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!
Arynnite armor: The armor have two states: active and inactive. When inactive, they look like little more than ornate metal bracers, easily ignored. When triggered, the armor covers Tybalt and serves as an exoskeleton. It will protect its wearer from physical damage and is practically indestructible.
The armor has a certain "preprogrammed" purpose which is to protect its host. To do so, it reacts to heightened emotional states such as fear and anger, at which point the armor will trigger regardless of whether or not Tybalt wants it to or even if he's immediately aware of the threat. It has some degree of awareness and sentience although very basic and one which struggles to differentiate between enemies and friends. Whilst not actually in possession of a will, the armor can guide or direct its host in a specific action, much like a reflex.
The armor needs to be "fed" as Tybalt has discovered meaning that he must hold and absorb through touch certain metals such as steel, copper, iron and tin, a process which takes a few minutes. Without which, the armor will begin to weaken and become less effective until no longer able to manifest.
Perhaps its greatest weakness is that if being consistently bashed or beaten, it would begin to repair itself by using parts of the armor from elsewhere. For instance, if the wearer is being consistently hit in the chest, the armor will begin to pool away from other parts of their body such as the feet and hands, leaving them vulnerable.
Post by Tybalt Zane on Dec 18, 2022 3:13:37 GMT -5
Tybalt Zane had had the opportunity to get used to his position as Commander. For the moment though, most of his actions had been constrained to mostly setting into the role and tweaking a few things here or there that his predecessors had done which he didn't quite find satisfactory. Now though, there were a number of matters which needed addressing and with some urgency.
Felicity Zane's recent return had made a number of issues apparent, even if the Commander was still somewhat embarrassed by the emotional way that she had decided to express it, there was some truth behind what she had said. Certainly, the matter of their border with a certain invaded nation couldn't be overlooked for much longer. Not unless they suddenly wanted to find themselves waking up one morning with their neighbors in their backyard. Frankly, Tybalt was amazed that they hadn't had trouble from Hiram and his lot sooner than this. He could only assume that the man had been too busy working out how he was going to rule over his new kingdom and bringing any upstarts or notions of a resistance to heel.
Whatever the case, Lorendale had a serious issue festering on their doorstep and currently, no realistic way of stopping it.
Hence why the commander had requested - through somewhat more conventional channels then his wife - an audience with the queen and anyone else who might be concerned by the discussion.
Intended for Iliana Rainecourt but open to anyone else who might have some actual cause to be there.
Post by Iliana Rainecourt on Jan 19, 2023 20:41:34 GMT -5
The summons from Tybalt had not rattled her. Not as she expected to speak with the man frequently. But it was the public part of this summons that made her shift, made her palms a little sweaty even if she didn’t look like she was nervous but rather well collected and calm.
With Cassian sick back in Nevermere, she called for Augustus Rainecourt to be at her side. As her advisor and most trusted confidant to date, she wanted someone else here. Even if it was only her voice that was heard.
Iliana would arrive with her uncle at the designated time, and with the soft smile of familiarity and trust, she greeted Tybalt and welcomed him to step forward and speak.
Post by Augustus Rainecourt on Jan 22, 2023 14:58:27 GMT -5
Augustus would come when his queen called. Besides, he didn’t like anyone meeting with his niece alone (except for Cassian, of course, which couldn’t be helped). Without accountability, someone might leave an audience with the queen disgruntled, twisting her words and spreading falsehoods. Though unfair, there were some nobles that still treated her as a child. Augustus provided a certain level of accountability.
This was not the case with Tybalt Zane, however. The man was one of the most honorable and trustworthy that Lorendale had left to its name. No, Augustus would attend because his Felicity’s had deeply unsettled him. If she were a matter to be discussed, he’d be present to provide his input.
When he arrived, he’d give his niece a slight bow and a warm smile. He’d take a place to her side, hands folded, eager to hear what Tybalt had to say.
Arynnite armor: The armor have two states: active and inactive. When inactive, they look like little more than ornate metal bracers, easily ignored. When triggered, the armor covers Tybalt and serves as an exoskeleton. It will protect its wearer from physical damage and is practically indestructible.
