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!
03-04-2023, 06:08 PM (This post was last modified: 03-04-2023, 06:09 PM by Darkeye.)
DARKEYE
No one had come forward. No one. There was not much left, so he had to work alone. The town hall had not yet been renovated after the attack. The roof had big holes after the fire. The floor and walls were covered with dust and ash. The windows were all cracked due to the heat or had been broken by frustrated people. There was a lot to do here. So Darkeye went to work to restore the town hall. That the people finally had to understand that now a new leader had to come. For too long this position had remained empty. He had already sent out the letters a long time ago. But he got only few answers. What disturbed him very much. But all brooding helped nothing it had to be worked finally. If no one else would come forward, he will try to establish himself as a leader.
---
This is a pq to rebuild the town hall in the ground and to elect a leader for the grounders but first the work then more work.
The roof needs to be repaired. (material is ready for this)
New furniture must be built.
New windows need to be installed.
The town hall urgently needs a cleaning team.
Tal had never been to the capital of the Hollowed Grounds before the War. He'd been firmly on the other side of things, and Bart had made it pretty clear that he wasn't welcome the one time he'd poked around the fringes.
But things had changed with the fall of the Voice and the disappearance (or transformation) of most of the Ascended. Peace had made the routes a lot safer, and his skyboat made the journey a lot easier than it had been before.
He wasn't the altruistic type by any means, but since he'd been making a delivery to the area he figured he'd stop in and see what all the notice board fuss was about. And wow... the place was a mess.
"Guess I could help make some furniture," he offered reluctantly. He felt a little bad for the Grounders, seeing the state things were in. He was a skilled woodworker, so he knew he could do that much at least. He whistled to bring Boreal down from where she was hunting humming bats, and got to work assembling tables and chairs for the town hall.
Tal shows up and starts working on furniture!
Noah hadn't been to the Hollowed Grounds since before Deepfrost, but his visit with Vi had made it clear that this journey was necessary. It was Deimos' note on the notice board that finally spurred the advisor towards the Grounds, though. With a simple touch to the compass in his pocket, Noah poofed from the Citadel and poofed into existence at the Inner Quarter of the Grounds. It was a different spot than he was used to coming in, because when he first gained this compass the Holloweed Grounds was fortified to kill him upon entrance. But the days of the Order were long gone, now, despite the evidence of their existence still lingering.
Making his way towards the townhall, Noah noticed Talyson. He called out to the man and jogged to catch up with him. "Didn't think I'd see you here." He said, giving the courier a small (affectionate) push on the shoulder with his forearm, and a smile to brighten his features. Noah followed Talyson to where Darkeye was, and he agreed with the internal monologue of the younger man, even if he couldn't hear it. This place was a mess. Vi was right.
"Darkeye," Noah called out, the bright smile and glimmer in his eye hardening some, a glacial defense rolling in naturally and without thought. "That roof looks dangerous." Noah pointed out, gesturing to the unstable, charred, old roof. Many boards were rotten. "I can help up there." And so, he did. Noah gathered some materials he would need to begin prying off old, busted, or rotten boards, and then used his magic to teleport himself onto the roof and begin his work.
Noah starts work on the roof by taking off old, broken, or rotten boards!
Darkeye's face showed a broad smile. He had not expected that help would come at all. Many of the people here kept to themselves for the time being. They did not know how to deal with the Sentinel of the north. That's why some of the volunteers kept their distance. But Darkeye unleashed them and shook hands with both of them. "I am very happy to see you both here. I'll be honest, I expected to have to do this alone. I am really grateful. Well, you've seen it before, the place is a ruin, but most grounders believe that important decisions are being made here. That's why I'm making the effort. Help where you can, but until the roof is finished, please stay out. If you need help, Noah, just let me know. I'll get to work on the glass." Darkeye had put aside a tent where there was hardly any light and was now trying to blow glass for the windows.
As for you. Talyson we need a big round table. How you build it is up to you, please describe it.
Noah the roof beams will not carry much weight you will see quickly. They all need to be replaced.
You will each get a squad of 5 people to help you. You can navigate them and order them around. There is enough material.
Repairing the roof Noah
Furniture Talyson
Make windows Darkeye
Clean the building. (too dilapidated)
Tal lit up with a grin when Noah showed up. "Hey Noah! Did Delia kick y'out o' the house for hoverin' again?" he teased, swaying with the push and popping back up with resilient tenacity. He listened intently as the Sentinel greeted their host - Darkeye, huh? He couldn't remember if they'd been introduced in Torchline - but the old man's sincerity was a little overwhelming. Tal rocked back on his heels and looked down at his feet, ears turning red as he realized how much his grudging help meant.
