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!
You are not the only ones who have been preparing for LongNight.
Did you think that your depraved siblings, those of you lost and discarded and cobbled together, would go so easily? Do you think it is in their wiring to simply give up? You have all flocked back to the Grounds, and with so much ascended electricity humming through the air, the siblings you left behind in their evolutionary journey, have been listening.
And watching.
And absorbing.
Darkness has enveloped the Grounds, but of course for the ascended and the monsters this means little. The world sways in blacks and grays as the deep snow both dampens sound as much as it encourages it to echo.
Three who once wore crowns, a man with a difference face, and a girl drowned at sea. 4 sets of blue eyes and one brown. Two women, two men, and...whatever Edrei is. Two naturals, three outlanders.
What have you in common?
You have all broken the rules. Four back from the dead, and one whose blood is impure. The monsters won't just hate you for what you are.
This time, they'll kill you.
This KQ consists of
Wessex, Edrei, Maea, Peter, Neron. The five of you have been teleported to the Outskirts. Before you are swathes of monsters, though there is clearly one that stands apart from the rest.
Non-ascended inhabitants of the HG who are still in the HG may join this KQ, however ascended can only join the KQ into which they've been placed!
For this KQ you may attempt to run away/leave the KQ, but know that you might not be successful and that the consequences of this may be more dire/dangerous than should you remain.
This KQ, like all others, will be dangerous. You have the option of not joining, but know that this will effect the overall success of what the ascended are trying to achieve this LongNight!
So that nothing is missed, please include a summary of what your character currently has with them. Make sure this information is correct, as you won't be able to later add in items. For all subsequent posts, please include a summary of actions taken, and if items/upgrades/abilities are used, please copy/paste the description of the item/ability/upgrade.
You have 24 hours to reply before you will be skipped. No posting order for this round.
02-14-2021, 05:16 PM (This post was last modified: 02-14-2021, 05:17 PM by Neron.)
liars and lovers combine tonight, we're gonna make a scene
So this is how it ends.
Or begins, Neron supposes, but that is not how it feels as they are pulled to the Outskirts. The opposition stands before them in a swathe of shadows and snarls, as grotesque as anything the Launceleyn has experienced in his time. Still, his eyes pierce the darkness easily, and the lift of his chin is somewhat defiant, though he has no idea if they face down death in these next few hours or not.
"With you," he murmurs to Wessex, knowing she is the lead in all of this and willing to follow her into the fray. He only hopes that Morgan is safe in this madness. It's a strange hope, given that he has never been the sentimental type before.
Neron brings the following with him:
Type: Grey
Ascended Pocket Watch | In the hands of an ascended, when this watch is opened within 5ft of anyone, it will reveal one of their abilities (shifts, powers, upgrades, etc) at random.
Type: Dark
Cobb’s Cane (Mastered) | A mysterious walking stick topped with a silver lionshead. When tapped twice in succession against a surface, Abandoned magic is nullified within 5ft of the cane for 1 post. One use per thread.
02-14-2021, 07:30 PM (This post was last modified: 02-14-2021, 07:40 PM by Wessex.)
WESSEX
Go deep throat a cactus
Five of them.
Not nearly as good as she’d hoped, but at least Neron’s here. That’s no small boon, she thinks, as she starts to assess the situation.
First, she reaches out to all the Ascended. I’m in a group in the Outskirts. Whoever you're with, stay together. If you're outside and you can get to the house, go for it. Is that even part of the plan anymore? Who fucking knows. They’ll need to improvise.
Secondly, she addresses the group while trying to maneuver into a position near the others. Options keep running through her head - there’s a fuckton of monsters, they're far from where they want to be, but they have some invisibility options. Enough to get them to the Ruins? Who knows. Enough to escape later if need be? Who knows? Are they fast enough to make it all the way through the Grounds?
Make a stand here or run for the Ruins? She eyes the one that stands apart, thinking it might be important in some way, shape, or form. The Queen Bee?
-------------------
Wessex brings the following with her:
Type: Grey
Manufactured Adrenaline | a syringe containing a daily dose of adrenaline. Can be used once per thread. Raises all stats by 1 for one post and increases an ascendeds other senses for the duration of the thread.
Type: Grey
Shadow-Cloth | A cloak that renders the wearer invisible when in shadow. (Made by Remi)
Type: Dark
Infernbow | A wooden crossbow with the ability to set any arrows placed within to ignite on the pull of its trigger. (Made by Deimos)
The world is new to you, and you to it. During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with advantage on luck-based rolls and receive an extra name during drops. (In order to use this, make sure to note the ability at the bottom of each post)
It is not his first Longnight, but it is certainly different, starting with a bang and a flash and the sudden loss of Adam at his side. That fact alone only gives him all the more reason to focus every bit of himself on coming out the other side, simply so he could find his husband after and ensure the same for him.
