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.
The Helios Knights have a pride of Gryphons which are occasionally ridden by its higher ranked members during prestigious events. Two of these Gryphons (twins) have recently reached adulthood, and have been acting out during riding training. The Helios Knights are requesting assistance for familiarizing these creatures with witch riders in the arena's grounds of the Helios Knights Hall.
Post by aiden emerson on Sept 11, 2018 6:27:57 GMT
[attr="class","wonwoo"]
Aiden had tripped over himself once he’d heard about the signups to familiarize the gryphons to witch riders. A sharp rush of joy had zipped its ways down his spine and through his limbs. Energy flashed, turning his ears and cheeks pink as he ran to his assignment, determined to get in and not be late. He didn’t know what rank you had to be to train with the gryphons, but he had an inkling that it was pretty high. This weird habituation mission for the twin gryphons was a rarity and he would take advantage of it.
He made sure to wear something that he was ok with tearing just in case anything irritated the gryphons. After all, they were bird creatures, but they were really big bird creatures. With a lot of claws probably. He didn’t think the coven had it in them to declaw their own gryphons. He’d tried to run a few strengthening spells into his clothes, but there was only so much he could accomplish in a couple of hours before bed. The call to arms had been sudden after all. The redhead slowed to a jog as he approached the Helios Knights Hall, glancing around for the gryphons. Typically, he would’ve at least tried to be social, but honestly who cared today? He was here to pet some gryphons not make small talk.
He moved quickly apologizing quickly, but without any genuineness when he bumped into someone as he made a beeline for where they were holding the gryphons. “Sorry, didn’t see you there.” He stated with ease, green eyes focused on something else. He gave the stranger a quick pat on the shoulder as he continued on his way, not really caring if he seemed rude or not.
OF ALL OF YOU THAT BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE RIGHT, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, BUT ARE YOU RIGHT?
[attr="class","frniknaktop5"]
THE JUDGEMENT MAN HOLDS MY FATE. AS I GAZE AROUND THE ROOM, THEIR EYES ARE LIKE KNIVES: COULD DECAPITATE.
[attr="class","frniknakmid"]
She didn't know why, or how, but when the signups to train those gryphons came about, she immediately entered for it. This was probably the first time she would ever see gryphons, and what's more, those creatures were twins! She couldn't but feel excited when she was finally chosen to be one of the witches to familiarize with the gryphons. That's why that morning, she was all jumpy and excited when she entered the Helios Knights Hall.
[break][break]Emery couldn't believe it, really, that she would be chosen for this, but since the chance was given to her, then why not? Only a few number of witches would ever get the chance to be training those twins. It's like a spot of sunlight suddenly burst through her when she was told about it.
[break][break]Darting through the halls, she almost bumped on other Knights along the way, saying sorry all the time, but after all this was something special of a day. Her pride couldn't take apologizing and talking to other people right now.
[break][break]She was about to turn another way when someone bumped into her, making her stumble back one foot. Her eyes spotted a mop of red hair and a young man just shorter than her. "Yeah, yeah it's fine." She replied with nods after he had apologized, though he was clearly focused on something else. Emery tilted her head and hummed in understanding. Maybe he knew something about the gryphons...
[break][break]"...Hey, can I ask you a question?" She began, looking at the boy who actually really looked familiar, too be honest. "Do you know where the gryphons are situated at?"
Post by aiden emerson on Sept 20, 2018 6:18:40 GMT
[attr="class","wonwoo"]
Aiden looks away from his targets and up at whoever was addressing him. He blinked for a moment as he recalled the memory. Oh, right. “Emery! Hello again.” He stated politely as the name popped up. He’d taken her patrolling on that…burglar thing. He shelved away a twinge of irritation at the memory of that patrol before focusing on the apprentice. He paused, processing what she’d just asked and nodded. She didn’t really need permission he would’ve answered either way at this point. “Oh uh, I saw some of their caretakers farther inside, so I was trying to make my way there.” He said nodding over in the direction of them.
He looked back and caught sight of a feathery wing, stretching and the faintest sound coming out to a gryphon yawning. Aiden motioned over to Emery before moving towards the twin carefully. Making a beeline, he greeted the handlers carefully. After a few words were exchanged, as well as assurances that they would be fine, he was gestured towards the big animals. Aiden then turned over to Emery in case she was still behind him, “Let’s see who gets in with one of the twins first.” He said excitement dripping from his words before he approached one of the gryphons who lazily eyed him. He swallowed, visibly nervous and put out a hand before him for the animal to sniff at.
