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.
Of all the places in Sundial, the docks were definitely his favorite. They were full of people of different shades and ideas, and the air itself was scented of stories even he hadn't heard. It hadn't taken long for him to go from listener to speaker and start mingling with the people here on his own accord.
When he'd been given a small side job to investigate leviathan-related rumors, he supposed the best place to look was here, at rumor central: Bell's Bar.
Hugo slipped into the tavern and hung his hat beside he door, walking to meet with the barista he'd meet quite a few times before. His arrival was greeted with a dirty look as the barista eyed him up and down. "You haven't been here in ages! I was worried you'd found a lady to keep you busy. Have your preferences changed much, Hugo, dear?"
He chuckled and shook his head. "What can I say, I haven't changed much at all." He gestured his hand openly, but accidentally ended up hitting across someone's chin with the backs of his fingers. Thankfully, he wasn't moving too fast.
"Oh, Merlin, my apologies. Are you okay?" He eyed the silver-headed girl warily.
Climb until you're getting high Be a part of the scene like you're living your dream Walk the room like you're on fire Like your chasing the truth, gripping tight to your youth
Eira was no stranger to the docks and she would mostly find herself stationed around the surrounding area; she was aware of the people who frequented there the most and she would occasionally take the time to vaguely familiarize herself with their faces. It was something she would dabble in, help her solidify her illusions and better improve her creations– taking some inspiration from reality was never a bad thing.
Despite the slight distaste she held for loud atmospheres, she would simply put aside her displeasure to visit the tavern; it was an ideal location to browse the different faces hidden within the bar while the rumors themselves were merely entertaining subjects to her. She stood outside of the small establishment, bidding the comfortable silence of the docks farewell as she stepped through the doors of the bars. Eira would allow her eyes to wander beneath the veil that concealed a portion of her face, casting a small glance to the customers nestled inside the bar.
She would eventually center her attention to the bartender located in the back of the tavern, slipping past the bodies of some of the visitors and not particularly minding the few that were sat in the back of the bar. She was quiet with her movements, the quiet clicks of her heels being the only thing that would allude to her arrival; yet that would be consumed by the boisterous volume.
Eira didn’t expect others to pay too much attention to her nor was she expecting to have the hand of an unexpected stranger go brushing past her face. The hit wasn’t too hard, but it was enough for her to stumble back in slight surprise and her hands were quick to check if everything was still in place.
It took her a moment to even acknowledge the apology of the man that committed the crime, her concealed gaze briefly landing on him; all indicated with a subtle movement of her head, “No need to apologize, but I suggest you watch where you throw your hands. If it were anyone else, things might not be so pleasant.”
He realized soon that he couldn't actually see her face-- it was covered in a veil that concealed her eyes, and the very idea of it made him wary. It was a minor detail at first glance, but it was diffcult to comprehend how unnerving a conversation with such a person would be without really experiencing it for himself. Despite being alive for thirty three years and counting, there were still experiences he was a stranger to...
And this girl chilled and deliberate attitude coupled with her odd attire was very nearly one of them "Ahaha," he offered an uneasy laugh, idly giving a mental remark to just how accurate that girl's comment was- from personal experience, of course. He stopped his uneasy laughter and gave the girl a more genuine look. "Here, let me buy you a drink. I don't want you to think of me as a rude stranger, after all..."
His hands begin to call on the bartender, when suddenly something shifts the atmosphere of the tavern. A waitress was standing and apologizing fervently to a man who seemed to think he was entitled to better patronage. The mess was causing quite a scene, as the man seemed to have no intention of leaving.
Hugo's outstretched hand tightened to a fist, and his languid and easygoing eyes turned a sharper, more icy blue. His attention was caught and he looked straight past the girl, and it seemed like every muscle in his body was tensed.
Climb until you're getting high Be a part of the scene like you're living your dream Walk the room like you're on fire Like your chasing the truth, gripping tight to your youth
It was almost amusing to witness a grown man laugh with a tone of uncertainty and how quickly the mood could shift from boisterous confidence to an awkward and uneasy laughter… perhaps a bit pathetic in hindsight. Eira furrowed her brows when the uneasy laughter died down, the strange look from the blonde stranger transforming into one that seemed a bit more genuine; all in one stride.
She breathed out a small sigh, her hands adjusting the thin material around her eyes and brushing her hair back into place at the brief incident; nearly disregarding the whole ordeal, “I hardly think of you as rude, maybe excitable...” She admitted, small accidents happened at times and holding one stranger accountable over a small incident seemed impractical; a pathetic excuse to waste precious energy.
