Click here for a list of weather descriptions, seasonal festivals, and a real time:site time conversion.
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!
Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.
Having returned from Halo and his multitudes of trainings, Zavien and Sol set out for the market. Everything felt almost normal again, only the occasional shadow catching his eye as he moved about the stalls. His ring still warmed on his finger with the various infected citizens, but he tried not to pay them any mind, smiling like he didn't know, even if the expression was a little strained. It wouldn't do him any good for the Family to know about the ring, and it wouldn't do the people any good to know they're infected if he can't cure them. All in all, he needed to focus on what he could do, like completing quests and preparing for his anniversary trip.
Sol trotted along beside him, ever the prefect partner behind enemy lines. His head swiveled for danger with determined diligence, although it caught on various sparkly objects or mouth-watering scents. Zavien had to hold back his laugh when the dragon started drooling at the sight of fresh kebabs. He paused in his search to buy a few, tossing strips of cooked ramphire meat to his companion as they made their way to the leather shop. The Dragoon might not have the faintest idea on what to get Lena, but he had a pretty good idea of what kind of item he wanted for his quest.
His hand raised in greeting as he came within range of the shop, the sharp woman who owned the goods giving him a rough shout. "Hey Zav! I thought maybe you'd forgotten about me!" Grinning, he propped his hands on the counter. "How could I ever forget the best leathersmith in all of Caido?" It might sound like flattery, but the dense muscles on the lanky woman spoke of years in the craft, and the few items she had displayed meant that they were high quality and often made between custom jobs.
She dismissed his words with a wave of her hand, the thick red of her ponytail flicking out from behind her head. "You're such a charmer. What can I do you for? Finally here for that set of armor?" Her eyebrows bounced playfully, knowing he'd always been an admirer of her work, and always tempting him.
Zavien shook his head, a playful laugh accompanying his words. "Come on, Trish, you know I can't afford that." A Dragoon's salary didn't exactly give him the luxury to buy something so expensive, not that he'd joined for the money. "No, I'm looking for something simple. Maybe a bracelet?" He only wore the golden dragon bracelet, and he didn't want something flashy or extravagant. Practicality and discretion were more his style.
"Fine fine. Let me see what I've got."Before she could move to look, he raised a hand, clearing his throat as a soft pink painted his cheeks. "And maybe a cute satchel? If you have one?" Knowing that she'd see that it wasn't for him Zavien pulled back his hand, running it through his hair as he gave her a sheepish smile.
As expected, Trish propped her hands on her hip, her green eyes glittering with mischief. Oh ho ho. That one'll cost you in details, but I have the perfect piece in mind." And with a teasing grin, she disappeared behind a flap, leaving Zavien to dread her return and the questions that would surely ensue.
Quiet as a whisper, someone slipped in beneath the awning of the shop to wait in line behind Zavien. A blur of motion, a suggestion of color - deep cherry red and gold over black - and the heady fragrance of roses preceeded any notice of salt-white hair peeking out from a deep hood. With her horns and tail glamored away, Maea could have been anyone. Just another slender, height-challenged young woman out doing her shopping on a lovely summer day.
She felt like one, too. Easy, at peace despite the inherent dangers surrounding her in this city; smiling at strangers had never been so simple and enjoyable, nor quite so heartfelt.
A small flicker of light illuminated the shade beneath her hair. As she settled in to wait for her turn, she responded to barely audible whispers in her ear with gentle murmurs, though to the people flooding past it looked like she was talking to herself. Maea didn't mind. It had never mattered less what others might think about her; only one being beside herself held genuine value, and it was Shii who held the majority of her attention at the moment. At least, until the wisp darted out from the safety of her hood, zooming over towards a golden dragon just ahead of them. She almost reached out to stop it, then stopped herself and simply watched, to see how its curiosity would be received.
Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.
His head moved to glance where Sol had wandered a little bit away, not far - never that far again - but enough for Zavien to notice. The golden dragon licked his lips to clear the meat from his teeth, glancing around slowly. There was a sense of caution down the bond, mixing with the more innocent curiosity surrounding something that had caught his attention. His tail wagged playfully, and the Dragoon left his companion to entertain himself with whatever it was, although he kept a mental finger on the bond, ready to react if something changed.
