- Invitation Status
- Looking for partners
- Posting Speed
- One post per day
- 1-3 posts per week
- One post per week
- Slow As Molasses
- Writing Levels
- Advanced
- Prestige
- Preferred Character Gender
- No Preferences
- Genres
- Fantasy, politics, historical fiction, romance
all is chaos. Separated into six strict castes, all who walk the country are held to an impenetrable
law that grips society in a dysfunctional way of life. Slaves, peasants, commoners, merchants, nobles
and royalty are the only colors smothering the canvas of the world with a painful lack of diversity. Five
of those groups may roam the world as they please. But the slaves? No, the slaves of Farlienne are the
brunt of an eternal joke, living in squalor and carnage, plunged into the labors that no other caste will
do. Miners, farmers, pleasurers, builders, lumberers--the grim list goes on, and Jocelyn is caught in it.
But she is not alone. A lonely prince sits in the Tower of Archaedon, aside his cruel king brother who
would seek to bring more chaos upon the world. Alexander and Jocelyn are separated by birth and
title and occupation, never to meet should the ways of the law prevail over fate.
Our story begins on the brink of another, the tides of change flushing our slave and prince toward
a meeting that would alter the course of the future.
PLAYED BY SANSA STARK:
- JOCELYN McDOWELL
-
JOCELYN McDOWELL
AGE: Sixteen
CASTE LEVEL: Slave, mining district
HEIGHT: 5'1''
WEIGHT: 110lbs
PERSONALITY: Soft-spoken and gentle, Jocelyn is a sweet girl that is loved by many. She has a naturally nurturing demeanor but is very poor at self-defense, always trying to please those she is around. She is loving and caring to a fault, but is not afraid to speak her mind when the occasion calls for it. Jocelyn is insatiably curious and will ask ridiculous questions and pester people for the sake of knowledge. When angered she has a will of steel and a way with words. She is clever, though uneducated as her caste forbids.
BACKSTORY: The youngest child and only daughter of Judah and Juliet McDowell, she is one of eight total children. Jocelyn was born with a severe case of asthma that limits her exercise and exposure to smokes and various particles, making her Choosing into the mining district a horrifying one. Upon her arrival in Dale after leaving her parents in Culceth, her three brothers assigned to the same district swore to protect her when they weren't being Overseen, and tell her to rest on the job to keep her lungs in order.
FAMILY: Judah McDowell (father), Juliet McDowell (mother), Jonathan McDowell (brother), Jordan McDowell (brother), Jacob McDowell (brother), Jorge McDowell (brother), Jeremy McDowell (brother), Jack McDowell (brother), Jared McDowell (brother)
CURRENT COLOR (FOR LILLIAN): #71a9c7
- WILLIAM BLACKWOOD
-
KING WILLIAM BLACKWOOD II
AGE: Thirty-two
CASTE LEVEL: Royalty
HEIGHT: 6'0''
WEIGHT: 210lbs
PERSONALITY: William has been cruel and malicious for much of his life, never opening up to anyone and allowing his anger to get the better of him. He is rageful but also calm and clever when he so desires, sneaky and manipulative. He would sacrifice anything or anyone to get in his way. He is a huge supporter of separated castes and often mocks the slaves, causing nobles and merchants seeking his favor to join with him. He has an iron will and a fist to match.
BACKSTORY: William was always known to be vicious, even in his youth. He was an only child until the age of eight when Alexander was born, and he hated him. More than once he was caught harming his baby brother and had to be pulled from causing further damage. He was trained well in literature and politics and became incredibly intelligent, perhaps too much. When his father and mother died under suspicious circumstances, he was instantly given the crown according to the law. He is seen as a dictator, either loved or hated, and a majority of his people fear him.
