this is Salem, a land filled with magic and maladies. It is a place where witches and their elemental familiars gather, a home to legend and
lore that predates time itself. Yet of all the wicked and wonderful stories the past can tell us of, the most magical are the ones yet to happen.
This is Salem - this is the start of your very own journey. Welcome to starfall
Starfall is an animaga witch roleplay set in mostly modern times. Members play as witches in a world plagued by monsters, where the only safe spots are walled cities. Starfall strives to be a character-driven roleplay with expansive lore and a highly interactive plotline. We want to allow members to
create and look back on a magical journey, and mold the site and its plot as their characters grow.
Post by maddox rothscus ✨ on Nov 26, 2017 15:32:13 GMT
maddox would be lying if he said he didn’t feel guilty for having postponed the meeting for so long. it isn’t that he’s been ridiculously busy -- it could be worse. much, much worse. -- but that no time seems like the right time. to schedule a meeting in between a rushed meal and a mission to attend to wouldn’t be doing percival any justice, nor would it satisfy any of maddox’s own curiosity. to meet him after a mission would similarly be doing him a disservice, exhaustion dulling alertness and the pain of injuries present and past demanding attention. from what little he knows of percival grayreme, first impressions at the most recent ‘pasta night’ gathering, or derived from words of mission reports and idle chatter, he thinks he ought to give the guy a decent amount of time and attention.
especially considering the fact that percival still wants to meet him after countlessly postponing their meetings. he supposes the other might have been busy as well, but. still.
meet me on the ship, maddox had told him some days before, a date and time settled and marked on his calendar in dark blue ink. after all, he had been given the right to an office upon promotion, and he might as well use it. it’s a room tucked away on one of the corners, small enough to be cozy but with enough space so as to not be ‘cramped’. frankly, maddox has no real plan for the space. it’s kind of cool, though. he fills it with miscellaneous trinkets, tomes on purification and various bits of magical theory, and even manuscripts to be reviewed. some wall shelves are yet unused, colourful coffee mugs haphazardly scattered across them. it lends the room a sort of asymmetry that comes with an air of ‘just moving in’.
the porthole window is ajar behind him, the sea breeze unmistakeable. maddox nurses a cup of hot coffee in his hands as the door opens and he looks up expectantly, a smile tugging at his lips. “mornin’. want any coffee?” he gestures vaguely to a pot of coffee sitting on the desk.
Post by percival grayreme on Jan 4, 2018 12:53:04 GMT
If Percy could publicly fangirl, he would have. If it is socially acceptable to shout in happiness the moment Maddox had said the fated words to him, he would have done it absolutely. But it is not, so Percy settled on a too gleeful nod and a too enthusiastic yes, before watching the acolyte walk off, gaze lingering until he's out of sight.
It came as an absolute surprise. Percy has not forgotten about the meeting, but it was't a priority. He had been too busy to follow-up, and judging by how many times it has been postponed, Percy got the hint that Maddox has been busy, too. And so he was completely taken aback when the acolyte itself set the time and date.
After he brushed his teeth, Percy replayed the questions for the last time, then went to sleep.
The morning rushes, and all of a sudden it is time. Percy made his way to the Black Widow as the sun warms up the beach, heading straight to Maddox's office. Percy is in hyper mode, but Seraph chides him from the inside of his head.
"All right, I know. Behave," Percy repeats, in a poor impression of a sighing woman which Seraph would have been if given a chance to be human. He opens the door, and--right, the greeting. The greeting. "Um, good morning Mr. Maddox," he says.
It's too formal isn't it? Oh god oh god oh god. Reeling from the inside, Percy masks it off professionally and goes to help himself with coffee as instructed. Then his gaze sweeps through the place, trying to find at least a chair to sit on. Oh, yes, but before that--
"Thank you for agreeing to this uh, meeting, perhaps? I've got a lot of questions regarding the coven and, well, purification in general. I've never seen anything like it in close-up, so I'm very interested."
notes // they're going to be so awkward uvu
[attr="class","itemspercy"]items used //
[attr="class,"imagepercy"]
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
Shoot an apple off my head and a Trouble that can't be named A tiger's waiting to be tamed, singing Confusion that never stops The closing walls and the
Post by maddox rothscus ✨ on Feb 19, 2018 3:19:06 GMT
"just maddox, please,” he insists, that characteristic amusement lending his voice a much needed levity. “make yourself comfortable. sorry for the mess, by the way. moving in and all that.” there's just something about adding articles in front of a name that make their meeting uncomfortably formal. he is well aware of leviathan’s hierarchical system, and has no doubt that if placed in percival’s shoes would react exactly the same way when facing someone higher-ranked. as it stands, however, he enjoys affability probably a little too much.
he briefly considers the notion that maybe it would have been better to arrange the meeting elsewhere, somewhere less formal than an office. it's a little late for that, though.
he leans forward, elbows resting on the edge of the table, a keen interest lighting grey eyes. “go on, ask away. i'll answer anything i can.” the coven and his affinity -- those are, arguably, two of his favourite topics. there's a certain bookish delight that piques his interest when he hears of purification; understandable, perhaps, given that he has chosen to specialise in it.
