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!
06-09-2021, 02:43 PM (This post was last modified: 06-09-2021, 03:08 PM by Safrin.)
key quest
Once colourful, bunting litters the sands in washed-out and haphazard patterns, torn and shredded. Those who were clever have already fled, and those who weren't or were too slow to pack their wares, now decorate the sandy planes with their bodies and broken wagons. Make no mistake that this is a graveyard, even though the sun's harsh rays bathe everything in a sterile near-white light that makes it looks safe, and old, and silent.
Had you not read the Notice Board, written only recently, you might have thought this destruction was a decade or more old, such is the power of the sun to sap life and the truth of what has happened here.
Something lingers below the surface, this you already know. How you will draw it up, what you might bait it with, and how you will proceed, is entirely up to you.
Welcome to the Key Quest. In order to join, you must need a KQ for the level you're currently working on. It's recommended you be above level 3 to join. Please post your characters arriving and in your summary list whatever non-items they are bringing with them (anything on your profile is automatically assumed to be with you). Items not listed cannot be used later). **If an ascended wants to join, I'll make this at night.**
Remember to include a summary at the bottom of your post with all action taken. If weapons/upgrades/abilities/items/shifts/etc are used, please include their desc. from your profile at the bottom of your post as well.
REMEMBER: KQs are rewarding but dangerous. They may cause death and/or permanent changes to your characters.
there will be scrapes and sutures; viciousness and victory
It has been an age since he felt like this, and even the travel hasn't dampened his excitement. With sweat beading his brow and the sun beating down overhead, the Caravanserai appears in the distance and Ronin is ready for it. He has plans, you see, to return home bloody and sweaty and dusty to the love of his life, though that isn't the only thing. There's a thread that runs through Ronin, bright as starlight; it's the thing that makes him do the stupid right thing over the easy thing. It makes him run into danger, and in a past life it's made him die on the battlefield.
It's got him riding into the desert now.
Crouched on a nimbus with a scarf wrapped about his nose and mouth and a dragon curled about his shoulders, he lets out a muffled whoop! at the sight of the destruction. But where is the monster, he wonders? Only one way to find out.
"Ready or not!" he calls, and three needles of starlight bloom around him before he unleashes them directly into the sand below. Drive-by starbolts? Why not.
Ronin arrives on the back of his nimbus. As he flies over the Caravanserai, he lobs three starbolts at the ground to lure the creature out.
Magic: Shooting Stars | The user may summon celestial energy as a projectile. Control is excellent, and multiple projectiles may be created at once.
Type: Light | Rank: Mastered
Magic: Nimbus Call | The user may call down one of the clouds from the sky and ride upon it. The cloud will hold Ronin and up to one other person.
Type: Light | Rank: Mastered
He brings the following:
Type: Light
Capitol Compass | Can travel to the political hubs in all settled lands.
Type: Light
Eclipse Ring | A silver ring marbled through with an eerie light. When worn, any Ascended within 5ft of the wearer will lose their enhanced senses and speed. {OOC Note: May be used for a maximum of 3 posts per thread.}
Type: Light
Wedding Ring | A ring made of dark stone with flecks of starlit colour inside. Softly beats with Remi's heartbeat regardless of distance. Only works for Ronin/Remi. (Made by Remi)
Type: Grey
Emmett's Axe (Upgraded) | An indestructible axe that will always return to Ronin when thrown. (Made by Remi).
Type: Light
Shackles of the Virgin: Summons the Virgo Constellation for one post. The constellation is semi-transparent and appears as a beautiful celestial figure. May heal at a Basic level. Exists as a constellation-tattoo when not in use, but manifests in golden shackles when used.
Type: Light
Shackles of the Ram: Summons the Aries Constellation for one post. The constellation is semi-transparent and burns with starfire. Can range from palm-sized, to the size of a car. Deals fire damage at basic level. Exist as a constellation-tattoo when not in use, but manifests in golden shackles when used.
Type: Light
Shackles of the Water Bearer: Summons the Aquarius Constellation for one post. The constellation is semi-transparent and manifests as a cosmic flood which deals Basic water damage. Exists as a constellation-tattoo when not in use, but manifests in golden shackles when used.
