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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!
your touch brought forth an incandescent glow, tarnished but so grand
Flora had gotten the tip about a particular jeweller who liked to work out of his home; intrigued, the queen had asked to see some of his work and when Asta had sent her a catalogue, she'd known precisely where she wanted to go to have Jack's birthday present made. No, it wasn't a Revivify Feather treasure hunt on the beach, but she thought having the piece of Mageglass that Tal had fetched for her the season before made into a ring specifically designed for the captain's hands was a pretty good idea nonetheless.
Dressed in an oversized sweater over a pair of leggings, Flora wore her feather daggers around her waist. The purse strapped over one shoulder would make getting to them a bit difficult, but so deep in the Inner Quarter, the Doubletake would be surprised if she ran into any real trouble. Honestly, what she needed was an overly large umbrella to use to shove her way through the thick crowd given how busy the streets were.
If you guessed that Thal had been thinking about the Queen of Torchline's daggers, you'd be right. Ever since their little 'spar,' she'd considered going to Dygra to enhance her own, but then another idea came to mind, one a little more fitting. What if she just stole them? The concept had been playing in her mind for some time. Plots, schemes, and methods all taking form. It was risky to steal from the leader of her largest place of business, but she didn't plan on the woman ever finding out it was her. After the strange 'fortune,' the pirate captain was inclined to proceed with caution. Yet when she caught the woman's blonde hair unexpectedly trapsing through the Inner Quarter, Thal was pleasantly surprised, and the opportunity was too enticing to refuse.
Pushing off the wall she'd been leaning against, she tucked a strand of stray hair under her hood and melted into the crowd. Her heavily black-clad appearance wasn't uncommon amongst the cold-averse Ancients, so people barely paid her a glance, letting her drift by like a ghostly spirit. Her blue eyes were hidden beneath the crest of the hood, but they never left Flora, scanning for weaknesses or exposed targets.
your touch brought forth an incandescent glow, tarnished but so grand
Flora hadn’t made it far into the market before her senses were overwhelmed by the clamour of the Domiciles. The air was crisp with the bite of Deepfrost, though the press of bodies created a bubble of humid warmth that made her glad for the oversized sweater she’d chosen. She tugged it closer anyway, her aqua eyes narrowing as she scanned the bustling street for the jeweller's tucked-away home.
The sharp, sweet aroma of cider caught her attention before she could spot the right doorway. A small cart nestled between two larger stalls had a line forming, steam curling from a pot that glinted like liquid amber in the afternoon sun. Flora hesitated, torn between her mission and the sudden memory of holding a warm mug during childhood Deepfrost nights. The thought won out.
Turning, she made her way toward the cart, weaving through the crowd with her purse snug against her side. The line moved quickly, and within moments, she found herself at the front. "One, please," she called to the vendor, reaching into her purse and pulling out a few coins. As she handed them over, her purse swung lazily open, its contents just visible beneath her arm as she reached for the steaming cup.
When Flora's path shifted, Thal felt the familiar sixth sense of a coming opportunity. Spotting the vender, she lengthened her stride, discretely closing the distance between them. The soft soles of her shoes kept her footsteps silent, and she pulled her cloak tight to prevent the flapping of material. No one noticed the predator in their midst as she slid into the shadows of the nearby wall to wait.
The cider proved to be the perfect distraction, pulling the Queen's full focus. Although the daggers hung just at her side, well within reach, Thal would attract too much attention trying to snag them from beneath the straps. Her greed pushed her to try - but she wasn't stupid, and the probability of success was too low to risk. Thinking on the fly, Thal considered her other options, and just at that moment, her target opened her bag to pay for the beverage, practically begging her to reach inside.
She only had but a moment. If Flora put her arm down too soon or felt the lightening of her bag, Thal would have to make a quick escape without being recognized.
With all the decisiveness of a seasoned captain, she moved forward casually. Her shoulder brushed gently against Flora's, a diversion as her hand slipped deftly into the bag to snag at a smooth object. She mumbled an 'apology' under her breath while her cloak hid the pocketing of her score. Then she moved to slip back into the crowd without a trace.
With the Hollowed Grounds’ alterations in landscape, some of the animals have grown a bit wilder. A bit bolder.
So while it may surprise some, and others not at all, a crow swoops down, snatching at clothing and bags with sharp, irritating, and annoying talons. Maybe you just lost a piece of bread, or a valuable keepsake!
your touch brought forth an incandescent glow, tarnished but so grand
Flora reaches for her drink with a smile, her fingers brushing against the warm cup as the vendor passes it over. A brief, pleasant hum of contentment flutters in her mind, the scent of spiced cider wafting up and filling her senses. But just as she's about to take a sip, a sharp flutter of wings catches her attention.
"Oh, no you don't!" she exclaims, jerking back as a crow swoops down toward her. Instinctively, Flora swats at the bird with her free hand, her other cradling the cider protectively. The motion sends her bag swinging slightly at her side, but she doesn’t think twice about it. "Rude," she mutters, shaking her head as the bird veers away with an indignant caw.
The momentary commotion leaves her none the wiser to the true disturbance: the brush of a shoulder against hers, a mumbled apology that barely registers, and the subtle lightening of her bag. As Flora adjusts the strap absently, her focus returns to her drink, the cider’s warmth now soothing her briefly frazzled nerves.
With her cup in hand, the Doubletake turns on her heel and makes her way toward the jewelry store. The thought of Jack's gift tugs a small smile to her lips, the plan to have the mageglass turned into something as sharp and enduring as him sparking fresh excitement. Stepping inside the shop, Flora is immediately greeted by the tinkling of a bell and the soft glow of gems and metals on display. As the jeweller approaches, Flora shifts her bag to reach for the mageglass, her fingers brushing against—nothing. Frowning slightly, she glances down, suddenly realizing the bag feels a bit too light. "Huh," she murmurs, her brows knitting together. But with the jeweller now in front of her, ready to assist, Flora shelves the thought for later. For now, there’s a birthday gift to design.
Thal has stolen: Type: Grey | Style: Defensive | Level: Upgraded
A pocket mirror that when placed on the ground duplicates the user's appearance exactly. Duplicate cannot speak or leave their place and appears as if the user is simply standing still. Lasts 2 rounds in combat. Must be picked up to be re-activated.