FAMILY: Prince Alexander (brother), Queen Celia (wife), Princess Emilia (daughter)
CURRENT COLOR (FOR LILLIAN): Red - ARTHUR DESMOND
-
SER ARTHUR DESMOND
AGE: Forty-five
CASTE LEVEL: Noble
HEIGHT: 6'4"
WEIGHT: 240 lbs
PERSONALITY: Arthur is a loud man, tall and ferocious and proud of it. He uses his wit to win others over and remains confident in his ability to do so. He is the brain when his Prince forgets to use kinder words. Arthur is no stranger to sticky situations and will do anything to follow the orders given to him. His appearance can be off-putting to his boisterous nature. He has quite the taste for whiskey and tobacco.
BACKSTORY: Arthur comes from a long line of military men. It is a great honor for the boys in his family to start their training for knighthood at a young age. Arthur was no different, and when he was eighteen he enlisted in the Farlienne military. He fought in two wars and rose to the rank of Colonel, and accepted retirement when the former king and queen knighted him. Still, he missed having a mission and later came to the royals in search of something to do. They entrusted Arthur with the life of their younger son, Alexander, and he found his place at the Prince's side.
FAMILY: Scott Desmond (brother), Emily Johnston (sister), Esmeralda Desmond (wife)
CURRENT COLOR (FOR LILLIAN): Medium gray
PLAYED BY LILLIAN GRAY:
- ALEXANDER BLACKWOOD
-
PRINCE ALEXANDER BLACKWOOD
AGE: Twenty-four
CASTE LEVEL: Royalty
HEIGHT: 6'1"
WEIGHT: 210 lbs
PERSONALITY: Alexander is a rather opinionated man, but he keeps to himself when he knows it's best. Unfortunately, it isn't always for long, his temper wins over most of the time. While he knows that logic and reason often win him most of his fights, it doesn't always keep his head level. He's rash at times, but has a strong moral system. Overall, a rare breed of the true honorable sort.
BACKSTORY: As a child, Alexander always knew his older brother would take the throne, but that didn't stop him from keeping up when it came to education and swordplay. Matched in all things but age, of course, Alexander was once considered a better choice for King, but before the decision could be made, his parents died in a freak accident, instantly transferring power to his older brother William. He keeps quiet about his suspicions that the deaths were no accident, and despises his older brother's policies regarding the class system.
FAMILY: King William Blackwood (brother), Queen Celia Blackwood (sister-in-law), Princess Emilia Blackwood (niece)
CURRENT COLOR (FOR SANSA): #166b22 - HANNAH SWEDEN
-
HANNAH SWEDEN
AGE: Eighteen
CASTE LEVEL: Commoner, non-pleasurable serving district
HEIGHT: 5'3''
WEIGHT: 130lbs
PERSONALITY: Quirky, peppy and bubbly. Since she was young, Hannah was exceptionally gifted in the art of calming people and making them comfortable. All who know her are drawn to the happiness of her presence, and she is often compared to the sun. It was no surprise to any when she decided to dedicate her life to a district of servitude. She does not like politics, though Hannah is drawn to Alexander's secret visions for the future. She disdains the caste system.
BACKSTORY: Hannah was favored by the former king and queen as her father was one of their most esteemed generals. When he died of a sudden heart attack as Hannah turned sixteen, the king promised her a job as a handmaiden should she choose the correct district. Shortly before the king and queen were killed, she was appointed to be the handmaiden to Prince Alexander's future bride, though mostly she serves the prince until that day comes. She lives in the Archaedon Tower, on the Prince's floor along with Arthur.
FAMILY: Rachel Sweden (mother), Mary Sweden (sister), Alice Sweden (sister), Nathan Sweden (brother)
CURRENT COLOR (FOR SANSA): #eb9dd0 - CAMERON FREEMONT
-
LORD CAMERON FREEMONT
AGE: Twenty-five
CASTE LEVEL: Noble
HEIGHT: 5'11''
WEIGHT: 200lbs
PERSONALITY: Laid back and humorous, Cameron is typically the furthest thing from a "lord" that most would expect. He is not afraid to speak his mind and enjoys making crude jokes when the timing is inappropriate, though he is extremely intelligent despite what others think. Cameron likes to cause trouble and rebel against authority in little ways. He holds no fondness for politics in the slightest. He and his wife live in Archaedon, mere minutes from the Archaedon Tower.
