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!
The path had been laid from the Kaiholo docks to the Underwater City. It curved around the largest reef formations on the way but the Arclight was filled with life and there was no way to avoid it all. That was why Safrin had tasked them with safely moving those plants and animals - and coral, which fell in between - safely out of the way. Hadama gladly obeyed that requirement from the Herald of life.
And he called in a few favors to help. A handful of Merfolk accompanied him from the City to assist the rest of the volunteers.
They met in the shallow waters outside of the Port, where the first stretch of protective reef had troubled the initial laying of the path. The blue stones glittered and gleamed like a shining trail of bread crumbs beneath the waves, shifting to brighter colors as the water deepened.
Thank you for coming. We will need to move the coral first, he explained, swimming down to examine a particularly large and fragile-looking fan coral that was dangerously near to the proposed path. Try to stabilize it without breaking it while others dig out its roots. Then move it slowly so the current does not damage it. He looked around at those gathered solemnly. We will also need to mark safe places to move them to.
Round 1: Moving coral, part 1!
There are several places along the route with coral that needs to be shifted out of the path of the bubble stream.
Suggested tasks:
1. Help to stabilize the coral while it's being dug out and moved
2. Dig beneath the coral to free its roots; feel free to use hands, shifts, tools, or magic!
3. Scout out and find a way to mark safe places nearby for the coral to be relocated to
4. Or any other way you can think of to help!
Kaiden reluctantly arrived. The only reason they were helping was to ensure that their hunting grounds remained intact and that they would be able to find where any of their usual haunts were relocated to. The mershark was unfamiliar with coral husbandry and was reluctatn to learn today. Instead, they chose a task that was more familiar.
They'd scouted out the path, so why not scout out a new home for coral? I'll scout. The mershark announced before swiftly turning over tail to head out. Swimming an acceptable distance away, they began to search for a suitable location. It wouldn't be good to move the reef too far, but it also needed to be far enough that it would remain undisturbed by travelers. Grabbing some spare colorful stones, they decided to mark potential locations with them.
~
Kaiden arrives and begins to scout. They mark possible locations with leftover rainbow rocks.
Of course. I'm always happy to help. Ensuring that the region's expansion left the local flora and fauna safe was just as important as building the path itself. Torchline was home to creatures of all walks of life and species. It wouldn't be the same if the wildlife and reef were destroyed. Although she'd never tended to coral, the herbalist hoped it wasn't too dissimilar to tending to her plants. Granted, coral were colonies of small animals, but they looked like plants.
I'll work on freeing the coral. Ray moved towards the first section and partially shifted her hands to have her panther claws. She then began to try and carefully dig around and below the coral beds to free them.
~
Ray partially shifts her hands to her panther claws and begins to work on freeing the coral.
Kaiden's reluctance to be there, or maybe just their lack of coral knowledge might have had something to do with their difficulty in finding good places to move the coral to. The first few places they chose turned out to be stone beneath a thin layer of sand, where it would be difficult to 'plant' the coral colonies' roots. Another place already had very young colonies just starting to grow, and attempting to move the older, larger colonies there would have killed the little ones.
Luckily(??) some of those working on digging the older corals out were also struggling. One team couldn't even get their chosen part of the reef to budge. Meanwhile Ray was finding that the sand of the coral she had chosen was prone to sliding back into place as soon as she scraped it away, and Hadama had to focus intently to keep the wobbling coral stable with his water manipulation. Two of the other teams had managed to free their corals and move them--
But the first of Kaiden's markers that they went to were unusable.
We need places where the sand is firm and deep. He hoped a clearer explanation would help guide the mershark. This one is almost free, he encouraged Ray. Then we may move on to the next.
Round 2: Coral Redux
Not great rolls, team.
1. Scout moar better, please!
2. The coral is almost out! Don't give up!
3. Hadama will continue to protect the coral while his partner digs!
03-09-2023, 09:55 PM (This post was last modified: 03-09-2023, 09:55 PM by Kaiden.)
kaiden
There is no shame in survival
Only strength
Fine. Kaiden's annoyance spiked, disgruntled over their own performance. How were they supposed to know what coral needed? Did they look like a gardener? Hadama should have given them that tidbit of information sooner. The mershark grabbed another set of stones to act as markers and resumed scouting.
Firm and deep sand was the goal and Kaiden was determined to find it as soon as possible. When they found a possibly useable spot, they smacked it with their tail, attempting to test it out. After finding what they thought were a few options and marking them, the mershark returned to the group.
