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!
"Honorable and stupid." Because it could be both, and it was certainly both. Ermir put himself at risk far too many times for it to be healthy anymore, and Ciel wasn't exactly a fan of that. He could understand generosity and even why the remained, but he was less on board with the self-sacrifice of it all. Looking at between Savi and Xanthe the dyr nodded his head. "Staying here? You already are." And if they wanted to do more that was up to them, but they already had done plenty just by sticking around and helping in small ways.
Ermir nodded, smiling as Norfolk made the fool of himself as always. It was fun to watch, and while it made Xanthe think less of the past it just made him want to bring the past towards their future. "Maybe, maybe on what's to come as well." A future singing around fires again together, conclaves and namings. Certainly the division was better left in the past, but the freedom and the community of it all, that was something he missed.
It was less that he had nothing planned, and more that he wasn't sure how stupid it would be. He didn't want to leave his children without a father, but he didn't want this year to be just like the others. Line up for a brand, and know that it really meant nothing and could be taken away just as quickly as it was given. "It's not a lack of a tribute, don't worry bout old me, I'll be fine." Or maybe not, but he wanted that to be his choice not the royalty that seemed to change like the winds Ciel controlled.
Honorable and stupid. Well, Savi couldn't blame Ciel for feeling that way. He often thought that Xanthe isolating herself was stupid, but Ermir seemed to be spreading himself too thin. Two sides of the same coin. Both dangerous in their own, different ways. "The two aren't mutually exclusive, are they?" He said humorously, though it was a sad kind of humor.
Focusing on what was to come...why would they do that? Unless they could get most of their people to cooperate and work together to overthrow the Eldouirs, whats to come was just going to be more of the same. More Elderkeep. More restrictions. More Tributes, their numbers dwindling until there were just no more of them left. She didn't want to rain on his parade, though. If the man genuinely thought they had a future, that some day they could return to their caravans and be free, then she'd let him believe. Maybe she'd eventually try to believe it herself. "Sure, yeah." She replied, though her heart wasn't in it.
Not a lack of tribute was a very vague thing to say, but not one that didn't give a sufficient amount of information. If he had something in mind but he wasn't sure about it, was it something he would regret? There had been many Desmondi people over the years who had tried to make an offering that was less so an offering and more so a point. One last kick in the face to their redheaded rulers, before what was sure to be their death. Because death was often better than...whatever life had come from said rule. "I see. Well, I'm sure you will be if you've lasted this long." She said with a nod. At the very least he still looked strong and confident enough. Maybe she was overthinking it. After all he had just made a deal with her to exchange goods, so why do that if you were planning on doing something stupid at Tribute?
She finished her ale and pushed the mug and the empty plate forward on the bar. "We appreciate what you've done for us tonight, Ermir and Ciel. We'll likely see you at Tribute, then." She stood up from her seat and Savi looked up at her, feeling that she should stay, but she shook her head. "I've got a lot of work to do on my Tributes, so I need to get going. We'll see you soon?"
While Xanthe didn't see a way, Ermir was always holding onto hope. Certainly it was the only thing for him to cling to these days, and so despite his newest patrons less than shiny mood, it wasn't going to change his plans. Dresmond would be whole again, and they would all figure it out together. Because united was the only way though, with hope and with each other.
"I'm sure I'll be around for a long time, seems to be that I'm not meant to go anywhere just yet." There was a lot tumbling through the Dresmondi's head, Ciel continually trying to help him parse through all of it. But he had never been a leader capable of the tough choices. And every time he put himself on the line it seemed to work out. But everyone's luck ran out eventually.
Nodding his head, Ermir picked up the dishes with a smile. "I'll be here. Good luck with your work." Hopefully whatever she was making could impress the queens. They were picky, and there couldn't be easy to make exquisite things for the Eldouir.