Type: Grey
Finders Seekers | A feather shaped charm, ensuring that ravens always find the recipient to deliver letters safely.
Type: Grey
Order Ring | A ring that detects the presence of other Accepted
Eating fire is your ambition to swallow the flame down
Melita had seen the Notice Board post, and what better way to avoid her entire family and all its dilemmas by going out Monster Hunting? It’d been a long while since she’d managed to do something of that nature – perhaps since clearing out the Fingers. Or back in the Grounds, blatantly joining the guildhouse and its fellow compatriots for embarking after banshees.
That felt like lifetimes ago. She was stronger now.
Though how to get rid of a bag of bones decidedly did not manage to conjure its way into her mind.
Following the accord, the honeybee and her companion placed all manner of useful filaments in her bag: her weapons, several canteens, some bandages, and some rope. The quiver of elemental arrows remained on her back, as well as the staff, the bow bracelet on her wrist, and the anklet (though there probably wasn’t any water to be had, but better safe than sorry) maintained its proper position.
So when they came upon the scene, Melita still wasn’t sure she had the adequate supplies or armaments.
She nearly waved to Ronin as he appeared on his damned cloud, but the moment was lost as he rode in, shooting starbolts at the ground. “Oh,” she murmured, stupidly. Were they starting now? The youth backed away, granting and giving space, in case the creature should rise up from the depths. Within a moment, she’d readied her arrows, opting for the ice adornments.
--
Melita attempts to stay out of the way of Ronin’s starbolts, and in case the creature rises up. She readies her bow and ice arrows.
Type: Light
Bowstring Bracelet | At first this bracelet appears only as a length of intricately braided bowstring. But with an arrow in hand, upon miming the action of knocking and drawing it, the user will feel a bow beneath their fingers, as if it was there all along.
Type: Dark
Fire/Lightning/Ice Quiver | A magical quiver with two compartments. In one, it turns any arrow placed within into a flaming projectile when shot. In the other, the arrow becomes imbued with electricity. (Made by Remi)
Melita is bringing: a bag filled with small weapons, rope, canteens filled with water, and bandages.
She’s also got her hoard of magical items that Odd told me not to list.
FANGORN - Mythical - Vampire Gourd
to be lit up from within, vein by vein to be the sun
Last time she went looking for ghosts, she died. Perhaps luck would be with her this time, too. It would solve a lot of problems, potentially.
But this optimistical view was not the reason why Maea had decided to travel to Hak Etme. Torchline was starting to feel small and dangerous. Too many knew of her existence there, and the last thing she wanted was for her face to become too well known. So she left on a journey to the west, where the sights along the way became a blur; she didn't have the patience to actually explore between bounding leaps. Only when she reached the desert did she stick to her feet, in order to appear on site fully charged - or as much as she could be, given her lack of visits to the shrine.
Any hopes of going under the radar vanished the moment she reached the designated area. Not only did she find Melita there, armed to the teeth and raring to go, but Ronin came charging past on his cloud. Fantastic; her odds of surviving this just plummeted. As he launched a magical attack on the ground, Maea hung back and readied her bow - whether it would actually do any good here was to be seen.
Maea arrives on foot, and hangs back out of Ronin's way. She nocks an arrow to the string and waits.
Maea brings a dark coat with a hood, a bow (normal, made by Melita) and a quiver of arrows, along with 4 daggers at her belt.
Nothing lasts forever, I thought you should know
BASE INSPIRED BY ODD <3
♦ Violence, magic, thievery is permitted with Maea at all times. DM me if you have any ideas ♦
Nathaniel has done a lot of stupid things in his life. Truly. Following Ronin into the desert to fight a bone monster has to be at the top of the fucking list. Armed with only a basic longsword and a pack full of standard equipment such as rope, bandages, grappling hook, and the like, the new recruit joined his mentor to set off. As they drew closer, Ronin dropped Nathaniel from the nimbus, giving him an opprotunity to approach on foot as the dragoon didn't have much going for range. Valvynn flew above him, circling close enough that she could quickly come to aid should Nathaniel need it.
