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!
I have received a quest to improve my armor. Your help would be welcome in testing it. If you are free, please come join me on Aumakua this afternoon.
~Hadama
The invitation had been extended. Whether or not Flora was ready to accept it, Hadama was content to respect her decision. Either way, spending time on the shore of Aumakua brought him some much-needed peace after the recent Vox-related revelations of the Family's activities in Halo. He had seated himself on a flat rock in the sunshine near the lighthouse, eyes closed and his trident beside him as he meditated on the heavens and the goddess who granted him his strength. The cool sea breeze of Deepfrost was no match for the warm, subtly starlit feathers of his armor which protected him from the chill as well as from physical attack.
The fragile peace of Deepfrost was already beginning to crack, and though he was as yet blissfully unaware of how easily the Family had made a recent incursion into Torchline and the consequences of it, Hadama still moved forward with the determination to protect himself and his people to the best of his ability.
Sunlit Shadows (mastered) | 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.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Recall | Can recall 1, or 2, or 3 of her feathers to her hand, within a range of 30ft. Recalled daggers do 1/2 damage when recalled.
Rescue (Mastered) | Remi can bring a fellow Old God demigod to his side in a time of crisis for three concurrent posts. One use per thread. If the summoned demigod also has mastered this ability, they can remain until the end of the thread.
Flora arrived with the sun glinting off her gold accessories, her feather daggers strapped to her thighs and her boots crunching softly on the sandy path leading to the lighthouse. The chill of Deepfrost lingered even on Aumakua, the breeze tugging at the edges of her jacket—a sleek, close-fitting number in navy blue that hugged her curves while allowing for full movement. Beneath it, she’d opted for a fitted black top and high-waisted pants, a blend of style and practicality.
She spotted Hadama perched on the flat rock near the lighthouse, his figure striking and serene against the backdrop of the endless ocean. His armour, feathered and starlit, gleamed faintly under the tropical sun, a reminder of Safrin’s grace and the kind of strength Flora couldn’t help but admire. The queen had long thought about getting armour for herself, yet she never seemed able to find the time.
Flora approached with a grin, the breeze tousling her hair in golden waves. "Heya," she called, her voice light but carrying across the salt-tinged air. "You know, I wasn’t planning on being someone’s punching bag today, but I’ll make an exception for you." Her tone was teasing, but the glint in her aqua eyes betrayed something deeper: a fierce determination not to let herself be caught off guard again, not by the Family or anyone else. "Unless the quest is for you to be the punching bag?"
I trace the evidence, make it make some sense why the wound is still bleedin'
The voice that carried on the sea breeze drew Hadama from his meditations and he looked towards Flora with a slow smile of welcome spreading over his face. She was back in style, he noted, wearing her fashionable clothing and accessories like armor and looking ready to face the world again. It warmed him as much as the sun, and he shifted with slow grace to pick up his trident and rise to his feet.
"I am honored to be the exception," he assured her, emerald eyes glinting with humor. "But it is my armor that needs to be... punched." He tilted his head at the feather-shaped daggers at her thighs. "Or stabbed. A physical test, Safrin said." He spun his trident once, a slow circle between his hands before settling into a defensive crouch. He tilted his head at his co-ruler, a challenge and an invitation that might have looked more serious if Flora had not known him well enough to see the mischief crinkling the corners of his eyes. "Do you have a preference?"
Sunlit Shadows (mastered) | 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.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Recall | Can recall 1, or 2, or 3 of her feathers to her hand, within a range of 30ft. Recalled daggers do 1/2 damage when recalled.
Rescue (Mastered) | Remi can bring a fellow Old God demigod to his side in a time of crisis for three concurrent posts. One use per thread. If the summoned demigod also has mastered this ability, they can remain until the end of the thread.
Flora’s grin widened, a wicked glint sparking in her aqua eyes as she casually tapped the hilt of one of the daggers strapped to her thigh. "Oh, stabbing. Definitely stabbing," she quipped, sliding the blade free with a smooth motion. The sunlight caught the edge of the dagger, glinting off the feather-shaped metal like a promise. "Punching isn’t really my style. Wouldn't want to damage any of my rings, y'know?"
Falling into a defensive crouch of her own, she let her weight shift onto the balls of her feet, ready to spring at a moment’s notice. "Don’t worry, I won’t aim for anything vital," she added with a grin that was both reassuring and mischievous. "Unless, of course, you start getting cocky. Then all bets are off."
Without giving him too much time to prepare, Flora thrust her hand forward, releasing the blade she held and aiming for the center of the Tidebreaker's armour.
I trace the evidence, make it make some sense why the wound is still bleedin'
A sharp crack splits the muggy air, echoing like driftwood snapping. You glance around to spot a flicker of movement near the shore—humanoid or otherwise, you can’t tell. Then only the soft lapping of water remains, though the sensation of being watched grips your chest. This does not count as a Random Event for levelling or MP. There will be no further admin/re intervention.
