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!
It's further than she expected, this trip through the dank dark. Amalia finds herself rather uncomfortable as the trek goes on, shuddering beneath the oppressive tunnel, hating being underground.
There's more magic thrown around, and Amalia lets it channel through her shield, pushing onward until she cannot anymore. With the last of it she pushes up and out, tunneling an exit to the surface, desperate for fresh air and vision and Jyoti's familiar croon.
She shifts as she escapes, pushing the Shield back into her bracer and adopting her feline shape. Staying low as she can Amalia attempts to reach the unicorns, calling out through her mental voice for them to come back with her. We can lead you to safety! she cries out, Jyoti backing up her words. Keep your heads down and come with me!
Amalia uses the shield's magic to tunnel 25 more feet, then make an opening. She shifts to snow leopard form and calls for the unicorns to follow her out of the storm.
Jyoti continues to swim close to the ground and tries to soothe the unicorns with stardust.
Earth Manipulation: Can create and control the earth. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered
The world is new to you, and you to it. During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with advantage on luck-based rolls.
we drink the poison our mind pours for us and wonder why we feel so sick
Given the effort it takes to both dig and reinforces, three mastered magics working all at once, and sending one towards Amalia, Deimos is only able to move the tunnel forward 5ft. Beneath the ground a good distance already, the unicorns on the surface cannot hear Zuriel. Wessex, being cautious now, only moves them forward 15 additional feet.
It doesn't seem to matter, for as Amalia uses Deimos' magic to push up and out, the tunnel collapses behind her. A rock hurtled down towards Wessex, but here in the dark her ascended speed is more than enough to allow her to move out of the way.
Clinging low to the ground, lightning roars down from the clouds around Amalia but she is safe for now. Calmed by Jyoti the unicorns are in a position where their minds are again capable of rationality. Charging towards her are 6 unicorns of all varying size, shape, and colourations. They are unlike Zuriel in that they sport multiple horns in various places, with leonine tails and cloven hooves. Spooked by the storm, their nostrils flare and they prance uncertainly on the spot. Which way? They ask with silent terror.
Your randomly chosen order is: Deimos, Wessex, Bastien, Amalia. Please post within 48 hours of the person before you. And to ensure that nothing is missed, please include a summary of your actions at the bottom of your post, including the description of any magic/items/feats that are being utilized!
He could only do so much – sometimes potent and powerful, sometimes orchestrating too many things at once. But he could hear the falling of rocks, gesturing over his shoulder with tiger eyes partially shifting in the dark – Amalia heading towards the unicorns above ground. A common trepidation filled his chest when it came to the Shield, heading straight into danger without the ability to see other problems around her. How was she going to combat the lightning? By fortune?
Attuned measures curled around though, and he sighed. “Amalia has the unicorns with her.” So he was left with Bastien and Wessex, to puzzle through what they’d do next. “We can turn around and bring them back to the Hollowed Grounds.” He wasn’t certain what was left to do – the tunneling could only do so much, and go so far, and none of them could still unfurl a way to cease the storms outside their makeshift shelter. “I can talk to her through the Attuned bond.” And make sure she was still above them.
So he shifted towards where they’d come from, and thought nothing more about the land beyond – that they wouldn’t be getting to – restructuring earthen motions if they were a necessity. Listen to me and follow along was a command towards the Shield, Zuriel right behind him.
--
Deimos votes to turn around – and intends to guide Amalia from underneath, so they can all (unicorns included) get back to the Hollowed Grounds.
He tries to use Mastered Earth magic to restructure anything shifting along the tunnels as they head back.
Earth Manipulation: Can create and control the earth. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered
The world is new to you, and you to it. During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with advantage on luck-based rolls.
- until you had blood glistening on your teeth
- until your suffering paled in comparison to their own
- until you learned to enjoy the sounds of screams
she tied you to her kitchen chair she broke your throne and she cut your hair
The tunnel crumbles after Amalia breaches the surface, and Wessex stops, sighs, and throws her hands up in the air. “We were doing so good on the teamwork thing,” she mumbles to herself before turning to the other two. Now what?
Alright, so they’re going back now. “Once we’re all back at the tunnel entrance, I think I might be able to get us out quickly with Ru’s lightning magic.” She’d been saving it for the exit, for the bigger group that may be traveling together. Who knows if it’ll work, but it’s worth a try. Wessex turns back and jogs towards the opening of the tunnel, but takes care to stay inside its earthen protection.
------------------
Wessex does nothing except return to the tunnel entrance and stay inside it, waiting for everyone to get back into a group.
