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!
Post by October Montgomery on Apr 22, 2024 14:34:59 GMT -5
October had been around gifteds for long enough that he knew that while many could wield their gifts with no physical action, that a raising of an arm towards an enemy was a clear sign of action. October didn’t know or care what Avalon’s gift was, all he knew was the look on her face was clearly fury and whatever was going to happen was dangerous. In a swift action he had his arms wrapped around Iliana and his body shielding her as best he could in protection from whatever would happen.
“Your shield,” he said to her in a way of a reminder of what she had but at a normal volume that likely wouldn’t be heard by the chaos around them. He heard Hiram’s instruction to ‘kill him’ but October’s job entailed he keep Iliana safe, not other royalty. She was his only priority.
Iliana ducked her head under her hands as October’s body was suddenly around her. She didn’t need his instruction as the shield had started to flicker to life out of instinctual preservation, but his reminder did cause her to focus on keeping it up around the two of them.
Shrine Magic
Akagi wields a saga enchanted naginata, that when touched allows the wielder to cast bright red orbs that explode on contact. Akagi can cast single orbs or produce up to four orbs in a powerup to cast at once for a bigger explosion.
Post by Akagi Llewellyn on Apr 23, 2024 6:29:12 GMT -5
If he could try politics once more Akagi would step forward hand with the diamond directly in the path kf what could be the Eldouirs attack path, "Stop! Killing me won't bring her back, but I can," it was a lie but it was to buy time if anything, "I can take you to Elena and I can put her back together. I am the only Enchanter gifted enough to do so," and that was his case, "Let these people go home and leave my kingdom alone."
However if that failed and the Eldouirs attack got through there was little for Akagi to do but brace for the impact hoping in the Eldouirs blind rage to also destroy the diamond. At the same time the two witches Hadrisn Usher placed outside of the throne room would rush in one with the starts of an incantation to summon a powerful gust of unseen air already flying from her palm stretched aiming at Honora Allemeade and the other slicing the palm of her hand with a blade preparing to summon a creature.
Meanwhile the Peacekeeper force Akagi had summoned was close by yet not close enough to make their entrance.
After Elena’s death was announced in no uncertain terms, things snapped into rapid motion. The proudly beaming Akagi Llewellyn would have only moments to shift his demeanor as Avalon Eldouir raised her hands to unleash an explosion from her fingertips. Avalon’s gift would not be known to the Arynnite king, but to brace oneself would be a reasonable response when coming up against an Eldouir. Akagi Llewellyn would only have time to extend his hand and have the words, “Stop, Killing—” before he was thrown back by the impact of Avalon Eldouir ’s power.
The force of the impact would crack three of the king’s ribs and give him a concussion—not enough to knock him out, but enough to daze him. The diamond, the hardest natural mineral in the world, would remain intact and go flying to a corner of hte room. Iliana and October Montgomery would remain unscathed due to the force field around them.
The force of the explosion would also alert the two witches stationed outside that things had gone awry. Immediately they would make for the throne room and enter prepared to act. Hiram Eldouir , actively sensing with his blood magic, would detect them before their arrival (though he has done nothing to stop it). He would also detect Ophelia Rainecourt , though she was still a distance away. He would not know it was the princess now queen: just another witch in the palace.
No alarm had been sounded, and so peacekeepers in the vicinity would know only that a strange noise had been heard in the direction of the throne room. Four peacekeepers will start to make their way to the throne room. Hiram Eldouir will be able to detect them as they make their way toward the throne room (though boy does he have a lot to keep track of).
Objects in the peacekeepers’ possession are known to the CN and M'Baku . It will take four rounds for the peacekeepers to arrive.
PROCESS NOTES
Hi, y’all. There is a lot to take into account here, and in the interest of transparency, I want to walk everyone through my process. At the beginning, folks were instructed to account for what your character has in your possession, so I want to honor that. I also want to honor what was / wasn’t specified as benign in the throne room’s immediate vicinity.
Per Hiram Eldouir ’s first post, he was actively using his blood awareness to “clue him into how many people were ahead of them before they came upon them.” Though no peacekeepers were specified as in the area, realistically, peacekeepers would be moving about the palace. I rolled to randomize their number and distance from the throne room. I also rolled from a list of fifteen enchanted items to randomize what weapons/defenses each will have in their possession. These are known to M'Baku , but I am keeping them “secret” for now, as the Eldouir wouldn’t know what the peacekeepers would be packing.
Avalon Eldouir ’s action was taken immediately after knowledge of her sister’s death, so I focused on the few seconds before and after the explosion, hence why some attempted actions were cut short. I rolled to randomize the extent of Akagi Llewellyn ’s physical damage after the explosion.
If you have any questions or concerns about my process, please feel free to reach out.
