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!
Warren was sat in his office. His jacket was off and a near-empty glass of water sat on the edge of the desk. He'd been there for hours re-working schedules and making new plans for the soldiers. Being placed into the position of Captain of Soldiers was no small feat. Though his promotion wouldn't be made official for some time, he was eager to get started on his duties.
"Lieutenant Woodwick," a knock came at his door and it was opened soon after, a young woman sticking her head in. "You have a visitor. Lord Romulo Cortell wishes to speak with you."
"Thank you Lady Aveline. Please see him in," Warren said, never lifting his eyes to the door. Instead, he shuffled through a stack of papers on his desk, looking for a specific paper. When he found it, he glanced over it as the door opened again and the man stepped inside. Warren stood up immediately, walking from around his desk to shake the incoming mans hand. "Lord Cortell, a pleasure to see you again," Warren said, nodding his head politely before returning to his desk. "Have a seat if you like, but I might be able to save you some time. I'm sure you've come to inquire about your stolen items. Unfortunately, at this time, we've been unable to locate either the items or the thief and we have no new updates for you."
Post by Romulo Cortell on Nov 14, 2022 11:21:25 GMT -5
To say that the wait has been killing Romulo would be an understatement. like if it was a worthless cheep necklace that most commoners can afford then he wouldn't of worried as much. However, it been a couple of items that have gone missing, very expensive items that pays for staff incomes, that pays for the roof over his wife and his kids heads. When he was let in to Warren's office he didn't sit down he kept stood up those years of being a soldier still trained into him even though he no longer one due to injury.
"Lieutenant, as you seen by my stock report that the items, these rare gem jewels are not cheap, they are extremely hard to craft and it will be more then a fact of I won't sell those items. Those items will some of my staff wages. so it is between them losing their jobs or my kids might have to go without for a while. two hard choices, that i don't want to choose between, sir."
Last Edit: Nov 14, 2022 11:23:08 GMT -5 by Romulo Cortell
Warren looked up from his desk at the man, his eyes narrowing slightly. He felt Lord Cortell was being a bit dramatic. He understood the man being irritated by the lack of progress in the case, but to say that his workers may lose their jobs, or his kids might go without? That seemed excessive, considering the wealth of the family he had married into.
"Lord Cortell," he began calmly. "I understand your frustration. But you must understand, what we've been working with is very little. A description of the man matched the description of most men in Nevermere, does it not? We've been keeping an eye on all known places to sell stolen items, and have told the owners to inform us as soon as your items appear. Short of knocking on the door of every possible criminal in Nevermere, I'm not sure what else you would like us to do."
He rested his arms along his desk, lacing his fingers together. "With all due respect, I'm sure you could borrow the money from your wife's family until the matter is resolved. If not, there are loans that can be granted to nobility. No one needs to starve. Is there anything else you can tell me about the pieces or the thief that might help speed the process along?"
Post by Romulo Cortell on Nov 20, 2022 14:09:16 GMT -5
He doesn't need Morrigan's wealth like his family has wealth of their own. Still he a man of the house, he should be able to provide for his family for they not having to worry about things. He was the husband, the father. Romulo never wanted them to worry about money. "A description of so little Lieutenant? I don't think your soldiers did a good enough at writing a description if you think the description is like 'most men'? How many men have you seen that have a scar across their right eye, walk even though with quickness there a limp in his walk, roughly six foot five." He was trying so hard not to bust in annoyce.
"I don't want the family to think that i can't provide for my wife or our kids. They mean the world to me. I can't let them down, I gave her my word as a man and a former solider." He explained. He pacing the floor. He love Gunne he would drop to his knees for her, give her the world and he thinks he was his Queen. He ran his hand through his hair. "It has a pink Morganite stone centerpiece with two pearls on either side on a twenty inch white sliver necklace.The morganite is enbaded in a red rose. It a one of a kind peice hand crafted by my own hands. yo think that all this for jewlery, but I can't rejoin the army after my injury and Jewlery making is the only thing i know."
As Romulo went over the details again, Warren's eyes scanned the parchment that the report had been taken down on, then nodded. "I see," he said, grabbing his quill from the ink well and making a note on the parchment. "The scar was noted, but many men in Nevermere are in or have been in the military and therefore scars are common. However," he continued, blowing lightly on the ink to make it dry more quickly. "It was noted that the man was six foot even, not six foot five. That's a big difference, and would make him more noticeable. I apologize sincerely for the mix-up, and will relay this information to those keeping an eye on the situation. As it was our mess up entirely, I'll send a few to scout areas where known thieves spend their time. A man that tall will stick out."
He replaced the quill into the ink well and once more folded is hands. "Please, have a seat Lord Cortell," he said, offering it to the man once more. As Romulo reiterated what the piece of jewelry looked like, Warren's eyes once more scanned the paper. That much had been recorded correctly. "I appreciate your service, and I'm aware of the injury your received upon fulfilling that service. I do not want you to think we're dismissing your case. It's just that if the thief has not tried to sell the piece and he has not yet been spotted, there's still little we can do until one of those things happens. It was not my intention to insult your business in any way, and if you feel I've done that or not taken your concerns seriously, I apologize again. I'm sure we can locate who did this and get your item back from them, we just need time."
