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!
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
Back to the scene of the crime, but for very different reasons.
Where he’d once sought to demolish the Devil’s Advocates lair in a pique of fury, life altered, changed, shaped, and whittled into the ironic. The pathways leading here were bizarre, confusing, and exasperating, but it was another way to show and make amends. At least to Torchline.
Wandering into the abandoned confines was a walk into ruins; burnt marks in wood starting at the staircase, winding upwards towards the second floor, where he and Ru had done the most damage. A quick persual and inspection ensured he’d be conducting all of that repair, atoning again, consequences and repercussions laden in the back of his mind, in the chiseled works of his spine.
And something else too – petty and vengeful, spiteful and bemused. Maybe for his mind only.
The Sword sent out notices to those he recalled remaining in the membership before Aisha’s disappearance, and then along the boards of lands he was permitted to enter. He figured word of mouth would traverse along Halo’s region, as he pulled another resource from them while the Glacier still led. Anyone else intrigued were welcome to attend, and they’d be able to get under way.
So for anyone arriving, they’d see Deimos within the main floor, gathering necessary supplies, contorting and creating planks of timber, and sketching, outlining, a variety of notes in the dust and grime.
--
This is a PQ to establish the Monster Hunter’s Guild in Torchline! You can post your character arriving! Tools will be supplied, but feel free to have them bring whatever they’d like!
12-24-2021, 02:31 PM (This post was last modified: 12-24-2021, 02:32 PM by Paige.)
Paige
The young Attuned had heard whispers of a 'Monster Hunter Guild'. Well, not really whispers given the fact that she totally listened outside of her Auntie Maeve's office door to what the big man had to say about it. Given that Paige wanted to be the best explorer and adventurer ever, the girl thought it very important to join such a guild, even if she was still young. She had already fought monsters! A lot of them too, thank you very much. She'd fought them with Sah and Ray and Mr. Jata. Plus she was really fast. That had to count for something, right?
That's why she showed up on the day she heard that the old boxing ring was going to be cleaned out and rebuilt. To join and be a monster hunter! The young girl marched up to Deimos, jaw set and determination flaring wildly along the attuned bond, looking up at him with bright blue eyes. "Excuse me, I'm here to be a monster hunter!" Paige declared, planting her feet behind him as she craned her neck to look at him, noting that he was incredibly large. Did you have to be that big to hunt monsters? Surely not.
Paige arrives and declares that she's there to be a monster hunter!
Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind They count me out time and time again
you will always be a monster there is no turning back from it
Considering what she knows of The Sword, Nephele is far from surprised that he is involved - and at that, seemingly spearheading - the formation (reformation?) of the Monster Hunters Guild. She had given her interest to Noah some time ago, but in the time between had expected he'd merely entertained the notion to her face as humans often did. Apparently they just need a bit of time instead.
Torchline isn't far, though she's loathe to use the portals. Nephele is prompt as ever despite that particular hurdle, Ludo's Rags draped over her petite figure as they had been since she received them. It's not as intimidating in the broad light of day, but that's not the only reason she wears them. Drifting closer as a tiny child pipes up about her interest, the Meadowhawk feels one brow rise. Surely she herself had once been that small, but that had been many decades ago, and Paige's fragile nature is both disorienting and strangely nauseating. Stepping over the threshold, Nephele readjusts the strap of the bag she'd prepared. "I am Nephele. How would you like me to assist?" Niceties aren't really her thing after all.
but what type of monster you become is entirely up to you
12-31-2021, 03:51 PM (This post was last modified: 12-31-2021, 03:57 PM by Shaye.)
Shaye
She had not been to Torchline in quite some time - years, though she can't recall the exact number - and even back then it had been brief. Those trips were mainly for the purposes of trade, but there wasn't very much interest the Halovian huntress had in coming to the coast. That is, until word of the Monster Hunter's Guild revival had traversed across divisive mountains, in the wake of Flowerbirth winds.
Coming straight from Halo, she has shed most of her usual layers in favor of the heat. She walks through the threshold with her arms gently crossed over her furs, quietly observing all that lies within. Since she's here to help with building, she takes note of the Slagveld's layout first and foremost - and the damage.
