What do you get when two ruthless assassins raise their daughter travelling through the wildest reaches of Caido? Take one look at Theea and you'll get a pretty good idea. Cheerful and tenacious in equal measure, and curious beyond all else, she began her journey on a mission to find those her mother once called family. And find them she did, soon rubbing elbows with demigods, leaders and even ghosts from the past. Her determination is resolute, her thirst for knowledge unmatched. We can't wait to see where her next adventure takes her!
Congratulations, Theea!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
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He had waited to return to his lady until he had something to show for it, preferring to repay Safrin's many blessings with his hard work in her name and proof of his efforts to improve the magic she had granted him. Nova and Sah had helped him to reclaim her Greatwood shrine from the corruption and neglect caused by the Void, and now it gleamed and glowed, renewed and scattered with fresh lights and lanterns made by Nova's hand.
The Tidebreaker knelt at the open-air altar, laying a pair of onyx hair combs inset with tiny diamonds that caught the light and sparkled beneath the moon high above. He slipped his arm bangle from his bicep and placed it on the altar as well before he sat back on his heels and raised his face to the sky.
"Safrin," he rumbled, his voice quiet but warm with the devotion he held for his goddess. "I have missed you. May I see you tonight?"
Hadama is seeking a quest to upgrade his StArmour to Mastered!
Type: Light | Style: Defensive | Level: Upgraded
StArmour | Armour created from owlbear down. When not in use, retracts as a silver serpentine bangle etched with constellation and can be activated telepathically. Blocks physical damage. Has a 3 post cooldown
Regional Score bonus: +11 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +11 should be included)
The moonlight above seemed to intensify, silver beams cascading down to dance across the altar where Hadama knelt. The diamonds in the onyx combs sparkled like distant stars, their brilliance mirrored in the bangle that rested alongside them. The air grew warm and soft, carrying the faint scent of lavender and jasmine, and the very fabric of the night seemed to shimmer.
"My Tidebreaker," Safrin’s voice was a melody, both intimate and infinite. "I have missed you too." She appeared not with the blinding radiance she sometimes favoured, but with a gentle glow, her form stepping gracefully from the starlit veil. Her gown shifted like the tides, an interplay of deep blues and silvers, as constellations swirled along its flowing fabric. Her galactic gaze rested on him, and her lips curved into a warm smile.
Her eyes traced the onyx combs, her fingers hovering over them as if she could feel the craftsmanship without touching. "These are exquisite." Her gaze shifted to the bangle, her smile deepening with fondness as she picked it up, holding it delicately between her fingers. The diamonds caught the light of her presence, gleaming like tiny fragments of the cosmos.
"And this," she murmured, her eyes lifting to meet his, her tone curious and knowing. "Is that why you have come? To see it made stronger?" Her fingers brushed the surface of the bangle, and a faint hum seemed to resonate from it, like the echo of distant waves.
The moonlight brightened and Hadama let his eyes close briefly in quiet joy at the mark of his goddess's favor. When he opened them again it was to the sound of Safrin's black velvet voice and the sight of her perfect smile bathing him in her grace.
He drank in the sight of her and then bowed his head, humbled and grateful anew that she had remade him as one of her chosen ones even before she praised his work. "Thank you," he said, his voice a soft rumble. The offerings paled in comparison to the woman who stood near them, but there was pride in the curve of the Tidebreaker's shoulders to have them accepted by her.
He raised his head as she raised his StArmour, the bangle that held it seeming to shine all the brighter as it reflected her radiance back, and he met her star-filled eyes with the faint quirk of a smile at the corner of his mouth. She knew him well, and he took comfort in that knowing, just as he took strength from her starlight in his bones. "Yes. And to see you." To be renewed by her beauty, and to pledge himself to her anew, even if only in the quiet stillness of his heart as he gazed upon her. "The blessings you have given me are stronger than ever. And I want to thank you again for all of your gifts."
The moonlight seemed to ripple in response to Hadama’s words, the beams dancing more vividly as if basking in the glow of his devotion. Safrin’s expression softened, her galactic eyes holding his as the faintest hint of a blush coloured her cheeks—an almost human reaction to his praise that made her divine presence feel all the more intimate.
“Oh, Hadama,” she murmured, her voice wrapping around him like the warm embrace of a tide. “You always know how to make a goddess feel adored.” Stepping closer, she placed the bangle gently back on the altar, her hands lingering over it for a moment as if to imbue it with the warmth of her touch.
Her gaze flickered over him, assessing, and then she reached out, her fingers brushing his temple lightly. “You’ve been working too hard,” she chided, though her tone was playful, her lips curving into a fond smile. “Carrying the weight of the tides and the Void… it’s a wonder you haven’t worn yourself to nothing.” As her hand dropped, her fingers trailed over his shoulder, a touch as light as starlight. “But I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.” There was pride in her words, deep and genuine, as she tilted her head, her dark curls cascading over her shoulder.
“Still,” she added, stepping back slightly to let her gaze sweep over him, “you must remember to care for yourself, mmm? The seas will always call, but they are patient. Promise me you’ll find time to rest during Deepfrost?” Her words held a teasing lilt, but the look in her eyes was serious, a hint of the deep care she held for her chosen one.
Safrin smiled then, warm and radiant. “And as for your bangle…" Pausing to consider, she nods, explaining in rather familiar terms what it was he would have to do.
Hadama has been given a quest! He must:
1. Take his armour up high where the air is very thin
2. Temper his armour in light (magical or regular)
3. In two separate threads, have his armour tested by physical means.
His tongue was not swift enough to respond to her fond flirtation in the manner it deserved, with flowery assurances and praise wrapped in clever wordplay. He was not the kind for empty flattery, either, but instead he gave her his steadfast devotion as the cares that lined his brow melted away beneath her touch and the subtle delicacy of her blush.
Her fingers trailed over his shoulder like beads of holy water, sparking bursts of light and warmth beneath his skin in their wake, but it was the pride in her voice that lifted his head higher. Her praise was air to a drowning man - or water to a drowning Mer - and his spine straightened with renewed strength. Safrin's gentle chiding coaxed the smile back to his face and he tilted his head to the side in a small nod, not wanting to take his eyes off her for the time they had remaining. "I promise." It was a command from his goddess, and he would not refuse it. If she would be hurt by harm coming to him, he would strive to keep himself safe and hale for her.
Or at least, as safe as his duties to her allowed. Which was made much easier by her command to spend the next season resting. "Thank you, Safrin. It will be done."