Amalia zoomed up and out of the tunnel, disappearing away from their view quickly, his offered hand suddenly empty. He wasn't sure it was a good idea for her to be out exposed in the storm on her own, but she was certainly more capable than he was, so he tried to have some faith for the moment as he followed Deimos and Wessex back down the tunnel, still on his hover board to be quick if he needed to.
--
Once again, Bastien follows on his board.
The world is new to you, and you to it. During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with advantage on luck-based rolls.
You always let me down so tenderly So live fast and die young and stay forever numb
Nothing follows except the sound of earth crumbling beneath her, the way she emerged caving in as soon as she escapes. Deimos! Amalia cries through the bond, only content to carry on when she knows that he is safe. I have the unicorns. We're going to follow the tunnel back, out of the storm.
Lightning strikes the ground around them, causing her fur to stand on edge. Apparently the lighting rod isn't as effective as they hoped; either way, the Shield cannot go back the way she came. Pressing her body low to the ground, the snow leopard whuffs for the scent of the way they came, following the instructions from below. This way! she calls back to the unicorns, trying to instill her mental voice with confidence and aided, again, by Jyoti, who now huddles beneath her chest. Stay low and close! We need to get clear of the storm!
Bending her head down she presses her chin against the charm on her necklace, then begins to lope back the way she came, keeping her ears open and alert for any sign of alarm from her herd.
Snow leopard Ama (aided by Jyoti) tells the unicorns to follow her. She projects her barrier from her pendant and follows the smell/sound of the others toward the tunnel entrance.
Type: Light
Star Charm | A silver charm in the shape of a star. When activated, it projects a 1ft barrier of starlight all the way across the user. (Made by Deimos)
Type: Light
Stabilization Ring | Once a year, this ring will automatically stabilize the wearer should they receive a life-ending blow. (If HP drops below 0 from one hit, the ring will cause the HP from that hit to stay at 1). Made by Safrin.
During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with advantage on luck-based rolls and receive an extra name during drops.
we drink the poison our mind pours for us and wonder why we feel so sick
With Deimos and presumably Wessex, should it come to that, shoring up the interior of the tunnel, the group is able to make progress. However given they are following Amalia's lead above, they will find themselves suddenly...halted.
That isn't the way home? One of the unicorn's cries. That isn't the way home! Lost though they might be, disoriented by the storm, but still they know that the path they are being led on is not the right one. Protesting, the unicorns come to an abrupt halt, ears pinned against their skulls as they stare nervously ahead.
If you aren't going to take an 'action' this turn (if Wessex/Deimos/Bastien are just going to wait under the surface), then we can skip their turns and have Amalia post her reply to the unicorns.
She stops when the unicorns do, turning back to them and chewing on her lower lip. Mentally calling for Deimos to wait, she focuses on keeping the unicorns calm. I know- it's the way to my home. I don't know the way back to your home. It's the best she can offer in the current situation, a way out.
Glancing up at the lightning that flashes through the sky, Amalia paws anxiously on the ground. Once we're out of the storm we can figure out how to get you home. We, we can ask Safrin, or Frey for help. But we're not safe here. Okay?
Ama and Jyo try to convince the unicorns to come back to the HG with them, and says she'll help them get home when they can navigate the storm better.
Type: Light
Star Charm | A silver charm in the shape of a star. When activated, it projects a 1ft barrier of starlight all the way across the user. (Made by Deimos)
Type: Light
Stabilization Ring | Once a year, this ring will automatically stabilize the wearer should they receive a life-ending blow. (If HP drops below 0 from one hit, the ring will cause the HP from that hit to stay at 1). Made by Safrin.
During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with advantage on luck-based rolls and receive an extra name during drops.
we drink the poison our mind pours for us and wonder why we feel so sick
Not near enough for the lightning rod to provide much of a distraction for this portion of the storm, the bolts continue to rain down from the sky. One strikes a dark bay mare who has horns that grow down the length of her spine. Bucking, the smell of burning hair clouding every breath, the unicorns collectively balk and waver.
The grounds...the barrier? One wonders, offering Amalia a final chance to prove herself worthy of following away from everything they've ever known.
If you aren't going to take an 'action' this turn (if Wessex/Deimos/Bastien are just going to wait under the surface), then we can skip their turns and have Amalia post her reply to the unicorns.
They still hesitate, the herd of them, even as lightning flashes down and strikes one on her flank. Amalia blinks against the bright light, her vision blurring with spots and uncertainty. They need to go, yet the unicorns remain reluctant to move.
The barrier isn't there anymore. Please- Taking a step toward the herd, Amalia inhales a deep breath and commands her body to stand. In front of them there is no longer a low-set leopardess but a tall, regal qilin, scales glittering in the light, bi-horned head held dangerously high.
