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!
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.
While he waited for the rest of the citizens to return from gathering rocks for the hot springs, he returned to the barracks, his intents and purposes clear. Having no patience to sit in his office and answer mail or the variety of messages, the Sword returned to one of his favorite places within the region, stepping into the boundaries of his craft.
The soldiers immediately centered themselves in motions of drills, instruction, practice, or scattering up the climbing wall – and his brow arched, catering to their whims with a mischievous grin. His idea had been to find someone amidst the fold to come use physical maneuvers upon his armor, but there was no harm in divesting attention upon the wall.
Before long, several others had joined, and they pulled themselves up solidified ice and holds, grasping at supports and bearings, building up strength and diligence despite grumblings and musings from many. Deimos, content and silent as he scaled the fortification, was in his element, surging onward until he was well within the middle.
Kaisel had come to Halo at the behest of his cousin, who knew Deimos and had suggested Kaisel broaden his training experiences by working with other professionals. So, the city boy struck out from home again, this time to as an opposite a place of Torchline as someone could get, but he was smart and picked the best season to do so. Still, he carried a pack of assorted supplies with him and two different jackets, to be safe. He was skeptical that a 'warm' day in Halo meant the same to him as it did to them.
Striking out from the skyship towards the barracks, referencing a map he'd been given, Kaisel wandered his way to the training field in good time. He set his pack down on a bench, watching the soldiers train for a moment, curious about their styles, though he saw plenty of similarities too. That was when the man also surveying the area caught his eye. He'd never met Deimos, but Koa gave him a description that matched the intimidating figure before him. Carefully, Kaisel approached, "Deimos, sir?" he asked, straightening up to a salute. "Kaisel Ashborn, reporting from Stormbreak for some training opportunities, sir. Koa Carpenter sent me."
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.
Content with how the climbing wall had gone, pulse ringing in his ear and muscles warmed up, he easily made his way down again, congratulating fellow constituents and compatriots with ample laughter and easygoing grins, remarks made on better means and measures for the next go around.
Before long though, he was approached by another, and he turned, the smile lost in the unfamiliarity. Head tilting vaguely as his gaze tried to place the individual, he could only parse through potential relations, and even then, it was a vague and cursory action. He did manage a snort at the salute though, returning one in equal fervor. “Reporting from Stormbreak,” he echoed, brows furrowing slightly, wondering if he was going to be getting most of Koa’s recruits buzzing and winding their way through. If it suddenly became a hotbed for the Dragoons, as Deimos had often warned beforehand, he’d be having words with the Captain again.
But he kept all of that to himself, nodding at the insinuations, figuring he could see what the youth had up his sleeves. “What did you want to work on?”
The Halo barracks were alive with the buzz of soldiers in a way that was familiar. Kaisel was easily distracted by the the different sections working, the clang of steel and wood and shouts as warriors rolled and roared with strikes and shields. It was a wonderful sight to see such a well-oiled machine as troops at training, each person trying to better themselves, or to prove something. Kaisel wanted to be part of it too.
Deimos is a legend that Kaisel has often heard of, but to see him in person, to stand before him and be addressed by him with the promise of engaging in arms, it was terrifying. Kaisel gulped, finding little warmth in the man that governed the coldest region. "I uh—" Kaisel began, his fingers fidgeting along a stitch line in his pants. "Well, I mostly know knives and fists, so I'm happy to train on anything, but I was hoping you could use your air magic on me? It's the main reason I'm here, it's part of a quest for Safrin. And, well I should probably learn how to handle such magic attacks." Not only asking to face off with Deimos, but asking him to blast him with air, felt a bit suicidal.
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.
He remained stoic and nonchalant as the younger one fidgeted; tucking any amusement inward, never quite certain how to broach his humor with those unfamiliar and foreign to him. So instead, it was with a familiar arch to his brow that he regarded and listened, a stonewall of patience, as the real notions unraveled. “I see. Do you have anything to defend yourself with?” Because while many likely thought very little of Air incantations as being a threat, save to the void, the Mastered breadth behind it was potent. If he didn’t though, there was always their heavily stocked armory.
Taking a moment of scrutiny, he permitted a slight sort of smile, right in the corner of his mouth to break the simply stalwart features. “Maybe you can help me with a quest of mine as well.” He motioned with his head to follow, long strides beginning to sweep towards where he’d collected some things over by the hallway leading to his office, maneuvering around several other combatants with ease. “I have some armor I asked Safrin to improve, but it needs to take some physical attacks.”
