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!
11-01-2022, 02:06 PM (This post was last modified: 11-01-2022, 10:13 PM by Court Official.)
together
Out on the ice, giants are yawning.
That is what parents tell their children when cracks in the Sea of Glass send booming vibrations out into the Citadel. It's just a pair of sleepy giants.
Until it isn't.
It's true that the whipcrack of sound is caused by cracks in the ice. But these are frequent, violent, and occur all at once.
And from them, a thick mist sighs out. It is undetectable at first, until it begins to settle on the Tundra; until it begins to clog the streets of the Citadel and hunters begin to return, unable to see, let alone track anything.
As curiosity mounts, the mist gives its next surprise.
From outside the Citadel walls, something begins to weep. Mournful and lonesome, it is the sort of cry that reminds one of grieving mothers, of lost children, of shattered dreams.
And it's right outside the gates.
Welcome to this KQ. The Citadel has been enshrouded in a curious mist! Something in the mist is weeping.
Please post your characters arriving/acting 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).
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.
11-01-2022, 03:26 PM (This post was last modified: 11-01-2022, 03:26 PM by Cordelia.)
A lot of things change when good men go to war. Halo is left without it's strongest defenders an Cordelia isn't sure where to even begin. The Watchtower seems a sound choice and that's where she's at when the mist begins to roll in and with it the sound of crying. Wailing. Her stomach drops and cold that rivals the air of the tundra sends a chill down her spine. She rings the bell, signaling all who are within the walls of the Citadel to take shelter and to rouse the others who are able to defend.
Racing down the stairs of the tower, Cordelia stops before the gates, drawing her bow from her back and bracing herself for whatever is lurking on the other side.
Cordelia sounds the alarm on the watchtower and then runs to the gate with her bow!
She has all the items on her profile and a few daggers on her belt.
Cordelia Limore
'Cause they got the cages, they got the boxes and guns They are the hunters, we are the foxes and we run
The world came apart at the seams and at the first tolling of the bell Tal ran to the walls, leaving Boreal to defend his sisters and their home. He slid his goggles into place as his feet flew over the snow, gaining some visibility against the creeping fog and when he saw Delia already at the gates he yelled out: "I'm goin' up t'see what's outside!"
Pounding up the stairs, he fetched himself against the rampart and looked down, glaring through the fog with his See-Right Goggles in hopes of spying the weeping woman - creature? - that came to their gates as the ice broke and the mountains fell and their city - their home - was rocked to its very foundations.
Tal has all the items on his profile; in his Bag of Holding he has rope, three days rations, a waterskin, a small keg of whiskey, his firepot, a spare parka, and two knives. He wears three throwing axes in a bandolier over his vest, an axe at his hip, and his Special Delivery dagger is in his hand.
He goes to the top of the Wall and uses his See-Right Goggles to look through the fog and see what's outside the gates.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Upgraded
See-Right Goggles: Reinforced goggles capable of seeing with perfect clarity regardless of conditions, up to 20ft. This includes magical darkness. Can begin to see through illusions at 5ft.
Evie has been staying close to the walls since Deimos departed for the Cordillera. As the Watchtower’s alarm rings out, she’s glad for it - and for her daily runs, as she sprints for the solar cannon. She knows she’s one of the only ones who can activate it, so regardless of whatever is out there crying, once they know they need to attack she can’t be far away from it. As she runs past guards flowing in the opposite direction because of the alarm, she directs them; “Man the weapons on top of the wall! Small unit to the gate: do not open it without a direct command!”
Hoping Talyson is close enough to tell her if it needs to be activated - mourning that the snowflake phones were in the Barracks and the Watchtower respectively - Evie hovers just beside the solar cannon. “Tell me what you see!” she calls down to Talyson, ready to make the judgment call on whether to press it base on that information - and beginning the charge up process regardless.
Evie comes with everything on her profile, throwing knives, and a soldier standard bow.
As NPC guards and Shields respond to the alarm, she directs them to man the ballista and other weapons at the top of the walls, and a small unit to the gate/Cordeli to ensure it remains closed. Evie begins the charge up round process on the Solar Beam, and calls down to Talyson for him to tell her what he sees to determine if she should fire when ready.
