From being an Abandoned who had rarely left the Hollowed Grounds, to embracing the call of adventure, to dying and being reborn first as an Ascended and then as an Ancient, Maea has gone through quite the amount of changes in her life. One thing remains common, though, in her attempts to find out just where she belongs; she’s always had a craving for knowledge which has brought her to so many places and to meet so many people here in Caido. We can’t wait to see what else is in store for her!
Congratulations, Maea!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
Skinning and hosting by the epically talented Kaons, and functionality fanciness by the coding magic of Neowulf. If you ever see either of them around, make sure to show them some love!
05-07-2020, 05:12 PM (This post was last modified: 05-08-2020, 04:08 PM by Court Official.)
key quest
It happens in the dead of night.
Like a lover's breath across the back of your neck; a thunder rumbling in your bones. It's like a premonition. It's like a dream.
And it is so, so cold.
There is a sound - a shrieking, a laughter, that echoes across the Citadel, ringing, ringing madly within the Palace itself. Ice creaks and groans and oh gods, it all shatters outwards. A large part of the Palace splinters and explodes, showering Snowcloak with deadly spears of ice, crushing buildings and stalls, blocking roads and streets.
To any onlookers (and in the middle of night at Deepfrost, what brave onlookers they are), it looks as though half of the Palace has been utterly destroyed - though it might perplex some to note that the Arcane Academy, an extension of the structure, is perfectly intact. Unharmed. Able to provide shelter and protection.
Oh, but that's not all. Now there's a grating, a slamming, a cackle of feverish voices. Someone is knock knock knocking at the Citadel's sealed gates.
Welcome to the Key Quest.
The Palace has been partially destroyed. Any refugees, guards, citizens etc. inside are now exposed to the deadly cold. The Arcane Academy has been left suspiciously untouched.
Oh, and there is someone trying to get in. What do you do? Try to save people? Attend to the knocking at the gates? Be aware, it is very cold and very dark outside, and without adequate protection you will suffer for it.
You have 48 hours to respond. So that nothing is missed, please include a quick summary at the bottom of your post.
REMEMBER: KQs are rewarding, but dangerous. They may cause death and/or permanent changes to your characters - join at your own risk! Also your character's timeline is frozen upon joining. Please do not start any new threads until the KQ is over, unless they take place before the KQ.
Morgan, thankfully, had never been a heavy sleeper. Always alert, always ready for the next attack; she had woken at the first noises and subtle signs of something going wrong, was already heading to the barracks (cloak around her shoulders as always) when the world turned upside down.
The large explosion was so loud that even though she was fortunate enough to be in a part of the palace mostly untouched she still had to press against the wall for a moment, hands clapped over her ears and eyes closed tight shut. The second she could begin to move again, not letting herself wonder of all the destruction that had occurred, she continued to march down to the barracks, to find how many of her guards were still alright.
Looking out of a window on the way down she noticed the arcane academy, stood pristine and unharmed. Morgan's eyes narrowed. There were certainly implications in that, someone in particular that could be to blame: but blame could come later. Right now, it was the time for action. Heading into the barracks she intended to begin yelling orders, getting her guards up and dressed and ready for what was to come.
--
Morgan goes to rally her guards in the palace barracks.
As the Palace collapsed, Loren had woken immediately. It took him only a moment to get his bearings, and when he did, he sprang out of bed, gathering furs and supplies as best he could. Wrapping himself up, he sent a pulse of encouragement towards Astra, who'd been bleating nonstop distress since this began.
Then he ran towards the hole in the building. As he did, he called upon his summoning magic. A phoenix exploded in the sky above him, shedding both light and heat in the area immediately around him. Raising his voice, he bellowed as loudly and with as much authority as he could. "Survivors, to me! Let me know where any of the seriously wounded are."
Loren and Astra arrive at the destroyed section of the Palace, and he summons a phoenix to combat the cold and the darkness, as well as to signal his location to anyone out there. He has the following to help with the cold:
Magic: Arcane Academy Cold Resist (Passive) | A magic bestowed upon those enrolled in the Arcane Academy, for as long as they are members, users will not be affected by cold climates.
