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!
Obri — tiger quoll — element: ELECTRIC
The ability to manipulate electric charges. Uses include: controlling the lightning in a storm, electrocuting people or objects, manipulating static, and more.
Tonight the tavern was busier than usual. The Drunken Dyr got a lot of new customers after Zevron died and the other well-known tavern closed down for a while, if not permanently. Ona didn't complain about it, though. While she was sad about the death of a fellow Dresmondi (who didn't run that tavern, but was a familiar face there), it meant more income for her.
She was pouring ale and cider everywhere all at once. She was glad that she had been able to work out a good deal with the girls who offered their services here. They worked as bartenders, for which Ona paid them a bit, and in exchange they could also keep 65% of their incomes as a prostitute. The other 35% went to Ona, for the protection she offered the girls and the space she gave them to do their thing in.
So far everything was still good. No brawls or anything, no fights and no shouting. A musician was playing some music near the back of the tavern, and people were dancing. For a moment it seemed like Dresmond was okay again, and like the Eldouir never happened or existed. Sadly, they all knew better, and everyone was still cautious. It only took one redhead to spoil the fun.
Obri was chilling behind the bar, on a soft blanket. He kept an eye on the bar, and telepathically communicated with Ona if a new customer appeared while she was serving tables.
Post by Demelza & Oberon on Oct 17, 2023 6:30:15 GMT -5
“I told you, you won’t fit.”
Sure you don’t want to try?
Demelza rolled her eyes as Oberon dropped down on his hindquarters with an aggravated huff. He didn’t want to let her out of his sight, but Demelza was also certain he’d break through the floor as soon as he stepped on it. The new Dresmondi had only just arrived, settled in an encampment near the outside wall of Elderkeep. There was something funny about that, she mused. Going from one wall to another.
She’d told Weylin & Beth to stay put, but the boy had a habit of using his shadows to follow behind her. If that was the case, he’d have no trouble doing it. Demelza wasn’t looking over her shoulder; she instead trudged determinedly forward. With her mandolin on her back (she’d left her swords with her dyr), Demelza stepped into the tavern wearing a disheveled canary-yellow dress, blue ribbons in her hair, and the weight of the world on her shoulders.
When she saw the dancing and heard the music, Demelza’s eyes lit up. A smile spread across her face like a kid walking into a tree with presents underneath.
“You should see it, Oberon.”
I can hear it just fine, thank you.
Grumpy old bear.
Demelza moved into the tavern, momentarily forgetting the reason she’d gone there in the first place. Instead, she was drawn to the music.
Obri — tiger quoll — element: ELECTRIC
The ability to manipulate electric charges. Uses include: controlling the lightning in a storm, electrocuting people or objects, manipulating static, and more.
Post by Ona & Obri on Oct 17, 2023 14:14:55 GMT -5
"ONA, CUSTOMER!" Obri yelled at her from behind the bar.
Ona looked up from the table she was serving, towards the bar and the door, and saw a cute young woman who had just walked into the tavern. Her hair was absolutely gorgeous, and she was dressed in a nice way, although the clothes were a little lived in.
She walked over to the bar, hips swaying a bit to the beat of the music while walking, a soft smile on her face.
"Hey, beautiful", she called out, towards the woman. It was a compliment, and not said in a cat-calling way at all. "Welcome to the Drunken Dyr! What can I get you? I haven't seen your face before."
She didn't see a dyr with her. It was either small, or too big to fit inside.
Animal Lordship allows the user to communicate with and command animals through speech, which to the outsider gifted or non-gifted sounds like gibberish.
Post by Ishmael Eldouir on Oct 17, 2023 14:55:51 GMT -5
Ishmael in his entire short existence within the borders of Dresmond had ever ventured outside of the estate and actually onto he streets of his families tortured lands. The Dresmondi did not know of his existence he was the Rat King and all they knew perhaps would be his court of rats or various other critters, but they wouldn't know he was the unknown watcher.
Today though, today that changed. As he left he estate his red hair would be enough to draw the eyes toward him, a large barrel sized man dressed in a self made turtle neck, a long duster style coat that barely dragged the ground as he lumbered toward...music...however he had his royal court with him more than a dozen rats danced in and around his feet and Gus with a little knitted red boggin on his head rode coach on Ishmaels shoulder. Flanking them were two big bears both appeared docile and perhaps approachable but no one dared.
