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!
Zevran was dying. That much was becoming clear—to him and Regan both. It seemed as if the Dresmondi had accepted his fate, which selfishly on Regan’s made him easier to work with. He was more compliant, and more helpful, as he attempted to pass the torch with the rest of the strength he had in him. Regan pitied the man but set aside that pity in a box on the metaphorical shelf of her mind. Pity would do her and the people of Dresmond no good. Paving the way for victory was all that mattered (after all, wasn’t that why Regan was here)?
In his murmurings, Zevran passed along a name: Ona. His knowledge of her exact role was vague, and it seemed intentionally so. But she did seem to be a figure of resistance, her secret buried deep and recognizable only to those who also shared that pursuit. Rumors of her tribute had also spread…which piqued Regan’s interest as much as anything else. Regan learned what she could from Zevran, and then went out into the night to take matters into her own hands.
The invisible woman, stinking as an animal, made her way to the brothel. Perched on the roof of a nearby caravan, Regan watched. She waited. She waited until the wee hours of the morning when the commotion and light of the inside had died. Then…she slipped through the front door quickly and quietly. She slunk into a corner, watching as the few staff cleaned up for the night. Eventually, she saw her: the woman with the high cheekbones and the raven hair, just as she’d been described. When they closed up shop and the woman began to make her way upstairs (ostensibly to her room), Regan followed. Before she entered, the invisible woman would come up behind her and clamp an invisible hand over her mouth.
“Don’t make a sound,” Regan whispered, “Zevran sent me as a friend. I just want to talk.”
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 Jan 15, 2024 14:22:46 GMT -5
The evening seemed longer than it was. People were scared. The rumour that Ishmael had gotten a night a week in the tavern had traveled quickly, and the worst part of it was that it was true. The people were a bit wary and seemed afraid that the Eldouir would enter at any moment. Ona feared the same. She didn't want him to come in on nights he didn't have the tavern, because she still wanted the customers to come and what she wanted even more was that the tavern could stay a safe space for them. Ona knew it would become less of a safe space, and she was upset about it.
Eventually the evening had ended and Ona was going to head upstairs, ready for bed. She had just opened the door when hands found her, one covering her mouth.
She had been about to elbow the person behind her in the ribs when Zevran was mentioned. Ona immediately forgot about elbowing the person and instead remained still. She wasn't able to talk, because the hand was covering her mouth, which annoyed her. The person could have just called for her or something. Ona licked the inside of the hand, hoping to gross the person out, but nodded afterwards to show she agreed to talking.
Mentally she cursed Obri for not warning her about Regan. How could he not have noticed?
Post by Regan Lassiter on Jan 15, 2024 16:25:38 GMT -5
Regan was not sufficiently grossed out as to drop her hand, but when Ona nodded, she released her. “Good then,” Regan whispered, “You got somewhere a little more, uh, private we can talk? Probably better if you can see my face.” Now that the initial ‘scare’ was over, Regan sounded more awkward than menacing. If Ona turned around, she’d see nothing but thin air where the voice emanated from.
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.
Although her tongue against the hand hadn't been sufficient to gross the person, or well, woman, judging by the voice, out, she dropped her hand after Ona nodded. She did turn around and was met with absolutely nothing. It was a neat trick. "Sure", she said, opening the door she had been opening when Regan snuck up on her, and walked inside. "It's probably best you close the door, since I can't see when you're inside", she said, amusing herself with the thought of closing the door and Regan still being on the other side because she wouldn't be able to tell where the woman was. "Why is Zevran not here himself?"
Post by Regan Lassiter on Jan 21, 2024 12:13:45 GMT -5
Regan wondered whether Zevran had told Ona of the Nevermerean presence. Or maybe Ona was remarkably cool headed, so as not to be unsettled. Whether she suspected Nevermere or not, once the door was closed Regan tossed back the antidote and became visible. A Nevermerean witch in uniform would fade into existence—a sight One would have never before seen.
“Zevran has taken ill, and is not likely to recover,” Regan said matter-of-factly, “He has been keeping in contact with Nevermere these many weeks, to keep us apprised of the situation on the ground. Given his…status, he seemed to hope you might be a worthy successor.” Regan stuck out her hand for Ona to shake.
“Regan Lassiter.” Her eyes darted to Ona’s dyr for a moment before fixing on the woman before her.
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 Jan 21, 2024 12:55:21 GMT -5
Ona knew Zevran had gone to Nevermere, but she didn't know he had brought back a Nevermerean. Because Regan was invisible, she had no way to know who she was, and it was only now setting in that dyrs didn't have this kind of magic, but there was no point in being scared of this invisible person either. If they had wanted to kill her, they could've done so already.
A woman appeared, in clothing that was unknown and unusual to her. The woman wasn't from here, so she felt a bit wary, but if Zevran had sent her, Ona knew she could trust it.
"I don't know what you're talking about", she said, which was both a trick and the truth. She didn't know what Regan was talking about when she said successor. A successor in working together with Nevermere, or a successor of this secret club Zevran had run? She didn't know if Regan knew about the club, and she wasn't about to mention it.
When the hand came her way, she hesitated but eventually shook it.
"Ona", she said before pointing at her dyr. "And Obri."
Post by Regan Lassiter on Jan 21, 2024 12:56:24 GMT -5
Obri. Regan awkwardly dipped her head at the animal, still not quite sure what the protocol was for such things. There was something a little comical about it, given the high stakes of the situation they found themselves in.