I am Amalia Chandrakant, the Shield of Safrin, protector of life, and as Vi is my witness I will do all I can to bring you to safety. But you must come with me, now. And as she says it for the first time Amalia truly feels it, stirring in her soul. She keeps the barrier up over herself, hoping it will be enough protection, that she will be enough protection to keep them from further injury until she can heal them all. If the herd agrees to follow her she will set off at a run, moving quickly as she can to escape from the storm.
If not, well, she supposes she'll have no choice but to follow them back to whence they came.
Ama does a stupid hero moment and turns into a qilin. She once again asks the unicorns to come with her. Her barrier is still up.
Type: Light
Star Charm | A silver charm in the shape of a star. When activated, it projects a 1ft barrier of starlight all the way across the user. (Made by Deimos)
Type: Light
Stabilization Ring | Once a year, this ring will automatically stabilize the wearer should they receive a life-ending blow. (If HP drops below 0 from one hit, the ring will cause the HP from that hit to stay at 1). Made by Safrin.
During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with advantage on luck-based rolls and receive an extra name during drops.
Heroism pays off. Whether it's the reassurance, the qilin suddenly before them, the name dropping of Safrin and Vi, or just the continued screech of the lightning above, but the unicorns bob their heads in feverish agreement. Lead They seem to nicker in unison, ears still firmly against their skulls. They'll follow Amalia with tails high and nostrils flared, darting around the lightning as best they can.
Six unicorns and one qilin above the tunnel below is not a good strategy however, and as the equines thunder above, the roof of the tunnel will begin to erode dangerously. Will the below team play it safe and steady, reforming as they go? Or will they make a break for it, trying to race gravity?
Your randomly chosen order is: Deimos, Wessex, Bastien, Amalia. Please post within 48 hours of the person before you. And to ensure that nothing is missed, please include a summary of your actions at the bottom of your post, including the description of any magic/items/feats that are being utilized!
She had them all, and the barest modicum of relief chiseled its way through his chest.
It didn’t last.
The crumbling contortions echoed again, and his feline eyes drifted upward, understanding, knowing, the telltale signs that this wouldn’t last either. He could maneuver and uplift and secure for lifetimes, but Amalia and the unicorns would only linger out in the storm for so long. Under threats of constant lightning, and now they were stuck, below ground. Another decision to be made, swiftly, quickly. “Time to leave.”
We are coming out he called back to the Shield, and shifted immediately to his hellhound form, a beckoning bark hastened to both Wessex and Bastien, intending to tear through their makeshift tunnel, keen and quick, Zuriel close behind.
--
Deimos tells them we’re getting out of dodge, and shifts to his hellhound form. He and Zuriel head for the opening of the tunnel (back towards the Hollowed Grounds).
The world is new to you, and you to it. During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with advantage on luck-based rolls.
- until you had blood glistening on your teeth
- until your suffering paled in comparison to their own
- until you learned to enjoy the sounds of screams
she tied you to her kitchen chair she broke your throne and she cut your hair
Even the keenest of ears cannot hear the animal mindspeak; there is only the anxious dance of hooves against the ground and the resulting tremors, the dirt that begins to fall. Everyone knows what that means. Springing forward, Wessex tries to clear the tunnel’s entrance and then wait until Deimos and Bastien have exited, grabbing at the magic crystal.
The Wraith tries to keep pace with the slowest of the others, tapping into her superhuman speed if necessary. Her arms pump furiously, crystal at the ready, absolutely no idea if she can manipulate lightning like this, but hellbent on trying. If a bolt threatens to hit the group, Wessex will raise the crystal and try to redirect the electricity.
If they’re lucky, if they're fast enough, they won’t need it.
-----------
Wessex takes the end position of the group, trying to keep pace with the slowest individual. She will use her superspeed if necessary. Will also use Hotaru’s mastered lightning magic stored in the magic crystal if a lightning bolt comes towards the group.
Type: Grey
Magical Crystal (1) | When (abandoned) magic is cast at this device, it can store the power and reuse it as controlled by the wielder. (Made by Remi)
Deimos told them it was time to move, and Bastien wasn't about to argue. Bending his legs and pushing it into motion, he rode his board as quickly as he could out of the tunnel, hoping he could make it out before too much of the roof had eroded above their heads. Every so often he looked behind himself to make sure Wessex had kept up; he, like Deimos, didn't want anyone not coming back from this.
---
Bastien uses his hover board to zoooom out of the tunnel asap.
The world is new to you, and you to it. During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with advantage on luck-based rolls.
You always let me down so tenderly So live fast and die young and stay forever numb
