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!
Change had been met with his inevitable prowess for sedition and revolution; sometimes scraping away the notions of its alterations with forged steel and tempestuous edges. Other moments, especially with reformation or desecration of lands, met there were other adaptations and modifications to consider – and the Monster Hunter’s Guild could thrive once more.
Gone quiet simply because of war preparations, and then repairs afterward, but still a hospitable, working environment, the Sword reopened the windows to let the air shuffle through, pierce through any dusty proportions. The hearth was immediately stoked, permitting the warmth to gallivant along surrounding structures, ignite and linger amidst the library’s factions, Already placing notices on several boards and slipping notes to members, he figured anyone interested in the upcoming mission would find him shortly.
For there were empty pages in journals needing to be filled.
you're all bronze and bite all venom and fistfight
It did not take Noah long to come to Deimos' call, the paper note given to him by a young errand boy roaming about the streets of Halo. The hunter filled his quiver, pulled his bow over his torso, and grabbed his spear. His invisibility cloak stuffed in his hunting bag as well as any rations he might need, he kissed Cordelia (and her wonderful, round belly) good-bye and headed towards the guild hall.
"It looks better in here." Noah observed as he entered, stomping snow off his boots in the threshold where it wouldn't damage any of the wooden floors. He didn't see anyone at first, nor as he entered the main room. "Deimos?" He called out, eyebrow lifting.
Sun is up, hold on to what is yours Take up your spade and break ground
Sah had just returned from a hunt when he saw the notice. Instantly intrigued at exploration and new creatures to discover, he'd headed straight to the guildhall. Upon arriving he paused briefly to make sure Pad would behave. After a slightly reluctant surge of agreement from the pup, the trio entered.
It was no surprise to the demigod already present. "Hey Noah. I'm guessing you're here for the notice too?" He playfully bumped his shoulder against the other man's in greeting. "From what the rumors say there's quite a few new creatures running around." Though whether the creatures were friend or foe was yet to be seen.
Peeling away his gloves and snagging at a few of the journals from the library, he was proceeding downstairs, back into the main portions, when he heard others begin entering. Brow raised, he glanced from his point along the threshold, managing a modest smile as Noah came in – uttering a comment in exchange. “Thank you.” The guild needed his time and efforts too – ensuring the Sword always had something to do. Maybe this was how he’d avoided being taken apart by grief, anguish, and the trauma eternally kept in his skull – alongside the people he cherished.
Making his way towards the main room, the inquiry matched previous thoughts, snagging at the Sentinel’s familial changes. “How is Cordelia doing?”
And thereafter came Sah – and though Deimos was surprised Talyson hadn’t burst in first with his usual bluster and impulsivity, the Sword would take it. Purposefully bumping shoulders with the Thunder too, Deimos snagged a note of correspondence, unfolding it before their eyes – a series of hastily jotted down records. “Hence why I asked some of you to come.” Pausing, he glanced back down at the parchment. “And though there are many, I thought we should start with those new around Halo.” Pointing towards the minuscule observations, he recited from what he’d been told. “Hunters said they went into the Hollowed Forest and saw man-sized spiders. Did not get very close,” as he was certain all of them could imagine why. “But it would be good to know if they are a threat to our citizens.” And if so, how to eliminate them. Glancing back at them, he arched his brow, waiting for either refusal or acceptance. “You would only need to go and observe, if you are both willing.”
you're all bronze and bite all venom and fistfight
Sah snorted and nudged Deimos back but quickly grew serious as the Sword spoke. He raised a brow as he read over the document. "Massive spiders. That's certainly new." And not something the Abandoned had have ever expected to see in the snow and ice of Halo. Even now with the new forests, arachnids and insects being in Halo was a bit hard to wrap his mind around.
"I'm willing. is all we currently know what's written here?" Sah wondered if any other individuals had observed the spiders in passing. 'Man-sized spiders' was certainly a good starting point, as was their general location. But it still wasn't much to go off.
Noah smiled as Deimos approached, noting the journals in his hands. "She's strong, but she is getting tired more easily these days. Those babies sure are active." At least, Noah assumed it was more than one based on how much she had grown only halfway through, as well as how much movement she said she had. As he thought and spoke of his wife and soon-to-be children his smile wrinkled the corners of his eyes. Pride burst in his heart and it was unable to be masked over the attuned bond.
Sah came soon, and Noah offered him his eye-wrinkled smile in return. With the two of them there, it didn't take Deimos long to get down to business. Noah took the paper from Deimos for a brief moment, reading the scribbled notes as best as he could. Some was scratched like ningos on the frosted ground, but he made out what was relevant. Between that and the Sword's explanation, Noah put all the pieces together. "I wonder if these creatures always existed, or if Rae made them when they worked on the world." He wondered aloud.
Noah nodded along with Sah, expressing his willingness. "It's important we know what's going to try to kill us now." Noah's smile returned, this time jesting as his glacier eyes moved between the two men.
Sun is up, hold on to what is yours Take up your spade and break ground
Deimos’ brow arched at the plurality in Noah’s statement - babies earmarking twice the upcoming experiences for the Olsons. Uncertain how to take the notions, he merely watched the Sentinel’s reaction, and seeing the burst of pride and the smile within the man’s eyes, he gave his own grin in return. “Let me know if you either of you need anything.”
Then it was all guild business, listening to Sah’s inquiry, hastening back through the chicken-scratch. “Some parts of them are clear apparently.” Whether this had been recorded in haste or confusion was anybody’s guess, and the Sword could only shrug his shoulders. “Other than that, they remain a mystery.” That both monster hunters could solve, given their experiences throughout the years. “Bring weapons with you,” a just in case measure, but with arachnids the size of people, there was bound to be some other armaments and potency layered within.
Thereafter, he handed the notes to them, having already jotted down the minimal information in the journals. “I think we need every detail you can surmise. Diet, habitat, sketches, and anything else you observe.” The Warden snagged a copy of a map for each as well, adorned by his own measures of the forest.
you're all bronze and bite all venom and fistfight
Sah grinned at Noah, "Same here. Whatever you two need. Don't hesitate to ask." He hadn't had a lot of time to see his cousin in the recent year, and the Abandoned missed her dearly. He'd long since made peace with her actions in the war, simply grateful that she'd kept her life.
The Wild Thunder accepted the notes handed to him and read them over once more, committing the scarce information to memory. After doing so he glanced at Noah, "Shall we leave in the morning? I'd rather not deal with giant spiders at night." Leaving in the morning should hopefully give them enough time to both find and observe the creatures before nightfall.
To have the support of his friends and fellow Halovians was a boost to Noah's spirit. Nodding to Sah, and listening to Deimos, Noah was ready. To explore the new fauna that Rae had made would be an exciting venture. The descriptions of the spiders may have made another man worry, or even tremble, but in the wake of Noah's last year there were very few things that were as terrifying to him as the Draig had been.
"That sounds good. I'll be able to make sure Cordelia has everything she needs then while we are gone." Not that the woman really needed it -- he was there to support her no matter what, but he had been accused of being overly doting on a woman with so much independence.
FIN
Sun is up, hold on to what is yours Take up your spade and break ground
