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!
Post by Zarha Sliva on Feb 17, 2023 14:34:51 GMT -5
When he explained that it not him, Zarha give Zevran a week smile when he said it not him. He seemed to smart, "Who cares what part you play? The only part you should play is yourself, after all you a guest of Nevermere? That what I thought?" If he a guess then why should he pretend to somebody he clearly not. Like he better being the guy who she interacted with in the military wing and the garden.
When he mentioned Ber, she looked in @beranger direction. Her smile dropped a bit, she rubbed the back of her neck as she followed, she looked at the drink not even touched. "Stormcrest." She bowed her head slightly. She kept herself composed when Zev mentioned about Ber snapping up a noble lady. Like Ber and well any lady in general, would be a interesting sight to see at least...... However when @katerina asked if Ber and her came together, she couldn't help but let the laugh slip, "umm I think I've been requested." She tries to leave the conversation and hide ina corner somewhere. trying to look around the room, everybody seems to be talking to someone. Have a friend to talk too.
Zevran was a sight for sore eyes, even with Sliva trailing behind him like a lost puppy. As they offered their verdicts on each other’s appearance, Ber opened his mouth to protest that he had managed just fine, thanks, when his friend reached over and fixed his tie. Caught off guard, he could only grin and stand obligingly still, though he immediately reached up to tug it slightly looser again once Zev was finished. He didn’t know how the others could stand to wear these things properly; when it was pulled suitably snug against his throat, the tie felt uncomfortably constricting. “A noble lady, huh?” He knew he had no real chance, but Ber felt like playing along anyway. After casting a cursory glance around the throne room, he returned the smirk. “And what about you? What happened to—”
As unwelcome as a blister on the bottom of his foot, @katerina chose that moment to make her presence known. Ber’s smile faltered at her arrival and was replaced with a thoroughly unimpressed expression as the witch kept talking, gesturing between him and Zarha Sliva as if there was anything other than cold cordiality between them. A glance at Sliva showed her looking entirely flustered by the witch, but Ber had enough of a measure on Winters now to suspect that discomfort and annoyance were exactly the kind of reaction she was after. He rolled his eyes.
After an uncomfortable laugh, Sliva quickly excused herself with some comment about being requested elsewhere, and Ber didn’t care enough to try to determine if it was true. “Take this one with you,” He called after her, jerking a thumb in Winters’ direction, though he hardly expected either witch to listen.
Shaking his head, he sighed and introduced the newcomer to his best friend. “Zevran, this is Katerina Winters. My advice is to avoid her whenever possible.” As he spoke, Ber gestured between the two before going to cross his arms, only to find that he couldn’t with the cup of whatever it was they’d given him still in his hand. Instead, he turned to the witch and said pointedly, “Don’t you have anyone else to annoy, Winters? Thought you’d be in high demand after yesterday - or have they all realized what lovely company you aren’t and decide to make themselves scarce?” His tone wasn’t overly hostile, but it wasn’t necessarily friendly either. Especially after the whole mess with Abbott, he wasn’t quite sure where they stood with each other, but he was beginning to suspect that the best way for dealing with Winters was to fight fire with fire.
"You needed a soldier to keep you from dancing?" Aldrich raised his eyebrows and with clear disdain on his face looked at the other officer. What ridiculous kind of reason was this for stealing a soldier that was under his command. He knew he couldn't publicly call out Valeria for it, but if he could have done so, he would have told her to just sit her ass down by the sideline and simply don't dance.
"Well, officer Delaney, next time I'd suggest meeting with me beforehand to discuss using my cadets for talks such as these." His words seemed professional enough, but his eyes were shooting flames. Not only was Rhedara under his command for the stupid curse she had put on him, apart from that she was still a junior soldier, barely old enough to voluntarily join the military, and he was her drill instructor. Where did Valeria find the guts to just tell one of his soldiers what to do?
Aldrich then redirected his gaze at Rhedara Shannon . "Since you're already here and the Royals are soon to join us, making you leave would cause another unnecessary scene. You can have this evening, but you better make sure you're at my office as soon as you open those little eyes of yours tomorrow. I hope I have made myself clear."
He then turned to face to Valeria Delaney again. "Enjoy your evening, lady Delaney. I'd love to also meet with you soon, but let's save the talking for then, shall we?" He put on fake smile as he turned to move away from them again. If people didn't stop testing him soon, he'd snap, and it would get very ugly for them. Aldrich was a force to be reckoned with, the problem was that they didn't seem to understand this.
