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.
[attr="class","gearcore"] As dusk fell over Sundial, a single dim streetlamp loyally illuminated a scarcely used cart path of the Hovel. At the base of the lamp stood Zephyr, dressed unremarkably as if he was a long-time resident of this district. One leg (with their artificial nature hidden under grease-stained pants) propped him upright, while the other was bent slightly as if putting weight on it would cause pain. The second one had been giving him trouble as of late, buckling under him when he wasn't expecting it or refusing to move altogether.
But the wold wouldn't stop and wait for him or his legs.
Sprocket, growing restless as they awaited their partners, materialized at the top of the lamp and began making shadow puppets. A rabbit. A wolf. A stag. Each remains for just a few moments before transforming into a new animal which her slender fingers could construct. She only pauses to wave as the first arrival shows up. "Ey, mate," he greets whoever arrives first, "So, think yer ready for this?"
[attr="class","intext"]Sima dressed dark and inconspicuous, but still he felt as though all eyes were on him as he stalked through the hovel. His family had been fortunate enough to manage to stay outside of the hovel, even after he and his brother lost their parents. He rationalized to himself that he was fine, that no one way paying him an extra eye, and he kept walking. It wasn't like he was too out of place, after all. He blended in well enough.
"Evening." He gave a slight wave to Spock and then Zephyr, "I mean, as ready as I'll ever be, I suppose. It's supposed to be a fairly easy thing, anyway." Just don't get caught. Adina, coiled around his arm, tightened her grip. She didn't like this and neither did Sima, the mere idea of a familiar fight club was a bit upsetting, but this was something they had to do. Sima didn't really understand them, familiar fight clubs. If you're going to fight, why not do it yourself? The pain of the familiar is, after all, felt by the witch in one way or another.
"Are you sure you're okay to do this?" Sima looked at the way Zephyr's leg was bent, "Does it hurt?" Sima wouldn't say he was particularly close to Zephyr, but he did still care considering he was Maddox's little brother.
Post by saoirse ó floinn on Aug 27, 2017 3:46:14 GMT
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[attr="class","jartox"]
[attr="class","jartoxpic"]
[attr="class","jartoxlyr"]
be yourself; everyone else is already taken
[attr="class","jartoxpost"]
To say that she is calm would be correct, in the sense that her stride is smooth and her face is a mask of nonchalance. To say that she is calm is a misconception for the panicked beating of her heart and the cold sweat on her palms. She is faraway from home and walking through unknown territory, meeting up with two members of Leviathan who she hardly knows. Adding to the unrest, she's probably late too. Even the presence of Marchosias coiled around her neck doesn't ease the anxiety in her.
[break][break]She's dressed in a neutral colour scheme, but far darker and heavier than the soft pastels she usually adorns. It's pants and runners; no skirt this time, no boots. Her alarmingly pink hair is obscured by a hood and the overall fashion change leaves her feeling absurdly nude and uncomfortable. She walks predominantly in the shadows, inconspicuous to the residents of the Hovel.
[break][break]She spots them from a distance beneath a street light and her breathing becomes just a little heavier. The stress level in her mind probably rises two notches and she pauses in her steps for a moment. Were she more familiar with who they were, perhaps she wouldn't be so nervous, but only knowing that they knew Maddox wasn't enough to tell her that everything might just be alright. But it wasn't like she had a choice in the matter. She was kin of Leviathan now and they had a mission to complete.
[break][break]Gathering Marchosias in her arms, she approaches Zephyr and Sima quietly. Tilting her head up slightly to get a better look at them, she waves and says nervously, "Hello, sorry I'm late..."
[attr="class","gearcore"] Spock stops her shadow puppetry to, simultaneously with Zeph, return Sima's wave. As he speaks, she leaps down down from her perch, grasping the vertical post for the lamp and nimbly pushing off onto Zeph's shoulder. "That's a good philosophy t' have. No point in bein' nervous -- it won't help ya any."