He sighed slightly. "Can you give us a little more time, Lord Cortell?"
Post by Romulo Cortell on Nov 21, 2022 7:58:29 GMT -5
Romulo looked at Warren for a moment his eyes are transfixed on him. He was a man of action and it take a lot for somebody to admit it was their mistake so he relaxed a bit. "Thank you." He said softly. this was his lively he doesn't know what he would do without this, he lost his chance in the military. He lost the one thing before his marriage that he actually cared about.
He looked at the seat that Warren offered again and he slowly takes it. "Like i understand that there will be cases that will take more propriety then stolen goods, and I get it, murders, kidnapping, fires. It just feels like this is just getting glanced over and forgotten about." He sorted his suit out. "I know I shouldn't get involved that i should just leave it to you and your men, but have you tried The Cross and the Queen? There is a cellar underneath there. I've heard in recent week it like a underground market for contifits, stolen goods. I feel it pretty recent adventure." He leaned forward to discuss this.
As Romulo finally took the offered seat, Warren nodded at him thankfully. He understood the aggression the younger noble had toward the matter, and the last thing he wanted to do was diminish the mans concerns. Warren was often a lot more patient with civilians than he ever was with his soldiers, but only because he had the authority to expect more of them. "There have been no cases taking priority, my Lord. I personally don't care for leaving crimes unresolved so I try to treat them all equally. Incidentally, more often than not catching one criminal solves multiple cases. So I give them equal attention."
He pulled his quill out once more, this time making note of the new information that Romulo was giving him. Then he reached for a small, bronze bell on his desk and rang it. A moment later, just as he finished writing, a young woman entered the room. "Yes, Lieutenant?" She asked.
"Lady Aveline, please get me as much information as you can about a place called The Cross and the Queen. Do so...carefully. There may be criminal activity involved." The younger woman nodded to both Warren and Romulo, then left once more without another word. Setting his pen down on the parchment, he leaned against the back of his chair.
"Yes, unfortunately I would prefer if that is all you do. Taking matters into your own hands could make things worse. However, I'm confident that we can recover what you've lost and catch your thief."
With a bit of an awkward pause, Warren rested his hands in his lap. "Speaking of your wife and your family, Lord Cortell, how are they doing? Well I hope?"
Post by Romulo Cortell on Nov 22, 2022 11:15:26 GMT -5
Romulo thinks he was more annoyed that he was not a soldier anymore himself, not like he would of been able to now that he was married to a Morrigan. She wanted to protect his family. The pain of his shoulder was painful like his beautiful wife is trying with her potions it doesn't take it away but it help he just wish there more he could do to help her. "Thanks, I know i seem frustrated, like I guess I more annoyed at myself more you and your soliders they are a good bunch. I guess I miss this life. the team work knowing that you have a family outside your biological family. I should of seen the sign that something was going to happen." he sigh softly.
He watched as Lady Aveline walked in and he bowed her head as she bowed her head to him. "Thank you."
"Lady Gunne is doing well, she is invested in her work in potions. Little Ruben is playful young man he is already showing signs of wanting to be a solider he always wanting to play soliders." He know that the morrigan won't want him to be a solider as long as the raincroft are in power. there a stings of sadness in his eyes like his son won't be able to follow his dream for him. "Timea she my little princess I wish i could give her the world."
Warren nodded along as Romulo spoke, understanding entirely what he meant. Warren had been born and bred to be a soldier. If that was taken away from him, he wasn't sure what he would do. "I sympathize with you, Lord Cortell, I really do. I cannot imagine the difficulty of suffering an injury that removes you from service. That said, finding a new profession that you're good at and being passionate in that is equally as admirable. I'm not sure I could have done the same."
As he spoke of his family, Warren began nodding again but admittedly this time, his mind drifted. Images of the family he once had invaded and he reached up to rub his eyes tiredly at the thought of them. "It's good to hear that your wife is doing well and your children are strong. We all want to give our families the best that we can. I have no doubt that your children will grow up appreciative of all that you've done for them."
Post by Romulo Cortell on Nov 23, 2022 9:49:17 GMT -5
Romulo looked at Warren as he explained that he wouldn't know if he could find a job outside the military like he did, it was only because Romulo was taught other things alongside his normal training. "The soldiers here are very lucky to have you as a Lieutenant Sir. How long have you been a Lieutenant?" He asked as he tries to figure out when he had the injury and who was around when it happen cause he feels like if Rom had a lieutenant like Woodwick when he was a soldier maybe he would still be in the field. he has this sort of respect in him that Romulo admires.
Romulo noticed when Warren rub his eyes, the thought of family. "We only can do what we can, to make sure they safe. Even wishing sometime we can swap places." He give Warren a sad smile of knowing that no matter how hard he tries things happen and it breaks his heart.