There is some comfort in being around those he knows, half who he had called family at one point (would still call it, if they let him) and the others nowhere near strangers. ”Do you think we’d make it?”
Peter comes with his upgrades and the following mundane items:
Bow & quiver
Many many many layers (predominately woollen)
I’m sorry lover, I’m sorry I bring you down Well these days I try, and these days I tend to lie
"OI." Edy blinks, suddenly in the dark and the cold, not that she is particularly hindered by either. "NOT ELEPORTING WITHOUT CONSENT—" But of course the ones who had moved her without her permission weren't likely to care, and the young Launceleyn was just realizing that as she stared at a hoard of monsters.
Edy isn't one to necessarily show fear, that trait was beaten right the fuck out of her at a young age, but Neron and perhaps no one else, might notice the way she shrinks against him slightly, her hand seeking out his for a comforting squeeze.
"I mean..the point was to fight them, wasn't it?" Edy asks in response to Wessex, not knowing how or if she could reply mentally.
If you think the largest would go for Wessex, big taking on big and all that, you'd be wrong. The monsters are free of pride and bound together through one mind. They will always do what they deem to be the best strategy, and right now, that is completely overwhelming Wessex as much as they possibly can.
The monsters move forward like some animated hoard of grotesque toys and scrap parts. Some walk on eight legs, some scuttle with their bodies bandaged and held together by cables. Some have teeth of knives while others boast eyes that once clearly belonged to organic creatures but are now taped together.
Clusters 1, 2, and 3 target Wessex. Only cluster 1 is fast enough to strike her. Lightning snarls from a mouth that appears to have been stolen from some sort of large bear. As it strikes the demigod, a pulse is shot back toward the creature, killing it instantly. Immediately the swarms halt, their minds calibrating and updating. They will need to devise a new plan, based on what they have just seen. (If Wessex attacks Clusters 2 or 3, she will have advantage as they stop and think).
Cluster 4 targets Neron with teeth made of rocks. It latches onto his leg, gnawing at his shin like an overly eager dog. Cluster 5 targets Peter, who is able to evade it. The largest creature targets Edrei. Whether it's good luck on her part (it is), or a demonstration of power on the part of the largest monster (sure, let's go with that), a beam of sickly black light flashes from its eyes, all but melting the place the Rapacious once stood.
Your randomly chosen initiative order is: Wessex, Neron, Edrei, Peter. You have 24 hours to respond, based on when the person before you posted.
Please keep your posts as concise and clear as possible. Remember, this is a KQ. You can spend words on introspection later. Keep things action-based, and refer to the KQ guide in the guidebook for information about our expectations.
If I don't specifically say how your character has evaded an attack, or where the damage is, feel free to add this flavour in yourself!
02-15-2021, 05:52 PM (This post was last modified: 02-15-2021, 06:43 PM by Wessex.
Edit Reason: added self healing use in - yell at me if it was a no-no, soz
)
WESSEX
Go deep throat a cactus
Yes, they need to fight but they have only themselves here. Maybe when they make their way through the clusters, but - the thought is cut off as lightning hits her - seeming to travel back in and out again, destroying a cluster of monsters. But there’s no time to waste and she shucks off her crossbow and quarrel and calls out to the Launceleyns. Talk to me mentally. Someone take this, it’ll shoot fire magic arrows. Neron, Life Drain. She doesn’t care who takes the bow, only that it’s taken and someone attempts to defend themselves.
Setting herself up to target Cluster 3, Wessex attempts to use Neron’s Life Drain on that particular group of Monsters.
------------------
Wessex hands off the Infernbow and its arrows to either Edy or Pet and asks Neron for Life Drain magic, in order to target cluster 3.
Magic: Magic Re-Resonance | When abandoned magic is cast within 20ft of Wessex, she can duplicate the ability at its mastered level once.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered
Type: Dark
Damage Splash Upgrade | For every attack made at Wessex, double the damage is deflected back to the creature who caused it. (Elemental effects are not duplicated. 30 pts of fire damage is translated back as 30 pts of regular damage, for example).
