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!
we follow our own steps while our shadows keeps watching us
No stranger to the hard work of construction, especially in the last year, Noah seemed to move with skill and precision. Alongside Deimos and Darkeye, the platform began to take shape and Noah couldn't help the small spark of pride from welling in his chest. Lately that spark was more easily ignited than before, especially when the fruits of labor were very easily and readily seen.
Then, all hell broke loose. Well, at least some hell. Noah lifted his head mid-hammer strike and, like the cleric, he smiled. He had to restrain a guffaw at Sah's luck, and it was only because of the company they were in. If they had been at home, the hunter would have razzed his friend to no end.
Darkeye's question caught Noah as he went back to his work, a few nails stick between his lips in the corner. He answered between strikes, though his words were slightly muffled and mumbled because of the nails. "Mostly this -- construction."
--
Noah continues to build!
the wrong steps would be not to start this exodus.
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
This time, there weren’t any chaotic semblances or overpowered dominion. All five shared in the process and coordination, whether this was talking about recent circumstances while nailing in fixtures, or simply reclaiming what had been lost from the platform, the beams were returned, and the first layer of their construction was completed.
“Good work,” the Sword uttered when stepped back, content with the way it had been laid out. Now they had a solid foundation to work from and build along. “Make sure to take a break,” head indicating where Darkeye had laid out water and food. “Then we will work on getting the top layer together.” Where the pilots could land their vessels, where people could decide to journey, depart.
Once everyone had their fill and some manner of rest, Deimos included, the Warden of Halo scrutinized some other depictions and drawings he’d mustered, showing the diagrams to the rest of them. “I would like four wooden beams here for support and height,” allowing for future assembly. “We can do teams like before. Two to grab the beams and hold, while three help secure them in place.”
--
Yay! The first platform is complete! Have your characters take a break, grab a bite or some water, and then return to start working on the second layer.
We need:
- Two to grab four matching wooden beams and hold them in place
- Three to nail the beams to the platform
Please make sure to put your summary at the bottom of your post. No post order!
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
Ophelia had not been Ascended for long, but it is still strange to them to have to take breaks now. To need rest, sleep, other human trivial things they’d vanquished with the help of The Voice. Much as they appreciate Dygra, trusting their former Mother to have chosen an appropriate new matriarch for her children, Ophelia does miss those tireless days.
When the break has concluded they go back to holding materials, as they already had been and see no need to change. Plus, without Ascended strength, they are still rather frail and small in stature; nailing beams is a little difficult because of that. Grabbing the wooden beams, they return to the group and begin sliding them into place in preparation to hold them down.
- - -
Ophelia grabs and holds the wooden beams.
I don't feel no remorse, and you can't see past my blinders
A good sip of water and a piece of delicious bread with some smoked fish. He looked at the plans of Deimos while he ate. He now slowly understood how the whole thing should be. He also had to treat himself to a pasue again. Willpower was all well and good but he had to give his body a break otherwise his body would force him to take a break. The first tensions slowly made themselves felt.
After the refreshment, he hurried back to the construction site. he grabbed one of the beams and tried to continue building the tower together with the others. He knew where he had to go and got ready to hold the wooden beam for a while.
He understood what the others were saying and made it clear that they didn't want to talk about it at the moment. Another one might have been better.
Sah grabbed a quick snack and took a swig of water before returning to the others. He was eager to continue their work and see it ot completion. A small break was enough for the time being. Once everyone else converged, Darkeye and Ophelia took to holding the beams. leaving the others to nail them.
Grabbing a portion of the nails and a sturdy hammer, Sah moved into position. He had little experience with nailing things together, so he elected to go slow and steady, making sure that each nail was placed properly and securely. There was already plenty of work to do and he really didn't want to have to redo another step.
we follow our own steps while our shadows keeps watching us
The work passed much more slowly than when they had built the skyport in Halo -- at least, it felt that way to the hunter who only wanted to be back home. As they finished up their first task and headed to fill their bellies and renew their strength, Noah followed. He kept mostly quiet, though amiable, but it was clear that he was focused on his work.
The others gathered to work on what Deimos had next. He watched as the Grounders grabbed and steadied the beams. Gathering more pocket-fulls of nails, Noah turned on his heel and poofed over to the work site. It took less energy to work and use his might to nail in when he didn't need to walk or cover any distance. Thus, he followed suit with Sah and helped nail beams in place.
Noah helps nail!
the wrong steps would be not to start this exodus.
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
Adhering to their tasks, several of them would find smooth sailing, including Deimos, Ophelia, and Sah, but for the remaining comrades (Darkeye and Noah), the nails didn’t quite adhere to their plans. Some threaded through with great indignation, going in sideways, or in the Sentinel’s case, perhaps because of too much power, were lost entirely in one of the beams. In all likelihood, it probably didn’t hold them back for long, and would merely cause another instance of repair work and retrying.
With the sun gradually beginning to set, and the Sword complying with others’ strengths and needs, he permitted them to cease for the day. “This is enough for now. We can continue tomorrow.” From there, they could have dinner and trade some more stories before settling in wherever they chose, intending to return in the morning.
--
Dawn’s approach meant the Warden of Halo could inspect the half-done portions of the second platform, readying his plan in place. Once everyone else settled, and snagged at hot drinks and warm food he’d left along the side, it was back to tasks and business. “We need to finish the top portion,” to which he pointed out along the angles and dimensions, “and start on the stairs.” The piles of timber were still readily available, and Deimos had made sure to replenish what had been utilized already.
