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!
Kaalim and his two oldest had spent the entire day training and it was grueling but they needed it he believed, he trained them just as his Father had for being a warrior (he stuck with the combat training and not his Father's ideologies). They had returned late but as soon as Kaalim cleared the door he told his wives they were having guests, Imani and her children, and in a joint effort they began to prepare a quick meal. Of course Kaalim did his part peeling potatoes while watching his children, he stirred and mixed things for his wives, and they laughed and had a good time doing so.
Ateppa was curious and she didn't shy away from wondering what he husband's thoughts were or reasoning for inviting Imani to dinner, if her memory served her well this was the same way he worked when he was seeking her for marriage. Next he'd invite Imani's father over and dinner would be shared as Kaalim worked out to gain the favor of marriage, she smirked as she stirred the large pot of stew. Of course this was all speculation, still she was curious of the other wives thoughts. Marcella was the last wife taken by Kaalim, she bounced one of her babies on her knee clueless she was devout to whatever came her way when it came to Kaalim and his wishes she thought a dinner was good. Izette as usual jealous, she had shared enough with Kaalims current wives so this had better just been a dinner with a old friend...but how old of a friend? She knew Imani had been from Bantu Siri and Izette was from Hausten then Orka Pa before the great migration she knew little of Kaalim before. Then there was Asper, the Parabolti warrior wife the first wave of women to take up weapons...future wife or friend she knew Imani from training with her and she just expected the girl to be proud of her new found position in Gilead.
Kaalim grabbed a few boiled eggs and smashed them down with a litte salt pinched on them, he smiled at each of his wives as he waited for Imani and her children.
After Kaalim and his children had went on with their day, Imani had returned home with her own to get them into dry clothes. While she was talking to the former chieftain, they had been playing in the river and they hadn't been able to contain their excitement, resulting in them having pushed each other around until they fell and went underwater. The woman didn't really mind, and wouldn't give them a lecture about it. They hadn't been in the deep part of the river, and hadn't been in danger.
Although it had been a couple of hours since their ways had parted, Imani smiled again when she thought back to Kaalim putting a strand of hair behind her ear. It had been so nice and generous of him to invite her, Isiah and Aiza over for dinner. She was looking forward to it, and she was also curious to meet his wifes. She only knew Asper because they trained together sometimes. It would be nice to finally meet the others.
So around dinnertime, Imani and her two children arrived at Kaalim's home. She knocked and would wait for it to be answered. Isiah and Aiza were impatient and danced around her legs. They wanted to meet Kaalim's other children, and catch up with the ones they had played with earlier that day. Imani smiled at them before looking at the basket on her arm. She had brought a gift to thank Kaalim and his wives for having them over. There was some food, some drinks and some jewelry. She hoped they would like it.
Post by Kaalim Cyrilson on Jun 18, 2023 14:08:57 GMT -5
When the knock came several members of Kaalims family stood, he himself stood with two newborns in his massive frame and he made the first move toward the door. Mbube and Jojo followed their Father as did Ateppa, Jojo pulled the door open his excitement and Mbube were teeming with unbridled excitement and Kaalim and Ateppa smiled at Imani.
"come in Imani, we are happy you accepted the invite," Ateppa greeted Imani with a gentle hug and a peck on the cheek, "can we play outside until dinner? please, we'll stay around the home," Jojo asked, "and I'll stay with all the little ones," he confidently confirmed looking up at his Father, "As long as Imani approves and your Mother's, no further than the fire pit," he spoke strong and proud, but worry always tinged his words...no one knew when they'd come...
"I'll go with them," Izette offered, she was again the jealous kind often distant from the other wives but when it came to the children she was very hands on she came to take Mbube hand looking at Imani, "I won't let them go past the fire pit."
Ateppa greeted her warmly, and Imani smiled while returning the hug. "Thank you for having us", she said in return. The little yet strong boy asked his father if he could okay outside with the other kids, and Imani smiled at him and Kaalim. "Isiah and Aiza can go", she said, before turning to Izette, oblivious to the woman's jealousy. "Thank you for keeping an eye on them."
Imani put the gift basket down on the table and looked at Kaalim. "I brought some things to thank you for the invitation. Isiah, Aiza and I are very thankful for it."