The court directed their master to the tavern which Ishmael entered with heavy muddy boots, not before telling his bears and the court (minus Gus who remained shotgun) to remain outside out of proprietary sake. He had to duck to enter but nonetheless he entered and instantly scanned the little happening spot, he wanted the music but it had stopped upon his arrival. Ish pushed further in eyes never leaving the slowly panic stricken fiddle player until he spotted a old seen better days piano that's where he broke his stride to take up on he perch of the creaking seat.
"Follow," and after a few key practices Ish fell into a trance as a very haunting tune poured out of the piano. Finally the other man fell in trying his best to follow Ish, but for ish that was the beauty of it the contrast of a fiddle added a level of flesh to the sadness of his piano music.
Post by Weylin & Beth on Oct 17, 2023 18:28:48 GMT -5
Weylin had tried to do as Liza asked. He really did, but his anxiety since they had arrived back in Dresmond had spiked to levels that they hadn't in the last couple of years. At least not until the attack on the wall. He paced the floor after she left and chewed anxiously at his fingernails.
Relax, Weylin. They'll be fine. Back before you know it. Plus she has Oberon. No one will cross him. You know that.
Weylin moved to the window and looked out, scanning the streets. 'You don't know that for sure. You just hope it's true,' he said silently to his dyr. Beth sat in the corner out of the way of his pacing, her ringed tail wrapped around her feet.
'We should follow them.'
She asked you to stay put.
'We should follow them.'
I don't know if that's such a good id-
'I'm following them.'
He pulled open the door and stepped out. Beth sighed into his thoughts but he ignored her and started heading in the direction they had gone. It had only been about a minute, they couldn't have got far. As he started jogging in that direction he soon heard Beth's bounding little steps catching up with him.
Well if you insist.
As a well practiced pair they moved towards the edges of the buildings where the shadows already rested and Beth manipulated them to hide them inside the darkness. It wasn't long before they spotted Oberon's big bear butt and they slowed their space to follow at a distance. The remained a couple buildings away when Liza went inside, both of them grinned to each other as Oberon grumpily was left outside of the establishment.
Weylin was about to try to find a way inside when he froze, heart pounding in his ears. A large man with clearly red hair was walking down the street from the opposite direction. He looked so strange. Without the red hair he could have been mistaken as dresmondi with all the animals around them but for Weylin and Beth they could instantly sense that those were not dyrs. To their horror, the giant man stepped inside the door that Liza had just entered not long before.
Shit. 'Shit.' They said to each other telepathically in unison. The question was if Weylin would stick to the 'freeze' response that he'd had at the wall or if he'd get up enough courage to go inside.
Post by Demelza & Oberon on Oct 19, 2023 18:35:34 GMT -5
Demelza swung around at the woman’s voice, bright eyed with a surprised smile on her face. What a woman she was. Demelza, Dresmondi that she was, did not police her desire in the way those of other kingdoms did. As Ona & Obri approached, she looked at her figure and features withblushing appreciation.
“Just rolled into town, I guess you could say,” Demelza offered with effervescent enthusiasm, as if it were something to be happy for and not a terrible tragedy, “And I’ll take something strong and sweet if you got it. Can’t pay in coin, but if it’s music you’re lookin’ for…” Demelza bounced her eyebrows before biting her lower lip playfully.
Incoming.
It was when she bit her lip that Ishmael Eldouir ’s heavy footfalls sounded in the doorway. The red hair said it all: Eloduir. A foul, stinking Eloduir that made the music stop. At first, Demelza’s eyes followed him with an expression of vague disgust on her face. That disgust only intensified as he started to play the piano. Music, the purest thing in all the world; the Eloduir had to lay claim to that too. Demelza found his notes clunky and soulless, no doubt soulless as the man who played them. In fear, the fiddler started to play along, which only fueled Demelza’s ire.
I know what you’re thinking. For once in your life, Liza, hold your tongue.
Caution emanated from Oberon as Demelza’s brow set in determination. She looked at Ona with a catch-hell grin as she slung her mandolin to her front to play. Then, Demelza hopped up on one of the tables and started to strum away loudly and skillfully on her instrument. When she started to sing, her voice was equally loud and adept in delivery, the mark of one who had practiced their craft many years.
For those who are in love
There's a song that's warm and tender
For those who are oppressed
In song you can protest
So liberate your minds
And give your soul expression
Open up your hearts
I'll sing for you this song
Liza would not look at the Eldouir. Instead, she’d perform to those gathered as if he didn’t exist at all.
Obri — tiger quoll — element: ELECTRIC
The ability to manipulate electric charges. Uses include: controlling the lightning in a storm, electrocuting people or objects, manipulating static, and more.