This twin, currently smacking someone who had approached it with one of its wing eyed him and gave a quick couple of sniffs before laying down its head back on its paws. As witches milled around lavishing attention on the gryphons, this one seemed to be more or less soaking it up with disinterest. Still, given the ok Aiden got closer, inspecting them. They weren’t fully grown but they were still bigger than him. “Neat.” He said to no one in particular. He wasn’t all that familiar with the beast so he avoided putting his hands anywhere near that beak and instead tentatively put a hand ever so gently on its neck to give it a few small pats. “So are you, like, a giant cat or….uh?” he trailed off as he began to dig his nails into feathery flesh to scratch the animal. No reaction, but at least it wasn’t negative.
OF ALL OF YOU THAT BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE RIGHT, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, BUT ARE YOU RIGHT?
[attr="class","frniknaktop5"]
THE JUDGEMENT MAN HOLDS MY FATE. AS I GAZE AROUND THE ROOM, THEIR EYES ARE LIKE KNIVES: COULD DECAPITATE.
[attr="class","frniknakmid"]
It would be an understatement to say that she regretted not recognizing the young man sooner. She looked over to the shorter witch and smiled, happy that he had recognized her first. "Oh, Aiden, it's just you. Nice to see you there." She greeted back after he did. Then he told her he had seen one of the caretakers of the gryphons around here, making her grin. "Ah, so I guess we're headed the same way then." She said with a nod.
[break][break]Emery then followed him carefully towards where the gryphons were stationed at, a yawn escaping one of the twin's beak. It stretched its wings as freely as it could. Emery couldn't help but feel more excited than before. Nodding at Aiden, she grinned and walked over to the caretakers, still occasionally glancing at the gryphons as Aiden and one of the caretakers talked.
[break][break]One of the handlers approached her and patted her shoulder, telling her she would be fine. This made her smile and nod at him, before finally she was gestured towards one of the gryphons along with Aiden. It only took about few seconds, but Aiden was finally touching the large bird-lion. She grinned at Aiden, who was now petting the first twin; she couldn't wait to try it out herself.
[break][break]Sitting herself beside Aiden and watching the creature, her eyes softened. "It's so... large." She mumbled under her own breath. "I wonder what they are thinking of right now."
Post by aiden emerson on Sept 26, 2018 1:49:43 GMT
[attr="class","wonwoo"]
Even if he felt like he was scratching deeply the gryphon looked mostly unaffected, if ok with it. Good. He looked back to catch sight of the tail and see if it was wagging to twitching in some way. He saw it move a couple of times though it wasn’t really happy looking. It was slow and methodical. Definitely a cat. There was nothing dog like here. He scooted father back as he slid his hand over the beast’s neck and dug in his nails even further. He glanced back at the tail waiting for a reaction. The beast seemed to shift slightly, glancing back at him to see what he was doing but it didn’t feel like it was out of caution. The boy stared back with wide eyes, freezing on the spot before the gryphon laid its head back down. Neat.
Aiden continued gently scratching the beast before looking back at Emery who seemed more in awe at the miniature majesty. He could only imagine how their parents looked. He stared at the blonde, barely catching what she said. After a few moments of silence, he piped up, “Probably how bored they are since they aren’t flying around.” The redhead offered with a shrug, diligently continuing to give this gryphon attention. He lowers his voice unsure of how intelligent the gryphons were. “I honestly thought they’d be fatter since they aren’t fully grown up yet.” He added with a snicker. He heard a faint grumble from the bird hawk mix, but when it didn’t shake him off or snap out of the blue he took a step closer to inspect the wings while he idly working his hand through fingers. “The wings are so big. I think I’d have a hard time if they started flapping at me.” He noted. McKenna snorted in his mind at the sudden thought. Something about it told him she agreed but wouldn’t mind testing it out regardless.
OF ALL OF YOU THAT BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE RIGHT, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, BUT ARE YOU RIGHT?
[attr="class","frniknaktop5"]
THE JUDGEMENT MAN HOLDS MY FATE. AS I GAZE AROUND THE ROOM, THEIR EYES ARE LIKE KNIVES: COULD DECAPITATE.
[attr="class","frniknakmid"]
Emery listens to Aiden as he tells her what he thinks they are thinking. She smiles and nods. "Huh. Pretty much." She mumbles, resting her head against the wall. "I'd be bored to death just sitting around here myself if I were in their position."
[break][break]She chuckles when Aiden mentions what he expected them to look like. "Well, they're younger gryphons who just happened to just turn into adults, so I think they defy the laws of heritage?" She states with a shrug. Then he comments about the wings, his next statement making her chuckle again. "Well, you're quite small, so it's most likely~" She coos with a teasing grin, chuckling once more.