The armor has a certain "preprogrammed" purpose which is to protect its host. To do so, it reacts to heightened emotional states such as fear and anger, at which point the armor will trigger regardless of whether or not Tybalt wants it to or even if he's immediately aware of the threat. It has some degree of awareness and sentience although very basic and one which struggles to differentiate between enemies and friends. Whilst not actually in possession of a will, the armor can guide or direct its host in a specific action, much like a reflex.
The armor needs to be "fed" as Tybalt has discovered meaning that he must hold and absorb through touch certain metals such as steel, copper, iron and tin, a process which takes a few minutes. Without which, the armor will begin to weaken and become less effective until no longer able to manifest.
Perhaps its greatest weakness is that if being consistently bashed or beaten, it would begin to repair itself by using parts of the armor from elsewhere. For instance, if the wearer is being consistently hit in the chest, the armor will begin to pool away from other parts of their body such as the feet and hands, leaving them vulnerable.
Post by Tybalt Zane on Jan 23, 2023 3:33:08 GMT -5
Tybalt REALLY didn't want to bring up Felicity. He didn't approve or particularly agree with how she had decided to go about sharing her grievances with the monarch. However, there had been a few matters which the queen still needed to be informed of.
"Your majesty, your grace." Tybalt presented both with the bows that they were entitled to. "Thank you for this audience." He'd been preparing such a meeting for a while but his wife's return and the news that she had brought with her had been enough to spur him on, making matters a good deal more urgent. Especially now that there was nobody guarding the border with their oh so friendly neighbors. "I wish to address the issue of our border with Dresmond." The commander didn't think that he particularly needed to explain just why it was that they had a serious problem in that regard. Given who they found themselves living next to, it was a mixture of odd and concerning that they hadn't had more visits from the Eldouir but with two attacks recently, it did seem as if they were waking up.
"Our border is currently unprotected however, given the nature of our enemies, I don't see how we could protect it conventionally. Realistically, we would have to station the bulk of our standing army there to stand a chance of holding off their forces. They would be spread thin given the length of the border. That would leave us vulnerable elsewhere. We also don't have any idea of Hiram's teleportation abilities. Even if he could only take a dozen people with him, if they get behind our lines it would be catastrophic and with all of our forces by the border, we would struggle to counter him." Tybalt would pause only momentarily before continuing. "Which is why I would suggest a different approach."
Tybalt had brought a few maps with him, ones he'd already doodled on. He would search for a table to put them on, placing them down and inviting the royals to come and see. They would find that the commander had drawn two lines between the border one in red and another in blue.
"I would suggest a number of manned outposts, non-defensive and that operate using as a warning system: a small number of men, with fast horses and messenger birds, each with a beacon which if extinguished would quickly allow the others to know that something had happened. If they spot trouble, they don't fight but rather spread the word. These settlements-" Tybalt gestured towards those to be found between the blue and the red lines. "would have to be evacuated. In case of an invasion, I would advise using scorched earth tactics. Ensure that our enemies would find no food and no water. That would make them more heavily reliant on a supply chain from Dresmond. Once the word of the attack was given, we could then mobilize our forces at their full strength to move against the invaders in a coordinated attack."
The man would look up from the map a moment later. "I know this isn't ideal but it might well enable us to limit both civilian and military casualties whilst we muster our forces."
Last Edit: Jan 23, 2023 3:36:13 GMT -5 by Tybalt Zane
Post by Iliana Rainecourt on Jan 26, 2023 21:19:37 GMT -5
Iliana felt her muscles tense when Tybalt did indeed bring up the border. Had his wife gotten to him? Those green eyes flickering over his face as he held himself as she had always seen him. But she didn't silence him, she believed that he had every right to voice his concerns and she only hoped he'd do better than the earlier of the Zane's had.
He had come prepared, level headed, maps in hand, and an actual helping suggestion instead of a demand. She moved towards the table that Tybalt laid the maps on and she settled to watching how he smoothed them and then pointed at the map. She knew the land of Terra Nova well from her studies, the more they learned the more detailed the maps became. She listened, not speaking as she pictured what he drew before her and only when she saw him lift his head to her did she meet his gaze.
