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!
Neron heals a la Wessex, Remi slaps like a toddler, and Ronin and Noah share a beautiful moment together as Ronin's leathery wings stretch to protect the other man while a gorgeous woman seems to appear and heal the worst of Noah 's wounds. So nice of you to give the dinosaur dinner and a show.
Only apparently the show is...ending? Kiada flies nowhere near Neron given his invisibility, but with Wessex 's instructions, they'll all probably end up somewhere near one another. The Wraith is able to shift and heal herself, but there isn't time to summon a polar bear this round.
Ronin with his wings splayed might be good cover for Noah, but given all of this it's still Remi who has the creature's attention. Lobbing a block of ice toward him followed by two bites to his tentacles, the dinosaur lunges. In a display that's good for Remi but bad for dinner theatre, the Lullaby is able to dodge all three attacks.
Wompwomp. How dull.
Welcome to the Relic KQ!
Because this has plot ramifications, it (and all subsequent relic KQs) will be scaled based on level and more difficult than normal). 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!
liars and lovers combine tonight, we're gonna make a scene
On the one hand, happy days, he's got his team's attention. Go team! On the other hand, they can't see him - which is kind of the point when someone's shooting a fiery arrow up his ass, but not so great when it comes to getting assistance. Alright, he says softly in response to Wessex's needing him to stay, Neron peering over his icy shelter to see the others land nearby, nice and safe and far away from (hopefully) death.
I'm on my way, he tells them both, before sneaking out of his hidey hole to cross the distance to his fellow Ascended. The upgrade stays active until he's within touching distance of Wessex and Kiada, and then he finally lets it drop.
Neron keeps his upgrade active until he's safely with Kiada and Wessex, then lets it drop so they can see him (and hopefully offer him something to sink his teeth into).
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.
Remi has no words for the rush of dark love and relief he feels toward Ronin as his husband's wings provide protection for Noah, but the pulse of maroon appreciation that flows through their bond ought to serve as some sort of indication. Missing a tentacle and more quickly injured than he's been in a long time, the shallow well of the alchemist's restraint has been well and truly tapped by this point. Once he knows that Noah is in his husband's capable hands, Remi shifts that he might attack the dinosaur in earnest.
Shedding tentacles for wings and claws, the manticore roars his fury in a warcry that's as much relief at being able to breathe again as it is meant to intimidate. Flying toward the dinosaur, bloodied and recklessly furious, it's with thoughts of Safrin, Finn, and his lost fingers that he tries to affix himself to the back of the dinosaur's skull. With claws reaching for its eyes and his teeth trying to dig into whatever thin skin might be on its face, Remi's tail tries to aid in anchoring him to the creature while delivering a healthy dose of venom as his splayed wings try to absorb what will likely be quite the flail of aggression from the beast.
Remi shifts into a manticore, and tries to claw/bite/tail himself onto the back of the dinosaurs head/forehead.
Manticore Ability | The poison from his tail can cause paralysis (or kill with permission).
Remi also has
Magic: Live-Wire (feat) | Ascended roll with disadvantage against Remi.
Type: Grey | Rank: Basic
(As established in previous relic-KQs, his regional feat and strength-ability don't apply)
get out of my waters
Coding base by Sky!
Speaks with a thick Italian accent.
Force and magic can be used against Remi without permission.
The pain did not course through him for very long. Within moments, Ronin was over him and so was the presence of a woman. Her touch brought his body back into working order, and the hunter was able to take a deep breath with both lungs. As soon as the hunter regained his breathing, he acted quickly. He lifted his bow quickly and nocked an arrow, keen eyes honing and focusing out on the ice from the opening in Ronin's wings. He saw the figures of Wessex and Kiada, but they were not his targets. Neron was his target. As the man flashed into view, Noah let the arrow fly and aimed for the man. Noah was thankful for his many years of taking down prey with this very bow, in this very land. Even with the shifting snow, this felt natural and right. He was used to his prey running, or even charging in to kill him. Neron was no different from them. "Thank you," Noah said, nocking another arrow and preparing it to defend Ronin should the ascended choose to come back to attack them. As thankful as he was for his own skills, he was more thankful for the two demigods who he accompanied.