[break][break]Emery's eyes then graze over to the other twin, who seems to be just sitting there and looking around. Emery grins and juts a thumb towards it, grinning at Aiden. "I'm gonna go and pet the second twin," She whispers to him, before finally standing up and running to the second gryphon with a small smile on her face.
[break][break]This one was more excitable than her brother, but still looked wary once Emery approached. "Hey, I'm not gonna hurt you." Emery coos as she carefully sits down a few distances away from the gryphon, who only tilts her head in curiosity. "It's okay, it's okay." She whispers again, this time scooting carefully up to the twin.
[break][break]Emery was finally sitting next to the gryphon, who only stares at her with the same curious glint. After a few moments, it simply just rests its head on its paws and wags its tail slowly like a cat. The blonde woman takes a deep breath, nervously reaching up a hand to pet the fur. It doesn't seem to react after she had finally touched her; it just sat there and continued wagging its tail.
[break][break]"Good girl." Emery smiles while stroking the gryphon's fur. There was a hint of excitement and calmness while she observes her.
He shrugged and nodded in agreement with Emery Though her comment about his height makes her utter a sharp ‘HEY!’ before she begins to make her way towards the other twin gryphon. A ‘yeah well…’ died in his throat and he went back to doting on the gryphon who seemed still to be pretty placid, albeit still a little intimidating. Not wanting to disturb Emery he lets her speak to the other gryphon, occasionally glancing over curiously at the other twin. This slows his hand pats and eventually he stops.
The gryphon didn’t take too kindly to this, turning his head back to him to stare. Aiden stared back however unsure of what he needed before he felt a large wing sap him on the back , and he toppled over onto the ground. The gryphon shakes his wings and lets out of a sound that he assumed was a laugh while Aiden tried to recover. “You’re strong…but I wasn’t p[paying attention.” He warned the bird lion hybrid. There seemed to be something of a mischievous glint in the beast’s eye as he proceeded to roll his neck and lift up a paw to swat Aiden.
He holds up well enough with a large lion paw him. And then there’s a blow from the second one and he topples over again on turf. The gryphon flaps his wings in amusement before carefully putting a paw on Aiden’s chest and pinning him to the ground. “Oof! Too heavy-” he wheezed only to hear a quick screech in response. He called out to emery while stuck under a giant paw. “He’s quiet! Because he’s lying! Emery! Be careful!” The redhead wasn’t terribly concerned knowing full well he was being toyed with. Perhaps payback for getting distracted form his scritches. Either way, after a croon or two the gryphon lets him back up and only, gently, bops his torso with his beak in a plea for more attention. Oh boy.
OF ALL OF YOU THAT BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE RIGHT, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, BUT ARE YOU RIGHT?
[attr="class","frniknaktop5"]
THE JUDGEMENT MAN HOLDS MY FATE. AS I GAZE AROUND THE ROOM, THEIR EYES ARE LIKE KNIVES: COULD DECAPITATE.
[attr="class","frniknakmid"]
Aiden doesn't seem to take lightly to her statements about his height; all Emery could do is simply chuckle with a teasing look on her face. It's true, Aiden is rather short, but she did have to admit he was more stronger than her, something that probably irritates her a bit. The young woman doesn't say anything more though, making her way towards the other twin and sitting next to her successfully.
[break][break]This twin was much more well-behaved than her twin was, she mused; it sits there calmly like a quiet cat, wagging her tail solemnly and slowly like any other feline would. She continues to stroke the griffin gently, her hands travelling from its nape to its back. Her fur was soft to the touch, just like her brothers. The large creature trills calmly, and for Emery it looks like she's enjoying the company.
[break][break]All was not all peace, though. She could hear Aiden's somewhat muffled voice from behind her, warning her about something; she turns her head -- so does the griffin she is sitting beside -- in alarm, only to see the red-head being toyed with by the griffin's brother.
[break][break]Emery could only blink in disbelief at the scene, almost about to break out of laughter. "...Ugh... Aiden..." She begins, raising a finger to try to reach out to the male. "You... you okay--" She is cut off from speaking when a tail suddenly smacks her in the face, though. Emery turns her head in alarm, only to look back into the griffin's eyes, growing somewhat mischievous.
[break][break]...Somehow Emery's starting to have a bad feeling.
[break][break]Shoot. Looks like I'm next to be a griffin toy.
