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 Edith Byron on Aug 22, 2022 12:01:26 GMT -5
The situation had indeed become quite pleasant, and Gunne was enjoying her little talk with the other witch. Talking to a witch than wasn't a part of the Morrigan family always made for an interesting conversation. The women agreed on the use of love potions, which was also a good thing. Forcing love wasn't something that fit into her moral compass. Gunne had asked about her practice and listened as Temperance spoke. She nodded when she was offered another cup of tea and waited until it was full again, then lifted it to take a sip.
"It seems lovely to learn from family. Especially human biology is very interesting." She placed the cup down again and smiled. "I don't mind talking about it. We don't like to share a lot about our coven, but some generalities won't hurt. We also focus mainly on potions, although we also know the other branches of witchcraft. We worship the Twofold Goddess indeed. She consists of Seluna and Lilura. One represents life and the other death. She works in cycles, therefore representing the year. She's been there for me during the hardest times in my life, and to thank her, I've devoted my life to her." Again she smiled. The Goddess was a very fair goddess, but when her followers were wronged, she could be violent. The werewolf curse was one of the times she showed herself that way, helping Sarilla curse the men in Nevermere. "I hope that helps you understand it a bit more?"
Even though Gunne wasn't willing to share too much about her coven, what she had shared was endlessly interesting to Temperance. Her eyes all but sparkled at the information, keeping a firm focus on Gunne as she spoke, even while sipping at her tea. "That's quite incredible, isn't it?" She finally said when Gunne had finished, nodding enthusiastically as Lady Cortell asked if the information had been enough to help her understand it more. "I mean, the idea of a goddess. I'm sure there are others who worship one, somewhere, but your Coven is the main one I had heard of. I always wanted to know more. Perhaps because growing up, I was always so wrapped up in the idea of having to find a man to marry. Every man, fathers, sons, brothers, they all seem so eager to marry off some woman in their family, don't they? I think they're a bit afraid of the power we could have over them. Like your Goddess."
It was an ideal. Temperance certainly hadn't had it as badly as most women in Nevermere. She'd been lucky. Even if her father had insisted on having her meet suitors, he never forced her to marry any of them if she didn't want to. But then she thought of Lord Mandrill and all of the things Thomas had told her he had done. Lady Mandrill had been forced to marry him, and he hadn't been satisfied with that. If women had more power, Lady Mandrill wouldn't have been put into the predicament that she had been. But even now, technically, they were all still the property of their fathers or husbands and those men could flex that power if they really wanted to, though not all did. "Anyhow, I find it quite beautiful. I apologize again for prying, Lady Cortell, but I appreciate your willingness to tell me a little more." After all, she hadn't really needed to divulge even what she had. She could have told Temperance it was only for the Morrigans to know, but she'd been nice enough to share, even if she hadn't gone too much in depth.
"Well, I feel like you've ended up doing quite a bit for me during your visit. Is there anything I can actually do to help you, Lady Cortell? I know it may seem like a silly offer, given your status versus mine, but please, if you can think of anything at all, let me know and I'll do what I can for you."
Post by Edith Byron on Aug 24, 2022 6:48:16 GMT -5
A genuine smile appeared on her face when Temperance spoke after Gunne had explained some things about her Coven. The Coven meant everything to her, and being able to talk about it, even a little, always made her happy. "I agree with you. It's important to get married and find new strengths to add to a family, but our power gets disregarded easily. We don't need a man to be successful, but having one by our side may be helpful." She stirred her tea. "Are you married, Temperance?" she then asked.
"I'm always happy to talk about the Coven. I'm a priestess as well, so I wasn't kidding when I said I dedicated my life to her. And don't worry, you weren't prying. You asked in a very polite way about it." The Morrigans had the biggest coven dedicated to the Twofold Goddess, but there were also little covens for her around Nevermere. She wasn't much involved with the smaller covens.
The question caught her by surprise, but it was a very kind one. "Well, perhaps I do have a question for you." They were on friendly terms now, and exchanging experiences wouldn't make her feel inferior to the Towers witch. "My husband struggles with an injury to his shoulder. My potions help him, but the pain seems to keep coming back. Maybe you have some insights on some herbs I could try to add?" Again Gunne smiled, finishing her cup and looking at the teapot. "Can I?" she asked, not sure if she was keeping the woman.
Temperance nodded in agreement to Gunne's words. She was right, women didn't really need men to thrive, many of them had proven that time and time again. But now that she had Thomas, she did feel that having the right man beside you could be more than just beneficial. It could be preferable, as long as he was the right man. "Not married, no my Lady, but I am courting someone and I'm glad to have him by my side. He's more than helpful." She smiled, wide and genuine, at the mere thought of him. She adored Thomas, and while they hadn't been seeing each other for long, she could be sure he'd always be there for her when she needed him.