"Mmh. It is not your rings I am worried about." The revelation was accompanied by a flicker of a smile at the corner of the king's mouth. "Have you been to the new artist in Upper Haulani? She paints designs on fingernails. I have seen her glue chips of gemstone to them as well." An artisan who would soon be wildly popular, if Hadama's intuition was to be trusted.
Her teasing reassurance - and even more mischievous warning - drew a quiet huff of laughter from Hadama as he prepared for a good workout, enjoying the safety of the divine shields that wrapped around Torchline--
The crack echoed over the beach and for a split second the Tidebreaker was distracted. A flicker of his eyes was all it took for Flora's knife to be released and he attempted to block it with a sweep of his trident a moment too late. The blade impacted squarely, burying itself deep in the feathers of his armor. Most of its momentum was absorbed by the starlit cushion, but the tip still scratched his chest, drawing blood and pulling his attention firmly back to the fight. A sense of unease lingered, but he focused on the opponent in front of him - trusting that Flora would let him know if there was a threat approaching from behind.
He pulled the blade free and flipped it in his hand, spinning it back towards the Doubletake as the light in his feathered StArmour faded to a dull and starless white. "Good aim." Dead center and right on target. Her speed had definitely improved and he adjusted his stance accordingly for the next attack.
Sunlit Shadows (mastered) | 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.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Recall | Can recall 1, or 2, or 3 of her feathers to her hand, within a range of 30ft. Recalled daggers do 1/2 damage when recalled.
Rescue (Mastered) | Remi can bring a fellow Old God demigod to his side in a time of crisis for three concurrent posts. One use per thread. If the summoned demigod also has mastered this ability, they can remain until the end of the thread.
"Ooooooooh, no but that sounds absolutely amazing." Grinning, the queen bounces her brows at her co-ruler. "Maybe we could go together sometime?"
Flora’s grin falters for just a moment as the sharp crack echoes through the air, her aqua eyes narrowing slightly as she casts a wary glance toward the shoreline. Her fingers tighten on the hilt of her remaining dagger, but she doesn’t move toward the sound. Not yet. Instead, she keeps her stance loose and ready, her attention flickering back to Hadama. Whatever it was could wait; she had a sparring partner to keep on his toes.
With a subtle flick of her wrist, Flora activates the enchantment on her thrown dagger. The blade trembles in Hadama’s grasp before slipping free of his hand, arcing through the air like it has a mind of its own, and landing neatly back in hers. "Thanks for holding onto that," Flora quips, her grin widening as she spins the dagger in her hand. Without giving him too much time to recover, she steps forward, feinting left before sending the blade flying once more, this time with a touch more force.
I trace the evidence, make it make some sense why the wound is still bleedin'
"Indeed. It is our duty as Torchline's rulers to encourage local businesses." His voice may have been solemn but his eyes were sparkling as he spoke, and that little smile gave his expression a mischievous cast that strangers never saw.
The mischief vanished immediately at the eerie crack, but no source was immediately visible and their spar was fully underway. The days were long gone when he could take it easy on Flora. She had become formidable in her own right - as proven by the way she recalled her weaponized feather from his fingers. He watched her with calm concentration, his attention fully hers since she had indicated nothing amiss behind him, and when she stepped forward he shifted back and to the left, seeing her initial movement on that side--
And leaving himself open to the true attack that followed the feint. Again his trident failed to knock the blade from the air but this time his StArmour could provide no aid. Her blade struck through feathers like they were insubstantial clouds and he grunted as the dagger sank fully into his shoulder.
Having seen how it worked now he was disinclined to let Flora recall it from his flesh, and he freed a hand from his weapon in order to pull it out himself with a flex of his jaw and a hissing pull of breath through his nose. Crimson coated the silver blade as he dropped it to the sand and inclined his head at his Queen in acknowledgment of her success.
His armour remained dull, but a faint sparkle was beginning to return to its edges as the seconds ticked past and Hadama shifted his weight to the balls of his feet, preparing for the next strike.
Sunlit Shadows (mastered) | 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.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Recall | Can recall 1, or 2, or 3 of her feathers to her hand, within a range of 30ft. Recalled daggers do 1/2 damage when recalled.
Rescue (Mastered) | Remi can bring a fellow Old God demigod to his side in a time of crisis for three concurrent posts. One use per thread. If the summoned demigod also has mastered this ability, they can remain until the end of the thread.
Flora’s grin falters the moment crimson blooms across the silver of her blade. The sight of Hadama pulling it free himself, his jaw flexing against the pain, sends a sharp pang of guilt lancing through her chest. She'd just wanted to help with his quest, to test his defences—but she hadn’t meant to hurt him. "Fuck," she breathes, her usual bravado dimming as she watches him drop the dagger to the sand.
Biting the inside of her cheek, Flora forces herself to shake off the moment of hesitation. If he wanted to keep going, she’d respect that, especially because she knew that he could take a whole lot more than a single swipe from one of her blades, but still.