BACKSTORY: Cameron's parents, both alive and well, only wanted one child despite the pressure by common intrigue to produce more. This left him spoiled rotten as a child, and only in adulthood did he find some sense of modesty. His mother and father want their son to produce heirs for the family line, an ancient line, but Cameron and his wife don't get along very well as the marriage was arranged and conducted on short notice. Their relationship mostly consists of insults and ignorance. Cameron, however, finds solitude in Prince Alexander, whom he has been best friends with since they were very young.
FAMILY: Anna Freemont (wife), Nikolai Freemont (father), Hestia Freemont (mother)
CURRENT COLOR (FOR SANSA): #d19e38
ARCHAEDON
Archaedon is the capital of Farlienne, home to members of all castes, most notably the royalty. Archaedon is a bustling city with cog-like architecture and bright lights. It is often called the "Sleepless City." Royalty and very important nobility live in the Archaedon Tower, the great castle in the canter of the area that shoots up into the sky, taller than any other building in Farlienne. Archaedon is also home to the Great Chapel of Harmony, the religious center of the nation.
CULCETH
Culceth is the farming district's main point of operation, home to hundreds of fields with rich soil and plenty of nobles and Overseers to go along with them. The McDowell family is from here, and Jocelyn's mother and father work the fields. Cucleth is a travel destination for many wealthy people who enjoy exquisite countrysides and landscapes.
DALE
Dale is the head of the mining district's location. It is a suburban citytown submerged in the earth, inhabiting a massive maze of caves that have been flowing with gems and ore for over a millennium. Most houses are dug out in the abnormally large stalactites that hang from the roof of this city-sized cave, near the surface.
SASORA
Sasora is a group of little towns rather than the name of a single city, making up the majority of the south-western Farlienne desert. These places are typically free of nobles aside from those who don't fear being associated with rebels. The desert people have minds of their own and are not afraid to speak out against the caste systems, accused of disguising slaves as commoners or a higher status, a crime punishable by death. Most of Sasora is furnished by trade. Mainly merchants and high-ranking commoners live here.
ASMOOR & AZMAR
Asmoor and Azmar are twin cities, meaning "life" and "death" in one of the many ancient languages. Asmoor is a city primarily used as the largest military base to house a majority of soldiers, while Azmar is a place atop the western mountains that consists of only a prison. The symbolism of life and and death in regards to these towns is "you either obey the law and live, or die in the belly of a great steel beast," essentially. Azmar is the place where nobles joke about, and the place where misbehaving slaves and lawbreakers inhabit.A map of all Farlienne can be found here.
-
CASTES
The following set of tabs is an explanation of the caste system in Farlienne. There are six castes in total.
Royalty
Nobles
Merchants
Commoners
Peasants
Slaves
Each have an assigned role on society and strict rules regarding their methods of interaction. -
ROYALTY
Royalty is the top of the caste system and holds immunity from most laws and restrictions. The caste consists of one king, one queen, princes and princesses. Royalty always resides in the capital, Archaedon. They are charged with overseeing the kingdom, passing laws and decrees, and providing heirs so that the royal line may continue. Below is the list of current royalty.
King William Blackwood (age 32)
Queen Celia Blackwood (age 29)
Princess Emilia Blackwood (age 4)
Prince Alexander Blackwood (age 24, brother to the king)
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NOBILITY
Nobles are the second-highest caste and the most respected, aside from royalty. The roles are dukes, duchesses, lords, ladies, counts and countesses. Nobles make up a vast majority of the King's Court and are the ONLY caste allowed to provide potential spouses for royalty. Nobles may marry other nobles, or royalty only, and may reside wherever they please.
Nobles may choose to work as Overseers (slave-controllers) whenever they wish. The job of an Overseer is to overlook working slaves and make sure they are doing their jobs and only their jobs, nothing else. Most Overseers abuse their power and engage in violating, cursing, abusing and/or overpunishing those they are in charge of. A majority of nobles spend at least one or two years doing such. Some consider it a right of passage.