---
As soon as Noah is healed he focuses out on the ice and shoots an arrow towards Neron as he becomes visible, and thanks Ronin for healing him.
Noah has:
- Two daggers, a bundle of 6/9 arrows (already placed within his quiver), and his bow.
Magic: There in a Flash | Noah may teleport between any board's adjacent sub-boards, providing he has visited the board before. Requires a 3-post cooldown between uses.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Magic: Divine Opposition | Noah summons a celestial shield dome in a 15ft radius. Any allies within the shield receive Basic Healing, and any enemies are damaged at a Basic level. The shield lasts for 1 post, with a 3-post cooldown.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Magic: Turn it off and on again (FEAT) | Ascended attacks using upgrades roll with disadvantage against Noah.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Type: Grey
Sentinel's Coat | A sturdy coat lined with the hide of a frost giant, using ursur claws as toggle buttons. Perfectly fitted for Noah, it provides protection even from the coldest temperatures.
Type: Dark
Fire Quiver | A magical quiver that turns any arrow placed within into a flaming projectile that ignites upon impact. (Made by Deimos)
Type: Grey
The Atticus Amulet | Contains a mythical shift of a Basilisk, which can be used regardless of character race, so long as the character is wearing the amulet. Mythical ability: Stoneheart | Any caught in the eye of the Basilisk may be turned to stone for 3 turns in combat situations.
i'd fashioned my own cross been crushed by its weight there's no stronger message than dirt in your face
I shouldn't laugh, but I know I'm a failure in your eyes
"Any time," Ronin murmurs, flashing a quick smile over his shoulder as Virgo finishes her work and disappears. Already the Huntsman is tracking his husband, watching with unfettered affection as he goes to work on the monster. With his leathery wings still splayed to protect Noah from any incoming attacks, Ronin conjures three more starbolts.
Remi has the head and the Ascended are doing... something, he doesn't really know (Noah is shooting in that direction and it's about as much concentration as Ronin can afford), so he concentrates his focus on the colossal beast's body. And hopefully that should be enough to keep the monster distracted so it doesn't try to chow down on another of the Lullaby's limbs.
Ronin continues to protect Noah and conjures three starbolts, aiming them at the monster's body since Remi is going for the head.
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: Shooting Stars | The user may summon celestial energy as a projectile. Control is excellent, and multiple projectiles may be created at once. (In quests or other combat situations requiring dice rolling, only 3 stars may be created per post).
Type: Light | Rank: Mastered
He also has:
Magic: FEAT | Now You! | When Ronin successfully hits a target, the next ally who posts gains advantage on their attack.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Magic: FEAT| Live-Wire | Ascended roll with disadvantage against Ronin
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Magic: FEAT | Static | Rolls with advantage against Ascended
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Landing, Kiada shifts into herself, immediately activating the armor upgrade again. There’s a moment where she feels almost stunned – a moment of recollection to the last time she’d spiraled out of control and went down, down, down. But she’s on solid ground right now, moving toward Wessex, getting closer with the speed upgrade she has, and without much by means of words or thoughts, she reaches for the demigod’s arm.
There isn’t much other thought than the reminder of that healing ability she’d passed by in her search for the mechanic bird shift, and she lifts Wessex’s arm up to her lips and takes a bite, drawing enough to heal herself the second she gets a moment to recover, hoping that perhaps the dinosaur prefers flesh and blood to fluid and metal.
Kiada, upon landing, activates the armor upgrade she has again. She moves to get closer to Wessex with her speed upgrade and takes a bite outta Wessex while waiting for Neron.
Type: Light
Bipedal Air Upgrade | Air shoots from her feet allowing her to move with bursts of speed
Type: Grey
Bionic Armor Upgrade | Lightweight but hard armour extends from her spine, wrapping around her upper body in a defensive sheet of armour.
do not think you are safe because you love her
do not think she won't stain her mouth red with your blood too
KIADA
Kiada has a large X scar on the right side of her neck.