The crafter bends the limbs of the disobedient prosthetic experimentally, "As long as I don't need t' run t' help either 'f you I'll be alright. I can get myself outta nearly anythin', but the both of ya gotta be careful, yeh? 'Specially you. Mads might wreck my other leg if I get ya hurt." The last part was said with a small smirk, indicating he wasn't too serious about the dangers of his brother.
As Saorise approaches, Zeph raises a hand in greeting. "No worries. From what I hear, this place operates all night," he reassures her, "It's not like we gotta be there right at the start."
Fishing around in his pockets, Zephyr presents a leather drawstring bag and pours out some of the contents into his hand. They were plain metal rings, each marked with a seemingly insignificant simple shape along the rim. "So here's what we've got," he says, offering one of the rings to each of the newer Leviathans so they could take a closer look at it, "These come in pairs, an each pair's marked by a shape. When ya put a bit o' mana in the half that's just the shape outline, the half that's got the whole shape etched in it projects light n' sound to the one ya activated. It's like a one-way portal. We're gonna plant some o' these with the whole shape etched in so we can hear what's bein' said. So, any questions b'fore we head over?" he asks, looking between them.
[attr="class","intext"]Oh and Sao was here. He gave her a little wave in greeting and then turned back to Zephyr. "I'm sure we'll be just fine." Sima forced a smile. He was confident in Zephyr's abilities, but his dismissal of the potential issue bothered him. Sima didn't like that assumption that they wouldn't be discovered, let alone running away. They were entering dangerous territory and if they made a mistake they could very well be running for their general well-being and maybe even their lives. Would Zephyr be able to keep up or would someone have to carry him? Sima could also attempt to use a levitation spell, but those always seem to go wrong when used on living things. He mused over his options, trying to plan for the worst case scenario. He hoped it wouldn't come to that, but he wanted to be somewhat prepared just in case.
"These are like the gates you practice with Madds, right?" He turned the object over in his hand, "Seems simple enough to me. What's the plan if we get caught. We have a rendezvous point set to make sure no one's captured or killed?" Worst case scenarios. He hated them, but he knew they had to be considered. They need a backup or, if this did go south, they could end much worse than needed.
Post by saoirse ó floinn on Sept 23, 2017 7:53:07 GMT
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[attr="class","jartox"]
[attr="class","jartoxpic"]
[attr="class","jartoxlyr"]
be yourself; everyone else is already taken
[attr="class","jartoxpost"]
She doesn't say too much once the mission officially begins, her hands gathering sweat as she clenches them into fists in her pockets. Her jaw clenches inconspicuously when her teeth began to grind in anxiety. There's no doubt that nerves are getting the better of her as she noticeably paces her breathing. Ideas of how the mission will fail fly around her mind and she admonishes herself for being so negative. But in all honesty, she wonders how much of a toss up this could become.
[break][break]The ring in her hand is cool and she can feel the metal on her palm. She holds it closer to her face to take a better look and she sees the engraving for where mana will transfer. It's an interesting trinket, clever most definitely. She smiles at it slightly, appreciating the creativity before closing her hand around it and sliding it back into her pocket.
[break][break]Personally, she has no questions to offer with confidence but Sima speaks up and she listens to him with care. They're valid questions and true enough, they were ones that she had uttered in her mind. What would they do if they failed? How easy would it be to blunder this completely?
[break][break]She puffs out her cheeks silently before gently offering, "I'm sure everything will be fine. How about we meet back here?"
[attr="class","gearcore"] Zephyr isn't positive whether Sima's smile is forced, or if it's simply a trick of the light. He decides to assume the worst. "We will. If I didn't trust your guys' skill or my ability t' get everyone home intact if everythin' goes tits up, I wouldn't've agreed t' bring ya along," he assures, silently hoping that the fact that he felt the need to reassure at all didn't undermine his words.
Quite predictably, the crafter's mood brightened noticeably when Sima asks about his Gates. "Same concept, yeh! Just played around with the original design a bit t' limit how it's triggered an' get the size more condensed." And filter the types of energy which could pass through, as well as a handful of other minor modifications, but Zephyr had trained himself enough to stop talking about his creations before the conversation devolved into a one-sided, overly-technical explanation.