"Would we warn these settlements? Beforehand of what the evacuation plan would be? And where they'd be going?"
Post by Augustus Rainecourt on Jan 27, 2023 15:59:59 GMT -5
Augstus listened, staying on the sidelines while the queen engaged. He had his own thoughts, of course. He listened intently as he stroked his beard, gaze focused with all its blue-eyed intensity at Tybalt. His expression was neutral. Whatever his reactions or opinions remained a mystery. He was an advisor, after all. He would wait for the opportune moment to advise.
Arynnite armor: The armor have two states: active and inactive. When inactive, they look like little more than ornate metal bracers, easily ignored. When triggered, the armor covers Tybalt and serves as an exoskeleton. It will protect its wearer from physical damage and is practically indestructible.
The armor has a certain "preprogrammed" purpose which is to protect its host. To do so, it reacts to heightened emotional states such as fear and anger, at which point the armor will trigger regardless of whether or not Tybalt wants it to or even if he's immediately aware of the threat. It has some degree of awareness and sentience although very basic and one which struggles to differentiate between enemies and friends. Whilst not actually in possession of a will, the armor can guide or direct its host in a specific action, much like a reflex.
The armor needs to be "fed" as Tybalt has discovered meaning that he must hold and absorb through touch certain metals such as steel, copper, iron and tin, a process which takes a few minutes. Without which, the armor will begin to weaken and become less effective until no longer able to manifest.
Perhaps its greatest weakness is that if being consistently bashed or beaten, it would begin to repair itself by using parts of the armor from elsewhere. For instance, if the wearer is being consistently hit in the chest, the armor will begin to pool away from other parts of their body such as the feet and hands, leaving them vulnerable.
Post by Tybalt Zane on Jan 28, 2023 15:32:10 GMT -5
Tybalt listened to the queen's questions, all too aware that the last time a Zane had brought up the subject, it hadn't been in a particularly good light. The commander didn't share the views of his wife on the subject, although he did agree that something needed to be done before they found themselves with the Eldouir parading down the streets of Loren towards the palace.
"We would have to." Tybalt replied, of course, that was just how he saw things. Perhaps the monarch or her advisor would be able to point out flaws in his plan. "They would need to be given clear instructions, perhaps even a drill. If the Eldouir did push the borders, there would be mass panic. The only way to even half counter that is to have a clear plan of action." The man frowned for a moment, looking at the number of towns and small settlements, some only just a few houses grouped together in hamlets. "It would be a large operation, even just preparing it for it."
Tybalt folded his arms across his chest, pensive for a few moments. "I know the borders well enough. The men and women down there, even the peasants know what beast sleeps next to them."
Post by Iliana Rainecourt on Feb 3, 2023 10:51:43 GMT -5
"The towns," her fingers brushed over the ones closest to the borders. "They'd have to come to at least here." She moved her hands over to the larger once just outside of Loren. "They will have to increase their supply and storage." Which would cost a lot of money, but for her people? She imagined the push back of the royals and nobility who was used to having parties at every occasion they could. They would hate this if it meant that they'd be lower in supplies while the outskirts stocked up. Prepared to potentially take on whole smaller towns who would likely flee with nothing more than what their hands could grab.
"Have we heard of anymore activity at the border?" She asked curiously, glancing up at Tybalt before back to her uncle, who she knew was well informed of many things.
Arynnite armor: The armor have two states: active and inactive. When inactive, they look like little more than ornate metal bracers, easily ignored. When triggered, the armor covers Tybalt and serves as an exoskeleton. It will protect its wearer from physical damage and is practically indestructible.
The armor has a certain "preprogrammed" purpose which is to protect its host. To do so, it reacts to heightened emotional states such as fear and anger, at which point the armor will trigger regardless of whether or not Tybalt wants it to or even if he's immediately aware of the threat. It has some degree of awareness and sentience although very basic and one which struggles to differentiate between enemies and friends. Whilst not actually in possession of a will, the armor can guide or direct its host in a specific action, much like a reflex.
