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.
Our dearest and lovely admin welcomed her new baby boy, Jet, on Sept 7th! We're so happy for her and her family! Congratulations Mama!! Your boys are all so lucky to have such an incredible mom to love them! God bless!
Nithya was not doing anything in particular. She was just walking around the palace, talking a bit with whoever crossed her path and tried to get some things done, but not a lot needed to be done. She had done paperwork earlier that day and had been able to finish up sooner than she had expected. The king was busy, or away, so she couldn't check with him if he needed anything from her. It was a rather boring day.
She decided she would just move some of the paperwork she would need soon from the archive to her office. Normally she would call upon a servant to do so, but she didn't feel like sitting in her office and waiting for something she didn't need right at that moment, so the woman would do it herself.
The was on her way to the office with the second box when she almost crashed into someone.
A devil in disguise. "Lord Morrigan", she said. "My apologies, I didn't see you there." She had never had the pleasure to really talk with Keelan, but bumping into someone always seemed the way to finally do so.
Post by Keelan Morrigan on Aug 30, 2023 7:15:34 GMT -5
Keelan was on his way to yet another meeting, Bulger in tow carrying two leather bags over his shoulders containing every scrap piece of business document the Morrigan owned. He was working on getting the family in order he was on the brink of sorting out his Uncle Adder. The posion that had been spewed by him to his baby sister was frustrating beyond comprehension and whether it showed or not Keelan was very worried about Gunne but he couldn't be brash least he be lumped into their traitorous hanging.
As if some kind of sixth sense had kicked in Keelan had already stopped just before the almost collison with Lady @nithya. Electric blue eyes pierced the young woman not hateful or mean it was just Keelan Morrigan.
"No apology lady Chaudhari, everyone is fine," he grunted and gave Bulger the side eye, "oi be a good lad Bulger and take this box, we'll escort you to wherever you need to go my lady," she was pretty and noble, he knew of her and she would know soon enough about him as she'd be getting a letter and rose from Rhedara on his behalf, "if the lady doesn't mind...."
She had met her match, eye-wise. Both Keelan and Nithya had eyes that were able to send shivers down one's spine. His were blue, while hers were a very light kind of green.
Keelan had managed to prevent the collision, yet Nithya apologised for almost bumping into him. Next to him stood the tall, wide man that she had seen fighting with @frederick over a woman's wreath. She wondered if there was a follow-up to that yet. Did Bulger manage to score a date with the woman? Her thoughts were cut short by Bulger taking the box off her hands. Nith smiled politely at him before looking back at Keelan. If Bulger hadn't taken a hold of the box yet, she would have turned down the offer, because she didn't like having people that had no business seeing the inside of her office being inside of it, but she supposed some help wouldn't hurt. There currently wasn't any sensitive information in her office.
"I would like that, thank you, lord Morrigan, Mister... Bulger." She hadn't caught his last name. "Just this way, please."
She would walk in front of them to the offices, and lead them towards the door of hers. "It's been a while since we've seen a Morrigan in the palace", she said nonchalantly, dancing around the subject of Gunne's arrest.
Post by Keelan Morrigan on Sept 2, 2023 9:43:37 GMT -5
"Not since the last one was arrested?" Keelan didn't skirt around the subject but he didn't sound bitter or even angry just a Lord casually conversating, "Then again she's been a Cortell for so long who remembers she's a Morrigan by birth," now he was just talking and for Nithya this would be the most he's spoken words so consecutively without grunts or piercing stares, "But no, I usually conduct my palace business with a proxy but I have personal and business matters today so...," Bulger would sit the box down anywhere the Lady requested, "I am hoping soon to be in full service to the Crown as we expand into our territories."
She was somewhat surprised by how casual he sounded, but didn't show her surprise to the lord Morrigan. "A very unfortunate thing, lord Morrigan", Nithya responded. "Do you have any leads on what happened to her?"
Keelan went on to explain his business, and the courtier listened to before gesturing at the other boxes with a polite smile when Bulger caught her attention. "Ah yes, has there been any progress on your cooperation with the Crown since the last open court?" All just business talk and politeness. "Sit, if you want and have the time", she offered. "Would you both like a drink to thank you for so kindly helping me with that box?"
Post by Keelan Morrigan on Sept 6, 2023 14:46:13 GMT -5
"I'll have a drink my lady, Bulger doesn't drink on the job," Keelan ordered for both of them in fact he dismissed Bulger with the wave of his hand to which Bulger tipped his hat, "My lady and lord, I'll be jus' outside the doors."
Keelan took a seat, "Well firstly my cooperation with the Crown has been painless and easy, far better structured than when I deal with unorganized and aloof lesser nobles," he answered quiet arrogantly as if expected of the Morrigan, "If anything it's evolved and what I'm going to offer today will be better than what I offered in court that day," he cleaned some invisible dirt from under his nails, "As for my sister? It isn't my crimes and if the family was to know...we'd know yes? She'll come around, I have faith in the Crown and law to believe in that."
She smiled professionally and nodded, turning towards the cabinet behind her desk while Bulger took his leave, to look for the bottle of whiskey she knew was in there somewhere. She poured lord Morrigan a generous amount of whiskey and put it on his side of the desk. She didn't drink whiskey herself, but if she remembered correctly, he liked it. Nithya poured herself a glass of water from the carafe on her desk and took a small sip.