"This's as fine a spot as any t' regroup," Zeph says, "An' if ya need some backup, ya can use these..." he hands each of them a bronze ring, "They're some 'f the first designs that didn't turn out as expected. If ya activate 'em, it'll project your voice over t' me." He holds up two similar rings in his own possession. "It only works one-way, though, so don't get offended when I don't answer, yeh? Ah, an' here's some 'f the listeners. Three each should be good I think... enough t' bug a few different spots, but not too many for folks t' be wary." Accordingly, Spock hands each of them a few more rings from before, leaning over to them from her seat on her human's shoulder.
The crafter pushes himself up off of the lamppost which he'd been leaning against. "Well, that's all I've got for ya. Wanna head over?"
Post by saoirse ó floinn on Nov 26, 2017 2:32:46 GMT
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[attr="class","jartox"]
[attr="class","jartoxpic"]
[attr="class","jartoxlyr"]
be yourself; everyone else is already taken
[attr="class","jartoxpost"]
And they are off. Not quite the burst of action one might expect from an action novel, but they start with intention and determination. Her steps are even and quiet, the pads of her shoes barely creating a sound as they hit the pavement. Two of the rings that Zephyr had passed out are situated on her right hand, easily disguised as pretty ornaments decorating her fingers; the others remain in her pocket for future use. As she approaches the suspected base, her heart thuds heavily in her chest and anxiousness courses through her. This is the first serious mission she has partaken in, serious in that reconnaissance is real here and their objective is true.
[break][break]The imposing atmosphere of the building is somewhat negated by the fact that it is only two stories high and almost quaint. The lights are on, signifying the presence of people within. She remains in the shadows, her clothes blending in with the darkness. She pauses a few metres away, eyes peering out from her hood surveying their surroundings. It is quiet, save for the muffled voices emitting from the building. Well, at least they wouldn't have to worry about the lack of things to listen to. The only issue was getting in and planting their little bugs.
[break][break]Would it be wise to just walk in? The establishment didn't seem to be completely private, if she were to guess. Marchosias circles around her to perch on her left shoulder, his snout twitching as he gathers scents. The unspoken permission to use him as a method to plant the rings is clear between them and she waits for Zephyr. When he is close enough, she mumbles lowly, "I don't suppose we just walk right in, do we?" ooc: um not sure where i was going with this [break]tag:Zephyr Hart
[attr="class","gearcore"] Sima, evidently still holding some concerns about their nebulous escape plan, offers some suggestions as the trio makes their way towards their destination. They seemed reasonable. Keep one person outside to keep eyes on the perimeter and map an escape route, while two go inside to complete the core of the mission. Less people being seen meant less reason to raise suspicion.
"Ok, yeh, go ahead," Zeph agreed in a hushed tone, prompting Sima to take the opportunity to slip away.
He then hobbles back over to Sao's side, wordlessly cursing the leg which wasn't cooperating with him today.
"Sima's gonna stay out here t' make sure we don't get caught off guard, but, yeh, otherwise that's the plan. Shouldn't be reason t' kick us out. We're just two curious folks who got told 'bout the place from a friend an' decided t' give it a whirl. No biggie," he says, giving her an encouraging bump with his elbow and a lighthearted grin. Thankfully, he wasn't wrong. The man who greeted them at the door was more akin to a bouncer than the gatekeeper of a secret society. Anything important would likely be hidden, or be more closely watched.
A short hallway leading from the entrance to the main area nicely hid the activities of the household from prying eyes in the streets. As they entered, it was very clear that the competitions had already begun. In a lowered, central area of the room, a stag with antlers aflame had locked horns with a ram, thick spikes of crystal spiraling out from its skull. The humans and animals around this space were having a grand time: gambling, drinking, and cheering for their favorite as if it was a grand sports event.
"Holy shit--" Zeph mumbled, wide-eyed in wonder. This was a lot more popular and well-established than he'd been expecting.