"Well I appreciate your vote of confidence, Lord Cortell. I've been lieutenant for about four years now. I'm not sure my soldiers would agree with you, though. Many of them think I'm too strict and discipline them too much. I think it's a necessity, but the older they get, the more they understand." He knew exactly what the soldiers called him when he wasn't around - Quick Wick. A man quick to anger and quick to punish them. But Warren didn't mind the nickname. He didn't mind the bad reputation he got with the younger soldiers. He was making them stronger, both physically and willfully, and that was what was important. Because when they lacked discipline, with themselves and with each other, mistakes were made. That was how his son died. He didn't want any of the rest of them to make the same mistakes.
Most of the nobility knew about Warren's wife and son, even if they didn't know the specific details. But Romulo's words drew Warren's eyes up to meet his and for a moment he only nodded. He was right. If Warren could switch places with either one of them, even just to give them a little more time, he would do so in a heartbeat. "No truer words, Lord Cortell." He cleared his throat. "So will your boy be joining the military after his mandatory six, then?"
Post by Romulo Cortell on Nov 23, 2022 12:49:09 GMT -5
"only four years surely you too young for that." He smiled. So he would be a high-ranking solider when he finished his medotory six if he only been a lieutenant for four years. "When i was a soldier it was a woman called Lady Mary Trevino. She was good at her job but i think she wanted people to like her a bit tooo much. She did want use to do well but she also want to be everybodies best friend. Which is great we know we can trust her but there is a line."
when he asked if Ruben will join the military after the maditory six he could easily say that he won't be allowed due to a family rule on the morrigan side and it broke his heart. "Well, if that what he want to do I will give him the upmost support a father can give to his son and if men like you leading them I know my son will be in great hands and be lead to great things." He explained. like in his heart he want his son to be happy he also want his wife to be happy and if two things class it will be a hard one.
"Yes, I remember Lady Trevino. She was a fine soldier and a good person, but as you said, a little too soft. She retired shortly before I became Lieutenant. Her lackadaisical nature was what most people liked about her, but cleaning up the less disciplined mess of the soldiers she left in her wake has not been easy." The words came out with a bit of humor in the tone, though his expression didn't show it.
Warren thought of his own son, and wondered if being in the military was really what he had wanted. He'd died before his mandatory six were up, but Warren knew he'd planned to continue anyway. So he nodded when Romulo said he'd given his son the opportunity to choose for himself, instead of forcing that idea and way of life upon him. "It's important to give them the choice," he agreed. "A soldier who does not want to be in the military is a danger to themself and those around them. If he does choose to join, I'll be glad to welcome him. I'll certainly keep an eye on him myself. And as for your daughter, well the Morrigan witches were always impressive. Constance Towers is lieutenant of individual witches now, and she's certainly a force to be reckoned with."
Post by Romulo Cortell on Nov 24, 2022 15:55:55 GMT -5
Romulo soft laugh, "I can only imagine, the soldiers in my group were more focused on pranking each other than training and were just calling it team building. Which is all and well at a minimum but in actual training they were slacking greatly like we needed a lieutenant like you back then to whip us in the shape for sure. They could of been ten time better if they actually put in the work, the amount of time I wasn't listened to when i suggested training then pranking somebody from another group." Like he did have fun but there was a limit to what was acceptable.
He smiled thinking that if Woodwick would keep a eye on his son he know he will be in good leadership. a leadership he wished he had. When he mentioned his daughter Timea he thought about the conversation he and Gunne said about her going to a coven to train a sadness that only a father could feel filled his eyes. "My wife want her to join the coven that her and her family are apart of. I respect my wife covern and all that it means to her, but if she does that means that there would be a time where I don't see my daughter as she will be away. Like if she want to join... then i won't stop her. I just she just my princess." His voice was she want to protect her.
"But if she anything like her mother then I wouldn't want to be the end of that spell." even thogh Gunne was more potion Gunne was strong and powerful and not something to mess with.
"Those same soldiers are probably still part of the groups I'm cycling through to re-teach them," he said with a humored huff. "I don't mind them having their fun among themselves when they're off duty and not scheduled for training, but it's certainly been interesting getting things to change. I'm happy with the outcome so far, though. And your words of encouragement are something I genuinely grateful for."
When he began to speak of his daughter possibly joining the coven, Warren nodded. He'd heard of the Coven and knew that many witches joined covens as support groups for passing on wisdom and learning their craft. Although it wasn't quite the same as being in the military, Warren wasn't ignorant enough to assume that the covens didn't harbor some very powerful witches. "Nevermeran women are different from women in all other kingdoms," he commented, shaking his head. "Whether your daughter joins her mothers coven, joins the military, or chooses a third path, I'm sure she'll grow to be an incredibly powerful witch. She clearly has a very strong base of support and that is most important. Though I understand your concern. It's difficult to watch them grow older, isn't it? Wait until she begins insisting that she no longer needs your help with something, that is devastating. But you have some time before then, do you not? Your children are still young. Enjoy that while it lasts."