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!
Hadrian couldn’t remember the last time he’d gotten a restful night’s sleep. Everywhere you turned, there was some new hole to plug in the ship to keep it from sinking. But still, they sailed on, though Hadrian feared they were about to head for rougher waters.
What he needed was a crew he could count on.
It had been about a week since the Coheed fiasco and several days since open court. Grant had been given an appropriate amount of leave, and now it was time to call him into service again. The boy had done well for himself. It was Regan who had failed in Coheed; by all accounts, Grant had represented Nevermere and his family well.
That was to be rewarded.
Hadrian had summoned Grant to his office and expected him shortly.
Post by Grant Delaney on Nov 29, 2022 20:57:13 GMT -5
Just like that a proper summons from the Captain Commander and Grant jumped into proper dress attire and headed right up to the Captain Commander's office. He knocked and entered when bid so, standing at attention and wondering what other hellish kingdom he'd be sent to next. Loren and Dresmond and now Coheed were off the list (even if Coheed was brief and barely a 'stay' at all) and the other two probably couldn't be worse.
Probably.
"Sir, Delaney reporting, sir," said Grant as he was finally given access, though he omitted his rank out of habit rather than secrecy, given that he was, effectively to most, still some idiot soldier. Just much better trained.
Last Edit: Nov 29, 2022 20:58:06 GMT -5 by Grant Delaney
Post by Hadrian Usher on Dec 1, 2022 11:46:53 GMT -5
Hadrian stood, smiling to see Grant, a glimmer of sorrow passing behind his eyes. His resemblance to Logan was slight, but the curve of his brow and the dark hair were the same. The more striking resemblance was to Kennet, but the commander wouldn’t dwell on that.
“At ease, soldier,” Hadrian extended a hand, offering Grant a seat. “You have much to be proud of, Lord Delaney,” He said with a fatherly smile, “You’ve served your kingdom well.”
Post by Grant Delaney on Dec 2, 2022 21:25:41 GMT -5
Grant blinked and relaxed his shoulders only a slight bit when put at ease. He nodded and smiled, taking a seat as directed, trying not to think too hard about Hadrian's friendship with his late uncle. Late.
"I hope I have," said Grant, "but I'm not quite yet done serving the kingdom, sir."
Maybe when he was his father's age (or had that many children, nieces, and nephews active duty) he'd relax a little, but he was still able-bodied and had no intention of resting on laurels. That wasn't how he'd been raised. Nor could he claim to be solely responsible for anything he'd helped get done.
Until then he had not 'served' his kingdom, it was still very much a work in progress.
Post by Hadrian Usher on Dec 4, 2022 20:45:31 GMT -5
Hadrian’s eyes sparkled as he sat, a broad smile lighting his features. “No, I should hope not.” He leaned forward, lacing his fingers together on the desk as he looked squarely at Grant.
“His majesty plans to name Tara Ellis—or Odina, I suppose she’s called—as governor of Cambria. Their so-called priestess, Isolde, will return to her role as witch doctor; a ceremonial position, nothing more. Now…” Hadrian sighed, “It is unlikely Isolde will relinquish her title willingly. If the woman chooses to self-destruct, we cannot let her take the rest of Cambria with her. Officially, the mission is to oversee a peaceful transfer of power. But if Isolde escalates, if drastic measures need to be taken to keep the peace…” The Commander raised an eyebrow, “I trust you to act quickly and quietly. Is my meaning clear?”
Isolde was, perhaps, all smoke and no fire. But if she wasn’t…there was a chance she was too dangerous to leave alive.
Last Edit: Dec 4, 2022 20:46:39 GMT -5 by Hadrian Usher
Post by Grant Delaney on Jan 5, 2023 22:38:25 GMT -5
Grant blinked and tried to catch up. He had never been very good at politicking, but he'd at least listened when Kennet talked about court.. things.
Tara Ellis, right, she was. An Ellis, obviously, but more importantly she used to be a Cambrian. Or still was. Right. Grant thought about what precious little he knew of Cambria and then nodded once, slowly, following the Captain Commander's meaning.
