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
05.12.2023
Established the "Tag Staff" discord channel for helping update the site.
05.26.2023
2 month character creation hold for all existing members begins 6/5/2023.
This fall and winter was a period of low activity for the site, but even so, the Dresmond board has continued to simmer with excitement. This kingdom has moved from distant side dish to a dramatic main course in the world of Terra Nova. A big shout out to members Heather, Nix, and Darkest whose high activity has helped lead it through a renaissance into a new era!
Rosamere wanted to sleep, felt it pulling behind her eyes along with the rest of her tears that she hadn't yet cried but felt building and subsiding since the funeral. But she couldn't sleep yet. Conall had slipped her a note about needing to meet to talk about what happened. Maybe he had the suspicions that she had. That it wasn't a suicide, because she knew her cousin and this wasn't something he would have done. At least she hoped not.
She licked her lips as she burned the note in the small fire place in her cottage, watching until it was naught but ashes. Just in case. No trail, no evidence just to be safe. Her gaze landed on the little figure she'd taken from Theo's studio that now sat on her shelf. He deserved better that what happened and she hoped that he was at least happy and at peace now. Knocking back one more potion, and knowing she would crash hard after this, she chased away the tiredness. Just one more night and then she could sleep.
Letting herself into Conall's study and seeing that she'd arrived before he did, she practically curled into the corner of the couch and pulled her knees up to her chest because she could careless about decorum right now. She was tired, she was grieving, and a part of her was scared that her suspicions would be true.
Post by Liono Morrigan on Jan 6, 2022 12:43:07 GMT -5
Lio had been taking things a little easy the past few days after his wedding to Quen, he was outside playing around with some of the animals from the place they had been staying when he heard a squawk he turned and looked up and seen the hawk flying over head and stopped what he was doing and watched it, it flew down landing on the post beside the fence and the more he looked at it the more he thought he recognised it, he walked towards it slowly trying not to spoke it when it dawned on him it was his brothers hawk, he stopped and looked around it see if Conall was close by and had sent the hawk to destract him, but he didnt see him,
he walked closer to the hawk and noticed a note on his leg, he extended his arm for called him over as he flew over landing on his arm, he took the note from his foot and begain to read it, but he couldnt believe what he was reading, Theo was dead, killed himself, Lio didnt accept this, Theo might have been a lot of things but to take his own life. well that wasnt his thing at all, he finished reading the note and walked towards the house, he had to go home there was no way he couldnt, he needed to know what happened,
he walked the steps to the house and set the hawk on a post as went inside to get him a little bit of meat and something to drink, after sorting the birdd he went to his room to grab a few things and leave Quen a note as she was out getting stuff that was needed, he sat at the table and begain to wright,
"Dear Quen,
i had to go home and see the family, i got word today that Theo has died, he took his own life, im sorry i couldnt wait to tell you in person, i will be back soon, again im sorry,
love you
Lio"
as he wrote the note for Quen it sunk in what he was saying and it broke his heart, Theo had always been in his live even if they wernt full brothers that never stopped him loving him like he wasnt, he stood from the table and grabbed a change of clothes and headed back outside, after closing the door he noticed Conals hawk was gone, he didnt worry to much about it he thought it must have flew back home, he headed to the stable and grabbed a horse and saddled it up before jumping up and heading home,
after a while he arrived back at the family home, he knew that this wasnt going to be easy coming home but him leaving wasnt the going to be the topic of conversion not today, he walked quietly into the house and stopped and looked around hoping to see someone but noone was about so he headed to Conalls study, he would usually have knocked the door before he entered but he didnt this time he just opened the door and went in, he could hear sobbing coming from the couch,and seem it was Rosa he walked towards her placing his hand on her head rubbing it softly as he looked around to see where the rest of the family was
Post by Conall Morrigan on Jan 6, 2022 14:54:21 GMT -5
Conall headed to his study in silence. The servants had been advised that no one with the exception of Ellison, Liono and Rosamere were to be allowed into his study. No spouses and no one else. Not even their father preferably, not wanting their father put at risk with what was being discussed. As he opened the door his steel grey eyes fell on Liono first, there were definitely words he needed to have with his baby brother, but not now, there were more important things to discuss. Liono was consoling Rosamere and Conall nodded to him slightly, leaving him to it.