"Y...yeah. I'll get right on it," he mumbled, deciding he could at least give it his best since he was already here.
Calling his team together, he checked with them for how big a table they wanted, then scribbled some measurements on a piece of paper. He scowled at it, did the math again, and finally went to measure the lumber. He laid out the planks in a careful square then took a long string and tied one end to his pencil. The other end he tacked down in the center of the square, then used it as a guide to draw a perfect circle around the top of the planks. He measured twice, to be sure it was correct, and then his team got to work sawing the curved ends of each plank.
Once the wood was cut he laid the cross braces underneath and fitted the planks together on top, using screws to firmly seat the table top to the supporting beams. Since they couldn't go inside yet, he assembled the tabletop in two separate pieces that could be slid together and locked into place underneath. Then he made the stout legs, smooth and rounded but not too fancy. He attached two legs to each half of the tabletop.
He finished up by adding a coat of warm, honey-colored stain to the wood to bring out the natural grain while he waited on the others.
Tal and his team of NPCs make a large round table. They build it in two halves that can be separated for more easily moving it inside, then reassembled and locked together. They sand it smooth and use a honey-colored stain to make it look nice.
The roof was in terrible shape. The structure moaned and groaned under Noah's weight, and the demigod needed to move with much caution. He was already set to work tearing apart the most damaged parts of the roof without falling through any of the deepest charred spots when the team Darkeye had assembled for him headed his way.
Together, Noah and his team worked to bring down the worst parts of the roof. They made an assembly line that kept Noah moving as quickly as he safely could to keep up with them. He tore and dropped, they moved and hauled and even began burning what was no longer useful. It was hard work, and even with Noah's heightened endurance and his propensity for difficult labor, the Sentinel had to wipe sweat from dripping into his eyes on more than one occassion.
Noah and his team start by tearing apart the damaged roof sections, making piles of salvageable and non, and burning the worst of it.
The people who help are very skeptical at the beginning but with more time the people help more and more. As well as the environment of the grounds see that something is happening here. There are more and more onlookers and helping hands. People build stands and benches. It is grilled with the old hol and the trust continues to grow.
The work is going wonderfully. Many try to keep up with Noah's skills, but it is not enough. With the Demi god it is difficult to keep up. The table is admired by many of the people here and they praise the people of Talyson team as well as in itself. Darkeye does not take much longer with his work and brings some discs that are already in the windows eingearbitet. He is also impressed that the people are already so far with the work.
Other people already started to bring the appropriate wood. The new roof beams are already ready for Noah. Wood for the chairs was also brought in. Some of the people beckoned the teams of Noah and Talyson to take a break. Noah as well as Talyson were offered drinks like tea and some fruit.
Darkeye nodded to the two. "The roof is going well, I am impressed. I have rarely seen people so full of energy. You bring hope, I thank you for that. There are some things to do when you are finished with your tasks."He said and smiled. He was glad that things were finally moving forward.
Finish the roof.
Chairs to the matching table
Replace doors.
Clean the whole building
Paint all the walls.
Once the hunter had set his mind to something and he was elbow deep in the work, it was hard for him to shut that part of his brain off. This was on full display before the Grounders as he pulled at rotten and scorched roof boards, tossed them down, and prepared the way for the new beams. Hours passed and people came and went, but Noah continued to persevere in his diligent task. He only stopped briefly for water after being scolded by an older woman with a sharp brow and a motherly tone that he knew was fruitless to argue against.
”The people here deserve it.” Noah said between gulps of the cool, refreshing water. ”Vi’s breath is in their lungs, just as ours.” He gestured vaguely to Talyson and Darkeye alike. Giving a firm nod in response to Darkeye’s next motion, Noah beckoned his allied group of workers. He helped them carry and prepare the new beams to be hoisted up. Once he had done so, he used his teleportation magic to bounce back onto the top of the building again. A few other strong and agile workers climbed up ladders to follow him. Together they worked in tandem with those on the ground to bring up the first of many rafters and joists and get them secured in to place.
Noah and his crew start bringing up and affixing new rafters to the roof!
Tal took a break and surveyed the table, mopping his brow and joining Noah in a water break as he gave his work a critical eye. It lacked the curving beauty of a dogsled, but the craftsmanship was some of his better work and he eventually gave a satisfied nod and endured the back-slapping and gratitude of his team with an embarrassed, sheepish grin and pink ears.
