The Weight of the Crown

[Elle Joyner]

In Character Character Sheets

• [bg=#674036][bg=#FAFAFA]
  CHAPTER ONE​
  [bg=#EFD4A5]THE KING FALLS ILL
  
  The slash of his mouth hung in a frown beneath the grey of his beard, lips rusted from the last of his coughing fits. The pallor of his skin, a sickly pale yellow shown waxy in the candle light, and his eyelids twitched uneasily in his sleep. It had been fitful since early evening, his chest barely rising with every breath a ragged gasp, shuttering and hollow. An illness of the lungs, they called it.
  
  But Margery knew the truth. Poison. Poison had been his undoing, and the man responsible was the same one clasping the good king's hand.
  
  Irin Dantho, the king's advisor was a wicked sort, with hollow eyes reflecting the black of his soul. Margery had seen the man slipping the vial into his robes, while he sent up the king's tonic. She had watched in horror as the king fell ill. Hours left, the doctor said and already the vultures were circling. Emissaries from other kingdoms, arriving to pay their respects, or so they said. But even those with little understanding of politics understood what it meant when the king finally passed. Thornwild would be ripe for the picking... and not a single kingdom in the land of Ellemar would be able to resist the potential for power.
  
  "You there. Girl..." Irin's voice rose suddenly, out of the silence and Margery jumped, jolting towards the sound, "Fetch some wine."
  
  Why, or how the words came free she could not have guessed, but before she was able to stop herself, Margery heard the accusation fly from her lips in a frightful quiver, "You... you killed him."
  
  For a second, only a second, a flash of something passed over the advisor's face, his olive skin paling in the dim light. The moment passed and with a soft, quiet laugh, Irin shook his head, reaching out to press a palm to the back of Margery's hand. His touch was cold beneath his calloused skin, and while his expression remained passive, his grip was firm, almost painful.
  
  "Silly girl. It's only wine... Go on, now." He released her, and rubbing her hand, Margery turned to find the pitcher she'd left above the hearth.

  

  The King was dead. Fourteen hours after falling ill, with one final rattling exhale, he breathed his last. Poison had done him in, the culprit a young girl, a servant, barely fifteen. She was found in her room, the same vial used to taint the king's tonic still clasped in her hand, traces found on her lips. Whatever Margery's motive had been, no one could suspect, but one thing was clear. With no one within the kingdom fit to rule, Thornwild was an easy mark... [/bg]
  
  
  

  [bg=#EFD4A5] RULES​ [/bg] This is not the RP for the faint of heart. There will be an immense level of reading and writing, and a standard quality that will be enforced. The elements within the storyline will also be rather intense thematically and for this reason I would ask that you consider if you are able to devote the time and attention necessary before applying. Failure to comply with the rules or the posting structure/schedule will result in removal from the roleplay. This is a heavily detailed RP - I require at least three paragraphs per post and ONE post a WEEK- Anything less and you will receive a PM instructing you to edit. Failure to edit or requiring this warning more than three times may result in your dismissal. UTILIZE THE PM STRUCTURE: This is absolutely pivotal to the RP functioning. Failure to participate in plotting may result in removal from the RP. READ EVERYTHING: This is NOT optional. If I find out you're skimming/skipping, we will have words. 50% of RP is reading. Get used to it. Because of the unusual nature of this roleplay platform, I WILL require you to have at least some background in GMing (or a knowledge of your previous RP history). This is to ensure that you are a proper fit for the roleplay. For that reason, I require that your profile be visible. If your profile is NOT visible for public viewing, it MAY disqualify you from applying. Exceptions: If I have roleplayed with you in the past and/or been IN a roleplay of yours, this rule does not apply. I require at least TWENTY FOUR hour notice before any delays in posting - for instance, vacations or school work. Real Life comes first, absolutely, but if I don't know where you went, or when you'll be back, I can't prepare. Please be informative as possible. This also goes for if you just need a break in general. This is not the place for self-aggrandizement. Most of the characters involved will function as NPCs. This means that you may not get the spotlight in every scene. If you aren't comfortable occasionally being in the background, this isn't the roleplay for you. That said - also because of the way the roleplay is being run, there will be plenty of opportunity for exciting character developments, plot twists and turns. Please be prepared to offer idea - otherwise, you might miss out on some great stuff. Posts MUST be made in a THIRD PERSON/PAST TENSE format. I do not require BBCoding formatting, but it's welcome - provided it is readable (no light font on dark backgrounds or unreadable font-text please). In fighting among players is a big no. This is a group project and WILL require that you cooperate (including plotting) with everyone involved. I'm not asking that you be BFFs with the other players, but if I find you're refusing to communicate with someone, I will have to intervene. I get that personalities clash - part of my intentions for this RP are to ensure that my players all get along to the best of their abilities - but that may require some of you to 'be the bigger person'. There will be adult content - including violence, language and sexual situations. However as IWAKU rules apply and I have no age cap, there will be stipulations. All sexual situations are to be handled with extreme discretion (fade to black) - ERP is not permitted in the public thread. Language is to be kept to a bare minimum of three swear words per post (and those words MUST be historically appropriate). Anything involving over the top violence or gore may need to be altered or placed in a spoiler tag. As this is a medieval RP, I ask that you keep a cautious eye on anachronisms. I don't expect you to know the method of how bathrooms worked in medieval time periods, but please try to avoid modern references within your posts. ​

  [bg=#EFD4A5]KINGDOMS & PLAYERS[/bg] Cain'Loren: Elle Joyner Corvago: Leviathan Bastillos: Effervescent Marmor: Bone2pick Caeryth: Kencen Telra: Lakita Silvern: Rissa Glaen: Dusk

  ---

  ELLEMAR​
  

  CAIN'LOREN​

  Cain'loren is located South of the Seven Mountains, a sprawling kingdom, fortified by thick walls of white sandstone. The castle, Keep Loren, lies central, surrounded by the outlying village. The village is divided into districts, three, separated by arched gateways, each occupied by a small garrison of guards. The Northern District consists of a wealthier populace, the Eastern and Western Districts the less fortunate, with the most impoverished of citizens contained within a portion of the West known by most as The Hole. The land outside of the fortification is rife with crops and wildflowers, with a small forest to the east, largely populated by a rare breed of grey-coated deer, a prize for any hunter, though illegal to poach on without permission by the King. A wide canal runs around the outside and through the city's main center. Further north of the kingdom, within the base of the mountains lie the ruins of Keep Cain'parrel - the former sister city of Cain'loren.
  
  

  CORVAGO​

  Corvago is a small province with the majority of its population living in the large capital city, trade, seafood and turf being the principal means of acquiring wealth. The palace from which the Tyrant rules is located within the city. A large river cuts the city in half, with the lower part being noticeably more run-down and poorly kept. The area around the city is very wet, with numerous canals and dykes necessary to curb the river's annual floodings. This causes the city to have barely any fire problems but at the same time it suffers from a lot of disease within the poor districts. In Corvago wealth is everything, those who have will flaunt it at every opportunity, while those that lack it are trampled upon.
  
  

  BASTILLOS​

  Bastillos is an underground system of villages and cities with both natural and man-made tunnels connecting them. The main city, Lumin, acts as the center where all tunnels connect, and houses their queen within the castle Luminhold. Their caves are rich with natural flora, and some have even managed to bring in wildlife successfully into the underground. Lumin is fortified with Luminhold at the precipice of a tiered bastion. Many of the cavern villages and even Lumin connect to the surface through housing or tunnels. While Bastillos is mostly underground within the Mountain Span, they still hold the surface terrain for their farmland. Those that work the land have their dwellings connect to the surface, though their main housing still presides underground. Within Lumin presides many homes cut and built upon the cavern's natural spaces. A body of fresh water pools at the base and flows out through a system of underground waterways that eventually connects to the River Tal South of the Mountain Span. Lumin also carries a set of waterfalls to the east of the massive cave.
  
  

  CAERYTH​

  While Caeryth Kingdom has long since been an absolute monarchy, traditionally one nobleman (typically a Count's son or brother) and one elected commoner from each county serve on a senate and act as the king's advisors. Personal freedom is highly valued in Caeryth; slavery is considered barbaric. Petty criminals are sent to work, generally in the abundant silver and gem mines throughout the Kingdom, the length of their term decided based on the severity of the crime. Murderers are either put to death or exiled, by choice of the victim's family. Due to their heavy belief in freedom, purely political marriages are practically non-existent within Caeryth. Plural marriages are fairly common in Caeryth, especially among the nobility, though by law all parties already within the marriage must agree before a new partner is added.
  
