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 Demelza & Oberon on Dec 19, 2023 20:01:35 GMT -5
Semi-cultured. Demelza restrained herself from rolling her eyes—credit to Oberon for insisting that she keep her feelings to herself. She supposed she’d take it as a compliment for an Eldoduir to think her uncultured. After all, they were the foulest swine ever to walk the earth.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” Demelza shrugged with a furrowed brow, “We were a people, living in community, making a living and caring for our own. If you want a purpose, that’s it. Love one another. Contribute as you're able.”
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 Dec 19, 2023 20:31:23 GMT -5
"Dualy noted Demelza," Ishmael pulled the brand from the fire then stuck it back turning acidic green eyes back at the current Tribute, "No marks this year, yours has been paid already this year, Weylin bring your dyr and come forward," nodding toward the two Eldouir who escorted Demelza in and they moved toward Demelza, "You are free to go, take her to the rest."
Post by Weylin & Beth on Dec 22, 2023 11:14:38 GMT -5
Weylin had begun taking notes as he was told though his handwriting got worse as worse after the first brand, especially when the dyr was branded. His limbs trembled in fear, unable to keep himself from shaking. The words from Oberon were a balm, it was true. Everything would be fine. They had each other.
He didn't know how to feel about Ishmael not offering a brand to Demelza. He wasn't super familiar with the idea of the brands and while it seemed like a punishment not to get one, at least he wouldn't have to see Demelza and Oberon burned.
When Ishmael ordered him and Beth to come forward, Weylin did so, notes still in hand. He was visibly trembling and fighting back the tears that were welling up in his eyes as Beth stood at his side, standing on her back paws and wrapping her arms around his knee as they looked up at the giant Eldouir.
Post by Demelza & Oberon on Dec 22, 2023 12:14:38 GMT -5
Already paid? Demelza’s initial response was confusion, her brow scrunching up over her amber-brown eyes. She was only starting to answer when the Eldouir moved on, attempting to usher her out while calling another name—
Weylin.
“Whattya mean my tribute’s been paid?” Demelza asked defiantly, “I’ve not paid you nothin.” If the Eldouir tried to take her out she’d attempt to shake them off, eyes darting to the trembling Weylin
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 Dec 22, 2023 13:00:02 GMT -5
Ishmael wasn't smiling, he just stared at Demelza and was ever so curious about her questions: all of which he knew the answers to.
He laid a hand on the boys shoulder, "Young Weylin here came to your defense outside the tavern when you wrecklessly issued a challenge, you fail to grasp the situation here Demelza and whose in charge, well he doesn't and for that I have a Dresmondi who can read and write. Willing to be beneficial to me and what I have planned for Dresmond. He has earned two marks for his services," nodding once again the Eldouir beside them would grab both brands the one for the Dresmondi and the one for their dyr.
Ishmael would take the brand for Weylin and pull out the boys arms, "Ready...3..2..," two sizzles happened at once as Ishmael branded the boys arm and the other Eldouir branded Beth, "Do you understand Demelza?"
Post by Weylin & Beth on Dec 22, 2023 13:56:00 GMT -5
Weylin winced as Ishmael’s hand landed on his shoulder, knees practically knocking together as he couldn’t stop trembling. Demelza already knew what Ishmael told her as Weylin has explained what had happened but neither of them realized that Weylin was paying Demelza’s price.
Fear was evident in his eyes as he saw the brands being grabbed and the words from the Eldouir struck him. Two marks. He was too stunned and afraid to speak or move as the large man grabbed his arm.
No, no, no he heard from Beth.
Weylin did not take the brands silently. His eyes were wide as saucers and his breath coming in panicked pants. Unlike other dresmondi he didn’t already know what it felt like to receive the brands. He let out a piercing scream of pain and terror, tears now cascading down his cheeks as he felt not only his own two brands but Beth’s as well at the same time through their connection.
Beth, the stronger of the two of them, was overwhelmed to feel her own brand as well as the muted pain of the two Weylin received and feeling how strong his fear was. Even she whimpered, and as Weylin fell to his knees, his pain, shock, and trembling legs no longer able to support him, Beth cowered and curled herself into his lap as they held each other crying and Beth looked over towards Oberon with sorrow and love. In spite of the pain, they would both do it again to save them.
Last Edit: Dec 22, 2023 14:13:09 GMT -5 by Weylin & Beth
Post by Demelza & Oberon on Dec 22, 2023 16:26:31 GMT -5
Because he could read and write? Were the Eldouir not menat to be high faluten nobles from a distant kingdom? Was what Weylin had to offer really worth all this? No, Demelza thought, there had to be something else. Proving a point, perhaps, for her insolence. Using Weylin to demonstrate what it was to bend to fear. Perhaps Weylin was smart to submit at present, but Demelza was too angered at the injustice to weigh the reality.
She surged forward as Weylin was branded. If Demelza was not stopped she’d scoop him up in her arms and hold him as the great bear stood over them, hackles raised. Demelza, with fire in her eyes, glared up at the Eldouir.
“Doesn’t matter if I understand,” She said, barely keeping the disgust from her voice, “Because I don’t think I ever will.”
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 Dec 22, 2023 16:32:52 GMT -5
Ishmael stepped between the boy and Demelza, as the other Eldouir began to move toward them. Ishmael didn't flinch even as the bear stood instead only confronting Demelza. He spoke in whispers and clicks and growls, his own bears lumbering from shadows unseen. The odds weren't in her favor here.