"I'll get the doors next," he offered, a little gruffly as he waved to the men and women who had helped him. "If y'want to start the chairs without me." Doors were simple enough and he only needed the help of one other person to hold things steady and cut thick planks to size. He joined them together tightly to make sure no stray wind could slip through any cracks, and used the same honey-colored varnish from the table on the wood for the doors to tie the place together with a subtle color connection.
Tal makes doors for the building to keep out the wind and weather!
Darkeye admired the two for their drive. He must not be inferior to them in anything was what shot him in the thoughts. He set about making the chairs for the table. The people all seemed very enthusiastic and helped as much as they could, a good atmosphere arose. People who until recently did not dare to leave the house were watching what was happening here.
The roof took shape more and more quickly and the topping out ceremony could soon be celebrated. The people who were closer celebrated and laughed. It was the best thing that had happened to them in the last few months for a long time.
It was the same with the doors. The people celebrated every door that was finished with a loud hooray. More and more people wanted to help and so your team grew. Now each of you has ten people under you.
Your drive spreads to the Grounders.
Darkeye gets to work on the chairs. Just sturdy chairs. There was time to decorate them later. But the people who are fearful set about carving runes and other things into the chairs. It was the same with the doors and partly with the roof beams. These signs should stand for a good life and bring good luck to the people.
All your tasks have progressed well. We are almost there
The roof must be covered and made weatherproof.
The outer wall needs a new coat of paint.
It can only be cleaned inside when the roof is finished.
If you want to add more furniture there would be enough material.
Darkeye had taken over the chairs and Tal paused to admire them as he carried one of the doors past. He helped to put it in place and set the hinges, and then looked around to see what was left. Noah was hard at work on the roof still and it looked like his team was making good progress so Tal went to find some paint for the outside of the building.
There was something satisfying about the white paint he found, and the people who had been helping him found brushes so they could begin putting a fresh, clean coat of color on the old town hall. Some of them were more enthusiastic than skilled, but the surfaces were broad enough that it was hard to do it wrong and soon the building began to gleam in the sunlight. Tal went around to the window shutters and painted them a cheerful sky blue while his team worked on covering the walls in white.
Tal and his team paint the building white with sky blue shutters on the windows.
Noah drunk in the mirth of the people as they worked. While his endurance and perseverance may have had an affect on them, their brightening attitudes and excitement to seeing their city come to life once again was rubbing off on him. He smiled and chuckled and chatted as he worked, getting to know those he could around him. He took more breaks with them, let them help him more, and even taught a few of them proper ways to hammer and align the trellices for strength.
Once the second stage of the roofing was complete, Noah climbed down. With a few other men and women he measured out the waterproofing fabric. They stretched it and folded it until it was a series of perfect, neat packages to be carried onto the roof. Instead, Noah gathered them one by one and teleported them up to those that stayed on the roof, then once they were all where they needed to be he helped set them in place.
Noah helps finish the trellices and then starts setting up the waterproofing fabric!
The grounders see more and more people rushing to the scene to help in a very short time. Many are now helping and want to know more about you. Some are even considering going with you to find out about your countries. These people had lost their spark of life and did not know where to go with themselves. But with a little help from you and with a goal in mind, they now see the small chance of getting their lives back.
You will be tapped on the shoulder and offered something to eat and drink. As well as the thanks of the people. You will be solabd your tasks are done. You will be led to a large table and will be offered food and drink, and the last steps will be taken by the grounders themselves. You can help whoever you want.
----
Thank you for your patience and help here.
This is the last round.
Celebrate and enjoy the feast in your honor
The roof still the last steps to make ready
Set up the house
Clean the house
Tal had never been comfortable in crowds and the interest of so many strangers was, while flattering, also more than a little anxiety-inducing. He did what he could to point them towards Noah and tried to focus on the work in front of him, doing his best with the paint. He wasn't great at painting, but as long as he stuck to the big, broad areas and left the detail work to others, it all seemed to go pretty smoothly.
When they finished, he had to admit the building was looking pretty good.
There were just a few last details to sort out, and then he could tuck in to the feast that was waiting for them!
He figured the locals would be the best ones to set up the inside of the building for what they needed it for, but cleaning was something that anyone could do. He grabbed a broom and headed in to start sweeping and dusting out the interior so it would be ready for the new furniture that they'd built.
{/hr}
