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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!
so look out, i fear that they follow near for from the gallows, you'll swing for all the kids to see
The ground evens out and they crest the threshold of Mourn. The Barrow hills sit in the backdrop as everyone keeps the unicorns together, the herd moving at an easy and thankfully fast pace, not spooking or antsy for the moment. The field has evened out, small clumps of tall grass poking up among the grasses that still struggle to grow and bloom with the clutches of cold still hanging on.
Coming across a small stream, Sunjata nickers a sound, figuring everyone could use a water break – the unicorns included. Let’s take a quick break and get some water and a snack. He calls out to those with the attuned bond in the direct vicinity – meaning Vesper and one of the hands currently on their horse will be able to hear it. The hand, thankfully not shifted, conveys the message.
Sweat glints along Sunjata’s shoulders, turning the medium blue there into a darker hue as he slows near the stream – tilting his head back to glance at Nikandr as if to ask if they’re heading in the right direction. For Hawthorn and Colt, the unicorns on their side seem a little less wily and are more amenable to getting pushed wherever. Vesper’s side is a little more antsy about stopping.
Last half of the split!! Round 1:
We’re taking a quick break for water and snacks! We’ve reached a stream, try to keep the herd near it so they can drink and get a snack yourselves.
Niki, let us know if we need to make any adjustments to the direction we’re heading! (We’ve gone in a straight shot but in order to reach the river, we’ll have to head more to the left!)
No post order!
they don't hear the serpent that burns your ear or the coward that sits alone in your head with it
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Sunjata, without killing him <3
Sunjata speaks with an Australian accent and has a passive magic that makes him produce a subtle scent that matches exactly to whatever those around him most desire him to smell like.
I had a vision last night Horses on the granite plains
The saddle has a way of working stiffness out of her, even if she doesn't intend to lose it. Gradually, she melts into the rhythm of the herd and the stride that rolls under her, some of her angles falling away. Although she's quick to correct the entire ride, and finds herself trying to resettle her seat frequently, as if comfort is just beyond her. It wears more on Cherry, the mare's temples dark with the sweat that comes from nerves more than motion by the time they haul up to the water.
Twisting in her seat to survey the settling of the herd, mindful that the water's edge adds its own sort of pressure, Colt eventually trades out her spot with a hand that's already grabbed what he needed. She guides her mare away from the bulk of shifting bodies and glinting horns, encouraging her to the water's edge to drink as she slips off. With a quick jerk of motion, she loosens the saddle's girth and slings the reins over her shoulder. The mare drinks in great draughts and then shifts slowly to nibbling on the tufts of plants nearby. Colt stays with her, no appetite of her own to speak of, and more of the mind to ensure the horse has what she needs to keep carrying them both. She does take a swig of water from her saddlebags, and palms an apple to the still-wet lips. She keeps an ear out for word that they're continuing.
Colt helps settle the herd then breaks her mare
That sound of freedom stampeding Why can't I feel the same?
Received a Gilded Market wig from Remi that resembles her usual hair and is enchanted to stay on better than most wigs | has a reverse centaur tattoo on her left hand with the legs going down her pointer and middle fingers that looks like this.
Sunjata’s voice rolls through the attuned bond, and Vesper answers it with a low snort, one black ear flicking back toward the pegasus while his attention stays on the left edge of the herd. The unicorns on his side are less willing to settle, their bodies shifting in restless angles as the others begin to slow near the stream, and he keeps himself wide enough to block any sudden attempt to scatter.
He presses in on the worst of them with steady, deliberate pressure, shouldering their attention away from open ground and toward the water instead. When one resists, he crowds its line just enough to make the easier choice obvious, then eases off the moment it steps nearer the bank. Only once the stragglers have been bullied into the loose shape of a break does Vesper lower his own head, breathing in the cold mineral scent of the stream before drinking.
Vesp tries to keep the herd together and also takes a drink
Will I ever quit playing with matches? Why am I making angels in the ashes?
Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!
