger. Sketching out what it should look like, he nods to the left-most tunnel. "Safe," he says, indicating the meaning of the symbol. "If you ain't gonna learn anythin' else, learn that one."
Jack leads!
it's not your fault that you're always wrong the weak ones are there to justify the strong
Accepting her siblings' compliments with a smile, Nova doesn't register the sarcasm in Jack's drawl, too hungry for the recognition of her efforts. She snaps to attention with a crisp salute punctuated with boundless energy and an eagerness to succeed. "On it, Sir!" While Caly snags her arm, she wonders hopefully if there will be other opportunities for her to impress the captain with her incredible skills, after all, he's the most powerful magic user she's ever met, and she wants to be the best and brightest of them all. That way she can make the world ever more fun (whether or not other people found chaos 'fun' was still a question to be answered).
Her thoughts are still lingering on aspirations of colorful grandeur when given her bundle of supplies, smiling pleasantly to herself. Not even Vesper's cautionary words can dampen her mood. She pulls her sister closer, shrugging her shoulders. "Fine, but don't be surprised if you find smiley faces in other places." Just because she can't change the code doesn't mean she can't spruce the place up a bit. It could use a bit of color.
Before he can discourage her, Nova flashes him a wink and a pretty smile, slipping into the caves to follow Jack. She pushes water away from their feet as they walk, making the puddles a little less deep as an excited tune flows through her mind on repeat. It doesn't bother her, although it might be a little less enjoyable for the telepaths in the vicinity. She only pauses for a second to memorize the symbol for 'safe' then resumes where she'd left off while she draws in the sand to practice for the real thing. Maybe she'll even get a chance to practice her earth magic to make them!
Stepping to the side momentarily so that Jack can step through to start guiding the way once their supplies are divided up, Caly emits a soft chime of a laugh to hear Vesper’s goal for her – shooting him a playful look with her amber gaze. “I can definitely try,” though whether or not it would be successful is another story. She can only rein in their sister so much.
Snagging her own bundle, Caly follows along, taking in the tunnels and the darkness they inhabit, though the warmth seems to radiate from them even still, feeling like a warm hug. As they stop, she looks at the mark that Jack points out, the drawing that seems to be what it’s supposed to say, and as Nova practices, Caly steps up to the mark on the wall, clearing out any sand that’s brushed up or debris that has encased the edges of where it once had been.
“Ready when you are, sis.” She comments, flashing her sister a bright smile and stepping to the side, to watch and help however Nova needed to get the symbol perfect (sans smiley face).
Caly helps her sister make the mark and ensures there's no smiley faces added!
Vesper lets his gaze flick to the faded mark Jack pointed out, committing its shape to memory. Simple enough, but important—he wasn’t about to get turned around in these tunnels because he hadn’t been paying attention. He watches as Nova and Calypso get to work, their different approaches an amusing contrast. Nova brimming with energy, already drawing in the sand, while Caly methodically clears the debris, her movements measured and precise.
Tugging his gloves a little tighter against the damp chill, Vesper shifts his attention back to Jack, waiting for him to lead them further. His fingers drum idly against his thigh before he speaks, his voice casual but edged with curiosity, that, had he not inherited his father's need for control, the captain might have mentally felt rather than just heard in his voice. "So what happens if someone decides to use one of these marks wrong?" he asks, tipping his chin toward the symbol Nova and Caly are restoring. "Like, say, leaving a 'safe' sign somewhere it ain’t? Setting up an ambush. Or just fuckin’ with people for the hell of it." His smirk is lazy, but there’s a glint in his eyes as he watches Jack for an answer. "There actual rules to this stuff, or is it all 'honour among thieves' and hope for the best?"
Onwards, team!
don't mean nothing's behind it
Code 100% taken from the queeeeeeen herself, Sky <3
☆ 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.
Standing patiently with his hands in his coat pockets to watch as the girls practice the mark, clear the area, and then proceed to carve it anew, Jack only steps forward once they are finished, inspecting the work. "Depends," he says to Vesper, before nodding to Calypso and Nova as if to say it's passable, before moving on down the safe tunnel.
