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 world knows Jahr has returned, and that humanity was not prepared. The monster is easily as large as a duneworm if not even larger, dark and shadowy aside from its burning red eyes and a few patches of golden scales over its face. Athenians display its movements for people of the cities, showing its dragonlike form slither through the Forest of Percival, downing trees and crushing boulders in its wake. [break][break] Then it stops at a village, a small one, out of the way and disconnected from the major cities by any means of magical transportation. Its coiling body encircles the small cluster of houses, waiting. A man comes out, and it's too far to hear, but his hands are clasped together, begging, pleading. The monster's head swivels to eye the man, and in a flash, its jaws snap him in two. [break][break] Lightning cracks in a rapid burst from the monster's form, splintering the buildings and setting them ablaze. The dark creature closes in, blocking the view of the resulting carnage from the athenians' drones. [break][break] And then, when there is nothing left but ruins, it continues its winding path north. Eclipse town mere minutes away.
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cain delacour
"Excuse me! Please leave a clear path for the people who want to evacuate!" Cain yells over the din of Eclipse Town's eluvian hub. Of all of the "major" communities of Salem, Eclipse town was by far the smallest, and thus had the fewest forms of teleportation to reach it. There was a steady stream of people entering from the mirror connected to Mirrorlight Metropolis, causing a bit of a bottleneck. He could see why Medeia didn't want to send her people here. [break][break] The Jesters were much more free-spirited bunch, though, and likely would have shown up even if he'd asked them not to. Cain agrees with the heart of their plan, though; if humanity were to bow down to a wraith like this, the rest of those bizarre monsters -- especially those in the East -- would grow far bolder. He's just not sure if they can win today, having been taken by surprise. [break][break] But, he can hope, and offer his help where he can.
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basil aerbersold
Basil was really, really not looking forward to today. There were some important strategic Leviathan artifacts hidden in Eclipse Town, but they weren't exactly the type of thing he could just move out on a whim. This, of course, meant he had to actually try to defend this place from some massive primordial evil. [break][break] Great. [break][break] He'd started some whispers and planted some suggestions to start luring people over. Hopefully they wouldn't be dumb enough to try fighting this thing and someone would come forward as a volunteer sacrifice. (Assuming the sacrifice thing was even true... gods, he hoped it was true. He didn't want to fight this thing.) [break][break] The first step, though, was just staying out of the way. There were some awfully righteous characters here that he didn't want recognizing him. He pulls his hood up a bit higher, sticking to the densest crowds.
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bailey renico
He might have learned a great deal from the Helios Knights and made the majority of his professional connections there, but, officially speaking, he was no longer a member. Even if he was, there was no way Medeia would be able to stop him from seeing such a rare monster in person. [break][break] Though he's here partially for academic purposes, he's also worried about the less magically talented people here. Realistically, if they plan on fighting, there's going to be a lot of deaths. "Everyone please remember that you should avoid using any elemental magic or exposing your familiar unless absolutely necessary! And if you don't have any physical or magical protections, please come here!" A pair of wands hovers beside him, swiftly knitting up magically protective sweaters, as his hands create magic-augmenting bracelets and begin passing them out.
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ooc notes
Welcome to the last day of saturnalia! There will be semi-regular staff updates with NPC actions before the end date of January 5th, but feel free to post as many times between staff updates as you'd like! For more detailed lore about this day, and the entire saturnalia event, visit the overall thread HERE. [break][break] In the OOC notes of your post, please put the word "FIGHT" (if your character would like to fight the wraith) or "SACRIFICE" (if your character would rather one human from Eclipse Town be sacrificed) depending on your character's preference. [break][break] This thread is death enabled if your character is in Eclipse Town in person, so be warned! Posting 4 times or more in this thread will count as a completed event thread for day 10 of Saturnalia, but note that not posting for 2 consecutive "rounds" between staff posts will be very detrimental to your character's chances of survival.