  

  MARMOR​

  Four lakes surround the Prato Lago Palace; they shine like mirrors under the moonlight. In the rear (Eastern) yard an elaborate hedge maze spreads seemingly forever. And the southern yard carries the sweet wind that blows across the Cherry Orchard. All the while mounted Picarón teams ceaselessly patrol the area with sniffing water hounds. Inside the palace one could marvel at its Bracaran architecture, watch a play in its gothic theater, or dance the night away in its lavish ballroom. But the walls of the palace hold secrets. Hidden rooms and passages are tucked everywhere. And the Picaróns watch your every step. Note: The Prata Lago was built to be a beacon of beauty and mystery, not to withstand a proper castle siege.
  
  

  TELRA​

  The kingdom of Telra lies in the Westerm coasts of the continent, where the roaring tides meet the rocky shores of the beach. Although the capital city, Seastone Keep, is placed high among the cliffs overlooking the ocean, the rest of the populace prefer to live in other, more comfortable locations. The majority of the towns that play vassal to the King are situated along the coast - this, along with their many ports emphasize the importance of the sea to their lives. Many villages are made up of various shacks and huts on stilts over the water, but richer areas inland can afford to build wooden houses (and upkeep them). At any given time in the day, Telra has ships both docking in and leaving the shores. Deeper East Telra has towns that rely less on fishing and trade and instead choose to farm and raise livestock. Due to the ocean's salty water tainting the soil, crops are hard to grow and there are few villagers who choose to ignore this risk. Instead, many farmers opt to raise cows, goats, sheep, and pigs who seem to do decently. Though the number of farmers who live in-land are nothing to scoff at, the majority of Telra's wealth comes from the ocean. The borders of Telra are made up of the sea and the forests that have not yet been cleared out for farmland.
  
  

  SILVERN​

  The Silvern Kingdom lies east of the westernmost of the Seven Mountains. Its small towns and villages spraw up and down intertwined rivers and mountainous valleys. It is not a large kingdom, but it is a comfortable one. Townsfolk find work in the many silver mines, villagers farm and sustain the kingdom as best they can while others sail up and down the rivers, selling and trading goods. Silvernest is perched and built into Mount Tasiar. The castle looks down upon Looking Glass Lake, which was once a simple mountain tarn. Over the years, between long-lasting rainy seasons and excavation it has tripled in size. Due to its numerous waterfalls, Silvernest enjoys certain technological advances like plumbing and aqueducts.
  
  

  GLAEN​

  In the foothills to the west and slightly south of the westernmost mountain there is a lake surrounded on all sides by dense forest. This is where the kingdom of Glaen makes its home. Though the forest is expansive, the kingdom is less so; their people fear the depths of the forest and do not stray too far from the lake that serves as a focal point. The thickest woods, they say, hold the strangest things. Travel is not quick among all the trees, but a day in a two man canoe will carry you across the lake unless the wind is against you - but then, the trees usually break any wind. Among other things, Glaen is unnervingly still. ​

  [bg=#EFD4A5]FAQ[/bg]

  || FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ||​

  Questions are welcome - either via this thread, or PM :)

  
  
  

  CONFLICT The Ever Rising Tide​ FORMER IC POSTS CHARACTER SHEETS OUT OF CHARACTER "Canst thou, O partial sleep, give thy repose To the wet sea-boy in an hour so rude, And in the calmest and most stillest night, With all appliances and means to boot, Deny it to a king? Then happy low, lie down! Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown"​

  THORNWILD​ Thornwild: The largest of the nine kingdoms, taking up a large portion of Northeastern Ellemar, Thornwild was a force to be reckoned with, but with no leader and the throne up for grabs, it is uncertain what lies ahead for the Wilderen people. Trouble brews as well within the kingdom itself... a civil unrest a movement spurred by the People's Prince - a man of the peasants, whose convictions have made him a paragon for future leadership. Unfortunately, the council lead by Irin Dantho have determined Thornwild should be ruled by royal blood, leaving it's sovereignty up in the air, and Ellemar on the brink of war. Culture: Thornwild is a blend of rich, poor and everything in between. From lavish parties, to bawdy taverns, to a nearly militant slum, run by a band of thieves with no regard for human life. The kingdom, when Baronthorn was alive did very little to appease those who couldn't afford to repay their debt, and because of this abhorrent mistreatment, the peasants have staged numerous revolts, few with any success. Religion: A monotheistic culture, Thornwild is home to many churches and place sof worship, though only a certain class of society is permitted to attend. Priests are often present or officiators over all proceedings involving royalty. Geography: Thornwild is located in the eastern valley, largely surrounded by forests and grasslands. The climate is considered temperate, with a rainy season in late spring/early summer. Army: The Thornwild Army is a vast one, comprised of several strong militant structures. They specialize, in particular, in front attacks, aided by their large size. A private guard is employed to protect the king, though rumor exists that the current guard has loyalty placed elsewhere.​ ​

  ​

  ​

  ---

  KEY PLAYERS​

  ---

  
  

  Bronwyn Callister || 23 || A servant in the palace. The sister of Margery Callister, and the only one in Thornwild who believes her sister is innocent of the crimes posthumously charged to her.

  Jace Ore || 18 || The People's Prince. A stern believer in the Wilderen people and in the possibility for a better kingdom. A vigilante, known for going after those who prey on the innocent. His appearance and real name are as of yet, unknown.

  Irin Danthos || 42 || A man with a plan, wicked to his core. The former adviser to the late king - and a former member of the Thornwild Guard. Ruthless, offering no mercy to those who disobey Thornwild law...

  Rigor Goron || 30 || The army commander, a young man who rose swiftly in rank. Thought to be in league with... and often times mistaken for the People's Prince.

  Aeona Stavros || 15 || A ward of the king following the death of her father in a skirmish for land rights shortly after her birth. Unfit for the throne, but nevertheless left behind in the wake of the king's untimely death.

  Balmir Goron || 23 || The brother of Rigor Goron - a knight in the army, though considerably less driven than his brother. Balmir had dreams of leaving Thornwild and traveling the land, but was forced into service by his father.

  ​
  [/bg][/bg]
• 
  

  [bg=#674036]

  Cain'Loren​

  [/bg]

  
  

  -THE WEIGHT OF THE CROWN-​

  Kingdom Sheet​

  

  
  

  Cain'loren​

  [bg=#674036] BASICS​ CASTLE | RULER | LOCATION | Keep Loren Ordin & Aimera North East [/bg]

  
  

  

  
  
  

  [bg=#674036]CREST[/bg] [bg=white]The colors of the kingdom are a bold blue and gold, the central image that of a large and full tree, overlain by the emblem of a deer. [/bg]

  [fieldbox="WRITTEN APPEARANCE, #674036, dashed, 10"]

  Cain'loren is located South of the Seven Mountains, a sprawling kingdom, fortified by thick walls of white sandstone. The castle, Keep Loren, lies central, surrounded by the outlying village. The village is divided into districts, three, separated by arched gateways, each occupied by a small garrison of guards. The Northern District consists of a wealthier populace, the Eastern and Western Districts the less fortunate, with the most impoverished of citizens contained within a portion of the West known by most as The Hole. The land outside of the fortification is rife with crops and wildflowers, with a small forest to the east, largely populated by a rare breed of grey-coated deer, a prize for any hunter, though illegal to poach on without permission by the King. A wide canal runs around the outside and through the city's main center. Further north of the kingdom, within the base of the mountains lie the ruins of Keep Cain'parrel - the former sister city of Cain'loren.
  
  Culture: Cain'loren is ruled by the King, and beneath him, his eldest (living) son to whom the throne passes upon the king's death - this being the tradition since the kingdom's first ruler. The city is largely fertile, with a mass of wealth in agricultural trade. Social functions are a common thing among both the royal structure and the common citizens within the city - balls, feasts and festivals occurring year round and for all occasions, though the largest and most extensive is The Hunt - a festival centered around the annual royal hunting expedition. In consideration for these events, Cain'loren has a wide and impressive array of musical and culinary influence and is often revered for it's unusual cuisine. Fashion within Cain'loren is standard for the times, with wealth often displayed in finery crafted in the rare deer-hide the kingdom is known for and the possession of jewels - particularly those colored gems uncommonly brought to trade at Cain'loren's markets.
  