The individuals gathered bear stark differences that catch the eye: the burly man gathering materials and working on outlines - she recognizes him, knew of him from his time in Halo; a fae dressed in garments made clearly for (or perhaps by) Ludo - it's a detail that strikes her but not more than the smallest person of them all.
As she comes up beside Paige and sets down her fur coat (made from the pelt of a gray wolf), she smiles warmly down at the child, "And what is your name, mighty hunter?" Her northern accent is thick when she speaks but it has a euphonious clarity.
Addressing Deimos more seriously, she says, "I'm here to help as well." She nods decisively, not needing a discussion about the logistics of how she would further assist the guild until the building was done. With the fae wasting no time, she doesn't bother echoing questions and instead awaits instruction. Curiously, she tilts her head and leans in to eye the plans that Deimos has drawn.
Lost in a labyrinth and left with no way out
I built this hall of mirrors all myself
Sylvia had never been anywhere outside of Halo before. She currently stood within the Fangs where she could take one step farther than she ever had before. The mirror she looked into made her heart beat faster and faster. This was the moment. The rumors had spread like the frost. A Monster Hunters call, the thought sent chills of excitement running through Sylvia's back. She'd lived in Halo all her life, sequestered from most people by long treks out as a part of her families hunting party.
Now she was in charge of her own fate. Her Sila, her coming of age was a step away. Hesitation gave way in a moment as she stepped through the mirrored portal.
Sylvia's breathe catches as she looks around her. A sign post, a image of Halo behind her...she shakes her head. Forward. Torchline. As the thought forms and her body moves by instinct, she can't tell just how far that one step...was it one...actually took her. She could see the image of Torchline though, the new horizon she was going to conquer and grow within, even if but for a moment. Deimos had asked her to meet him as the seasoned changed but just one meeting outside of Halo couldn't hurt could it?
She stepped through the portal in front of her, holding her breathe this time.
Hot. Too hot. Sylvia tore off her layers she'd been wearing. Compared to Halo every place was likely to feel too hot. She kept her fur armor that was under all of her various layers but everything else was in her travel back now. She knew she would need different protective gear eventually but for now this would be fine.
She had some of her gear, her antler bow, and now she needed to find the place that rumors had said the Monster Hunters Guild would meet.
------------------
She walked in softly with her fur lined boots helping to muffle the sounds that would still echo through the still of snow and cold had she still been in Halo. The man she was looking for was called the Sword. It was someone she knew of for some reason but she couldn't quite remember why. She shrugged that off the thought as she approached the man and women that now surrounded him. Her guard was up as she did so, sensing something unusual about those that gathered. Her fingers instinctively touched the horned handle of her hunting knife to ensure it was where she needed it as she approached.
She didn't speak, choosing to listen and watch. This was the place she'd been directed to so this had to be the group for the Monster Hunters Guild. She couldn't help the shy smile on her lips though as she saw at least one other Halovian that she positioned herself near.
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
It didn’t take long for them to arrive – and suddenly Deimos was vastly outnumbered. It should’ve made him laugh, but the first one was too much of a distraction to meander into those sentiments – boldly informing him in an age that reminded him of Kiada far too strongly – that she was here to be a Monster Hunter. Bemused, he crouched down so he was slightly more eye-level with the youth, placing his hand out for her to shake. “Deimos.” And thereafter, with a slight pause and a feline tilt of his head, he surmised. “You may have to pass a test to see if you qualify.”
He raised his brows further when Nephele arrived; mostly because their last encounter had been amidst weaponry and munitions, and his sneaking suspicion that she’d been behind some attacks on an Ascended. With no more evidence than before, he gave her a solid nod, and his gaze followed to Shaye – familiar because of Halo footfalls, and the Sword offered her a smile in exchange. Last but not least, Sylvia, one he’d recently penned a letter towards and hadn’t recalled meeting in all his time amidst the mountains, stepped forward, looking decidedly out of place.
Which was fine – this would be different, but not unappealing for those who sought purpose.