[attr="class","junescroll"] the story goes like this: there is a beast who steals magic from blood. it is unstoppable, unendurable ; it is like trying to stop the rising sun. there is a girl, and there is a man; and then they are godkillers, divinity bestowed belated upon their shoulders when the world curls around their empty space. [break][break]
the story goes like this: it is a story, a legend, and it is not meant to be real. except, of course, it is.[break][break]
here is the question that maddox asks himself, his feet finding solid ground on the other side of the eluvian: do your gods have as many teeth as me?[break][break]
his magic rasps like sandpaper under his skin, rough with anticipation. every nerve in his body feels like he's been struck by lightning ; his expression is barely schooled into something neutral, and it dances on the edge of something wild and thunderstruck. the stories hint at an easy way out, a price paid in blood, but frankly --- maddox is of the opinion that something is never truly dead until you feel its death throes beneath you.[break][break]
it isn't the wisest decision. but you feed a monster once, and it'll come back for more. he understands the way a hunger works, the way it gnaws in your belly. aeris calls it a bloodlust, says it with an odd rueful tinge like he regrets the way the family assembles its children into teeth and claws of the coven. maddox doesn't. regret, that is. this is how the cards have been dealt.[break][break]
a crackle of lightning spider-walks down his arm. he'd be more concerned about hiding if not for the panic that grips the place, but as it happens, he stands tall in a dark cloak, lingering on the edge of where the other fighters have gathered. the world awaits its destruction, holding its breath, but it doesn't mean they have to go quietly.
[attr="class","a1lyric"]i got nothing but dreams inside[break] i got nothing but dreams
[attr="class","a1lyric2"]i'm just young enough to still believe, still believe [break]young enough not to know what to believe
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[attr="class","a1white"]
[attr="class","a1scroll"]
The Helios Knights have their orders, but they are not his. Not today. It’s very clear where the beast is headed, pulled along by some invisible tether form eons ago. If the stories are true- which they must be given the circumstances- there is a way to repel it, to fight back. He’s curious to see the legend up close, but that curiosity is squashed by fluttering nerves and a tension in his muscles. He is a spring coiled tightly into one cramped box. He feels the nerves, but it isn’t out of fear. He remembers these butterflies. It is something that buzzes through you right before you pounce. It makes him alert and keeps him focused. [break][break]
It still a little unnerving how easily your grandparents let you go, Rosario and Macintosh grimacing but gently coaxing you to eat before you departed. And it’s even more frightening when Wilhelm and Marjorie walk you out with your mission in hand. Echoes of a war drum beat through the old woman, and when she looks at you in that moment you see she is somewhere else, somewhere far away. Her eyes distant, and her jaw tight. She burns something in her hand and sprinkles the ash onto your hair, murmuring an old creed. Or maybe it was a prayer? Wilhelm is by her side, and when you turn your back you hear him coaxing her back from the unknown. [break][break]
If the stories are true, then he has done his best to abide by them. Cloaked in red, golden threads spun tightly in intricate embroidery, coiled through thick fabric with mana. He takes one look at himself in the mirror of foyer, memorizing the look of his eyes, his hairs, his own face. He wants to remember so that if- when he comes home he can see if he has changed at all. He wants to see Charani Petrov once more and before he can even think through it his feet have led him to him. It’s early, so early and he’s probably sleeping, but he nonetheless knocks twice and calls out to him and tells him where he’s off to. Something in his throat catches when he says, “I’ll see you later.” But he has made his promise, and now he must keep it. [break][break]
Eclipse Town is solemn, with many having either accepted their loss or still in shock processing it. He makes it away from the Eluvian mirrors quickly, staring only for a few moments at Bailey as multitasks. For very real moment it dawns on him that maybe he shouldn’t be here- he wasn’t ready- but McKenna whispers softly into his mind, soothing him, encouraging him. He was trained, he was smart, he was ready. What was the alternative? Let someone be eaten and begin a new cycle of terror? Was Thalia Vesper not enough? [break][break]
What was his alternative? To turn back now and regret whatever the outcome was of humans defying a miserable god? He was selfish, there was no avoiding that, but there were other reasons he should stay. And he would stay. He tugs a little at his collar, glancing briefly at the rough black flowers painted onto pale skin. He momentarily missed the comfort of worn in jeans and threadbare hoodie. But If he was going to get anything destroyed, it’d one of his borrowed suits and not his favorite pair of jeans. Content with his choice, he made his way towards the entrance of Eclipse Town, ready to intercept one old god head on, and once more pay it back its debt of blood. If it had been done once before, humanity could do it again.
eclipse choose the cards pls it’s more fun that way
me @ me
Team fight. Obvi.