Despite the offer being a bit predictable in most cases, it still remained foreign to her. Eira anticipated that the conversation would be brief and the two would simply part their ways without second thought yet she was being offered a drink from the same man that brushed his hand across her face, “There’s hardly a need to buy a drink for me, but if you insist I won’t stop you from doing so.” There was a hint of reluctance in her voice, almost as if she was questioning his motive asides from a simple apology.
She gave him one simple lookover as she debated quietly in her head before flicking her gaze to the counter and eventually sitting down in one of the available seats. She was quiet as she sat there with him, not quite initiating a conversation with the man and she simply kept herself preoccupied with various walks of life surrounding her. Eira came her to observe after all and her plans weren’t going to change over a small hiccup. However, the atmosphere of the tavern seemed to shift in a dime when the comfortable buzz of noise turned into frustrated shouts and she couldn’t prevent the tense feeling that overcame her when she watched the scene unfold.
“Don’t act so coy dammit! I’ve been going here for years and the one time I need something useful from you, you decide to hold out. I know you’re hiding something, don’t act stupid!” The shouts would progress from the man, followed by the clattering of glass on the floor; the contents of the drink splattered across the floor of the bar.
"You are merciless, aren't you, young lady," he said, chuckling at her lack of hesitance to address him in such a blunt and matter-of-fact way. He doesn't miss the reluctance in her voice, but choose to carefully ignore it in favor of humming a casual tune.
When he stopped in his tracks to view the commotion, a sudden disdain took over him and made him wonder if he might have also been in the young man's position. How long had the council and the covens been sending out information gathering missions like this, and how long since had they been in vain to drive people up the walls in desperation? The world was no longer a linear route in the quest for power, it was a multi-threaded web of lies in quest for knowledge.
His drink arrived, and he relaxed as the commotion escalated.
"Sir, please leave the--"
"What did you say to me!" Something slammed against the table, and one of the younger keepers shrieked.
Hugo, nonchalant, handed the glass to the strange woman and took a sip out of his own, watching the events as they unfolded with a dulled look in his eyes. Helix roared angrily, and Hugo could practically feel the lion pacing inside the back corners of his mind.
And then a glass as thrown and, reflexively, Hugo's arm jutted out to protect the lady's face, despite the actual object hitting the floor a while off. The shouting continued but Hugo gave the girl a warm smile. "If things escalate any more, it might not be safe here..."
Climb until you're getting high Be a part of the scene like you're living your dream Walk the room like you're on fire Like your chasing the truth, gripping tight to your youth
“I suppose you could say something like that, but you clearly don’t mind.” She observed, an amused smile settling onto her lips for a moment when the blonde stranger seemed to dismiss the situation with a chuckle. Eira leaned forwards when the laughter seemed to die down, her arms resting on the table as she looked at the man; his casual and pleasant approach to the conversation softened her edges a bit though her smile didn’t last long.
Eira hummed under her breath when the beverage was handed off to her, almost unamused with how nonchalant the action was before she simply placed the cold drink down onto the table, “Pathetic…” She mumbled underneath her breath, her attention easily captured by the commotion within the bar; people never knew when to put a hunt to rest and it was almost pitiable to witness others lash out because of it.
She would have opted to ignore the situation, but it was difficult to dismiss when shrieks ripped through the tavern. Eira winced slightly at the sound of shattering glass, her eyes immediately glancing over to look at the stranger; a look of disbelief hidden in her eyes with how easily his arm jutted out to block the glass, “Thanks for the concern…” Eira managed, her words slow when she caught sight of the warm smile.
“Unsafe or not, it’s best to nip situations like these.” Eira admitted, pushing her chair back as she stood from her seat; she was calm and collected despite the mess unraveling around her, “Unless of course, you prefer to flee.”
The girl smiled a fast-fading smile and Hugo was glad at least, that she wasn't as uptight and cold as she had tried to be-- some people were more undoubtedly reserved than others, but that demeanor was something he always believed need good old positive reform.
The girl turned to the fight, seeming disdainful of the situation. Hugo wondered if he and the others should feel that way as well, but he honestly couldn't help but sympathize with the man. Leviathan was a witch hunt like no other, one his parents and grandparents had told him of. Days of the war, days of unease. Feuds lingered unhindered; a silent vendetta rumbling beneath the water.
The girl mumbled a thank you, and Hugo heard sincerity behind the slow-spoken words. A response that was made in the moment itself would always ring more honest than ones that had been preformulated. But then she stood up in the mess, and Hugo blinked uneasily. Well, well. Are we going to play now? Helix asked, snarling in the back corners of Hugo's mind.