Zavien turned back to the stand as the flap rustled, Trish shoving it aside with the ease of someone who no longer saw the obstacle after passing it so many times. She had a few things in her hands, and she placed them along the table to show him, a teasing smile still on her lips as she set the last piece down. He ignored everything else as his eyes drew to the bag. His gaze scanned the utilization with the eyes of a strategic soldier, practical and analytical.
It was large enough for a couple books or a bundle of medical supplies, small pockets and pouches sewn inside and out for different herbs or writing utensils. The leather was unsurprisingly thick but soft, prepared to last longer than any cloth; however, the beauty wasn't compromised by the material. Small swirling floral patterns were burned into the satchel, delicate and near realistic in their rendering, Trish having somehow achieved shading with the intensity of the fire. Zavien ran his finger along the petals of some flower he'd never be able to name, a sunshine smile on his lips. "It's perfect." It was almost a whisper, weightless with thoughts of Lena.
Placing her hands on her hips, the leathersmith looked more pleased with his expression than the praise of her work. "It's yours for the small price of a name." Her grin turned crooked, knowing. "Who's the lucky girl that finally got you thinking about something other than fighting?" Zavien laughed, more than willing to pay that price if it would save him some money, and more than willing to talk about his girlfriend.
His head gestured to where he knew the gardens sat in the distance. "Her name's Lena. She the Caretaker of the Celestine." Recognition passed on Trish's face, but she just grinned a little bigger, listening as he continued. "She's incredible. Kind, brave, smart." He nodded, a light blush on his cheeks that brightened his stupid grin. "I think you'll like her." Trish reached out to clap him on the shoulder, her grip as strong as any soldier as she let out a coarse laugh. "I'm sure I will."
Unlike everyone else, she didn't choose to tease or linger on the topic, letting it pass as she turned back to the other pieces she'd retrieved. "Now, here are the other items. Any catch your eye?" Zavien finally looked away from the beautiful satchel, noticing the bracelets that she'd laid out. One in particular stood out for the scaled embossing on the thin strap of leather. He didn't even hesitate before pointing. "That one."
Trish laughed again, reaching forward to grab the bracelet. "How did I know you'd pick this one?" He shrugged his shoulders, unable to help the grin that answered, the one that knew he was terribly predictable.
The will-o-wisp was barely discernable in the brightness of the day, and took full advantage of this as it flitted closer to the dragon. Hiding in Sol's blind spot until they were close enough, Shii quickly darted in beneath the dragon's belly, where it tried to tickle the lizard with its heatless flames.
Amused by the antics, Maea made a point of focusing on the companion. She hadn't recognized Zavien at first, from behind and being mostly occupied with her own business as she was, but as he kept talking to the shop keeper the sound of his voice grew ever more familiar. It left her wiith the awkward decision of whether to greet him or leave him be, in the kind of situation where both could be either intrusive or offensive and she had no way of knowing which option to choose before it was done.
As the conversation fades and the woman began to wrap up the gift, Maea opted for a third route. Letting out a gentle cough as if to clear her throat, she shifted her weight to the side, so that she might be more visible. Thus leaving the decision on whether to acknowledge her or not in Zavien's hands - which was not cowardly, thank you very much - and hopefully avoiding any social faux pas that could worsen the tension between them.
Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.
Sol felt the small brush of something against the soft underbelly of his scales. He rumbled in surprise, hopping a little with the shock of it. His horned head curled down to look at what might have caused in, lifting his front leg to inspect the area with bright curiosity. The dragon didn't immediately recognize the creature, but he couldn't resist his delight at spotting a small orb of light, and he jumped out of the way to get a better view of it.
In the meantime, while Trish began packing up his purchases, Zavien turned at the sound of a soft cough. His eyes landed on a short woman with delicate white hair peeking from under her hood. He hadn't noticed her in his tunneled attention on his shopping. It was almost embarrassing, but the emotion was replaced by something a little more mixed and uncertain. There was caution in the tightness of his expression, although no animosity or dislike tainted the green of his eyes.
"Oh Maea." He smiled politely, dipping his head as he stepped back to give her room at the table. "Sorry. Was I standing in your way?" Zavien didn't see any other reason she might approach him, although he didn't move away yet, still waiting for his items to be packaged.
A titter like laughter, soft yet mischievous, sounded from the brightness that was Shii. Delighted by the way the dragon jumped, they pulsed to make themselves seen, and darted back into the golden shade beneath Sol's belly again, illuminating the shadows with a faint blue glow.