His arrogance wasn't perceived as arrogance by the woman, who was high nobility herself and knew how tiresome lesser nobles could be. "Exciting things, I hear", she responded. "And it's a good thing that you have faith in the Crown and the law. We wouldn't want it any other way." She smiled. It wasn't a threat or anything like that, she was genuinely relieved to hear at least some of the Morrigans were clever enough to realise working with the Crown was just as good as being the royal family. "I don't want to keep you, if you have a meeting, lord Morrigan, but it's nice to see you in the palace again." She wasn't trying to get him to leave either, but she knew appointments were important. If he had time to spare, he was more than welcome to stay. "How have you been, personally, since open court?" A little small talk.
Post by Keelan Morrigan on Sept 9, 2023 18:10:51 GMT -5
Keelan sat back quite proud despite it showing on his face as he sipped his drink (strong taste; bitter after taste; he detected an almost almond bitter) impressed he examined the glass as he spoke, "Meetings can always be rescheduled my lady," blue eyes cut back to Nithya, "I have the time, so, I've been fairly busy since court, lots to plan for the expansion of King Cassian's empire but I've also been looking for a wife...something you'll know about yourself in a few days," he said very matter of fact and smoothly, "Call it a business and future investment for my Morrigan name."
She didn't know who he was meeting with, but she doubted the person would like receiving the news that their appointment would have to be rescheduled. So there was the Morrigan arrogance after all. Nirthya didn't say anything about it. If there was something she was good at, it was not wasting energy on things that didn't concern her. Keelan seemed to enjoy the whiskey, and Nithya enjoyed her glass of water. Alcohol was consumed like water here in Nevermere, but she preferred to stick with the latter.
She raised an eyebrow at him being so open about looking for a wife. He said she would know about it in a few days, so she assumed she would get a letter. How romantic, to be one of the maybe hundreds of noble women he would send a letter to. "Was the Vet festival unsuccessful, lord Morrigan?" she asked, cocking her head to the side a bit. Many beautiful and rich women had given their wreath to the waves, but she didn't recall seeing Keelan there. But wait... "I believe Bulger fought with a Delaney for a wreath." She chuckled, but it was quite humourless.
Post by Keelan Morrigan on Sept 14, 2023 21:30:50 GMT -5
"Don't much believe in it, no, fate doesn't work like that not with a concept of finding marriage...Bulger is dimwitted his actions weren't mine, I will be carefully selecting my wife of my own making," Keelan explained as confident and relaxed as ever, oh so sure of himself, "There are dozens to many useless noble women attached to equally lesser noble names, those of my interest will be selected, I haven't wasted my thoughts on this that isn't me," he instinctly made himself more comfortable by crossing one leg over the other, "No I want the right piece, the cream always rises to the top Lady Chaudhari...the creme of the crop."
She didn't quite appreciate the way Keelan talked about the Ver festival and how the Goddess would help the people of Nevermere find a partner, but she didn't say anything. She knew men didn't value their religion as much as women did, and she was glad at least she had brothers, cousins and nephews who did.
Nithya didn't know whether he was excited to marry and spend his life with someone, or if he just wanted a high-class, rich noblewoman to marry him for his name and reputation. Whatever his reasoning was, the way he phrased all of it made her skin crawl. The right piece. Despicable.
"May the Goddess grant you your wish", she said, forcing herself to put on a convincing smile. "I'll make sure to look out for your letter." Most of all, she hoped her father wouldn't want her to court Keelan. He really wasn't her type, and she knew he had some shady business going on that she wanted no part of.
Last Edit: Sept 18, 2023 3:11:56 GMT -5 by Deleted
Post by Keelan Morrigan on Sept 18, 2023 7:17:42 GMT -5
"Yes maybe," Keelan replied with a dismissive wave, "You might be interested in the direction of my future endeavors, a bright future for the Morrigan family in fact," he sounded happy if one read between the lines of his usual nature. Keelan produced from his bag a blue print of sorts for a coven, actually two Morrigan covens one for Coheed and one for Cambria, "Branching out to our King's territories, where Morrigan women might fail to lead a coven I could always use a powerful witch at the head....," he was gloating.
She raised her eyebrows in surprise, and combined it with a friendly smile. He seemed eager to share his ideas, and showed her a blueprint. He was very open about what he wanted to do, and she was aware that he probably only showed it to her because he knew she was religious. She didn't quite have the influence to give his plans the green light, but she was interested in hearing what he was planning.
He said he could use a powerful witch at the head, and it made her chuckle. "If this is an offer, I appreciate it, but my coven is different from the Morrigan coven. I'm not going to share the Chaudhari beliefs with just anyone." She said it in a very polite manner, not meant to insult Keelan at all. "But it's an interesting idea. It could be successful in Coheed, although I'm not quite sure the Cambrian women would be willing to abandon their religion for another." She took a sip of her water. "I'll pray that the king takes interest in your ideas. I'm happy to see the Morrigans working with the crown."
Post by Keelan Morrigan on Oct 11, 2023 14:46:22 GMT -5
"It wouldn't be for Cambrian women no, it would be for our witches stationed in service for the Crown, for the next generation of mixed witches," Keelan replied very dry and resolute, "still those women are property of the King, they'll bend or break no?"
She was less and less impressed as he continued to speak. He was thinking from a male perspective, and it just didn't work, in her opinion. Mixed Cambrian-Nevermere daughters would return to Cambria, and it was most likely that they would follow their mother's beliefs. The fathers didn't play a role at all in the children's lives. Only the boys came to Nevermere, because the Cambrian women deemed them worthless.
"I see", she said, not wanting to have a discussion with him about why she thought it wouldn't work.
But what he said next is what really threw her off. Property of the king. Bending or breaking.
"I'm afraid we have different views when it comes to that, lord Morrigan", Nithya responded dryly. Keelan if course was the living example of bending, while his sister was one of breaking. "The way these women live is almost more modern than how women are viewed in Nevermere. I wouldn't underestimate them."