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Kiada, without killing her <3
The Ascended are doing something, all right. Exactly what is… still unknown.
First thing’s first - cover. Ice would be better, but as the ice-caster is currently not in the best shape, Wessex tries to summon an Ursur instead, to hide the trio and take the next shot from Noah. Whenever Kiada and Neron reach her, she thrusts an arm out and pulls them in front of her so her back is facing the action, healing herself while they drink. It’s all she can do to begin to talk, to try and explain the actually, literally crazy idea that’s been bouncing around her head.
“I think - we can trick - them. Do the - unexpected.” They’re all clever, aren’t they? And if the other side is going to think them devious then they might as well go ahead with trickery and fuckery. “I’ll be Neron. Neron - you - invisible. Take my healing - upgrade - and a teleport. Hide in - illusions. Kiada - you fly. Stay high enough. Pretend you’re me.” She’ll work in tandem with Neron, doing everything he can do if they stay close enough. And Kiada can slice and dice from above - flying away if it gets bad. It’s not a bad plan, she thought, it would just take a bit of luck.
That’s about all she can say, until they stop drinking
------------------
Wessex tries to summon a large polar bear to hide and protect them and heals herself while Kiada and Neron bite her arms. She tries to explain her plan (ha).
Magic: The Squad | Can summon 3 small, 2 medium, or 1 large regular creature. Can also summon any of her mythical shifts. Summoned animals have an HP of 1 and cannot go more than 30ft from Wessex. Must wait 1 round between summoning if creatures are dismissed/knocked out.
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 upgraded levels, with a chance to heal at higher levels depending on injury/luck.
Type: Light | Rank: Upgraded
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).
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)
Is this how you thought you'd be spending your day Neron? You do you, boo.
Meanwhile, Remi goes full attack-cat on the dinosaur. The creature's blubbery skin doesn't ooze blood the way mammals would, but the manticore is able to hold on easily enough as he bites and slashes and stabs. As large as the dinosaur is, it'll take more than one injection of venom to slow it down.
Noah 's arrow—probably meant more to deter the ascended from returning than aiming to hit him (given that they've tried to pull themselves 60 or so feet away)—thunks into the snow and immediately catches on fire. The ice is quick to put it out, of course. Despite the dinosaur wearing Remi like a hat, Ronin 's star bolts wiz harmlessly by, striking the creature in the neck where one might assume gills are.
Kiada zooms, shields, and chomps. Wessex summons a polar bear to act as a barrier as she nearly orgasms while coming (ha) up with one of the best plans I've ever heard.
Will this throw a hitch in things? Let's find out.
Not a huge fan of having an angry manticore chewing on its face, the dinosaur does precisely what one might expect: it thrashes the fuck around. Trying to breach the water only to try and slam Remi against the ice as it falls back. The first time it tries this, it ends up just soaking the manticore. The second time it nearly critically fails, and misses again. The third time was not the charm either, leaving the creature bellowing in frustration as it repeatedly tries and fails to backflip itself onto the ice to squish Remi.
Welcome to the Relic KQ!
Because this has plot ramifications, it (and all subsequent relic KQs) will be scaled based on level and more difficult than normal). 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!
liars and lovers combine tonight, we're gonna make a scene
There's a plan, but there's also a hitch of pleasure that absolutely doesn't belong in a situation like this, and Neron can't contribute much until he's got his senses back in order. Indeed, he's stolen and is instantly activating the healing he takes from Wessex as he hears her out, blinking stupidly for a second before it all seems to make sense. "You're crazy," he tells her. "And I like that."
Alright, then. Leaning in again, Neron takes another bite and works on siphoning away some teleportation this time. If only there was more time, he could stock up properly. Alas, for now it will just have to be whatever he can get his hands on while they shelter behind the polar bear.
Neron steals and uses Wessex's healing ability! Then he goes in for another bite to get her teleportation ability.
