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!
"Do not let up!" Hadama called to the Fae. He wasn't clear on exactly what was going on in the dark, but he could hear the crashing and thrashing and made a decision to aim for that, in whatever light remained in the clearing.
The owlbear was well out of the range of his trident but not his magic, thankfully. He wasn't exactly waterboarding the beast but he wasn't letting up on the pummeling with the water from the Symphony, either. Caido might not have had firehoses, but Hadama attempted the magical equivalent of one, using a high-velocity stream to continue slamming the knifes, axes, and ice deeper and keep the owlbear pinned against the tree. Hadama encourages the Fae to keep on keeping on and continues to hammer it with a water manipulation blast to shove the weapons already in it deeper and keep it pinned.
Water manipulation: Can manipulate water. Must be within a 30ft radius. Control is excellent
Type: Light | Rank: Upgraded
Magic: Arcane Academy Cold Resist (Passive) | A magic bestowed upon those enrolled in the Arcane Academy, for as long as they are members, users will not be affected by cold climates.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
The whole thing now seemed to turn in their favor. The animal had bitten itself. It was stuck. He could now get his axes back. Or he could work on it with the spear and ensure that it could not get up again. He took off and tried to spear the creature with as much force and power as he could muster in his body. When it had suffered enough wounds Hadama and the others could do the rest. With the spear he could then try to steer it. But first he had to hit it. Whether the wolf realized he was trying to heal it and not kill it was something to discuss later. The creature was already badly wounded it seemed. To let it suffer further would not feel good. It wasn't right either. When the opportunity presented itself, he would try to grab the axes. But with all the arrows and daggers stuck in the owlbear, it was difficult to tell what they were.
---
Darkeye tries to spike the bear and press it to the ground. Should the opportunity arise to grab one of his axes.
Citizenship Ability
The world is new to you, and you are to it. During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with an 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)
Items
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Upgraded
Throwing Axes | A pair of throwing axes crafted from the tooth of a giant landshark. They only ever deal basic damage, but allow the wielder to teleport up to 15ft in distance. Throwing the axe and teleporting each count as separate actions - they cannot be done in the same turn.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Basic
Karmic Spear | A finely forged weapon with vines engraved along the hilt. When hitting an enemy, the weapon causes Basic damage, but if hitting an ally, it will give Basic healing instead.
?!?!?!?!?!?! Ever's mind screams as bells of alarm shriek behind his blue eyes. The fact that he feels a touch better does not fit with the fact he'd been stabbed by the man with the spear. So it was that Ever offered no thank-you, but instead yelped and continued to growl at the man that he might keep his distance.
Given that Ray had said to stay behind her, Ever nervously followed her toward the Owlbear as she sought to take advantage of the situation. Following suit, if only because even he could see that the creature was unable to move, the dog lunged to bite into the creature's leg, before scurrying to remain in Ray's shadow as he'd been instructed.
Ever growls are Darkeye, follows behind Ray to try and bite the Owlbear before moving back to stay behind her.
Your eyes they take no prisoners But I'd love to be your visitor
It's one of those mixed bags, really, where even though it looks like everything should be pretty easy (especially compared to previous rounds, where it was arguably more dangerous)... it isn't.
Ray can blame the close proximity on her missing with her dagger, because it's a bit of a clusterfuck right now. Her dagger plunges in but finds nothing but dense feathers, and she doesn't manage to hit the beast beneath.
Hadama, on the other hand, is having a good time of it from the water, hitting the Owlbear yet again with a barrage of water that soaks it, keeping it freezing cold and embedding the veritable arsenal even deeper into its hide.
Alas, Darkeye does not find so much luck this time with his spear; the flickering lights from the Fae's torches can make it difficult to see, after all - and that probably explains why the warriors, too, don't manage to reach their mark.
Then we have Everest. Once bitten, twice shy is not a rule that applies to Owlbears pinned to trees, and as the Attuned leaps out, he's finally successful in sinking a jaw full of sharp teeth into the creature's leg.
With a roar of anger and pain, the Owlbear frees itself and readies to attack once more.
Welcome to the Key Quest. Your randomly chosen post order is:
Ray puts more distance between her and the owlbear, urging Everest back as well. The beast is looking worse for wear and after a moment of contemplation, the Attuned throws her dagger at it. It might be reckless to let go of her last weapon, but maybe it'll be enough to finally help kill it. It's a risk she's willing to take. But she may end up needing to fight with her shifts next if this fails.
As she throws her dagger, she keeps her eyes partially shifted to better her eyesight and aim. It's almost done. Be careful everyone. It might start getting reckless and unpredictable. A beast that was nearly dead was sometimes more dangerous than one in perfect health.