"Most folk who use these often'll know the routes by heart with or without the codes. So if there's somethin' here, it'll be for a cache or a warnin' about somethin' new. Like this..." Spotting a mark near their feet where they walk, mostly faded, Jack crouches to show them, taking up a stick once more to show them the symbols on the ground.
"This one means go left. The other is hideout. Sure there's honour among thieves, but mostly it's because someone who uses this shit to make his own trouble doesn't last long in my circles. Let's clean these up."
it's not your fault that you're always wrong the weak ones are there to justify the strong
Nova doesn't think she'd ever want to spend enough time in here to just 'know' the safe path. That sounds like a lot of time and effort surrounded by boring, damp walls. But she is also already starting to mix up the symbols in her head. Lines and circles dance around in different colors, dancing to the music that continues to run on repeat. Only the muscle memory for 'safe' is etched into her brain, hopefully giving her some chance of survival in these tunnels should she ever get lost.
Unbothered either way, Nova makes sure no one is looking (physically at least) before pushing her new earth magic against the portion of ceiling she passes. A small smiley face indents into the stone. It makes her giggle as she steps forward to do the same with the fading symbol. "Do people ever make up their own symbols?" Like smiley faces on ceilings. Or symbols for 'Mine. Keep out.'
It was brilliantly respective of their personalities, too, where Nova harbored much of the beautiful, vibrant chaos of clashing and beautiful colors. Caly’s, herself, was more so the calm cool gradient of warmth, enough to be patient and careful, meticulous when necessary, willing to wait and hold out for the long game. As such, they clean up the symbol and move on and the young attuned clasps her hands behind her, nearly bouncing on her heels as she quite readily commits every symbol so far to memory.
She listens as her brother brings up a good point, though, and she glances between him and their father as he provides his answer. They pause by a faded mark near their feet, her gaze flitting down and completely avoiding Nova’s smiley face in the ceiling, though that’s possibly for the best. Invested in the symbols she can see, she drifts toward it to begin cleaning it up, listening to her sister’s question before she tacks on her own. “Or do they have to go through you first?”
Vesper steps forward, drawing one of the chisels from the supplies and joining Nova and Caly as they work on the faded marks. His eyes narrow in amusement as he smooths out a rough edge on one symbol; a simple arrow meaning "go left" that looks more like a hastily drawn doodle than anything official. "Is there.." he begins, his tone casual. "—like some big ledger of these marks, or does every crew just make their own rules as they go?" He pauses, tapping the chisel lightly against his gloved hand. "I mean, seems like a coordinated effort might be useful if only so that you don't have an entire wall of go left written ten different ways."
He straightens up, wiping a smudge of sand from his hand, and glances at Jack for silent confirmation. "Might be a useful thing to have," he murmurs, before further reasoning that if such a thing did exist, it likely wasn't readily handed out for just any idiot to read.
"The sort of thing Flora might just want or need in that back room of hers." Vesper adds, glancing at Jack. While the captain might keep his mind carefully guarded, the same couldn't be said for his blonde counterpart.
Lets keep on cleaning the symbols!
don't mean nothing's behind it
Code 100% taken from the queeeeeeen herself, Sky <3
☆ 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.
Content to let the Marin siblings do the work - he'd been invited to show them the ropes, after all, not actually contribute to chiselling - Jack leans comfortably against the opposite wall and considers their questions with a patience that most would likely find surprising. "I'm sure people do. But it ain't as if anyone'll pay attention to symbols they don't really recognise," he says. "Those sorts of things die out pretty quick."
As for a ledger to show the clear translations of the code, the captain tuts under his breath. "The reason this has lasted so long is 'cause there ain't any written dictionary of it," he says. "It ain't perfect, but the fact that it's word of mouth means it's hard to pin down." Which is exactly what a bunch of criminals would want.
Still, with a sharp look at Vesper - mostly at the mention of Flora - he nods towards the left where the hideout had been indicated and moves on.
Said hideout is there, as it ought to be, complete with a carefully maintained crate of emergency supplies. On the ceiling overhanging the space, Jack points to a few more symbols and some crudely drawn arrows indicating their directions. "Cache. Escape route. Monsters. That last one is probably as important as Safe."
it's not your fault that you're always wrong the weak ones are there to justify the strong