“Nevermere is coming to liberate Dresmond,” Regan said, taking her seat, “Zevran and his, uh, associates were our spies on the ground, but The Black Claw has crumbled. If we’re to come, we want to do so with minimal casualties to our side and to your people. For that, we need information.” Regan frowned a little.
“I don’t believe he would have sent me to you without good reason. I know it’s much to ask, that there is risk involved, but we are the best chance Dresmond has for liberation.”
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.
Ona grinned to herself when Regan greeted Obri, and Obri found it funny himself.
She has no idea whether she should greet me like a human or not.
“Leave her alone Obri", she said, laughing telepathically and not out loud. “At least she's trying."
Ona's gaze didn't leave Regan. "Okay, so you know about the Black Claw." She paused a moment to think, if she could trust Regan with information.
"Look, Zevran did a good thing by suggesting me. Him and I once talked about joining forces. Me and some girls have an organisation of our own, but I don't know how much longer we'll be able to exist. Do you know what happens at a Tribute?"
She paused a moment to let Regan respond.
"Ishmael Eldouir gets my tavern one night a week, so the bar is no longer a safe space for Dresmondi. He's planning something big, and it worries me. He is forcing me to work together with their number one Dresmondi-betrayer, who thinks she'll be spared because she betrayed us. Nevermere has to act fast if they want to help, because I'm sure a lot is about to change. They even branded the dyr this year."
Obri's fur would not grow back, and the brand was very visible.
Post by Regan Lassiter on Jan 23, 2024 8:26:40 GMT -5
Yes, a brothel. A kind of place that was not entirely Regan given her post-Logan activities. She raised her eyebrows as Ona continued to speak. Ishmael Eldouir was a regular. Now that was an unexpected gift…no pun intended.
“I was there at the tribute,” Regan said grimly, “I’ve heard some of his plans. New construction, expansion…seems ambitious. Overly ambitious.” Which in the end, would hopefully work in their favor.
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 Jan 24, 2024 11:06:26 GMT -5
"He phrased it as if I would regain my former duties in my caravan, which was protecting the borders. He told me I'd be protecting the current and future borders, but he paired me with Eirwen, who will tell him the second I do anything wrong." She gritted her teeth. "I haven't spoken to him or Eirwen yet, so I don't know more about his plans now, and I doubt they'll tell me everything."
Ona was strong, but now she thought about it more, she started to crack. A single tear rolled down her cheek. "Obri and I, and the tavern, the brothel, we've given Dresmondi a safe space, and a lot of them trust me. He's taken that all away. If I don't do what he says, I'll be dead, and if I do, I'll be dead to the Dresmondi."
Post by Regan Lassiter on Jan 24, 2024 19:26:38 GMT -5
Regan didn’t know the woman. Though not a creature inclined toward empathy and knowing how to comfort, she wasn’t heartless. Slowly, giving the woman the opportunity to evade her if she wanted, Regan reached out and put her hand on Ona’s arm, eyes finding hers.
“Stay alive,” she said, as if delivering an order, after the words settled, she softened a little, “Besides, dead heroes make shitty spies.” Dropping her hand, Regan nodded thoughtfully.
“If this Dresmondi is as close to the Eldouir as you say, get as close to her as you can. The ones you trust can know it’s a ruse, and if the rest hate you…” Regan sighed, “if that’s a burden you can bear, I’ll do what I can to help you shoulder it.”
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.
It was odd to be the comfortee and not the comforter. She was normally the one comforting others and helping them through difficult times. Ona smiled softly and Regan, and her eyes thanked her for the kind gesture.
She chuckled at the 'dead heroes make shitty spies' and nodded. "You're right."
Getting close to Eirwen might be a good idea indeed. It was definitely more doable than getting close to an Eldouir.
"I'll do it. I'd do everything to save Dresmond." She was resolute. This might be the closest she could ever come to being something like the one who carried the Medaillon. "How do I find you, if I can get information?"
Post by Regan Lassiter on Feb 12, 2024 18:05:55 GMT -5
Good. She supposed the Dresmondi had few options. Desperation, she’s found, was a more powerful motivator than fear or pride. It was either risk it all to achieve liberation or live under the Eldouir boot heel.
Regan looked about the room, considering for a moment as she looked about the room. “If you can keep this room empty…” the witch picked up a red sash draped across a chair, “tie this to the inside door handle if you need to talk. Check it every day. When it’s gone, I’ll be here in this room the next night.” Regan smiled a little. “We have our ways of getting to you quickly.”
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.
If it had been under different circumstances, Ona would have found this whole ribbon system exciting, but now it was what would work best in order to get Regan to find her if she needed to talk. She didn't bother to ask how she'd know when Regan wanted to get to her. She was sure the witch would just appear in the room again, and honestly, Ona was fine with that. Eventually she nodded to show she understood the system.
"I assume it's best I keep this to myself for now, but is there anything my girls can do?" she then asked. The Siren's Song had been laying low because it was difficult to act lately. Ona would tell them to keep an ear out for any information, though.
Post by Regan Lassiter on Apr 1, 2024 6:04:35 GMT -5
Regan considered Ona carefully. She hadn’t much to trust her on, other than Zevran’s word. But they’d trusted Zevran on less, and Regan figured you had to take a chance on something sometime.
“If you’ll be in and out of Elderkeep, it’ll help to have a consistent set of eyes and ears here. If it’s someone you can trust, you’re welcome to tell them whatever you deem necessary.” Regan paused. “I hear the Eldouir from the Tribute has made a personal music venue out of this place?”