Spells used: Tarot Reading
"Tell all your problems"
"make them mine"
There is no answer at the door. His apartment stands empty. If Aiden went inside he would easily realize this. He probably wouldn’t though. An excuse to his goodbye. Not having to see the boys face before starting onto his death march towards eclipse town.
Charani sighed as people passed in the hallways whispering. Talking about some kind of standby or something. The emergency room was not very busy. At least not yet, there was a thickness in the air, unpleasant. He didn’t like this feeling.
"Maybe a reading will help me ease this feeling.” He hummed grabbing his bag from the break room. He set the small bag onto the ground after pulling out his prize. A deck of tarot cards. He poured his mana into the deck, shuffling them as he did so. What should he ask.
“Glean to me the knowledge I seek.” He wasnt even really sure of what he wanted to know. He just had a bad feeling. What was causing this feeling? Why could he not shake it. Was someone in danger? So many thoughts. What could he do. The cards will guide him. He draws three cards charged with his mana. He places them down in front of him without looking, what are they?
Post by heath ambroise on Dec 19, 2019 6:47:02 GMT
He’s not paying attention when the sky cracks and the streak shows. He’s whispering to the trees, greeting them, praying to them. These were the trees that raised him and welcomed him back, just as they raised and welcomed his parents and grandparents before him. There’s a shudder in winds as evil slithers out of its cave and he can only turn to stare at the sky with an impending sense of dread. Heath chalks it all up to hallucinations of the sleep deprived and treks home but Sinclair ruminates in his mind and they are both unsure.
Its crystal clear when he watches people, refugees, flooding their few Eluvian Mirrors. Under the command of a stranger, they form up and his parents look at him pleadingly and he drops theirs hands and offers only a strained smile because his feet would not move. His chest is heavy, and yet again he’s tired. Yet again, there is no rest for him because there is always something wrong. Always someone hurt or scheming or plotting. Or its him and he’s always anxious, or sad, or dizzy with the hundreds of ideas and words buzzing inside his head that he cannot write all down coherently and at once.
He casts one last look at the stranger, Cain, his leader right? He doesn’t know but he nods in the direction of the mirrors to both his parents escaping to Mirrorlight, and then he turns away and makes his way to the edge of town. Eclipse Town has always known peace, quiet. It was almost mysterious, but today it was just sad. As the edge of town approaches, Heath once again whispers to the trees, the plants that helped raise him and begins coaxing mana to gather in his hands and to his steps. He goes to wait for the beast soon to invade, and he strikes up a wall even if it’s just him, and yet he knows others will show. He hopes others will show. He sets traps, as at least, Jahr’s arrogance has given them time to prepare the grounds for his arrival. There is still time, and so a proud plantshaper of his humble town, he sets to work.
spells used: entangle, impassive bush techniques used: items used:
[attr="class","gearcore"] "If you meet a god on the road, kill them."
Fane had told him that a few times, and every time she said it Zephyr got the distinct impression that she was speaking from experience.
He never thought that he'd actually be in a situation where he could put those words into practice; he never thought that legends borne from nightmares could come to life. And yet, here he was, staring at an athenian's recording of Jahr as the monstrosity gyres through the Forest of Percival.
He knows that he could be safe if he just takes one of his gates to whatever city Jahr has already passed through. Living by running was easy. But -- but -- is he really okay with the idea of Bell's Bar and Aeris's forge in ruins? Is he willing to risk that the Helios Knights might sacrifice a prisoner -- might sacrifice Fane to protect their city? (Is he willing to risk that the people he sees in the crowd gathering in Eclipse Town might lose more than just an arm if he stays away again?)
Spock's answer in his mind is solid and visceral, a reflection of his own thoughts fused with an unwavering certainty: "No."