"Hello, Zavien," Maea responded, offering a smile to the dragoon. If she was relieved to be acknowledged rather than ignored it didn't show, though she made a point to keep her tone soft. "Not at all, I'm simply waiting for my turn. I've an order to collect," she added, addressing the woman behind the stall as well, and got a distracted nod in response. Content to wait for her turn, she kept half an eye on her troublemaker of a companion, and glanced surreptitiously at Zavien. He looked better than last time, less disheveled and brighter about the eyes. "Thank you for last time... How have you been?"
Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.
The little dragon's eyes caught the soft glow, eyes wide and glittering as he kept moving to spot it. When the orb darted below him again, Sol flapped his wings, shooting to the sky so he might remove the will-o-whisp's hiding place. He then dove, trying to catch the light in a game of tag like a cat might with a red dot.
Zavien didn't pay his rambunctious companion much mind. This was his usual level of antics, so the Dragoon focused on Maea instead, glancing briefly as Trish finished tying the last string around Lena's gift. He removed the payment from his pouch to offer it as he smiled playfully. "Well, you've come to the right place. Trish is the best." The leathersmith gave him a crooked grin, accepting the coin and compliments as she slid the goods across the table to him. "Suck up. I already gave you a steal and you know it."
Chuckling, he pocketed the smaller bundle and tucked the wrapped satchel under his arm, turning more fully to face Maea. "I'm doing well, thank you." He didn't know exactly what she was thanking him for. He hadn't exactly been 'helpful' during their last run-in with the Void, and he didn't feel like there was anything else he might have done. But he ignored that, trying to be polite as he nodded his head. "And you?" Like musty air in a ray of sunlight, it didn't hold as much warmth as it might have - but there was no coldness, just distance.
"So I heard," Maea agreed with a nod and a quick smile at the leatherworker, "hence why I ordered new boots from here. Mine have seen better days." Lifting the hem of her dress, she wiggled a shoe that was coming apart at the seams, the sole worn thin from too much use. Being soaked through and dried next to hot fires had turned the leather brittle - but as the price she was paying for the new ones rivaled that of her dress, Maea expected both better quality and a bit more care from herself.
Pleased to hear him say he was doing well whether out of politeness or not, she smiled in response, quick yet genuine. "I've been well. Much better, in fact... I daresay the therapy is working."
Silvery strands of hair escaped the shade beneath her hood. Guiding it back behind an ear, Maea gave the dragoon a pensive look. "Actually... I'm glad I ran into you. Do you recall what you tried to tell me about, first time we met? I wanted to ask, if it's too late to have that conversation now?"
A game of tag was starting up a ways off as the dragon and the wisp zoomed through the air. A glance in their direction told Maea they weren't bothering anyone, so she left them at it. The joy blooming against her mind through the companion bond was like a second sun, warm and blissful - she'd be reluctant to dim Shii's fun for anything less than murder or arson.
Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.
He glanced down at her feet as she indicated to them, spotting Trish shuffle at the edge of his vision to gather the order for Maea. She could certainly use some new boots, and he nodded his head in understanding before lifting his head to spot the soft smile on her face. Zavien returned it, happy that she was at least getting some help for the traumas she'd mentioned to him. "I'm glad to hear that." The words were warmer, genuine hope adding degrees to the wish for her to find peace.
Her following question surprised him, the smile fading slightly. If he recalled correctly, during their first meeting, he'd asked her about being a go-between for him and Hadama - which she'd promptly refused - but he wasn't sure if that was her meaning or not. Regardless, it was no longer necessary, their relationship having shifted over the seasons.
Furrowing his brows in light puzzlement, he slowly dipped his head anyways. "I suppose so." As much as he wanted to get home, he could spare some time for the Ancient and hear out whatever it was she wanted to say, especially if it might have to do with the fight against the Family. However, he had no intention of vocalizing such a topic in the middle of the street owned by said group.
Trish offered Maea her boots, giving Zavien a playful smack on the shoulder before she moved to reorganize the space for her next customers. The Dragoon winked at her then turned away, knowing he would see her again soon. Letting Sol know the plan, he tilted his chin in the direction of the Celestine. "Let's talk somewhere a little quieter. Follow me."