He moved to his desk, not sitting behind it, instead crossing his arms over his chest and sitting against it. "Have a good break Liono?" He asked lightly, not accusatory at all, just trying to kill the silence while they awaited Ellison's arrival. He was dressed in a suit as usual whenever he had business to attend and this was, in it's own way a business meeting. He looked to Rosamere, he wanted to hug her but he would let Liono comfort her as Liono had been gone for awhile and Conall knew Rosamere had missed him.
They waited patiently for Ellison to arrive before he would begin talking. He needed to know what his siblings thought about all this. Conall knew very well what Magda was capable of, he'd seen it first hand, he'd helped even. He did not regret what he'd done, and he didn't regret his time with Magda, up until Theodore was found allegedly having killed himself. It was at that point that Magda struck too close to home and Conall knew he needed to protect his family from her. He hadn't intended on bad mouthing her, he hadn't intended on ceasing his push to raise her and his family in the Ellis Loyalist movement, but if she was going to start attacking his family, he would need to take precautions.
It hadn't been that long since Theo's funeral. Ellison still looked a bit off, though it was possibly only really noticeable to her family and those closest to her. Her coloring still slightly off, as well as the dark circles under her eyes. Somehow, they made her eyes sharper as she looked amongst her soldiers. When she had gotten Conall's letter, she almost tossed it in the trash. What could possibly be said at this time? Ellison had been back and forth in her mind over what it all meant. Had he done it? She didn't think so. Which only caused a fiery rage burn through the witch. The image of how she had found Theo... only added fuel to that fire.
It was on the note that she was going to tell them this wasn't some suicide. It just wasn't. She left her house, kissing Ben on the cheek before she left. Letting him know where she'd be but telling him to stay home. This wasn't about him, not yet. And as much as she trusted him, she also knew that her family walked a very thin line in the kingdom. She wouldn't risk him. Not while she could protect him.
Upon arriving at the Morrigan estate, she moved towards Conall's study. Her boots clipping on the floor, training pants and a long tunic on instead of a dress. Something more Ellison than anything else could've been in that moment. She let herself in, and did a double take when she saw Liono. Her jaw tightened, thinking about the last time they had seen each other, and how much pain had been shared that night as well. Safe to assume he now knew about their cousin.
Her arms instantly folded over her chest after she locked the door and she moved to sit in the sill of a window in his office. Her heart hadn't healed, but her face was a mask of numb. The note from Conall sitting in her pocket still felt as if it weighed twenty pounds. "Are we waiting on anyone else?"
Post by Rosamere Osxiano on Jan 7, 2022 19:23:02 GMT -5
Rosamere looked up to see Lio, tear tracks on her face, and she didn't think before she wrapped her arms around him. Later, she would wonder how he knew to to come back but right now thankful that he was back and wanted comfort from her brother. They might not be as close as her and Conall but he was still her brother and she had missed him deeply while he was gone. Eventually, she lifted her head to look up as Conall entered the study only to see that he wasn't surprised so she supposed that was her answer to why he came back now.
She didn't move, either, when Elli came in and seeing the expression on her sister's face made her heart hurt all the more. All of them were hurting right now and as much as she wanted to try to comfort all of them, she just couldn't right now. She had no extra energy to spare beyond a very tired finger wave for both Conall and Elli from her spot curled into Lio at the moment.
However, she didn't have an answer for her sister so she turned to look at Conall, the one who'd sent the summons to all of their siblings, not just her.
