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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!
All this time I didn't know You were breakin' down
At first, everything seemed to be going fine. The ROUs made their way down the side street - all except for one last straggler. The grouchy old rat squared off against Soh, who felt suddenly and remarkably alone without Tarak as backup, but the tide jaguar snarled all the same. It was, for a moment, a battle of wills, at least until the old bastard darted forward to sink his teeth into Soh's leg.
Not having expected an actual bite to occur, Soh made a noise somewhere between a snarl and a yowl of pain and surprise. With a last hiss, the tide jaguar unsheathed her claws and smacked at the old ROU, hoping that a bit of a scratch would encourage him to follow his brethren. It wasn't that she wanted to hurt him, really (although she felt rather justified, anyway), but she did want him gone.
---
Soh smacks at the ROU that bit her with her claws.
He nodded at Lena's words, trusting that they'd be able to heal Soh once she was freed of the rat. She seemed to be doing well enough on her own, a massive paw swiping sharp claws into its flank. The ROUS let out a screech, releasing her leg as it scurried back in search of escape. All it found was the sharp end of Zavien's Starblade cutting into its neck. The cry for help was cut off, Lena's efforts (and the companions') leaving it alone in the rubble while the others took refuge in their new street to be dealt with by the Monster Hunter Guild later.
Meanwhile, Zavien ripped his blade from the ROUS' body, rushing forward to place a hand against Sohalia's fur, his healing ring giving a faint pulse as he activated it. He looked to the wound and what remained afterwards with a slight grimace. Guilt lined his features as he scanned her and their surroundings. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize so many ROUS were hiding here. I should have checked before we started. Are you okay?"
Take a moment to catch your breath then get back to cleaning!
As the sea is beautiful not only in calm but also in a storm, so is happiness found not only in peace but also in strife.
With the horde fleeing down the side street, Lena only gave them one last passing glance, before her features turned into a frown. Silently thanking Mittens for its efforts, and peeling it away from potentially chasing after the beasts, the Caretaker was far more determined in ensuring Sohalia was all right. A ROU’s poisonous potential and ventures were the last thing the poor Luminary needed.
Making her way over, she could hear the apology layered from Zavien, but there wasn’t much to be done for it. Animals were animals. If anything, they could blame Dahlia for being the one to let things go to such a degree, and given she was the individual who had destroyed everything in the first place…
She only gave a light huff and a shake of her head, before waving her staff over Sohalia’s wound. “And let me know if you feel any other lingering pain.”
It's not losing it all, if we have each other In the end it's all, in the end it's all that matters
The swipe of Soh's claws dislodged the ROU from her leg, and then Zavien was there, slicing through the beast's neck with one swing of his blade. Soh couldn't find it in herself to feel very sorry for the rat, even though a part of her acknowledged that it was a shame that the creature should be cut down simply for following its nature. But it had bitten her, hard enough that blood leaked sluggishly from the wound. The tide jaguar fought the urge to lick at the injury, shifting instead so that where the cat had sat a moment before was a heap of a girl instead.
Zavien's ring and Lena's staff soon had her feeling right as rain, though, and Soh shook her head ruefully at their shared worry. Feeling remarkably silly and fussed over, Soh pushed herself to her feet. "I'm fine," she reassured her friends, offering a shaky smile. "It wasn't bad, and since you both have healing items..." Something that she herself should get, probably, but that was a future Soh problem.
In the meantime, there was more work to be done. "Back to cleaning, then?" she asked, tone a little overbright, as she hoped that the others would stop fussing over her and let her get back to it, if only so that she could lick her metaphorical wounds in peace.
---
Soh reassures everyone that she's fine, then goes back to cleaning!
If we take this chance, and it falls to pieces In the end you're all, in the end you're all that matters
Sohalia
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
He glanced away to watch Lena approach, offering a grateful smile for her added healing, and when he looked back, Sohalia was back to her blonde form, a shaken look on her face. His hand stayed on her shoulder, hoping to calm and stabilize with a gentle tone despite her unconvincing insistence. "Either way, take it easy and let us know if you need a break. A ROUS bite isn't a simple thing."
As she stood, Zavien stepped away, giving her some space just in time for a group of early workers to arrive. He lingered for a moment, making sure Soh was good and the last signs of chaotic rodents were gone. Smiling at her, he added with a little more distracted but no less genuine tone. "You're too important to lose. You need to take care of yourself. Plus, we have plenty of people to help." Then he turned to the newcomers again, sheathing his sword as he prepared to direct their efforts. "Hopefully it'll go a lot faster now. We should be able to start clearing the rocks too." It would give them an open base for the new foundation.
Finish cleaning and start moving rubble out of the way! Feel free to help organize some people as well!
As the sea is beautiful not only in calm but also in a storm, so is happiness found not only in peace but also in strife.
With Sohalia fine, healed, and good to go, the Caretaker backed off – smiling hesitantly, trying to put a multitude of things in her mind behind her. Nodding at the indication of next steps, she placed the staff back in her bag, and then figured they’d get back to it – especially with the newcomers joining.
If anyone noted how she carefully avoided the rubble, then so be it, but she tended to the trash and refuse still remaining after the whole litany of distractions. “Want to come help me over here?” She waved to a few people, brightening now with the sense of unease plastered only behind her ribcage, before grabbing another bag to place trash within. Mittens gave her a look, but then sneered quietly to itself, and then began to resume swallowing down the bits of refuse it deemed suitable and appetizing.
--
Lena tries to gather a few to come help her pick up trash. Mittens once again tries to eat the garbage.