  Religious Structure: Cain'loren's church exists within the confines of the castle, but there are smaller factions of worship permitted within the city walls. The Bishop is often sought by the king for advice on political matters, as well as present at all functions, including weddings, consummations and the birth of children.
  
  Geography: Cain'loren has a broad seasonal structure and a rather temperate climate. Because of the city's proximity to the Seven Mountains, winters have been known to be quite harsh, but crops are stored throughout the year to prevent famine. The land is rich and well developed, tended by farmers inside and outside of the city walls. The canal, which runs through the center of the city, has a wide variety of fish, some of which appear to be native to the region and are commonly used in the unique fare.
  
  Pertinent History: For many years, Cain'loren stood as a pinnacle of power throughout Ellemar, due primarily to it's constant and unerring alliance with Cair'parrel. Roughly half a century before the current reign, however, war broke out between Cain'loren and it's sister kingdom Cair'parrel. The reason for the animosity is unknown to this day, but rumor has it a broken deal was the blame for the fall out. Cair'parrel, while possessing the higher ground was much less fortified, with a smaller and poorly trained army, and the city was sacked within days, never recovering. Those that survived and were willing to swear allegiance to Cain'loren's king were allowed refuge within Cain'loren, but at the expense of their wealth and pride, sentenced to extreme scrutiny and prejudice. Because of their poor treatment, there have been threats of rebellion among those remaining and those loyal to them, but their lack of numbers and strength have thus far deterred anything more than petty words and idle threats.​

  [/fieldbox]

  CONFLICT​ Roughly twenty years ago, it was also rumored that King Ordin fathered his fifth child with a mistress. While the child's parentage was never outrightly questioned, it had been the source of much hostility among the siblings and has caused much strife during public affairs. While greatly postulated as general gossip, it was once suggested that King Ordin murdered his older brother, Tomlin, in order to secure his position on the throne. Tomlin's death was ruled an accidental drowning in the city's canal, but suspicions arose due to Ordin's father's failing health.

  [bg=#674036] ARMY STATUS​ The Cain'loren army is a force to be reckoned with. Captained by the formidable Calin Farthsworn, every knight undergoes rigorous training before they're selected for duty. The army's combat strategy focuses mainly on envelopment tactics and preemptive frontal assaults.[/bg]

  

  
  

  MAJOR PLAYERS

  

  NAME:| Ordin Baelston​ ROLE:| King​ CLASS:|Monarch​ AGE:| 62​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Ordin is a stern looking man - his features sometimes thought to have been carved from stone. With dark brown hair, a full beard and expressive blue eyes, he stands impressively, even without the crown. Standing tall and narrow, but strong despite his age he's still quite capable. On his left hand, he is missing the very tip of his pinky finger. Traditionally, Ordin's wardrobe is highly ornamented by furs and rich tapestries of color and when occupying his throne, he wears a stunning crown of blue and white gold. Often, particularly in any instance where meetings with his equals are concerned, Ordin will wear thick leather gloves with padding in his pinky to cover up his injury.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Rising to the throne at a young age, following the assassination of his brother, and the death of his father from illness, Ordin learned well before his thirteenth birthday what it meant to rule. He married late, an arrangement with a neighboring kingdom. While gracious, it was also a loveless union, though not for lack of trying on Ordin's part. Despite his best efforts to woo his queen, Ordin was seen all too often in the company of a young village woman, promoting envy in his young bride that eventually turned to a frigid disposition. Regardless, the pair have quite a few children, though the maternity of at least one of his daughters has been frequently questioned, as Ordin has been known to stray, given to grief and arrogance over the coldness of his wife.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Aimera Baelston​ ROLE:| Queen Consort​ CLASS:|Monarch​ AGE:| 49​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Fair and delicate, Aimera looks precisely the way a queen ought to. Beautiful as the day she married the king, she nevertheless possesses a quality of coldness about her, reflected largely in her pale blue eyes and severity of her elegant, drawn features. Tall and lithe, she would stand a perfect partner to her husband, were it not for her abject disdain for the man written plainly on her face. Aimera wears the part of the queen well, in arraignments of fine linens, colorful and expensive. When in court, she wears a circlet of white gold.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  The eldest daughter of an ailing king, Aimera faced the difficulty of an arranged marriage to a much older man at the tender age of fourteen. When the man was killed, however, Aimera was certain that she had escaped her fate, but only for another two years. By sixteen, she was married off to King Ordin and found herself in an empty, loveless relationship with a man already fixated on a common woman. Bitterly jealous and determined to rise above her circumstances, Aimera became a fiercely motivated queen, pouring her passions into building a better Cain'loren.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Calin Farthsworn​ ROLE:| Captain​ CLASS:| Knight​ AGE:| 51​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Calin possesses the face of a man who has endured too much, for far too long. Once handsome, his visage is now marred by a violent scar, the origin of which is largely unknown. Long hair, dark and thick, hangs past his shoulders, intensely blue eyes the only true indication of his former aesthetic quality. Built to lead an army, Calin stands at impressive height, with a strong, broad physique. Calin is rarely seen in anything but a sturdy black leather, adorned lightly by the grey-hide of Cain'loren's famous game.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Rising in rank at a young age, Calin was not only Ordin's most trusted guard, but a dear friend. Unfortunately station and duty drove the pair apart and while Calin's loyalty is unquestioned there is a sense of tension between the two which speaks of a falling out. Calin nevertheless does his job and he does it well, training up the army within Cain'loren with all authority and drive for success. Calin can, at times, be ruthless, bearing scars not only on the outside, but deep within.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Crispin Baelston​ ROLE:| Crown Prince​ CLASS:| Monarch​ AGE:| 26​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  In appearance, Crispin takes after his mother in almost every way, from the delicate features to his pale coloring. Tall and lithe, he stands just over his father's head, adding an air of masculinity where his soft face otherwise deters. Crispin's wardrobe is most often comprised of the color blue, a well known indicator as his status as the crown prince.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Born the first child, Crispin's lot in life was determined early. As soon as he was able, he began training, preparing for his place on the throne. He was often seen as a stoic, quiet child and as he grew found something of a passive disposition. He takes his future role extremely seriously and in light of this, is something of a stickler for authority. The polar opposite of his brother, Crispin tends to be neat and orderly, and is often taken to fits of bashful awkwardness, particularly in the presence of the fairer sex.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Dansin Baelston​ ROLE:| Prince​ CLASS:| Monarch​ AGE:| 24​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Dark as his brother is fair, Dansin is an oddly severe young man, with a narrow, pinched features culminating in a long, hooked nose. His eyes and mouth bear a flat quality, though made considerably more pleasant by a warm, subtle air of mischief, a constant smile in his dark brown eyes. Long hair hangs to his shoulders, his built as narrow as his face, making him an inch taller than his brother. Dansin's wardrobe has a quality of effortlessness, ornamented only when necessary.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Never one to stand in the shadows, Dansin took well enough to his role as the second (and thereby irrelevant) son of the king. With no desire to rule, but nevertheless thoroughly enjoying the perks of his royal status, Dansin's life became a constant thread of decadent indulgence - an evergrowing source of frustration for his father.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Raenna Baelston​ ROLE:| Princess​ CLASS:| Monarch​ AGE:| 28​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Tall and regal, the eldest of the Baelstron children is a blend of mother and father - with the grace, poise and fairness of the queen and the steel fortitude of the king. Hair to her waist, a honeyed blonde, and eyes a deep blue, she is beauty and strength, but not without a sense of rigidness. Her wardrobe tends towards reds and violets, and always with the grey deer-hide, worn with a sense of pride for her father's kingdom.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Born to parents with very little affection for one another, Raenna knew little of love until her sixteenth birthday, when she met a young knight named Devon. In spite of knowing she was fated to marry another, Raenna and Devon devised to elope, but only a few days before their proposed plan was carried out, Devon was sent to the front line of a small skirmish with (ANOTHER KINGDOM), never to return. Raenna, unknowningly pregnant at the time of Devon's death miscarried a son and though she married again, she never recovered from the loss and unable to produce an heir was discarded by her husband.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Audra Baelston​ ROLE:| Prince​ CLASS:| Monarch​ AGE:| 22​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Fair and bright, Audra is elegant and refined. Though her features are slightly masculine, she is still quite pretty - largely attributed to the pale blue of her eyes and the constellation of freckles across her skin. Her hair, gold in hue runs to the middle of her waist and she normally wears it plaited. Her wardrobe angles towards brighter shades of blues and greens, with elements of gold.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Easily the most mildly tempered of her siblings, Audra has a tendency to blend into the background, getting lost in the fray of her family's dramatics. Currently Audra is betrothed to a prince from (ANOTHER KINGDOM).​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Rosleigh Baelston​ ROLE:| Princess​ CLASS:| Monarch​ AGE:| 16​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Rosleigh is as delicate as her mother, considerably pale and shadowed by constant illness. Her eyes, dark blue and narrow, her hair white-blonde, to the center of her back. Small and thin, she's a wisp of a thing, doted on by several ladies her mother insists follow her everywhere she goes. She often wears yellows and golds, or soft pinks and greatly enjoys the luxury of jewels and adornments.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  A difficult birth, Rosleigh is a frail, fragile creature, kept highly sheltered by her mother. Often ill, she's seen little of the world beyond the palace, but often dreams of it, growing increasingly more anxious for freedom as the years go on.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  
  