Magic: Healing | Minor cuts/abrasions/bruising heal nearly instantly. More severe injuries (broken bones, muscle tears, etc) heal at 50% the speed. During PQ+/KQs, heals at basic levels, with a chance to heal at higher levels depending on injury/luck.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
The world is new to you, and you to it. During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with advantage on luck-based rolls and receive an extra name during drops. (In order to use this, make sure to note the ability at the bottom of each post)
02-15-2021, 06:06 PM (This post was last modified: 02-15-2021, 06:07 PM by Neron.)
liars and lovers combine tonight, we're gonna make a scene
Hissing out in annoyance more than pain as Cluster 4 clamps around Neron's leg, the Hailstorm is preparing to do what he does best (read: freeze the fuckers) when Wessex's command rings through into his mind. Somewhat deflated, the Launceleyn acquiesces and, with a force of will, directs his Life Drain magic down to the cluster trying to gnaw on him. He can't relocate until the monsters are away, besides.
That's a neat trick, he directs back at Wessex, narrowly avoiding tacking on a please would be nice. His hand, in the meantime, has curled around Edrei's, offering the comfort that would have been foreign to them when they were children. "It's not so bad. Could be a training session back at the compound, right?"
Neron holds Edy's hand (aww) and does as Wessex asks, aiming his Life Drain magic at Cluster 4.
Base Life Drain : Can take life force from a living thing to temporarily make themselves stronger within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
"Uhh"hhhh? Edy tries, having no idea whether or not she's just thinking to herself. I know I've been an ascended for a hot fucking minute, but...fire? I thought that was number one on the fucking don't list.
Still, Edy accepts the crossbow, because if it's a direct order and it's between her and Peter? Well. He might not be into the whole Launceleyn bullshit the way she is, but Edy's baggage when it comes to defending her family runs fucking deep.
"Aww you're right. That one totes looks like Cyton." And as much as Edy might want to keep holding Neron's hand, his reference back to their younger years has the not-teenager switching gears.
"Oh yeah? Well fuck YOU." She shouts at the lead monster. Moving to be within range, Edy opens her mouth as if to scream, but then just gives the creature the middle finger. She aims for whichever of its senses seems to be fully inorganic, starting first with it's eyes, then legs, then hands.
Edy takes the crossbow from Wessex but is leery of using it. She uses her sound-combustion magic on the big creature, aiming first for eyes, then legs, then arms, if one fails to be in-organic.
Type: Dark
Sound Combustion Upgrade | Can cause objects to explode by expanding sound waves within an object, increasing the amount of pressure until they burst open. Can shatter medium or small non-organic items. (Upgraded)
02-16-2021, 07:12 AM (This post was last modified: 02-16-2021, 07:12 AM by Peter.)
PETER
Understood. Silence is more than likely safest, Pet trusting in Wessex to keep them connected, as the only person hearing everything. Edy reaches out to take the crossbow as blades shift out of Pet’s arms, their edges menacing the creatures encroaching around him.
There is still a sense of loyalty, of obligation, that has him shifting closer towards Neron, towards Edy, unblinking eyes watching the cluster of monsters that have already tried to strike out at him. There’s not really a plan, beyond the thought of hacking away at the beast gnawing at Neron, if possible.
Pet unsheathes his arm blades and moves back to attack cluster 4, while keeping an eye on cluster 5
Nested Blade Bionic Upgrade (Upgraded) | A lightweight but strong blade is embedded in both forearms. When activated, articulates out and can be used offensively or defensively.
I’m sorry lover, I’m sorry I bring you down Well these days I try, and these days I tend to lie
Well let's get into the nitty-gritty of it all, shall we?
Wessex 's re-resonance goes awry (critical miss), and she'll instantly feel the drain on her body of the magic meant for the monsters...and then she'll feel it again, only much worse as her splashback upgrade sends this phenomenal fuckup back at her. Neron 's attack doesn't backfire the way the Queen's does, but it's just as ineffective (which is to say it misses by a mile). Edrei 's display does nothing other than make her look like the teenager she no longer is (she too misses), which leaves us just with Peter. Weakest of those assembled, and yet he's the only one to make contact with the monsters. His blades slice through the hoard of them, decapitating one, removing the shoulder of another. These monsters aren't held together by much and will likely fall quite quickly...should you actually hit them.
"Good work Q U E E N. We will enjoy taking the broken parts of your broken empire and making ourselves stronger with them. When we kill you, we'll make sure that you stay dead." The monster's hiss, their voices in unison as all eyes fall upon Wessex. Clusters 2 and 3 reach out with a multitude of tentacles, both trying to grapple the queen. Tentacles of cable and sinew stretch out, but none are fast enough to capture the demigod. (Both miss).