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 upgraded levels, with a chance to heal at higher levels depending on injury/luck.
Type: Light | Rank: Upgraded
Magic: Teleportation | Can teleport to any board that Wessex has already visited, OR can teleport to an adjacent board that she's visited with someone else. If used within the same board, requires a 1-post cool down period between uses.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered
Like some ridiculous carnival ride, Remi is thrown back and forth and back and forth, doused in freezing water but not dislodged. The adrenaline in his veins hums brightly, seeming to coalesce around his paws as he tries to force his claws deeper into the blubber of the dinosaur's head. Ronin and Noah will no doubt feel his predatory delight in the incoherent pulses of attuned communication, but other than a few snarls of joy and fury, the manticore is more or less silent as he focuses on his task.
Trying to deep the wound caused by his back paws, Remi tries to insert the tip of his tail into the opening as if he might succeed in delivering his venom deeper into the dinosaur that way. Meanwhile, he continues to try and tear chunks away with his claws and teeth, stabilizing himself with his wings.
Remi tries to stab his tail into one of the wounds opened up by his hind claws, and continues to bite/slash while holding on.
Manticore Ability | The poison from his tail can cause paralysis (or kill with permission).
Remi also has
Magic: Live-Wire (feat) | Ascended roll with disadvantage against Remi.
Type: Grey | Rank: Basic
(As established in previous relic-KQs, his regional feat and strength-ability don't apply)
get out of my waters
Coding base by Sky!
Speaks with a thick Italian accent.
Force and magic can be used against Remi without permission.
The ice was raging as the monster flailed, trying to dislodge Remi from his assault. The feelings were clear over the attuned bond, but Noah did not focus on them. Instead, he kept his eyes on the ascended as his arrow fizzled out on the ice. The raging wind did not help his aim at all--Noah knew he was a good shot up to 30 yards. He had been shooting for longer than he could remember.
The polar bear that lumbered in gave Noah the hint that that's where the ascended still were, huddled behind its mass. The hunter grit his teeth, but spoke to Ronin through them. "They're hiding -- prepare for an attack." He readied another arrow while he spoke. "Have that supernova ready -- I can't take them alone." He warned, preparing his own plan of action should the ascended roll back in towards them. He could feel the amulet against his skin beneath his shirt, ready to unleash its power at any moment, though Ronin's nimbus was still beneath him.
---
Noah readies an arrow, focused in on where the polar bear is, and tells Ronin to prepare for an attack. He is still on the nimbus.
Noah has:
- Two daggers, a bundle of 6/9 arrows (already placed within his quiver), and his bow.
Magic: There in a Flash | Noah may teleport between any board's adjacent sub-boards, providing he has visited the board before. Requires a 3-post cooldown between uses.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Magic: Divine Opposition | Noah summons a celestial shield dome in a 15ft radius. Any allies within the shield receive Basic Healing, and any enemies are damaged at a Basic level. The shield lasts for 1 post, with a 3-post cooldown.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Magic: Turn it off and on again (FEAT) | Ascended attacks using upgrades roll with disadvantage against Noah.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Type: Grey
Sentinel's Coat | A sturdy coat lined with the hide of a frost giant, using ursur claws as toggle buttons. Perfectly fitted for Noah, it provides protection even from the coldest temperatures.
Type: Dark
Fire Quiver | A magical quiver that turns any arrow placed within into a flaming projectile that ignites upon impact. (Made by Deimos)
Type: Grey
The Atticus Amulet | Contains a mythical shift of a Basilisk, which can be used regardless of character race, so long as the character is wearing the amulet. Mythical ability: Stoneheart | Any caught in the eye of the Basilisk may be turned to stone for 3 turns in combat situations.
i'd fashioned my own cross been crushed by its weight there's no stronger message than dirt in your face
I shouldn't laugh, but I know I'm a failure in your eyes
Ronin is a little busy with his husband's violent delight singing its way down the Attuned bond, and, oblivious to the Ascended masterminds in the distance, he's fully focused on the monster. With his wings still spread to shield Noah from any damage, he steps back onto his nimbus with the other man, even as three more starbolts bloom to life around him. And he unleashes them, which is about when Noah's words grate through.
