From Attuned to Ascended to Ancient, Kiada Njovu-Reyes has been reborn several times throughout her short life, but her fighting spirit has never once been diminished. With beauty, grace and a quick wit, Kiada is the whole package wrapped in an infectious smile. Recent endeavours have found her in the heart of the Hollowed Grounds, aiding the region and bettering it for her new Ancient kin, and whatever she does next, we know it's sure to pack a punch.
Congratulations, Kiada!
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!
so give me your prayers up on your feet and i'll give you a show, it helps fill the seats
Slowly and surely, Asta starts to fall out of the awkwardness of before – some color returning to his face as he pushes the cart, following after Danta like the good little fyrhund he is. “Ah, I see.” He focuses on that instead of the discomfort slowly ebbing from his gut, and he looks over when Danta speaks once again, noting the marketplace starting to set up.
So he makes sure that the cart can’t run off, straightens his outfit, and steps over toward them, offering them as charming of a smile as he can muster for the moment. “Hello, we’re going to need you to move the marketplace either further in or somewhere else.” He starts to say, gesturing further inward where they won’t be placing the rocks, before he gestures back toward the cart and the Maverick along with it. “It’s for a quest, you see. And besides, you may have better business the closer to the center that you are.” It’s not one of his best explanations, but he hopes it gets the job done.
Asta tries to convince the marketplace to move!
Astaroth
so give me your sins, give me your lies but whisper your love, and i'll whisper mine
Edmund perks up at the opportunity to talk about his guild, "Yes. I'm the Guild Master of the Adventurer's Guild. Our main goal is to explore the different regions of Caido. I'm in the process of relocating the guildhall to the Grounds. I also plan to open a shop in the front of the building for guildmembers to sell items they've collected on their adventures." He's about to ask her if she is looking to join when the allogator appears.
Part of the younger Ancient wants to shift into his tiger form and pounce on the creature, but Maea speaks up and nods, "That's a good idea." Rolling his shoulders, he shifts into his own gore crow, taking to the skies with now-practiced ease. Circling the animal, he dives down and mock pecks at its side before swiftly regaining altitude.
~
Edmund shifts into his gore crow form and tries to annoy the allogator into moving.
idealism sits in prison chivalry fell on his sword
Good news for Maea - the awkwardness of her new shift is the perfect sort of distraction for an allogator looking for an easy meal. (And it's not as if it's hungry, but when isn't an allogator going to take advantage of an easy meal?) Waddling up the shore, it moves quite swiftly out of the way of the two Ancients and their progress. Now, if Edmund had chosen to keep placing down rocks, that would have been one thing.
Alas, as he chooses to also hassle the allogator, now they've got an angry reptile on their hands. And it's likely to pursue them whichever direction they're likely to go. Maybe they'll have to kill it after all, unless they have any brighter ideas?
As for Astaroth, as he begins his attempt with we're going to need you to, it doesn't look like he's going to have much luck. However, as the apparent leader of this little marketplace glances over the tall man's shoulder to the Maverick in the background, and the word quest makes its way through his thick head, he grunts a nod. "A'right. But you better buy somethin'".
Provided they comply with this (reasonable?) demand, they are free to proceed.
Round 5! Off you go!
Dantalion
I slithered here from Eden just to sit outside your door
Horns: Diamond - they look very similar to #2 in this image.
so give me your prayers up on your feet and i'll give you a show, it helps fill the seats
He fully expects there to be a fight or a scuffle, and there’s a line of tension between his shoulders, hidden by the clothes there that’s nearly asking for such a thing to relieve some of the anxiety that’s rooted there. And then, there’s nothing – a glance back toward the Maverick and their only condition is that he buys something? His shoulders slump just for a second in a momentary lapse as he snorts a little and exhales, internally thinking that’s disappointing.
But if it’s all it takes, he’s willing to step forward, perusing what they have despite not lingering longer than a few minutes. He picks out the second thing he sees – doing his best to sell the point, of course, and waits expectantly to receive the strange new… Paper weight? Maybe? He isn’t sure what it is nor what he’ll even do with it. But the deed is done and he watches like a hawk to make sure they start bringing their stuff in further, or leaving to go somewhere else.
Asta picks the second thing he sees to buy, then waits to make sure they move.