Bending low as if to make it easier for her dagger to return to her hand, she pivots sharply instead, sweeping her leg out in an attempt to knock Hadama off balance. Simultaneously she turned her dagger over in her hand, meaning to try and knock him with the hilt instead of the blade.
I trace the evidence, make it make some sense why the wound is still bleedin'
"Indeed," he agreed with her sentiment, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes in spite of the pain. "I will heal us when we are done." Though since he was on the defensive today there should only be one of them in need of that particular gift of their goddess.
The dagger returned to the hand that had cast it out and Hadama resumed his grip on his trident. He had barely curled his fingers around the smoothly polished coral before the Doubletake was moving again, a blur of blonde hair and navy blue jacket that went low--
Aiming for his legs. As his opponents always seemed to do, sooner or later.
That much, at least, he had learned to deal with, and he drove his trident down deep into the sand on instinct more than conscious thought, creating a barrier to protect his legs from the sweep. A pole that Flora's leg would hit before it reached his own. The anchoring saved his balance, but he had no hands free to defend against the hilt of the dagger that struck hard enough to bruise. Hadama let out another puff of air as he took the impact but stayed steady. His armour was regaining its starlit glow, but slowly. Slowly. And it was beginning to seem as though it would not finish recharging until their spar had reached its conclusion.
Sunlit Shadows (mastered) | 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.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Recall | Can recall 1, or 2, or 3 of her feathers to her hand, within a range of 30ft. Recalled daggers do 1/2 damage when recalled.
Rescue (Mastered) | Remi can bring a fellow Old God demigod to his side in a time of crisis for three concurrent posts. One use per thread. If the summoned demigod also has mastered this ability, they can remain until the end of the thread.
Flora exhales sharply through her nose as her leg collides with the unexpected barrier of Hadama’s trident instead of sweeping him off his feet. Clever. The maneuver stings, but it’s nothing she can’t shake off, her weight shifting smoothly to rebalance herself in the sand. The dagger’s hilt strikes true, landing hard against his side, and though he barely moves in response, the satisfaction of landing the hit sends a thrill through her. (Not because she wanted to bruise her friend and fellow leader, but simply because of how off her aim had been as of late).
Dagger in one hand, she twirls it deftly between her fingers before tossing it to her other, feinting another throw before lunging forward instead. Her goal isn’t to land another strike immediately, but to force him to react—his trident was big, powerful, but slower than she was, and she wanted to test just how fast he could recover from defending one attack before she shifted to another.
And, if she happened to take the chance to tug lightly at the end of his long silver braid in passing—well. That was just part of the game.
I trace the evidence, make it make some sense why the wound is still bleedin'
He was faster than he had once been, before he had grown accustomed to the starlight in his blood and bones. He no longer struggled against a body remade and new to him, slowing his reactions and leaving him uncharacteristically frail. Now he moved with a smooth confidence, shifting his height and muscular bulk with a ponderous grace that was surprisingly swift when the occasion called for it.
Too swift, sometimes.
Again he fell for Flora's feint, pulling the trident free of the send with a flex of his arms and spinning it to block the thrown dagger that he saw leave her fingers. But the blade did not slice towards him as he expected; instead she recovered it and dodged past him. Instead of a slice of red fire along his side or arm, however, he felt a playful tweak of his braid and a rumbling laugh escaped his iron focus as he turned to face her, dropping a hand from his trident to hold it up in surrender. Now, at last, the feathered armour regained its full shine, but he deactivated it with a thought and it retracted into the bangle on his bicep once more.
"Enough. I yield." He closed his eyes in a brief prayer to Safrin, activating his dome of healing so that it washed over them both before he regarded the Doubletake again with quiet approval. "You have been practicing."
Sunlit Shadows (mastered) | 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.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Recall | Can recall 1, or 2, or 3 of her feathers to her hand, within a range of 30ft. Recalled daggers do 1/2 damage when recalled.
Rescue (Mastered) | Remi can bring a fellow Old God demigod to his side in a time of crisis for three concurrent posts. One use per thread. If the summoned demigod also has mastered this ability, they can remain until the end of the thread.
Flora’s grin is all sharp teeth and bright triumph as she watches Hadama deactivate his armour, his surrender drawing a delighted laugh from her. She twirls her dagger once more before slipping it back into its sheath, rolling her shoulders as the soft glow of healing washes over her, mending any lingering aches.
"Damn right, I’ve been practicing," she quips, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet before flicking him a teasing smirk. "Sick of missing. Sick of losing. Very sick of getting murdered." Her tone is light, but there’s something beneath the words—something real and unspoken. A hard-earned determination, a refusal to ever be caught off guard again.
Still, she doesn’t linger on it, exhaling through her nose as she rolls out any last stiffness from the spar. "I’ve got some things to do so I might slash and dash, but I am looking forward to our little baking day." Grinning affectionately, she tosses him a wink before spinning on her heel.
~FIN
I trace the evidence, make it make some sense why the wound is still bleedin'
