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!
Wessex is right; vines gonna vine. You are basically walking through their living room after all. If someone strolled into your home, wouldn't you try and stop them? The demigods free themselves easily, and with Ray's help Cam will find themself free in short order.
Down the path they march, whether bookended by Wessex and Nate or not, it won't change the fact that ahead of them waits danger. From the trees there comes a golden dash of movement, followed by a predatory yowl of warning. Those with their senses enhanced by a partial shift will judge the molten tiger to be no more than 15 or so feet away despite being obscured by the jungle which seems to have thickened intentionally around it.
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"Oh shit." Wessex jinked them it seems. Ray nods her head urgently towards the tiger's direction, "Molten tiger. Less than 15 feet that way." Warning given, the Attuned fully shifts into her panther form. The black cat's sleek fur bristles as her claws scrape the dirt with anticipation.
Eyeing the tiger's direction, Ray lets out a warning snarl, fangs bared in the hopes that the tiger will second guess it's next choice of action. The herbalist doubts she can fight it off, but she may as well bluff a bit. She has two demigods to back her up after all. The panther braces herself for the tiger's next move.
Ray calls out the tiger's location before fully shifting into her panther form and bracing for the (very likely) attack.
"There's a molten tiger?" Cam says, glad to be disentangled from the vines. "What's a molten tiger look like?"
Then Ray speaks, and Cam discovers that they're about to find out. Which would be cool if it weren't so terrifying. Trying not to make any sudden moves that might provoke a tiger attack, Cam backs away from the direction where Ray indicated the tiger is. They consider their arsenal of tricks, find it pretty much empty, and look at Nate and Wessex. The demigods have this, right? What is Cam supposed to do against a molten tiger? The tiger part they could maybe deal with, since they can't actually feel pain from being clawed or anything. But fire is bad for Ascended. Probably the best thing Cam can do is just get out of the way.
Cam tries to move away from the tiger without provoking an attack. They're particularly trying to make sure they won't get in the others' way as they deal with the tiger.
Oh. A tiger. Nate can’t do anything more than laugh, offering Wessex an affirmative and slipping to the back of the group, his shoulders up defensively and his holographic arms lingering, a matching neon halo circling the crown of his head.
Luck is not on their side, but thankfully, between him and Wessex, Nate is positive they can tip the odds back in their favour. He tries to follow the flash of gold as he steps forward, a hand matching onto Cam’s shoulder and pulling them closer protectively. “Watch this.” He mutters to them playfully, before loosing a static wave into the jungle around them, head swivelling to keep an eye out for retaliation.
Nate gathers Cam up to protect them if need be, and uses his static boost!
Magic: Static Boost | A sphere of electricity emanates from Nate in a 60ft radius. Any allies hit by the light receive advantage on their next attack, whilst any enemies take damage (Mastered damage). May be used three times per thread, with a two post cooldown.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered
we're all stories unfinished and we die to find some fitting words to write
Neon halo? That’s new. Making a mental note to give Nate some shit about his angelic accoutrement later, the flashes of metal catch her eye once Ray directs their attention to it. “Loki?” she calls into the air, asking her companion to return to the group. She doesn’t immediately appear this round but when she does, she’ll be there to protect Cameron.
Making a niiiiice face at Nate as the electricity swings outwards, she hums to herself and goes for another approach. What do predators fear? Nothing but bigger, scarier predators. And maybe pain. Put the two together, and they might have a chance of scaring the tiger off. So the General concocts the image - and the smell, the sound of an Ursur - a giant shaggy bear that comes out from behind the group and ‘stands’ between them and the tiger on its hind legs, releasing a deep, guttural roar, telling it to stay the fuck away.
Should that fail, Wessex is ready to be the tank-shield.
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Wessex is still partially shifted in her Kitsune form and uses Mastered Illusion to create the illusion, complete with smells and sounds, of an Urusur coming out from behind the group and standing on its hind legs between in front of the people. It roars at the tiger in warning.
Kitsune Ability | Mastered illusion
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)
Everyone is being appropriately clever, which is quite refreshing. Well done you lot!
The cry of the Ursur is nearly as loud as the panicked and pained scream of the molten tiger. For a moment all goes quiet, though Wessex and Ray, partially shifted as they are, will be able to smell the unmistakable aroma of burning flesh and death. The jungle shivers in the wake of Nate's attack, before the tiger lunges out of the greenery. With Wessex before her, she parts her jaws and rushes at the demigod. Easily able to evade, the tiger lands in a puddle of molten fire with her ears flat against her skull and agony bright in her golden eyes.
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Ray lets out a small huff as the ursur appears, a shiver going down her own spine before it registers as an illusion. Between Nate and Wessex's endeavors, it seems that they might survive this yet. Glancing at Cam, Ray scoots closer to them, all the while keeping her eyes locked on the tiger and her claws ready to strike. The younger Ascended and her are the weaker links here so they might as well stick together.
Coming to stand beside Cam, Ray nudges them gently with her shoulder and turns to snarl once more at the tiger. She might as well try to keep up the intimidation. Though seeing such a beautiful creature in pain hurts.
Ray stays shifted and moves to stand by Cam. She's still watching the tiger warily and trying not to get in Wessex or Nate's way.
01-29-2022, 01:56 AM (This post was last modified: 01-29-2022, 01:56 AM by Cameron.)
Cameron
"Oh shit," Cam mutters. They almost get taken in by the Ursur illusion themself; it certainly makes them jump, and only the fact that none of the others react to it allows them to figure out that it's fake. Biting down on the words what if we just leave quietly -- it's a little late for that -- Cam ducks behind Nate and sticks together with Ray. They do not want to get anywhere near that tiger and the fire dripping from it.