Post by saoirse ó floinn on Jan 21, 2018 6:59:59 GMT
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[nospaces]
[attr="class","jartox"]
[attr="class","jartoxpic"]
[attr="class","jartoxlyr"]
be yourself; everyone else is already taken
[attr="class","jartoxpost"] There's an unease that goes through her body, stiffening her limbs as she takes a dodgy step forward. The rigidity of her movements brings an uncomfortable expression to her face, unused to the lack of fluidity that she usually has. Being in such unfamiliar surroundings and about to do something possibly unsavoury for the sake of a notoriously disreputable coven has her on completely on edge. Zephyr's little movements: the elbow nudge and the grin, bring a little amenity to her nerves and she gives him a shaky smile.
[break][break]Nodding at Sima's departure for her own task outside of the premise, she trails after her covenmate as he approaches the door. Remaining silent while Zephyr handles the man standing at the entrance, she blinks sporadically when the large bouncer gives her a lookover for any suspicious behaviour. Biting her lip, she attempts a confident smile and quickly strides into the house, half tempted to hold onto Zephyr's shoulder.
[break][break]Raucous laughter startles her and she clenches her hands into fists as the atmosphere suddenly becomes incredibly stuffy. Feeling utterly out of place, her mind blanks at their mission and she looks to Zephyr helplessly. A stranger approaches them, or rather her, mumbling something incoherent amongst the loud noise and she thinks that he probably offered her a drink but with a nervous laugh and a shake of the head, she pushes against her covenmate and nudges them both deeper into the crowd.
[break][break]It's a funny thought that the more people there are, the less noticed they are and she finds it a little easier to take a look around, examining their location. The gambling scene attracts a gaggle of faceless bodies that shout with each hammering the creatures throw at each other. There's an outer circle of drinkers and stragglers who make small conversation with each other. In the dimly lit establishment, she can just make out the second level of which there are also people gazing over the railing to look at the commotion below.
[break][break]Having entered the house, she realises that it is larger than it looks, which meant there would be more space to cover. Still holding onto Zephyr's arm, she murmurs, surprised at how unsure she sounds. "Should we split up? I'll...search the upper levels?" ooc: ahhhH [break]tag:Zephyr Hart
[attr="class","gearcore"] Zephyr realizes, before they even enter the establishment, that Saoirse probably isn't ready to do this on her own. If they entered together, immediately split up, and she acted as nervously as she was now, they'd definitely raise suspicion. Plus, he couldn't say that he was entirely against the idea of her staying. The crafter was a naturally tactile person, and took comfort in the way Saoirse held his arm -- even if he didn't appear to need it quite as much as she did.
His gaze tries to take in the entirety of the scene, but there were too many conversations and too much movement to appreciate it all. It would be next to impossible to scour the entire area without getting found out, but they only needed a few flies on the wall to listen in on what would happen here once the excitement dies down. The worst case scenario (short of being discovered) was that one of them would have to return at a later date if they didn't get the positions of the listening portals right the first time.
As they wade through the crowd, Spock stands attentively atop her witch's shoulder, captivated by the battles occurring in the central area. She wants to fight, but, prior to the mission, Zeph had already gone over how that would be far too risky. Multiple times. With diagrams. She'd still probably get her knives out before the night was over, but at least she was more likely to wait until Zeph finished his mission before causing a scene.
Though it seemed like a harrowing task at first glance, Zeph found a comfortable space for them fairly quickly -- two seats aside a long, thin table top jutting out from the wall. It seemed to be the place to go for anyone with a drink who there wasn't space for around the bar. The closest possible observers were either drunk, loud, or both -- an ideal place to talk without being heard (albeit quietly).
"Nah, we can stick together," Zeph says after a moment of thought, "I dunno how well all th' folks here can pick out strangers, and it'd be awful suspicious if we went straight t' snoopin' around." He rests one arm on the table and takes a quick scan of the room, "And I'm only seein' one way outta this room b'sides the main exit, so we can wait a bit n' see if anyone's usin' it." This way out that Zeph mentioned was a stairwell which appeared to go up as well as down from their current story, thus promising two additional rooms (at minimum) to search. Even so, he'd like to be a bit more informed before making such a move.