Post by Liono Morrigan on Jan 7, 2022 20:57:55 GMT -5
Lio stood there with his arm round Rosa while she broke her heart, he kissed the top of her head as he rubbed her back when his brother walked in he looked up at him and expeted to get some snid remark but nothing just a simple "did you have a nice trip" he knew that noone knew yet that he was married to Quen people knew that was why he was going, but this wasnt the time he was going to tell them, "it was something that was needed to be done, it will be worth it in the long run, thanks"
as he finished talking to conal he could here the heavy footsteps enter the room and new it was Ellison before he even looked round at her, the sound of the military footwear was something he was used to, he looked up and locked eyes with her as she walked past and went and sat on the window sill, "Ellison" he said, if she wasnt going to talk to him he would with her, Rosa still hadnt moved from his side and he looked at Conal wondering what all this was about, "so, what the hell is going on, what happened to Theo"
Post by Conall Morrigan on Jan 7, 2022 21:57:01 GMT -5
Conall watched Ellison quietly as she walked in, he nodded now that everyone that he’d called here was present. He shook his head as Ellison asked if they were waiting on anyone else ”No, we are not waiting on anyone else.” he said sharply as he looked to Rosa and Liono quietly. There was a tension between Liono and Ellison that was not normal, but right now was not the time to discuss that, there were other issues to handle. His steel grey eyes turned to Liono as he asked what happened to Theodore.
”Magda happened to him, I am sure we all know this. Theodore would have never taken his own life, he would have outlived all of us just to spite us all. Magda did not want to marry him, and now she doesn’t have to. I have no doubt I am next on her hit list. She thought I would marry her, and when I told her I would not she was not pleased I am sure you can imagine. And… if you were paying attention at Theodore’s funeral, our dear father went to comfort her rather than you, Rosamere, or you Ellison. It is true she was betrothed to Theodore, but our father, Theo and I had a long conversation and it was very well known by our father that Theodore did not want to marry her. So why would our father comfort her and not his own children?”
He let his words sink in, watching them closely and as he watched Rosamere and Liono he noticed the firelight reflecting off Liono’s finger and his eyes narrowed for just a fleeting second as he took in what he was looking at but he said nothing, to be quite honest he was proud of his younger brother for taking matters into his own hands and getting himself set up with a Delaney. Both Ellison and Liono had secured themselves in with the Delaney’s, Conall could not complain.
Ellison met Liono's eyes, a hint of sadness in them before they were back to their sharpness. Ellison had always considered herself closest with Liono out of her siblings. Rosamere and Conall had a special connection, while the boys seemed to argue. Liono had been her anchor in the family. But running off like he had... even though she had told him and his now wife to go, she still felt betrayed in a way. More than she and Ben had done to the whole family with their marriage. She wanted to be stubborn and dig her heels in, not say anything to him. But it tugged too hard at her heart and she let out a soft sigh. "Hello Lio," she returned.
Her attention went straight to Conall though, glad that he took the floor though her gaze sharpened. Magda?! Sure, she knew the woman was not exactly thrilled about Theodore as a husband but to murder him? To frame him for suicide? Her jaw tightened to the point she swore a tooth cracked in the back of her mouth. Her heart racing immediately as she remembered the way she had warned Magda of the fact that her family was everything to her. Apparently the woman didn't view Ellison as a threat. And that was where she messed up.
Ellison suddenly looked at the other two in the room before looking back to Conall. "Why in the heavens would she think that you would marry her when she was betrothed to Theo?" Oh she had an idea, the moment she asked the question her mind put together a very possible reason why and it made her want to punch her older brother square in his sharp jaw.
Post by Rosamere Osxiano on Jan 17, 2022 19:29:33 GMT -5
Rosamere felt a little small right now, even with the confirmation that Conall had the same suspicions that she did. It also terrified her. Because she had no clue why Magda kept coming to her after the Masquerade- the Masquerade. Should she even tell her siblings? Or Conall? Would Magda somehow find out if she even said anything?
She bit her lip. "I know Theo absolutely hated her and I got the feeling it was... mutual between them." Her voice was small and cracked as she spoke up.