Ray sent a burst of determination through the bond, I'll get it. It seemed that coral was harder to transplant then surface flora. Rolling her shoulders back, the Attuned gave it another go, keeping her partially shifted panther claws active. The sand was tricky to manipulate but the herbalist took her time to ensure that the coral was safely extracted.
When she hit a section that was beneath the surface level of sand and encased in the stone, she paused. Grabbing a small shovel, she began to try and tease it out before resuming with her claws. It was slow-going but the effort would hopefully be worth it in the end.
~
Ray uses her claws and a small shovel to keep working on the coral!
03-11-2023, 06:07 AM (This post was last modified: 03-12-2023, 04:39 AM by Hadama.)
Because Kaiden took the time to test their chosen patches with their tail this time, they were much more successful in finding ones that had a good layer of sand to 'plant' the corals into.
Mind you, they had to test a lot of places before they found ones that would work. Persistence overcame their lack of luck, however, and eventually enough new homes were found for all of the corals being moved by the teams.
That included the one that Ray and Hadama were tending. The herbalist was tenacious, but more importantly she was clever and extremely careful not to let her strength and shifted claws damage the delicate coral as she worked it free from its anchor. Hadama knew better than to touch it with his hands and continued to use the gentle pressure of his water magic to stabilize it while Ray slipped her paws beneath the stone root she had freed so they could move it a little distance away to where one of Kaiden's colorful rocks waited.
It took several hours of work, but between all of the teams they finally managed to clear a safe path for the bubble tunnel to pass through the reef without damaging any of the corals that had been along the route.
Well done, the King's mental voice rumbled through the bond as everyone reconvened. We will move the sponges and mussels next, and the sand dollars. He began to swim along the path, pointing out examples. The sponges can be moved like the corals, but they are hardier. For mussels, simply move the rocks they are attached to. Sand dollars can be picked up and gently moved away from the path.
Round 3!
Pick your poison:
1. Move the sponges to a safer location
2. Move the rocks that have mussels attached to them off the path
3. Collect sand dollars and move them far enough away that they won't be able to move back before the path is activated.
Overly fragile sand dollars, stubborn as hell sponges, or moving rocks? It was a no brainer for Kaiden. The rocks are mine. With that, the mershark began to scower the stones for mussels. Turning rocks over and moving kelp aside, they tried to find every last one. With each rock identified, the mershark picked it up and swam the mussels over to their new home.
As much as they wished to carry multipel rocks at once, most of the ones containing mussels were heavy and or bulky. They required a full grasp, much to Kaiden's irritation. But the mershark would bite someone if they had to repeat a task again.
One step closer! Ray cheered through the bond as Hadama gave out the next tasks. Having had moderate success with the coral, Ray elected to take on the task of moving the sponges. Identifying one of the sponges, the herbalist settled beside it. She tested the sand around it, trying to find any weak points that she could exploit. Once she felt confident, Ray resumed working with her partially shifted claws.
As she dug out the sponge, she focused on digging down deep enough to detach the bottom of the sponge without tearing it. She'd read somewhere that sponges could regenerate to an impressive extent, but Ray would rather not test those limits. That and the animal was likely already stressed enough with being moved. She didn't want to make it worse.
~
Ray uses partially shifted claws to move the sponges.
The rocks should have been easy for Kaiden to move, but many of them were sunk into the sandy floor and were both larger and heavier than they initially looked from above. In addition, the mussels that grew on them were quite sharp and the mershark would be taking home some new scratches and scars from their work today. Moving the rocks was far from easy, especially when the other Mer were reluctant to work with the mershark, but eventually they were able to clear the path of both large stones and the mussel colonies attached to them.
We should finish today, Hadama agreed with Ray's cheer, pausing to share a smile with his friend. This time they took separate tasks, and the human's luck with the sponges was, unfortunately, no better than with the corals. The sponges, at least, were sturdier and didn't seem to mind the jostling they got from her large clawed paws digging at their bases. They were heavier than they looked, however, and extremely awkward to move even after they'd been freed. Although Ray wouldn't be injured by them, the sponges lost a few chunks along the way. Still, carefully set by their parent colonies the torn off bits had a possibility of regenerating into new growth now that they were safely away from the disturbance of the bubble path.