"It's ready," he says of the supernova. "Keep your eyes peeled - we can't afford to ignore this, either." Even so, as he directs his nimbus up into the air (hopefully getting them out of reach of Ascended & co), he calls out to Remi. We've got action down here - the Ascended are hiding.
Ronin steps back onto his nimbus with Noah and directs it up into the air. He unleashes three more starbolts at the monster. He's still shielding Noah from any incoming attacks.
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: Shooting Stars | The user may summon celestial energy as a projectile. Control is excellent, and multiple projectiles may be created at once. (In quests or other combat situations requiring dice rolling, only 3 stars may be created per post).
Type: Light | Rank: Mastered
He also has:
Magic: FEAT | Now You! | When Ronin successfully hits a target, the next ally who posts gains advantage on their attack.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Magic: FEAT| Live-Wire | Ascended roll with disadvantage against Ronin
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
Magic: FEAT | Static | Rolls with advantage against Ascended
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
It is a crazy plan and Kiada pulls away from Wessex’s arm to activate the healing ability, hoping that it gets her sensors to quiet down in her brain, and the second that she’s done she’s panting breaths she doesn’t need, trying to recover. “Sounds great.” She manages, leaning in to take another bite, to siphon out that mechanical shift yet again.
And then she tries to calculate out everything, trying to figure out where to go next. And if she has the time to start, she gives one last look and a nod to her companions and starts the shifting process so that she’s ready to take to the sky.
Kiada activates the healing from biting Wessex, bites again, and if she has time begins to shift into the mechabird shift to follow the plan!
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 upgraded levels, with a chance to heal at higher levels depending on injury/luck.
Type: Light | Rank: Upgraded
Mech-Minokawa
do not think you are safe because you love her
do not think she won't stain her mouth red with your blood too
KIADA
Kiada has a large X scar on the right side of her neck.
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Kiada, without killing her <3
So far so good - no fighting, no rejections - and she would have expected Neron to tell her if the plan went beyond plain crazy into fucking idiotic.
In the interim between rounds of sucking, she does her own prep by disguising herself as Neron - which, yes, is about as weird as it sounds, with the actual Neron about to chow down again on her wrist. It’s probably weirder for him, or who knows, maybe it's just the perfect amount of kinky narcissism for the Launceleyn.
For a moment, she’s able to elaborate more articulately and looks at Kiada.Don’t hesitate to leave. We’re going to try to get the relic, or even the monster as a whole, and then teleport to the Fangs. Touch and go.” Can it work like that with something that big? Who knows, she’s never tried. Theory doesn’t always work in practice, and her working theory is that after it’s dead it’s a thing and not a person - and there hasn’t been a limit on things she can take with her. But even a person can be taken a decent distance.
“Neron, stay close behind me if you can. We’ll need to move quickly, so let’s try illusions to blend in with the snowstorm first.” And if they draw attack, she’ll act as the shield - and retaliation. Which reminders her - one last heal if there’s time before they go their separate ways.
-----------------
Wessex uses her Anyone magic to make herself look like Neron, elaborates a bit on the plan, and if there's time, gets one last heal in. The polar bear is still there to hide them.
Magic: Anyone | Can alter surface level appearances over her whole body, such as skin, hair, and eye color. Cannot change internal structures (bones, voice, etc.)
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 upgraded levels, with a chance to heal at higher levels depending on injury/luck.
Type: Light | Rank: Upgraded
Magic: The Squad | Can summon 3 small, 2 medium, or 1 large regular creature. Can also summon any of her mythical shifts. Summoned animals have an HP of 1 and cannot go more than 30ft from Wessex. Must wait 1 round between summoning if creatures are dismissed/knocked out.
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 and receive an extra name during drops. (In order to use this, make sure to note the ability at the bottom of each post)
