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!
The sea was calmer on the second day. Though the boat still rocked, Warren was having an easier time dealing with his queasiness. It was nothing he wanted to get used to but he could deal with it for one more day. On the first night, @berengar had managed to ruin one whole set of clothes and one of his two pairs of boots. Instead of cleaning them, he'd opted for stripping them off and tossing them overboard. For the entirety of the next day, the soldiers on their boat had whispered about nothing else. Warren was just glad that he was too sick himself to pay them any attention.
Despite feeling less than well, he had work to do. He wanted to speak with Odina Ellis about her plans moving forward. While he had been there during the discussion with her and Hadrian Usher, they hadn't had the opportunity to talk about how they would be instilling her as governor. They had to get rid of Isolde first, he knew that much, but the rest would be up to her and Warren to figure out. He wanted to know what she thought was the best way to go about it. Once she was governor, the relationship between Nevermere and Cambria could grow.
"I believe she's out on deck, sir," the soldier he asked told him, and Warren nodded a quick thank you before making his way out. He saw her by the tall banister, looking out over the sea. The sea was the last thing he wanted to look at, but at least he could focus on her, on his work, to keep himself distracted from the nausea.
"Princess Ellis," he said in greeting, walking to the banister as well. He'd give her a proper bow, standing at an appropriate distance. "I'd hoped to speak with you?"
Post by Odina Ellis on Jun 29, 2023 5:18:32 GMT -5
Ships or the sea had never bothered Odina and she had so far helped take care of dozens of seasick soldiers so far on her journey, she didn't mind either most of those she had helped seemed to have put on a brave face for the woman when she came around. When she wasn't tending to seasick soldiers she was watching P'ol (the little girl had been popular with the soldiers) or wrapping her mind around the future of Cambria what she planned to do.
While she thought her and the Commander had ended on the same page with their last meeting Odina couldn't help but think she was a few chapters behind still. If they couldn't find a middle ground though on her nephews end goal Odina was worried Cambria would strongly resist the removal of ther daughters from Cambria to Nevermere, a disaster in the end she was very sure of it. She had to be positive for Warren's sake and his men so when she heard the gruff familiar voice of the Captain she couldn't help but light up turning her entire body gracefully toward him, "Captain of course," she smiled, "and please just Odina, best to be use to calling me that instead of Princess...how are those sea legs?"
"Right, just Odina," he said. He'd instructed everyone else to refer to her as such, so he would have to do it as well. Referring to a Princess by a singular name was strange, but the circumstances forced it.
Her question had a somewhat embarrassed smirk covering his face, and he shook his head lightly. Very lightly. Any sudden movements really weren't for the best. "No sea legs to be seen here, I'm afraid. I'm very much a man of the land." He turned his back to the banister and leaned against it with his hips, his arms crossed over his chest. It kept him from looking over the water, allowed him to keep her in his peripheral and to turn his head to look at her when needed, but also allowed him to keep an eye on any soldiers that came up to the deck. Their discussion was for their ears only, and he didn't want any roaming soldiers listening in.
"I'd like to discuss how we should go about installing you as governor," he began, firmly placing his thinking cap on. "And I'd like to get your opinion on the matter. I know you're devoted to the King, but you were raised in some part by the Cambrians and I'd like to think that under the right circumstances, they would choose you, rather than have you forced upon them. When we remove Isolde, we'll likely have to remove her second as well. If Nevermere were not involved in choosing the new Chieftess, how are they likely to go about choosing one?"
Post by Odina Ellis on Jul 4, 2023 11:59:08 GMT -5
"Traditionally in Cambria usually the Chieftess's Second is picked because she will be the successor, usually if all are in agreement the Second will replace the Chieftess but," there was always a but, "If everyone wasn't in agreement a first blood would take place and the winner becomes Cheiftess and she picks her second. This was of course prior to the appointment of a Governor by my nephew, do they even have a second? What's a Priestess? There was no such role when I was there."
There were so many factors in play and it was all very suddenly a merged convolution of action, she looked at the Captain, "If there is a second position I must choose someone who both trusts Nevermere and the future of Cambria...we need that on our side I believe to have them trust me but...what we discussed with the Commander that....that will be one of our biggest problems, taking their daughters from them and brining them back to Nevermere," she was wanting his thoughts now that they could speak freely, "I know i am devoted to my nephew, but it doesn't mean I agree...I meant what I said bringing Nevermere tradition to Cambria will be far easier and less resistance than taking Cambrians to Nevermere, how do you get anyone behind that? My daughters had their choices and I want that for the future daughters and women of Cambria..."