Not one to be surprised by Ronin's showboating, it didn't catch him off guard when the demi god released starbolts into the sand. He knew well enough to stay back a ways to avoid the blast. The blonde gave a nod to the two others that were there with them before drawing his sword, waiting for the bag of bones to show itself.
Nathaniel arrives with Ronin on the nimbus, getting dropped off just before the approach. He draws his standard issue Dragoon longsword and prepares for an attack.
Nathaniel is bringing his Dragoon longsword. A bag with rope, bandages, and a grappling hook.
VALVYNN - Mythical - Dragon (Ice Breath)
Weep for yourself, my man
You'll never be what is in your heart Weep, little lion man
You're not as brave as you were at the start
Ronin calls out ready or not, and wouldn't you believe it? The monster is absolutely ready.
It can hear the footfalls of those who arrive like ripples across a pond, but it's the Star's starbolts that scream through its senses. Rising up out of the sand is a creature that looks like the love-child of a ghostwhale and landshark. Moving not unlike a reptile though, its entire body is comprised solely of bone. There doesn't appear to be eyes, a brain, skin, or organs. What allows for the creature's movement is anyone's guess, and though you might wonder about it yourself, now is probably not the best time.
Snarling out of the sands, the Bone Monster appears to be about 20 feet long. Aiming for Nathaniel as it catches the glint of moonlight on his sword, the creature slams its tail across the sand, knocking the dragoon off of his feet.
Welcome to the Bone Monster KQ!
Remember to include a summary at the bottom of your post with all action taken. If weapons/upgrades/abilities/items/shifts/etc are used, please include their desc. from your profile at the bottom of your post as well. If you don't do this, they won't be taken into account!
REMEMBER: KQs are rewarding but dangerous. They may cause death and/or permanent changes to your characters.
Your randomly assigned posting order is: Maea, Mel, Nathanial, Ronin. You have 48 hours to reply.
Well, that went swimmingly. Another fucking whale. Maea's deja vú was only growing stronger by the minute, but at least here, there was no risk of drowning. And that was amusing in itself - where was the water when she no longer needed to breathe?
There was no reason to get excited though. With a strange sense of detachment, as if none of this concerned her, she aimed an arrow at the skeletal monster and loosed. As quickly as she could, she reached back for a new arrow, intending to make ready to fire again; meanwhile she kept her eyes tained on the beast, ready to teleport away if it looked like it was coming for her next time.
Maea shoots an arrow at the Skellibob. She then intends to nock another arrow, prepared to teleport away if the monster seems to come for her.
Type: Grey
Binary Teleportation Upgrade | Can teleport up to 30ft OR to an adjacent board. Requires a 2 post cool-down between uses.
Nothing lasts forever, I thought you should know
BASE INSPIRED BY ODD <3
♦ Violence, magic, thievery is permitted with Maea at all times. DM me if you have any ideas ♦
Eating fire is your ambition to swallow the flame down
Melita might’ve given out some fathom of a wave towards Maea and the stranger, but there wasn’t any time for that.
Instead, Ronin’s assault did the trick: rising out of the sand was some boney figment and form – leaving her with key notions of ghost whales. Except they weren’t out in the ocean, and her charm wouldn’t hold any relevance here. Which was fine – this was all in good fun (she resisted jumping up and down in excitement).
But instead of mulling over those unfortunate circumstances, the youth shouted over to Ronin. “Can I use a cloud?” Vantage points, hoping to gain some access, higher and higher and higher, to shoot, to maul, to devastate. Wasn’t that what they’d come here for?
With the elements already picked and notched, it wouldn’t take the youth long to volley one, intending to hit and maim as best she could. Icy figments, first, a trial run.
--
Melita asks Ronin if she can borrow a cloud. She also shoots an ice arrow towards the bone monster.
Type: Light
Bowstring Bracelet | At first this bracelet appears only as a length of intricately braided bowstring. But with an arrow in hand, upon miming the action of knocking and drawing it, the user will feel a bow beneath their fingers, as if it was there all along.