Type: Dark | Rank: Basic
He also brings the following items:
Type: Grey
Spectacular Spectacles {upgraded} | These glasses, which have a small chain attached that allows Loren to wear them around his neck when not in use and makes it more difficult for them to be removed, allow Loren to see through projected visual illusions. The enchantment works for anyone who wears the glasses. In addition, the glasses are made of materials that have been magically reinforced so that they cannot be broken or destroyed easily, not even with the use of other magic.
Type: Light
Unicorn Horn: Imbued with minor healing abilities (upgraded level)
Type: Dark
Feather Pouch | A pouch that renders the Spark Bird's feather safe while it is inside. (Made by Remi)
Type: Dark
Feather of the Spark Bird | Provides a constant source of light, and can be used to start fires from even the most inflammable of objects and even in terrible conditions (rain, wind, etc).
Type: Grey
Magical Amulet | When (abandoned) magic is cast at this device, it can store the power and reuse it as controlled by the wielder. (Made by Remi)
Type: Light
Snake-Guardian Scale: A palm-sized opalescent scale from one of Rae's portal guardians. When used, it will take the holder from their current position into the portalling dimension regardless of where they are. Once it has been used, it will disappear.
Type: Grey
Mind Cap | Blocks basic mental-magic. For upgraded, blocks them if Loren's END is +5 higher than the END of the caster, and +10 for mastered magic.
She wore her scars as her best attire. A stunning dress made of hellfire.
She’s still at the Kraai when it happens, cleaning up the last of the glasses still on the tables. The sound is deafening, a roar like an avalanche but worse. So much worse. Weaver drops the glass in her hand, stopping only long enough to grab her scythe and sling it on her back. Her knives, like always, are already around her waist. At the last second, she grabs a lantern from the Kraai too, hoping to save her energy as much as she can by bringing the source of fire (and also light, since it is pitch black outside). ”Stay here!” she yells to the one other kitchen worker still at the bar with her, and then heads out the door.
The destruction is obvious. Spears of ice have wreaked havoc on the town of Snowcloak, and she’s lucky that the Kraai had been missed. Her attention turns to the Palace, to the part of the building that’s been completely blown out, the sight of the phoenix catching her attention. Loren.
Weaver makes her way toward the Palace, picking through the destruction and stopping at destroyed buildings to see if anyone inside needs help. Those looking for shelter she directs toward the Kraai where her kitchen boy could help them. She picks her way through the town, trying to get to Loren to see what she can do.
***
Weaver makes her way through Snowcloak toward the Palace (specifically to the phoenix/Loren), stopping at destroyed buildings on the way to try and help those she finds. She directs survivors to the Kraai for shelter.
To help with the cold, Weaver has:
Magic: Arcane Academy Cold Resist (Passive) | A magic bestowed upon those enrolled in the Arcane Academy, for as long as they are members, users will not be affected by cold climates.
Type: Dark | Rank: Basic
05-07-2020, 11:35 PM (This post was last modified: 05-07-2020, 11:35 PM by Zariah.)
You stare at the broken mirror
Shattered reflections of the past
I think we may be standing in the same
Shadows that have been cast
So it was time. Very well then.
Zariah had been in her Academy of course, and the explosion came as no surprise to her. She had been waiting and she was prepared. The screams announced her time to embark on a race around the settlement. Save those she could, and the blood would rest on the hands of another. Her black Ursur cloak - unneccessary as it was with her cold resistance - flicked behind her from the wind, a large orb of fire floating her hand that she had taken from a fireplace before leaving.
Her eyes first spotted Weaver, moving quickly to her side. "Send the people to the Academy. They will be safe there, it has been prepared for an emergency such as this. Hurry." she said, tone clearly conveying an order not a request. Loren was next, and despite there history, now was not the time to bicker. "Loren! Take the wounded to the Academy! Get them off the streets!" she shouted.
Zariah goes out and instructs Weaver and Loren to take people to the Academy
Chaos by the golden rays of a phoenix. They come with their cloaks, with their weapons, with their magic and most of all with their Academy cold resistance, you can thank Zariah profusely for that one, and all around people are injured, shivering, screaming.
They flock to Loren when he calls, they gather about Zariah as her orders ring through the air, some taking the initiative, others waiting to be directed. But warm as the phoenix may be, some still begin to suffer with the Deepfrost chill.