Kaisel's hand reached back to pull absently at his neck, and a frown tugged at the corners of his mouth. "No, sir. I'm a newer recruit," he tried to explain, feeling suddenly very underprepared. "That's why I'm on a quest with Safrin, I realize how badly I need to gear up." he smiled nervously as his hand dropped back to his side, moving with his words every so often as he tried to clarify and apologize simultaneously. "I'd be grateful for anything I could borrow while I'm here. I'll happily put in work behind scenes to pay off anything I scratch up or bend," he reassures, the act of scrubbing dishes or other menial labor chores not an uncustomary task for him. Low ranks always get the shit duties.
He can swear the solemn man just smiled, but it also could have been a trick of the light. Kaisel squinted, trying to discern it, but with a sentence Deimos turned and began to stride away. "Yeah, I can help you with your quest too!" Kaisel exclaims as he scurries after him, having to take a few hurried steps to catch back up. He's relieved that he might be of some use to the Resurrected Sword in return. Maybe then he wouldn't even have to wash dishes!
At the equipment splayed out, Kaisel leans around Deimos to take a look, glancing up at him. "So, maybe I should grab a shield and some armor for your wind, and try at a sword on your armor?" If he's got it right, then he'll gear up, favoring the lighter armor pieces over the heavier ones.
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 least Kaisel was aiming to improve, which was far more than multitudes of Caido at large. He could appreciate the lack of complacency, and being willing to ask for help, rather than floundering aimlessly. Approving of the notions, he gave a sharp, quick nod. “A good idea. You can pick anything from the armory,” and he gestured towards the wall of weapons and shields, some created entirely by him, and others collected from local merchants and blacksmiths. He’d have a wide variety to pick and choose from, at the very least.
Deimos grabbed his own armor – leviathan scaled and lightweight, sliding easily over his chest as the Dragoon went about curating his own selection. The acceptance was enough to set him at ease – though he’d have to be very careful and controlled over his own incantations. “If that works for you,” the Sword obliged, and once everything had been parsed through and snagged, for his part, the Sword took nothing (his form was a weapon itself), they could make their way over to a more wide-open area, a secure place to unleash enchantments and other movements without bombarding others. “Let me know when you are ready.”
At Deimos' acknowledgement of an open armory, Kaisel took a moment to peruse his options before fitting some leather pieces to his body. He preferred the lighter armors, allowing him to still move quickly and freely, important for popping in close and then dipping out before (too many) consequences of the melee range could bite him in the ass. Maybe he should consider getting something longer range, like Koa's annoying phantom reach, or that Chakram that always swung back around to your hands. There was just something so satisfying about popping up and giving it to someone though.
Next Kaisel tested out a few swords, settling on one that he could wield in one hand, while his other slid behind the notch of a shield. He tested them fit and feel of it all as he moved back and forth, banging the iron sword against the shield to feel the weight vibrate against his body. All of it was much heavier than he usually trained with, so he'd have to be careful with his movements and not waste energy, otherwise he'd tire laughably fast in front of Deimos. Which, to be honest was still likely to happen, but 5 minutes is 5 minutes longer (yeah fuck you Rebecca, 5 minutes is PLENTY).
"Alright," he says with a nod and a steady exhale. "Ready."
He begins to strafe before Deimos, trying to eye an opening among the Warden's fortifications. None, that he could see, so time to yolo some shit and make one. Kaisel ducks to the left suddenly, boots smacking the stone as he rushes towards Deimos with his shield first. Air whines as his sword swings up and over, targeting the stout armor lines of Deimos' left shoulder.
1/4 training, tries to shield bash at Deimos then swing his sword at his left shoulder.
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.
Inwardly snorting, he watched the Dragoon pick and choose from the varieties, before settling into the necessary arrangements. Knowing the necessities at hand, Deimos still had no indication of making anything easy; if he simply stood around, the youth wasn’t going to learn anything but complacency, and the Sword had never been about those segments of life.
As soon as he began bombarding and closing in, the Warden shifted – swift and keen, despite his broad and tall form, off to the right. The sword plunged downward, and he felt the tufts of air cling to it from the motions, but nothing scraped at his armor yet. Instead, he took the opportunity and opening, unfurling a mass of Air incantations towards the Dragoon, intending to see how he’d handle the magic barreling at him.
The heft of the sword carries him forward a step, unexpected that the weapon would be leading him, but with no armor for it to strike he lacks the precision and the strength to fully control it. It's got a lot more to it than his daggers. Staggering to get it back under control, Kaisel glances up just in time to see Deimos do an airbending manuever gathering his magic in an invisible assault. Kaisel gulped as he whipped slowly hauled the heavy ass shield up to barricade behind, leaning full force into the shield and dropping his head into that shoulder to protect his face. It's too slow though, and he doesn't straighten the shield out in enough time. The air greedily grasps the uneven plane and splashes both across and behind it, forcing it to swing wildly to the left and Kaisel to stumble along after it. His sword clatters to the ground, forgotten as he reels for balance and wrestles the shield back to his side.