Solar Beam | If activated by a member of Halo's council (including appointed positions), the solar cannon can target 1 30ft sphere anywhere within the Citadel. Does 100pts of light/fire damage to anyone within the sphere. Requires a 5 post cooldown between uses, and a 1-post 'charge up' prior to use.
What clever little souls we are, behind our walls and gates and watchtowers.
And lucky souls, too. In the distance you can hear (not see, of course, because of the thick fog) the chaos of large, winged reptiles colliding with buildings and encountering the panicked citizens of the Citadel. But for now, at least, this does not impede your plans - or panic your NPCs.
A soft, low hum will seem to vibrate in your bones as the Solar Beam begins its charge - it will be ready for deployment in your next round, should you deem it necessary. As for the guards and Shields, they stand armed and ready at the walls, awaiting further orders. All in all, operating as a well oiled machine.
(Deimos are you proud?)
As for Talyson - the key in all of this, truly - he is able to peer out and out and out through the mist...
For about 20ft, and then it all goes maddeningly opaque once more. The weeping appears to be getting nearer, but Tal will need to be closer to the source to make out what is there. Or he could just wait for it to reach the gates, perhaps?
Welcome to this KQ. The Citadel has been enshrouded in a curious mist! Something in the mist is weeping.
The Solar Beam is charged and ready for deployment.
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.
Nothing comes through the gate. Not yet, but it will. There are sounds from within the city, orders being shouted, and wings beating on the wind. The urge to duck down and hide is strong. The prey instincts inside of her waring with her need to protect the people within Halo. Cordelia glances back at Evie, nodding at her orders as she draws back thirty feet further from the gate, "Remember that the canon will damage anyone in the vicinity. We should strike on the edge of the Citadel." The Shrike suggests, thinking that it was their best bet to strike hard before it had a chance to get inside.
Still, Cordelia draws her bow from her back and knocks an arrow, holding her attack for whatever might come through the gate as she puts some distance between herself and it.
Cordelia draws her bow, knocks an arrow, and moves thirty feet back from the gate.
Type: Dark | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic
Fire Bow: A wooden bow, upon the release of its string, that can ignite any arrows placed on its strand. Range: 10ft
Cordelia Limore
'Cause they got the cages, they got the boxes and guns They are the hunters, we are the foxes and we run
"Nothing yet," Tal called back up to Evie, the tension of not knowing pitching his voice a little higher than he would have liked. Whatever personal grudges he had were, for the moment, shoved aside and immaterial. Either Halo worked together or it fell apart, and at the moment with so many dragons overhead they were already on the cusp of shattering.
He knew that much in his bones, raised to the ways of ice and Tundra, just like Cordelia was.
But, gods, he didn't like being reminded that if he was close enough to see the source of the weeping, he was close enough to be within the cannon's blast. What else could he do, though?
Going outside the Wall right now was probably suicide, even if he had a way down. But...
He grabbed the length of rope out of his Bag of Holding and tied it firmly around the rail from the stair, then rigged a loop around his waist, snugging the slack taut so he could lean out over the edge of the wall; one hand holding the rope to carefully measure the tension and gain himself a few more feet of range.
Tal uses the rope from his Bag to secure himself so he can lean out over the edge of the top of the Wall and get a few more feet of sight from his Goggles.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Upgraded
See-Right Goggles: Reinforced goggles capable of seeing with perfect clarity regardless of conditions, up to 20ft. This includes magical darkness. Can begin to see through illusions at 5ft.
Type: Grey | Style: Defensive | Level: Basic
Rockhide Vest | An armoured vest flecked in black and white and lined with cool, fur-like material. This item blocks physical damage at Talyson's Basic level. Requires a 2 post cool-down between uses.