☆ 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.
and you know me, my will is eternal, and you know me you've met me before
The horses and their riders do what they do best, and so it's only fair that Niki follows suit with what help he can offer. The necromancer spends the morning glancing frequently between the landscape and the maps, the beauty of the Barrows at their heels somewhat lost on him in his concentration. And as they stop for a break he's quick to fall in line, murmuring an earnest thanks to Sunjata for carting him around thus far and stepping down from the wagon for a drink.
Once he's gotten everything he needs, he's quick to return to the wagon, consulting a compass and tracking their route before speaking up. "We will need to bank more to the west from here," he explains, straightening to ensure his voice is loud enough to carry. "But otherwise we are on the right track."
Niki takes a break and relays the new directions!
Niki
face to face with a beast, I will rise from the east and I'll settle on the ocean floor
The unicorns are a little more manageable on this side, now that Thorn has aligned himself nearer to Colt. With her expertise, his horse glides easily with him to keep the pressure on them just enough to not let them get too squirrely. And for that, the courtesan is infinitely relieved. His body aches, though, and the occasional little spark of healing magic does very little to help alleviate all of the pain.
He’s grateful when the call for a break is given, guiding his horse toward the little stream, letting him drink once the herd has settled nearby to get a sip for themselves. Thorn takes a moment to sit back and rummage in the little bag he’s got strapped to him, pulling out a flask of water and sips from it and nibbles on a little snack brought with, keeping an eye on the unicorns in the process since it doesn’t seem like it’ll be that long of a break.
Thorn takes a break and helps keep the herd contained!
so look out, i fear that they follow near for from the gallows, you'll swing for all the kids to see
As everyone starts to break, the unicorns begin to descend toward the stream, corralled there by the help of everyone keeping them contained. It’s enough that the unicorns start to relax a little, catching breaths and sipping some of the water (aside from the more antsy ones), pausing during this break time to start nibbling on the grasses nearby, still clinging with a small amount of frost that hasn’t been warmed away yet with the slow beginning of Flowerbirth.
Sunjata takes his break, too, remaining in his animal shift just as Vesper does. A soft little nicker is offered to Niki’s thanks, staying still as he departs the wagon. Once he’s sure Niki’s nowhere near the wagon to get knocked into, Sunjata steps up to the stream’s edge, hooves clicking against some pebbles that run through it. He takes his fill, ears perking forward to listen for the herd again, before he’s lifting his head back up and shakes out a little, stepping away from the herd to get back on track once the break time seems to come to a close.
Nikandr instructs them to bank more to the west, a sentiment shared through the hands as they start to push the unicorn herd back into motion. It’s easy going at first, the herd seeming mostly content that the break had time to drink and snack and feel relatively normal. But as they start to bank to the west, the hills start to come into view – a carved section far off in the distance that signifies the cut out of the river.
This time, both sides of the herd start to bolt – Colt and Hawthorn’s side has two unicorns trying to make their great escape, while Vesper’s side has one that seems to be ready to bolt at any moment and seems pretty aggressive about it the closer Vesper gets. For the most part with this journey, the unicorns have stayed relatively far ahead of Sunjata and Niki, though they have a straggler that starts to hang back toward Sunjata and the wagon with Niki in it, like it might be able to trick him or slip out through one of the little gaps back here.
Round 2!
Back on track, we’re arcing to the West to get toward the river cut out!
- Vesper, you’ve got a unicorn ready to bolt and is angry about it!
- Colt and Hawthorn, you have two unicorns bolting off your side!
- Sunjata and Niki, you have one trying to be an obstacle in front of you!
No post order!
they don't hear the serpent that burns your ear or the coward that sits alone in your head with it
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Sunjata, without killing him <3
Sunjata speaks with an Australian accent and has a passive magic that makes him produce a subtle scent that matches exactly to whatever those around him most desire him to smell like.
and you know me, my will is eternal, and you know me you've met me before
Niki has mostly been keeping an eye on his maps again as they head towards the west, and he's already taken note of the hills and the bend of the river-to-be, marking it in pencil on his map (since it hasn't yet been updated by virtue of the fact that it doesn't properly exist at the moment). He glances up only as the wagon jostles a bit with the appearance of the straggler unicorn, Niki frowning and glancing around, but the hands and the rest of their group have their own issues to contend with.