Temperance didn't know much about what a Priestess might do, and she wanted to ask, but decided against it. Even though Gunne had been kind enough to say she didn't mind and had been rather open with her first question, Temperance didn't want to push her luck. If the two remained friends and spoke again later, she would ask in a more appropriate setting. "That's wonderful. I'm sure having something you believe in so whole-heartedly and being able to devote yourself to it is very fulfilling." Temperance kind of felt that way about her work, so she could understand how it might feel.
As Gunne posed the question, Temperance thought for a moment. "Oh yes, of course, have as much as you like," she said when Gunne motioned to the teapot. "If the injury is still giving him trouble, my first guess would be that the muscles or the joint are still irritated or inflamed. I'd suggest adding something like garlic, ginger, or tumeric -- have you tried those yet? A lot of my patients are too active when they're still healing and it slows down the healing process, or keeps the injury from healing as cleanly as it might have otherwise. Those are just my thoughts, though, of course."
Post by Edith Byron on Aug 25, 2022 13:58:03 GMT -5
The smile on Temperance face was contagious. Gunne felt her happiness and love for this man. "You're going to be marrying out of love, I see. What a beautiful thing to be able to do that. Getting married off is becoming more common these days." She had been set up with Romulo, but luckily a genuine love had formed over the years. The two were inseparable and shared their love with their two little bundels of joy. "Do you have a date set? I'll be sure to send a gift over." She smiled, starting to think about possible items she could give the couple.
The Morrigan witch nodded. "You're right. It's very fulfilling." There wasn't much more to say about the Goddess without starting an anecdote. She didn't want to bore the woman with it, and other stories were just too personal to share with someone she had only just met.
She filled up her cup again when Temperance gave her permission to do so and listened to the advice in the meantime. "Hmm, I haven't tried ginger yet", she murmured, stirring her tea while thinking it over. "I've mostly been using ginger for health potions, especially for ulcers and things like that. So thank you for the advice. I'll be using ginger in my next potion. I'll be sure to let you know if it worked."
"Oh, no, we've really just begun courting and so, we haven't quite committed to marriage yet," she said, but shook her head a little. "I mean, we'll certainly be married eventually. It's not that we haven't spoken of it. I just mean we're taking our time. I know that sounds a bit strange considering our age, but, well anyway, I'll be sure to let you know as soon as we know. A gift really isn't necessary, but it'd be very kind of you to do so, when the time comes." She was stumbling more than expected. When she and Thomas spoke, she was so confident. Maybe she was a little embarrassed because she knew their relationship was a bit unconventional, and therefore maybe a bit difficult to explain. Most would have skipped courting all together and just gotten married. After all, women do tend to have more trouble in birth as they get older. But no matter, her smile remained, because marriage and children were an inevitability for she and Thomas, they'd just opted to take their time getting to know one another a little better first.
While talking about Thomas always got her a little flustered, her heartbeat racing, talking about her work was an ever-constant calming agent. In that, she was always confident and direct and she was glad to hear that Gunne would take her advice seriously. "Please do let me know, I sincerely hope it helps. I'll ask around the older ladies in my coven, though, just in case they have some other suggestions. They've been doing it for much longer than we have, after all," even though she gave the women in her own coven a hard time for being a little on the boring side, they had an undeniable wealth of wisdom to spare, and most were always happy to share what they knew.
Just then, a middle-aged woman entered the greenhouse but remained by the door. Temperance noticed her immediately and sat her teacup down. "Please, enjoy the rest of your tea, Lady Cortell, I'll just be a moment."
She walked around her desk and unlocked a simple cabinet, retrieving a vial of pale-green liquid from it, then locking it back. From a drawer she pulled a small linen bag and put the vial inside, then walked over to the woman by the door and handed it to her. The woman pulled a few coins from her pocket and pressed them into Temperance's hand. She looked tired, with dark circles under her eyes, and she was breathing heavily. "Just a few drops in your tea every night, for the next week. That should clear it right up and help you sleep, alright?" The weary woman nodded, thanked Temperance, and was on her way. With a short sigh, Temperance returned to her seat. "Apologies, I'm never quite sure when someone will show up to pick up their orders."
