Castle RP Interest Check and OOC Thread

[Etherwood]

So! I tried this on another forum and it nosedived early on due to relatively few players.

The basic gist of it is the southernmost city of a country called Tanperi. The city itself is called Ende, and is based on an island. The general population live on the mainland and bridges connect it to the castle and upper class district.

And where's the mature part to it? That really depends on us. There's a great deal of possibility for darker themes in this, both sexually and in torture and murder. Politics is an ugly game, after all! :3

The idea is that we'd be playing out a scenario where the Empress has gone missing. All characters are playable and entirely your decision - bear in mind that if you decide to play a townsman, you need to find some way to connect yourself to the aristocracy (by friendship, distant relation or some other personal interaction). The following slots are available:

• The Emperor (Speaks for itself) [Taken: Vostroya]
  
• The Crown Prince (Emperor's firstborn son)
  
• The Crown Princess (by marriage, not birth)    [Taken:  LimitlessNikkie]
  
• Related Royalty (I'll limit this to two, since we don't want everyone being Royal brats :P The Emperor's aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, etc.)
  
• The Nobility (In order of rank: Duke/Duchess, Margrave/Margravine, Earl/Count/Landgrave, Viscount/Viscountess, Baron/Baroness, Baronet/Baronetess - When it comes to what differentiates those ranks, it's pretty simple; the further down the ranking you go, you own less land, and you also report to the next rank above you. So, a Baron has less land than a Viscount, and the Viscount is the man in charge)  [Currently Played: Travaius, Viscount]
  
• Diplomats (Emissaries from foreign countries) [Currently Played: Coastal Cities Diplomat, Hayley; Avantier Diplomat, Lyrus]
  
• Knights/Dames (Typically commoners or lower gentry given land and title by the Emperor for service)
  
• Reeves/Squires (Attend Knights and Gentry)
  
• The Military [Currently Played: Captain of the Guard, Elfguy; Captain of the Imperial Knights, Silk]
  
• Yeoman (Peasant who owns his own land - usually farmers)
  
• Peasant (Paid land worker)
  Serf (Bound to a Noble, unpaid - much like a slave)

So, basically, you can be anyone you like. Tanperi is a xenophobic nation and it is highly unlikely your character would hail from anywhere else, unless you decide on a diplomat. You can feel free to post up a CS for anyone I mention in my character's history, and if you'd like others to be able to play some from yours, do say so.

I will allow two characters each for variance, but if you select two, they must be at least three ranks apart.

My character is responsible for the Empress being missing, but nobody knows this as yet. If you'd like to be a conspirator in this, I don't mind discussing it - it could be rather fun. CS is below with my character details there. And yes, you can just use a picture if you can't be arsed with a description, just no anime stuff pleeease.

If you have any questions on rank or society, give me a poke via PM.

See if we can get any action on this, this time. :3


CS

Full Character Name: Mereavus Atalanta Vorserkeine.
Given Name/Title: Eave (To friends), Your Excellence/Your Grace.
Desired Role: The Empress' Advisor, Duchess.
Gender: Female.
Age: 36.
Height: 5'10".
Build: Athletic, slightly curvaceous
Eye Color: Brown, near black
Hair Color: Red/mahogany
Sexuality: Bisexual, female preference


Description:

Character Background: Mereavus was born into a Baronial family as the only child. Her mother died in childbirth and her father never remarried. She grew up with the nickname Gremlin, purely because she refused to dress in girls' clothing. She had a habit of stealing the stable boy's clothes and going out to climb and play in the mud. At the age of sixteen she was engaged to marry Duke Vorserkeine, who had never met the girl, but went on her father's good reputation. The court laughed at the idea, until Mereavus turned up perfectly presentable and married him at seventeen. He reached great political success largely owing to her mind, and the Empress recognised this early on. They became fast friends and by the time Mereavus was twenty-five, she'd taken up the post as her Advisor. Her husband, Remus, and their two children (William, 18, and Roselyn, 16) live in a Ducal manor on the mainland to ensure they can properly administrate their Duchy. The pair have an open marriage and as a result, don't appear to mind the other's work-ethic.

[Travaius]

This sounds like fun. I would want to play this, just trying to decide what to play.

