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!
It goes tits up, and if Neron had the time he'd throw some choice curses at himself and the Sparkbird (and mostly himself, let's be honest). But they don't have the time, and so he darts back a few feet at Varus's call, purposely trying not to look at whatever the other man is doing so as not to get distracted.
This time he goes for something more subtle, bracing his feet into the ground and reaching out with a more sinister magic, aiming to draw the creature's very lifeforce away. "Have you got anything?" he calls out to Nikolai as he works. "I've got power stored if you need it!"
Neron uses his Life Drain magic against the Sparkbird, and also asks Nikolai if he needs any powers.
Life Drain : Can take life force from a living thing to temporarily make themselves stronger within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
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)
This bird is far too close to comfort and the younger Ascended draws back and out of his own range of attack. But he needs a better plan than this. He's not hitting the bird and he's only putting himself at risk.
But then Neron calls out Nikolai glances at him pleadingly, "Please! I don't have anything truly long range. Do you have one I can borrow?" If he does, then Nikolai can help from a safer distance. "Also, crazy idea, but should we try to bargain with it? It's intelligent so maybe?"
There had been a promise in the past after all. Made with people no longer in the grounds if he recalls correctly. Maybe they can strike a new deal?
~
Nikolai draws back a bit and asks Neron for a long-range power. He also gives out the suggestion of trying a diplomatic approach with the bird.
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)
Varus rises into the sky on borrowed wings but with no less grace or power for it, now nearly matching the Sparkbird in terms of size. As Neron ensnares the bird in a cloud of dark energy, it shrieks with annoyance more than anything else. Though the Hailstorm was the last to hit it, that there is another predator in its sky has it targeting Varus once again.
And once again, misses.
Imagine the outrage of having been bound into service to a group of ungrateful parasites, only to decide that it was time to cull them from the face of the earth and find yourself failing. Sparks flit from the wings of the great bird, falling onto the ground where they bounce more or less harmlessly upon the water-soaked ground.
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.
// I can see the halls and spaces that broke my soul And it still calls when everything's numb and I'm alone //
There’s shakiness as he takes to the skies, wings flapping as he tries to smooth out his ascension. He’s keen to keep an eye on the sparkbird as the dark cloud surrounds it, waiting for the next attack. The borrowed manticore manages evade any retaliation for the moment of sharing the sky, and it gives him time to try and get above the sparkbird.
At least enough that he can try to swoop down over it, his scorpion tail aiming for the back of the creature in the hopes of paralyzing it — and that maybe if they bring it down onto the ground Neron can douse it in water to prevent any further sparks from catching.
Varus tries to swoop over the Sparkbird and attack it with the manticore tail.
Manticore Ability | The poison from his tail can cause paralysis (or kill with permission).
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)
"I've got a feeling that it's not in the mood to negotiate!" Neron calls to Nikolai over the beat of wings from both Sparkbird and manticore. He feels it as his Life Drain gets to work, reaching out again to lash at the creature, still holding his free hand out for his younger counterpart. It's hard to think or do much of anything right now, but he definitely knows of something that the other man might be able to use.
"Would a dragon work?" he calls. "You better make it quick, though, because otherwise we're gonna be toast!" And he wishes he was joking. Gods, does he wish he was joking.
Neron attacks again with his Life Drain magic, and suggests Nikolai take Sunjata's dragon shift from him!
Life Drain : Can take life force from a living thing to temporarily make themselves stronger within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
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)
"Ok!" As much as Nikolai wishes he could appease the bird's anger, now isn't the time. He'd heard stories that the Sparkbird was kind, but clearly the Hollowed Grounds has pushed it too far. The thought makes melancholy pierce his heart. But now isn't the time.
The younger Ascended races over and takes Neron's offer. Acting quick, he bites his brother's wrist and pulls back as soon as his sensors tell him that the shift is now his. There isn't a second to waste and Nikolai prepares to shift. He's only done it once before, but the stolen ability comes with the knowledge of how. He's ready to fly.
~
Nikolai bites Neron and takes Sunjata's dragon shift.
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)
Graceful though Varus ' flight might be, his attack is not so elegant. As he moves to stab the Sparkbird, not only is the creature able to twist out of the assassin's range, but Varus hurts himself in his confusion ends up burning himself in the process. (#CritFailSorry)
It isn't all bad news though; defending against Varus has pulled the bird's attention away such that Neron is able to hit it with ease (read: with a really bad roll). As Nikolai bites and begins to shift, given the Sparkbird's success against Varus and Neron 's continued needling of it, it's against the Hailstorm that it sets its sights.
Perhaps still groggy from having Nikolai's fangs in his neck, the fire from above rains down up Neron with deadly accuracy.
Those keeping track might note that none--not a single one of our heroes--can survive another hit as they are.
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.