**Companion Boreal was left behind to guard his sisters
Nodding firmly - to Cordelia and Talyson's answer both - Evie grimly faces the mist beyond. "There are no guards out there, I'll aim the outer area of the blast to be at most a few feet from the walls the second we have confirmation and Talyson is out of firing range." That way everyone knows her plan well before the pulls the metaphorical trigger. She may know the cannon well, but she doesn't begrudge the reminder. "If we can't use it safely, we won't use it at all." Talyson would not be sacrificed on her watch.
The mist is the most difficult part, and Evie growls under her breath, feeling useless while she waits. She doubts whatever is crying out there is truly in trouble, but she can't discount it entirely. So instead she readies her telekinesis, ready to pull at Talyson's rope to snag him backwards and to safety if anything leapt for him.
- - -
Evie mostly waits, but readies her telekinesis on the rope around Tal's waist to yank him backwards if anything jumps for him/if he's in reach.
Telekinesis: Can move medium objects, in a 30ft radius
Type: Grey | Rank: Upgraded
No, nothing leaps for Talyson as he cleverly uses rope to lean out along the Citadel walls. And the chaos within the city remains contained for now, it seems - at least, no scaly dragon intruders are near the gates for this round. (You lucky bugs).
But with the extra distance gained, not to mention the way the weeping increases in volume (and is it layered, now? Echoing, maybe?), he will absolutely make something out in the mist - though he might wish he hadn't.
Those born in Halo's frosty climes will not have seen her ilk before. Those in the Hollowed Grounds or the Greatwood, though - they might be more familiar with her cries.
The ragged remains of her dress are caked in ice and snow, hanging from her skeletal form, and she staggers more than she walks, her hands held up to cover her weeping face. At least, you think they might be hands, Tal. Black as frostbite, her fingers end in long, jagged things, at odds with the soulful wailing that rings through the mist. A diadem sparkles and glitters upon her brow, marking her as royalty.
Welcome to this KQ. The Citadel has been enshrouded in a curious mist! Something in the mist is weeping.
The Solar Beam is charged and ready for deployment.
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.
Cordelia still can't see. There is nothing coming through the gates, but vaguely she hears Sah's voice carried on the wind, shouting orders as light flashes behind them within the streets. His words are drowned out however by the wailing that's growing louder by the second. It's right outside the gates now, bearing down on them with each second, bringing terror with it. Her blood turns icy and fear grips her, stealing her breath as her throat tightens, grip knuckle white on her bow. "Get out of dodge, Tal!" She yells up to the Accepted, eyes flicking up to where he's disappeared over the ledge, arrow still trained at the gates and waiting for the Banshee Queen to show her face.
Evie's promise not to use the cannon unless they can use it safely is a small blessing and while the Shrike didn't doubt that she would have made that choice one way or the other, she's relieved all the same.
Cordelia yells at Tal to get out of dodge and keeps her arrow ready to loose as soon as the Banshee Queen is in range.
Type: Dark | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic
Fire Bow: A wooden bow, upon the release of its string, that can ignite any arrows placed on its strand. Range: 10ft
Cordelia Limore
'Cause they got the cages, they got the boxes and guns They are the hunters, we are the foxes and we run
"Uhh... yeah, fuck no," slipped out from a wide-eyed courier as he hurriedly pulled himself back onto the Wall and started running along the circumference to get back out of range. "Scary skeleton Queen lady incomin'!" he called to his allies. "Evie, due north of the Gates, twenty feet out an' not stoppin'!"
He might not have seen one in person before, but Tal was still a member of the Monster Hunter's Guild and had helped Deimos organize the Guild's files last Deepfrost. There weren't a lot of other creatures that fit the description he'd just given. A memory tickled the back of his brain and he added: "I think it's a fuckin' Banshee! Cover your ears!"
Which would make coordinating efforts a proper pain in the ass, but what could you do?
Tal gets back on the Wall properly and retreats, following the curve of the rampart to get 15 feet further away from the incoming Banshee and the solar cannon.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Upgraded
See-Right Goggles: Reinforced goggles capable of seeing with perfect clarity regardless of conditions, up to 20ft. This includes magical darkness. Can begin to see through illusions at 5ft.
Type: Grey | Style: Defensive | Level: Basic
Rockhide Vest | An armoured vest flecked in black and white and lined with cool, fur-like material. This item blocks physical damage at Talyson's Basic level. Requires a 2 post cool-down between uses.