[LimitlessNikkie]

Full Name: Gisele Nicole Ainsworth
Given Name/ Title: Elle, Your Imperial Highness
Desired Role: The Crown Princess
Gender: Female
Age: 25
Height: 5'6
Build: Slender and willowy
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Blond
Sexuality: Bi leans towards guys
Descriptions:
Character Background: Daughter of a duke she was raised as a social climber her father wanted nothing more then to see her on the throne married to the prince raising her family's rank by association. She was betrothed by the time she was 8 to the prince. It cost her family a father large dowry sum and her freedom. From that day on she was trapped in the house with tutor's who taught her everything from educate to how to properly hold a tea cup. Sh behaved herself but because rather rebellious often sneaking away during the nights to seek her own freedom. Since marrying the prince she's reveled in her freedom of only having to answer to her husband. She is able to ride again to spend time reading and in leasure activities.

[Etherwood]

Awesome! Only thing I'd edit for you, Nikkie, is her title would be 'Your Imperial Highness'. :3 Otherwise great, thanks for posting in. She looks good.

Lookin' forward to your input, Travaius.

[Travaius]

Full Character Name:  Thomas Gabriel Antwood
Given Name/Title: Thomas, Tom, Master Antwood
Desired Role: Viscount
Gender: Male
Age: 25
Height: 6'3".
Build: Muscular
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Brown
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Appearance:

Description: Thomas grew up in household he hated. The fact that he was nobility isn’t what bothered him, it was what his parents thought was necessary for him to be ready for this rank that did it. All of his time were spent with tutors and trainers, trying to ensure that he would be a perfect noble and represent the family correctly. The thing that he hated most was all the women they paraded through to try and get him married off. His parents were ecstatic they finally had a male heir, someone who could carry on the pride of the family. For that reason, his training was even further crammed in, the entire history of his family having to be taught to him, so that he would understand his roots.

Throughout all of his training, the only part that he enjoyed was combat and riding training. He felt natural with a sword or a bow in his hands or a horse beneath him. It was all that brought a smile to his face. As much as he hated to admit it, when his parents died, he enjoyed it. It meant that he no longer had to be trained under their rules.

[Etherwood]

All good, Travaius, thanks for posting in. :3 I have a few messages in my PM inbox to get back on, so I'm expecting a few more players before we start. I'm going to be at Pride over the weekend, so if possible I'll get the IC up and running before I leave tomorrow (provided we have enough players).

[elfguy]

Name: Lilith Marlana

Title: none

Role: Captain of the Guard

Gender: F

Age: 24

Build: Fairly muscular

Sexuality: Bi

Description: Lilith originally came from far away. She was a traveler, an adventurer, going from town to town, and through many dungeons and ruins, battling bandits and strange creatures. She uses a quarterstaff and became very skilled in battle, using it or hand to hand combat. When she came to the castle, 4 years ago, she arrived at a time when the castle forces had a lot of trouble dealing with a nasty clan of mercenaries. Lilith offered her help and was instrumental in bringing the threat to an end. All the nobles were very impressed with her results so she was offered to stay as Captain of the Guard, even though she has no noble blood, overseeing the protection of the castle and the day to day operation of the soldiers

Her personality is very playful and social, very open to talk with anyone, usually with a smile. She comes off as friendly, and pragmatic, wise in all matters dealing with fighting and defense. She is well liked by others in the castle and enjoys her job. She decided to keep her somewhat unusual outfit instead of using the Guard's uniform, and wears a cloth skirt, a small plate breastplate with boots, a cloth vest and leather gloves. Her only weapon is usually her quarterstaff.

Appearance:

[Etherwood]

Welcome, Elf! :3

[Ironwolf85]

hmmm.... I've been getting a bit tired of playing furries. I might come up with a human profile

[Etherwood]

Goodness! You'd be welcome if you did. :3

[Ironwolf85]

though I wonder whom to create....

[Silk]

I'm interested in playing, chances are I would be playing a knight, or a leader of a small order of elite soldiers, be it royal guard or otherwise, that is your choice to make :) However if she is a leader of some kind, their number wouldn't be any higher than 10ish. Think Paladins I geuss.