Your randomly assigned post order is Varus, Neron, Nikolai
// I can see the halls and spaces that broke my soul And it still calls when everything's numb and I'm alone //
His sensors flare, burning through him with a mighty shriek, upset and annoyance drowning them out temporarily as the manticore flies back, trying to get out of range of the spark bird. Annoyance continues to bloom from the Ascended, trying to figure out how he might be able to heal himself, growling as he realizes he doesn’t have any options now that Nikolai is shifting.
He does, however, have the Attuned bond now that the both of them are in a shift. Nikolai, I’m hurt, try and do some damage out of range of it— He calls out as loud as he can, hoping it reaches the dragon. In the meantime Varus tries to stay out of range, still shifted.
Varus moves back to the ground out of range, and talks to Nikolai through the Attuned bond!
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)
Varus and Nikolai get out of range and gain the advantage of an Attuned bond. Neron, on the other hand, has either lost his mind or feels like some weird beastmaster flanked by a dragon and a manticore (odds are good towards the former, let's be honest), because he runs forward. "I've had about enough of your shit," he grates out, his sensors flaring all over from the force of the Sparkbird's attack - but two can play at that game, he hopes.
Reaching deep within the well of his magic once more, Neron falls back on the old faithful from Halo. Spears of ice lance up and up towards the bird, fuelled by every ounce of willpower he has left. Because if he's going out, it's going to be something they tell stories about.
Neron runs forward and uses his Water Manipulation to throw spears of ice up at the Sparkbird.
I'd also like to use my birthday gift: BE THE HERO for this turn!
Water manipulation: Can create and control water. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Light | Rank: Mastered
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)
I'll do my best. Nikolai calls through the bond, unused to the feeling but going with the flow. With a flap of his wings, dragon!Nikolai flies as far away as he can and still attack. He calls upon the dragon's magi and although it feels bizarre at first, there's suddenly a rush in his veins. His sensors going off, almost as if he still had the capacity for adrenaline.
The lightning builds up in him and then with a roar, Nikolai attempts to fire at the Sparkbird, hoping to deal some serious damage to the creature. He has no idea what he's doing but he's following the instincts the dragon form is giving him.
~
Dragon!Nikolai goes as far out of range as he can to still attack and attempts to hit the Sparkbird with lighting!
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)
Wisely Varus lands while Neron throws a spear of ice at the Sparkbird.
For centuries it has seen these Grounds and its inhabitants. It has watched them go on their way, selfish and uncaring of the creature who, year after year, gave its light to keep them safe. It has watched gods rise and fall, kings and queens made and unmade, and now, at the hands of a man from another world entirely, it sees no more.
Neron 's spear has splintered and blinded the creature in both eyes. Sparks flare from its wounds and the reflected light in Neron 's blue stare is practically electric. Blinded and furious, the bird is unable to avoid Nikolai 's draconic blast.
Flapping its wings wildly, the bird has never had to rely so heavily on its other senses before, and in its confusion, it can only harmless rain sparks down onto the ground as it wildly tries to listen, or smell, or somehow sense where its attackers are.
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.
// I can see the halls and spaces that broke my soul And it still calls when everything's numb and I'm alone //
His sensors continue to scream, distractingly so even as the manticore’s instincts tell him to get back into the fight. It’s a war that’s raging inside him as he watches it all play out, the way Neron perfectly blinds the spark bird and works in tandem with Nikolai’s borrowed shift with the lightning blast.
He’ll probably die if he gets close, but the creature is blinded and Varus isn’t too sure if he can waste the opportunity. The Captain rises on borrowed wings again, and tries to get at least close enough in range to use the scorpion tail to try and paralyze the beast.
Varus can’t help but to take advantage of the blind >_> and he tries to get close enough in range to use the poison of the manticore!
Manticore Ability | The poison from his tail can cause paralysis (or kill with permission).
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)
If any of them get out alive from this, Neron wonders if the retelling of this story will include the broad, fanged grin on his face. Because he can't seem to wipe it away as his ice hits the mark, the Hailstorm wasting little time to try and take advantage of the situation.
Varus soars overhead and Neron switches back to his life drain magic, hoping that the subtle and sinister nature of it will make him harder to target. And if not and he does get hit? Well, he can't say he didn't go out in a blaze of glory and all that jazz.
An idea does spark in his mind, but without an Attuned bond, he can't share it with the others without howling his position away to the Sparkbird. And so it stays behind his teeth, for now.
Neron switches back to his lifedrain magic and tries to attack the Sparkbird!
Life Drain : Can take life force from a living thing to temporarily make themselves stronger within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
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)
Neron blinds the bird and Nikolai feels a renewed sense of determination. Maybe they can do this. Maybe he'll be able to keep his promise to his mom to stay safe in the fight. She had been against him staying, but she had understood why he did. At least he knew she was safe in the Haven.
A few more sucessful hits and a little luck should do it. Nikolai tries to repeat his prior actions and again stays as far out of range as possible to still attack. Once more, he channels the magic of the dragon and hit the Sparkbird with lightning.
~
Dragon!Nikolai tries to do it again! Staying as far out of range as possible to still hit the Sparkbird with lightning.
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)