So they find themselves in Eclipse Town -- just one body out of many. Spock, for once, has retreated to her native plane. She'll appear if she is needed, but knows that her witch needs to know that she's safe more than he needs her power today. He isn't a scared, defenseless kid anymore.
After he arrives, he expands his atheneum interface -- a collection of glowing blue screens -- and reaches out to those he knows in the area. Though more detached than the spell "networking", the data travels faster and is understood more clearly. He starts by reaching out with a simple question: What's the plan?
(spells used:) the modern athenian: infocasting #fight
[attr="class","s1lyrics1"]constellation of tears on your lashes
[attr="class","s1lyrics2"]burn everything you love then burn the ashes
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[attr="class","s1scroll"]
He is not ready. He is not possibly ready. Terror racks his body as the screens cast the vision of Har himself, an old wraith, an undead god, to their coven. The Silvertongue are curious, somber, but not nearly as many witches stand to defend what will be the town of ruins that is Eclipse Town. For whatever reason, Jahr is on his way there, strictly there, as if something called to him and the vision o the old dragon like beast with golden scales shakes the very core of his being. Phillippe is beyond flustered, trying, in vain, to soothe and calm his witch. He runs straight home because he knows- he knows his family, his new family will be itching to go. And they can’t- they shouldn’t. [break][break]
But by the time Corvus finally understands the very real thread that has come to visit humanity once more the Rothcus household is in disarray. His eyes are wide with terror because he knows these absences are not a coincidence. They are all gone, all fighting. There is a militia gathering there and he runs towards the Eluvian mirrors just in case he could catch them going- just in case he could stop them. But as he crowds the mirrors, he doesn’t see his cousins anywhere. He doesn’t even have a spell t contact them and as Corvus shakes Merle stands by at the ready. He can smell war in the air. A new hunt is beginning, and he is at the ready if his master is. “Merle, you should be home.” The boy chides when he realizes amid his worries that his dog has followed but the beast is stoic as always. “Merle.” He repeats only for the hunter to snort. There are people coming and going and he recognizes someone from his coven who snaps him to attention. He moves out of the way while Philippe chides him as his heartbeat stabilizes into a worried rhythm, but less erratic than before. [break][break]
“If you’re not going maybe make yourself useful for the people flooding the cities.” Philippe orders and Merle is at the ready, shepherd and hunter being an interchangeable role for him. It takes a minute at first. Corvus has to quietly come to terms with his refusal to send himself to Eclipse Town. What could he do? Did wraiths get affected by illusions? Did Jahr care if he could spark a few flames. As he watched more capable witches, one by one marching to meet this beast the doubt in him grows and grows. Today was not the day to prove his worth to himself. He would rather live and have faith in a new dawn. And if they failed because he was reluctant to help? [break][break]
Jahr would come for them and he would die swiftly and mercilessly Philippe provides and it is of no comfort. Merle growls and nips at Corvus’ hand. He is taking too long, and someone is calling out to him in recognition. He must go help where he can. He must help shepherd the refugees if nothing else. There is something he can still do.
[break][break]
#flight ( corvus will just help people moving thru mirrors with other people if there is anyone besides his big doggo who is doing more of the work )
Desmond has hardly gotten any sleep. Between discovering that he's afflicted with a cursed and that something catastrophic is going to happen in the near future, finding any peace of mind is an impossibility.
He may not fully understand what it is, but he knows the dark line splitting the sky like a crack is a sign. The crushing maw he witnessed in his scrying pool just yesterday would soon be coming to consume them. (But who? Those who would fight? Those who would bow? All of humanity? He can't be sure...)
And then he hears the news -- it's easy to overhear in the Emerald Guildhall, when the deluge of requests for mercenaries spurs the entire hall to action in barely a minute. Jahr has returned: a legend, a god, a demon. An end of times.
There are moments as a seer when he isn't able to change anything about what he sees; the future remains fluid, but the strength of its tides is too much for him to alter. The extent of his choice simply becomes whether he wants to be swept under the waves with whoever else is already caught up in the throws of fate, or if he's prefer to watch from the shore.
He is only a mortal, and his magic is hardly enough to kill other mortals. He knows this, and so he stays within Silvertongue's protected walls.