Swarm 5 rounds on Neron, and out of the darkness of their combined bodies bits of shrapnel are thrown into the ascended's chest. (Hit).
The largest creature finally breaks the streak of misses between itself and Edrei, hitting her with a blast of black, brackish energy that sends her flying.
Unhappy with being attacked, Cluster 4 mobs forward to attack Peter. However now that they're missing limbs, they slash toward him with claws that are no longer there. (Miss)
Your randomly chosen initiative order is: Wessex, Neron, Edrei, Peter. You have 24 hours to respond, based on when the person before you posted.
Please keep your posts as concise and clear as possible. Remember, this is a KQ. You can spend words on introspection later. Keep things action-based, and refer to the KQ guide in the guidebook for information about our expectations.
If I don't specifically say how your character has evaded an attack, or where the damage is, feel free to add this flavour in yourself!
As the massive amount of life drain runs through her body, Wessex activates one of the gifts the Voice gave them and rejects the damage. Loathe to do it so soon, she’s certain that if she takes this much, this soon, there’s no coming back from it. In fact, she thinks it best to keep on trying to heal herself, if she can.
Hissing like the enraged vampire Queen that she is, Wessex bares her fangs in defiance rather than retorting. The less they know about her, the better, so whether she forgets to keep her thoughts to herself or she’s intending to, fuck, reassure the others?, the demigod broadcasts her rebellion. Jokes on you, fuckers, she thinks with a vengeful, gleeful spite. I won’t die.
Your lead, Neron.
Taking whatever magic he gives her (lol, ice probably), she’ll attempt to turn it on Cluster 2 this time, shredding it with lots of razor-sharp ice shards.
------------------
Wessex takes the 151 pts of damage and then promptly REJECTS THAT CRIT ONE SHIT with the temporary upgrade. Uses Neron’s magic to attack cluster 2 with mastered magic / ice shards and if possible, she continues to try and background (???) heal herself.
Instant damage rejection upgrade | When activated, this upgrade will allow the user to reject the last damage received. However monsters will have advantage against you for the next turn if you're targeted.
Magic: Magic Re-Resonance | When abandoned magic is cast within 20ft of Wessex, she can duplicate the ability at its mastered level once.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered
Magic: Healing | Minor cuts/abrasions/bruising heal nearly instantly. More severe injuries (broken bones, muscle tears, etc) heal at 50% the speed. During PQ+/KQs, heals at basic levels, with a chance to heal at higher levels depending on injury/luck.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
The world is new to you, and you to it. During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with advantage on luck-based rolls and receive an extra name during drops. (In order to use this, make sure to note the ability at the bottom of each post)
liars and lovers combine tonight, we're gonna make a scene
Well this is shit. Everyone takes a hammering and there's little time for the Launceleyn to pay attention to his companions when he's getting clapped with rocks and impaled with little bits of shrapnel from the teeth of monsters. So he hears Wessex and reacts on autopilot - let it be known that his family, at least, are great at following orders. That's what you get for being tortured up into a battle mage.
Turning towards Cluster 5 now, Neron unleashes his (you're right) water magic in the form of jagged, icy fingers jutting out from the ground (think Elsa when she loses her shit at the coronation). And once he's finished with that? He simply winks out of existence. As good as, anyway.
I'm still here - feel free to let the others know, he tells Wessex.
Neron attacks Cluster 5 with Mastered Water Manipulation and activates his cloaking upgrade.
Water manipulation: Can create and control water. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Light | Rank: Mastered
Type: Dark
Cloaking Upgrade | A 90% body upgrade that bends light making the user invisible. Dramatic action or the use of weapons/upgrades/items makes the user 25% more visible. This translates to rolling disadvantage to hit the user in a battle.
Okay so..either her question had been stupid enough to not need an answer, or Wessex hadn't heard her. (Listen, it's hard to try and mentally speak when you don't know what the fuck that entails, okay). And since none of her attacks have hit thus far...well. Fuck it.
"You're a miserable fucking fuck you jealous box of bolts." Edy snarls, her voice bright and unafraid despite the overwhelmingly bad odds here. With the crossbow nestled against her shoulder, the Rapacious tries to remember all she'd ever been taught about shooting with a bow. Basically, it was some shit about keeping your feet balanced and calming your breath. But since Edy didn't breathe and there wasn't any time for fancy footwork, she just leaned heavily into her instincts and let the arrow fly at the big fucker.
Edy shoots at the big monster with the Infernbow.
Type: Dark
Infernbow | A wooden crossbow with the ability to set any arrows placed within to ignite on the pull of its trigger. (Made by Deimos)