Post by percival grayreme on Mar 27, 2018 3:20:52 GMT
It is certainly awkward, Percy is sure about that. Seraph chuckles in the inner strata, and Percy all but ignores her silent enjoyment at the unfolding scene. He most likely ignores her jive, 'so how does it feel talking to an acolyte?' He remembers what Vera had said, a long time ago... about how he shouldn't treat ranks as it is. He could use that piece of advice now.
He makes himself comfortable at one of the seats. Percy lets silence engulf the office for a while as he sips his coffee and contemplates on what to ask. He settles on asking about the coven first.
"Can you give me a little background about Fane?" Percy starts, setting the mug on the table before holding his hands up in a mock surrender. "I know, I've been here for a while now, but I still don't know much about her? What is she exactly to the coven? She's the only one I see manning the coven and the one acting as a leader."
He leans forward, getting involved into his inquiry. "But she is a novice, right? I was there, too. Aren't you an acolyte, M-Maddox?" he stutters for a bit--it sure is awkward! "Aren't you supposed to... I don't know, 'lead' the coven?"
Leviathan is a coven--a friendly one per se to its members. To the outside the coven is barely existing and is just a bunch of rumors and gossip used to scare children into behaving. Percy has heard of these rumors, and it's indeed a shame for a novice like him to not know the stories behind these rumors or if these rumors are true at all. He ends his question, looking at the raven-haired witch.
notes // sorry for the delay!
[attr="class","itemspercy"]items used //
[attr="class,"imagepercy"]
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
Shoot an apple off my head and a Trouble that can't be named A tiger's waiting to be tamed, singing Confusion that never stops The closing walls and the
Post by maddox rothscus ✨ on Apr 22, 2018 4:11:32 GMT
a single invitation opens the pandora's box of questions, though, is it really pandora's box if he anticipates it and doesn't really mind its contents? perhaps it is a very mild pandora's box, or simply a box. maybe a treasure chest. sue him, he isn't a writer, he's just an editor.
"fane, huh," he begins, takes a sip of coffee, frowns slightly. there is information privy to him because of rank alone, and even then, he is certain they have even more secrets. leviathan, shady coven for the ages, a matryoshka doll of mysteries and shadow. how delightful.
"well, she is mysterious, to say the least. but you already know that, don't you? she's a novice, yes, but i'm pretty sure that is only in name." he leans forward, lowering his voice to a tone more conspiratorial. "between you and me, i'd say she's probably the strongest in the coven. but vulnerability is a nice illusion." there's a playful edge to his grin, now. "keeps everyone on their toes, or something like that."
he waves away the suggestion that he could lead the coven, by virtue of rank. it's a dismissive gesture, wholly genuine, because maddox rothscus is but a blunt instrument wielded in the name of coven leviathan, one who swears his loyalty in blood and carries a mantle called gratitude -- it is leviathan that has helped his family raise so high and so fast in the past, and that carves devotion in their bones and faith in their spines. "i'm, ah, how do you say it? not really leader material, really."
Post by percival grayreme on Apr 22, 2018 6:31:36 GMT
At long last he gets the answers he is thirsting for. He well knows that Fane is an illusionist, but Maddox puts the affinity into a whole new level with Fane. He does not think of it in that perspective, not all. But vulnerability is a nice illusion... He'd have to keep that in mind.
Slowly, ever so slowly, his previous notion is being shattered. He used to be resentful to his parents for quitting the coven just by reaching novice. He used to think there are so much more to achieve, why stop there, just because of family? Then he found out that the strongest witch in Leviathan is a novice, though only by name.
That thought hits a an unfavorable spot, and Percy sighs. This isn't like him, not at all. Leviathan is a family, that is already proven, and the more he is enlightened the more it becomes clear to him that ranks don't really matter in this tightly-knit coven.
He breathes. It will take a while to completely accept that, nonetheless Percy nods. "I see. Does she have any second affinity? I am quite struggling in choosing the next affinity I would be working with. I wonder what suits to complement with illusion... though of course I'll only be taking an inspiration."
When Maddox mentions he is not really of leader material... Frankly Percy doesn't know him, so he can't exactly disagree with that. Regardless he finds it hard to believe. "I... don't think it really matters. Leadership, I mean," he mumbles. "The members of Leviathan are more of a free spirit and do not need orders from above."