~
Ray puts more distance between her and the owlbear (keeping between the creature and Everest) and throws he dagger at it. (Shangyang eyes still active).
Were the roars getting weaker? Hadama was certainly feeling the strain of continued magic use, but they had done too much damage to the beast to not finish the job now. He was not violent by preference, but the Tidebreaker was ruthless when he needed to be.
And he would not leave the dirty work to Ray.
Yes, he agreed to her words, though the beast had certainly been both since he had laid eyes on it.
"Another volley," he instructed the Fae. Their weapons might not always be effective but they had certainly helped.
And he followed his own advice. With Ray cleared back and no one else between him and the helpfully-roaring beast he continued to keep his high-pressure water jet battering the owlbear, aiming at its vulnerable eyes and throat. Hadama tells the Fae to continue their attacks and he continues the high-power water jet, aiming it at the owlbears head this time.
Water manipulation: Can manipulate water. Must be within a 30ft radius. Control is excellent
Type: Light | Rank: Upgraded
Magic: Arcane Academy Cold Resist (Passive) | A magic bestowed upon those enrolled in the Arcane Academy, for as long as they are members, users will not be affected by cold climates.
Type: Light | Rank: Basic
FUCK FUCK. To let such an opportunity pass him by annoyed him. But it helped nothing he had to make the best of it. He tried to come down the flank. If he stayed in the back of the owlbear he would not put his beak and claws into a strong attack. Darkeye would try to use the range of his spear. If the creature tried to turn in his direction, it would impale itself. That was the thought process. He prepared himself for a hard impact. He clenched his teeth. No matter how it would turn, it should hit.
----
Darkeye tries to take advantage of the bear's mass. He positioned himself with the spear behind the bear and if it did not turn in his direction, he would try to stab it.
Citizenship Ability
The world is new to you, and you are to it. During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with an 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)
Items
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Upgraded
Throwing Axes | A pair of throwing axes crafted from the tooth of a giant landshark. They only ever deal basic damage, but allow the wielder to teleport up to 15ft in distance. Throwing the axe and teleporting each count as separate actions - they cannot be done in the same turn.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Basic
Karmic Spear | A finely forged weapon with vines engraved along the hilt. When hitting an enemy, the weapon causes Basic damage, but if hitting an ally, it will give Basic healing instead.
That man stabbed me Ever cries out through the attuned bond to Hadama and Ray as he presses himself into the thick darkness of Ray's shadow and the surrounding wood. All that came to the young aviator's mind was that perhaps the man thought he was just a dog and with an injury as he had it was best to put him out of his misery. Even so, surely that was not Darkeye's call to make even if Ever was nothing more than a common canine.
Still cowering behind Ray, Ever barks, admittedly far more weakly than he had before, in an attempt to focus the creature's attention so that it might not be so erratic as Ray had warned it might be.
Ever stays behind Ray and barks to try and focus the Owlbear's attention.
Your eyes they take no prisoners But I'd love to be your visitor
03-03-2023, 05:10 PM (This post was last modified: 03-03-2023, 08:12 PM by Court Official.)
Ray is absolutely right. The Owlbear, bleeding out and weary and yet still filled to the brim with spite and fury, is finally just about done with whatever insolent creature keeps squirting water at it. And so with a hoarse bellow, it whips around and thunders towards the water's edge, slamming its paws down towards the riverbank. It misses Hadama by quite a bit - and the sudden change of target causes Ray's dagger to miss its mark as well - but the point still stands.
In a feat of magical skill and finesse truly befitting the one they call the Tidebreaker (and the third critical success of the quest, might I add), the jet of water spears out and directly into the vulnerable (and very much not water resistant) throat of the beast. Indeed, the force of the blow is such that the Owlbear drowns right before their eyes, gurgling and croaking under the pressure of the power wielded by the mermanta.
And down it goes, the snow muffling the sound of its landing. This time, it does not get back up.
A cheer erupts from the Fae warriors - and further sounds of relief and jubilation carry from the Sidhe Village only a short distance away. You've done it, and with only a little bit of friendly fire! (I know, I know, the spear heals).
CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed the Key Quest! All participants will receive credit, and may use this KQ for levelling/MP purposes. All members of the party will gain +1 END, and the following items are available for the taking:
Owlbear Down | Dense hide layered with thick feathers. Good for armour. Can only be crafted with by a god.
Owlbear Talons | Curved like a bird's talons, but easily the size of a grizzly's claws, these could be used in a variety of ways. Can only be crafted with by a god.