"I couldn't leave you alone to handle things alone. But honestly, what are you planning on doing? Isn't it better to settle things without fighting?" He asked, and traces of happiness had already evaporated from his face and the girl was left with a vacant look.
Helix began stretching lazily, and Hugo could feel a certain power coursing through him that he could not describe.
Climb until you're getting high Be a part of the scene like you're living your dream Walk the room like you're on fire Like your chasing the truth, gripping tight to your youth
“I came to this bar to have some semblance of a relaxed atmosphere and quite frankly, shrieking and shouting over some witch hunt that would better be left dead does not count for something relaxing.” Eira explained, her muscles were a bit tense when the shouting grew louder; it was pathetic and she despised how unnaturally loud this drunkard was turning the place. She didn’t expect the bar to be quiet, but she had expected it to be somewhat cheerful when it came to the volume. Despite being typically quiet and far more reserved, it was situation like these that would make her blood boil just a bit.
“Are you implying that you would rather let the shouting go o-” She was cut short, her familiar’s voice cutting through her thoughts immediately as she spoke. Eira, it isn’t your place to do such a thing and dragging some strange man into a middle of a fruitless fight will not help your case.
Her jaw clenched a bit at the truthfulness of the words, Lucia was right and here she was ready to split apart a fight as if she held the ability to do so; she was weak compared to others, “Are you implying that you would rather let the shouting go on?” Eira eventually finished her sentence, standing down for now as Lucia prompted her to do– there was definite sense of discomfort radiating from her. She wasn’t particularly pleased with the ordeal and she wasn’t keen on the idea of it escalating further than it had to, that was clear; she was just some girl who wanted some damn peace and quiet.
That better be left dead? Well, he supposed it was a common enough opinion...but the witches of Leviathan, witches experimenting with unknown magic. He knew what disasters that could bring. But really..he was over reacting. Helix's power always made him to crazy and stupid things and jump to conclusions. Who wouldn't want the witch hunt to end, if it meant less fighting and war?
She posed a difficult question to answer, but Hugo just shook his head. "That's not what I meant at all." Helix purred excitedly because his familiar could feel it. The aura os chaos all around them, the sudden spark to action. You really should be like this girl and stop denying instinct, old man.
"Don't call me an old man," Hugo murmured, looking back at the girl. "--I meant that there should always be a way to end things without being violent. Isn't ending violence with violence just another kind of witch hunt?" Helix groaned upon hearing this, but somehow refrained from making a comment.
Well, maybe that comparison was a bit too generalized and abstract. But Hugo hardly ever talked in concretes, so he supposed that was to be expected. As he finished the question, Helix materialized in all his glory besides Hugo and the Large Familiars Restricted sign that stood uselessly in the middle of the tavern.
And then the lion roared at full volume, and Hugo began to increasingly feel like this was a bad idea.
Climb until you're getting high Be a part of the scene like you're living your dream Walk the room like you're on fire Like your chasing the truth, gripping tight to your youth
Eira hummed under her breath when she heard the murmur, her brows furrowing for just a moment at the mention of old man though she wasn’t going to question it; she assumed the words weren’t directed to her and the assumption was nearly confirmed when the stranger was quick to correct his mistake, “I suppose you’re right, but it’s difficult to not get agitated with all the shouting in the room…” She mumbled in response, almost a hint of defeat in her tone when this man’s words sounded so similar to her familiar’s.
“If you want to hear the truth, sometimes to end a hunt is through violence.” Eira explained though she had no intentions of rushing in there, both of them were correct; she was unable to do anything that would break the shouting that filled the tavern, “By all means, show me what you mean... I want to know what you mean by doing the right thing.” She challenged, her eyes resting on him; her head cocking slightly to imply the action.
She was curious to say the least, this man so willing to take the pacifist route rather than to jump into action and attempt to stop the violence from the very start. Eira watched him carefully amongst all the noises around them though she took a careful step back when she saw a lion materialize besides this strange man and the loud roar that left the giant feline was enough for her to cover her ears at the loud noise. She wasn’t alone when the feline let out the loud noise, the shouting in the bar having died down a bit and the attention was focused on the three of them.
“Your plan was to draw the attention over here?” Eira looked at the stranger in disbelief, nearly ready to accuse the other of being hypocritical though she refrained from doing so; she may have been tense and ready to jump into violence at any moment though she certainly wasn’t going to be rude with her words.