Astaroth
so give me your sins, give me your lies but whisper your love, and i'll whisper mine
Edmund's plan backfires. Instead of annoying the allogator into leaving, he's earned its ire. He glances at Maea with a guilty look, as guilty as a gore crow can look, before recalling something from when he splashed in puddles with Ophelia. Using it now was reckless, but it might just work. If nothing else, it should startle the furious reptile.
The gore crow dives and begins to shift. Before landing, a molten tiger takes its place and Edmund attempts to body slam and subdue the animal. He really hopes that he doesn't regret this. Maea would never want to go flying with him again.
~
Edmund dives and shifts into his molten tiger form to subdue the allogator via a body slam.
It almost worked a little too well, didn't it? With the allogator trundling along behind her Maea scampered up the beach, intensely disliking the sensation of having such a large reptile staring her down. It was honestly heartening to have its attention diverted, even if it disrupted the desired effect.
Turning to see what was going on, Maea saw Edmund dive straight at the allogator. When he shifted at the last minute, she followed suit; if being tackled by one tiger wasn't enough, maybe two would dissuade it from pestering them further.
The slight delay was worth it, if they could work in peace.
Maea shifts to a Molten Tiger when Edmund does, hoping two tigers will make the allogator up on the pursuit.
Something new will come on through and rise again
♦ Violence, magic, thievery is permitted with Maea at all times. DM me if you have any ideas ♦
idealism sits in prison chivalry fell on his sword
Congratulations to Astaroth - he has both succeeded in getting the marketplace to shuffle out of their way, and he is now the proud owner of some weird glass bauble with decorative fish painted throughout it. "Wow, ugly," Danta murmurs for the taller man's ears only as he sidles up next to him. "Let's go then, I guess."
Continuing to drop his pebbles and trusting Asta to pick up the cart again, they are promptly on their way and soon see the Temple in the distance. Things are a little busier here, and whilst people do naturally stay out of their way, the two will need to be careful not to bump into anyone or have their line of stones disturbed!
There's such a thing as going overboard, but that's no bad thing, right? Either way, it's the flavour of the day for Edmund and Maea, and the combination of being flattened by a hulk of molten fur and teeth, not to mention a similar shape appearing nearby, has the allogator reconsidering several dozen of its life choices.
It does thrash and roll and try to snap its mighty jaws at Edmund, but at the first opportunity it flees back towards the water. Becoming a sleek and deadly shape the second it's submerged, it won't be bothering them again. But it will be watching.
Now the duo have some time to make up though! They better hurry away from the lake towards the Domiciles!
Round 6, let's go!
Dantalion
I slithered here from Eden just to sit outside your door
Horns: Diamond - they look very similar to #2 in this image.
Feeling rather smug, Maea returned to her usual form and watched the rippling water in the fleeing creature's wake with her hands on her hips. It felt good to have solved the issue without bloodshed - though she did look Edmund up and down to check for any injuries.
"Are you alright? That was a bold move, I half thought you were about to land on your head."
Shaking her head at him with a ruefil half smile, Maea went to fetch the cart. Pulling a sack out for herself, she slung it over her shoulder. "Let me help place the stones for a bit - the sooner we get this done the better. If I go on ahead and put down what's in here, then go back for the cart while you move ahead, we might be quicker. Like a relay. What do you think?"
If he agreed she would shift back into the tiger's guise and run ahead, carrying the smaller sack of stones in her mouth like it was prey to be dragged off to safety.
Maea suggests they should place the stones in relay to be speedier. She shifts back into the Molten Tiger and heads off to begin further up ahead.
Something new will come on through and rise again
♦ Violence, magic, thievery is permitted with Maea at all times. DM me if you have any ideas ♦
so give me your prayers up on your feet and i'll give you a show, it helps fill the seats
He fully intends on getting rid of it as soon as possible, nose wrinkling as it settles in his hand and he sighs, returning back to Dantalion’s own little comment, quiet for his ears only. There’s a brief dip of his chin for the moment, before the marketplace shuffles out of the way and he returns to the cart to start back on their path, pushing it contently for the Maverick to start placing the stones. “I’m almost disappointed it wasn’t more of a fight.” He admits after they’re out of earshot, before he shakes his head with a little laugh.
Soon enough, the Temple is in the distance and visible, and Asta focuses on pushing the cart as carefully as he can to avoid everyone else, gaze drifting between the path they take and behind them to try and ensure there’s nothing getting in their way as well as ensuring the stones are left exactly how they were placed.
Asta pushes the cart and is v vigilant of the path forward and checking the stones they’ve already laid down!