Post by Eirwen & Yule on Dec 22, 2023 16:36:55 GMT -5
Eirwen was already tensed and her nimble fingers had drawn three vials of water from her waist and busting them on the ground, Yule froze the water as Eirwen instructed him on what to do...sharp blades of ice sprung from the water and launched forward stopping inches from Weylins throat. She drew her sword and would step toward Demelza with a fire of her own or maybe it was the ice in her veins.
Post by Weylin & Beth on Dec 22, 2023 16:57:32 GMT -5
The movement of Demelza and Oberon towards them was enough to catch Weylin’s attention and he looked up as if to welcome their embrace. One that would never come. Instead he gasped as shards of sharp ice aimed his neck, the view of it slightly blurred by the tears in his eyes.
He was wracked with turmoiling emotions. How was it fair that after being nothing but obedient his life was now being threatened? He knew it wasn’t about him but as a threat to Demelza and he ached in that knowledge. He had always been the weakest link in their friendship of four and this was only proving that. She didn’t deserve this either. Not to mention he thought about how long the other dresmondi had been under the tyranny of the Eldouir, something none of them deserved if this was how callously they were treated. And then there was Eirwen. A dresmondi herself yet seemed all too happy to put his life at risk for these monsters. It at all came to him in that moment, the reality of what it meant to be here in Elderkeep under their rule.
He tore his gaze slowly from the shards of ice and towards Demelza. He was still afraid but more for her than anything else. There was something else there too, something so subtle that only his dearest friend would recognize. Anger.
He felt the buzz in his veins of Beth’s darkness, the roiling of temptation to use it though for how it remained cloaked inside her as they waited with bated breath.
‘Be wise. Bide your time.’ Beth said to Oberon.
Last Edit: Dec 22, 2023 16:58:14 GMT -5 by Weylin & Beth
Post by Demelza & Oberon on Dec 23, 2023 18:44:54 GMT -5
All of the metal in the room started to vibrate, making a sound like the humming of a bee’s wings. Oberon growled as he stood protectively over Demelza.
You’re no good to your people dead, Liza.
Demelza did not move. She did not speak. Her expression did not change. How marvelous it was that an Eldouir and his henchman could be so threatened by a few sharp words. Were words such a dangerous thing to power like theirs? Perhaps more than she’d thought.
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 Dec 23, 2023 19:22:15 GMT -5
Those greens eyes found the bear and a few things clicked as the brand in his hand vibrated a grin in the eyes, "Take your bear and the boy, Eirwen put your toy away," Ishmael moved away from the group and dropped the brand in the fire and took his seat, "Escort them to the fields with the others."
Ishmael was already forming a conclusion on why Hiram grew so bored, but, but the larger yet little brother kept his eye on the end goal. Thats all that mattered, he would just collect his information and press on.
Post by Demelza & Oberon on Dec 24, 2023 9:52:09 GMT -5
Demelza saw the switch in Ishmael’s eyes, and her stomach dropped with dread. She was glad when he asked them to leave. Heart still racing with indignation, Demelza would gather up Weylin in her arms. Oberon would nudge Beth with his nose in an invitation to crawl onto his back so he might carry her to safety. If both would allow, Demelza and Oberon would bear them off (no pun intended) to whatever new hell awaited them outside.
Post by Eirwen & Yule on Dec 29, 2023 18:56:57 GMT -5
Eirwen had done as ordered with asmirking glare, Yule reclaimed his ice spikes leaving them to thaw away in the dirt of the cave floor.
"Ishmael, I need to retrieve my Tribute mister sir Lordly?" she asked in her most bubbly voice tapping the tips of her together and standing slightly on her tip toes, all to which Ishmael gave her a look, "I got'em like ya' asked!"
'he doesn't believe you I bet!'
"shut up bird," she cast back, nothing could rain on her pride today.
Ishmael dismissed Eirwen with a wave and Eirwen was off and Yule in tow.
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 Jan 14, 2024 14:51:35 GMT -5
Ishmael carried on with tribute after tribute after tribute, hours of branding and information neatly collected. Prior to Eirwen & Yule return Ishmael was sorting out Lovina & Thorn sending her away with one single branding (unfortunately her dyr as they called them was to small for its branding). As she was escorted out to the others Eirwen and Yule were returning but not alone.
"Come on guys not much further," Eirwen cooed and coddled the four twelve year olds she had collected over the last few weeks prior to Tribute.
"you said we're getting our own dyrs misses Eirwen," one girl said sheepishly as she spotted all the Eldouir, "That's why we're here love! When I got mine we came right here, the Cave of Names as it was, and they put me in the ground," the only boy flinched, "in the ground? It's dark.."
Ishmael watched silently.
"oh its spooky dark but your dyr, like Yule here, they'll save you and name you and you'll go on to be a soldier just like me ! I promise I won't let anything bad happen," Eirwen promised but she knew that it was a lie this was all an expirement at the genius of Ishmael. She hoped it worked!
Finally Ishmael addressed Eirwen, "You've explained the process before, now what do we do?"
"Well the One would bury them and I don't really know, without the medallion mister Ishmael my lord...but this is how we did it," Eirwen explained.
Standing he smiled at his little thing, "Get to digging then, we shall see if it's the place itself or if we need that little medallion yes?" Eirwen agreed with a nod, "Three marks for your services Eirwen, one for your cock, and you'll have the important job of overseeing the expansion of Elderkeep...get to digging...," Ishmael nodded to the Eldouir within the caves to watch Eirwen and then escort her to stand with him at his address of the new state for Dresmond.
[End thread]
(Spoke with Bug in Discord and hashed out her Tribute and markings! That's Tribute now for the special announcement!)