The confirmation comes, and with it directions, lengths, valuable information that Evie utilizes with no hesitation - because she was a Grounder, and she knows exactly how dangerous Banshees are. "Got it! Firing now!" Her voice bellows out as loud as she can manage, and then she activates the solar cannon - aiming to encompass as much of the area Talyson had pointed out as she can, hoping to have the edge of the blast nestled up 10 feet before the Citadel walls; close, yes, but hopefully not enough for anyone on the ramparts to be harmed.
They can determine whether they can risk ear plugs after the light has cleared, and hopefully the weapon will help burn off the mist for better line of sight.
- - -
Evie warns everyone she's firing, and activates the Solar Cannon, aiming for the Banshee where Talyson has pointed it out and hoping to have the outer radius of the blast be approximately 10 feet/3 meters from the Citadel walls to account for any forward movement.
** Solar Beam | If activated by a member of Halo's council (including appointed positions), the solar cannon can target 1 30ft sphere anywhere within the Citadel. Does 100pts of light/fire damage to anyone within the sphere. Requires a 5 post cooldown between uses, and a 1-post 'charge up' prior to use.
It's a fuckin' Banshee is quite a thing to yell while hanging off the edge of a wall, especially given that banshees - as you may belatedly remember, Talyson - , do not particularly enjoy being startled. (There's a Left 4 Dead reference in there somewhere, I just have to find it).
Conveniently, as Tal scurries away and Queenie throws down her arms to screech up at the Citadel, Evie calls to fire.
Now, there are a lot of pros and cons to what happens next. On the plus side, it hits - obviously, look at it - and it is 10ft away from the Citadel wall, so no direct damage befalls the city.
On the other hand, well... it's 10ft away from the Citadel wall, and that's not a lot of distance to put between yourself and a solar blast, no matter how technical you want to get about it.
Regardless, yes, Queen Banshee is engulfed, screaming, in a beam of fire and light that will leave the snow melted and the earth scorched in a 30ft radius around her. She's still standing - and she's pissed - but the solar beam does its job.
On the downside, it's also completely blinding, illuminating the sky, the Citadel and the surrounding area, too. Those dragons you were worried about know exactly where to go now, and there's a great keening and scrabbling as a flurry of them attempt to take flight over the walls and through the gates... Which consequently take an absolute battering. They slam to the ground with a force that will leave the ears ringing, exposing the Citadel to attack.
(By banshees).
And whilst the guards and Shields, Cordelia and Evie manage to shield their eyes in time, perhaps it's because Talyson is concentrating on his retreat, but the light completely dazzles and blinds him, causing him to stumble and trip over the rampart (on the inside wall, don't worry). He doesn't fall - he's still clinging on - but it will take him a full round to get back upright and to blink away the daze.
As for Queenie, she's stopped weeping, but somehow the noise still comes. They appear through the mist only a moment later, flanking their highness in icy velvet, wailing to the open gates.
A queen needs her handmaids, after all.
Welcome to this KQ. The Citadel has been enshrouded in a curious mist! Something in the mist is weeping.
The Solar Beam will be ready to charge in 5 rounds.
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.
A lot happens at once. The cannon goes off in a flash of light and Cordelia hardly has time to properly shield her eyes away from the blinding rays. By the time she opens them again even more has changed. Tal is hanging over the edge and while she would absolutely love to do something about that... There is a much more pressing issue. Namely the three Banshee bitches at their gates. Just another day in Halo, right?
Raising her bow, Cordelia knocks an arrow, centering herself as she takes aim at Handmaid #1. The arrow goes flying, igniting as soon as it leaves her hand and she grits her teeth as she waits to see if it lands.
Cordelia finally fires her bow at the first handmaid!
Type: Dark | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic
Fire Bow: A wooden bow, upon the release of its string, that can ignite any arrows placed on its strand. Range: 10ft
Cordelia Limore
'Cause they got the cages, they got the boxes and guns They are the hunters, we are the foxes and we run