Astaroth
so give me your sins, give me your lies but whisper your love, and i'll whisper mine
Edmund shifts back and takes a moment to dust off his jacket with a satisfied grin. "Yes, I'm okay. Thank you for asking." It had been a bold move, but a fun one, nonetheless. There was something thrilling about a sharp dive from the air. It was partially the speed and predatory intention, but perhaps there was some thrill-seeking, too. Maybe he could look into more in his free time? He vaguely recalls hearing about volcano boarding.
Maea's voice pulls him back and the younger Ancient nods, "That sounds like a solid plan. Let's do it." Grabbing the cart he begins to push, keeping an eye on the sky to make sure that he's keeping pace with Maea.
~
Edmund agrees and starts pushing the cart in their relay.
idealism sits in prison chivalry fell on his sword
"After this, we can always come back and raise hell," Danta figures, a smirk kicking up one corner of his mouth as he glances over his shoulder to Astaroth. "Or go and bully the trainees at the Barracks." A place the Maverick has never been, in truth, but meh - there are people for that, right?
Anyway - back to the rocks.
Luckily for the two tall Ancients - and the fact that one of them is leader of the region - they are left unmolested on the way to and past the Temple, and Danta is feeling quite pleased with himself as they list towards the Atheneum. "Hey," he says conversationally to Asta, "I've got something needs doing that I think you'd be good at. You in?" Obviously he isn't going to say what it is just yet.
Whilst Team Temple are enjoying their leisurely walk and chat, Maea and Edmund are turning up the heat - and it's a good, solid plan, too! Between them they succeed in setting down the stones and trundling the cart along in very good time, and soon enough they have passed the Black Lake and are well on their way to the Domiciles.
Luckily for them, as well, they don't encounter any more allogators or other predators - but the grass here is long and they'll need to be careful pushing the cart through, as well as ensuring the stones are set down in the right places!
Round 7! ALMOST THERE!
Dantalion
I slithered here from Eden just to sit outside your door
Horns: Diamond - they look very similar to #2 in this image.
"Looks like my place will be just within the ward," Maea commented as they made the turn to loop the Domiciles. "That's a relief, I wasn't in the mood for relocating so soon."
As the grass grew thicker and taller, finding good spots for the stones took more attention than before. Reaching into a pocket for flint and steel, Maea struck a few sparks and used her magic to feed them into flame. Guiding the element to burn out patches where the stones could rest, she would lend more fire to Edmund so he could clear the path for the cart if need be.
"Anyway, about the guild - I'm a loreseeker. So I thought it might be interesting to keep records of the things you discover on your explorations. I can join if that makes it easier. What do you think?" She shot the young man a smile. Tal's suggestion had been a good one, if perhaps not for the reasons he had brought up.
Maea uses her fire magic to burn away grass where the stones should be.
Something new will come on through and rise again
♦ Violence, magic, thievery is permitted with Maea at all times. DM me if you have any ideas ♦
so give me your prayers up on your feet and i'll give you a show, it helps fill the seats
“I would very much enjoy that.” Astaroth says, flashing a grin over to Danta as he meets the smirk. At the mention of the barracks, however, a place that he too has never been, perhaps both might be a solid enough option for them to investigate. “Whichever you prefer on any given day, I will happily oblige.” He drawls, pushing the cart easily as they dodge people that aren’t paying too much attention, but for the most part he watches as they do scuttle out of the way.
Drifting toward the library, Danta’s voice captures the taller man’s attention, dark gaze sliding over toward him curiously. Initially, he wants to ask what it is, but he knows that Danta wouldn’t be asking it of him if it wasn’t something he didn’t think he could handle. “Of course, my dear.” He says, drawing silent, waiting for the explanation to come.
Asta keeps pushing the cart!
Astaroth
so give me your sins, give me your lies but whisper your love, and i'll whisper mine
"My home, as well as the guildhall, also appear to be safe." Edmund lets out a small sigh as a concern he hadn't even fully grasped was rendered moot. Using the offered fire, the younger Ancient quickly began to burn the grass in front of the cart, taking care not to set the wheels on fire.
He smiles widely, his tail beginning to flick. "That would be excellent. We'd be happy to have you in whatever capacity you wished." Edmund fiddles with the cart for a moment. "What is a loreseker, by the way?" Maea says the term with the confidence that he knows it's meaning, and he finds himself embarrassed to be falling short of the expectation.
When the fires cool, the younger Ancient carefully continues to place the stones.
