Shadow of the Dragon Queen [EX] Steampunk F/F

[Karma]

This idea has its origins in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, but is set so far into the future as to make knowledge of it mostly unnecessary. I only used it for back story. Bonus points if you know it, but I trust I've included enough information here. Given this is my first self-originated plot in a very long time, and the kind of writing I'll need from my partner, I'm going to be extremely picky about who I choose for this. Please don't take offense if I choose someone else, okay? I'm trying to kick-start my muse, so I have to do it this way.

Founded a millennium ago by the dragon queen Daenerys Targaryen, Daeneria (formerly known as Westeros) experienced nine hundred years of prosperity under the initial leadership and lasting policies of its queen. Unable to bear children, Daenerys installed her two closest lovers together as Lord and Lady Steward, founding the ruling house Valaryen before she took her dragons into exile and left the world only her legend.
Loyal and well-bred, the Valaryens guarded her legacy as their own for centuries, turning Daeneria into the world's foremost economic and cultural power. After eight hundred and ninety years, the world's balance began to upset as nations both near and far began to industrialize at an uneven pace. Magic and the extra-long seasons of the world had stifled technological growth for many millennia, but recent successes by the magi of the East had finally stabilized global seasons into a predictable yearly pattern according to the harvest rate. With the weight of preparing for winter significantly lightened, science shifted from agriculture to metalworks first, and many fields followed. A new, scientific age was dawning, thanks to the stabilization of the world balance of power by the dragon queen so long ago.
The sorcery of the old times, already subtle, was rapidly falling to the rear of society as new technology was appearing daily. Chemically-controlled fires replaced the old alchemical wildfire and traditional methods. New mechanical carriages were produced that could self-propel, at the cost of a stench arguably less than offensive than what horses were known to produce. Lightning was harnessed turned into lamps that burned for months, not hours. Most impressively of all, plump floating craft were taking to the air and soaring lazily across what was once the sole province of dragons and their riders. In response to all these marvels, the ancient castle towns of Kingslan, Lansport, Higarde, Wintell, and several others were becoming burgeoning urban sprawls, tenements and commercial buildings stretching toward the sky, touching what only castle spires had once owned.
Despite the attempts of Daeneria to keep up with foreign powers such as the militant and too-close-for-comfort Prazia to the south, opinion quickly rose that the Valaryen's stewardship had become too weak and rooted in tradition to lead Daeneria into this new world. In this faster paced and increasingly competitive society, the ancient methods of dragon queens were scorned, their importance forgotten, and the value of peaceful discourse cast aside. Under threat of violent rebellion, the Valaryen steward Hiraster chose to cede the government to an elected body of legislators. All did not go as planned, however, as the rebellious elements voted into the legislature installed their leader as dictator. While not necessarily cruel or unsuited, this first dictator did much to curb the freedoms once enjoyed by Daenerians. It took less than ten years for a public outcry for the return of the benevolent Valaryens to power, but the ancient family was unwilling to threaten the nation by splitting it into factions, despite the fact that it was already happening.
And so things continued for two generations.


As the youngest of the surviving Valaryen children, Nautica was ignored in matters of state, resigned to be the public face of the family, the beloved of the people. While the other siblings kept to themselves and their duties, Nautica was a free spirit, holding lavish parties, walking the streets unescorted, and consorting with lords and ladies of all classes. To many she seemed frivolous and vapid, but those that knew her were aware of her subtle wit and secret ambitions. She took her public's wishes to heart, feeling her ruler's blood boiling at the power that was stolen and the suffering of her beloved people at the hands of the thieves.
As the only female of her generation, no one looked to her for any matters of importance, as her father, grandfather, uncles and brothers were all still alive and active. As her youngest brother was already 40 and she 28, rumors had started to circulate that her family had become barren from centuries of inbreeding. As such, certain shadowy circles acknowledged that Nautica might indeed become the Valaryen heir someday, for lack of male relatives. As she was the only Valaryen with any interest in retaking the throne, this was viewed as a “legitimate possibility.”
While Nautica was well-known to associate with men, the only guests she was even seen to actually kiss were female. Homosexuality was not necessarily frowned upon in Daeneria, but it was seen as narcissistic, frivolous, and ultimately fruitless for families of any inheritance. The Valaryen men's potential impotency combined with Nautica's apparent lesbianism was very troublesome to the elder Valaryen, who never ceased saying so.

Your character: A beautiful, young woman (early 20s) of middling birth and no real claims. She must be inviting but not wanton, gorgeous but less so than Nautica, clever but not a jester, intelligent but not intimidating. She is to woo Nautica with words, ideas, caresses and kisses, and become Nautica's puppet-mistress. She will control Nautica's rise to power in secret, in league with powers both political and magical, traditional and sinister. She is the hand of Daeneria's closet cabals. She will kill, bribe, steal, and soothe, talk to and sleep with and do whatever is necessary to achieve her goals. She is an amoral woman who must temper and guide the most moral blood the world has seen in a thousand years. She will present herself as a lady at court, though as her holdings are minimal at best, she is of little interest to suitors outside of the bedroom. This is perfect for Nautica, of course – she cares little for holdings and inheritances, other than the one that should have been her family's birthright: the now-dismantled throne. Your character will assure that she gets there... though her methods are such that Nautica would kill her herself if she ever found out.

[Karma]

Taken by Will! ;D

[Trieste]

Link!  O:)

[Karma]

As soon as we get started (could take a few days) I'll toss the link in here.

[Karma]

And then, I posted, by some divine will.

[Karma]

Unfortunately, real-life concerns have re-opened this game for a new partner. If you're interested, drop me a post here or send me a PM. ^_^

[Karma]

Role re-filled. Thanks for looking!