[Etherwood]

For the sake of being involved with the plot, I'd suggest being a form of Imperial Guard designed to protect the Royal Family? It gives you a chance to interact with almost all of the intended characters. :3 

[elfguy]

Well since Lilith was appointed Captain of the Guard, if you don't want to be under her command, you could be one of the royal's personal bodyguard? Or a mercenary that they use to do missions and such? A simple guard would put you in her control.

[Silk]

Oh someones got that allrdy, no worries then :)

[Etherwood]

Well for the sake of argument, we can easily say Lilith is Captain of the Castle Guard, which'd have far more men under her command, and any other Guard would be Imperial Guards (present in throne rooms, outside Royal chamber doors and being general bodyguards) or a form of elite Knights.

Contextually, there would have been a contingent of Imperial Guards out with the Empress when she went missing, so if you selected to be the Captain of the Emperor's Imperial Guard (or the Crown Princess', as she's currently not an NPC) it'd give you some intrigue as to where your character's fellows have gone off to. It'd also be pretty disturbing to most that the Empress even could go missing given her protection.

As a note for those of you playing gay or bisexual characters, most of you ought to be playing your character's same-sex affairs under the radar. It can be the worst kept secret in the world, as long as they're still trying to keep it a secret. Death by burning isn't all that pleasant.

[Silk]

OK, I can go with the imperial guard then. :) perhaps just saying that my group is normally the ones present on the Expeditions, when not traveling with the royal detail they are just another arm of the castle defences?

[Etherwood]

Say they arm the Imperial Wing - the Royalty would sleep elevated to everyone else, and come a siege it'd be of vital importance to keep it safe. :3 It'd have your standard turret and castille defences.

[Etherwood]

And as another note, you'd both be reporting to the Emperor himself - equal footing with no one guard Captain superior to the others, just in command of different contingencies and with different duties.

Both should take orders from any of the Imperial Family unless they clash with what the Emperor has told them.

[Silk]

Thats fine with me :) although it might be a nice angle to have a bit of a rivalry or something going on with the lower ranking of the two "orders" with the two leaders trying to keep the peace?

[Etherwood]

Alrighty, we await a few more CS sheets and then I'll get the IC up and running. :)

[Silk]

Full Character Name:Ysena Levantine
Given Name/Title: Knight-Captain Ysena
Desired Role: Captain of the Imperial wing knights (Imperial Knights)
Gender: Female.
Age: 26.
Height: 5'9".
Build: Athletic, muscular, can't really tell under all her armour
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Blond/White
Sexuality: Bisexual (Mostly straight, but she does get lonely :P

Description:

Character Background: Like all members of the Imperial knights, Ysena was trained for the post since birth, such a commitment was the sign of total loyalty to the crown as it was their entire life. Talented in the arts of combat, tactics and warfare Ysena rose through the ranks quickly. Although it may just be because all those above her rank at the time did not have a long life expectancy. Entirely dutiful to the Emperor Ysena has nearly died on several occasions for her duty.

With the recent disappearance of the Empress, Ysena's knights have come under scrutiny from outside eyes, although none can show more concern than Ysena's apart from besides the royal family itself.

Although not much of a people person Ysena has a few friendships outside of the knights, some consisting of nobility, royalty and the guards. When she is allowed to let her air down, (Although she will resist such attempts) She is actually quite likable, caring and kind, but the duty that has been drilled into her since childhood make her forgetting her responsibilities a rarity.

[Etherwood]

Awesome, Silk, thank you! :)

[Travaius]

This is looking pretty nice actually.

[Etherwood]

Isn't it? :3

IC will be up tomorrow morning (GMT). I'm going to leave the OOC open for new apps whilst we play, just in case anyone else needs to put up a CS before then.

[Hayley]

Me!  Me!  Me!

Can you reserve me a spot for the half hour it'll take to get up a character?

*puppy dog eyes*

I was thinking a diplomat?  Any preference on the land represented?

[Etherwood]

I can!

Pick a country, any country, as long as they're not care bears. :3 Preferably humanoid and expect some xenophobia here and there, but it's all yours.

[Tydorei]

Etherwood, did you get my message?

Edit: Also, there are more races than just human? Does that mean magic will be in this role play?