Post by Liono Morrigan on Jan 17, 2022 20:18:52 GMT -5
he stood looking at Conall as he spoke and it took a little bit of time for what he said to sink in, but the one thing that did stand out the most was him saying he agreed to marry her and when he said he wouldnt she didnt like it, he also noticed the look from Ellison before she looked back at him, did she pick up on that or was it just him over thinking what he said, then Ellison ask "Why in the heavens would she think that you would marry her when she was betrothed to Theo?"
he was glad someone else picked up on that aswell out of everything that he said and it wasnt just him, "Conall what have you done, please tell me the reason Theo is dead is not because you have been having your way with her, is this her revenge to all of us because you said you would marry her then changed your mind"
he took a step back from Rosa and waited for what he had to say, as for the comment he made about there father and how he comforted her at the burial he couldnt say anything on that as he wasnt there, but that was something he would take up with him at a later date, he could send his bird to tell him of this meeting but not to say Theo was being buried,
Post by Conall Morrigan on Jan 17, 2022 21:54:33 GMT -5
Conall noticed the coolness between Ellison and Liono almost immediately but said nothing. As Lio's higher up in the military, Conall had no doubt that Ellison may have taken flak for Lio going AWOL and Conall knew Lio had gone to see Ellison and Benedict as well as Rosa and Fabian before they'd left. His eyes turned to Ellison at her accusatory question but he said nothing right off the bat, he clenched his jaw slightly and looked to Rosamere as she thankfully spoke up. Rosa knew first hand about the disdain between Magda and Theodore, thankfully and Conall nodded.
Then Liono spoke and his jaw clenched again at his words. He didn't want to get into it. "Theodore is not dead because of my business arrangement with Magda. Theodore was dead the moment father betrothed him to her and then Theodore did not worship the ground she walked on. If anything my business relationship with her kept him alive longer but she would have done anything to end that betrothal…. And she did." He said lightly.
"As for Magda… the lengths she will go to for what she wants knows no bounds. All of you are to stay away from her. FAR away from her… and Rosamere… watch your fiance because I know Magda has her claws in the Winters, to what extent I do not know but I am not thrilled with you marrying that boy. He is great and all, nice boy, but even the nice do horrible, stupid things and make horrible, stupid choices."
Ellison was suddenly calculating everything that was being said. A business arrangement between Conall and Magda. She wanted to know what. It didn't matter what it was, but she almost needed to know to see what exactly she needed to protect the family from. Their father. He had left his own children alone to then comfort Magda. Was it because he knew his children were stronger than that? But from what she had heard from the servants... Magda had been spending an awful amount of time with their father...
And now... Rosamere's fiancee. Her bright gray-blue eyes shot to her sister. Magda had her claws wrapped around too many people with their family and around them. All it would take is for Magda to convince Fabian...
"If her engagement is over... then why is she still here? She should be off on her own... released from any obligation unless-" She suddenly looked back to Conall with a sharp look. "Revenge drives someone to do awful things Conall." She looked him over. As if to find the writing of what he'd done etched to his skin. "Who all has been wrapped up with Magda? Around her for more than just a glass of wine? Because... she could be poisoning minds. A simple potion can do that." As a potions master herself, she immediately could name a few that would cloud judgement or even seduce someone into submission...
Post by Rosamere Osxiano on Jan 18, 2022 15:30:51 GMT -5
Rosamere sat up a bit more, crossing her legs under her instead of having both knees pulled into her chest. This certainly put a whole spin on... everything that she hadn't considered and at this moment, she felt so very small compared to her siblings.
Her hands shook a little as she started fidgeting with the fabric of her skirt. When she spoke up, her voice sounded as small as she felt, not lookjng at any of her siblings. "She tried to come on to me at the Masquerade and when I realized who it was, I left. And," she bit her lip, "she visited me to talk and she tried to... kiss me one of those times."
Right now, with everything, she looked and sounded like the scared girl that she was. Conall, she'd told him about the woman from the Masquerade so he'd probably put two and two together, but it was still true. She had left after she'd realized it was Magda. And Magda had initiated every encounter between them. But no one else knew and saying what she had, she was worried about how Elli and Lio would now look at her.