The thought of the governor position going toward a first blood fight was both worrying and unacceptable. If Odina won, it would be fortunate enough, but they couldn't ensure her victory and if she lost, then they'd be forced to still place her in the seat despite the rightful victory of another woman. Warren didn't know if Isolde had a second, either. Surely she would have gathered as many people as possible to her side, but until they arrived in Cambria, they couldn't know for sure. Not knowing these things ahead of time would make any solid plans. "When you're settled into your seat, will you return it to the old ways? A chieftess and a witch doctor, separate entities?"
If Isolde was causing trouble, and had possibly poisoned the last Chieftess, there would still be people who didn't fully support her. More likely people who didn't care for the changes she had made, especially since girls were not being awarded their coming of age ceremonies under her rule. Warren knew all too well that people didn't accept change so easily. If Odina wanted to return it to the old ways, it would help garner support.
But she was right. Even if the Commander had tried to hide his intentions from her, she seemed to have picked up on them. He wanted to take daughters from their mothers, and as Odina had said, it was one thing to give them a choice and another to take that choice away. The thought had, indeed, been weighing on his mind, but he also had a present a united front. There was no room for divisiveness at the moment. "Isolde is an unknown factor. Until we get to Cambria and assess the state of it, we cannot know how far she might have gone in trying to turn the Cambrian's against us." Not that it justified the plan, but it certainly played it's role.
"It is my hope that once you've settled in, we will be more united than ever. Then we can make a more educated decision on how to go forward." It was tricky because this big of a move could not simply have come from Hadrian. He would have needed the King's permission, and surely Odina would recognize that. "And you will be in a better position to discuss the matter personally with his Majesty." It was a non-answer. The equivalent of 'I don't know,' but with prettier words. But Warren really didn't know. He didn't love the idea, but he was perhaps a bit biased.
Post by Odina Ellis on Jul 10, 2023 8:32:10 GMT -5
"There will be a Governor, and yes as separate entities they will still have their religion but I believe I will pick a second a trusted Cambrian that share our views," she had to bring the subject up as much as she disliked it she had to know where the Captain stood, "I fear Isolde's poison will have ran deep and if it has set long enough Warren to make us feel the need to take their daughters from them...that's a strong spark for rebellion...I personally don't like it. I'll need support regardless to discuss this with my nephew."
She pushed the topic, and he couldn't really blame her for doing so. He was glad to hear that Odina would be thinking of what was best for not only Nevermere, but Cambria, too. It just wasn't as simple as what he thought. What he thought depended on too many factors, and he didn't have enough information yet.
He couldn't just ignore her or evade her question, though. She was the Princess, first and foremost. A member of the royal family, and a good, strong woman. She deserved at least the respect of his honesty. "I tend to agree with you that, at face value, the idea would cause more trouble than it may quell," he finally conceded, quietly. He glanced around as he said it to her, his stomach turning at the movement of his head. So his eyes turned back to focus on her.
"When the time comes, we will have a better idea of what to expect from the women of Cambria, and the effect that such efforts would have. I will gladly stand with you when the time comes, and supply my honest evaluation. But, Odina," he sighed. "I'm not sure my word will mean very much to the King. It is yours he will hear. My suggestion is that you come up with a very succinct, well thought-out plan before you ever step foot before him. I can help you work on it, if you like, but it must be thorough or it will be quickly disregarded."
Post by Odina Ellis on Jul 13, 2023 6:49:48 GMT -5
"I would greatly appreciate the help Captain," she offered a warm smile, "I know many my nephew, our royal Majesty, may seem absolute in nature but he's reasonable and forgiving...take me for example, when I came to Nevermere I had grown with a seed of revenge within me that I thought none could sway: I wanted revenge for the murder of my Father. I had wanted the Rainecourt's and the Delaney family to pay, I confessed as much when I met him but he offered a different path and gave me and my girls a better life," she had no reason to tell Woodwick any of this but she felt comfortable enough with the man, he didn't seem cold or judgemental, "He showed me that we can't hold the Sons and daughters accountable for their parents sins, I hope we can show him the same way in Cambria. We have to show these women the value Nevermere can bring, but they do not trust men, Coheed saw to that."
That Odina so openly spoke of her former thoughts of revenge had Warren's mind doing flips. He couldn't quite understand why the Princess would tell him such confidential information, but perhaps it had been put so far behind her that she no longer cared who knew. He couldn't say he blamed her. If someone had intentionally killed his entire family, Warren would certainly have been seeking revenge for it. That change of power had happened when both of the two were young, though. They were adults now, with the power of reason and retrospect. She was right, and the King was right. Warren just hoped that they could find a way to use that same logic on the King when it came to the Cambrian girls.