As a Dresmondi and a lady of the night, she did not mind the way the young woman was looking at her. She considered doing a spin, but decided against it. Instead she said she hadn't seen her face around yet. "You managed to get out and you came back?" she asked with a half-smile. "The people of Arynn Frey must be real ugly then." She chuckled. She wouldn't judge someone for coming back. They had to fight here. The other kingdoms obviously didn't care about them, because there had been no help so far.
"Strong and sweet for some music it is", she said, turning around to grab something for Demelza. Music was more than enough payment, because it made other customers happy, which meant they'd spend a little more. Ona would pour something that was a more time-fitting version of Bailey's. Definitely string and sweet.
"El-do-uir!" Obri said, emphasizing each syllable.
The woman turned around, drink in hand, and saw a huge redhead standing by the door. Ona smiled back at Demelza, who had jumped on a table with her mandolin. She walked over to the table and placed the drink by her feet so Demelza could drink when she wanted.
She then walked over to the piano, trying bit to let the mix of music overwhelm her.
"My lord", she said, addressing Ishmael. "To what do we owe this visit?" She would be careful with what she said, but she wished he would stop playing that horrible sad tune.
Animal Lordship allows the user to communicate with and command animals through speech, which to the outsider gifted or non-gifted sounds like gibberish.
Post by Ishmael Eldouir on Oct 20, 2023 7:27:54 GMT -5
Challenge accepted. Ishmael listened to the woman's words and no thought or expression changed on his face nor did he smile or look angry, perhaps it was curiosity that had fell over big Ish. Then a deep booming song fell from Ishmaels mouth. The piano went from haunting to melodramatic in tune...
"Our home, our rules Respect them or Bitches receive stitches Trolls receive 86's Stick around if you're house-broken Can't hold your shit, hold your tongue, you got to go..
*piano playing*
Should you choose to react like an imbecile? You in turn will be treated so Yes, we're being condescending Yes, that means we're talking down to you With all that racket from your lips a-flapping We assumed you didn't notice.."
He only broke eye contact for a second to wink at the Dresmondi who had addressed him, but he continued to play. There was going to be a time for conversation but the other player had evoked a playful side of Ishmael, while he was prone to acting on violence Ish didn't believe in senseless slaughter after all he was more of a point, say, and do kind of man. He played quietly waiting for the woman's musical retort.
Post by Demelza & Oberon on Oct 21, 2023 15:34:38 GMT -5
Demelza’s anger only intensified as the Eldouir brushed off Ona & Obri , the beautiful Dresmondi whose acquaintance the goon had not fully given her time to make. Liza’s eyes scanned the establishment, searching for whatever effect the music was having on the gathered crowd. Whatever it was, it either inspired or invigorated her, strengthening her voice and encouraging her to sing louder.
It was back in ancient times
The bard would tell her stories
Of the heroes, of the villain
Of the caravans and caverns
Through the darkest of times
And redhead war and fury
Put our pipers to the sword
Killed our harpers and our bards
But let the people sing their stories and their songs
And the music of their native land
Their lullabies and battle cries and songs of hope and joy
So join us hand in hand
Oberon was pacing outside. He was a war-worn creature; a beast of battle. But he wasn’t looking for a fight today.
Obri — tiger quoll — element: ELECTRIC
The ability to manipulate electric charges. Uses include: controlling the lightning in a storm, electrocuting people or objects, manipulating static, and more.
The wink absolutely infuriated her, and Obri could sense that she was about to do something.
Don't do it, Ona. He's an Eldouir.
"He's disrespectful."
But still an Eldouir.
She turned around abruptly, her hair flowing over her shoulder as she did so. With big steps she walked towards the table that Demelza & Oberon was standing on, and climbed it.
She recognised the song Demelza was singing, so she joined in and gestured at the Dresmondi around them to join in as well, resulting in them all singing louder than the piano could play.
Animal Lordship allows the user to communicate with and command animals through speech, which to the outsider gifted or non-gifted sounds like gibberish.
Post by Ishmael Eldouir on Oct 22, 2023 3:55:08 GMT -5
They wouldn't be able to tell the great disappointment that Ish felt for all of them, he did stop playing his piano however and reached inside his long duster like coat removing a black book and a very sharp tipped quill. Before pricking his finger acid green eyes surveyed the two rebels acting like fools and then began to document the encounter. Gus the rat appeared to whisper in Ishmaels ear to which Ish returned the whisper and then Gus was climbing down Ish and disappeared through the feet of those in attendance, across the floor, and out the door. Finally standing Ishmael gave one last sweeping look at the faces on the tables shoving his black book and quill inside his jacket, he wished they knew the ire they had just drew upon themselves so much he couldn't help but grin at them before heading to the exit where all of his subjects waited (more and more rats had joined the mere dozen Ish had arrived with) the two bears stood as well joining Ish as he and the rats walked away.