  MAIN CHARACTER

  

  [bg=#E5CB8E]

  HISTORY​

  NAME: Abrigel Braeston|| AGE: Twenty|| ROLE: Princess || SOCIAL CLASS: Monarch​

  
  

  The spare child. That's what they called her. Often in her life, Abrigel heard this particular moniker from many of her siblings, though the brunt of the animosity towards her came distinctly from the woman she called mother. Queen Amiera's outrage towards her second youngest was not difficult to figure out. The consequence of a father's love, misplaced in the arms of a common woman. Ordin took Abrigel in, but there was little question, at least for the Queen and her children that the red-headed young creature did not belong and it was a fact they have since made quite clear.
  
  Beyond the occasional eye of her father, Abrigel was raised primarily by a young nursemaid named Gretchen, a woman with a considerable conscience, and a heart for the young princess, grossly neglected by her family. Of her siblings, the most unfortunate treatment comes primarily from her brother Dansin and sister Audra - though Raenna and Rosleigh have partaken in the isolating indifference, Crispin being the odd exception - gracing Abrigel with a kindness befitting a future king.
  
  When Abrigel came of age, it was decided by her father (though greatly encouraged by the queen herself) that Abrigel would be suited to Wren Pavone, of Corvago, a match less than ideal for the timid, reserved young woman. Desperate to please her family, she made little protest, but as time began to run down, closer to the day of her wedding, Abrigel's anxiety increased exponentially, resulting in fitful dream and a heavy weight on her shoulders. While King Ordin has been careful to keep the information to himself, sworn to take it with him to his grave, there is more to Abrigel's past than even she's aware of.​

  [/bg]
  
  

  [dash=#B8904D] [bg=#674036] PERSONALITY​ [/bg] MAJOR STRENGTH: A fortitude and strength of character. MAJOR WEAKNESS: The desperate need to be accepted. Despite her unfortunate upbringing, Abrigel does her best to maintain a pleasant and warm disposition. She does what she can to make the most of her circumstances, and holds effectively to the belief that eventually she will be accepted among her siblings, even if she knows the queen will never consider her anything more than a nuisance. Well-loved by the villagers, Abrigel had many friends within the community outside of the palace, though to some degree these friendships do little to fill the hole within in - a need for family, for kinship and love. Often times, while her heart is in the right place, Abrigel makes decisions impulsively, an attempt to please and to` avoid conflict (however unsuccessful her attempts are).​ [/dash]

  [dash=#B8904D] [bg=#674036] POLITICS​ [/bg] Political leanings towards their kingdom and others.​ [/dash]

  [dash=#B8904D] [bg=#674036] FINER DETAILS​ [/bg] QUIRKS: When she's anxious, Abrigel twists her hair around her fingers. She enjoys being barefoot, despite the fact that it's known to put her nursemaid into quite a tizzy. PROCLIVITIES: A life of being told she was less-than has instilled in Abrigel a habit of self-deprecation. She'll accept the odd compliment, but generally she's hesitant to see herself as anything more than a unfortunate mistake and a bane on her family. SOFT SPOTS: Abrigel has a heart for those less fortunate, particularly the remaining survivors of the Cain'parrel massacre. She's been known to smuggle food and clothes from the castle to aid the refugees in the Western district.​ [/dash]

  
  

  

  MOUNT: Abrigel's mount is a dapple grey yearling she's named River - a feisty, but fiercely loyal horse, partially blinded in one eye from an accident in the stables. WEAPON(s): N/A

  APPEARANCE​ Abrigel is a blend, in heart and appearance, of fire and steel. Her most intriguing feature is easily her most controversial - a crown of brilliant red hair, which hangs down to her waist, thick coiled curls, a vibrant contrast to the blondes and brunettes of her siblings. The color, she knows, of her mother's hair. Her face is a fine mask of porcelain, pale and clear, with fine, narrow features and wide, bright eyes a deep, radiant blue. Her lips curve upwards in a serene smile, exhibiting the warmth of her character. Her form is small and lean, her waist marginally more narrow than her bust and hips, long arms and legs meeting delicate hands and feet. Her wardrobe is simple, a considerable dissimilarity from her brothers and sisters, who are often richly robed in luxurious attire. This, as she'll attest to, is a personal choice - preferring not to draw attention to herself, unnecessarily. Her only ornamentation is a necklace, a gold charm - the only thing she has from her birth mother.​

  
  
  

  [bg=#674036]

  Corvago​

  [/bg]

  -THE WEIGHT OF THE CROWN-​

  Kingdom Sheet​

  

  
  

  Corvago​

  [bg=#674036] BASICS​ CASTLE | RULER | LOCATION | The Nest Machevolo Ombra East Coast [/bg]

  
  

  

  
  
  

  [bg=#674036]CREST[/bg] [bg=white]Corvago's colours are muted gray and black, it's crest a simple diamond shape. [/bg]

  [fieldbox="WRITTEN APPEARANCE, #674036, dashed, 10"]

  Corvago is a small province with the majority of its population living in the large capital city, trade, seafood and turf being the principal means of acquiring wealth. The palace from which the Tyrant rules is located within the city. A large river cuts the city in half, with the lower part being noticeably more run-down and poorly kept. The area around the city is very wet, with numerous canals and dykes necessary to curb the river's annual floodings. This causes the city to have barely any fire problems but at the same time it suffers from a lot of disease within the poor districts. In Corvago wealth is everything, those who have will flaunt it at every opportunity, while those that lack it are trampled upon.
  
  Culture: Corvago could accurately be described as a cesspool of corruption and nefarious machinations. It has such a long history of political assassinations and coup d'états that none of its past rulers over the last few hundred years have died a natural death. Crime is such an absolute part of daily life that citizens and nobility alike have developed a strange tolerance towards it. Gang leaders are treated as folk heroes on their own turf, political assassinations are both usual and expected in court life, and a particularly skillful heist brings more applause than it does outrage. Many criminal organizations maintain barely-veiled public offices in the marketplaces. Where virtually everything can be bought and sold, from exotic narcotics to indentured servants. The city has an incredulously wealthy upper class, and as such there are plenty of sponsors for aspiring artists, scribes and inventors. The nobility likes to think of itself as the trendsetter of fashion across the continent. The royal line has long since been expunged, and the remaining nobility continuously scheme against each other for control over the country, even when each new tyrant has met their untimely demise sooner than the one before him. The latest ruler, Machevolo Ombra, is a notable exception to the usual tyrants mostly by the fact that he's still alive after several years of office. His reign is heavily focused on tolerance, allowing virtually anything that doesn't directly harm him or Corvago.
  
  Religious Structure: Corvago is not a place that actively cultivates the belief in benevolent deities, but that doesn't mean there are no temples to be found. Various temples both large and small of many different beliefs litter the city. The country has no official state religion, and per Ombra's usual tolerance no manner of worship is explicitly forbidden. Historically the natives adhered to the belief in spirits, but little of that practice remains today.
  
  Geography: A large part of the land lies close to sea, giving the country easy access to trade routes. The rest of the nation is mostly swamp, although a lot of it has been drained to create farmland. Various large rivers meet the sea here.
  
