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.
OG Skinning provided by Kaons, with functionality and many custom plugins made by Neowulf!
Elizabeth adjusted her large jacket over her shoulders, pulling the fur neckline closer around her neck to block out the icy breeze skimming the frozen water. Despite the tread of her travel boots, her foot slipped against the edge of the sea, causing her to throw her arms out to catch her balance. As she regained it and stepped onto more solid ground, she gave Deimos an appreciative smile. "Thanks again for coming with me. I didn't think it safe to make the journey alone." Whether her clumsy butt tried to fall into the dangerously cold water, or some large beast came out of nowhere, it seemed smart to have an extra set of eyes, ears, and magic.
Shifting her pack containing the offerings for the Eirachi, she considered the pieces of floating ice. As beautiful as it was, Elizabeth didn't feel inclined to linger, preferring to deposit her items and be on her way. A warm fireplace and multiple hot beverage options awaited her at home next to a cozy romance book. However, had she taken a moment to look a little closer, she might have noticed a particularly orange figure floating along, using the piece of ice like its own personal raft.
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
Deimos carefully, and purposefully, looked away as Elizabeth slipped; perhaps pretending he hadn’t seen it (and tucking the inward laugh well down into his ribs). “You are welcome,” he shrugged, turning his face into the wind rather than hiding into his jacket; eternally bound to frozen tundras and the glacial paths across lifetimes. It was a frequent occurrence to accompany others, and something he was akin to do for protection, shielding, and might – placed within the rather large and overwhelming schedule he was barely managing.
Where Elizabeth might’ve been discomfited by the entire expanse of the Sea of Glass, the Sword felt liberated along its breadth and range. Nothing enclosed, shackled, or tangled together; just might and beauty, dangerous and powerful.
Though – for now it seemed to harbor gourds. One would think it was far too cold for them to even be out here. Resilient little things.
He couldn’t help the snort as it approached on a sheet of ice. “I think we fought one of its relatives in the Grounds,” as he gestured towards the little cretin with his jaw.
Not that she would have minded if the Warden had laughed in her face, Elizabeth found his avoidance chivalrous and used the opportunity to preserve some of her menial pride, straightening her jacket and stepping more carefully around the water's edge. She had to keep her eyes down to do so, but Deimos's snort had her looking up to reobserve her surroundings. That's when she finally spotted the vampire gourd pleasantly floating along the ice without a care in the world.
Elizabeth tilted her head curiously at the sight, trying to gather what exactly it was doing. Was it just enjoying the 'pleasant' weather? Maybe it had been separated from the others? It certainly didn't seem the kind of creature to hang around these parts. It had a little less fur than most natural inhabitants, herself included. Turning to the supposed expert, she raised an eyebrow. "Wow. Are they aggressive? Should we be concerned about it?" Her eyes looked back towards the gourd, wondering if they'd have to fight it or if it would float by on its joyride without any trouble.
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
Even when Deimos had first entered Caido, he’d never been concerned about the vampire gourds. Perhaps to his detriment at some intervals, but they hadn’t presented themselves as threats in his eyes – annoying at the worst of times – and much more of an opportunity for pumpkin treats in Leafchange. He kept his watchful eyes on it regardless, but the little thing seemed to be enjoying itself, rather than posing as a potential omen. Especially without its usual posse. “They are a nuisance, mostly. More of an ankle-biter sort.” The ice floe didn’t seem to deter it either; so he had to wonder about way of survival amidst the cold and uninviting landscape. “They go well in pie though,” he grinned, still making no maneuver to go and thrash it.
Tilting his head and still not taking his eyes off of it though, he figured he’d impart some other information. “There have been some variants lately that seem to have more power though. Can hover. Give off illusions.” This one didn’t appear to be of that ilk, but they also weren’t going out of their way to irritate it.
