Click here for a list of weather descriptions, seasonal festivals, and a real time:site time conversion.
Character of the Season
Once known as the Butcher of Whitebrim, he's now The Butcher of Dygra, stepping forward as the first created demigod of the Ancients. There is no question that Astaroth casts an intimidating silhouette. Tall, domineering and dangerous, if looks could kill you'd be dead already, but to get up close and personal with the Grounds' resident cannibal tells a much different story. Dripping with charm and clad in only the finest attire, Asta is a gentleman monster, as polite as they come and committed to his role as security for the Dusklight and those who have earned his loyalty. Be careful of that smile, though - those teeth are sharp.
Congratulations, Asta!
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!
In answer to her question, Asta's cane(?) severs the remaining wing from its body. The twitching comes to a stop, the cooling corpse falling limp into the damp soil where it doesn't stir again, almost as if the thought of living without flight was too much to bear.
Knell watches it for another moment, but when it doesn't move, she pokes it again, rolling the body over to inspect the glittering underbelly of scales. Up close, they're a beautiful latticework of gem-like discs, overlapping to create a layered skin that shimmers ever after death. They're raised in small bumps and divots that rise and fall beneath the pad of her finger, attempting to catch at the skin when she moves the opposite way. She wonders at the muscles and blood that hides beneath, the miniscule puddle of red seeming too little to cause death.
When Asta crouches next to her - or maybe he'd been there for a moment - Knell reaches for the wings, doing her best to be delicate despite her clumsy limbs. "Where should we put them? Should they be up high for Ghilio to find?" The pair rotate between her fingers, catching the light like stained glass windows with small veins spiderwebbing through each color.
// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //
He lets her poke and prod at the remaining, flightless body of the tree flit as he gets the cane back in order, cleaning it up a touch on a pant leg before it becomes a shiny, glorified walking cane. He’s just about to reach for the wings when she finishes her inspection, but he leans back as he watches her reach for them instead.
“Perhaps we place them high and leave the berries directly below it.” If she wanted to lure Ghilio toward their bounty, perhaps the shining and stained glass reflective appearance of the bright wings might capture the deity’s attention enough to come near and smell the sweet fruit they’d collected. “Where would you like to put them?” He asks, angling his head toward her with his easy, sharp smile.
Astaroth
// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //
Smiling at the trap plan coming together, Knell holds the wings in her fingers, her tail raising behind her. "Okay!" She scans the surrounding forest, the body forgotten as she twists the colorful wings thoughtfully.
Trees rise all around them, branches and trunks bifurcating into smaller limbs that create the the thick canopy blocking out the majority of the sunlight. Leaves weave between each other in various shades, but Knell spots a small section of splitting bark cast in bright light, high above their heads.
She points to it. "What about up there in that tree?" Blue eyes look to Asta, hope and intrigue lifting them wide when she asks, "Can I put them up there?" How is something she'll have to figure out, but it sounds like fun, setting the final piece of the puzzle.
// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //
He watches as she perks up with the idea of making the offering/trap, letting the smile bloom a bit wider on his face as she twists the wings in her small hands in childish wonder. His attention averts to their surroundings, all vibrant yet still muted with the cold that continues to latch on, foliage and trees greeting them. And before he has a chance to make any suggestions, she’s pointing to a beautiful little spot that Asta can’t quite reach himself, but perhaps if he picked her up she could tack the wings into the bark.
“Of course, my dear.” He hums, stepping forward to inspect the height of the tree. It’s above him, but perhaps not enough that he couldn’t hoist her up there and make sure she didn’t fall in the process. “Would you like me to lift you up?” He asks, ensuring she was okay with it before he sets the cane against the trunk of the tree in question and bends at his knees, arms out to take her into them so he can hoist her up toward that bright spot of sun-illuminated bark.
Astaroth
// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //
Her chin lifts, eyes shining bright despite the shade. She moves closer to inspect the spot, already thinking about how to get up there - maybe climbing? - when Asta makes his suggestion. It's the perfect solution that's rewarded with a wide grin. "Okay!"
Knell stands, glancing between Asta and the ultimate goal. Her arms raise so he can get to her waist and lift her up, but even prepared and watching for it, she still lets out a small giggle when the ground vanishes from beneath her feet. She keeps her hands firmly grasped on the wings until she's eye level with the sunny gap in the bark. The base of the wings fit snuggly into the space, the light coloring her hands as they work to secure them.
When she's certain that they won't fall, Knell releases her hands, smiling and looking down at Asta. "How's it look?"
// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //
Sending a sharp grin back her way, the Butcher easily hoists her toward the little hole in the trunk of the tree where the ray of sunlight captures it perfectly. And luckily for them, the combination of his height and her arms manage to reach it without too much trouble. Her giggle sparks a soft hum of a laugh from the Butcher himself, though once she shifts a little and he looks up at her to see her looking down at him, he lowers her back down to the ground so he can get a good view.
The sun filters in, glittering against the treeflit’s wings, sparkling and shiny. “That looks beautiful, darling.” Always a fan of things that glittered and were distractingly vibrant, it has the ancient’s approval. “Now, we just need to put the berries in place.” He reaches for the little handkerchief bag he’d made with the ruby fruits, snagging one of two to nestle into the branches close to the wings – almost like decorating a Christmas tree, sure that Knell will manage to get the berries nestled in on the lower parts of the foliage.
Astaroth
// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //
Once her feet are back on the ground, Knell gazes adoringly up at the colorful streams of light, the wings refracting the gemstone colors in all directions. Despite the various shades and hues of the forest, she has no doubt that the vibrancy will attract anyone's attention - hopefully even that of a sleeping god.
Beaming under Asta's praise, she turns her smile to him. "We make a good team!" But they aren't done yet, and Knell shoves her hands into her bulging pockets to pull at the handful of berries. Some spill onto the forest floor, but the majority are cupped in her palms when she lifts them to tangling system of roots at the base of the tree. Their smell is strong where a few have broken, painting her fingers red again when she displays them in a pile that will certainly look enticing to any weary or drowsy soul.
More berries tumble from her pockets when she stands, the tan color of the jacket staining. "How will we know if it works?" she wonders aloud, pursing her lips when she looks upon the trap offering, from the shimmering wings to the clusters of sweetness. Would they ever know if it succeeds? Should they come back and check later?