Post by Edith Byron on Aug 26, 2022 12:06:13 GMT -5
Gunne being the traditional family loving woman that she is had of course assumed that being in a relationship would lead to marriage soon, and felt a bit embarrassed that she hadn't considered that the two were just courting and not planning their wedding yet. "Forgive me for thinking too far ahead, Temperance. I didn't meet my husband until I was standing at the altar, which sometimes causes me to forget about the courting stage of a relationship." Coincidentally, the conversation also made her think about children. It was something that kept her awake at night. She had two beautiful children already, but Romulo and her had been trying for a third child, but to no avail. She promised to pray to the Goddess after she had returned from Temperance's greenhouse in the hopes of being blessed with a little miracle.
"The older women are definitely the wisest, yes. To think we'll be them someday", she said, thinking about the future before remembering her past. When she had turned eighteen, she had trained with the Coven's elder before she was accepted as a member of the coven. The trip she had to make to the whereabouts of the elder still felt like a pilgrimage after all these years.
The conversation was disturbed by the sudden appearance of a costumer. Gunne watched the interaction take place and waited patiently until Temperance had returned to her seat. "Please don't feel the need to apologise for doing your job", she replied kindly. She then leaned back in her seat and thought for a second. "I have a question." Gunne reconsidered posing it for a second, but then decided to just go for it. "How do you feel about fertility potions?"
Temperance was a little surprised when Gunne told her that her marriage had been arranged. It shouldn't have been a surprise, really. Nobles arranged marriages way more often than commoners because they had more to gain or lose from the partnerships. It was rarely about love, but Gunne seemed happy with her husband and their life together. It was good for Temperance to see, because too often she thought about how unfortunate it would be to have been in an arranged marriage and not love the person you ended up with. Love was not a necessity in any marriage, truthfully. A man and woman fulfilled their roles to one another regardless of it's presence or absence, but that had always felt very sad to her. "No need, really, I think we're a bit unconventional in that way so it's understandable for you to have thought so. I am a bit surprised to hear that your marriage was arranged. Not that arranged marriages cannot lead to happiness and love, I suppose I only hear of the bad side of it. It's actually really nice to know that you and your husband are happy together."
Temperance only smiled and nodded, a light chuckle, as Gunne commented on how the two of them would eventually become the older wise women that others looked to. It was a strange thought, one that Temperance had never really considered before. With it came a bit of anxiety - would she know enough to help the younger generation, when it came? But simultaneously, carrying on their traditions gave her comfort.
Once she'd settled back down, Gunne proposed a question that Temperance was not expecting, though they had been more or less on the topic of families. "It's hard to say, really," she answered truthfully, a deep breath working to clear her thoughts. "At the very least, when fertility potions are done well, we have no proof that they bring any harm or adverse affects to the woman taking them. So ideally, they cannot hurt as long as they're brewed correctly. I'm not sure I've seen any clear evidence that they truly help, either, though. How can we be sure that a pregnancy was created by the potion, and not simply by consistent trial by the man and woman?"
She frowned slightly. It could be a sad subject, to see a woman trying desperately to have a child that never came. "Additionally, I don't think we have enough information to prove that the issue lies solely with the woman, and not the man. We know that women are less likely to get pregnant or have successful pregnancies as they get older, but how can we be sure that the same cannot be said for the success of a man to produce the baby? Men can certainly go on producing children much older into their life than women, but not all men. So I do wish the subject would be studied and tested on a more wide range of subjects. In the end, if a woman takes a fertility potion and does end up getting pregnant, that’s wonderful. But it could lead to further heartache if she still ends up unable to get pregnant. I guess what I mean to say overall is that giving what could potentially be false hope to someone who is already suffering seems a little unfair, but ultimately it should be up to the woman to make that decision for herself as long as she’s made aware of all factors involved.”
She took another breath. "Do you get asked for fertility potions often? I have before, but I don't usually brew them for all the reasons I've mentioned."
Post by Edith Byron on Aug 28, 2022 9:19:42 GMT -5
The words brought a smile to her face. "Unconventional is not always bad. I wish you two the best. Can I ask what his name is? I don't mean to pry." She waited for a moment to allow Temperance to reply before continuing. "Arranged marriages are a risky business. I'm glad Romulo and I are happy, but that doesn't mean it wasn't difficult. Getting to know someone whole you're already married and living together is quite the challenge. Especially when there's the expectation to bring forth children. I suppose I don't have to tell another woman that sharing the bed with someone you barely know isn't exactly... Comfortable."
Gunne nodded while listening to the words of the witch. "A fair statement. I agree, there should be more studies regarding the role men play in producing children. Sadly, it doesn't seem like that opinion is shared by many. It's easier to put the blame on women than it is on men." She thought for a while. "It's the same for trying to refrain from getting pregnant. The potions are not a guaranteed success. It's a difficult decision to make when deciding whether you want to use a fertility potion or not. The effects of the potions also haven't really been studied, so who knows if they actually work?" The conversation was causing her to rethink her options. Gunne had been thinking of using a fertility potion herself, but wasn't sure if it was worth the trouble.