“Thank you all for coming,” and the rumble of his tones ensured he meant it, retaining his prior position, tall and towering, briefly glancing over his notes. “There is much to be done,” an inward wince, considering he’d been half the source of…why there was so much damage. “I will work on the stairs, and then replace the boards from the fire,” indicating the pathway upstairs, to their right. “For now, we need someone to replace the windows,” pointing with a jut of his head to where a series of them had been cracked, broken, and where the wind was whipping through. “And two to clean the main den,” a greater, grander section further inward, where they’d find all manner of debris, furniture, and gods knew what else.
Turning directly to Paige, he allowed another brief smile. “And I have an important job for you. I do not know the entire building, and there could be some secret rooms somewhere.” Which he strongly believed, considering this had once been a guild for spies and Sunjata’s little minions. “Would you be willing to take Belial,” as the peryton could act as eyes and ears for the Sword, and provide protection for whatever mischief both were likely to get into, “and investigate?”
--
Pick a task and head off!
Paige has been given a special task!
We need one for replacing windows.
Two to clean the main den.
And Deimos will be working on all the fire-damaged things.
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
The young Attuned didn't care that Nephele looked at her with something that almost edged on contempt. Nope. There were much bigger fish to fry. Such as making a good impression on the obvious leader of this group. She stuck out her hand, the appendage incredibly small in Deimos's grasp, giving it a firm shake despite that. "My name is Paige and I can pass any test." She offered to both him and Shaye, sparing a quick glance at the woman, grin wide and bright. With introductions done, the girl stepped back, brows knitting together as she listened to the Sword explain what all needed to be done.
At first she was concerned that none of the tasks would be suitable for her. That was until Deimos decided he needed her for a super secret mission. Blue eyes lit up and she nodded eagerly, "I can do that!" She declared, excitement flaring unfettered along the bond, buffeting against the other Attuned there. Paige looked over at the companion, reaching out a hand to pet his snout gently, giggling at the softness of his muzzle. "Come on! We have exploring to do!"
With that she was off, trotting towards the stairs with the idea that there was definitely something up there to find, but she was careful to avoid the burned bits and shifted to make herself that much lighter.
Paige shifts into her weasel form to get up the stairs and look around!
Love you to the moon and to Saturn Passed down like folk songs, the love lasts so long
01-06-2022, 08:37 AM (This post was last modified: 01-06-2022, 08:40 AM by Shaye.)
Shaye
Shaye offers a small chuckle at the girl's abrasive enthusiasm and offers, by way of her own introduction, "I'm Shaye. Good luck with your test." She gives one last smile over her shoulder before straightening back up to her full height. It's then that she notices Sylvia's proximity to her. She recognizes the garments and appearance of a fellow Halovian, and offers a friendly nod to the other woman. It's apparent that the other is not incredibly confident in being somewhere so different and foreign to her, and Shaye readily empathizes with that.
"Want to help me clean out the den?" She asks Sylvia, turning to find whatever lays about in the way of supplies. She finds a push broom leaning on the side of a wall and begins piling together whatever remains of any broken parts, debris, ash, or anything that otherwise might need sweeping up. As she works, she begins to hum and partially sing a melancholy Halovian song. It entails a story about snowy mountains and a lonely, old man.
Shaye opts for cleaning the main den with a push broom! (She also sings while she does it)
Lost in a labyrinth and left with no way out
I built this hall of mirrors all myself
you will always be a monster there is no turning back from it
Nephele is similarly uninterested in the child in their midst, though she is now beginning to question the validity of this guild if it was seemingly dual-purposes as a daycare. Then again, the child seems so infantile because of her own long lifespan - not that Nephele will rectify her outlook because of it.
Luckily she is spared the drudgery of deciding on a task, and the Fae are well-practiced in the art of home making, so the prospect of installing windows is not quite so daunting. She sets about scoring the old windows and their seals with a small sharp knife to leave a cleaner removal, which would hopefully then mean a more fitted installation.
- - -
Nephele works on removing the old windows!
but what type of monster you become is entirely up to you
Sylvia couldn't help but be in wonder with Paige. She seemed confident and a little brash, but Sylvia considered that a positive for what they were here for. She watched as the others parted and made their choice of tasks and then shyly turned to Shaye as she addressed the quiet Halovian. Sylvia's eyes brightened and a kind, gentle smile spread onto her lips. "I would love that," she spoke softly and nodded, "I'm Sylvia."