We won't call it quits. We'll call it the start.
Last Edit: Feb 17, 2023 19:06:22 GMT -5 by Aldrich Abbott
Post by Rhedara Shannon on Feb 17, 2023 19:38:59 GMT -5
In her search for familiar faces, Aldrich Abbott was the last person she had wanted to see--and for more than one reason! She wanted to shrink at the sound of his voice, but the past several days had conditioned her to stand at attention no matter what tone he was using with her.
He scolded her for showing up to the ball without leave, and she blinked at him in genuine confusion. She had not been expressly told she couldn't go...had she remembered to ask permission? She furrowed her brows. Even with the few nights he let her have to herself, the past several days had turned into one sleepy blur. It was possible he might have said something and she had been too out of it to process it properly. She opened her mouth to speak, but the arrival of a woman that Rhedara vaguely recognized as Valeria Delaney stopped anything else that Rhedara might have said.
She had never spoken to the woman, but she had seen her and she definitely knew who she was. Still, they were strangers and she had lied to cover for her she realized. For a wild moment, she selfishly wanted to clutch onto to the lie like a lost child who had found her mother. Then she remembered that technically, she was to only follow Abbott's orders. If he called the bluff, it wouldn't end well for Rhedara. She was already in hot water and she didn't want to upgrade to boiling water. Her military career was on the line, and she did not want to be reduced to working on a fishing boat or worse after she had been on her best behavior since the Chicken Curse incident.
Cluck, cluck! echoed in her head, and in her tired--and now stressed--state, she almost laughed.
Raff made himself scarce, saying a few words to her before he left. Damn it...she didn't blame him for abandoning her. She really didn't. She herself wished that she could melt into the crowd. But maybe it was better this way. If she got a good dressing-down, she really didn't want to have him witness it. Maybe she'd find him later.
Again, she opened her mouth to speak, to protect her own interests in fear that Valeria's word would not be heavy enough to sway him, but Abbott had already dismissed her. She blinked. What had just happened? That actually worked? Well then. She just had to hope it wouldn't bite her in the behind in the morning.
"Very clear, sir. Thank you, sir," she said and watched him turn to go.
She nearly let out a big sigh of relief as she turned her attention to Valeria Delaney, "Thank you, my lady," she bowed, realizing too late that she should have curtsied since she was in a dress, "But you didn't have to do that."
Kasper is young enough to fall under the werewolf curse, yet it is dormant. Should the curse be activated his wolf form will be that of a white shaggy fur color keeping his smallness even though he is still rather large for a werewolf. His eyes also retain their green color.
Post by Kasper Van Zant on Feb 17, 2023 20:07:13 GMT -5
He saw the chain and it made him happier, could he get any happier? Yes. Probably. Right now he was on one of the highest clouds he'd rode for a while and tonight (while he couldn't just cut loose like at a tavern) he was going to ride that flow. Their pairing in his opinion was one if not the strongest in Nevermere they were the true examples of how connected and trained and disciplined a pairing was supposed to be. Kasper had made a pretty big promise to Faylin one he intended to keep, come hell or high water.
When @faylin quietly asked about Katerina, Kasper shrugged, "As much as I would love to know...I stay out of it as she asked," he did return the small toast, "So my lady, pray tell what does one do at these parties?"
Kasper had never been to something so refined, a lot of the soldiers here had never as much as been in the same room as the King or even the King's Hand...so a ball was pretty big.
Post by Valeria Delaney on Feb 17, 2023 20:10:42 GMT -5
She keeping her eyes soft on Aldrich Abbott "I should of asked of asked Officer Abbott and I am sorry that I didn't ask sooner." Her posture was still standing upright. Not flinching at his words. As the older man spoke to rhea her face was soft on her trying to reassure Rhedara Shannon before her forcus back on Aldrich Abbott "We will talk another day Lord Abbott." She give a small curtsy.
Once he was out of ear shot her eyes looked at the small woman know thanking her. Rhedara Shannon seemed to be young enough. "no need to thank me dear. You still have a lot to learn. But understand that I won't be always be around to step in to save you when you are in trouble." Her voice was soft gentle. She guested her to walk with her. If she followed "Do you want to talk about what happened?"