GUIDELINES
- POST TIMING:The CN will seek to post a reply on Monday 4/29, so please plan accordingly and take posting order into account (I have a conference this weekend; afterward we will pick up the pace). We will not wait for your character, and if they are a central part of an exchange then they will still be factored into what is taking place. Their actions (or inaction) will be narrated by the CN.
- NPCs:M'Baku will NPC the attempted actions of Peacekeepers when they arrive. Rigby will NPC the witches (per her role as Hadrian Usher ). If you have any questions, again, please feel free to reach out.
- SPECIFICITY OF ACTION: In the interest of fairness, the CN will actively avoid asking OOC clarifying questions about posts. This indirectly rewards vagueness, as it gives the opportunity for players to 'adjust' their actions knowing what others have done since. Please be as detailed with your character's actions as possible. Any vagueness of action will be left up to the principles of realism and the discretion of the CN. If you have any questions about this, please contact Rigby .
Post by Honora Allemeade on Apr 23, 2024 13:21:17 GMT -5
It was surreal—all of it was surreal. But, as a frog in a pot set slowly to rise to a boil, the threads of Honora’s once unforgiving sense of morality were starting to fray. She’d closely brushed with death, felt the overwhelming suffocation of captivity, and now another need superseded her need for goodness: survival. And in the pursuit of survival, morality takes a backseat.
Honora covered her face when Avalon raised her hands, knowing the woman’s gift well enough to understand what was to follow. She saw a twinkle as the diamond flew from Akagi Llewellyn ’s hand, but did not see where it landed. Her gaze flew to Iliana to ensure she was safe before redirecting to Hiram Eldouir as he spoke.
Bring the palace down. The words would drift into Myla’s mind with wearied exhaustion. But please, for me…spare as many as you can. They need not die needlessly.
Myla’s response was the emotional equivalent of a raised eyebrow, but she accepted Honora’s plea. She’d do her best…but would not be overly bound by the charge. Hopefully just enough to satisfy the woman who’d become the object of her affection.
Stay back, Iliana, Honora urged her, Hide. Honora would then go toward the general vicinity of the diamond. Perhaps if it was found, all of this could be over.
Blast Generation - Avalon is able to generate blasts of powerful, pressurized air at whatever she targets.
A pressure-force generates in her core that creates a blast. She can direct this blast at people or objects. This means that if someone stands in the way of the blast force, it will not go through the person but hit them instead. If someone knows about her Gift and is feeling heroic, they would be able to throw themselves between her and her target to intercept her attack. This would result in them taking the blow.
The force of power behind Avalon’s blast is determined by how much she “charges” the attack. Charging looks like her focusing contained magical power into her core that she then releases at will. An attack with lesser pressure will be generated and released in a single post. An attack with moderate power will be charged for one post and released in the next post. Her most powerful blasts need to be charged for two posts and released in the third. For context, the most powerful blast from Avalon can tear apart stone, earth, and sometimes even metals.
Apart from power, Avalon can also manipulate the size and precision of her attacks. Sometimes they are large and all-encompassing, like a hurricane, and sometimes they are small and specific, like the loosing of an arrow. She can release any size in a single post, and the wreckage it causes is then determined by how much power she charged into it.
Post by Avalon Eldouir on Apr 23, 2024 13:24:59 GMT -5
She was already attacking when Hiram Eldouir told her to kill Akagi Llewellyn . She couldn't change the impact now. Her eyes were focused on Akagi and the diamond, and she didn't give him the chance to start talking. He was hit by the impact and catapulted backwards. Because she had been focussed on him, she saw where the diamond was thrown to. She charged another bolt of power and did what Hiram had asked of her: kill Akagi.
She sent the bolt flying, and again, unless it was interrupted by someone jumping in front of it, it would hit Akagi. The power was far greater than the last one. If successful, this one could kill. Immediately after the bolt was released from her hands, she would run towards the diamond. She noticed Honora Allemeade was moving in the general direction as well, but Avalon possibly had an advantage because she had been keeping her eye on the diamond. She didn't trust Honora with her sister's soul/diamond. If she successfully picked it up, she would stuff it between her breasts, which were held up by a corset, meaning it wouldn't be able to fall through.
Then she'd take her daggers in her hands, one in each, and turn towards the room to see where she was needed.
[OOC note: I had Avalon bring hatchets but I didn't know it was a Hiram/Coheed thing and that hatchets aren't commonly used in Lorendale. Since they haven't been of importance yet, I changed it into daggers. Permission granted by Rigby.]
Last Edit: Apr 24, 2024 5:52:53 GMT -5 by Avalon Eldouir
Post by Hiram Eldouir on Apr 23, 2024 23:42:30 GMT -5
The blood of the witches outside the door was familiar to Hiram. He’s drank of the prisoner from his cave many times, becoming familiar with that witchy taste. As they attempted to enter the throne room, the blood vortex above their heads would surge towards the witches, seeking their mouths. He knew which magic relied on speaking. The blood would prevent them from doing so; even more, it would seek to drown them where they stood.
