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!
It was an unseasonably warm day in Loreandle, given the season, the sun emerging from behind the clouds to provide relief from the creeping chill of early winter. The town square buzzed with activity, as people of all walks embraced the fleeting warmth. Children played tag, their laughter filling the air, while elegantly ribboned noblewomen gossiped amiably on the benches, and a group of laborers enjoyed a well-deserved break, swapping bawdy stories as they leaned against the rough-hewn walls of a tavern.
It was a peaceful scene of life in Lorendale, despite the chaos unfolding in its capital city.
Tallis lounged on an empty bench with a foot up on one knee. Dressed in trousers and a vest, she looked less a baroness and more a commoner. She smoked a hand-rolled cigarette—a most unladylike practice, but one that she indulged in on occasion. After all, with Cezar’s restorative power at her disposal, her lungs would be forever unblemished by the filthy habit.
Exhaling a stream of smoke, she leaned back with closed eyes, relishing the sun's gentle warmth on her features. Her plans for the day included inspecting a new horse, but for now, she savored this moment.
A rare occurrence, indeed.
Her relaxation was ruffled, however, but the foul whistling of the laborers. Tallis could recognize cat-calling when the sound reached her ears. With an exasperated sigh, she opened her eyes, looking to identify just what it was that had perturbed her peace.
Post by Embry Montgomery on Jun 28, 2024 13:55:46 GMT -5
The sun cast a warm glow over the sprawling Montgomery estate as Embry Montgomery slipped through the side gate. Clad in a simple cloak that masked her noble lineage, she moved with a determined grace, eager to get a little escape from her maid and anyone else who might be keeping an eye at her in the manicured gardens and stately halls of her home.
Embry had always been drawn to the vibrant energy of the town of Loreandle, so different from the refined elegance of her parents' world. Today, she had resolved to experience it firsthand. With her hood pulled low over her face, she navigated the bustling streets, hoping to blend into the crowd of merchants, artisans, and townsfolk.
The town square buzzed with activity, its market stalls brimming with a cacophony of voices haggling over prices. Embry's eyes widened with delight as she wandered from stall to stall, savoring the freedom of anonymity. Smiling at the sight of children running and laughing to enjoy the bit of warmth that would become a rather red occurrence as winter settled upon the land.
But her joy was short-lived. As she approached a group of taverns lining the square, the leering gazes of a few men lounging outside caught her attention. Their eyes followed her with a predatory intensity that made her skin crawl. A few whistled in and attempt to capture her attention, and try as she might to keep her cloak up and eyes anywhere else; she had made the mistake of catching one’s eyes.
"Hey there, sweetheart," One of them called out, his voice carrying a mocking edge. "Where's a pretty thing like you headed in such a rush?"
Embry's pulse quickened as she tried to ignore the taunts and move past them. Another man stepped into her path, his grin wide and unsettling. "Don't be in such a hurry, love. We just want to have a little chat."
"Please, let me pass," She said, striving to keep her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her heart. She attempted to sidestep him, but his hand shot out, gripping her arm with a force that made her gasp.
"Now, now, no need to be like that," He sneered, pulling her closer. Embry struggled, her mind racing with the realization of her vulnerability in this unfamiliar place. And in her current position, she couldn’t quite grasp the knife hidden in the folds of her skirt.
"Unhand me.” She demanded, trying to inject authority into her wavering voice. The men only laughed, their amusement growing at her distress.
Post by Tallis Scorza on Jun 30, 2024 18:29:32 GMT -5
Tallis opened her eyes just in enough time to see one laborer step up to a pretty thing with chestnut hair and skin that reflected the gold of the sun’s fading rays. Tallis frowned deeply as the man prevented her passing, the world humming on about them—no one with a care in the world. No one, caring for the plight of a woman simply going about her business. No one to care that it was an occurrence both common and unacceptable. No one, but Tallis, turned an eye to the woman with the sculpted jaw and elegant figure whose path had been cut short.
Tallis had no such poise or elegance of figure. The muscular rancher pushed herself from the bench and tossed her cigarette to the ground in annoyance.
“Lady Freemantle,” Tallis called as she approached with a long, determined stride, “I’ve been looking for you.” She came to meet the woman, paying no mind to the interceptor other than a quick glance.