The Helios Knights were proud of their flock of gryphons, meant to be ridden for important occasions. Probably. He didn’t remember seeing gryphons fly too often into battle, though he supposed there wasn’t something that serious that required the use of the Gryphons. If anything, it was probably more just a status thing. They were maintained by the richest families in Salem after all. At least, those that claimed the Helios Knights as their coven anyway. The Emersons were like that. While they seemed to have always been powerful, they didn’t claim to be Knights until fairly recently. Maybe not as recent as his father but compared to most of the other families, they lacked the generations of time that others had invested into the prestigious coven.
Gryphons were supposed to be a symbol of their elegance and class right? So then, it was only natural that the teenage ones were exactly that. Except it was all a goddamn act and he couldn't believe he’d been caught up in it. The male twin seemed pleased with himself, prodding him once more for the scritches he deserved. The redhead was forced to oblige.
Aiden looked over at Emery, noting it was probably her turn to suffer the antics of the overgrown cats. “I’m fine but watch out!” he called out. They didn’t seem malicious but one knock too hard to the head could end up with a concussion. They weren’t full grown but they were pretty strong already. As he scratched the gryphon’s neck he noted they smelled pretty weird. “When’s the last time they bathed you, huh?” he asked, his hand moving over to pat the crown of the twin’s head to keep him appeased while he made fun of him. There was an odd croon from the gryphon. “Trick question, the answer was too long. You stink. You know, maybe that’s why you’re so itchy.” He added with a snicker. The Gryphon tilted its head to eye him suspiciously, probably catching on to his teasing. “Is the baby fussy now?” he asked as he shift his hand to the giant bird’s neck.
Baby seemed to be the trigger word and he leaned forward to reach under the beast’s head he felt another strong wing slap on his back. He slammed into the gryphon with a grunt, though the gryphon sat there, quickly settling his wings back down to act as if nothing had happened.
OF ALL OF YOU THAT BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE RIGHT, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, BUT ARE YOU RIGHT?
[attr="class","frniknaktop5"]
THE JUDGEMENT MAN HOLDS MY FATE. AS I GAZE AROUND THE ROOM, THEIR EYES ARE LIKE KNIVES: COULD DECAPITATE.
[attr="class","frniknakmid"]
At first, it all started with a small bump on the head. Then, the twin's actions transitioned into tricky movements of the wings, flapping them and purposely hitting her softly on the back with no mercy, causing her to tumble to the ground and almost hit her forehead against the floor. Luckily, it was no more than just a slight massage, just a soft impact; it still allows her to use some spare time to quickly stand up from where she was and tiptoe a few meters from the other twin.
[break][break]"Okay. That... was uncalled for." She begins, pointing at the gryphon trying to sound more like a disappointed mother; but based on the face she received from being one, Emery guessed it really doesn't matter for the twin. "Look, you gryphons are elegant and strong and everything like that, but one would not expect you to be so naughty-- hey!" She was cut off from talking when the other twin stands up and bumps against her abdomen with a large head, and it seems to purr. Displeased.
[break][break]Emery was not one to lay out stereotypes -- well, maybe she was, but just to those of a higher standing than her -- but she guessed today was an exception. They were gryphons after all, but then again one still needs to respect and accept what they are. And that's just what Emery is doing right now. Trying to do.
[break][break]"Alright, alright, okay... I'll stop." She giggles while petting the feathery head, and she sees the tail from behind the gryphon wag melodically like what it did before. Sometimes she ends up questioning if that was sincerity or if there is something else the gryphon is planning.
[break][break]Then suddenly she hears Aiden call out to her to watch out while he is being played with by the other twin; she realizes she is right with the latter, as when he shouts this out the gryphon she is with launches at her and purrs happily, nuzzling her head on Emery who is now laying on her back.
[break][break]...Oh great. That was her sensitive spot.
[break][break]"Ahaha! Okay, okay! Stop, that-- tickles--! Haha! Stop it!" There were distorted sounds of laughing and snorting and chuckling that followed; after a few minutes the gryphon may have had enough and she stops, trilling happily and sitting back on four legs again, tail wagging like before. Emery shakes her head and pets the large beast, sighing in relief. "You naughty thing..." She simply mumbles under her own breath.
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The male twin opened its beak to let out a sort of caw sound, tail wagging slowly back and forth. Not as quick as a dog would, but still something he would expect of a pleased cat....which in this case, the gryphon was a rather overgrown one. As he gathered his bearings Aiden only managed an indignant, "Heeey!" and a finger point while the gryphon gave him the gryphon equivalent of shrugging his shoulders and letting out a yawn. Fantastic. They were playing coy. Wonderful.
