lowenzahhn

[lowenzahhn]

I just had a thought, but I can't shake the feeling that Venn would be able to relate to Scara. They both descend from Archons, but were ultimately disconnected from them. The Muratans were over the generations, of course, but given Venn's religious struggle in the manhua, I feel like the sense of being abandoned by their ancestress is something the Muratans, especially Venn, struggle with.

[lowenzahhn]

Since it's been awhile... anyone want a little starter?

[lowenzahhn]

Battle Stats

Weapon: Aquila Favonia (sword)

Artifact Set: Gladiator’s Finale

Element: Anemo & Pyro

Normal Attack: Favonius Bladework

For her normal attack, Vennessa charges her blade with Anemo power and deals Anemo DMG with 4 hits in succession. On her charged attack, higher Anemo DMG is dealt with Critical Hits possible with attack chains higher than 3. On her plunge, she transforms into an Anemo falcon and smites the earth, dealing Anemo AOE damage.

Elemental Skill: Lionfang

Utilizing her divine heritage as a descendant of the God of War, Vennessa’s attacks travel at supersonic speeds and create shockwaves capable of decimating shields, stones, and other obstacles superfluously and dealing successive, bombastic CRIT hits that deal Anemo DMG.

Elemental Burst: Falcon of the West

Calling on the power of the Four Winds, Vennessa briefly transforms into a large, ethereal Anemo falcon that strafes the battlefield at supersonic speeds that deals Anemo DoT, leaving behind several Dandelions that remain on the battlefield. If she or a team member comes into contact with them, the purifying powers of Windrise heals all status ailments and generates a Regen effect that heals HP by 25% every 5s. For other Anemo-users, this percentage increases to 35% every 6s. If an enemy encounters them, they’ll explode in a sonic boom that deals Anemo AoE and sends them flying.

Constellation: Tibouchina (Princess Flower)

C1: Lady of Fire

As a descendant of Murata, the Lady of Fire, all active Pyro characters on the field will experience a 25% increase in Elemental Mastery for all Pyro-based Elemental Skills & Bursts for their duration.

C2: Dream of the Dandelion Gladiator

When the onfield character is trapped and cannot move, this will reduce their time entrapped by half.

C3: Origin of the Wind

When the onfield character’s HP falls below 10%, Falcon of the West will passively trigger what’s known as a Windrise that casts a regen effect that will replenish their HP by 15% every 4s and Anemo-users’ by 20% every 6s. Windrise will cease once the character’s HP has recovered and will only trigger 4x throughout the duration of a battle.

C4: Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero

Boosts Falcon of the West’s level to 7.

C5: Four Winds

When facing the Stormterror or Wolf of the North Challenges, the drops will yield ⅕ more rewards.

C6: The Legend of Vennessa

Boosts Falcon of the West’s level to its full lvl 15.

[lowenzahhn]

"Wait-- Demons in Mondstadt? Gods, I hope not. It would be a disappointment if there were, considering my role." As one of the Four Winds, though her role had diminished vastly since the Cataclysm that had seen her and her fellow Four Winds largely forgotten in all except the footnote of history, and in the human knights that had supplanted them. Even so, Vennessa couldn't stave away the pang of guilt that came with knowing she'd slumbered for many years after her ascension and with the knowledge that the humans of a reborn Mondstadt could steer their own future without the interference of higher beings, gods or Archons. It was an ideal Vennessa had heartily agreed with, but hearing of the strife people had undergone because of it still brought a lance of guilt through her heart. Even more so when one considered that the Yaksha before her wasn't so different, forgotten but still holding fast to his duties no matter how forgotten he became.

"No, Lord Conqueror. I suppose this could be considered traveling for its own sake." Though Vennessa doubted she'd face judgment nor reproach for possibly shirking her duties, she firmly reminded herself that the Ordo had replaced the Four Winds long ago, and that there was nothing to neglect when hands had changed some time ago. "I can see why you roost here. The views are spectacular," she admired appreciatively while leaning on the balustrade, glancing at the Yaksha.

The lone cries of a falcon below the firmament cut through Xiao's reverie like the cries of memories bursting forth in the dark, still lake of his consciousness. His jade spear at his hand and his mask in the other, the Vigilant Yaksha looks up from the vastness of the Guili Plains towards the tall silhouette of the Wangshu Inn, golden eyes following the bird's graceful flight across the skies (at his back, the absence of once majestic wings aches in distant echo - he waves the phantom feeling away. how long has it been, since he has last truly taken flight?). It appears he will not be the Inn's only immortal visitor, tonight.

The last Yaksha teleports away, swift as the wind; and materialises on the Inn's rooftop beneath moonlit skies just in time to catch the Muratan. "Falcon of the West." He calls, voice quiet but steady as the wind in Fall - one comrade in arms to another. Her accomplishments during the Cataclysm have not gone forgotten. "I was not expecting you in Liyue. Has demonic activity picked up in Mondstadt?" He asks - mind immediately jumping to the most catastrophic scenario that could possibly justify her presence here. Call it force of habit.

[lowenzahhn]

@bitterseadrop -- ;

"I think, maybe... he's had one too many shots for one night."

[lowenzahhn]

@snowtombedstar -- ;

"It's odd to think how different this place looked centuries ago. It didn't feel as... sinister."

[lowenzahhn]

@electric-ecclectic -- ;

"You know, I really do think 'Vin would feel assured knowing the library is in such good hands," Vennessa quipped as she paced absently while cradling a particularly heavy tome, poring over the contents without any sense of hurry. "You've done well under Lisa's wing, Miss Grimhildt."

[lowenzahhn]

@chiselight -- ;

'So, are you done running from who you are? The cat and mouse ac gets old after awhile."