Hadama was left to herd sand dollars, which his large, gentle hands were well-suited for. He swam slowly over the sea floor along the path, using his manta wings to stir up the sand and reveal the small disc-like creatures. He then slipped his hand beneath them and carried each one a distance away to better feeding grounds. When he had cleared the path he went back to help Ray finish moving the sponges, and then that was done he looked around to see what was left.
And there it was. The octopus that had been judging Kaiden while they'd been scouting the original path. Colors rippled across its mantle as it puffed itself up and spread its arms wide to make itself look bigger. While they'd been working it had settled onto the middle of the path and now it glared at them as if daring them to move it.
Do not hurt it, Hadama reminded his more hot-headed helpers as he studied the situation, trying to come up with a plan.
Round 4!
The octopus is back and it looks ready for a fight! Somehow we have to move it or convince it to leave without hurting it. Good luck!
Kaiden's scowl deepened at each scratch and bruise that the mussels forced upon them. They were vicious things, even if it was unintentional. Or at least, as far as they knew. Perhaps the mussels had secret, diabolic hive-mind going on that was plotting against the mer-shark. The thought, despite ridiculous, made Kaiden want to toss the next rock as far as they could. Unfortunately, with how heavy it was, thy were forced to refrain.
To add to their frustration, it appeared. Turning around, Kaiden bristled. "You." Malice, rage, and a hint of fear colored the mer-shark. The damn octopus had followed them here? Unforgivable. Ignoring but still complying with Hadama's words, the mershark false charged at the monster, attempting to scare it away.
The sponges proved difficult, and Ray found herself apologizing profusely for every broken piece. From what she understood, the animal likely wasn't in pain, but it couldn't be comfortable. Still, she let out a sigh of relief when the last one was moved.
Then they recieved a new visitor and Ray eyed the octopus with curiosity, wondering why Hadama had felt the need to remind the others to restrain themselves. But then it became clear as the grumpy mer-shark false-charged the creature. Blinking in surprise, Ray shook her head. She had no idea why the mer hated the creature so much but for some reason it seemed personal? How odd.
After Kaiden's actions, the Attuned swam over slowly. She sat down on the path in front of the creature and held out a hand, "Hi there. May I pick you up and put you on a rock over there?" Ray pointed to the rocks that were no longer on the path. The octopus probably couldn't understand her, but it was undoubtedly intelligent. Hopefully it would get the gist of her request. If it seemed receptive, she'd pick it up and carry it to safety.
~
Ray swims over and tries to coax the octopus into letting her carry it to safety. If it seems receptive, she does so.
Oh, Kaiden. The octopus didn't follow you. It had been here all along. These were its favored hunting grounds and home territory, and you were the intruder here. Hadama might have scared it off once, but that had only been temporary. Colors rippled across its mantle: agitation and fear, yes, but also stubborn resolution and anger. Suffice to say, being charged did not improve its mood and it reacted as any reasonable octopus would.
It squirted ink directly into the face of the incoming mershark and jetted to the side, eight arms writhing and roiling as its dander was put well and truly up.
Perhaps that wasn't the best time for Ray to approach it. Maybe if she'd attempted negotiations first... but alas, they would never know. The offended octopod didn't care how nice her tone was; seeing only yet another intruder coming over to further annoy it, it lashed out with one whip-like arm--
Which was when Hadama swam in to the party, emerald eyes bright with intense focus as a swift and unnatural current made of water magic sent the octopod's aim a few inches to the side, sparing Ray from a nasty welt.
I am open to suggestions, the King admitted, considering their last, pugnacious obstacle with a furrowed brow.
Round 5: Last round!
03-17-2023, 02:49 AM (This post was last modified: 03-17-2023, 02:49 AM by Kaiden.)
*insert Jaw's theme song*
We eat it. Deadly serious although Kaiden knew Hadama would never allow it. Glaring at the monster blocking their path, the mershark switched tactics. Shifting into their tiger shark form, they charged once more. But instead of a true feint, they tried to twist and slam their tail near the octopus to scare it away. Kaiden completely ignored Ray who was almost in the line of fire.
The bossy herbalist might prefer diplomacy but this mershark was out of patience. This octopus would mock them no longer! Kaiden was half a beat from simply trying to eat the thing regardless of the King's wishes. Or, they would have been. If they weren't convinced that the creatin would ensure that they both went down in the process.
~
Kaiden shifts to shark form and charges at the octopus again! This time they slam their tail on the ground near it to try and scare it. (Completely ignoring how close to their mock attack Ray is.)