"I've been asked for them a few times, but I've only ever actually sold one once. I had explained that I couldn't guarantee a pregnancy, but the woman was so desperate and insisted that I made one for her. She did end up getting pregnant, but again, who's to say my potion helped? It does make you wonder where the difference lies between a general health potion and a fertility potion, though. Maybe fertility potions only work when there's something wrong with a woman's reproductive organ, and the potion can 'heal' it."
Last Edit: Aug 28, 2022 9:21:56 GMT -5 by Edith Byron
She was right. Unconventional wasn't always bad. In fact, it had worked to her advantage for most of her life, and she wasn't about to start being ungrateful for that. "Thank you, Lady Cortell," she said, a slight bow of her head as she was wished the best. "His name is Thom Skerrick, though I'm not sure you'd know him, neither of us are very social if I'm being honest." She said with a smile. "Outside of work, I mean." Her smile remained as Gunne spoke of her own arranged marriage and how awkward it had been at first. That was the very least that Temperance expected from any arranged marriage. Even if it was a good pairing and the two were attracted to each other, they still wouldn't know each other all that well until after they were already married. "Yes, I imagine it was rather awkward in the beginning."
For a moment, Temperance thought a little more over the subject. It wasn't brought up exactly out of the blue. They'd been speaking about marriage and children was the natural progression in such a conversation, but if Gunne hadn't brought it up on behalf of a customer who had come to her, then why else? Temperance suddenly worried that she might have spoken a bit out of turn. If Temperance had thought Gunne was asking for advice on behalf of herself, she might have been a little less blunt out her feelings, a little more sympathetic.
"There are certainly advantages and disadvantages to all potions and remedies," she took another drink of her tea. "And without long term study of any one of them from a more objective place, it's difficult to be sure." She was reminded of the conversation she'd had with Thomas about the possibility of brewing a truth potion of sorts, where she'd ultimately ended up unsure if she should even try or not. Sure, Temperance wanted to be able to make a name for herself in a way. To progress in her field, but she didn't want to do so at the expense of another persons health, and that was another reason she'd been so hesitant to work with fertility or birth control potions.
"It's a good theory," she said finally, nodding. "Perhaps that is the difference. We cannot know if there is truly a problem, or it's merely taking longer for the couple to conceive. So for those who do have issues, the potions may heal them, and those who don't would eventually get pregnant anyway." It made sense, the only problem was that they had no real way of studying it. "If I may, Lady Cortell...are you trying to get pregnant? Is that why you've asked?"
Post by Edith Byron on Aug 29, 2022 15:34:13 GMT -5
"I indeed do not know him, but why don't you come over for some tea somewhere next week? I'd be lovely to have a little get together, perhaps, just you two and me and Romulo?" It could be a little too early to invite someone you had just met that day over for tea, but it could also be fun. "Then we'll force you two to be a little sociable", she added with a wink.
Gunne nodded a few times while Temperance was talking about the studies of potions. "Even though all of that is true, it doesn't hurt to believe they work. Some potions are known to work, like health potions. So if believing that a potion that belongs to the gray area we're speaking of works, then why not?" It was a rhetorical question, and it was also a way to give herself some more faith in the results of potions again. Some of them are known to work all the time, and having a little faith was a big part of her life as a priestess.
She should have expected the question, but still felt busted when it was posed. "Oh well", she said, nonchalantly gesturing around. "I'm getting older, and Romulo and I would like one more baby before I get too old. While daydreaming I remembered the existence of fertility potions and was curious what others think of them. I haven't considered taking one, but the biological clock is ticking." She sighed shortly. She was only thirty-one, so she still had a few years left, but conceiving had proven to be more difficult than five years ago. "I'm keeping my options open."
Temperance blinked once, and then her eyes grew a little. If anyone had told her a noble of the house Morrigan would show up angry and eventually invite her for tea, she might have laughed in their face. But Gunne seemed serious, so Temperance nodded with a smile. "That would be lovely, actually. I'd be honored to have tea with you and Lord Cortell, thank you." She laughed when Gunne poked at her about being sociable. She hated to accept an invitation so quickly when it was also on Thomas's behalf, but if he really couldn't get away from work, she was sure Gunne would understand. "Yes, maybe it would be for the best if we went out a little more." She laughed. It would be nice to get out every once in a while, after all.
