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!
Basket on one hip, Kell on the other, Miriel made her way to the inlet. She had washing to do and being cooped up at home was just a little bit too much in the hot aestas air. Really she was avoiding thinking about the training she had later that day. Being with her sisters was something she loved, but learning to become a strong independent woman didn't sit right. Not after years of teaching that her worth relied on the man she married and bore children for.
So instead she would focus on the steady task that was doing the washing. It was simple, easy, and she loved the smells of it anyways. One of the chores she had enjoyed and never complained about, not that she ever voiced any complaints aloud anyways. Kell was laughing and pulling at her hair as they went, a happy child that didn't want for anything. He would be strong, he had to be strong, and Miriel would do anything to keep it that way.
Post by Magda Ivanova on Aug 3, 2022 18:20:20 GMT -5
More and more, Magda had been abandoning her guard. She saw no use for one anymore, and her ring made them easy enough to slip. Magda had lost her status as a valued emissary of Nevermere. If the Eldouirs came to snatch her away, it would be an enormous tactical error on their part. And as for the people of Coheed, there were none that could touch her. Not with the ring on her finger and the venom in her veins.
So, Magda roamed. While before she had walked the streets as a diplomat, full of pomp and importance, now she walked alone; blending in with the people that had given her reason to hope. Hope that she’d one day be more than a whore in a man’s service; disposable, at best. Kennet had crunched that dream under her heel. Right or wrong, truth or lies, that’s how Magda saw it.
Now, Magda had set on an entirely new task. She was no longer just out to win the trust of Coheed’s most powerful. She wanted them all on her side.
Turning a corner, Magda came across a woman walking with her arms full. It was the child on her hip that attracted Magda’s attention. Something stirred in her she didn’t recognize—perhaps a maternal instinct she’d buried so deep as to never be found. Whatever it was, Magda drew closer, eventually saying:
The foreign voice made Miriel wince, cupping her hand over Kell's head. Her hair fell over her face, hiding her eyes as she looked up glad at least it was a woman's voice. She would have bent her head and walked away otherwise. But instead of a scary nevemere soldier she saw the woman who married Izen's brother.
Her head still remained bowed slightly but the slightly scared look was replaced with a polite smile. "That is too kind of an offer." However as the words left her mouth Kell squealed and ripped at the basket, which normally wouldn't cause any issues had she not been distracted. Some of her clothes tumbled out of the basket, bringing a blush to her cheeks.
Post by Magda Ivanova on Aug 7, 2022 11:16:45 GMT -5
Magda watched the woman's reaction with detached interest. Women of Coheed had reason to be jumpy, but in Magda's experience, most were good at concealing it. Either this woman was not as skilled at reigning herself in as the others, or she had more reason to be afraid. Both interested her.
When the basket tumbled, Magda did not move to stop it. Once the clothes were on the ground, she reached down and picked them up, laying them over her arm. "It seems like you could use a second set of hands." She indicated they should walk, but would follow Miriel's direction. Despite her recent fall from grace, Magda still outranked this woman by a mile. Not that anyone was keeping track.
"How old?" She said, looking at the child. Magda had no experience with children, and, up until now, little interest.
Despite the original pang of embarrassment, Miriel’s smile softened in thanks as Magda picked up some of the clothes. She was a wife of Coheed, and of her husband’s brother at that, so she tried to relax despite what her mother always told her of other women especially witches of Nevermere.
”Many thanks.” Continuing her course towards the river she still felt odd leading the other woman, especially as she carried some of the washing.
However talk about Kell made her more at ease. Her beautiful boy, the pride of her life, showing she had a use. ”Just three seasons.” Kissing the top of his head the boy laughed, grabbing at her long hair, something that had never made her wince despite the pulling.
Post by Magda Ivanova on Aug 8, 2022 18:45:38 GMT -5
Magda watched the two with alien fascination. She herself had no maternal instincts to speak of. Even with all the time she’d spent ingratiating herself to Kaalim and his wives, she’d never interacted with any of the young ones. Magda looked at the baby as if it were a whole different species than herself.
“He’s handsome,” Magda said eventually, smiling prettily, “I’m sure his father is pleased.”
Nodding her head at the other woman’s comment, Miriel was too distracted by her son to notice any odd fascination. Sons of Coheed were blessings, and she thanked her stars everyday for Kell. ”He is, and he started walking the other day, only a few steps, but he’ll be a strong warrior like his father.”