[lowenzahhn]

@jadesanct -- ;

"Sometimes, freedom... just feels like purposelessness. Mondstadt forgot the Four Winds centuries ago, and we were replaced. I never thought it would bother me, but..." Vennessa fell quiet at the straying admission and glanced away from the Youkai, wondering if opening up so much would come with a measure of regret. "It's a very silly thing to be concerned with, isn't it?"

[lowenzahhn]

@wiindblume -- ;

"Ah, so you're the mysterious caper Master Diluc seems to like complaining about."

Amusement underscored Vennessa's voice as the younger goddess perched on one of the barrels outside of Angel's Share, gazing at Venti with a glint in her golden eyes.

"Never change, Venti. It's nice to know you're still you."

[lowenzahhn]

@voyage-inferno -- ;

"Shit-- Wait, I'll get it!"

The roar of a Ruin Guard's rockets launched towards them hurdled through the air, swiftly targeting the pair of them. Honing her Aquila Favonia on the salvoes, a clean cut that slashed the air and sent a shockwave that decimated the missiles in controlled explosions that detonated harmlessly midair, Vennessa's shoulders sagging in relief.

"Alright... the coast is clear."

[lowenzahhn]

@guujies

The Thunder Sakura in Inazuma were acclaimed for their natural beauty, of the Electro that coursed through it, but Vennessa couldn't help but feel attuned to them for another reason. It was said that Istaroth's presence in Inazuma was as strong as it had once been in Mondstadt, and the energies were prevalent. She'd encountered them in Celestia long ago, where the Shades shone the brightest. Distracted by the falling petals at the Grand Narukami Shrine where other worshippers flitted about from the shrine's campus, asking for their blessings from the Narukami.

Belatedly, she realized another presence lingering near, inclining her head towards them.

"I've heard a lot about these trees, but it's different to see in person."

[lowenzahhn]

Sara Teasdale, Spring in War-Time

[lowenzahhn]

It was always too easy to be caught in the playfulness that was so inherent to the duo, the long years doing little to diminish the connection between them that made such fraternal displays come easily and naturally. That, and being the former rebels of Mondstadt's extinct aristocracy, they were always among the first to flaunt the fanciful traditions that had long since gone away.

Suppressing a grin that expressed as a smile, Vennessa similarly bowed into a feminine curtsey that was hilariously exaggerated, laughter difficult to resist given Venti's penchant for theatrics and the fun that followed them like the wind they commanded as Archon. "Mondstadt's greatest bard offering this to a humble knightess? Consider me honored."

She offered an arm for Venti to link his through, and the vernal glow about them was impossible to deny; two friends who were like the flowers in spring, the warm wind that brought with it the first thaw and the path upon which life could walk. "It almost makes you nostalgic, doesn't it? Remember the first Windblume after the dust had settled? There was nothing like it... Just pure, unadulterated joy."

The zeal those days was calmer and more subdued, but no less precious. The people by this time had forgotten the terror and despondency that came from being denied simple, faultless jubilation. It was almost easy to forget how hard-won their victory had been, and how difficult it was to make Mondstadt the country of freedom it was by the current day.

"It's easy to take for granted. But, if it means these people won't know that hardship, I can't say I really mind much."

While they have no qualms moving amongst the people, especially during celebrations, Venti is equally content to watch from on high, perched beside Vennessa in the manner of birds affectionately watching their fledglings test young wings. When she speaks, the bard lifts their gaze away from the children below to look at her, a gleam of amusement in aqua eyes.

She wishes to see the festivities up close? Venti hops to their feet with a small 'hup!', turning to face Vennessa proper.

Hand to their chest, Venti dips forward in imitation of a most formal bow, going so far as to sweep their capelet out behind them for an added dash of flair. Their free hand they extend toward Vennessa, palm up in invitation. "If you'd like to attend, then allow me to serve as your escort~."

It's a perfectly silly gesture to make when one considers the long-standing friendship between the two, as well as Venti's penchant for shrugging off anything resembling noble formalities. But they simply cannot resist, amused by the idea of playing knight and princess--when Vennessa is by far the more knightly of the duo.

[lowenzahhn]

"I'll take your word for it." Maybe the location was odd for the young god, but the experience of traveling for one originally nomadic was not. Tsurumi Island might've been uninhabitable for humans, but she had to remind herself that she wasn't human anymore. Those of the Abyss naturally avoided her sanctifying aura, though their howls and roars still resonated hauntingly into the dissonance. A look was spared to the youkai seemed to be nodding off, and she regarded him curiously. "Rest. So long as I'm here, no enemies will stray too close."

“ wait. did you hear that? ”  

he seems relaxed, eyes shut with little intention to react to what they assume to be noise. " i hear plenty, but that was nothing to be alarmed of. " in all honesty, the chiming tune sounded like a tanuki within the night. leaning against an old weathered wall, the yokai almost falls asleep ; exhaustion of weeks of work non-stop catching up with his soul.

[lowenzahhn]

"I see," Vennessa replied, and she couldn't help the troubled note in her voice. The Abyss Order was a painfully new organization as she'd come to understand it, only extant for the last 500 years or so. But, for them to be as ambitious as to try and subjugate those of the Four Winds troubled her.

"I've already heard about the missing statue, and I wonder... will they try to target Lord Barbatos, too?" And if that were the case, she'd stay true to her blood and unleash a war upon them.

Those memories are those that Andrius had wanted so desperately to purge from his mind. Rather than feeling scared, Andrius rather feels angry that such foul creatures had dared attempted to harm him much the same way they harmed Dvalin.

"Yes," Andrius says, barely biting back the growl creeping into his voice. "Were it not for the traveler and Razor, I would have been lost."

[lowenzahhn]

For what it’s worth… she shares in that monsterfucker struggle—