Morgan's guards rally to her, going where she goes, awaiting further orders. And all the while, the gibbering, feverish voices lash at the gates, trying to get through. They will succeed eventually.
Civilians: 190/200 HP
Gates: 239/250 HP
Morgan's guards: 100/100 HP
Her guards were ready around her in record time; despite it all Morgan could not resist the smallest of proud smiles on her lips, though it quickly faded as what they would have to do next came to mind. It seemed that, from the few shouts she could hear, people in the palace were helping the injured and escorting the citizens to safety. In that case, her duty was to interrogate the threat.
Guards following her in a steady march she left the palace and began to head down the road to the gates. Unsure what she would find there she tried to steel herself for the worst: as they approached she commanded her troops to split up: some to the right of the gate, some to the left, and a few of her most trusted behind her, to listen to what their 'visitors' had to say.
--
Morgan and her guards march out of the palace and towards the gate, positioning themselves around it.
People gathered, crowds like sheep, wide eyed, helpless, shivering in the cold. Zariah could not have cared less about the gates. Her promise would be kept. She just needed people to listen. "EVERYONE SEEK SHELTER IN THE ACADEMY IMMEDIATELY." she shouted, loud and demanding over the wind and strange voices outside.
As she did so she grabbed shoulders - anyone she could reach - as she worked through the crowd. With each touch her suggestivity magic seeped into them. "The Arcane Academy is safe. Go there, take everyone you can with. Hurry." she urged, twisting minds either with magic or authority.
Zariah shouts orders at the civilians to go to the Academy for shelter, using her suggestivity magic on those within reach as well.
She wore her scars as her best attire. A stunning dress made of hellfire.
Who would have thought she’d ever be thankful to see Zariah, but she is. Weaver nods at the order, too concerned for the people of Snowcloak to give in to nagging suspicion in the back of her mind. It is impossible not to notice how the Academy is unharmed in all of this. Though it makes sense the magic school is prepared, there is something off, but Weaver cannot take the time to care. Instead, she only calls back. ”The gates, Zariah. If you give a shit about Halo, help.” She suspects she might have better luck asking a rock to help, but it can’t hurt to try. Then she is gone, gathering the people in the streets around her to get them to safety.
They are her friends, her extended family. These are people that made sure her and Korbin survived when they couldn’t get enough food on the table. These are her people, and she begins to usher them forward, hands on backs, guiding and leading them. ”Come with me,” she yells, holding up her lantern so they could find her easier, leading them to the Academy.
She stops when she finds Loren, exhaling for a moment. He looks unhurt, at least, and she wants to throw her arms around him, just in case, though she doesn’t. ”Find them, and I’ll get them into the Academy?” she asks, a suggestion of a plan as she gestures for the people with her to keep going forward. She waits for him to agree or to suggest something else, though regardless, she’s got a group with her to get into the Academy. She leaves Loren, guiding the group to get them settled before coming back out.
*****
Weaver yells for people to follow her, collecting her fellow Halovians and leads them to the Academy. She stops briefly to suggest that Loren find people and she'll help them inside (and also suggests Zariah help with the gate, ha).
People began trickling in, and Loren immediately went to the wounded, healing those he could reach. As Weaver spoke to Zariah, he glanced at the Archmage. "Weaver and I can handle the wounded and the search, promise." It came out as firmly as he could manage. Keeping his phoenix up for visibility and warmth, he begins directing them towards the Arcane Academy.
Nodding at Weaver's suggestion, he reached out with his compulsion. As he did, he spoke quietly. "If the infirmary's intact, bring any wounded I can't help immediately there." Any animals he could reach, large, medium, or preferably small, he would command to begin searching for survivors. Staying near his phoenix, he would do the same, trying to find anyone buried under the rubble or snow.
Loren heals anyone within reach. He also compels any animals in the area to try and help him search for survivors.
Beastmaster | can compel any animal for assistance (6 large, 12 medium, or 20 small)
Base Healing: Can heal 30pts of injuries per post.
Type: Light | Rank: Mastered
Ah, Halo. How tight-knit, how reliable, how adaptable a people you breed. The efforts to corral the wounded and the lost to the Academy are, by and large, very successful. People move, guided by magic or otherwise, and whilst the infirmary has perished with the explosion, those who are too wounded to walk who make it to Loren are healed appropriately. All is going so well. So, so well...