Looking towards Magda she noticed the curiosity in the smile. ”Getting ready for your first?” She imagined that by now the woman would be pregnant, surely Izen’s brother had wasted no time with such things? Then again they had done things differently than most wedding ceremonies.
Post by Magda Ivanova on Aug 11, 2022 19:19:04 GMT -5
Then, it clicked. Magda had seen her before. She was one of Izen’s wives. With this new realization, Magda looked at her again. Izen had done well for himself, she decided. She was beautiful and wrapped in the glow of motherhood. What more could a Coheedsman ask for?
“No doubt he will be,” Magda replied with a pretty smile, one that faltered for a moment at her question before restoring to its fullness. “Rian is a man of Coheed,” Magda said playfully, “What kind of wife would I be if I wasn’t preparing to bear his sons?”
Watching the woman’s smile falter she could understand the nerves of a first time pregnancy. She had been worried herself, although the excitement of proving her worth had been the more overwhelming sense.
”I’m already pregnant from Gjodselfest myself, I know some great herbs to help if you want?” An encouraging smile she looked at Magda, only trying to be helpful. After all they should work together to provide strong children for their husbands.
Post by Magda Ivanova on Aug 14, 2022 13:56:41 GMT -5
“Oh,” Magda shifted, smile weakening again but restoring just as quickly, “That would be very kind of you.” For what else was she to say? Yes, she’d more or less made up her mind to try for children, but the prospect still terrified her. Her body hadn’t been cooperative with her before, why would it start now?
“So, what’s it like?” Magda said, changing direction, “Married life?”
Nodding her head with excitement, Miriel was ecstatic to be helping Magda. It was something she could be proud of, because while her mother said to never help other women this seemed like a good exception. "I'll get everything together and you can come sometime?"
There was a slight flush in her cheeks as the Nevermere woman asked about married life. Of course she enjoyed every aspect of it, but she still felt odd asking about it. "It's everything I could have dreamed of and more. Izen is..." She trailed off not sure how to describe such an amazing husband. "Well he makes it amazing." Slightly wrapped up in her own happiness she almost forgot to ask about the newlywed. "And you? Marriage is enjoyable?"
Post by Magda Ivanova on Aug 16, 2022 21:04:06 GMT -5
“Yes,” Magda replied with a smile, the act coming more easily now, “That would be wonderful.” Whether or not the witch intended to follow up on the offer remained to be seen. But Magda’s eyes lingered on the child, betraying a curiosity that ran deep.
She listened to the woman talk of marriage and men, but by the time she asked her question, Magda realized something. She knew the woman’s husband, but she didn’t know her name. Magda supposed she should feel ashamed, but she didn’t, for she knew that in Coheed women weren’t used to such questions. Magda was very much the exception.
“What’s your name, dear one?” Magda asked, peering at the young woman with as much softness as a woman like her was capable of.
The only thing that Miriel noticed were the eyes on her child. She took it as a good sign for the woman. Poor thing must have been worried about having children. Maybe she would have been too if she had been taught anything about it but it being her purpose in life.
Looking over to Magda, there was a moment of pause and confusion. Her name wasn't entirely important, but she found she liked this woman asking. It put a smile on her face. "Miriel, apologies, I should have said something, especially since I know yours. Rude of me." Biting the inside of her cheek she stroked Kell's arm. Sure most didn't care, but she had been prattling on like a child would or with a sister.
Post by Magda Ivanova on Aug 19, 2022 19:17:20 GMT -5
“No apologies necessary,” Magda waved off, eyes still on the child. She was almost transfixed as if it were a creature she’d never seen before. After a moment of intense fascination, she dragged her eyes back to Miriel.
“I do hope you haven’t heard too much about me,” Magda winked as they continued on, “Or at least, I hope you haven’t been talking to the wrong people. A witch in Coheed is not a particularly popular figure.”
Nodding her head, Miriel set her things down next to the water, putting Kell down. He liked to try and walk but most of the time he crawled around or tried to get into the washing. Some days she wished he would grow up faster and other days she wanted to slow it all down.
”Oh no, certainly not Magda.” A slight lie, she’d heard plenty of woman speak poorly of her during chores. Always under their breath as if they were afraid of her in some way. Miriel was just wary of all women, at least she was supposed to be. Magda seemed lovely though, asking kind questions, smiling at Kell. ”I wouldn’t believe it anyways.” That much was true, women gossiped about plenty of things that weren’t true, just to talk sometimes.