Post by Weylin & Beth on Oct 23, 2023 9:59:57 GMT -5
Frozen. Again.
For what felt like far too long Weylin couldn't even move his feet. Liza was inside and potentially in great danger and still he stood by.
Weylin.
Beth pushed her round body against his calf and the slight sway of his body seemed to be a switch that turned him back on. Hidden in shadows they crept towards the building to find one of the windows. He had to stand up on his toes a bit as he was only a short five foot four and there was a curtain covering most of the window from the inside. However, he was able to get a good enough look through a space between the curtains.
He could hear the rather unpleasant sound of two conflicting pieces of music as he watched in worry as Liza stood up on a table singing loudly against the Eldouir's piano tune. Beth climbed up Weylin like he was a tree and sat on his shoulder with her feet on top of his mop of brown hair as she too looked through the curtain into the tavern.
Well that's not ideal.
Weylin didn't answer. He couldn't. What was Demelza doing? They had only just got here and already she was stirring up trouble? How could this end well. Best case scenario, the Eldouir found the situation amusing. Worst case...he decided it was terribly disrespectful and he'd have her executed for it. He'd heard the tales of the Eldouir. While few, or none, seemed 'kind' it seemed that most had reputations of being cruel and unfair.
Soon another Dresmondi was joining Liza and Weylin's stomach twisted painfully in his gut. It wasn't that he was against pushing back against their oppressors but this seemed like it wasn't the best way to do so...
Then he watched as the Eldouir, who was closer to the window than Liza and the other woman, started to write something in a black book.
'That can't be good.'
Likely not. Beth agreed.
He kept his gaze locked on the large red head as he exited the tavern and to even his surprise he found his feet moving after the large man. Beth, about to lose her balance, hopped back onto the ground to follow after him.
This is a terrible idea. Beth warned, knowing what he was thinking. Yet there seemed to be a small hint of pride in her tone too.
Post by Demelza & Oberon on Oct 27, 2023 12:00:07 GMT -5
Demelza watched Ishmael Eldouir leave with a sense of victory (however misguided it might be). She continued to sing, swaying alongside Ona & Obri as she shot her a dazzling smile. It wasn’t the same Dresmond, but to see the mess of people and dyrs, singing and swaying, was enough to stoke the dying coals of nostalgia so they burned a little bit brighter. She had no notion that Weylin & Beth was just outside the door. That he’d taken it upon himself to pursue the Eldouir. If she did, Demelza would have run after him. But as it was…
The song ended, and the tavern applauded both the musicians and themselves. Demelza gave them a silly little bow before turning to Ona with a grin.
“You throw one hell of a party…crashers be damned.” She winked before holding out her hand, shifting her mandolin under her arm. “I’m Demelza—but you can call me Liza.”
Oberon knew when Liza was being a flirt, and she could hear his mental grown as he plopped down outside the door...eyeing the Eldouir as he exited.
Obri — tiger quoll — element: ELECTRIC
The ability to manipulate electric charges. Uses include: controlling the lightning in a storm, electrocuting people or objects, manipulating static, and more.
The redhead left just as suddenly as he had appeared, and while his presence still lingered uncomfortably on her mind, she threw her arm around Demelza & Oberon's shoulders with a grin on her face, squeezing her arm a bit.
"I never thought I'd be able to tell someone their singing was capable of scaring someone away without it being an insult, but it appears that you shone too bright for even an Eldouir", she responded before letting go.
He'll get the others and he'll be back, Obri said to her, but she ignored him.
Ona took Liza's hand and shook it. "Ona, plain and simple. Nice to meet you."
She'd get down from the table and gesture at the young woman to sit with her.
"You've got a good voice, kid. Are you looking for a place to perform?"
Post by Demelza & Oberon on Nov 12, 2023 18:45:43 GMT -5
For a moment—one blessed moment—Demelza felt just as light as she had before the world came to pieces. Back before violence became the center of her reality, with the memory of what she’d lost becoming a hole in her heart. Riding on her performer’s high, she smiled at Ona as her cheeks flushed pink.
“Ona…” Demelza said her name back, the syllables shaping in her mouth like biting into the first nectarines of summer. She beamed at her.
“If you’ll have me,” Demelza said, absently strumming at her mandolin, “We, well…we just got into town, I’m afraid. Or whatever you want to call this place.” She looked around, the tavern a little more boisterous than before, “Though it seems you’ve carved a warm place out of the cold.”