Post by Kaalim Cyrilson on Jul 9, 2023 21:05:31 GMT -5
"you are truly a blessing Imani and we all thank you for accepting the invitation," Ateppa took the gifts and offered Imani another kind smile, she didn't shy away from undressing the woman quickly with her eyes and wondered..., "please sit, dinner is nearly ready," Kaalim offered his hand and he would bring her to a seat at their table where half the meal was sitting ready right next to his seat at the head of his table, "so tell me, the festival is close are you entering this year? I'd like to see the Parabolti winning some of the games this year."
Kaalim sat beside her and grabbed two cups pouring them two cups of heavy fruited wine.
Ateppa was incredibly kind and Imani appreciated how welcoming she was. The latter didn't notice the look she got from Kaalim's wife, but if she had, she would have been torn between being grateful for the non-verbal compliment and being a bit uncomfortable with being viewed like that.
The young mother took Kaalim's hand and followed him to the seat he offered her. It was right next to his seat. She smiled at him before sitting down.
"Oh yes, and I'm looking forward to it!" she said. "I'll be joining with Miriel and Catrin. My children are excited to see their mother fight, so let us hope I don't embarrass them." She chuckled softly.
"Thank you", she said with a smile when he filled their cups. She picked up one of them and held it out to him. "Cheers."
Post by Kaalim Cyrilson on Jul 13, 2023 15:50:32 GMT -5
Kaalim looked very proud to hear Imani and a few other Parabolti were going to compete, "Cheers indeed! Makes my warrior heart full to hear such good news and the only embarrassment that would come was from a lack of entering if it were my opinion," Kaalim chuckled but honest words were never truer, he touched her offered cup and then drank deeply from his.
Ateppa returned with wooden plates sitting on the other side of Kaalim, then Asper beside her smiling proudly at her husband and guest, "I am entering the Beast battles, as much as I want to enter the one on one too I'll share the glory of the Parabolti wins with them all," and again Kaalim was smiling brighty, "As long as we win more against the Nevermeren folks, that's all I ask."
Imani chuckled at Kaalim's excitement. It would have been insulting to not participate, in her opinion, not just embarrassing. They had fought so long for their right to be warriors, so now they had to participate in the events. She took a sip of her drink after their cups had touched.
The woman smiled at Asper once she had thanked Ateppa for the plate she had put in front of her. "The beast battles sound more exciting, if you ask me", she said kindly, but carefully. "One on ones can happen whenever you like, but fighting a beast is exciting."
She looked at Kaalim when he mentioned winning against the Nevermere soldiers. She wondered if he was joking or if he wasn't as welcoming to Nevermere anymore as he had once been. They had helped with the establishment of the Parabolti, but did they still have to be thankful for that now? Personally, she didn't mind having them around, as long as everyone was respectful.
After having taken a few bites, Imani looked up at Ateppa again. "This is delicious ", she said with a warm smile.
Post by Kaalim Cyrilson on Aug 15, 2023 7:27:21 GMT -5
"Thank you Imani, it was my Mother's recipe, I will pass it down to my daughters too," Ateppa cooed very appreciative but also not hiding her own interest in the very beautiful woman. Kaalim clearly had good taste when it came to his wives, Ateppa had always said as much. The kids were all called back for dinner and Kaalim actually fed his children and wives first before himself and boy did Kaalim eat..he ate enough for three grown average men!
They ate and talked and drank for a few hours, the children going off to play somewhere in the home. Finally Kaalim stood offering a hand to Imani, "Would you care to join me for a after dinner smoke and perhaps we could talk?"
Imani liked Ateppa. The woman was very kind to her, which warmed her heart. She was also happy to see her children happy. They had lots of stories to tell her about what games they had just played with Kaalim's kids during dinner, and she softly shushed them a few times and told them to eat first. The meal was delicious, and Imani enjoyed every bite. She noticed that Kaalim fed his children and wives first, and it gave her a funny feeling in her stomach. A good funny feeling. Something about Kaalim just always made her feel comfortable and at ease.
After they had finished eating, Kaalim offered her a hand. She accepted it and smiled. "I'd love to", she said, but she did wonder what he wanted to talk about. She had a gut feeling, but didn't want to too actively think what she thought was indeed what he wanted to talk about. Perhaps she would jinx it then. The kids were safe here in the home, so Imani followed behind Kaalim.