The sounds of crashing trees and rumbling earth soon reaches Eclipse Town, heralding the approach of Jahr. The clamor loudens, and loudens even more, to the point where the gathered witches would need to shout to hear each other over the din. [break][break] And then it arrives. Its dark form bursts from the forest, dismissively shaking off an impassive bush that chomped onto one of its toes while hovering and coiling over the small town as more, and more of its form is revealed. Its body blocks out the sun and causes a perceptible drop in the natural mana in the area -- those with familiars materialized would feel their own mana begin to drain as well. It seems large enough to simply crush Eclipse Town if it willed. Those who are near its head are close enough to see that it does not have eyes -- merely reddened sockets. [break][break] "P̷̬̞̈́r̷̨̼͌̽ė̶̹͌s̴͔̤͒ḛ̸͈̹̑n̷͙̥̓́̽t̶̖̘̃̅̂ͅ ̴̨̘̋͑́ͅh̵̨̤͎̀ê̴̹̤͝ͅr̴͖̱̐͛ ̷̺̃ġ̸͉̞i̴̙͕̤͌͘f̶̺̞̃͜t̸̗̠̥͐͆ ̵̮̔̍͒o̴͔̩͝f̷̺͑̒̌ ̶̪̲͂͌ͅḟ̸̛̮̞l̴͈͍̞͌̉e̴̘̓̍̇s̴̬̓͆͑h̴̛ͅ ̵̗̯͒͠ä̶̡̗́́̚n̶͔̘͓͛͛̒d̸̢͍͇̂̉͝ ̴̩͑̇g̶̡̲̝̈o̴̜͖̖͘l̶̘͔̐̑ͅd̷̡̫̾̏̈́.̷͎̲͇̒̒́.̵̮̟̲̒̉.̵͚̼̆̑̐" [break][break] The monster speaks, which is of course absurd because every surviving textbook and study on wraiths suggests that they can't speak in any meaningful language -- at least, not beyond a mere mimicry of humans. They also are not supposed to have patience or restraint -- they do not barter and wait before they destroy -- and yet here and now, hovering above the crowd, this massive, ancient thing is doing exactly that...
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basil aerbersold
Basil doesn't really care if the massive lizard can talk or not. He is hopeful, though, that some of the legends were true, and this thing really would accept a human sacrifice and be on its merry way. Maybe he'd get lucky and it'd visit Sundial next. The Helios Knights' pride deserved to be taken down a few pegs. [break][break] As the monster gathers itself, Basil reaches into his database of spells and pulls out a purifying spell which he hoped would purge the masses of their fear. He blankets the crowd, purifying them of doubt and hesitation. [break][break] The problem, of course, is that this does not control the targets' goals nor their spirit, and not a single person here had come to sacrifice themselves. They had come here to fight. [break][break] "Ah fuck..."
[break][break](Far away, in another city, a young seer pulls three tarot cards. The first is the the tower, followed by an upright ten of swords, followed by... another tower? How did that get in there..? [break][break]Charani Petrov is met with flashes of a vision caused by a combination of his own power and Ezra's: [break]- A youthful girl with black hair, dressed in red and with brilliant fireworks flashing around her face. [break]- A childless father, haloed by a gong and its booming echo [break]- A golden dragon, eyes burning through shadow [break]- A place barely describable, filled with teeth and shadows and red eyes and things which do not abide by physical laws, and you know you should not be here -- you should not be here, this is not for you to see-- [break]- The dragon is destroyed and re-made, but it has lost its armor of gold [break]- The girl is destroyed and re-made, but only halfway, split right down the center [break]- Something is missing, a part of her is gone [break]- She is lost [break]- She is looking on helplessly at the atheneum screens. She wants to reach them. [break]- aiden emerson, hair just as brilliant red as the fireworks, as serpentine coils consume him)
[attr="class","a1lyric"]i got nothing but dreams inside[break] i got nothing but dreams
[attr="class","a1lyric2"]i'm just young enough to still believe, still believe [break]young enough not to know what to believe
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[attr="class","a1scroll"]
The beast, the old God who has crawled his way back to their realm looms and drips with power. Fear, true fear chills his blood at the sight, the mere size of this behemoth and once again something in him goes why are you here? And then it fades, suppressed by a mix of his own will and something else curling through the air soothing him. Something else wriggles its way into his mind, like when Charani linked their thoughts together so they could speak secretly. Plan? What plan? He had a vague plan but there required too many moving parts. ‘Shove some firecrackers in its eyes. From what I remember, it hates the color red, bright lights, and big noises.’ There’s a grin that flashed as he tried to steel himself. ‘I have some fireworks but not a lot.’ [break][break]