She followed Shaye to the supplies and found a cloth and some water. Well, may as well clean off the the dust before while Shaye swept. As she began her task Sylvia heard a familiar song. Her heart lightened even more and her voice began to come out in tune with Shaye's. The moment reminded her of working with her family. It brought her joy and lessened the mundane nature of the tasks at hand.
----
Sylvia is cleaning up with Shaye! And now they're both singing! <3
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
And then they were off.
Paige and Belial would end up weaseling around for some time, rummaging amongst and amidst rubble, debris, charred bits and pieces, before they ultimately came to a door. This shouldn’t have been surprising, it had been their goal after all, and the peryton poked and prodded at the opening with his antlers, but it wouldn’t budge. The young deer seemed to almost shrug, presuming that the child would have some better ideas.
The Halovian pair of Shaye and Sylvia made decent work of the den – pushing and dusting refuse away, occupying themselves while singing; filling the guildhouse with refrains rather than the mundane. In time, they’d find the den clean, and now all they needed to do was move some furniture about – making it a space for those meant to gather amongst themselves.
Nephele had the least amount of luck out of the group, unfortunately, and even if she was readily experienced in replacing windows, the molding apparently had some score to settle. Or a grudge. Instead of sliding nicely out of its etchings, one window in particular decided to remain firmly stuck along the top, leaving it swinging, and it would take another moment for the Fae to fix.
Deimos stared over the remains of his own daunting progress, starting with the stairs. Ripping off old boards, he was forced to, once more, stare into the wounds he’d scorched along the void. Quietly, presuming he’d be in a melancholic state by the end of the semblances, he tilted his head as he could hear the singsong workings of the others – snorting instead of yielding into the despondency. He shook his head several times, but more bemused than anything else, he was able to reach the top of the rise, and begin towards the room he’d obliterated.
--
Paige and Belial have found a door, but its either stuck or locked!
Sylvia and Shaye have cleaned up the den, and now they can move furniture around!
Nephele’s window is stuck.
Deimos has ripped up old boards and replaced them with new ones for the stairs.
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
you will always be a monster there is no turning back from it
Score to settle or no, Nephele is not the type of woman to be told what to do or to be knocked off her chosen path - window or not. She grimaces at the window, trying a different approach with the way she scores the old caulking. The frame is bloated from damage, so she goes outside and scores the frame from there before returning back inside to push hard on the inner frame.
She doesn’t care if the glass breaks, but she’d appreciate if it didn’t happen on her hands, so she keeps her palms to the wood as she attempts to bodily shove the old frame out and onto the sand beyond.
- - -
Neph tries a new approach to get the old window removed.
but what type of monster you become is entirely up to you
Sylvia seems softspoken and withdrawn at first, and with introductions made Shaye simply focuses on cleaning. She didn't expect for anyone to join in with her singing, so her surprised gaze lifts curiously over to the other woman for a moment. When the sweeping and dusting is done, and the song is over, she stops beside Sylvia and comments quietly, "You have a pretty voice."
Turning her attentions around the room and pondering over what to do next, Shaye decides, "We can move the seats closer together now that it's clear; make it nice and cozy." A good spot to relax and converse with other guild members. With that made up, Shaye takes to pushing couches or armchairs around and redecorating the new sitting area.
Shaye suggests/starts bringing the furniture close together to make the den cozy.
Lost in a labyrinth and left with no way out
I built this hall of mirrors all myself
Paige shifts back to her human form, hands bracing on her hips as she cocks her head to the side, blue eyes narrowing at the door. Belial AtTeMpTs to open it. She giggles at his efforts, giving him a pat on the neck for his efforts, "It's okay. You don't have any thumbs." As if that's the whole reason that he can't open the door and nothing to do with the fact that he is in fact a deer. Paige tries the handle first, giving it a turn and a hard push, trying that way to get the door open. If it works, she presses into the room, intent on exploring further now that she has access to the place.
Paige tries to open the door and explores further if she manages it!
Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind They count me out time and time again