Post by Kaalim Cyrilson on Aug 28, 2023 11:14:50 GMT -5
Kaalim guided Imani from his dwelling outside, along a short dirt trail, and into the greenhouse he had built a season ago. Several lanterns were lit inside when Kaalim opened the door for her, once inside it was a fairly large space full of various growing plants, "I built this after Raead's death, while he was going to be a proud warrior I knew and saw things most Father's look past when raising their sons...he was a natural nurture, he tended to his siblings as a Gardner does their flowers," Kaalim spoke proudly of his now dead son but there was a line of hurt and hatred inside the large man that he kept buried within himself.
He picked up a worn and used pipe from a tray that sat on a mostly empty table, he pinched up some herbage from the same tray packing the bowl, he then laid a stick of wood on the edge of a lantern as he moved to open the back of the greenhouse which was two large doors. Cool might air poured in.
"Come sit with me, I have been meaning to talk with you about something," Kaalim offered her a seat on the soft green grass at the edge of the back of the greenhouse, his own large frame lowering itself and he puffed peacefully from his pipe...
Imani followed Kaalim closely. Wherever he took her, she felt at ease just walking beside him. They ended up at a beautiful greenhouse, and Imani let out an almost inaudible sound of awe. The most appropriate answer seemed like silence to her, so she didn't say anything and instead admired the flowers and the plants in the greenhouse while Kaalim prepared the pipe. She stopped to sniff a flower and gently touched the leaves of a big plant.
She looked behind her when Kaalim spoke, and walked over to him, sitting next to him on the lush, green grass. Now it seemed more appropriate to say something. "The greenhouse is absolutely beautiful, Kaalim. I'm sure Raead would have loved it. It's obvious how much you love him." Imani could not imagine how difficult it must be to lose a child. She would never recover from having Isiah or Aiza ripped away from her.
He wanted to talk. She leaned back a bit, her fingers playing with the grass, but not ripping it out. Just feeling the blades glide against the palm of her hand. "What is it you wanted to talk about?"
Post by Kaalim Cyrilson on Aug 30, 2023 19:44:16 GMT -5
Kaalim could take solace in agreeing with Imani, he too felt Ra'ead would have been proud the boy had lived for his Father to do everything his Father asked. Be a warrior. Be a boy. He would have had three wives and all girls for awhile before his first daughter and her name would have been Kaalam...only...Kaalim smiled to hide the pain of a reality his head played that his heart already knew.
"I miss him, I miss all of them," Kaalim pulled the flame from the stick to the bowl igniting a thin layer of ash in its wake, he inhaled deeply holding before exhaling smoke away from Imani, "...I don't want to linger with that if that's okay, what I wanted to talk to you about is, first I respect Rahil now and then he was a good man and he was honorable but do you or your Father have any prospects on you getting married again?"
She looked at him with sympathy in her eyes as he spoke about his son. She could understand that he didn't want to linger in the subject, and Imani definitely wasn't going to force him. He was already very open about it, and he talked about it when he needed to vent. She watched as he smoked, grateful that he blew the smoke away from her. She didn't mind it all that much, but it was still a nice gesture.
Marriage. Her features softened when she thought about Rahil. It had been quite a few years now since he had passed away. "My father can't wait to get me married again", she responded truthfully. "I, on the other hand, have been hesitant. There are still a lot of men out here who wouldn't let me continue to be a Parabolti, and wouldn't understand that I can't always be at home for the children. You know I spend as much time as I can with them, but my training is also incredibly important to me." She sighed. "But I visited Miriel and her baby girl recently, and I do have baby fever now, so I suppose I'll have to start looking for a husband." She looked at him and nudged him with her elbow, fully aware that he had asked because he intended to marry her, but she felt like cracking a joke. "You know any good candidates?"
Post by Kaalim Cyrilson on Sept 7, 2023 12:32:50 GMT -5
"Me," Kaalim said calm and smooth, in fact he wore a sly smirk embroidered in the fullest confidence, "I would like to be taken in consideration: I can protect you, I will your children as though they were my own, I wouldn't make you give up your duties as Parabolti, and I can love you...," his tone was gentle now as he looked upon Imani, he didn’t mean it sexually but he meanr love as in how he loved each of his wives with care and respect. She would have equal voice in his home...their home...