Then again what did he know? Jahr was supposed to be just one big old legend, right? A living legend now as he and many others looked upwards at an expectant beast. McKenna is by his side and she raises a hoof before stamping it down sending out a loud Concussion Wave. Wind and sound snap forth like thunder after lightning. “Turn around, wraith!” He shouted, not even deigning to use its name. “You have no power in this realm anymore!” [break][break]
He’d grabbed this spell because he’d thought it would be useful. Even if he couldn’t do something, he could help others. Success would come if they pulled through together. He quickly begins muttering words under his breath, eyes sharp and focused as he wills Integration to spring forth, pouring mana out for nearby witches, maybe it would help combat that unnatural drain Jahr pulled with his mere presence. With that done, he makes a move towards the dragon, not intent on staying put and therefore make himself easier to consume. McKenna follows him instead of slipping back into the ether. Someone would have to watch Aiden’s back after all.
There was a dull hum of mana in the air. That is what corvus kasparian would feel beside him before it happened. A large door of light would create itself from the surrounding mana to connect two spaces. It would linger for a few seconds before a human walked out of it. Behind him the door closed and the portal winked out of existence. Besides the small distortion of mana lingering there was no trace that anything had occurred.
“There you are. I figured you’d still be in the city.” Billy had of course come from well outside the city walls when the alert occurred. Jesters Den would have the most to lose in the end. They had numbers on their side but that came at the cost of individual power. Besides the handful of witches of his caliber and the few stronger than himself it was mostly novices and below. Better to nip this in the butt now. Besides who didn’t want to slay a dragon?
"I’m sure Madds is around or uncle. Wanna try and find them before that thing decides to attack? Oh. Here. Take some of these just in case." He would of course hand the young man three potion vials from his store of alchemical projects. One was clear. Two were a blue color. He’d probably recognize the blue potion as aquapyre. Billy did like to use it a lot after all.
"Let’s get a move on. Oh and that clear potion, use that one if your life’s in danger okay. You’ll figure it out." He gave a two figure salute as the man started off. Hopefully his cousin would follow him. They should find someone they recognize. Better to be in a group for more coverage. Especially since he could feel the mana in the air lowering almost like it was trying to escape the wraith. Onward to victory,
Legend tells of an old, greedy dragon, scales heavy with lustrous gold, teeth having tasted many a sacrifice. Legend tells of the old dragon's defeat, all in the hands of a young girl and a man, who are prepared with fireworks and red.
Now, the old, greedy dragon from the legends has come alive.
She had stared at the athenian drones, eyes wide with disbelief as she watches the monster snap that begging man in half, destroy that little town with one, swift move. Its next target is Eclipse Town, not too many miles away. Panic rises within the hearts of the crowds, and as she leaves the square in the hurry she hears the people screaming and shuffling and trying to get away. Whoever is managing the crowds, she doesn't know.
She returns with a cloak, covering her face, obscuring her identity. She returns, and the crowds are still there, but they are being moved and evacuated to safer parts of the city. Of course Sundial is safer. The Helios Knights have made their rounds, and Jelly spares them a single glance before turning to the Eluvian Mirrors. She takes one step and already the sense of danger is there... and she swears she could feel her mana slowly draining.
You're not ready. Her nervous little heart tells her. But Obelisk says otherwise, materializing out of thin air into a tiny fishbowl.
Yes, Jelly. You are.
She is reassured that he is fine, and he'll be there if she ever needs it, and of course Jelly is still doubtful but there is no turning back now. And so she steps inside the Eluvian Mirror and finds herself in Eclipse Town. But it's so dark and so quiet -- where is the sun she had always loathed? It's not shining brightly anymore -- and as she looks up she could see why the light has chosen to hide.