  Pertinent History: Many years ago Corvago was still a kingdom, and surprisingly peaceful one at that. The royal family kept the more ambitious nobles in check, and ensured that the public institutions were free of corruption. However that ended with the assassination of King Cormorant and the ascendance of his daughter Robin to the throne. Whether it was the stress of ruling, the shock of losing her father or a previously unknown mental defect is not clear, but within a few years the queen had gone completely insane. Paranoid about further assassination, the queen refused to leave her quarters under any circumstances, leading to an eventual breakdown of government as nothing kept corruption in check. Her former advisers were sent to the gallows one after the other, each one accused of a more outlandish plot against her majesty. It became so bad that Robin even turned against her own children and extended family, leading to an extensive pruning of the royal family tree. By this time the surviving nobles were more than done with the mad queen, and instead choose to leave her be inside of her chambers while they elected one of their own as steward to the nation, a nation they immediately proceeded to drain dry of wealth. The rule of the Mad Robin ended when her servants stopped coming to her rooms after she starting to execute them for suspected food poisoning, turning the quarters she so desperately refused to leave into the last queen of Corvago's tomb. After the end of the royal line the nobles made the position of steward official, although in practice the 'elected' noble was little more than a tyrant who had succeeded in dispatching all of his rivals to the throne. Mad Robin had the last laugh though, as each tyrant after her slowly succumbed to the same paranoid dread that had consumed her, only for them to be assassinated and replaced by the next.​

  [/fieldbox]

  CONFLICT​ Assassinations, attempted coup d'états and political subterfuge are almost a daily occurrence in Corvago's upper echelons of society. For years corruption has been allowed to fester in nearly ever branch of government and it is only recently that it is beginning to be addressed by Ombra's rulership. The common folk have no choice but to live with that corruption, as well as a vibrant criminal underground and poor living conditions. Having said that, things have started to get better in recent years, if only slightly, giving many hope that the worst is behind them. There is a conflict brooding between the ancient nobility and the up-and coming bourgeoisie. As merchants and craftsmen start to acquire more wealth, they start to resent being looked down upon by the old money nobles. The nobles for their part feel that their traditional enterprises are being invaded by upstart commoners, and dislike this loss of monopoly. Not all of the remaining noble families are content with the status quo, foremost of which is the Pavone family, the oldest and richest noble family in Corvago. The Pavones trace their lineage back to the country's founding, and the family has multiple connections to the extinct royal line. Of all the noble families left the Pavones may hold the strongest claim to the defunct throne of Corvago, a fact they never let anyone forget. Throughout the years various Pavones have taken their turn as Tyrant of Corvago, but none of them survived long enough to reestablish the nation as a kingdom. The latest generation, the twin brother and sister Wren and Swan, are determined to make the next attempt stick, but for that the current Tyrant has to 'retire' first.

  [bg=#674036] ARMY STATUS​ There is a guard force that is tasked with maintaining order all over the country, but Corvago doesn't employ a standing land-based army, preferring instead to employ assassins and mercenaries in times of crisis. However, it's navy is very developed, in direct response to the necessity of defending merchant ships from pirate attacks, although a significant number of the navy's officers used to be pirates themselves. The guard force of Corvago has for years been just as much of a hive of corruption as the rest of the nation, but recently efforts have been made the restructure it as an actual police force. The newly minted Gray Guard is still in it's infancy, but it is already more competent that its predecessor.[/bg]

  

  
  

  MAJOR PLAYERS

  

  NAME:| Machevolo Ombra​ ROLE:| Tyrant​ CLASS:| Noble​ AGE:| 56​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  A tall and skinny man. Ombra is in possession of black hair and an immaculately kept beard. He has cold eyes and rarely shows any emotion on his face. He has never been seen wearing anything but black clothes of a simple yet high quality design.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Not much is known about Machevolo Ombra's early life. The sole scion of the Ombra noble family, he disappeared from the public eye after graduating with honours from university. It wasn't until years later that he resurfaced, which followed closely after a series of brutal assassinations amongst the nobility, allowing Ombra to seize power as Tyrant. Some rumors claim he himself worked as an assassin during his absence, while others claim he spend the time in foreign countries establishing connections. Whatever the truth, Ombra has since entrenched himself deeply into the seat of power. It is notable that for a Tyrant he doesn't really do many tyrannical things, if you don't count extensive espionage and regular assassinations, which most Corvagons indeed wouldn't. He usually directs his attention to the little things that keep a country running, instead of any overly ambitious undertaking. An exception being the reformation of the Gray Guard, as well as the steady but barely noticeable deconstruction of the nobility's influence.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Victoria Custodum​ ROLE:| Captain​ CLASS:| Grey Guard​ AGE:| 34​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Victoria is tall and muscular, with dark hair and gray eyes. She has a multitude of shallow scars over her body and face, but nothing that seriously impedes her movement.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Born to immigrants in the capital city of Corvago, Victoria was the rarest of things: a believer in justice. Even when she was part of the obligatory street gang as a kid she kept pushing herself and her friends to be better people than the other gangs, something that made her popular with the weak but earned her animosity from the bigger, stronger kids, which in turn led to street brawls more often than not. As soon as she was old enough she joined the then-hopelessly corrupt city guard. To say that being an honest female copper in such an organisation was a challenge is an understatement, and Victoria's mental and physical fortitude was tested time and time again by her superiors. This went on for many years, until Victoria's struggles caught the eye of the Tyrant. Ombra saw use in a guard who actually cared about doing her job, and he saw to it she was promoted to captain as well as putting her in charge of restructuring the guard force. A job that will likely take a lifetime to complete. Victoria can be seen as the bright star in the sludge that is Corvago. Incorruptible and unbreakable, with a strong sense of justice. Naturally this has led to regular attempts on her life, but so far she has survived them all. She opposes many of her city's more unsavory elements and merchandise, particularly the toleration of indentured servitude, which in Corvago basically amounts to slavery. But the very law she enforces limits what she can do about it.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Grigio Barba​ ROLE:| Admiral​ CLASS:| Cormorant Navy​ AGE:| 61​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  An old man with a thick grizzled beard. Based on his notoriety people usually assume him to be taller, and are quite surprised that the real Barbia is well below average height. He walks with a noticeable limp in his right leg, and his left hand is badly burnt and has trouble stretching fully.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  For many years Grigio Barbia instilled fear in the hearts of sailors as the most ruthless pirate on the seas. His seemingly endless ambition and cunning earned him many victories against the kingdoms' warships and propelled him to be in command of a small fleet of pirate ships. Over the years the pirate lord's ambition waned, and he grew weary of the outlaw life. He was just about ready to retire when he received a most unusual message. The Tyrant of Corvago offered him a full pardon in exchange for aid in [some war]. Feeling he had nothing to lose, Barbia accepted. The old pirate turned out to be a better naval tactician than any of Corvago's officers, and by the end of the conflict Barbia had become indispensable to the Corvogan navy. Feeling he could could get rid of a ruthless pirate lord and gain a capable officer at the same time, Ombra offered him the position of admiral.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Dario Passeri​ ROLE:| Tyrant Majordomo​ CLASS:| Noble​ AGE:| 68​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Dario is an older man with a short, round stature and a prominent mustache. His round and sweaty face seems to consist of permanently engraved laugh lines, furthering his appearance as an exceptional jolly man. Despite, or may be because off his mediocre natural looks Dario has cultivated an impeccable sense of style and charm. Proving that with enough confidence, wit and fashion sense anyone can be a ladies' man.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Dario Passeri is the third child of a less powerful noble family. As such he was never really expected to inherit anything and was mostly left to his own devices. Dario used that freedom to drink, party and shop all over the country, at least until his family threatened to cut him off if he kept wasting money. Now forced to actually work to support his lavish lifestyle, Dario started working for the government as a simple clerk. He proved to be very good at it, but the dull procedures bored him out of his mind. At least until he started to use his court-connections to make his job easier. His silver tongue and harmless appearance allowed him to get information that even senior bureaucrats had difficulty finding, and it wasn't long until his information network grew along with his influence. Many years later Passeri is one of the most influential people in Ombra's government in practice if not in name. On paper he just works as the Tyrant's majordomo, high enough to get invited to all the parties but not so much that lesser minds instantly grasp his influence. By now he doesn't really need the money anymore and could retire anytime he wished, he continues because the game of manipulation has become like a fun game to him.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Wren Pavone​ ROLE:| Heir​ CLASS:| Noble​ AGE:| 24​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  A handsome young man in peak condition thanks to regular combat training since a young age. Although care was given to never actually scar the young scion during practice.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Together with his twin sister Wren is heir to the oldest and richest noble family in Corvago. From the moment of his birth the twins were raised with the idea that the empty throne was their families' birthright, even their names are a reflection of the style the royals named their children. It went so far that neither twin was named the official heir of the noble house, their parents fully expecting one of them to take up the Tyrant title and restore the kingdom. The young man Wren is a spoiled and arrogant brat even by noble standards, which is all the more infuriating to his fellows due to his overwhelming talent in everything he attempts. Be it dueling, equestrianism or dancing.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Swan Pavone​ ROLE:| Heiress​ CLASS:| Noble​ AGE:| 24​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  As beautiful as only someone who spends nearly every waking moment on her appearance can be. Swan knows a woman's looks are everything in Corvago's high society, and as such is always dressed in the latest fashion. All that effort pays off, as she is widely regarded as the most beautiful lady in the land.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Together with her twin brother Swan is heiress to the oldest and richest noble family in Corvago. Swan is the epitome of a socialite, using her looks and influence to completely dominate any formal event she attends. She makes it her business to know everyone who is anyone on both the national and international scene, though none of them are as important as Swan herself. There is some friction with her brother over which of the two will be Tyrant and which will be the next head of the house, but so long as the current Tyrant and their father are both still alive the two work together.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Torren Pavone​ ROLE:| Patriarch​ CLASS:| Noble​ AGE:| 76​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  A skinny old man with a hard face and even harder eyes. Always dressed in the latest fashion and highest quality clothing, but from a glance anyone can tell that he merely picked the most expensive clothing he could find, not what would actually suit him.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  BRIEF HISTORY: As patriarch of the Pavone family, Torren Pavone has an unquestionable belief in his family's superiority. He lords over commoners and 'lesser' nobles alike with his overwhelming sense of superiority, and dominates his own family to uphold the Pavone name and legacy. He had an older brother that succeeded in becoming the Tyrant, but the assassination of him and all of his children saw Torren become head of the family instead. Nevertheless he will not rest until the Pavones succeed in their century-long goal of restoring the Corvago monarchy, with them on the throne, of course.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Kaervek the Merciless​ ROLE:| Mercenary​ CLASS:| Commoner​ AGE:| 32​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  A grizzled veteran with an unkempt appearance and a permanently wild look in his sunken eyes. He bears the scars of countless battles as well as the effects born from years of forced labour.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  For as long as he could remember young Kaervek wanted to be knight, to defeat evildoers and save princesses. His commoner status made knighthood impossible, but he joined the army at the earliest opportunity. The [kingdom's] army wasn't as glamorous as he hoped, but he liked the discipline of military life and he showed much promise in the infantry. That all changed when one night, he caught his captain raping a girl. Like a true hero, he tried to save the girl and fought his superior, however reality did not go as a storybook. The captain swiftly beat him, and he was court-martialed. When he tried to explain his reasons, they brought in the girl for testimony. Unbeknownst to Kaervek, the captain had threatened the girl, so it came as a shock to him when the girl pointed at him as the rapist. Convicted of assault of a superior officer and rape Kaervek was sentenced to slave labour in the mines [or something equally bad] for 10 years. When he came out, the young idealist was no more, what was left was the broken shell of a man, seemingly stripped of all compassion and remorse. Now Kaervek travels the world, making money the only way he knows how, fighting and killing as a sellsword.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Valencio Celtello​ ROLE:| Assassin​ CLASS:| ??​ AGE:| 40​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  A mysterious hooded man with black hair and black eyes, lending him an intimidating presence. Though he's actually quite handsome when not looming menacingly in the background.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  An independent assassin, working for whomever pays him. Is considered to be one of the best due to his efficiency and discretion, naturally this also makes him one of the most expensive. Has recently been hired by Telra grasslanders for a much lower fee than he usually asks for.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Adrian Linetti​ ROLE:| Polymath​ CLASS:| Commoner​ AGE:| 26​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Adrian's youthful appearances belittles the depth of inspiration that goes on within his head. His everyday demeanor usually appears sloppy, the artist not bothering with or even unaware of his physical appearance.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Every noble family in Corvago worthy of the moniker acts as the patron of at least one artist and/or scholar. Even the proud and ruthless Pavone family provides for the livelihoods of various men and women of talent and skill, if only to show them off. Foremost of these talents is Adrian Linetti, a youth already considered to be a true genius across the country. Linetti's range of interests include painting, poetry, philosophy, naturalism, chemistry and physics. Despite his genius he is incredibly absent-minded, and possesses an innocence unheard of in Corvago.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  
  