It's not losing it all, if we have each other In the end it's all, in the end it's all that matters
However important or not Sohalia may be, she accepted Zavien's reassurances with a small smile and a half-nod before getting back to work. With the ROUS gone, she hoped that things would go more smoothly from here on out, and she dutifully continued to gather trash into a bag, shaking her head at Mittens's antics and assistance. The now-familiar pang of missing Tarak ached behind her sternum, but she resolutely ignored it. She would be no good to anyone if she gave in to her lingering depression.
Instead, she turned her attention to the rubble, waving over a few helpers to begin shifting some of the rocks. "Be careful not to dislodge the whole pile at once," she warned as she directed this person here and that person there. "Otherwise we'll all be buried before long." Once she had a line of helpers set up, she began to carefully dig out rubble, passing it along down the line to designated trash areas.
---
Soh begins to clear rubble!
If we take this chance, and it falls to pieces In the end you're all, in the end you're all that matters
Sohalia
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
Zavien could feel the various tensions in the air. He looked between the two women, watching as they split off to direct the bright-eyed newcomers in their clean-up efforts, catching the strained smiles and avoided glances. His own smile felt heavier, wishing he knew how to make the process easier for them, but not having time to ruminate on possibilities as he gathered a group of his own.
Time passed as the new hands eagerly cleared trash and debris. The sun moved just as quickly, filtering directly down through the overcast clouds in time for the storm to arrive. Not a physical storm. The clouds were thankfully void of rain or lightning. No. Erika had arrived.
She blew in like the strongest Longheat breeze, all stifling warmth and brightness that had everyone turning towards her. The stout woman's silvery hair could be seen from across the site and her chiding voice could be heard streets away as she stomped directly up to Zavien. "You didn't tell me everyone was so THIN! I would have brought more food!" As it stood, she had a giant cart stacked full of piping pots that looked like enough to feed any army, but Zavien knew better than to argue. He stood with the shorter woman poking his sweaty chest (the swaetshirt had been long discarded), a sheepish grin on his face. "I missed you too, Erika."
She clicks her tongue, slapping him on the shoulder with a chastising look, turning back to the cart and the crowd that had begun to gather around the smell of hearty noodles and stew. When he didn't immediately follow, Erika shouted over her shoulder, "Well, don't just stand there! We've got people to feed!"
Shaking his head, he didn't hide the exasperated smile he shot Lena and Sohalia as he took his place serving everyone from the pots large enough to fit a small child. Zavien was insistent in gesturing them over, making sure the women were some of the first to get a bowl of the filling soup of blink hare, veggies, and dumpling-like noodles.
Enjoy a short lunch break that Erika has demanded!
As the sea is beautiful not only in calm but also in a storm, so is happiness found not only in peace but also in strife.
Lena couldn’t help but hear Sohalia’s words over the distance, and the sentiments suddenly made her feel very ill. Trying to hide the bout of trepidation and recoil over a horde of memories that would never quite go away, her fingers shook as she placed the trash into bags, features striving to look resolute. She’d almost take building the thing to this now – but she quietly worked and wiled away, losing herself in focus and drive, rather than what the Tower and all its rubble represented time and time again.
She hadn’t even noticed Erika until there were shouts. Lifting her head from the pile of work, she blinked several times, then nodded her head politely, tilting it vaguely as she restored something beyond apprehension to her soul. “This looks lovely,” she deigned instead, waiting in line amidst the rest. “Thank you,” she chimed to the other woman, snagging at a bowl, hoping the warmth of the impending meal would fill the void.
It's not losing it all, if we have each other In the end it's all, in the end it's all that matters
Unaware of the turmoil her words had caused, Sohalia continued to work, passing rock after rock along the little line she'd set up. She and her helpers were efficient, if nothing else, although the work was hard and time-consuming. Soh carefully selected each piece of rubble to cause the least amount of movement in the pile, and they were seemingly successful in not causing an avalanche of rock to come crashing down upon their heads.
It was lunchtime before Soh knew it, and she looked up to wipe a hand across her brow. With all the physical labor, she'd managed to work up a sweat. Still, she stretched her arms over her head as she and her crew wandered closer to the lunch spread, giving Erika and her companions a bright smile. "Everything looks delicious." Of course, it always did where Erika was concerned. Then she grabbed a bowl of her own, opting to find a place nearby to sit while she ate.
---
Soh gets some food!
If we take this chance, and it falls to pieces In the end you're all, in the end you're all that matters
Sohalia
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
The food was just what people needed after their hard work that morning. Zavien offered each a smile and as many helpings of noodles as Erika was able to guilt them into eating. She fussed and mothered even the oldest of volunteers, making sure they knew that food was the only thing that would help them succeed in their tasks. The chef paid particular attention to Lena and Soh, adding an extra egg into each of their bowls with a tsk of disapproval for their thin frames; but as they each turned to leave, her smile was wide with pride for the women who were bravely serving their city.
Once they were all refueled and their spirits renewed, the crew got back to work, clearing away rubble and debris to prepare the space for the building to come. It took the rest of the day and many trips to the garbage stores in order to empty the area of obstacles, a blank canvas perfect for the Tower they would build.
Turning to the others, Zavien grinned, his eyes scanning the drawn and exhausted faces. Despite the sweat dripping down his back, he looked energized, ready to start the next portion of work. However, he recognized the need for rest and praise, gathering the group as he said, "Thanks for your help today. We have many more days of building to come, but this is a good start. Go home and enjoy your time off, because you're going to need all your energy once we start the building process." His head nodded in dismissal, joining his council so they might discuss the next steps as the rest dispersed.
Thanks for helping clear the ROUS and preparing the area for the building crew!
[FIN]
If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another.