Meanwhile, he would continue to search for Elena (asking for CN’s guidance as to whether he finds her or not).
Shrine Magic
Akagi wields a saga enchanted naginata, that when touched allows the wielder to cast bright red orbs that explode on contact. Akagi can cast single orbs or produce up to four orbs in a powerup to cast at once for a bigger explosion.
Post by Akagi Llewellyn on Apr 24, 2024 4:07:31 GMT -5
Akagi wasn't dead, just a little stunned and had experienced broken ribs just for a little bit once as a child, slightly dazed the King would begin to find cover behind the throne buying himself just enough time for the witches to intervene. If not then he was dead.
Post by October Montgomery on Apr 24, 2024 8:37:21 GMT -5
The urge to do something to help, to stop this, was overwhelming for Iliana. She was a queen. She ought to do something. But what could she do in this moment that wouldn't end in her death? She was all too aware that should she die then her sweet child would be next in line and he was still so young, meaning it was likely that Cassian would rule in his stead. As much as she loved her husband and trusted his advice, he was far more Nevermeren than Lorendale and her love for her Kingdom meant a lot to her too.
Besides, she couldn't physically get out of October's hold right this moment without commanding him to do so and in spite of the fact that he could not hear Honora's words in her head, he was pulling them towards the closest wall and tucked them behind a statue or pillar, she wasn't sure which at the moment. She kept her shield up, peeking out from over his arm to try to see what was going on.
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Apr 25, 2024 7:57:57 GMT -5
The explosion sounded, and Ophelia ran faster—invisible, with her silent footfalls pounding against the marble floor of the palace. Ophelia would come upon the throne room, though none would see her. Unless stopped, as soon as she came into the doorway Ophelia would wave the wand and aim it toward Hiram.
The throne room started to tremble — not because of what was happening within, but because of what was happening without. A sound like distant thunder crackled with the faint lightning of screams as Myla started to strip away the palace walls from the outside, like taking bites out of an apple down to its core where the rest of the Eldouir stood. Pieces of paint and plaster on the ceiling started to fall in little flakes with each shake.
The witches would not have the opportunity to speak before the blood was upon them. It would take them some time yet to drown, but in the meantime, they would be powerless without the ability to use their magic. October Montgomery and Iliana successfully tucked themselves away in as much safety as could be found.
Avalon Eldouir would let her hand fly just as before, the quickness of the delivery not leaving for enhanced time to charge enough to deliver a killing blow. This time, there was a greater distance between her and Akagi, who had begun to seek shelter behind his throne. The blast would send pieces of the stone throne flying and send Akagi back a short distance to the wall behind. He would feel a further searing pain as the state of his cracked ribs worsened. His ears would ring and the wind would be knocked out of him. Avalon Eldouir would make for the diamond (size reference). It would take her a moment to spot it but only a moment, and be close enough to reach it with several dashing steps.
Both Honora Allemeade and Hiram Eldouir would be close behind, but would not have enough haste to make it to the diamond before Avalon Eldouir . Ophelia Rainecourt would not yet have reached the throne room, but was close enough that it would be seconds before she was close to the door (OOC Note: Ophelia will reach the throne room this round; I failed to specify how close she was to the throne room before, so out of fairness to everyone she's been held for an extra turn. My bad!).
GUIDELINES
- POST TIMING:The CN will seek to post a reply on Thursday 5/2, so please plan accordingly and take posting order into account. We will not wait for your character, and if they are a central part of an exchange then they will still be factored into what is taking place. Their actions (or inaction) will be narrated by the CN.
- ADDED EXITS: Since it's not clear on the map, i added little white doors to indicate where the exits are. The doors on either side of the throne are regular-size while the doors are at the far in are tall, thick, wide double-doors that are currently open.
- A NOTE ON CHARACTER DEATHS: As you know, there's been a slight change in the way that we handle potential character deaths on HA. If you have a character that you aren't ready to see go in a compromising situation, staff will always help you out, but only if you reach out. If there is no communication, your character may die.
- SPECIFICITY OF ACTION: In the interest of fairness, the CN will actively avoid asking OOC clarifying questions about posts. This indirectly rewards vagueness, as it gives the opportunity for players to 'adjust' their actions knowing what others have done since. Please be as detailed with your character's actions as possible. Any vagueness of action will be left up to the principles of realism and the discretion of the CN. If you have any questions about this, please contact Rigby .
Post by Honora Allemeade on Apr 29, 2024 12:21:25 GMT -5
Honora did not run or scramble. She glided across the floor as if the chaos around her did not exist. She could…feel her. Since her mind, her essence as if she were in this room with them. Honora watched Avalon Eldouir as if from a great distance as the woman went for the diamond.