The armor needs to be "fed" as Tybalt has discovered meaning that he must hold and absorb through touch certain metals such as steel, copper, iron and tin, a process which takes a few minutes. Without which, the armor will begin to weaken and become less effective until no longer able to manifest.
Perhaps its greatest weakness is that if being consistently bashed or beaten, it would begin to repair itself by using parts of the armor from elsewhere. For instance, if the wearer is being consistently hit in the chest, the armor will begin to pool away from other parts of their body such as the feet and hands, leaving them vulnerable.
The commander watched the monarch's actions carefully. "If it comes to it, yes." They would need supplies and that would only lead to some stresses but then they would be under strain if the Eldouirs invaded anyhow. Hence why Tybalt was trying to make some plans and provisions now before the situation became dire. The Eldouir would show no mercy to the people who were unfortunate enough to fall under their rule. The man frowned as he contemplated the map for a few moments.
Tybalt shook his head in response. "Not since the attack on the Zak forces." He found himself glancing back towards the border. "It seems that it was only a small force that pushed the border and not a full scale attack." A game rather than an invasion, the Zaks had paid the price but thankfully, for whatever reason nothing more had come from it. "I suppose it's possible that they might chose to attack Coheed before they come after Lorendale but I can't see them staying put indefinitely."
Post by Augustus Rainecourt on Feb 4, 2023 11:04:36 GMT -5
Augustus’s stepped closer to see the map, brow furrowing as Iliana gestured to indicate the movement of villagers. As her fingers traced the lines of the map, Augustus saw them: women and children, laden with what they could carry, guided by soldiers as they fled destruction. He saw the lucky ones crowded in encampments in Loren’s shadow. It put a sour taste on his tongue. Not because of the image itself, but because of how unlikely it was to come to pass. The clearer, more probable outcome was the one he saw next: a road strewn with mangled villagers who the Eldouirs had mowed down like wheat at the harvest.
“A small force,” Augustus said, finally breaking silence, “Yet they left a dozen soldiers dead, and captured fifty more. Forgive me…” Augustus sighed and shook his head, not in anger but in resignation, “It is a noble plan, Commander Zane. But as you said before, the Eldouir can appear anywhere. If these were Coheedsmen we were fighting, yes, it would be sensible, but borders mean nothing to them. If …” Augustus grimaced, “This seems akin to plugging a hole at the bow of your ship when our stern is already well underwater. If the Eldouir attack, even if they have forewarning, those villagers are as good as dead.”
It was a cold, uncomfortable truth, but truth nonetheless.
Post by Iliana Rainecourt on Feb 17, 2023 9:10:42 GMT -5
Iliana was a hopeful Queen. She wanted to believe they could tackle everything thrown their way, she knew the rulers before her had been unlike her. Maybe it was her downfall… maybe it was her strength.
But hearing Augustus words had the stone sinking in her stomach. “No but if we had a group of trained gifteds… a tracker… or something like that…” she mused softly, only loud enough for the two to hear. Augustus would probably pick up on what she was hinting at considering their earlier conversation.
“Leaving them with no plan would be just as bad as giving them something…” her eyes darting up to Augustus and then Tybalt.
Arynnite armor: The armor have two states: active and inactive. When inactive, they look like little more than ornate metal bracers, easily ignored. When triggered, the armor covers Tybalt and serves as an exoskeleton. It will protect its wearer from physical damage and is practically indestructible.
The armor has a certain "preprogrammed" purpose which is to protect its host. To do so, it reacts to heightened emotional states such as fear and anger, at which point the armor will trigger regardless of whether or not Tybalt wants it to or even if he's immediately aware of the threat. It has some degree of awareness and sentience although very basic and one which struggles to differentiate between enemies and friends. Whilst not actually in possession of a will, the armor can guide or direct its host in a specific action, much like a reflex.
The armor needs to be "fed" as Tybalt has discovered meaning that he must hold and absorb through touch certain metals such as steel, copper, iron and tin, a process which takes a few minutes. Without which, the armor will begin to weaken and become less effective until no longer able to manifest.