Elletta felt very out of place wearing a dress in general so wearing a formal one was definitely not something she had ever even considered. Which had meant she had freaked out just a bit because she had nothing to wear, clothing or jewelry-wise, just ready to go. So she'd spent the time and more of her earnings than she'd prefer but she'd managed to find a dress that she liked with time to spare. Enough that she'd made use of a day off to make some adjustments to the dress by some of her own sewing and some bartering here or there for some odds and ends. Though she'd forgotten about jewelry until the day of and therefore didn't bother. She might not ever wear it again but she really did like the dress, regardless of how odd she felt not wearing her everyday clothes.
When she walked in, she immediately started to scan the room for one person in particular almost out of habit. She'd found herself doing it more and more the longer she was here in Skia. Her eyes caught on to some of the friends she'd made since they'd been recalled like @berengar and Zarha Sliva , and even the Dresmondi Zevran but with how deep in conversation they appeared to be, she didn't actually approach. If she was more comfortable in such a formal setting, she might've made a move to join them but instead she found herself on the edge of the room. She even thought she saw @raff though she wasn't entirely certain on that one so she didn't make a move in his direction either.
She accepted a glass of whatever the alcohol was that was being served and let herself just observe from the sidelines. The witch eventually spotted Lieutenant Brekker who definitely had the right idea of wearing some type of suit and she wished she'd thought of something like that. Well, she scanned the room once more to see if she could spot Octavius Wulfbrand but it seemed that she might've overlooked him because she couldn't seem to spot him. So she made her way towards the officer.
"Evening, Lieutenant." She greeted @bex once she was close enough, with the internal promise that she was going to do her best to actually talk proper tonight. "Wish I'd thought of a suit me-myself." Welp, there was slip up number one.
Last Edit: Feb 17, 2023 22:29:50 GMT -5 by Deleted
Post by Rhedara Shannon on Feb 17, 2023 22:09:33 GMT -5
When Valeria Delaney indicated that Rhedara should follow, she did, although, she took a moment to scan the crowd to see if she could spot Raff among all the people. She couldn't see him from where she was standing, but she would keep looking for him as she walked with Valeria, unable to deny her this small audience since she had just helped her.
"Well I really appreciate what you did for me just now. I'll try and be more careful" she said when Valeria said that she would not always be there to help her out.
She asked her if she wanted to talk about what just happened. She really didn't. She was sure everyone had at least heard of what she had done to Abbott, even if the identity of the witch was occasionally unclear. But the woman who Rhedara didn't think was much older than her seemed to genuinely be interested in helping her, "I guess I accidentally skipped out on my punishment. I thought I had asked permission, but I must have dreamed it."
She searched for @raff again and thought she spotted him in a corner of the room. She almost sighed in relief. He hadn't left. Good. She didn't know him well enough to tell if he had been upset earlier or if he was just normally gruff. Their interactions with each other so far had been--she allowed herself a small smile--delightfully playful and she had been looking forward to spending the evening with him. She also felt the need to explain what that whole scene had been all about.
She tried to steer the direction of their walking toward Raff. If Valeria wanted to talk, they could talk while she made her way back to her date. It would probably help solidify Valeria's story about summoning Rhedara there anyways.
Post by Elodie Atwood on Feb 18, 2023 12:01:25 GMT -5
In Elodie’s opinion, a lady always arrived fashionably late. After all, if the party was not yet underway, how was she supposed to make an entrance?
The room abuzz with music and conversation, the little witch floated into the ballroom, glistening in a dreamy, feminine gown. Elodie’s face was split with a dazzling smile. Having suffered many soldiering blunders as of late, she was glad to be back within her comfort zone. Though others had the tournament to prove their worth, this was the arena in which Elodie was uniquely trained to excel.
She took the punch she was offered with a polite ‘thank you’ before drifting confidently toward the dancefloor, keeping her eyes peeled for any she might recognize.
The throne room, massive though it was, was now comfortably full of milling guests. The atmosphere was electric, even the shadows seeming to dance with merriment. After the last few partygoers were ushered through the main door, a loud trumpet sounded from the entryway to herald the appearance of the king and his entourage.
“All hail his majesty, King Cassian Rainecourt.”
The doors behind the throne’s pedestal would open and the king would enter, followed by his coterie: the commander, his witch, and his huntsman. A servant would stand to the side, glasses of punch ready for when he was called upon.
In possession of a magical necklace that wards off offensive magic attacks against him, a ring that allows him to suppress magic, and can turn into werewolf at will.
