The peace that formerly reigned in Terra Nova has eroded, now little more than a memory. War ravages the continent. Disputes divide kingdoms; ideals divide families. The quest for power consumes absolutely and indiscriminately. None are immune to its allure.
Who will rise and who will fall? Only time—and ambition—will tell.
UPDATES
05.26.2023
2 month character creation hold for all existing members begins 6/5/2023. Ended 8/5/2023.
10.29.2023
Change in how times flows. Was 4 IC seasons, now only 2 IC seasons per 1 OOC year.
5 whole years of Heir Apparent goodness! When I started the site, I knew I was hunkering down for the long haul, but I never could have predicted the numerous twists and turns this roleplay site has seen. Hundreds of plots, characters, and members have come and gone, all leaving marks on the site. I am so very thankful for those who have invested. Because you keep coming back, keep getting on, and keep writing, Heir Apparent has the legacy it does today. Three cheers to us!
Calanthe was exhausted. Staying up for days at a time to work on her enlightenment wasn't easy. Of course she was her father's daughter and giving up wasn't an option. For tonight though she was done, especially after the words started to stay in her eyes even after she looked up from the pages. It had been a good night though, and saga enchantments were starting to seem like her forte. Still it was hard to pick one thing, especially when everything seemed so useful.
Walking the path away from the library she practically skipped up to her uncle when she saw him going the other way. He probably had somewhere to be, but for now that was talking with her. Ser Keion! Smiling she waved, at her the uncle she was leased scared might kill her. While he was perfectly capable, Evander always made her... wary. Have a second for a question? Maybe he could give some input on how his enchantment decision went.
Keion was meandering through the city as he often found himself doing these days, just watching and observing. He had decided to head to the library to do some quiet reading and to see if anyone was working on any suspicious types of research. Ever since the first attack Cyrus and him had thwarted, he wanted to stay on top of these types of things to nip them in the bud.
As he drew closer to the library he heard a familiar voice and his eyes landed on Calanthe coming towards him. He smiled, slowing to a stop, "Ah, my beautiful niece! How are you this fine day? Of course, I always have time for questions from you."
Calanthe liked spending time with her family, and Keion was no exception. He was very cool, and his military accomplishments were amazing. Something she could only aspire to accomplish someday. Pointing back to the library she had just come from she smiled. Just finished some extra studying! It can be exhausting.
She thought about asking her uncle what he was doing out and about but thought better of it. He had important things to do and probably not things he could discuss with her, at least that's what Pietro had said last time she tried to pester him into telling her about the gathering. When you went through the enlightenment how did you know how to pick the right type of enchanting?
He listened to her question and then contemplated it. It was a good question and one that varied from person to person, he would assume. "Well, for me it was what I thought would be most useful to me. Aura enchantments are quite useful from a military perspective for use on our gear, such as my pair of boots from the cavalry." He glanced down at the boots that were currently on his feet as if to prove his point.
"But not everyone looks at it that way, some simply choose whichever they enjoy creating the most, it does not have to be from a useful perspective." He gave her a smile and shrugged. "I am not sure if that actually answered your question."
Keion's words were kind of helpful. Not totally though, because it meant knowing what she wanted to do when she grew up. That was a lot to think about for someone who wasn't even seventeen yet. Calanthe wasn't sure what to do with this information yet. Still it came from a good place and so she continued to smile. Sort of, I think it's just something I'm going to need to muddle through.
Calanthe certainly had parts of everything she liked though. I like the longer enchantments so far, the more complicated the better. Twisting through all the words was fun so far, but it had only been a month or two. Looking at her uncle with a questioning look she tapped her chin. Where those boots the first thing you enchanted?
He nodded at her, agreeing with her statement. "If you like the longer and more complicated enchantments, it sounds like you are on your way to mastering shrine enchantments, which is quite exciting. That means you could make enchantments even more powerful than what Evander manages to put together."
He winked at her and then glanced down at his boots and shook his head, "No, I believe the first thing I enchanted was quite boring, something like a cooling stone. I would not dare touch military enchantments until I was quite confident in my ability to not mess them up."