--
The top platform is half finished and now we're headed into a new day, and more things to be done!
Pick and choose your next task!
We need:
- Three for finishing the top platform
- Two to start building the stairs
No post order!
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
After a quiet night, Darkeye set out to check everything she had built so far and to see what was necessary. Again was measured and looked at the plan of Deimos. He took another sip of tea and a sandwich on the way to the wood supply. He would build stairs. He had not done that for a long time. Stairs were something where he could show his skills. He tried to make the stairs stable. They should be functional for now. Later he could still work runes or pictures into them. But now it was important that the work here went well. Hammer nails saw and enough wood. At each step was measured again and he started to give each step the same attention. It should be pleasant to use the stairs.
Progress was made but there was still much to do. Come morning, Sah instantly got to work on completing the top platform. There needed to be something for the stairs to connect to after all. As such, the Abandoned worked on making the platform as sturdy as possible so that it could bare the necessary weight.
Just as he had at the end of yesterday, Sah elected to complete his task manually and without the use of his magic. His telekinesis might speed things along, but he didn't want to force them all to backtrack if something went wrong. With a project this large, Sah really didn't want to have to repeat even more steps.
we follow our own steps while our shadows keeps watching us
"Oh shit," Noah said as he hammered in a few nails until the heads sunk far too deep into the wood. Grimacing, Noah worked on with less force. Perhaps he had lost focus and just let the mundane encompass him, but now he worked with precision and care.
As they finished up and moved on, Noah did what he needed to do to recuperate strength. Eat, sleep, etc. The next dawn, Noah set out to work. Deimos gave out instructions for their next set of tasks. Noah nodded and followed shoulder to shoulder with Sah, choosing to work with someone he knew well enough to do a lot without much talking. As the sun came up and covered them in brilliant, autumn light, Noah was thankful they had not taken on this endeavor during the heat of summer.
--
Noah helps Sah with the platform.
the wrong steps would be not to start this exodus.
Just as taking midday rests are unnatural to Ophelia, so too is sleep. Still, they can't deny that now they must be careful of their own safety, and find overly-warm shelter in the otherwise cold Grounds. They cannot help for much longer into the evening, and so Deimos' call is appreciated. Still it ensures that by morning they arrive when the sun has, ready for another day of toiling and wrapped in many layers.
Stairs are just as unfamiliar to Ophelia, but they smile gainfully at Darkeye and set to working alongside him, measuring and attempting to make things even and stable. Numbers are far easier for them than words when it comes to their ongoing learning, but they're very aware that any mistakes will likely be their own fault. Luckily construction seems to be easier to understand in their own mind; things must be level, mirrored, and excessively nailed. Easy peasy.
- - -
Ophelia helps Darkeye build stairs.
I don't feel no remorse, and you can't see past my blinders
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head The thunder of the drums dictates
For a while, things had gone relatively smoothly (save for those moments of flying timber the day before) and as the world pressed on, maybe it should’ve conducted in the same similar stature.
However, it did not.
Perhaps lured by the noise, the progress, or the latest and baffling roll of the dice, a hoard of vampire gourds (because this was started in Leafchange) made their appearance instantly known with gnashing teeth and irritating grumbles. Rolling out of the undergrowth nearby, and clearly hungry, they made for everyone with particularly enhanced vines – dangling upon wooden platforms, striving to reach and snag at those nearby.
Deimos blinked and sighed, having dealt with these creatures long before. “We can get rid of these first,” he advised the group, as a larger one went to bite at Noah’s boots. Otherwise, there would be no further movement or accord.
--
Due to some horrendous dice rolls, a group of vampire gourds has come out of the grass and attacked the group! What will you do?
No post order! Please let me know your character’s actions in a summary at the bottom of your post.
The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead The rising of the horns, ahead
Sah heard a familiar noise and let out a groan even before the gourds appeared. "For the love of...ugh." He shook his head in frustration but put down the tools he had been using. As much as he'd like to zap them with lightning, Sah didn't want to damage their work. A telekinetic shove could also prove disastrous. But... what about a squish?
Walking closer to the nearest gourd, he made a sharp downward motion with his hand, calling upon his telekinesis and air magic. He tried to use them both to put downward pressure on the creature and crush it against the earth.
~
Sah uses his air and telekinesis to try and crush a gourd against the ground.
Telekinesis: Can move large objects.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered
Air manipulation: Can create and control the air. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered
Their luck turns almost immediately, and Ophelia turns to regard the vampire gourds with a vague expression of fondness. They had tormented their home many times in their youth, it's almost funny now to see them so vicious and yet so small. Not nearly as terrifying as they'd once been when Phi was scrawny and underfed.
Grabbing one of the boards meant for the landing (not exactly thinking any further than what was on hand) they wield it like a bat, aiming to smack all the gourds off the sides as they try to climb with their vines up the sides and ongoing stairs. It's almost a game, even if they are clumsy and slow with it. Still, they kick out at the gourds fearlessly with their boots whenever they get too close, hoping to send them flying in a spray of seeds and goop.
- - -
Phi wields a board as a bat against those climbing the platform, occasionally trying to kick any of the climbers.
I don't feel no remorse, and you can't see past my blinders