  MAIN CHARACTER

  

  [bg=#E5CB8E]

  HISTORY​

  NAME: Raven|| AGE: Twenty-three|| ROLE: Assassin/Spy|| SOCIAL CLASS: Commoner​

  
  

  Born in the slums of Corvago, the nameless orphan girl was a member of one of the nastier street gangs. Her skill and intelligence made her more than a match for the older, bigger kids in the gang, and she soon became the leader. Under her supervision the gang quickly grew in boldness and had even started to challenge the territory of adult criminals.
  
  This changed when she got betrayed by one of her underlings and was caught by the guards during a heist. However, instead of being hanged, she was brought before the Tyrant. He claimed to have heard of this gifted gang leader and that he saw potential in her. Too much of it to waste it on the gallows. So he gave her an offer to discard her old identity and be trained as one of his personal agents. Faced with either death or servitude, the girl choose the latter.​

  [/bg]
  
  

  [dash=#B8904D] [bg=#674036] PERSONALITY​ [/bg] MAJOR STRENGTH: Acting MAJOR WEAKNESS: Identity Crisis Usually Raven is a brash and confident troublemaker. Rebellious against authority and stubborn to a fault. This changes when she takes on a role, be it a spoiled noblewoman or a humble servant. Whatever emotion brews below the surface, she will play her assigned part perfectly. This is similar when on assignment, she may complain loudly when receiving a kill order, but during the execution she'll remain calm and composed. Lately this has led to her fearing for her own identity, she wonders if she is losing her true self amongst the multitude of personas she has developed, or even if she ever had a true self at all.​ [/dash]

  [dash=#B8904D] [bg=#674036] POLITICS​ [/bg] In service to the Tyrant of Corvago. Although initially forced into service, she has since come to develop genuine loyalty towards the enigmatic ruler. How strong that loyalty truly is remains to be seen.​ [/dash]

  [dash=#B8904D] [bg=#674036] FINER DETAILS​ [/bg] Despite being a servant to the Tyrant, Raven displays a distinctive anti-authoritarian streak. She doesn't really see nobles as any different from commoners with wealth, possibly stemming from her regularly posing as one or the other. She has a peculiar -some might even say dark- sense of humour, which coupled with a complete indifference to killing might set some people on edge. She has a soft spot for animals, in particular large and vicious-looking beasts, which she fondly gives cute nicknames.​ [/dash]

  
  

  

  MOUNT: A large and extremely aggressive warhorse, inappropriately named Cuddles WEAPON(s): Daggers and recurve bow, poison

  APPEARANCE​ Raven has been trained extensively in the art of disguise, and as such her appearance can vary wildly depending on her current job. Without make-up she looks like an average young woman in good shape, but not overly muscular. She's a natural blonde, but she dyes it a different colour nearly every other week. She's also hetero-chromatic, but this is similarly disguised most of the time.​

  [/tr][/table]

  
  
  

  [bg=#674036]

  Bastillos​

  [/bg]

  -THE WEIGHT OF THE CROWN-​

  Kingdom Sheet​

  

  
  

  Bastillos​

  [bg=#674036] BASICS​ CASTLE | RULER | LOCATION | Luminhold Queen Imeen Central Mountains [/bg]

  
  

  

  
  
  

  [bg=#674036]CREST[/bg] [bg=white]n earthen tones of brown and gold, the crest is that of Fandol's Arch; the most iconic symbol when entering the capital. [/bg]

  [fieldbox="WRITTEN APPEARANCE, #674036, dashed, 10"]

  Bastillos is an underground system of villages and cities with both natural and man-made tunnels connecting them. The main city, Lumin, acts as the center where all tunnels connect, and houses their queen within the castle Luminhold. Their caves are rich with natural flora, and some have even managed to bring in wildlife successfully into the underground. Lumin is fortified with Luminhold at the precipice of a tiered bastion. Many of the cavern villages and even Lumin connect to the surface through housing or tunnels. While Bastillos is mostly underground within the Mountain Span, they still hold the surface terrain for their farmland. Those that work the land have their dwellings connect to the surface, though their main housing still presides underground. Within Lumin presides many homes cut and built upon the cavern's natural spaces. A body of fresh water pools at the base and flows out through a system of underground waterways that eventually connects to the River Tal South of the Mountain Span. Lumin also carries a set of waterfalls to the east of the massive cave.
  