"WOW!" he calls out with a laugh, "We get some wind in Stormbreak but that felt like a living thing." It makes him all the more eager to do as Safrin bid and add similar talents to his tool belt. Grinning, he leans down for his sword, exhaling to gather his thoughts and energy back under him. "Alright," he says under his breath, hyping himself back up. "You got this, it's just a really long dagger—anticipate the weight and balance against it." He can practically hear Koa in the back of his head chiding him too.
He steps back towards Deimos with an unhurried stride, trying to calculate, trying to anticipate. He feints left, then with a roar swipes his sword from his left hip up and over towards Deimos' left arm.
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.
The Sword watched as the blade was seemingly upended, sent scattering to the floor, reacting with the barest minimum of a grin. Amused, he shook his head, shrugging his shoulders as Kaisel went to grab the weapon again. Instead of inciting another joke though, his eyes went towards the Dragoon, brow arching slightly. “Make sure you are grounded,” which was a hint, a warning, for what was to come.
Because while the pace was unhurried, Deimos fully intended to use and wield an opening. Shifting slightly to the left, the sword clattered into his armor along his shoulder, scraping against the leviathan scale. Utilizing the closed space, he unfurled a volley of Mastered Air to go sweeping towards Kaisel – intent clear on maneuvering his person entirely, or to knock the armaments clean from his grasp again.
The sword doesn't run away with him this time, in part because it smacks against the armor as intended, although Deimos also seems to have intended, positioning himself in a careful way to close the distance between them intentionally. Kaisel realizes with a grunt as he finishes the swing and wrests the sword back to his side, hurriedly bracing along the back edge of the shield again. Air torrents from this distance? They'll be strongest.
Deimos' advice rings in his head, but knowing and doing are two different things. Kaisel braces, but the shield requires strength. He gets it up straight and flat this time, so it doesn't flip him to the side, but he can feel the air pummel against it like standing beneath a waterfall, and the pressure of it shoves him back. His feet slide then stagger as the wind howls and he stumbles back. Weariness flares in his shield arm, the muscles not used to this manner of required work.
"If you can't see it, how do you fight it?" he calls out to the Resurrected Sword. Deimos' attacks he knows are coming, but he's certain it's a different matter when it's real. Gritting his teeth, he gathers himself and presses forward again, cleaving the sword from his right hip in a low swing towards Deimo's left hip, the shield thrusting forward and up behind it to push into Deimos' chest.
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.
He muffled another laugh threatening to buoy through his lungs as the youth slid and staggered. “Now there is food for thought,” he rumbled, twisting out of range of the strike, feeling the brush of the shield just along his hip, but hardly bothered as the armor took the damage and the vehemence. It didn’t displace him, and he grinned, considering toying with the Dragoon, before simply billowing more air at the close expanse again, aiming in massive gusts and wind tunnel affects.
Opting to utilize some wisdom instead of just taunt and tease, his voice persisted over the churning of air. “That depends on what you have available. You may end up fighting many things you cannot see.” Those who had invisibility, those who could unfurl many cloak and dagger techniques…and then there were always the monsters layered out there, somehow just out of reach. “You could hide behind a barricade.” Glancing around the barracks, Kaisel would’ve been able to find several options – targets, the climbing wall itself, his own shield – it all depended upon one’s creativity and machinations. He wouldn’t know unless he tried.
Damn, he wishes he'd thought to bring a comb with him. After this fight his hair was going to look atrocious. He grit his teeth as the wind comes quick this time, Deimos not bothering to yield distance when he can give the brunt of the force at close quarters. The shield is already around front from the attack, so Kaisel hoists it back to him to brace behind it as the air pummels with a terrible force around either side of him. He carefully tries to adjust the angle, playing with the idea of redirecting the gusts in a meaningful fashion, forcing them to sweep and arc in a manner that won't require so much strength to endure it.
He keeps his footing this time, perhaps because of the angling, or the small increments towards improvement each mistake grants him. Still, his energy seems to sweep away with the force of it all, and panting he lowers the shield, content to listen to Deimos' words while he tries to regain stamina. "Where'd you get such sick ass armor?" he asks breathless, still chewing on the notions of invisible foes, but able to admire the protective equipment Deimos wears so easily.
Grunting, Kaisel puts his last dregs of energy into this bout, using the sword now like a raised jousting rod as he surges forward, shield already held up as a barrier beside the blade, and spears towards Deimos' chest.