"Let me," he tells Sunjata, adjusting enough to grab onto the side of the wagon and see properly, before reaching deep into the wellspring of his magic for one he doesn't often - if ever - use.
Summoning doesn't come as naturally to him as necromancy (hilarious, yes), but with maintained concentration Niki does manage to call forth a small black bear, one that emits a chuffing growl and bumbles towards the unicorn to spook it into picking up the pace back towards the herd.
Niki summons a small black bear to chase the straggler unicorn back to the safety of the wider herd!
Summoning (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can summon 1 medium-sized animal (small bear/large dog) or 2 small animals (house-cat sized or smaller)
Type: Light | Rank: Upgraded | Cost: Action
Niki
face to face with a beast, I will rise from the east and I'll settle on the ocean floor
I had a vision last night Horses on the granite plains
As the break period comes to a close, Colt retightens the cinch on Cherry and swings back into the saddle. Together, the move to round the herd back up into motion, weaving back and forth between hands and Thorn until they all drive the bulk of it onward to the way Niki points.
It's no surprise that after a chance to reinvigorate themselves, the unicorns have grown more restless. They're already wily on the best of days, but now they strike out with what feels almost like a coordinated effort as two shoot off from their side. The escape is almost in tandem, although they end up arcing into different escape routes after the initial break. "I got this one Thorn!" she calls over to him, the only closest one in earshot before Colt's heels hit her mare's side and throw him behind them.
Flying over the slopes of Mourn, Colt urges Cherry into the next gear as they angle to catch up to, and then overtake the runner. The goal is to swing in, the visible, oncoming pressure of her approach cutting off the immediate pathway of the unicorn. From there, she'd continue to push in, making noise and slapping her thigh, Cherry snaking out with teeth and body to turn the escapee and send them back.
Colt races after one of them and tries to cut it off and force it back
That sound of freedom stampeding Why can't I feel the same?
Received a Gilded Market wig from Remi that resembles her usual hair and is enchanted to stay on better than most wigs | has a reverse centaur tattoo on her left hand with the legs going down her pointer and middle fingers that looks like this.
Vesper sees the unicorn’s temper sharpen before it fully commits to anything, the angle of its head and the hard set of its body warning him off more clearly than any thought could have done. Rather than push straight into that resistance and turn fear into a fight, he edges himself farther out to the side, easing the immediate pressure while keeping his body between the unicorn and the open ground it wants.
The release is deliberate, not careless. His ears pin flat against his black mane, and he lets out a loud, rough snort that carries across the narrow space between them, making the boundary clear without closing the trap. If the unicorn chooses the herd, Vesper will give it room enough to make that decision feel like its own, but if it bolts, the promise in his posture says he will be on it before it gets far.
Vesp eases off the pressure sligthly but makes it clear that he'll charge if the unicorn bolts.
Will I ever quit playing with matches? Why am I making angels in the ashes?
Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!
☆ 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.
He knows things have gone a little too smoothly at this rate for it to continue. The second they’re back on track and curving around the bend that’s called out, things start to go awry. Unicorns grow antsy, bolting out from the careful corralled herd, and Thorn bites down on the inside of his cheek as he starts to try and push the gelding beneath him to try and meet them.
Turns out, Colt thankfully takes the wilier one, which leaves the one that had only done it because his friend started it, to the courtesan. Shifting gears and calling out a “sounds good! to Colt while the courtesan aims for the one still trying to debate how far it wanted to send it. He glances over to Colt to see her and her horse start to work with the main offender and he tries to replicate it with his own escapee.
Getting close enough to it, Thorn uses a bit of his wind magic to try and push the unicorn back with the rest, with the pressure of himself and Tex to keep it up and try to guide it back in.
Thorn uses his wind magic to try and help push the one unicorn he’s dealing with back to the rest of the herd!