"Crystal clear, sir," he said. So this Isolde lady was probably not a fan of Nevermereans.
"...I don't have a partner," Grant said, after a moment's pause.
Post by Hadrian Usher on Jan 13, 2023 10:10:45 GMT -5
Hadrian was nodding, reaching for his papers when he paused mid-motion. Partner. A twinge of irritation pinched in his chest. Soldiers like Grant Delaney were the backbone of Nevermere’s military. They were what made the difference between victory and defeat. Soldiers like Regan Lassiter also made the difference, but for entirely different reasons. Hadrian was no longer her commander—she was Cassian’s now, and for better or for worse out of his hands. Because if he was the man to decide Regan Lassiter’s fate, Hadrian would have shown her the door right after her public assault on the king.
It was unfortunate that Grant had gotten caught in the crossfire.
“You won’t need one,” Hadrian said, brightening with a fatherly smile, “Field Sergeant.” He let the new title sit for a moment, before continuing, “You’ll be in command of on-the-ground military operations in Cambria. This isn’t an easy task you have before you, but it’s one I’m confident you’re capable of.”
It was a dramatic promotion, one that might raise a few eyebrows, but Hadrian had made his choice. He prided himself on having an eye for talent, and Grant Delaney had distinguished himself even apart from his already distinguished family.
Post by Grant Delaney on Jan 21, 2023 22:53:17 GMT -5
Wouldn't need a partner? Grant had opened his mouth to protest that yes, he would very fucking much need a partner to not just get snapped in half by a Cambrian woman possibly by accident when Hadrian dropped a surefire way to shut the Delaney up.
Field Sergeant.
Grant's eyes bugged out a little bit and he took a moment to process. Command of on the ground operations in Cambria. He was going to have to abduct Octavius and interrogate the man about Cambria. No, maybe not, if he was getting promoted that meant they had faith in his abilities--as terrifying a prospect the narrator may have found that--and that he would at least be getting fed proper intelligence. He took a deep breath, regarding the Captain Commander.
"I--" he began, then jawed at the air for a moment. "I'm honored, but, uh. Sir, I've fought a Cambrian, before. Or, rather, sparred with one. I, uh, I did not win."
It was technically a tie but that was mostly because Grant was trying other things at the time, but he'd been pretty well man handled. Womanhandled? Tossed about, for sure.
Post by Hadrian Usher on Jan 22, 2023 19:16:11 GMT -5
“You’ll have plenty of soldiers at your disposal,” Hadrian reassured him, seeing the bugginess in the soldier’s eyes. For a moment, he second-guessed himself. Was this too big a task for the young Delaney? He was a good lad, one of the most competent fighters at his disposal, but to fight and to lead were two different things entirely. Could Grant handle the latter?
“We are there for a reason,” Hadrian said, directing the most serious of gazes in Grant’s direction, “The Cambrians could not protect themselves, despite their strength. Without us, they’d be at the mercy of Coheed or the Eldouirs. They need us. Any Cambrian who says otherwise is a fool.”
Post by Grant Delaney on Feb 6, 2023 15:30:10 GMT -5
Soldiers at his disposal. Grant's little bug eyes shorted out and he blinked, nodding. Good, that meant witches. It also meant if he was fighting a Cambrian hand to hand that something had gone wrong, though Hadrian had implied very clearly that he was to be on asset removal duty, if necessary. Which may mean close quarters with this Isolde.
"Yes, sir," said Grant, somewhat more collected, now, the high of being promoted being blunted by the reality of it. "Unfortunately I think being in charge of men and women on the ground means I'll have to account for fools in this world."
And it sounded like one of them may have been in charge. Hells. "Thank you for the opportunity, sir."
Post by Hadrian Usher on Feb 7, 2023 15:31:16 GMT -5
“Of course,” Hadrian tilted his head with a smirk, “And there will be no shortage of fools, Sergeant Delaney. It’s separating the true ones from the pretenders that’s the trick.”
Hadrian stood, signaling the meeting was coming to a close. “See to it that you meet with Ambassador Prowze to coordinate your efforts. And perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to become acquainted with Tara Ellis, if she’ll see you.”