It looked like emery wasn't faring as well either, caught up in her own gryphon's antic and mischief. Though she didn't look like she hurt too badly, aside form maybe her ribs aching from all the giggling she was doing. He wondered if this was just how gryphons let loose. Or at the very least, the younger ones. It was pretty apparent that this was most likely how they played with strangers as their keepers seemed to ok the entire thing and were more so off to the side speaking with other knights or among st themselves. There's another croon and Aiden returned his petting to the Gryphon who seemed a little smug he had won. "Mm..how often do you get let out anyway?" the redhead asked not really expecting an answer. The gryphon doesn't seem to really understand, and simply rests his head in his paws relaxing a little more as the knight pampered him.
Aiden gets his answer 10 minutes later when one of the workers comes over with saddles, ready to hitch up both the teenagers for some flying. "Alright, they seem used to you and they haven't tried to throw you at a wall yet. Who feels up to the task of completing the walkies?" the young woman grinned, shaking the saddles in her hands lightly while Aiden's pupils metaphorically became stars. "I am!" he said, arm shooting up in the arm as he forgot himself. It would be a few moments before he'd remembered he wasn't in elementary school. All the while the gryphon he'd been petting sat up with a start at the mere mention of the word 'walkies'.
There's a few loud flaps before its able to adjust its wings and allow the woman to set up a saddle. "Go ahead, make sure to buckle in." she instructed, gesturing aiden to step towards the gryphon before walking over to the other one to set something similar up for Emery. Aiden stared up at the gryphon, noting that even for a teenager it was still pretty big. However his hesitation didn't even register on the teen as he crouched down specifically for Aiden's statues and stared with large eyes, excited to be released for walkies."Alright, alright I'm going!" Aiden told the gryphon twin with a laugh before carefully hoping on the saddle. The gryphon threw him back roughly, attempting to get his rider in place, or at the very least help place him there. Aiden secures himself in and another worker comes by to check his work. "Happy flying!" is all the man managed to say. Aiden turned his head to Emery smiling broadly and waving at her. "Can you beleive this is what's called fLYIIGN GRYPHONS?!?!" his words trail off into a shriek as the beast takes off to the sky now that it had a 'responsible' rider.
OF ALL OF YOU THAT BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE RIGHT, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, BUT ARE YOU RIGHT?
[attr="class","frniknaktop5"]
THE JUDGEMENT MAN HOLDS MY FATE. AS I GAZE AROUND THE ROOM, THEIR EYES ARE LIKE KNIVES: COULD DECAPITATE.
[attr="class","frniknakmid"]
Emery is at least glad that the female twin is finally behaving herself, looking at the passersby watching curiously in boredom. The blonde woman remains calm in her disposition, petting the bored gryphon repeatedly while staring with deep thoughts. "Hmm... I wonder where your parents are... are they still here?" She asks, a question directed towards the large creature; she doesn't understand, only croons as a reply. Maybe it was either a 'no' or a 'yes'... then again, she will never know.
[break][break]She sees the gryphon turning her head to her, trilling with a rather displeased tone, as well as a combination of boredom. Emery giggles softly and strokes the gryphon's back, sighing. "Hey, I know you are bored, but you've already had your fun, haven't you?" The gryphon huffs and turns away, tail wagging slower than usual. Emery is not sure if she should be running or not, but since the creature hasn't attacked her yet, she does not make a move. "I guess we have to wait for them to allow us to ride you before anything else..."
[break][break]Sure enough, one of the monitors questions them about who would want to take the gryphons to the walkies; while Emery just stares, confused, her gryphon all so suddemnly jolts from where she was sitting, trilling rather excitedly at the young woman. The young woman still displays confusion, but it was only then until the female monitor puts on a saddle at the female twin does she finally realize what that announcement means.
[break][break]A large smile forms on her face, and she turns to the excitable Aiden who is now shouting and screaming once his gryphon launches into the air, with him as the rider. Emery quickly runs over to the female twin, who was just as excited as she was.
[break][break]Emery is also quite anxious though; she had ridden horses quite well, but gryphons would seem much different than that. "Is this fine? This is fine... maybe it's just like riding a horse-- waugh!!" She almost yelps when Emery is made to hurriedly sit on the saddle by the gryphon; once she is properly seated, the blonde woman finds herself being launched into the air by the twin, following after her brother.
[break][break]"Oho... Oh... oh my Salem!" She exclaims, laughing and hollering to herself. She was never one to be afraid of heights; riding gryphons is a new experience that it just excites her to no end. "I'm riding a gryphon! Oh my Salem, I'm riding a gryphon!"
[break][break]Screaming like this almost made het forget that she was already 25 and not a child. But who even cares about that right now?