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MERCHANTS
Merchants are the sole owners in control of the distribution of goods. All shops and stores throughout Farlienne are owned by merchants, meaning it is possible for them to become nobles if they acquire enough wealth. Merchant positions are executives, associates, designers, sellers, servers and the like. They have total domination over product-related services and are the main employers of commoners. They may live where they please, though by law they can only marry those of merchant or commoner caste. Merchants may also opt to work as Overseers, or as high-ranking officials in commoner districts. -
COMMONERS
Commoners are the middle-low caste and hold the most people out of all Farlienne. This marks the beginning of "District-Enforced Labor," or DEL, which separates common work into sectors where one must dedicate their lives. The districts for commoners include banking, technological, entertainment, warfare, Overseeing, non-pleasurable serving, fashion, innovation and health. The districts are allowed to inter-marry and are not separated by location. Commoners choose at age 18 which district they will serve. Commoners can ascend through the castes only by success in their field, and it is rare. They may only marry commoners or merchants. -
PEASANTS
Peasants are the grunts of modern society, not as poor as slaves or as well-off as commoners but they still retain their choices. Most peasants are made up of failures, drunks or fools left behind from their original castes. Their distrcits are cleaning, cooking, health, military, crafting, support, pleasure, entertainment and farming. The districts are allowed to inter-marry and are not separated by location. Persons have a choice of which district to dedicate their lives to. Peasants may become commoners by succeeding at their craft, and win new liberties. -
SLAVERY
Slaves are at the bottom of society's chain. They are respected by no one and ordered to keep to themselves, referring to those above their caste as "Betters" as they are "Lessers." Slaves have no healthcare and no education. They are controlled by Overseers at all times when working. Typical shifts are 8-12 hours. Districts include farming, building, lumber, pleasure, military, entertainment and mining. Districts are NOT allowed to inter-marry and ARE separated by location (with the exception of pleasure and entertainment, who can be shipped anywhere). Persons of age 12 draw their fate from a hollowed-out well of tiles, a ceremony called the Choosing, and from there are sent directly to the city where their District operates.
SLAVE CAPITALS:
DALE - MINING
CULCETH - FARMING
ARIA - BUILDING
CAEL - LUMBER
ASMOOR - MILITARY
ARCHAEDON - PLEASURE
ARCHAEDON - ENTERTAINMENT
Religion in Farlienne is known simply as "believing in Harmony." Myths and legends all point to the origin of the world resulting from a lonely god, bored and unamused in search of something do to. He molded the earth and sculpted it, though that did not satisfy him in the slightest like he originally imagined it would. However, in the distance, a goddess saw his work of art and was moved by it. The two held hands and walked the earth of his creation, marrying under the stars and living together for centuries before creating mankind from their love. When the world become populated with their children, they reascended to the heavens to watch from above, controlling night and day and the weather and all manner of other things directly affecting human life. The two deities are known as "God" and "Goddess."
God is prayed to in times of seeking justice, strength, good weather and tide, wealth, a healthy coming of age, safety and integrity. He is often depicted as a muscular man with long flowing hair, holding a blue candle to signify peace and tranquility.
Goddess is prayed to in times of motherhood and childbirth, health, good harvests, honor, strength, general blessings, loyalty, predictability and safeguarding. She is depicted as a woman with long red hair, holding a scarlet candle as a symbol of the necessity of passion.
Religious authorities are common, known as nuns and preists of Harmony, occasionally as "brothers and sisters." Anyone of commoner and above status can give their lives to the preaching of holiness should they so choose, except for royalty, who must retain their titles at all cost. Churches are elaborate, often with dome ceilings of stained glass depicting imagery from the Sacrament (the holy book of Harmony). ALL marriages, regardless of belief are held in churches. To perform a wedding outside a church is considered to be an affront to God and Goddess.
An estimated 82% of Farlienne's citizens carry this faith.