He smiles then, and is quick to ask more questions. "The other names I've been hearing about... they don't drop in here often, do they?"
notes // NOTES HERE
[attr="class","itemspercy"]items used //
[attr="class,"imagepercy"]
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
Shoot an apple off my head and a Trouble that can't be named A tiger's waiting to be tamed, singing Confusion that never stops The closing walls and the
Post by maddox rothscus ✨ on Jun 29, 2018 14:12:12 GMT
he knows little of percival, and even less of his intentions. for what it’s worth, though, he thinks he reads sincerity, despite the clear discomfort. awkwardness, perhaps. maddox takes another sip of his coffee. granted, if he were in percival’s shoes, he would have probably felt the same. the more he thinks about it, the more it seems like it had been aeons ago that he had first met fane, starry-eyed and eager to lay his life down for the coven at the drop of a hat; somehow even more reckless and foolhardy than now.
( he looks at percival. he thinks that this boy is probably smarter than him, and genuinely hopes so. percival strikes him as the fairly sensible sort, though really, who is he to say that. )
“i don’t think that’s for me to tell,” he says eventually, wondering what he is truly at liberty to tell. it is probably better to play it safe. he hardly wants to celebrate the earning of a new rank by immediately violating the trust of those certain few. frankly, he’s not sure he would get to live to tell the tale if he truly did. “but maybe it would be good to just experiment a little with a handful of affinities to get a feel for them. if you truly like something, you’ll find a way to make the combination work somehow.”
he shrugs. “a little organisation doesn’t hurt anyone,” he remarks, offhandedly, though doesn’t elaborate much further. leadership had always struck him as an unanimous thing within leviathan, ever revolving around one particular pink-haired witch and her shadowy compatriots. of which, it seems, have piqued percival’s interest.
“they come in and out as they please,” maddox says, “though even i rarely see them that much. they tend to keep to themselves.”
Post by percival grayreme on Jul 1, 2018 10:48:05 GMT
That's expected. But even though Percy has anticipated such an answer he still can't help but feel a disappointed. He hides the feeling well, only nodding with a pokerface, his face smooth, carefully so. He decides he must meet Fane, somehow, but it would be terribly hard to do so especially with how... elusive she is. Even though she's a novice--the same rank as his, and probably many of the coven it still unnerves him to be near her.
He feels her power. That's right, ranks don't matter--but power does.
For the first time in his life he is glad to be on the same side as hers. Even if he probably doesn't exist for her. But she did acknowledge her mother, who was once a witch of Leviathan. Ah, her moth must be truthful to her oath. She does not tell him anything when he joined Leviathan.
It's frustrating, but he has to make do.
"I'm leaning more towards transfiguration," Percy says. "I had this running thought that it could be fun to have identical spells of transfiguration and illusion. That way I can say I'll use an illusion to give a person bunny ears, for example, only for them to find out it's permanent." Percy feels like his reasoning... isn't really appropriate, per se. Percy does not consider how well would transfiguration and illusion work in battle. He lacks the basic experience. Oh well. But it's fun. He hopes to hear Maddox's insight regarding his potential choice.
"I see," Percy replies, his tone of voice pertaining to the dropping of the subject. He figures out that asking more would only be met with death stares. It's as Maddox says--a little experimentation won't hurt. A little adventure would be worth.
notes // NOTES HERE
[attr="class","itemspercy"]items used //
[attr="class,"imagepercy"]
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
Shoot an apple off my head and a Trouble that can't be named A tiger's waiting to be tamed, singing Confusion that never stops The closing walls and the
Post by maddox rothscus ✨ on Aug 27, 2018 6:51:52 GMT
he isn’t sure how he ought to be reading percival – whatever it is, the boy’s good at keeping his feelings concealed. was it a prerequisite, in some sense, for illusion witches to maintain a façade, even without the aid of magic? it truly is a useful skill. maddox sips at his coffee, curious, patient.
“transfiguration’s a good one,” he remarks after the explanation, with an approving hum. “a good combination, like you said. it really blurs the lines between illusion and reality. always useful on the battlefield, or for other, ah, covert applications.”
evocative affinities had always been a point of interest for him, despite his inability to grasp any adequately. “there are a few others that could give you a pointer or two in transfiguration, if you’d like. maybe set up a sparring session, get the hang of it. and if you want to test out some new things with a purifier, then, well, you know where to find me.” as expected, his advice tends towards the physical and hands-on approaches. nothing quite inspires you to learn to hone your affinity more than a solid kick to the jaw. do or die, as it goes.
the conversation gradually dwindles to a close, the note in percival’s tone rather unmistakable. “i’m sorry i couldn’t be of more help,” he says, apologetic. “i’m sure you’ll be able to find the answers you need, though.” he moves to stand, to open the door if this is where percival plans to conclude the meeting.