Jahr.
It's there, speaking, demanding his sacrifice; and Jelly sure as hell doesn't want to be one.
But she cannot let others die for it, either. She has chosen to fight, and so are the rest of them here. The mana drains more whilst she is standing in the shadows the monster has cast; she casts a spell that would make her eyes better suit such environment, to get a better look at its face. And so, there she sees it; a few golden scales, bloodied sockets from where its eyes used to be. She wonders how it can see where it is going, though now is not the time to think about that.
She follows suit after the first to attack it; a large swarm of butterflies protrude from the shadows on her hands, and she directs it to one of its eye sockets; at the same time she casts the cloaking scroll even if it only lasts for a short time. She doesn't know if it would work; it's draining too much mana so she is unable to do much. But she hopes the tiny insects bite hard enough.
--
TECHNIQUES AND SPELLS USED: - Night Vision - Feast of the Butterflies - ILLUSIONIST’S HANDBOOK: CLOAKING SCROLL
[attr="class","s1lyrics1"]constellation of tears on your lashes
[attr="class","s1lyrics2"]burn everything you love then burn the ashes
[attr="class","s1write"]
[attr="class","s1scroll"]
He’s busy assisting with directions, and parroting directives passed down from higher up as witches move left and right trying very hard to move out of the way and no collapse in grief. Many are panicked, and many more are resigned to the loss of their homes and their inability ( or unwillingness ) to fight for their homes. Corvus does not judge, having resigned himself to not fighting either. Merle barks orders every so often stopping children from separating from their guardians or keeping lines orderly. He is more adept at this sort of thing than Corvus. His vision shifts and before he can ask himself what’s going on, he feels Merle move in closer to him and hears the voice of his older cousin. “W-What?!” he shouts over the sudden voices and chaos and the air feels heavy but maybe its just slight hyperventilation on his part as his breathing picks up. [break][break]
No. Nono no no no no-“BILLY!” he shrieked. He pocketed the potions with care, eyes darting from his dog to his cousin to the beast in the sky. Panic is setting in and then is wafts away but he knows it is unnatural because nothing about this situation was good for him, personally. Now, he very highly doubted Billy intended to force him as a sacrifice, but he very much doubted a couple of dark illusions would turn back a fucking God. And then there was Merle, who, with hackles raised and teeth bared was ready to fight. Corvus very much wanted him to stay away. He wanted both of them to stay away. “Uncle too?!” he shouted as his cousin walked away before a sharp screech broke through the roar of the crowd and giant fucking bird made his appearance known. Gigantic wings buffeted wings as Philippe took flight and flickering flames raced from his back down to the edges of his wings, adding a certain sparkle to the collection of jewels that always adorned the familiar. ‘Stick to your cousin before you get lost.’ The bird ordered as Corvus paled. [break][break]
While Corvus would very much rather not, join the fight, Philippe was raring to go. Perhaps because this would be one of the rare times he could show off in full force. Besides, it was safer with him out. After all, they didn’t own a broom. Philippe, as much as he hated it, was Corvus only mode of transportation out of here if thing got a little hairy. “Billy why? Billy no-” Corvus added despite Philippe’s conviction pressuring his thoughts like on oncoming migraine. But his cousin was already off, and he’s already running after him as a familiar connection touches his mind. [break][break]
“😰😭🤞” [break][break]
Philippe does not wait. As he watches witches begin their attacks, he flaps his wings, and lets out another screech as he claws mana out of the air that coalesces into balls of fire that begin raining down on part of Jahr’s head. They are not powerful enough to make a storm that large but as flames fall, they change in color flickering form bright red to green to gold at seemingly random. Corvus shouts a quick, "Be careful!!” at his familiar who, to relieve his witch’s worry stays near him instead of forcing him closer. He still hates the idea of being here, and the more they move into the would-be battlefield the more he wants to turn away, but how exactly can he do that is most- maybe his entire family is still out here? Would he be able to live with himself if he went back to an empty home? Not really, no. He’s unsure if he can reach it but he makes the gestures with his free hand and begins casting an auditory illusion. Pulling from the story at the beginning of Saturnalia he imagines the sounds of that first night. The laughter, the music, the rattling of fire crackers. He hones in on the sound of the gongs during the performance, how loud and overpowering they were and he begins playing with it, slowly at first but ever increasing in volume until the heart beating so loudly in his chest is the gong he pictures in his mind and he’s silently returning the stress and the panic back to one old god. [break][break]