"You guys have this," Cam says with moderate certainty, aiming their encouragement mostly at the two demigods, though they have an appreciative smile for Ray as well. Still, they can't help but feel pretty useless right now. What are they supposed to do, throw a pencil at the tiger?
Cam uses bardic inspiration tries to stay the heck away from the tiger and keep from getting in anyone's way.
Citizenship ability: 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 with no small amount of savage satisfaction that Nate grins at the tiger as it leaps out of the overgrowth. “Course we got this.” A cocky grin is thrown back at Cameron, Nate reaching out with an electrical tendril to connect them, just in case.
A whistle leaves him, sharp and loud and sending his arrow screaming towards the molten tiger. He’s hesitant to actually touch the molten beast for now, but between him and Wessex at least he’s confident they can beat the tiger before it comes to actual blows. Or at least, they can beat it back.
Nate attaches his damage absorption to Cam and shoots the molten tiger with his obsidian arrow
Type: Dark | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic
Everywhere Arrow | A sleek, obsidian arrow. Controlled by whistling, the arrow is moved and directed via a mental link with the user. Range of 15ft, works with Ascended only.
Magic: Damage Sponge | Nate creates an intrinsic link between himself and one other person, represented by a beam of ethereal lightning. Whilst linked, damage taken by the recipient is halved and shared with Nate for one post, for a distance of up to 30ft. The ability has a one post cooldown, and when cast, will remain active until damage is sustained.
we're all stories unfinished and we die to find some fitting words to write
“Damn straight,” she calls back, echoing Nate’s confirmation. She may not be able to physically comfort Cam now, but she hopes they don’t take it as meaning anything. Holding the Ursur illusion steady, she has it advance a bit on the tiger, roaring and swinging its head threateningly. Maneuvering to be behind her illusion, Wessex activates her lasers, aiming for the tiger’s eyes in an attempt to drive it off. See? This new creature is a serious threat.
With the Ursur and Wessex hopefully distracting the predator, Loki enters the picture behind it, quickly swooping low enough to hit it with bright blue energy pulse before darting up again and hopefully out of the way. She swoops back towards her bonded and the group with a scream, adding to the human, panther, and Ursur show of force.
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Wessex maintains the Ursur illusion and has it advance on the tiger with a threatening display. From behind the illusion, she attempts to use her Angry Eyes on the tiger, aiming for its eyes. The goal is to continue to make the bear seem like an even scarier predator. While Wessex and the Ursur are distracting the tiger, Loki swoops in from behind and attempts to hit the tiger with an energy blast.
Magic: Angry Eyes | Can shoot laser beams from her eyes. Target must be within 30ft. Deals heat damage to soft surfaces, with a 50% chance to disorient characters if the light goes in their eyes (a dex roll on her part). Can also cut through small objects, and heat medium-sized objects.
Type: Dark | Rank: Upgraded
LOKI - Mythical - Dragon (Energy Blast)
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)
01-29-2022, 06:38 PM (This post was last modified: 01-29-2022, 06:42 PM by Random Event.)
Look how well everyone is protecting baby Cameron. Honestly, other PQ+s can take note.
Nate 's arrow strikes the tiger and though she yowls with pain nothing stops her advance, while Wessex 's beam of light blinds her seconds before Loki's energy blast tears the last shreds of life from her body. It's no surprise that the demigods have made quick work of this foe, and for those still partially and fully shifted, the smell of death emanates from more than just the tiger.
Her litter of cubs lay charred and burned thanks to the effects of Nate's blast, huddled together in a mess of cooling golden liquid. This perhaps explains why Wessex's ursur did not deter her: a mother will do anything to protect her children.
Will you continue on down the path?
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Ray lets out a strangled noise once the situation becomes clear. The tiger had simply been a mother protecting her own. Even though she'd stayed out of the fighting, the guilt is overwhelming. The panther races over to the fallen cubs and noses them gently. She prays to whoever is listening, to the Flowerbirth deity they seek as well, that the cubs are ok.
Shifting back, she cradles their small bodies and checks for pulses, hoping that it's not too late and that this horrible mistake can be fixed to some extent. "I'm so sorry little ones", comes out as a mere quiver. If Ray finds a pulse, she'll attempt to tend to their injuries and resuscitate as necessary. If not, she'll stand up dejectedly, ready as she'll ever be to keep going.
Ray shifts back and attempts to save the cubs. She's not an Accepted but she does send out a prayer to any gods/the Flowerbirth deity for help. If nothing works/they're dead, she'll be willing to move on and continue down the path.
"Wow," Cam says, smiling a little as they observe the party's victory, though there's still that little voice in the back of their head that asks if it was really necessary to slaughter the wildlife -- if they couldn't have just backed off. They could have waited to see what the tiger would do instead of striking first ...
And that little voice gets a hell of a lot louder when Cam sees Ray rush over to the cubs. It takes them a moment to process what they're seeing; then they let out a stricken groan. "Oh, shit."
Cam approaches the cubs as well, a little more cautiously, since dead babies or not, fire is still bad for Ascended. But if there's anything they can do for the cubs, Cam wants to help. They kneel down across from Ray, their hands hovering over the charred mass of the cubs, afraid to actually touch anything. If Ray finds a living cub, though, they're there to help.
Cam joins Ray by the cubs to see if there's anything they can do to save one (or more).
Whatever rush of victory Nate feels as the tiger collapses is short lived, tainted by the morbid discovery in the underbrush. He calls his arrow back, and holds an arm out for Ramoth to flutter down from the canopy, the young dragonling curling around his shoulders.
Nate rolls his shoulders back and looks anywhere but towards Ray. He tries to be as… delicate as he can, but it doesn’t take long before impatience and paranoia begins to set in, and he has to speak up. “We shouldn’t spend too much time here.” He says lowly, glancing back towards Wessex for back up.