  Culture: Being mostly underground, Bastellosi people find themselves safe and far above in status than the surface dwellers. The entire kingdom is like a hive of underground tunnel systems linking to the main city where Luminhold rests. While many have housing that reaches to the surface, these are mostly farmers and herders as they found their livestock and plants could not flourish as well underground. However, they do cultivate an ecosystem underground that inadvertently aids as a natural air filtration system. These are considered "gardens" and is a staple item in this underground society. Each establishment, whether it be a home or a business, is required to cultivate their own gardens with approved flora that is known to thrive well in their cavernous soils. Plots vary by the size of the property owned. It is known that Luminhold has the most wondrous garden in all of Bastellos. Fashion and artistry are important to the society, almost as much as science. Their architecture expands upon the typical practical aesthetics as they built their structures within the cavern walls in open concepts. Insect wings are a common motif seen throughout their culture. Being underground, they do not have to fully regard the concepts of fading or weather. Due to the nature of their chosen dwelling, they prefer to brighten the atmosphere with vibrant fabrics to offset their jewelry and metalwork. They are a very clean people and have bath houses and indoor plumbing. Bastellos is a society filled with technological advancements for their era. Plumbing and irrigation are two major advancements allowing for a cleaner environment. Unfortunately where medicine is concerned, they are lacking. Being underground especially has its downsides in regards to health. And while they house some of the most intelligent minds, it is either due to lack of comprehension or resources that places them at the same level as the rest in Ellemar. There is a hierarchy of caste in place dividing the people between levels of wealth, power, and importance. This places most of the wealthy within the capital with only a handful of Lords, Dukes, and other nobility scattered throughout their intricate system. The middle and upper classes outside of the main cavern preside in either other smaller caverns or within homes that reach the surface to provide fresh air and sunlight. The poor are often left in hovels and holes without proper lighting, or in shacks around villages. The lighter the skin, the more likely they are poor. However, the darker skinned are usually middle class as they are more likely to traverse the surface. Due to this, skin tone doesn't necessarily define social caste so much as fashion and adornments. Their culture is very work oriented. Everyone has tasks set to them by their lineage, and titles are given based on merit. Any title given has to be petitioned to the queen and approved down to the smallest of positions. This was set hundreds of years ago to offset the rise of assassinations and is still met with mixed feelings. Common work among Bastellosi citizens include: mining, metal work, agriculture, jewelrycrafting, ranchers, soldier. Mining covers a substantial portion of middle class work as not only can it be specifically for uncovering precious metals and gemstones both common and rare, but it can be to carve new tunnels to expand the underground kingdom.
  
  Religious Structure: Religion is a common practice among those in Bastillos. Churches are prevalent in many of their cluster cities and defines their moral system and overall outlook. They believe in one god as the creator of all life, and believe in a split afterlife of those who are good and those who are bad.
  
  Geography: Being that the main city is within a giant cavern within the mountains, all other settlements are connected via tunnel systems both natural and man made. There are thousands of entrances and exits both through main tunnels and through farm homes and stair outlets. There are also tunnels specifically designed to either bring in light, fashioned with a system of mirrors, or to bring in air. The air is propelled by fans to which workers are assigned in shifts.
  
  Pertinent History: Slavery has only been abolished for almost 200 years. Bastillos has suffered many civil wars due to poor living conditions which fortunately advanced their way of life considerably for all. Land wars were substantial and frequent as many believed the surface was ripe for the taking. This led to the advancement of their golden army that could now be considered a force to be reckoned with. Bastillos land was once known as the Kingdom of Nimyr ruled by Mad King Thasos. His reign was notoriously violent, eventually causing a revolt that led to nearly the entire society being wiped from the lands. Many fled. Bastillos was founded by a queen long ago who felt the safest place to protect her people from a fabled tyrant was to build their society back but under the protection of the Bastillos, The Great Mountain. And thus Lumin was settled and thrived in secret for a decade as the queen built back her army from the ashes of former depravity. The ruins of Nimyr still remain on the surface, but are ancient and overgrown with the dense surrounding wildlife.​

  [/fieldbox]

  CONFLICT​ The Fallthane Massacre - formerly the second largest city in Bastillos, Fallthane fell under siege by an unknown force. Every citizen was found brutally murdered in their homes, but everything else was untouched. The tunnels leading into Fallthane have been caved in not only to respect the dead, but out of fear, for the reason and cause for the massacre is still unknown to this day. Heirless – Queen Imeen has no heir for the throne as she has sired no children. While she was married for nearly a decade, any child she birthed was stillborn or miscarried. No one is sure if Imeen can have children, but it is feared. Many believe that without a Queen Bastillos will collapse. The Assassination of Prince Jorad - formerly married to Queen Imeen, Jorad of [insert volunteered other kingdom here] was assassinated on his way through the Tunnels of Mornam Dun. The assassin is still at large, though believed to be one of their own. There are many speculations as to why someone would want to murder Jorad, but there are those that believe the real target was Imeen. The Great Revolution - Long ago, the slaves and many of the middle class rose up against their masters and killed nearly all the rich and beheaded the former queen due to injustices. The queen's daughter, Imeen's great grandmother, secretly fronted the revolution in secret, promising the slaves and middle class that if she were queen she would give them a better life. Since then, her children have been taught to uphold the values and enforce it with a strong hand. It is felt that the rich are too few in number or too afraid to fight against what they aren't fond of, even to this day.

  [bg=#674036] ARMY STATUS​ The Bastillosi army is large and quite strong. They are very regimented and recruit from any caste as a means to show they are as one. Once within the ranks, they take a vow to remove their prejudices, and while there are still struggles with oppression, they are the largest body of Bastillosi that function and work together as a whole. Those within the army are held in high regard, though many of the rich feel it is muddied with the lower caste and fear their poor will weaken their best protectors. The Bastillosi army is known to wear glistening colors of silver and gold.[/bg]

  

  
  

  MAJOR PLAYERS

  

