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!
Post by Katerina Winters on Mar 14, 2022 15:09:03 GMT -5
Her eyes glittered and a grin spread across her face. Clearly Rosamere was quite the interesting little noble, and one with a lot more personality than she had thought. "Well now that's interesting, you'd really do anything for them huh?" She twirled her cup, trying to figure out the youngest Morrigan. Clearly not like the strict military ones she had met before, or like a man who choked other ladies.
Cocking her head Kat was absolutely sure that never would have worked out, but it was still interesting. "Potions huh? Is that your witchy proclivity then?" She figured since the woman had mentioned dropping some off for the midnight house, but confirmation was good. And it was a little less ridiculous of a conversation than her being a nanny to the Winters-Morrigan children that didn't exist.
Post by Rosamere Osxiano on Mar 14, 2022 15:10:24 GMT -5
Rosamere simply raised an eyebrow at her, smile still playing on her lips. "No one really expects the baby of the family to do much, do they?" Given the accolades and accomplishments of her siblings, it was either high expectations or none at all but usually the latter.
"Definitely a preference, especially when it makes more sense than people at times." Which, admittedly, she was grateful to not be marrying an heir or a lord because while she could handle larger groups of people now, it was not her preference at all. "And it gives me a decent enough reason to hole myself up with no interruptions if I want. Not even my brothers intrude unless I invite them in."
Post by Katerina Winters on Mar 14, 2022 15:10:41 GMT -5
Laughing Kat nodded her head in acknowledgement. "I find it's often they don't expect much of the women of the family." An uphill battle she had fought for a long time. Mostly with knives, and certainly not with political marriages.
It was a bit surprising that the young Morrigan girl would prefer to tuck herself away and work on some brewing. Certainly not who she expected as a lady of Nevermere. "People are certainly far more surprising and duplicitous." But she had never let that get in her way, instead making herself much the same. "Really? You have your own little place to brew potions? I didn't even have my own room." She snorted and took a sip of her wine.
Post by Rosamere Osxiano on Mar 14, 2022 15:11:43 GMT -5
Rosamere didn't snort, it wasn't very unladylike, but she did chuckle. "Sometimes it is helpful depending on what you have in mind." She gestured to herself. "None of my family even knows I'm here, they think I've holed myself up with my potions."
She gave a slight shrug, barely moving her shoulders. "Admittedly it took some prodding before I was allowed to have my own space."
Post by Katerina Winters on Mar 14, 2022 15:12:11 GMT -5
Kat burst into laughter, never having cared much about being ladylike. Probably something she should have worked on though considering her husband. "Really? You go missing that often to your potion place that they just never notice?" Her siblings almost always knew where she was, but that was probably due to the vast Van Zant network.
"Mhmm I think having a kid isn't helping me in that matter either." Not that she would ever regret having her son. He was amazing, even when he was swearing like her brother. "So you just get to practice whenever you want? And that's it?" It sounded great but also incredibly pointless.
Post by Rosamere Osxiano on Mar 14, 2022 15:13:00 GMT -5
Rosamere made a noncommittal sort of hum as she gave a little shrug. "I always start in my potions room so it's not exactly a lie. And as long as I return before they send someone to make sure I join them for dinner, it's usually all good." With only one sibling in the home and the rest being cousins who weren't as invested in making sure she was where she said she was, it was easier to slip in and out though she didn't always take advantage of that.
On the topic of potions, though, there was a noticeable spark that lit up in her eyes. "Not practice so much as trying to improve some of the more common and everyday potions. Like healing potions for the soldiers, better contraception potions, just better quality if I can do it."
Post by Katerina Winters on Mar 14, 2022 15:13:32 GMT -5
Tilting her head it was nice to know that Rosamere wasn't interested in lying. That wasn't something they needed around the Midnight House, and it probably meant she wasn't good at it. Who was she to know though, maybe the lady was great at deception. "No commitments sounds nice." It came out a little sharp, but Kat didn't care much.
Snorting at the mention of better contraception potions that was probably something she could have used a couple years ago. "That's interesting, what do you mean improve? Make it so they are less expensive kind of thing?"
Post by Rosamere Osxiano on Mar 14, 2022 15:14:02 GMT -5
Rosamere gave an understanding turn of the lip. She plenty knew the trap of commitments, came with being born to the Morrigans though her and Kats probably differed in type. Still, she understood and knew not all of them could be escaped, and certainly not as a woman.
"More effective, longer lasting, and preferably less expensive. For the common, everyday potions I am doing my best to only use at most, slightly uncommon ingredients. There's no point in making something better if common folk can't use it too." There was a genuine honest look in her eyes and in her voice as she looked straight at Kat. "And what I bring to the women and men here is something I refuse to ask money for."
Post by Katerina Winters on Mar 14, 2022 15:14:24 GMT -5
Rosamere was probably only trying to show how genuine she was, but all Kat heard was her calling her common folk. While she wasn't sure if that was the aim she instantly bristled. "So you expect high praise from us common folk then I suppose." Her intense gaze was trained on the Morrigan girl.
Post by Rosamere Osxiano on Mar 14, 2022 15:14:53 GMT -5
Rosamere almost reared back, back straighting like something had stung her. "No! That's not what I meant." Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I meant that it should be available for everyone, not just us from noble families or with money. I think everyone should have access to things like that without having to determine if its worth the cost."
Post by Katerina Winters on Mar 14, 2022 15:15:18 GMT -5
Clearly she hadn't meant anything by it but that was typical of nobility. Actions and words had consequences, especially when you were dealing in the streets of Skia. Rosamere was going to have to figure that out eventually so Kat was really just helping her. "It might not have been what you meant but it's what you said. Keep that in mind here on the streets without any money." Taking a sip of her wine she moved on as if things had not just transpired. "Do you bring them to other places besides the Midnight House?"
Post by Rosamere Osxiano on Mar 14, 2022 15:16:07 GMT -5
Rosamere gave her a sheepish grin. "Thank you, I'll remember that." She lifted her own drink to her lips to take a sip. "I haven't yet, mainly because I don't know of any others yet and I don't want someone to take the money or items intended to help and use them for personal gain instead." She paused, biting her lip a little. "Do you know of any, by chance?"
Post by Katerina Winters on Mar 14, 2022 15:17:13 GMT -5
Nodding her head in thought Kat took a second to think about who needed the potions the most. There were a lot of individuals she knew on the down and out, but that wasn't the place to start. "There are a couple orphanages I know of that would fit. One in particular that often takes in sick ones." The Van Zants had a history of protecting the little guy, which often included strays. Orphanages were no different, and while not all of them were good some of them could use help.
Post by Rosamere Osxiano on Mar 14, 2022 15:17:44 GMT -5
Rosamere wished she'd thought to bring something to write with, but she hadn't expected to have a reason to need it so she hadn't brought any writing materials with her. "Would you be able to find out what specific potions they would need for the most severe children first?" Because those would be the ones who'd need the most help first.
Post by Katerina Winters on Mar 14, 2022 15:18:06 GMT -5
If someone had told Kat she would be sitting down and conspiring with Fabian's ex-fiancee she certainly would have laughed. But Rosamere was a surprising person, one she was intrigued by. "Of course. When are you here next I could let you know?" Her writing was still very poor at this point despite her tutors best efforts. Fabian was helping though, but love and her and his name wasn't going to help communicate with Rosamere.