Type: Dark
Fire/Lightning/Ice Quiver | A magical quiver with two compartments. In one, it turns any arrow placed within into a flaming projectile when shot. In the other, the arrow becomes imbued with electricity. (Made by Remi)
to be lit up from within, vein by vein to be the sun
It all went to shit fairly quickly. One second there was nothing and the next a monster made of bone and not much more was shooting out of the sand. Nathaniel's eyes went wide, sword raising defensively, but that was his downfall. The tail came down in a swipe, knocking the wind out of him as he landed flat on his back in the sand, struggling to suck in a breath. With more effort than he'd like to admit, he scrambled to his feet, needing to put some distance between him and the bone creature. Not before attempting to swipe at the tail that was still close to him.
Valvynn also let loose an icy breath, swooping in low enough to aid Nathaniel's sword strike before wheeling back into the dark sky. After attempting to land his strike, Nathaniel tried to find some cover instead of standing out in the open like an idiot. Remember your training, soldier!
Nathaniel attempts to hit the Boneboi's tail with his sword and Valvynn blows some ice at it too before they both scramble for cover.
Nathaniel is bringing his Dragoon longsword. A bag with rope, bandages, and a grappling hook.
VALVYNN - Mythical - Dragon (Ice Breath)
Weep for yourself, my man
You'll never be what is in your heart Weep, little lion man
You're not as brave as you were at the start
there will be scrapes and sutures; viciousness and victory
Ronin barks out a laugh to see his plan work so well, and he manages a grin and a wave at Melita (and is that Maea?) before he's swooping around to get the measure of their new skellibob friend. And since it's apparently night now, a few swift thoughts about Remi have him literally pulsing with starlight, offering some illumination for those who might need it.
One of their party is hit and he winces; were it not for the fact that he's already running for cover, Ronin might have followed to offer some protection. "Stay back and use ranged weapons if you can!" he calls down to the group. "At least until we can find out what works against it!"
But then Melita is calling to him and the Star is more than happy to oblige; his nimbus swoops down so he might fly by and pick her up along the way. At the same time, he conjures a few more starbolts and lobs them in the skellibob's direction. It might be all bones, but it might also still feel pain. Time to find out.
Ronin obliges Melita and swoops down to pick her up on his nimbus. En route, he lobs a few starbolts at the skellibob. His passive magic is also activated so he might provide illumination through the night. Should Ronin hit the skellibob, the following feat would be activated:
Magic: FEAT | Now You! | When Ronin successfully hits a target, the next ally who posts gains advantage on their attack.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Used abilities:
Magic: Nimbus Call | The user may call down one of the clouds from the sky and ride upon it. The cloud will hold Ronin and up to one other person.
Type: Light | Rank: Mastered
Magic: Dazzle | At times of heightened emotion, Ronin radiates starlight. Any non-organic item he touches during this time will also give off light for a duration of 1 hour. The intensity of the light directly correlates to the intensity of the emotions.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Magic: Shooting Stars | The user may summon celestial energy as a projectile. Control is excellent, and multiple projectiles may be created at once.
Type: Light | Rank: Mastered
Though Maea 's arrow hits the monster creature in its ribcage, the arrow plinks off with a rather musical pippp!. If it has hurt the creature, it gives no indication of it. Melita 's arrow similarly hits, though as the ice-arrow buries itself into the space where shoulder muscle ought to be, the creature flinches and turns to vaguely snap towards where the arrow remains lodged.
Nathaniel 's sword strikes the creature's tail, ringing off with a satisfying sound. As wth Maea's earlier attack, it isn't clear that this has done any damage. Valvynn's attack misses, littering the sands with bits of frost.
Then there's Ronin. Glowing like an absolute madman, he hurls starbolts toward the creature which, if there was any question about what could damage it, will provide an answer. Illuminated by starlight for a moment, the bone monster screams its fury as it shivers with pain that racks its entire body.
With Ronin (and now Melita) glowing like beacons, it's no surprise that it is they who the creature target. However as it launches its long, half-lizard half-serpentine body into the sky, its jaws snap at nothing but the airy wisps of Ronin's nimbus. Crashing to the ground, the creature disappears beneath the sands..
Welcome to the Bone Monster KQ!