Her eyes lit up at the thought of pulling off better enchantments than her uncle. He came up with some crazy stuff so that would have been quite the accomplishment. You really think I could? When did he become enlightened? It wasn't always a numbers game, but the more time she had to work the better.
Nodding she wondered what her first creation on her own would be. For now she was stuck in the classroom, but she was sure that would change soon. After all if her older brother was to be believed she was pretty amazing. I made a heating crystal yesterday, but I really just want to make something amazing just like you all do. She was only sixteen, but becoming an adult seemed more important than ever.
Keion nodded at her, smiling, "If you study and work hard enough, sure you could. Evander as a bit younger than average when he became enlightened, but that was not a surprise to any of us." He chuckled at her last words, reaching out to ruffle her hair lightly. "Do not try to rush your youth, Calanthe. It is time that you will never get back. I am sure you will do great things as all of the other Blackwoods, but there is no reason to hurry."
Calanthe smiled, remembering why she liked Keion so much. She scrunched her nose and swatted his hand away to fix her hair. Sticking her tongue out she laughed. I'm growing up Uncle Keion! But I can stop to smell the roses I suppose. Not really her thoughts of fun, but maybe she'd take some more breaks to follow Calliope around.
Are you sticking around for a while? Or off the travel after the whole council thing. She was still a little miffed she hadn't been able to tag along, but that's what being considered a child got you she supposed. Cala wasn't even sure he would be able to talk about it, but his life always seemed so interesting.
His smile fell just a bit when she asked about his plans for after the council. He knew there was a good chance he would not be staying in Arynn Frey and it pained him a bit knowing he would be separated from his family. "I do not know. That depends on many things." That is where he would leave it, being unable to discuss the council at all with her due to her age. The important topics to be brought up at this years council were not for the youngest members to worry about. He could not even assure he that he would come to say goodbye, as he knew there was potential that he would leave immediately after the council.
He pulled himself from his thoughts, focusing his gaze on his niece once more. "Did you have any other questions?"
Calanthe saw his smile falter a bit, and really wished she could cheer him up. Keion was fun to have around, and always a much more welcome company then Evander. Still he had big things to do, something she could only dream about saying some day soon. Well you just better be back for my birthday. It was a good two months away, but with some of his trips it was a mystery.
Quirking an eyebrow she laughed. How long do you have? Her curiosity and drive was one of the many reasons she loved to study. Unfortunately that sometimes meant pestering her aunt and uncle non-stop.
Keion chuckled and he took a small bow, "Yes ma'am, I will do my best to be home for that." In reality, he knew the chances of being around were slim, but he could at least try. He shook his head at her in amusement when she pressed on about questions. "Well, I have at least the rest of today that I can dedicate to your questions. But may I suggest we go somewhere not in the middle of the street?"
Calanthe smiled, knowing Keion would at least put in the effort. He was a busy man, at least that’s what she assumed since she rarely saw him these days. Of course it didn’t help she had been studying enough to miss a couple things. And if not I expect a gift and apology. Grinning she was just glad to have him around when he could be.
Oh yes! Of course! She had almost forgotten she was just standing around. That’s what a one-track mind got her. It was easier to talk with Keion about these things. She wanted to be perfect for Cyrus, and Calliope was just far too cool.
He laughed and bowed slightly to her again, "Of course, my lady." It would almost certainly be a gift and an apology letter, but he would ensure it was the best gift he could find for her.
He offered his arm to her and motioned towards the library. "I know you just came from there, but it is the closest place with seats." He could spend time with his niece and also do a bit of reconnaissance while they were there.
Nodding her head she was sure whatever gift it was it would be cool. Keion seemed to know everything about everyone, including the exact thing they wanted most.
Accepting her uncles arm she smiled. There were plenty of empty tables! She loved the library, feeling at home these days in between the tomes these days. It helped she had slept there a couple of nights. Figuring she could start her questions while they walked she dove right in. How do you pick the enchantments you work on?