Feeling less nervous about a possible assault, Elizabeth's ears perked at the mention of 'pie.' "Oooh. I'm assuming they taste like pumpkin? I love pumpkin." In fact, she'd recently made some pumpkin bread when Hadama visited her home. However, any form of the flavor was delicious; bread, pie, coffee, cookies, muffins... Her mind seemed to stray to all the possible baking, and she eyed the gourd like a starving dog, grateful that the drool was lacking. She could almost justify sending a lightning bolt its way just for the ingredients, yet her hefty pack quickly protested that possibility.
Deimos's next bit of information drew her attention slightly, head tilting as she continued to pick her way across the ice. "Really? That sounds more prank-like than dangerous." Floating around with pretend images was certainly 'spooky,' but she wouldn't expect it to be very physically damaging. Even more curious, she peeked her head from beneath the fur wall to meet his eyes. "And this is the first year they've appeared?" If so, that was even more strange, especially given the lack of a purple hue.
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
“Yes,” by way of a rumbling declaration, followed by a juvenile grin. “Also goes well in breads, donuts, soups, cookies…,” ticking them off on his fingers. He’d delivered some to the shops within the Grounds, due to their hunt, and in Halo, because everyone should be treated to such delicacies during this time. “We gave some to our bakeries in Snowcloak,” as a hint that should she not want to obliterate this one for its potential ingredients, she could venture down their own streets.
He hadn’t counted on the gourds being dangerous either; the new variant, likely Family associated, seemed just extra irritating. “I could imagine the young and inexperienced having a difficult time with them.” Which was probably what the pumpkins yearned and craved to prey on – and rarely got ahold of. He nodded at her other insinuation though, watching as the gourd in the distance seemed to turn its head towards the scattered pieces of the sun, bathing in its light. “First time we have seen them – I have wondered if they were void influenced.”
Pointing an accusing finger at Deimos, she laughed. "See! You get it!" His list of pumpkin goodies was even more comprehensive than her own mental list, giving away his experience with the substance. Elizabeth smiled, her steps becoming a little lighter as she suggested, "Mmm... Maybe we'll have to stop at one on the way back. All this talk is making me hungry."
Looking back towards the gourd who seemed content to cruise along on its island, she squinted her eyes as if it might push through the sunlight, reflection, and distance to show her any hint of the Void. When she saw none (unsurprisingly), she shook her head, sighing softly. "I suppose there's really no way to tell, huh?" Since most Void creatures had the tell-tale purple hue and taste for human flesh, she hadn't thought they might need another way to identify the infected. Not that she saw much of an issue with it as long as they were primarily docile.
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
At the notions of baked goods, he gave another grin – much more boyish and juvenile. “I do. Not many sweet things last in the house.” Between himself and Evie, at least. Erebos had yet to discover the gems, and Amhran’s first experience had been with cotton candy at the Festival. Though, even after this discussion, he pretended as if his stomach didn’t rumble in response.
As for the gourd itself, peacefully absorbing the light and not bothering a soul, he snorted. “No. So perhaps it is just something enhanced by Frey and Rae again,” granting a shrug. He wasn’t one to inquire or question why some of these monsters roamed and existed. It didn’t much matter in the grand scheme of things. Though he tilted his head, pondered Elizabeth’s motivations for lingering near the pumpkin’s vast isle adventure. “Do you want to hunt it, or leave it be?”
Laughing, she shook her head. "Mine either." Although Elizabeth had no other occupants on which to blame the disappearance of her own sweets. Maybe she could claim rats got to them? Or some magical mishap?
She glanced back at the gourd, unable to hide her smile as it rocked gently through the waves. Swatting her hand through the air, she moved farther down the waterline. "Eh. Let's leave it to its peaceful fun." Or whatever floating down a frozen sea could be called. "We should hurry back before it gets dark anyways." The sky may not currently be darkening, but the days had been getting shorter as Deepfrost approached, and if people thought the Tundra was unforgiving in the daylight, they knew nothing about what it was like at night. Plus, she now had the ulterior motive of snagging some treats on the way home. With those objectives in mind, Elizabeth sped her steps along, curious to know if they would spot the raft gourd again soon.
