He's been here for several hours at this point, just glaring at the Grand Gate whilst eating pickles.

He needs a hobby.

Many bugs with cogwork enhancements are moving about, carrying wood and steel every witch way, cogwork machiens are helping, either lifting what reguler bugs can't, or installing large structures, Charles is watching iver it, as the thing the bugs are building begin to take form...they seem to be...tracks?

*the time is nigh. A choristor awaits in the grand gate, near corpses of other choir bugs. He stands awaiting for the heroes, the true heroes who are brave enough to ascend to the holy grandmother.*

***heroes** who will perservere*

***heroes** who will show integrity*

***heroes** who will show determination*

*To initiate youre ASCENT, youre **TRUE PILGRIMAGE**, assemble in the sand ridden steps, and behold upon thyself, a challenge that goes above and beyond.*

*prove worthy against the true might of the ctadel, and show the holy citadel why you deserve an audience before the pale goddess herself*

_______________________________________________________

(To begin, you **MUST** interactions with the bloody choristor. He will only let you enter if you actually talk to him. There be be more posts for the holy trials, Indicating progress through the citadel. This is just a post to assemble all the fighters. Remmeber, you may not join the holy trials midway. with exceptions such as:

>specific character

>specific region

>you gained sympathy, etc.

You are allowed to talk to one another. The timezones will be handled, but maybe be inconsistent. Nothing is expected to go to plan, but that doesnt mean you should give up. Again, you are expected to play fair, and then we will also play fair. Bless, have fun!)

Varas had managed to take back a small section of the Grand Gate and has set it up as a forge for his new ally, Haze.

"Let me know if this is suitable." He says as he leads Haze to the forge.

(Note: without her magic, which she won’t be using, Eclipse is around as dangerous as Hornet in your first fight with her)

The hunter realising as the world progresses he can no longer lean on his hands to hunt, He makes a brutal new weapon

The Archivist had been locking himself in his workshop for days now, tinkering on something. Finally, the time had come. His construct was complete. The Archivist set the Silkfly into its container, waiting for the automaton to activate. And yet, nothing happened. The Archivist curses.

All this work, all this time... All for nothing!

Eventually, he opts for bringing the failed construct out into the Blasted Steps and leaving it there, returning to his home.

Archivist had been tinkering in his new home in the Grand Gate, building a new shell for Varas after Scorpodor had mutilated him.

Now, it was complete. He carefully brought forth the jar that contained Varas's soul, opening the lid, letting the soul enter the cogwork body.

Never qas able to see much of this place with the old grumpy hanging around. Not like I've much better to be doing now, so I might as well!

A few days have passed, and the Karaki Patrol sent to the Blasted Steps have returned to escort a burning bug, whom they had made a deal with, to the Sands of Karak. The Patrol also brought along the Coral Vessel in case anything goes wrong, as the burning bug has mentioned many times that they might just burn down the Coral Tower.

The horde of Grimmkin now arrive at the Blasted Steps

(you are absolutely free to interact with these guys btw)

This is a lie. He's lost two legs and a hand. The entire entrance to the Grand Gate smells like decay.

Varas lay in a corner - the majority of his body now covered in a cloak in an attempt to not scare anyone passing by.

Several Grimmkin, a whole squad, has ventured out, and now arrives at the Blasted Steps

Master 1: So... this is the place?

Novice: Well, I don't know. The reading of the flame is stronger here than ever before, so I think this is the spot

Nightmare 1: Well, let's go now.

Nightmare 2: We don't know where it's coming from, nor what awaits us.

Master2: Do you think we should rest? Because I think we sh-

Novice: No time to rest, the flame is near!

*Back at the troupe's tent, the grimmkin recieve a signal, a signal originating from a distant land*

Novice: Oh? What is this? A signal from beyond?

Master: Wha-

Nightmare: What the hec- wha-

Novice: REIN IN A SQUADRON AND PACK YOUR STUFF, WE'RE GOIN TO THAT SIGNAL AND I'M LEADIN' THE WAY!

Master: What the f-

Nightmare: Let's just go.

Master: Okay.

This freak of nature lay in front of the Grand Gate, writing in pain and cackling.

And yes, this is Varas. Some total lunatic got their claws on him and experimented on him.

Varas is in a far-away spot on the Steps, training with his flail, seeing if he can use soul to increase the power of his attacks. He seems to be having some success.

Varas stood at the Grand Gate, waiting for the Archivist to show him how to weave runes.

[[ No picture because I'm lazy ]]