Air manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can manipulate existing air within a 30ft radius. Control is excellent. Cannot alter atmospheric chemistry, change weather, or generate dangerous pressure shifts.
Type: Grey | Rank: Upgraded | Cost: Action
so look out, i fear that they follow near for from the gallows, you'll swing for all the kids to see
He doesn’t give himself a moment to panic as the unicorn tries to slow down and block the way Sunjata and Niki take up the rear. Already his ears are flattening, an annoyed snort of a sound escaping him before he hears Nikandr’s answer. So he doesn’t try to reach out and nip at the creature – instead, his grey-blue gaze snags on the small black bear that has appeared, lumbering close enough to the unicorn to absolutely add some fire in its movement.
The unicorn glances back and certainly does start to spook – darting forward and almost rushing into the main section of the herd which only spurs the rest of them to pick up speed. Everyone keeps up the pressure with it, though, trying to keep them all in line. The hands, for the most part, manage to keep the bulk of the herd together. As for Vesper and his unruly, aggressive unicorn, it seems fire is met with fire. The relief of pressure begins to relax it a touch, though as the loud snort is carried over and the pinned ears, the unicorn starts to try and bolt again. Vesper doesn’t let it, though, and it thinks better after half of a second of making its attempt, kicking out toward the demigod but does start to aim back toward the bulk of the herd.
On the other side of the herd with the two rogue unicorns, Colt finds hers falling into line relatively quickly between the pressure of her and Cherry, the expertise making it that much easier to abide by the sound of noise to turn it back. For Hawthorn, it’s a little rougher going – especially with this increased speed, and he struggles to keep the unicorn from continuing to try and bolt. IT finds any opening it can and starts to run again.
Round 3!
The herd has picked up speed but still is mostly contained.
- Vesper, your unicorn is returning to the herd but still seems a little wild.
- Colt, yours returns to the herd, but Thorn is struggling with his and might need some help.
- Niki and Sunjata, the summoning worked but has increased the speed of the herd and made things a little more wily.
No post order! We’ll reach the dug out riverbed in the next round and then we can start wrapping it up :D
they don't hear the serpent that burns your ear or the coward that sits alone in your head with it
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Sunjata, without killing him <3
Sunjata speaks with an Australian accent and has a passive magic that makes him produce a subtle scent that matches exactly to whatever those around him most desire him to smell like.
and you know me, my will is eternal, and you know me you've met me before
His plan works, which has a brief and boyish smile flashing across Niki's lips, especially given how upset and bitey Sunjata had started to look as a pegasus. Unfortunately it has worked a little too well, and he's suddenly aware of how the speed of the herd as a whole has begun to pick up. "That seems less ideal," he says slowly, raising a hand to dismiss his summon; the black bear vanishes into nothing, something he hopes will soothe a few of the nearby unicorns.
"Shall we try to catch up so we can persuade them to slow down again?" he suggests, sitting himself safely back in the wagon in case the Flood opts to pick up speed. "It still looks as though we are going the right way." And he doesn't need any maps by this point to tell as much, able to see the growing shape of the dry riverbed ahead of them.
Niki dismisses his bear summon and suggests trying to catch up with the middle of the herd so they can help in calming/slowing them.
Niki
face to face with a beast, I will rise from the east and I'll settle on the ocean floor
The kick cuts through the air near enough that Vesper feels the warning of it in the shift of wind and muscle, but he does not answer it with his teeth or his shoulder. There is a part of him, bitter and crowded with everything he has spent the last two days refusing to touch, that would gladly meet defiance with defiance and drive the unicorn back by force, but he knows better.
Pressure has its place, but so does release, and he has learned the hard way how quickly something cornered can turn dangerous when all it wants is proof that there is still a way out. So Vesper drifts farther to the side of the herd, keeping himself visible without bearing down, his ears still low and his stride measured.
The message is simple enough for the creature to understand. The unicorn can kick out all it likes, but if it stays where it is meant to be, Vesper will leave it alone.
Vesper eases off the unicorn more to try and get it to chill
Will I ever quit playing with matches? Why am I making angels in the ashes?
Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!
☆ 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.