Owlbear Skull | Might make a creepy lantern for the Festival of Lights. Can only be crafted with by a god.
You have 24 hours to post a final time and to claim an item (if you want one). This will then be added to your inventory.
Everest's words in her mind have Ray snarling just as she lets go of her dagger. He what?! But then the owlbear is downed and the warriors cheer. Upon checking that Everest is in fact stable, she quickly retrieves her weapons and scoops up the owlbear's talons where they fell, the Attuned marches up to Darkeye.
"You stabbed him?! Why would you do such a thing?" Protective fury floods the bond even if she knows that the Accepted can't hear it. Starring the man down she sends a quick message to Everest, I'll get you cookies later, ok? Any kind you want. Treats made everything better in her opinion.
~
Ray retrieves he weapons, scoops up the owlbear talons, and deals with the Darkeye/Everest situation.
Claiming:
Owlbear Talons | Curved like a bird's talons, but easily the size of a grizzly's claws, these could be used in a variety of ways. Can only be crafted with by a god.
Ray turned to handle whatever was happening between the hound and the dwarf, freeing Hadama to turn all of his focus on the owlbear. He had never drowned a creature to death before and he took no satisfaction in it now, only relief when the deed was done and the threat ended.
The Fae cheered and Hadama nodded wearily towards them in acknowledgment. It had been a very long LongNight for the Tidebreaker, and he set about cutting the hide from the owlbear with methodical efficiency. While he worked he listened to how Darkeye would answer Ray, and his own voice reached out to Everest through the Attuned bond, steadfast and unshakably calm. Move behind me if he threatens you again. Hadama harvests the Owlbear Down and offers Everest his protection.
Claiming:
Owlbear Down | Dense hide layered with thick feathers. Good for armour. Can only be crafted with by a god.
Darkeye looked at the dead owl bear. He gasped. It took him a while to calm down. He took pity on the creature and stroked it over the head and closed the eyes of the owl bear. Only now did he react. "I have healed him. The spear was made by the hand of Frey. I didn't have time to explain it. Should I have let him wounded? He should have noticed that he was better after my alleged attack. I actually expected thanks instead of reproaches. That's what you get when you help people. Accusations really? If no one claims I would gladly take the corpse. Otherwise, a claw?" He said calmly as he held his bleeding wound and put his axe back in his pocket. If you have anything to say, now would be a good time. His face became friendlier again, and he stroked the dead owlbear as if it were an animal still alive and slid over to the other side.
Shifting back and leaning against one of the trees to protect his broken foot, the young aviator looked at Darkeye with wide, mistrustful blue eyes. "What you did, was glare at me in the midst of a fight and stab me with your spear." In Ever's opinion, that it had subsequently healed him was quite beside the point. "At no point did you ever communicate what you were doing, nor did I ever consent to be stabbed." He added, ruffling a hand through his hair which was heavy with sweat. "There is always time to ask for conset." The aviator concluded, unhappily.
What sort of lunatic has a healing weapon that requires such violence? Ever thinks through the attuned bond, glancing first to Hadama and then to Ray, as if trying to judge if he was off base in his upset or not.
A pettier man, or indeed someone who just wasn't Everest, might have strode past Darkeye to claim the last of the harvestable items as Hadama and Ray had. It didn't go above his notice that, in terms of their quartet, his efforts had perhaps been the least helpful overall, suggesting that Darkeye was most deserving of the bear's skull. Alas, other than as a gift for Mateo - the reason he was in the Greatwood in the first place - he had no need for such an item.
even if i had to lose you to know you, i'd still be that temporary phase that you grow through
Ray takes a deep breath before addressing Darkeye. "I understand that your intentions were to help but you must admit that suddenly being stabbed is alarming, especially if it's without explanation and done by someone you presumably don't know. If such an event happens in teh future, please at least give some kind of explanation. Such as this, 'this spear heals!'" Shaking her head, the Attuned adds, "And consent is crucial in all circumstances. Just please be more aware in the future."
Walking over she holds up her healing wand, "Speaking of which, this wand heals? If you want, I can heal your injury?" A peace offering of sorts but also a genuine offer. Ray was a healer and seeing a wound be unattended to was unacceptable. "I don't see an issue with you taking the body or skull if you'd like." Everest makes no move to grab it, so she assumes her fellow Attuned has no interest.
As she deals with Darkeye she sends a message to Everest in return, I don't know, and I don't like it. Are you sure you're ok?
~
Ray offers to heal Darkeye and if he says yes, does so.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Basic
Healer's Wand | A wand that seems organic in structure, crafted from stone, vines and blooming lilies. Capable of delivering Basic Healing to one target