Perhaps its greatest weakness is that if being consistently bashed or beaten, it would begin to repair itself by using parts of the armor from elsewhere. For instance, if the wearer is being consistently hit in the chest, the armor will begin to pool away from other parts of their body such as the feet and hands, leaving them vulnerable.
Post by Tybalt Zane on Feb 21, 2023 3:22:50 GMT -5
Tybalt hadn't necessarily been expecting their agreement. It was a somewhat unintentional approach. The commander had to admit, he didn't much care for Augustus' response. It sounded at best defeatist and at worst like they were abandoning those who found themselves on the border. He remained the queen's uncle however, a Rainecourt, and such, the old soldier was a little more cautious and diplomatic. "Perhaps my lord but I don't think we can leave the people on the border with nothing."
He glanced down at the lines on the map once more. "They know what's living next to them. If we do nothing, perhaps not this but at least something, then they will think we have abandoned them. If anything does happen and they see the crown as having done nothing to prepare them, they would likely hold it against us for the next foreseeable future."
He turned towards the young queen. "Do you mean to hold back the Eldouir or as a means of keeping track of their forces?"
Post by Augustus Rainecourt on Feb 24, 2023 19:31:33 GMT -5
Augustus tilted his head in acknowledgment of Tybalt’s response. HIs question had been addressed to the queen, so he would wait for the queen to respond. He’d lodged his observation in the conversation, and so would step back to see how things continued to evolve.
Post by Iliana Rainecourt on Mar 4, 2023 11:07:43 GMT -5
She seemed to get lost in a thought, still hearing the others but her eyes settling on the page as if she could see some complex game of chess on the board now in front of her. It was a tricky game, when the other side was likely playing by the rules of checkers instead of chess like they were. Two different games, similar in the sense that it was on a board... on Terra Nova... but completely different. Civilized and uncivilized. Calculating versus chaos.
"To track the Eldouir's." She brushed her fingers along the edge of the table. "Do we have anyone we know of like that, a gifted who can track or see movements? Can someone call on Marchioness Saelim?" She glanced up at the two, green eyes bouncing between them. "But I have to agree, we need to give them something. We can't leave them to be bumps in the road to the Eldouir's and whatever army they created in Dresmond."
Arynnite armor: The armor have two states: active and inactive. When inactive, they look like little more than ornate metal bracers, easily ignored. When triggered, the armor covers Tybalt and serves as an exoskeleton. It will protect its wearer from physical damage and is practically indestructible.
The armor has a certain "preprogrammed" purpose which is to protect its host. To do so, it reacts to heightened emotional states such as fear and anger, at which point the armor will trigger regardless of whether or not Tybalt wants it to or even if he's immediately aware of the threat. It has some degree of awareness and sentience although very basic and one which struggles to differentiate between enemies and friends. Whilst not actually in possession of a will, the armor can guide or direct its host in a specific action, much like a reflex.
The armor needs to be "fed" as Tybalt has discovered meaning that he must hold and absorb through touch certain metals such as steel, copper, iron and tin, a process which takes a few minutes. Without which, the armor will begin to weaken and become less effective until no longer able to manifest.
Perhaps its greatest weakness is that if being consistently bashed or beaten, it would begin to repair itself by using parts of the armor from elsewhere. For instance, if the wearer is being consistently hit in the chest, the armor will begin to pool away from other parts of their body such as the feet and hands, leaving them vulnerable.
Tybalt contemplated the problem in silence for a few seconds whilst the queen spoke. At least they were of a like mind when it came to those who found themselves unfortunate enough to live on the border. As far as the commander was concerned, doing nothing would be akin to abandoning them and the man wasn't accustomed to abandoning others. He was however willing to admit that the very nature of the enemy that threatened them was such that it made trying to think of a way of protecting the people from them a challenge.
"I will check the Legion." Tybalt declared. "I know we have a young woman who can detect and track specific gifts, given that Hiram is the one doing the teleporting we might be able to keep an eye on him at the very least. We could, I suppose, also ask some of the Witches within our lands. They might well have a spell or something that they could use. I believe Arynn Frey would certainly be able to produce an enchantment capable of such a feat, whether they would accept, how long it would take and what they would want in exchange are another matter."