Post by Liono Morrigan on Jan 18, 2022 16:06:21 GMT -5
he could tell Ellison was pissed by the looks she was throwing Conall but he had no sympathy for him right now, i line was crossed by him and he hoped he knew just want he did wasnt expectable, Ellsion asked about who else was wrapped around her and he was glad to say he wasnt one of them, he stood there trying to understand just went went threw his brothers mind with some of the actions he took when Rosa spoke and just like that Conall wasnt who he was concerned about, he looked at Rosa as she explained that her and Magda had some sort of an encounter at the Masquerade,
Lio didnt know what to say, who the hell did this Magda woman think she was. Theo, Conall, Rosa and there father did she have an erection for the name Morrigan or was she simple just a woman of the night who thought bending at the knees would get what she wanted out of them, "so am i hearing this right, half the people in this room has had some sort of relationship with her, and she still isnt finished working her way round the rest of the family"
he might have been talking out of line but this was all a lot to take in, yesterday he was cleaning crap from a stable and today he leaned, Theo was dead, his brother had agreed to marry her behind Theos back and when he turned her down she put him on her shit list, Rosa had got it on with her at the ball, father comforted her and let his own kids morn Theo with no comfort from him at all, and to top it off Ellison was still pissed with him,
he shock his head as he looked at them, welcome to the Morrigans he thought to himself
Post by Conall Morrigan on Jan 18, 2022 17:47:34 GMT -5
Ellison's eyes bore into him and he looked back in silence without giving any more away as her eyes burned into his skin as she spoke. There was a definite strong, toxic venom in her voice and suddenly, Conall's little sister seemed far more dangerous than he'd ever given her credit for. Then… she said something that made him tilt his head slightly "Because... she could be poisoning minds. A simple potion can do that."
"Indeed… she could be…" He said as he pondered the statement quietly, turning his eyes to Rosamere adjusted her seat and Conall watched her as she seemed to be very uncomfortable, like a puppy that had been hit too many times and was hiding in the shadowy corner of the room to avoid another smack. Then she spoke and the hair on Conall's neck stood on end as he clenched his jaw so tightly he could hear the creaking of his teeth as they threatened to shatter under the pressure, the muscle aligning his sharp jaw noticeably tightening. He knew the truth of that story and his eyes flinched, narrowing for just a split second at the realization of what that whore had done.
Then Liono spoke up before Conall even could say anything, which was probably for the better, with as hard as his heart was beating in his chest with hatred for Magda right now, he could not be sure it would not fly out of his mouth should he give it a chance. "so am i hearing this right, half the people in this room has had some sort of relationship with her, and she still isn't finished working her way round the rest of the family"
"It would seem so…" He said sharply, shaking his own head with a growl, grabbing the closest pen to him to give him something to do with his hands other than envisioning them wrapped around Magda's throat. He knew what it looked like already to have one there, now he wanted to see what it looked like to have two squeezing her slender throat, this time, not releasing. He sat in silence for a moment, forcing himself to turn his thoughts away from the vision and back to what needed to be done.
"Ellison, keep your wolf with you at all times. If you are indisposed… I want him in your vicinity, keeping an eye out… ready to shift at the first sight of Magda. Liono… I suggest you stay where you've been, far away from here and keep your partner with you, at all times. Be ready to shift and have her ready to shift you at the sight of her. As heir in line after me…" He said no more, turning his eyes to Rosamere.
"We can not up and decide to break the betrothal, father will not listen to us if he is already in her claws. Always carry defenses and stay the fuck away from Magda. My preference would be that you leave with Liono, but that would make it too obvious. Whatever she is doing… whatever potion she is using… Liono, Ellison, do not drink anything unless you know where it came from. It is unknown if these potions work on wolves but I would rather not find out. If we can keep your wolves capable of protecting us… it is something we have at least on our side. Magda does NOT have a wolf, last time I checked… that is one thing she can not take from either of you."