Post by Cassian Rainecourt on Feb 19, 2023 8:29:32 GMT -5
Cassian was the first through the doors, eyes immediately falling to the military guests. It was one thing to see them in their armor, cutting striking figures of strength and discipline, but now he was to witness them in their finery, melding the soldier with the citizen. It was humanizing. A reminder of just what these individuals had to give and to lose.
The king claimed the waiting cup, waited until those behind him had theirs, and then he would raise it before the gathering and bring it to his lips.
He did take a sip, though it was the tiniest of sips, for the kind wasn’t one to partake of the typical pleasantries one in his position might indulge in.
Post by Regan Lassiter on Feb 19, 2023 10:43:24 GMT -5
Thanks to Cassian and Lady La’May, Regan was almost unrecognizable. She walked behind Cassian alongside the King’s Witch in the green ensemble she’d selected for herself. Lady La’May had even managed to coax some soft curls out of Regan’s cropped hair before finishing her masterpiece with a dark lip and eye.
Regan looked as if she belonged there, which was no small feat considering where the witch had come from.
Her eyes scanned the crowd for Grant Delaney, but he was nowhere to be found. No matter. She fixed her eyes on Cassian instead, standing alongside him and raising her glass before taking a deep drink from it in a toast.
Post by Hadrian Usher on Feb 19, 2023 10:47:51 GMT -5
Hadrian, perhaps for the first time, felt old. Looking at the young faces turned toward their king, he was struck that the Nevermere they knew was one entirely dissimilar to the one he’d grown up with. It was one of wealth and opportunity that he never could have fathomed when he was a young recruit.
Dressed in formal Nevermerean Navy, the commander was happy to represent the old guard. The experience was the best teacher, and he had plenty of experience to spare. He only hoped it was enough to help them navigate the treacherous waters ahead.
Standing before the crowd, Hadrian too took a reasonable, dignified sip from his cup.
Post by Alys Delaney on Feb 20, 2023 21:48:19 GMT -5
Alys entered with the others, keeping her gait in time and not rushing to the end or trailing too far back either. She had become accustomed to the events over the years, standing now in a deep purple dress as she took up her spot and the glass that was offered to her as she turned to face the hall.
Dark curls were half pinned back, half left down to brush her shoulders as she scanned the crowd. She didn’t miss the face she looked for, only lingering a moment on him before she turned her attention to Cassian and after he lifted his glass to his lips, she brought hers to her own and took a small drink. Cupping the bottom of the glass in one hand, holding the rest with the other, she stood with a sense of pride and confidence that she had earned over her years.
The room joined the king in a toast, everyone bringing their glasses to their lips as tradition dictated. No doubt anyone that hesitated would be shamed with a threatening look from a nearby superior officer. If they still refused, they’d be kicked out of the party altogether. This was tradition, after all. To refuse the toast would be a direct insult to the king (though Valeria Delaney , who was clearly pregnant, would obviously be exempted).
With a merry cheer, the band struck up again. Alys Delaney and Regan Lassiter were excused, free to enjoy the festivities as they wished. Hadrian Usher would dispatch servants to locate @katerina , Kasper Van Zant , and Octavius Wulfbrand , requesting that they come to see their king and claim their prizes.
The punch continued to flow, some going to refill their glasses. A few of the soldiers near the refreshments, tasked with guarding the event, smirked at one another.
It was all harmless fun, wasn’t it? A prank and nothing more.
The partygoers didn’t know that the punch had been spiked with Fortitude Potion, known colloquially as “Liquid Courage.” It was a common enough potion; its desired effect was to make one unafraid and increase one’s tolerance for pain and exhaustion.
But that is if it is used in the correct dosage.
The soldiers had been intentionally heavy-handed with the elixir. For when taken in too great a quantity, the potion lowered one’s inhibitions, causing extreme recklessness and dangerous overconfidence. The people in the room would find their emotions intensified. Though usually positive, ranging from euphoria, lust, and general excitement, some would find themselves experiencing more volatile emotions of passion, like rage, possessiveness, and jealousy.
All would feel it, but none would recognize just what was occurring—if anything. The effects of the potion would lower their guard, make them unsuspecting and unsuspicious that anything was the matter. Perhaps the punch was just strong.
And boy did it keep flowing.
Valeria Delaney is the only one with a reasonable excuse NOT to drink the potion. If your soldier didn’t toast, you are welcome to do an “exit” post, as they would have been kicked out of the party. If not…
Get ready to have some fun.
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