"I've seen the way the Coheedsmen treat women," he said, shaking his head. "I certainly cannot blame the Cambrians, but my soldiers know what to expect and what I expect. I hope that over time, we can prove to them that not all men are like those in Coheed." He had met more than one man in Nevermere he didn't care for, so it wasn't as if the archetype was condensed into Coheed alone but even Nevermeran soldiers knew to stand aside when a woman with his twice (or ten times) his strength demanded it. Witches were a force to be reckoned with, and even a weak witch could cast a devastating curse.
He glanced at her again, eyes scanning her once. She was taller than average, and looked strong. She held herself with the confidence of a leader, and seemed to know what she wanted. A weak woman, someone quietly submissive, would have never been able to take over. But Odina could do it. "I'll do what I can to help you ensure that the Cambrian's are treated fairly. I can see that you genuinely care for their well-being, and their ways. I think they'll see that, too, even if it takes some time. You might have to prove it to them, but," he met her eyes and shrugged. "I'm sure you're up to the task. I don't know how long I'll be in Cambria with you, but as long as I'm there, you can trust that my soldiers and I will give you our full support."
Post by Odina Ellis on Jul 18, 2023 7:05:45 GMT -5
Odina couldn't help but smile at Warren's verbal support, despite knowing the man would regardless as per his orders but to hear them was putting her at ease. She seemed to still a little at his revelation, "Where else would go Captain? I mean I know of rotations but I hope that won't be for some time," she boldly reached out to take his hand, "The women need to see the virtue of men like you Warren, I need you...for...this."
Warren was about to answer her question when she reached out and took his hand. He was a little taken aback by it, and nearly froze. All of his attention was on her, and he was really trying his best to read her intentions. She'd been very opening, even with the Commander, about her willingness to work alongside him throughout her placement. Perhaps she felt that he was somewhat like her partner in all of this. Together, they'd see to making this all happen in a way that wouldn't hurt the Cambrian's. So that was how he chose to take it, because anything else seemed silly.
With his second hand, he reached out and patted the top of hers, which held his first hand. It was gentle reassurance. "Eventually I will be sent to Coheed. The King is building a new city within the ruins of Zulu Carr and I'm to oversee it's construction, but I'm certain that I won't be pulled from Cambria before everything is sorted. By the time I leave, you'll have nothing further to worry about. That is, if I have any say in it." A quick smile pulled his lips upward, before he slowly, gently still, pulled his hands away. The last thing he wanted was to linger for too long and have her think he was intentionally being inappropriate.
Post by Odina Ellis on Jul 27, 2023 17:59:35 GMT -5
"Speaking of Coheed," truthfully she was making her intentions clear, she didn't mind inappropriate at all with the Captain, she didn't let it show how she felt when he pulled his hands back and pressed on, "I want to fix Cambria's relationship with Coheed, I want to meet the current Governor and open the table to putting to rest bad blood..."
If Warren was anything, it was often ignorant. Especially when it came to women. If Regan's advances hadn't been cleanly obvious, the two would never have come together as they had. Confident in himself as he was, he believed that any woman of strength, position, will, and beauty, would inevitably look right through him to one more deserving. And there were plenty more deserving of the attentions of women like Regan and Odina.
"I believe I'll be working alongside the former chief, Kaalim, when I go to Zulu Carr. I can speak with him about it. Perhaps he can help start a conversation between you and the current Chief." He paused, thinking back on the conversation he'd had with Magda Ivanova, and what Commander Usher had said about her. "Do you know Lady Ivanova well? I believe she's...quite close with the current Chief."
Post by Odina Ellis on Aug 11, 2023 8:27:55 GMT -5
"Kaalim Cyrilson ? The man is huge a mountain sized man, he was Chief of Bantu Siri after his Father Cyril, I heard he brought a great change for women and lesser men back in Coheed," Odina added about the Coheed man, she was sure Kaalim towered over most if not all men she'd ever met, "I met her one time just after my revelation of my identity, a very beautiful woman but...she seems ill motivated...eager to speak with me before our departures but it never happened, is she someone to be weary of?"
Warren nodded along in agreement with what Odina said. "That is what I've heard of him as well," he confirmed. Magda Ivanova had her own reasons for suggesting that Kaalim be the one to head up the building of the new city, of that Warren had no doubt, but in the long run Warren felt it could only help the Coheedsman. He hoped, at least. Warren couldn't begin to connect all of the possible political intricacies of the situation, and it really wasn't his job to do that, anyway. All he could do was hope that Kaalim agreed with the King's decision to turn the destroyed village into a new city, and didn't take it out on him.
"Ill motivated," he repeated with a smirk, shaking his head. "That's a good word for it, yes. I'm not sure what to expect of her, but if she has truly married the current chief and become Coheed's Chieftess, I would think that writing to her would get you further than writing to the Chieftan. I'm not sure if he is as...progressive...as Kaalim, but Lady Ivanova would be able to see the potential in such an idea."