Have you found her?
Honora slid the words into Hiram Eldouir ’s head, a question delivered like dandelion fluff blown gently into his psyche. At the same time, she reached for Akagi Llewellyn , enough to determine he was still alive — though that fact she kept to herself.
You can do better than that, can’t you?
Honora teased Myla, the woman outside rising to the challenge and starting to take down the palace in bigger chunks with greater force. Honora was trying to force their exit. Elena was their target, after all.
Blast Generation - Avalon is able to generate blasts of powerful, pressurized air at whatever she targets.
A pressure-force generates in her core that creates a blast. She can direct this blast at people or objects. This means that if someone stands in the way of the blast force, it will not go through the person but hit them instead. If someone knows about her Gift and is feeling heroic, they would be able to throw themselves between her and her target to intercept her attack. This would result in them taking the blow.
The force of power behind Avalon’s blast is determined by how much she “charges” the attack. Charging looks like her focusing contained magical power into her core that she then releases at will. An attack with lesser pressure will be generated and released in a single post. An attack with moderate power will be charged for one post and released in the next post. Her most powerful blasts need to be charged for two posts and released in the third. For context, the most powerful blast from Avalon can tear apart stone, earth, and sometimes even metals.
Apart from power, Avalon can also manipulate the size and precision of her attacks. Sometimes they are large and all-encompassing, like a hurricane, and sometimes they are small and specific, like the loosing of an arrow. She can release any size in a single post, and the wreckage it causes is then determined by how much power she charged into it.
Post by Avalon Eldouir on Apr 29, 2024 13:27:48 GMT -5
She took those few dashing steps and put the diamond between her breasts to keep it safe from everyone there. Then, she would take another few steps (while starting to charge yet another attack) in the direction of Akagi Llewellyn , until she reached what was left of the throne. Hiram had told her to kill him, and the last attempt had failed. She wanted to succeed this time around, and would take the time to charge it even better.
If Akagi was catching his breath long enough, and the witches on the other side of the room were focused on anyone other than her, Avalon would have interrupted time to focus on the power and precision of her attack. She had been charging it while walking over, and would charge it another 15 seconds before letting go of the bolt. She would narrow down the field of impact to Akagi's chest, specifically the heart region. The precision would intensity the pressure in that area (since it effects a smaller area than a general blow), and if successful the pressure would be able to tear a hole in the wall of the heart, which causes fatal bleeding soon after the impact.
Post by Hiram Eldouir on Apr 30, 2024 13:57:31 GMT -5
Hiram wasn’t concerned about the king or the diamond or even the witches. He wanted Elena. He didn’t understand the complexities of the body and the soul and all that enchanting magic entailed. In his mind, if he could find her living body, something could be done. The specificity he used to search did to him as it always did—it stretched him in a way that caused blood to trickle from his nose and his eyes as the vessels burst, the strain of the search taking its toll. His healing blood would restore the vessels, only for prolonged searching to tear them open again.
It didn’t take too long, as she wasn’t too far and he had already been looking (for two posts prior to this, I think). He found her, and detected the blood around her. It was enough.
The gushing red substance that was swarming the witches would speed from them and to those he wished to bring, washing over Honora Allemeade, Avalon Eldouir, October Montgomery, and Iliana in a sickly, gushing gargle, likely too fast for the still-recovering witches to do anything about it. Whether Avalon had time for her killing blow was inconsequential to Hiram.
He would teleport them using the blood of the guards on the boat, tearing heir unsuspecting forms in two as the party emerged once more from the blood, halved corpses on the ground at their feet. The blood in the throne room would splash to the tiled floor, dead without its master.
Shrine Magic
Akagi wields a saga enchanted naginata, that when touched allows the wielder to cast bright red orbs that explode on contact. Akagi can cast single orbs or produce up to four orbs in a powerup to cast at once for a bigger explosion.
Post by Akagi Llewellyn on May 1, 2024 11:36:57 GMT -5
Akagi didn't stand after the second attack, what could he do? He laid with his back to the wall he had impacted waiting for the last blow, his eyes closed perhaps for their final time. The Eldouir always won, what could anyone do? His Aunt had destroyed Arynn Frey with her actions and upon his death he truly hoped it was worth it.
Post by October Montgomery on May 2, 2024 9:07:31 GMT -5
As the room began to tremble and small bits of the ceiling started to fall down upon them, October pushed Iliana down into a crouch as he cradled his body around her to act as protection should those pieces start to get larger and more dangerous. He imagined the whole place falling down upon them and started to look around for a way to get her out of here and to safety. He had spotted an open door and had just moved to try to make their way towards it, not really sure if it would be any safer than in here, when blood wrapped around them once again.