Remember to include a summary at the bottom of your post with all action taken. If weapons/upgrades/abilities/items/shifts/etc are used, please include their desc. from your profile at the bottom of your post as well. If you don't do this, they won't be taken into account!
REMEMBER: KQs are rewarding but dangerous. They may cause death and/or permanent changes to your characters.
Your randomly assigned posting order is: Maea, Mel, Nathanial, Ronin. You have 48 hours to reply.
Her arrow bounced off, doing absolutely no good at all. Suppresing a desire to pointlessly sigh, Maea put the arrow back in its quiver and slung the bow over her shoulder. Swords did nothing either, as the pale-haired young man's attack with a swords clearly demonstrated; which left magic. And did Ronin do some harm! It was impressive, and the young wraith had absolutely no desire to get anywhere close to either him or the whale-shark.
But she had not come here to be useless. So rather than hang back like a sane person would, she focused her gaze on the skeleton beast and began to run towards it. When she was in range, she flung up a palm and closed the circuits within, to unleash a bolt of electricity aimed at the monster. Hopefully she might at least slow it down - she did not possess many offensive capabilities, sorry to say.
Maea sadly puts away her weapon when it doesn't do any damage. Running towards the skellibob like an idiot, she uses her Electrical Touch once she is in range, hoping to stun the creature or at least slow it down.
Type: Grey
Electrical Touch Upgrade (Upgraded) | Can complete electrical circuits in the user's palm which release a current of electricity. This bolt can extend 10ft and be maintained with concentration. Can cause disorientation and muscle-malfunction.
Nothing lasts forever, I thought you should know
BASE INSPIRED BY ODD <3
♦ Violence, magic, thievery is permitted with Maea at all times. DM me if you have any ideas ♦
Eating fire is your ambition to swallow the flame down
“Thank you!” She called to Ronin from upon the newest acquisition of cloud cover and movement – amused, for half a moment, at the figments under her feet. Fangorn made a grumbling sound from her bag, and she ignored it for staring out over the expanse, and watching the actions of the bone monster.
It was difficult to tell if her or Maea’s arrows did anything – causing the slightest wrinkle of frustration to her nose. It was obvious Ronin’s had; whether through demigod power, elemental persuasion, or something else entirely. Perhaps she should try something else.
Trading out her icy arrows for electric ones, the youth watched as it went underneath the sands, and Maea strived to do something below. Perhaps her currents could do the same? Uncertain, and figuring it was worth a shot, she notched one of them, pulled the strand, aimed, and released.
--
Melita floats along on the cloud Ronin provided, and aims an electrical arrow down at the sands, in case the monster comes back up, or to instigate its return.
Type: Light
Bowstring Bracelet | At first this bracelet appears only as a length of intricately braided bowstring. But with an arrow in hand, upon miming the action of knocking and drawing it, the user will feel a bow beneath their fingers, as if it was there all along.
Type: Dark
Fire/Lightning/Ice Quiver | A magical quiver with two compartments. In one, it turns any arrow placed within into a flaming projectile when shot. In the other, the arrow becomes imbued with electricity. (Made by Remi)
to be lit up from within, vein by vein to be the sun
Ronin's warning rings out and he curses under his breath, wishing he'd thought far enough ahead to bring a ranged weapon, but after his hit with the sword did nothing he wasn't so sure it would actually help. Ducking behind what bit of cover the dragoon could find, he watched as the creature screeched out with Ronin's attacks, quickly attempting to burrow beneath the sand once more. He didn't have much in the way of magic. Honestly he had very little, but maybe he could try using the little bit he did have. Casting his eyes up towards the night sky, he tossed a prayer up towards the stars, "If any of you are listening... I think we could use some help here!"
Nathaniel attempts to use his channeling!
Channeling: Allows an Accepted to channel a lesser deity during a time of crisis (1x a season)
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Nathaniel is bringing his Dragoon longsword. A bag with rope, bandages, and a grappling hook.
VALVYNN - Mythical - Dragon (Ice Breath)
Weep for yourself, my man
You'll never be what is in your heart Weep, little lion man
You're not as brave as you were at the start