items used | [break] spells used | a subtle touche: scroll #1, [break] techniques used | firestorm, recolor
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#fight group chat ( WE REALLY OUT HERE NOW THANKS, Billy Kasparian )
[attr="class","junescroll"] here is the crux of the situation: the rothscuses do not know how to back down from a fight. the house in sundial is absent of life, because blood calls for blood, and they have never not answered. maddox is no exception --- something within him bays for bloodshed, and his fingers drum a restless rhythm on the outside of his leg. a snarl pulls at his lips, and his eyes spark nothing short of feral, but still --- he waits.[break][break]
as the beast breaks from the cover of the forest, the magic around him stutters, spells wavering in the ether in the wraith's presence. belatedly, maddox notes one that brushes against his mind, even as he begins to drift towards another. "hit hard, and loud," comes the mental response, decisive and brief ; he's never been much of a planner. "hope you brought those canisters."[break][break]
still, he sidles up alongside basil, familiar enough with the other's magical signature to pick him apart even hidden in a crowd. notes, with a dry sort of amusement, the way resolve settles into his limbs, drawing his shoulders back and his spine straighter. his gaze slips sideways, flashing a brief grin with too many teeth to be polite. "was that really your plan?"[break][break]
not that he waits for a response, though. he is quick to step forward, into the front lines, his attention already turned away, consulting his interface for further information, eyes scanning the great wraith for any further information that he can use to corroborate with the database. there's a flash of magic that lights up the periphery of his vision --- grey eyes dart sideways, aiden --- as the first blow is dealt. then, a second, a swarm of shadowy butterflies that flutter upwards at jahr.[break][break]
"oi, red! jelly!" his voice snaps out, whip-crack sharp. the tip of an axe drags a circle on the ground, and he wraps his fingers around the environment's mana as it bleeds away from him, edges frayed by jahr's mere presence. he takes it, and he pulls. "stick close!"[break][break]
the ground begins to glow softly around him, a narrow radius for now --- he doesn't want to overstretch himself just as they begin. still, he focuses on strengthening those within reach, tangling his grasp in the environmental mana and demanding compliance; his magic roars, as he takes this new-found strength and shoves it into bodies that aren't his own, fight.
[attr="class","inkpost"]FEARLESS BOY, BROKEN BOY, THIS IS NOT YOUR WAR --- yet you are here regardless. his hands flit over the rush of people, gentle touches meant to guide; his voice is raised in tandem with the others, shepherding people towards the eluvians. not for the first time, he contemplates escape, but that has never quite sat well with him. not for the first time, his attention flickers towards the front lines, and between one breath and the next, he exchanges flight for fight.[break][break]
the beast breaks through the treeline in the same instant that his resolve hardens into a knife's point, and the plan he has in mind is crystal-clear. which is to say: he knows that in his current form, he isn't as useful as he could be. which is to say: he trades human-skin for dragon-skin between one step and the next, barely far enough from the crowd that he skirts their edge with his new-found scales, sword-sharp claws digging deep gouges into the earth.[break][break]
he doesn't roar, but a rumble works its way up from deep within his belly and howls through the landscape of his body, even as he curls himself around the edges of the witches gathering. there is comfort, he thinks, that he might be able to offer as a giant guarding their back. the magic that flows through him is wild and savage, and part of it is scarcely his own; it shivers across his skin, barely contained; he takes it between his teeth and channels it into the earth, sending it hurtling towards the wraith. [break][break]
@ everyone, i guess ??[break] USED: (01) BOOK OF THE BEAST: CRYSTALLINE DRAGON
Last Edit: Dec 23, 2019 3:51:37 GMT by ninos knight
