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!
She could be quite the hostess when she wanted to be, and Cezar—as always—was her willing and able accomplice. Their modest home was scrubbed spotless and a lamb had been slaughtered for supper. Tallis thought it an apropos way to start the evening, considering not long before their feast she’d made a different kind of offering to their guest. One of mutual benefit.
No doubt a man of Gannon’s wherewithal had heard of the unfortunate incident at the Covington estate. Perhaps he took it to be as it had been advertised: an unfortunate accident. Or perhaps he had joined the more suspicious of Lorendale’s population and took it to be an act of arson by a common criminal or—worse yet—a conniving competitor. Or perhaps Gannon joined the small minority of whisperers that believed it was an attack more horrific than could be imagined.
Whatever the case, Tallis would ascertain which it was soon enough.
It wasn’t only the Morand’s home that sparkled. Tallis too had scrubbed up, donning a fancy frock and pulling her hair back with a gold pin Cezar had gifted her on her birthday some years ago. At present, she was humming and lighting the candles on the table, anticipating the arrival of their guest and waiting for her twin and husband.
It was all very complicated.
Last Edit: Dec 13, 2022 0:12:37 GMT -5 by Tallis Scorza
Splashing some water on his face, Cezar took a deep breath before looking up at himself in the mirror. There always reached a part in the decaying process where he could no longer reverse the process. Not enough to regenerate. But after it had reached that point he had still felt... There had been a smaller being still there, something he had neglected to tell his twin, for once not sure if their views would have aligned on what to do with the fact she was alive.
And now he had to be ready for dinner with the competition. One that Tallis thought would be useful, and so far her moves had proved just that. Walking down with a smile on his face, one that only grew upon seeing the pin, he wrapped his arm around his wife, twins, sisters, whatevers, waist.
"Here we go then." Ready to great Mr. Albrecth whenever he arrived.
Post by Tallis Scorza on Dec 15, 2022 20:49:37 GMT -5
Tallis started smiling when she heard Cezar’s footsteps in the hall. She didn’t turn until she felt his arm around her waist. With a smirk she blew out the match and spun slowly to face him, straightening the lapels of his jacket and looking over him with an approving eye.
“Here we go indeed,” Tallis teased, patting Cezar’s chest before heading toward the living room to rummage in the side table, assuming an air of business. “His gift seems to be something with speed. Or illusion magic of some sort. So keep your wits about you,” Tallis said as she hid a dagger in the waistband of her dress, “And if he asks about the Covingtons…” She turned back to Cezar, laying a hand against his cheek, “It was a terrible, unforeseeable tragedy.”
This was all, no doubt, things Cezar already knew. But Tallis was talkative, and in one of her manic moods that were as charming as they could be dangerous.
Laughing as Tallis fixed him up and then moved on to the living room, if he didn't know better one might think she was nervous. But with his sister this was a different kind of energy, and he just hoped that Mr. Albrecth didn't put a toe out of line. Really only because it would mean having to clean up a mess more than any good thoughts for the man.
"Illusion seems accurate for a man of our trade. Would make sense how he came out of nothing." Speed only got you so far their line of business. But until the man actually spelled out his gift, they would be left in the dark about it.
Cezar held that hand that caressed his cheek before pulling it away and kissing the back of her hand. "Let's certainly put the Convington's behind in the dust where they lay." No need to think about it anymore than necessary.
Post by Gannon Albrecht on Jan 3, 2023 4:16:42 GMT -5
Two hours south of Loren indeed. The Morand estate. Or so folks had informed him it was--through coercion they would never know happened, or through bribery they would be none the richer for.
Gannon Albrecht, first and only of his name, commoner and merchant extraordinaire, approached the place, giving it a once over.
Amongst all of his investigations, he had not found anyone who had been within the building. Which was slightly vexing, truth be told, but he also welcomed the challenge. He had a feeling Tallis and her husband were new allies to him. Tallis herself was quite obviously gifted in some manner. Also very clever, which both upset and interested Gannon. He decided his final opinion would rely on however the evening concluded. If one of them died horribly, the cleverer one would likely survive, barring a freak accident, and pursue Gifted goals further.
Or maybe they'd be good friends. Gannon allowed himself this thought. Not only had the Morands generously gifted him a new desk (a very nice one, he was not unawares of), but he also had Miss @oriana to think of. Another Gifted he was quite fond of and would like to see persist in this world.
So when Gannon came calling upon the door properly--several bottles of whiskey in tow--he seemed entirely genuine and unaffected by such things as the Covington incident and the Allemeade Keep bit.
Post by Tallis Scorza on Jan 4, 2023 0:56:55 GMT -5
The knock had Tallis springing into action with the same maniacal glee that had gripped her ever since the sun rose that morning. After giving Cezar a quick kiss on the cheek, she trotted to the door, pausing just before opening it to their guest. Gannon would see a rosy-cheeked woman with a dazzling smile and mischief in her eyes. He’d see a creature bursting with life, contrary to the death she carried in her veins.
“Mister Albrecht,” Tallis said, tongue lingering on each syllable as she looked him up and down, “I see you come bearing…gifts.” Tallis, ever the show woman, allowed herself the little joke. After a moment, she pivoted and extended a hand to usher him inside.
“My husband, Cezar.” She gestured to her brother, eyes shining.
At the knock on the door Cezar cracked his knuckles. If this had been any other business meeting this would have been easy. But as much as they all might pretend it was, tonight had a lot more weight to it. For a long time it had just been him and Tallis, and it always would be, but adding other allies was an important step, even if he didn't entirely enjoy them.
"It's a pleasure to have you Mister Albrecht." Extending a hand with a smile, the merchant was nodded towards the sitting room. "What's your drink of choice?" Let his wife do all the talking, she clearly had a plan and it was best not to interfere.
Post by Tallis Scorza on Feb 7, 2023 15:59:43 GMT -5
“I couldn’t agree more,” Tallis’s smirk broke into a broad, sparkling grin, “Come—” She took the bottles from Gannon before heading to the parlor, gesturing and expecting the men would follow.
It was a humble house, but a neat one. Tallis had no interest in finery or superfluous decoration. One might think them a family of little means, were it not for the expensive quality of the furniture and the intricate weave of the rug before the fire. The things they had were few, but they were the finest money could buy.
“Make yourself comfortable,” Tallis said brightly. There was a sofa and two chairs in front of a crackling fireplace. The sofa clearly saw some use, the chairs evidently less so. She would go to a small cabinet from which she would bring out three glasses—two for whiskey, one for wine which she also retrieved from its belly.
“Mister Albrecht, I told Cezar of our recent negotiations,” Tallis almost sang before turning with the wine and a whiskey in her hand, “He seemed unconvinced by my account of events. Always the skeptic…” She laughed, clearly in a maniacally jovial mood.
Cezar's hand stayed extended for a second un-met before dropping back to his waist. Interesting. If not for Tallis that would probably put him in a bad mood. But luckily for all of them, she was her usual self, and so he moved past the slight and onto the point of this.
He would sit on the sofa, arm draped across, clearly comfortable. "Business always leaves me skeptical, but I'm always willing to listen." Smiling at Tallis he took his drink before turning back to Gannon.