- THE McDOWELL FAMILY
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JUDAH McDOWELL
Father. Age 55. Farming slave in Culceth. Married to Juliet McDowell, seven sons, one daughter. Originally from the military district in Asmoor. (amber)
JULIET McDOWELL
Mother. Age 49. Farming slave in Culceth. Married to Judah McDowell, seven sons, one daughter. Originally from the entertainment district in Archaedon. (orange)
JONATHAN McDOWELL
Eldest brother. Age 30. Mining slave in Dale. Married to Maggie McDowell, one daughter. Originally from the farming disrict in Culceth. (burnt orange)
JORDAN McDOWELL
Older brother. Age 28. Building district in Aria. Married to Jennilyn McDowell, no children. Originally from the farming disrict in Culceth. Autistic. (pale green)
JACOB McDOWELL
Older brother. Age 25. Pleasure district in Archaedon. Married to Liam Wesson, no children. Originally from the farming disrict in Culceth. (pink)
JORGE McDOWELL
Older brother. Age 23. Lumber district in Cael. Married to Penelope Greenwater, one son. Originally from the farming disrict in Culceth. (yellow green)
JEREMY McDOWELL
Older brother. Age 21. Building district in Aria. No spouse or children. Originally from the farming disrict in Culceth. Mute as a result of rebelling authority (tongue removal).
JACK McDOWELL
Older brother. Age 19. Mining district in Dale. No spouse or children. Originally from the farming disrict in Culceth. (purple)
JARED McDOWELL
Older brother. Age 17. Mining district in Dale. No spouse or children. Originally from the farming disrict in Culceth. (aqua)
JOCELYN McDOWELL
See tab under "main characters."
ALLY COUNTRIES
The following set of slides consists of information regarding the four main countries/realms that are allies of Prince Alexander. Their rulers are friends of his and as the story progresses, their relationship will mean the difference between life and death on many occasions.
NISQUALLY
Nisqually is the name of a territory about a quarter of the size of Farlienne, lying on the mass of land to the east of Culceth. They are a collection of tribes living and moving in their independent ways, all with their own Shamans, similar to a Farlienne senator or a mayor. All the tribes are under the rule of the Chief and Chieftess, who settle disputes and keep tradition alive. The people are very in touch with nature and animals, and hold their arts and practices very dear. Their culture highly resembles that of American mid-western Natives.CURRENT CHIEF: Chief Honiahaka (indigo)
CURRENT CHIEFTESS: Chieftess Kaniehtiio (peach)
PALLADIA
Palladia is a very small and fairly new country, only 147 years old. A war of this small country (about the size of real-world Maryland) separated it from it's motherland and it became it's own independent state. Life in Palladia is fairly good, with plenty of opportunities for those of the business-oriented mind, and all people share freedom. It resides to the southwest of Farlienne. The few slaves that manage to escape Farlienne usually go here.CURRENT PRESIDENT: James Lauridson (teal)
ReVALYA
Residing far to the west, ReValya is a moderately sized country that prides itself primarily on it's richly fertile soil and exquisite crops. Some of the best wine and produce comes from this place. This country has a primarily medieval style to it, mixed with the technology that allows for easier living. This country is full of light and laughter and joy, and while they are not necessarily rich they are happy the way they are. The people adore their queen. ReValya is friends with any and all.CURRENT QUEEN: Anastasia di ReValya (sky blue)
QUEEN'S HUSBAND: Nicoli di'Arbolshire (gray)
IONA
Known for lavish extravagance and no lack of riches, Iona is one of the most profitable countries in the world, about the size of real-world Australia. It resides east of Asmoor. They have many mines and purchase the rarer gems from Farlienne, adding to the expensive lifestyle that most citizens live. They have a high poverty rate and a divide between the higher and lower class, but there are no strict rules like Farlienne and the current emperor is a kind and just man, working to bridge the gap that exists.CURRENT EMPEROR: Aladdin Shiraaj (red violet)
CURRENT EMPRESS: Nhadia Shiraaj (lavendar)