  NAME:| Imeen Lorani​ ROLE:| Queen​ CLASS:| Monarch​ AGE:| 28​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Imeen is a vision of beauty for her people, though in most public appearances her face is partially concealed. Her eyes are a deep, bright blue, and her skin like porcelain lightly dusted with flecks of a golden hue. Her dark brown hair is often unseen, but when without the confines of fabric it cascades down her back in a mess of waves.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Imeen was the first and only daughter of Queen Salvette Lorani, arguably Bastillos's most favored queen since Queen Rosel; the one that spearheaded the revolution that changed Bastillos for the better. Imeen has felt the pressure from her people to live up to the standards her mother and great grandmother presented to the society, and due to this has been living under a grand shadow. Her mother reigned over Bastillos for decades until she died at age 54 leaving 17-year-old Imeen as the rightful heir. Her father serves as a general in the army. She has three brothers, all of which no longer preside within Lumin. Her marriage was soon after her crowning per her father's advisement. It was not only to unite two kingdoms, but to provide another future queen so that Bastillos could carry on in their current state. The prince's death was met with many rumors, one of which was that Imeen herself hired the assassin to entice a war.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Ernestt Davroste​ ROLE:| General​ CLASS:| Knight​ AGE:| 56​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Enestt is a weathered man with an aging face lines with stress and concern. His once brown hair is now peppered and graying considerably as it falls to shoulder length in a thinning mess. His frame still carries the build of a fighter, though in his age he no longer carries the muscle tone or finesse as in his prime. It does not help that he has spent most of the past decade in Luminhold, stagnant in comparison to his former duties. He still carries himself stoic, strong, and composed, and to that many are unaware of just how far his aging has come.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Enestt is the father of Queen Imeen. He was once the Earl of Astal, a natural cavern city known for having an open sky location prone to flooding and overgrowth. His betrothal to the late Queen Adra Lorani was not anticipated due to the man's residency within the less favorable locations. Adra would visit often, rather smitten with the Earl, and decided to marry him within a year of courtship. The kingdom found it odd, but non the less accepted it as it would continue the tradition of giving Bastillos a pure heir. He was happy to be accepted as their king. He fathered three sons and a daughter with her. He, however, did not like being placed as King Regent upon Adra's death. Enestt only accepted as it was his wife's wish. As soon as their daughter was ready, he happily gave over the responsibilities. During his reign as King Regent, citizens of Bastillos reluctantly accepted him as it had been since their inception that they had not been under the rule of a man. Enestt now serves as a general in the Bastillosi army and advises on the Royal Council.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Laballa Sola​ ROLE:| Hand of the Queen​ CLASS:| Noble​ AGE:| 34​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Laballa is a singular woman of mysticism and grace. While blind, she carries herself just like one with sight, and is often said to be able to look through to one's soul. Her blond, curly hair is kept long, her head often adorned with fine metalwork and headdresses common among nobility.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  No one knows the origins of Laballa Sola, though few seem to question it openly. No one bears the name of Sola in Bastillos, and no noble has ever seen her before she was named the Hand of the Queen by Imeen. Due to the chilling nature of the woman and her placement beside the queen, most fear her. But the fear is founded in more than just rumors and superstition. Laballa is known for her clairvoyance, which has had an eerie accuracy. She can see into a person's life and pluck out premonitions and predictions. Sometimes she can even see their fears and memories. It is likely why Imeen chose her as her Hand. They are always seen together for official matters.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Allarith Moraus​ ROLE:| Captain​ CLASS:| Knight​ AGE:| 36​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  His chestnut brown hair falls to shoulder length in a bit of a mess adorned with signs of early aging in the form of streaks of grey. His face shows signs of constant concern or worry as the creases of his brow are far more prominent than the budding crows feet at his bright eyes. His lower lip sits at a natural pout despite the corners of his lips being slightly upturned. His nose is the most prominent feature as it sticks out from his profile far more than would be considered aesthetically pleasing to those in Lumin. His is built athletically and stands slightly taller than the average Bastillosi.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Allarith grew up in the secluded cavern village of Montgrove. There are only three major tunnels leading out from the cavern with the nearest settlement to them being three miles away. Due to this, trade routes never pass through the village, and it often went untouched until they discovered a gold mine. The village population has yet to exceed 60. Allarith is the fifth child out of eight. His father was a minor and his mother the local healer. Growing up, he and the local children were tasked with replenishing the torches within the tunnels, all of which only went a mile out. It was another reason why many did not travel to Montgrove as there was just too much space where they would be left in darkness with only their own torch to light the way. When the gold mine was discovered, it forced trade to open to Montgrove. Despite having a mine full of a precious metal, Montgrove was not given any protection against bandits and thrives. They became a prime bounty for miscreants and attracted the eye of a notorious gang known as the Serpent's Coil. Allarith is known for single handedly taking down the bandits. While the story may vary, and even carry into legend, it earned him a place as Captain of the Queen's Guard. He now presides in Luminhold.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Riven Lore​ ROLE:| Ward​ CLASS:| Noble​ AGE:| 17​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Riven carries the face of a woman yet to mature, and to this she often looks younger than she really is. Her dark hair flows just past her shoulders, and unlike many of her kin, her eyes are a deep brown hue. Full lips are almost constantly downturn. Her figure is fit and tone for a noblewoman.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Riven came under the care of Queen Imeen just after the untimely death of her father; the former Captain of the Queen's Guard. Imeen felt directly responsible for his death, as it was the assassination attempt that killed her late husband. She was close to her father, and thus chose to bring her in rather than to leave her with nothing. Riven was the only child of Caspen and Liana Lore. Liana died during childbirth with their second child. The two were of the common folk, but worked hard to give Riven a happy life. Despite this, she had a tendency to rebel, often going out for days at a time to explore as she wishes to reject her future. This led to guilt in knowing she took her parents for granted.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  NAME:| Ashiver​ ROLE:| Bounty Hunter​ CLASS:| Mercenary​ AGE:| 30​

  

  [fieldbox="BRIEF DESCRIPTION:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Long, dark hair frames a pale complexion, her eyes a deep brown seeming to be the color of black. She often wears furs and dark leathers to bulk her silhouette. A jagged scar runs across her neck prominently.​

  [/fieldbox][fieldbox="BRIEF HISTORY:, #674036, dashed, 8"]

  Ashiver is one of the few native Bastillosi who chooses to live soley on the surface. By law she is still required to have a stairwell on her lands that leads to the nearest settlement. For her, she is connected to the cavern settlement of Havre just eastward from Lumin. Her home, built by her own hands, rests on a mountain facing out towards Thornwild. Not much is known of this woman other than her line of work. She is an expert hunter and tracker both on the surface and underground. Many Bastillosi have sought her out specifically due to her skills and success rate. She will take any bounty she deems worth her time and energy, and does so efficiently and to the employer's parameters. It is rumored she carries with her a network of assets willing to work with her for a cut. But who those individuals are is just as mysterious as the sellsword without a surname.​

  [/fieldbox]

  

  
  

  MAIN CHARACTER

  

  [bg=#E5CB8E]

  HISTORY​

  NAME: Isaac Dessai|| AGE: Twenty-six|| ROLE: Wanted|| SOCIAL CLASS: Commoner​

  
  

  Wanted for the murder of King Jorad, Isaac has more than one bounty on his head, and all are fairly high in price. The bounty has put quite the strain on his life due to Jorad hailing from [insert volunteered kingdom here]. Too many know his face or his name, but how he became associated with the murder is a mystery to the man, for he has known no ties with folk considered unsavory. The Dessais come from a long line of lower caste who never could find their break into better times. Isaac grew up in the Lumin lower levels where most of the light came from the light that refracted off of Luminhold.
  
  Like most in the lower levels, conditions were rough and often constantly moist causing a number of health issues. But they made the best of what they had, and to him, it was a good life. Isaac is the eldest of three children and kept close to home when not working as a thatcher with his father. Those in the area know him well, and fondly so. He had been known to lend a helping hand where needed and without wanting reward. When he became the most wanted man in Bastillos, his family and his neighbors could only react in confusion.
  
  When could he have done such an act? How could this nice man kill our queen's hope for an heir? Though when questioned, it slowly became clear they did not always have an eye on Isaac Dassai. There were huge chunks of time no one could account for him. Not even his family know where Isaac ran off to. They always say they never questioned it, for he was a good man. And now he is on the run.​

  [/bg]
  
  

  [dash=#B8904D] [bg=#674036] PERSONALITY​ [/bg] MAJOR STRENGTH: Compassion MAJOR WEAKNESS: Drive Isaac follows the morals his mother instilled in him. He wears his heart on his sleeve, exposed and willing to expose it. To him, what does he have to hide, and why should he? Even in love, he has not been afraid to express it. Though, much to his dismay, he has been met with many rejections. To this, he finds comfort in life lessons. It's important to him to face reality and all that comes with it so he can grow as a person and learn to move on. If he sees someone in need, he feels compelled to offer aid. He jokingly calls it a curse, as if he was hexed to be driven towards the down trodden wherever it may lead. Poverty is still an issue within Bastillos despite the upper caste feigning ignorance into the matter. His passion towards righting this wrong has been known to slip from his tongue. Why should those that carry and build the foundations of the kingdom go unnoticed? And perhaps it was his radical notions that got him into trouble. This never crossed the minds of his friends and neighbors as he never spoke ill of their queen, only the rich folk living close to Luminhold.​ [/dash]

  [dash=#B8904D] [bg=#674036] POLITICS​ [/bg] Isaac is a supporter of his queen, and was an advocate of the merging of Bastillos with [insert volunteer kingdom here] to promote peace instead of war. He never was a fan of war or violence, and he was never a fan of the neutrality or blind eye the rich carried.​ [/dash]

  [dash=#B8904D] [bg=#674036] FINER DETAILS​ [/bg] His smile is a bit lopsided, and his left pinky crooked due to a childhood injury that caused the finger to heal incorrectly.​ [/dash]

  
  

  

  MOUNT: He has no horse to his name.WEAPON(s): A sword of the Queen's Army that used to belong to his grandfather.

  APPEARANCE​ Dark hair and dark eyes offset his pale, angular complexion. His hair parts naturally just off to the side somewhat from a soft widow's peak, the locks falling just past the length of his chin. His nose carries the faintest hook past the bridge. His lips are thin and carry themselves almost always upward, even if faint. He has the build of an active man, thin, yet slightly tone due to the random assortments of odd jobs and work he performed before his self exile.​