“just aim high.” a smile, knife-sharp and bold. “you won’t be disappointed.”
Post by percival grayreme on Sept 25, 2018 17:09:53 GMT
Maddox's approval only gets Percy more pumped. At least he is on the right train of thought. He just have to try it out, see if it works. He has a handful of transfiguration scrolls back at home. He more or less has read of them, he just have to try it out, maybe on a rock or something. Just... he doesn't want to bring live animals into this. Somehow, if Percy manages to get the grasp out of it, perhaps he can ask the adept to help him make the best out of the affinity. However transfiguration isn't really offensive, and Percy fears it would be useless in actual battle. Nonetheless the boy nods enthusiastically at the further comment. "You can count on that!" he says cheerfully.
Maddox moves to open the door for him as the conversation naturally tones down. Before Percy leaves, he bows to the adept. "Thank you so much for your help. Your insights have been valuable. I'll make sure to work on it." A new surge of energy just got into Percy, and he is sure he would come back successful at least in this endeavor. Perhaps he can even ask the adept for a sparring session without it being fatal.
The novice acknowledges the rather wicked smile, and he takes it as a challenge.
But purification is the nemesis of illusion, Percy realizes, so basically he is done for. "Uh, one last thing, though," the boy manages. "Have you gone against illusionists? I know the affinity is more covert... I was just wondering how illusion can be used offensively in a head-on. I've been through battles and sadly I've used more of techniques more than illusion. I just can't seem to figure how."
notes // NOTES HERE
[attr="class","itemspercy"]items used //
[attr="class,"imagepercy"]
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
Shoot an apple off my head and a Trouble that can't be named A tiger's waiting to be tamed, singing Confusion that never stops The closing walls and the
Post by maddox rothscus ✨ on Sept 26, 2018 3:35:29 GMT
there is a bow, again more formal than maddox would like, and he offers a nod and smile in return. as awkward as the meeting might have gone, he is at least glad to have helped percival on the way -- leviathan has no shortage of talented young individuals, and if he can help in pushing them along that path, then he is all the happier for it. that is the way of leviathan after all: rising hungry, new and sharp with many teeth.
then, a pause; maddox holds the door open, leans slightly against the door jamb with a hum. “i have,” he says slowly, thinking of a certain scarlet-haired silvertongue. sparring against him is an experience both physically and mentally exhausting, though it would be a lie to say that he does not enjoy the challenge. “let’s just say, if i don’t know something is happening, or if i don’t know what is happening, i can’t purify it.”
he smiles again, tapping a finger against his temple. “there are plenty of ways for illusion to mess with your opponent’s head. throw them off-balance and hit ‘em with a technique, maybe.”
maddox trails off for a moment, frowns as though considering, then offers, “well, if you ever need a test subject for that, just let me know. i’m sure we could arrange something.” he’s pretty certain that his own affinities could help offset any lasting damage an illusionist’s tinkering might do. in fact, the additional exposure might do him some good. ‘preparation’, as the coven likes to call it.
Post by percival grayreme on Sept 26, 2018 14:06:12 GMT
Oh? Percy's ears perk as he listens to Maddox. Of course, considering his expertise. Percy's imagination runs wild with the new input. A new light just opens up in front of him, suddenly he is enlightened. It all boils down to creativity yet again, with the handy element of surprise.
Already the boy's attention is not with Maddox anymore, nor on the present situation entirely. He vaguely registers the man offering help, but still nods. "Yes, that would be perfect," he beams. A bright smile appears on his face, and it is clear his curiosity is all but satiated. He walks past the dark-haired Leviathan with yet another small and polite bow. However this time, it is more casual. "I'll just drop by again! Preferably when I make up my mind."
Percy is already imagining everything. Every strategy, down to the individual moves and their individual counterparts... it's wishful thinking, and Percy likes to daydream. He thinks of transfiguration and how it could possibly compliment illusion and the results are fantastic. Supposedly. The brunette is going to have so much fun experimenting between the two affinities. He immediately thinks of the messenger-pigeon--he should send Ling a mail so they can arrange an experiment.
He is already on the first step to the stairs leading to the deck, when he suddenly remembers he hasn't said a proper goodbye. He turns around in hopes that the older Leviathan hasn't locked himself inside the room yet, and calls, "See you around, Mr. Maddox!"
And then he quickly climbs the deck and walks his way to the shore.
notes // NOTES HERE
[attr="class","itemspercy"]items used //
[attr="class,"imagepercy"]
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
[attr="class","scrollpercy"]SCROLL NAME HERE
Shoot an apple off my head and a Trouble that can't be named A tiger's waiting to be tamed, singing Confusion that never stops The closing walls and the