Until one of the glittering, icy towers of the Palace splinters and falls, buckling under the structural damage. It crashes to the ground among the survivors, and luckily the majority of them get out of the way. The same cannot be said for Zariah or Weaver, both of whom take glancing blows from the shards of ice. And unfortunately for Loren, compelled animals are few and far between in this most deadly of temperatures, and scarce come to his aid.
Now to the gates. Morgan arrives in the nick of time, for something seems to be happening outside the gates. A rising chorus, a heavenly discord, and then a force more powerful than before shunts its way against the structure - enough to make it buckle and crack, doing significant damage. Following this, a volley of icicles whips over the walls, nicking a few of the captain's guards. Morgan, at least, is unscathed for now.
Civilians: 177/200 HP
Gates: 120/250 HP
Morgan's guards: 96/100 HP
Morgan stepped back with a huff of breath from her nose as the door buckled inward, realising whatever they were dealing with was clearly a threat. She had hoped for some chance at negotiation...but that seemed unlikely. Turning to her guards, she saw that some had been wounded, though nothing serious just yet. "Keep faith. I am going to go and see what we are dealing with. Stand ready to shoot if it breaks in."
As fast as she could Morgan headed to the nearest stairs and up onto the battlements, keeping her head down and her shield over herself as she looked over the wall to see what was causing such a ruckus outside their gates: at least if they knew what they were fighting, they could plan.
--
Morgan tells her guards to be ready to shoot then goes to climb up the wall and look over at what's there (with her shield over her head and crouching down behind the battlements as much as she can).
It is only a small moment of dropping her guard - one in which she gives Weaver a deadpan look for her response to her order - but long enough to not be completely ready for the tower to fall. Her arm is grazed as she dodges, a hiss pulling through her teeth. "Just do as I say Weaver!" she snapped, gaze turning to the gate where the volley of icicles comes flying in. "All civilians to the Academy, immediately!" she shouts once more before heading closer to the gates, the ball of fire still trailing behind her, ready for use.
Standing not far behind the line of guards, but ever so slightly off to the side, Zariah lifted her hands. A giant grate of lightning rose, a dangerous cage surrounding the gates that threatened to break. At least this way, when the gates did fall, the enemy would have a trap waiting.
Zariah offsets herself behind and to the side of the guards at the gate, erecting a grated cage of lightning on the inner side of it as a trap for whoever might break through.
She wore her scars as her best attire. A stunning dress made of hellfire.
She was doing as Zariah said, to be fair. She just wanted to make sure someone cared about whatever was happening at the gates. And for a little while, it goes well. Weaver is able to lead a large group of people into the Academy, making sure they are settled and reasonably deep in the building, just in case the Academy gets breached by whatever is outside those gates. She doesn’t know how long they will hold, or if whatever protection is on Academy will extend to what is trying to break in.
As she comes back out to grab whoever else has made their way toward Loren and the phoenix, she hears the roar of ice breaking. She looks up to see one of the towers of the Palace as it begins to tumble sideways, and she screams for those milling about to run, pushing and shoving them away. They listen, though the time she spends herding the other people means she does not get out of harm's way herself, and shards of ice pierce her skin. Nothing major, cuts and scrapes, and she uses her healing magic to remove as many of them as she can.
She picks her way through the wreckage back to Loren, ready to gather anyone and move them inside quickly. ”You okay?” she asks, her eyes catching sight of the unicorn horn on his belt. Her hand snakes out and she grabs it, not really asking, knowing he doesn’t need it nearly as much as she does. ”Thanks,”, she says, holding up the lantern and yelling for anyone else. ”Halo, with me! Into the Academy!” She begins to lead them through the shards of the Palace and into the Arcane Academy as quickly as possible, using the stolen borrowed unicorn horn to heal the citizens as best she can.
***
Weaver tries to heal herself using her magic.
Base Healing: Can heal 10 pts worth of minor wounds per post
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
She also takes Loren’s unicorn horn (permission granted from Crooks) and uses it to heal the citizens as she leads more of them into the Academy.
Type: Light
Unicorn Horn: Imbued with minor healing abilities (upgraded level)