"No, you're right. I think belief plays a huge roll, especially in making the potions. I always try to instill my belief into the chants as I cast them. Maybe our belief plays an even bigger role than we'd like to think." She couldn't deny any of that. Sometimes things happened only because a person believed they could, so to deny faith would be ignorant. Hope and belief could be credited for keeping many a person alive.
I'm getting older...the biological clock is ticking, Gunne said. The words left her a little speechless. As she looked across the table, she couldn't imagine that Gunne was much older or younger than Temperance. Nobles often looked younger for their age, but even so, the difference could not be so great. And she wasn't wrong. If anything was plain and clear, it was that the older a woman got, the harder it was for her to conceive, and even harder still to have a healthy, successful pregnancy and birth. Temperance had helped deliver enough babies to know that to be true. But it hadn't really struck her until just then that her own clock was ticking. The worry washed over her like water. She and Thomas weren't ready to take that step yet, weren't ready to marry and try for children, but how long could she really afford to wait? Would she struggle to get pregnant as well, once they'd made that decision?
"Well, I don't blame you for that," she said finally, though stuttering a little at first. "Though, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before you find yourself expecting. I wish you all the luck in the world. Children really are the best of us, after all."
Post by Edith Byron on Sept 2, 2022 7:23:21 GMT -5
She was happy that Temperance accepted the invitation. It would be nice to get to know another couple better. She had only been meeting up with family lately and she needed a break from the whole situation that had occurred after Rosa's disappearance. They still seemed to be no trace of her niece, and even though she was worried, time didn't stand still.
A few nods were meant as a way to show she agreed with what Temperance was saying. "Yes, for sure. It's all about the intentions you put in your chant. Otherwise, it's just some liquid in a fancy bottle." She had never really talked about crafting potions in the way they were now. Crafting them came so naturally to her and she didn't pay much attention the the underlying aspects that played their part in the creation of it. The woman was enjoying it, though. She was passionate about what she did, and having a conversation about something you're passionate about made you think about the things you did. "And the other forms of magic, do you ever do anything with them?"
She knew there were women that had their last child when they were in their 40's, so Gunne didn't want to stress herself out too much, knowing she was only thirty-one, but recently she had started to believe she was becoming less fertile. Temperance's words calmed her nerves. "You're right. You never get what you're hoping for at the time you want it. Perhaps it's just a matter of time before it works out." And once more the Towers witch spoke the truth. Children indeed are the best of us. "I'm already so blessed with the little angels I have at home. They're truly beautiful, and I can't wait to see what and who they become in the future."
When asked about the other forms of magic, Temperance lifted a hand flatly and waved it back and forth in a 'so-so' motion. Truthfully, her mother had been dead set on teaching for all four kinds of magic. Even if their family had focused on healing and potions, Taesa thought it was essential for both of her daughters to have at the very least a basic knowledge of each of them. When she was younger, Temperance didn't really see the need for all of them. Perhaps because she liked to be alone, and when you're alone you don't have anyone to curse or to throw fire at. Even when her brothers teased her, she always had Constance there to stick up for her. To do the heavy lifting. Temperance was a gentle person, whose empathy and appreciation for healing made it difficult for her to hurt others.
"I can do the most basic of incantations and curses," she admitted. "Really, I've never had very good control over either of them, though. They work in a pinch, but I'm much better at summoning compared to them. I've been fortunate enough that I've never really needed to use any of them to defend myself in any kind of dire situation, though one time I did summon a small bird creature to fetch an apple from a limb that was too high for me to reach. Probably not the best use of my magic, truth be told, but I live a quiet life here."
"Yes, it's always when you least expect it, isn't it?" Temperance agreed, that soft smile still gracing her features. "It sounds like you already have such a beautiful family, I see no reason why you wouldn't be blessed with one more. Are you hoping for a boy or girl?"
Post by Edith Byron on Sept 3, 2022 12:36:45 GMT -5
The witch made it clear that she knew the other forms of magic, but wasn't as skilled when it came to them as she was with potions. A small smile appeared on her face when Temperance told her the situation that had called for her to use her summoning abilities. "It perhaps is a quick judgement, but Temperance, I don't think I've ever met someone more pure and genuine than you. People paying whatever they can afford, you using your magic to help them, or to do tasks as getting an apple from a tree. I can't sense any darkness in you. That's rare these days." The truth was that there was tension in all kingdoms, for a variety of reasons. But Temperance? Her heart seemed full of joy. She was pure, Gunne hoped it didn't lead to naivety.
The question made her think. She hadn't given it much thought. She had both a boy and a girl, and didn't necessarily have a preference for her next child. "I don't know actually, now you mention it. The world seems easier for boys, so maybe a boy. Although I love dressing up my little girl."