Post by Embry Montgomery on Jul 2, 2024 12:16:29 GMT -5
Had Embry considered this being a potential outcome of her little trip, she might have not been so eager to find herself walking through the town alone. But the woman was perhaps a touch naive in that regard. Still, she wasn’t expecting to be so obviously accosted by anyone, particularly not laborers resting outside of a tavern. She truly needed to pay more attention.
Embry’s attempts to retrieve her arm back from the man were unsuccessful, and it was clear they weren’t at all deterred by her distressed look or insistence that she be released.
But they didn’t seem to appreciate the woman -a very handsome woman- approaching them and calling out something to Embry. The look of relief of her face near immediate. Even if she didn’t know this woman at all, she would never give that away. The man’s grip loosened slightly and Embry took the moment to jerk her hand away.
“Oh, I’m sorry! I got a little turned around and then was rather rudely stopped here.” Embry brushed her arm where his hand had been, worried she might find herself bruised later.
Post by Tallis Scorza on Jul 6, 2024 15:48:15 GMT -5
Tallis’s eyes flickered to the woman’s arm, also checking for obvious damage before she fixed her gaze on the man in front of her. Men. They were repugnant creatures, she thought. Beasts that had never been broken. Unlucky for them, Tallis was in the business of bringing animals to heel. She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled.
“Lord Freemantle will be none too pleased when he finds out you lot have been harassing his bride. Come, m’lady, I have the carriage waiting…” Tallis started to lead Embry away. As she did, the man protested and moved to put himself between Tallis and his prize. But whatever protest was on his tongue was silenced by a strangled cry as the man’s leg buckled underneath him. The rancher watched with feigned confusion as the man gripped his knee and grumbled in pain.
“Watch yourself there, sir. These cobblestones can be tricky. One wrong move…” Tallis shrugged, turning away with a smirk, putting a hand on the back of the woman’s arm indicating for her to follow. It was not the cobblestones that had turned against him. One of the ligaments in his knee had been rotted from the inside, snapping, causing the man to buckle. Occam’s razor would have the cobblestones as the culprit, shielding the real enemy from view.
Post by Embry Montgomery on Jul 8, 2024 3:37:43 GMT -5
If there were ever a moment in her life where she regretted not being a touch more cautious and obeyed her mother’s wishes; it would be a moment such as this. She couldn’t even begin to express the gratitude she felt to this stranger who stepped up to intercede on her behalf. Especially when no one else would. How very odd to meet a woman who was more ready to come to the aid of a woman, than a man. Though, the was likely because she had a father and a brother who wouldn’t dare stand by if someone behaved so openly cruel to a random passerby.
“O-oh, thank-you.” Embry found herself slightly stumbling upon her words due to her nerves, but she was eager to follow this woman and but as much distance between herself and those men. She wanted to called them something worse, but was much too ladylike for that. And she dared not compare them to pigs and risk insulting the animals. No, men like that were the very reason why she had even learned to handle a blade in the first place. Though, fat lot of good it did her in this scenario.
Though her relief was threatened to be short lived when the man made to step between them, and Embry found herself reaching for the woman’s arm in alarm when the man cry as he fell and gripped his knee. Whatever had happened, he didn’t seem too pleased. But her savior, seemed to remark on the state of the cobblestones. She didn’t protest one bit at being led away, and once they were out of earshot released a breath of relief.
“I can’t possible thank you enough for coming to my aid back there. Please, might I know your name?” Embry asked with a raised brow, glancing to the woman and offering a polite dip of her head.
Post by Tallis Scorza on Aug 3, 2024 10:40:46 GMT -5
As if on instinct, when Embry took Tallis’s arm in panic, she pulled her close, at first not understanding that it was the falling man that prompted her but that perhaps it was another interloper that had startled her. But once the moment passed, Tallis released her and continued, keeping the men in the corner of her eye as they receded into the background. Once they were back within the safety of the open square, Tallis turned to her.
“Tallis Morand,” She replied, dipping in a touch of a bow the way a gentleman might with the ghost of a smirk on her lips, “But Tallis will do just fine. Are you alright?” Tallis did a once-over of Embry with her eyes as if to check for obvious signs of injury.