[Etherwood]

I replied, and for some reason it doesn't seem to have sent it. I'll reply again here, since everyone should really know.

There is a religion based on Catholicism in play, and any kind of Inquisitor character brought into the RP would likely be hunting for a magical reason or a form of witchcraft to the Empress' disappearance.

Magic does exist, but for the sake of preventing powerplaying and letting people have characters with too much power, it's not going to be an option for any of our characters - at least not at this point in the RP. I may consider it later.

There can be other races, it depends entirely on whoever's playing a diplomat as to what they want for their character. I would prefer that all of said races are humanoid.

[Tydorei]

Alrighty then. I'll have my inquisitor character up shortly. heh heh.

[Ironwolf85]

I was thinking of a grand cleric, former hero.
Priest who prefers to defend himself with a crossbow.

[Hayley]

Full Character Name: Silya Fairsea
Given Name/Title: Your Excellency/Silya/Sils
Desired Role: Coastal Cities diplomat
Gender: Female.
Age: 26
Height: 5'4"
Build: Curvy
Eye Color: Green
Hair Color: Re
Sexuality: Straight

The coastal confederacy is a collection of city states on the continent to the south.  Most in the castle view the coast cities as pirates nests and thieves hideouts, but there is alot more to them than simply that.  A group of 11 cities bound together under a single ruling council, the coast cities are hampered by a poor geographic position.  Sure, they provide more pirates than anything else - and the council is quick to distance itself from these "renegades" despite the famous 'Takings Tax' that effectively legalizes piracy - but the cities are quick to point out they are simply trying to survive.

Silya is the third daughter of a council member and one of the cities's first adventures with formal diplomacy.  Relations have become more than strained as late between the two regions as two poor fishing seasons in the cities force more to piracy with a predictable effect on Tampari's trade.  In a depsperate attempt to stave off a war, she has been dispatched to try to bring some calm to the proceedings.

(Just looking for a pic I like.  I'll get it up here the seocnd I find it!)

[Etherwood]

I was thinking of a grand cleric, former hero.
Priest who prefers to defend himself with a crossbow.

Sounds good!

[Etherwood]

Awesome Hayley, thanks! :3

[Vostroya]

I would be interested in playing the Emperor if it is still available.

[Etherwood]

It is. :3

[Vostroya]

cool i'll post up a character in a little bit.

[Vostroya]

Full Character Name: Alexandros Marsuvious Valerian
Given Name/Title: Your Majesty
Desired Role: The Emperor
Gender: Male
Age: 39
Height: 6’5”
Build: Thin, but Muscular
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Blond
Sexuality: Straight

Description:


Character Background: He once was an almost unknown prince of the late Emperor who had many children, all of whom were vying for power. But no one took notice of young Alexandros, who was the fifth in line for the throne and but a young knight within the military still learning the ropes of combat. That all changed when a major battle went on to kill most of the royal families heirs to the throne. All but young Alexandros who bravely lead a unit of Knights to victory over the battle. Becoming an instant popularity hit with the xenophobic people. His rise to power could no longer be stopped and when the Emperor died, the natural choice was evident.

Now that he is Emperor Valerian has spent months restructuring the old power base of the old Emperor to a power base that would allow Valerian to retain power. He has become a strong ally within the military ensuring that idle threats from the royal houses would come on deaf ears. He is considered a “Hawk” leader, considering military options to problems many times before any other option. He has a short fuse of a temper when it comes to renegades or rebels within his empire.

[Lyrus]

Do you just post a reply for this? If so, here we are:

Full Character Name: Lous-Verrant Baptiste
Given Name/Title: Lord Lous-Verrant Baptiste, Third Son of the Duke of Norait
Desired Role: Diplomat from a nearby nation called Avantier.
Gender: Male
Age: 20
Height: 5'9"
Build: Muscled, but has a lean figure. Not very tall, which allows him to keep a low, discreet profile. Rather pale because of his region of origin.
Eye Color: Crimson Red
Hair Color: Raven Black
Sexuality: Bisexual (As far as the aristocracy goes, he is one of those conflicting bastards who tells the world he is straight and ends up having an affair with the prince of somewhere...)



Background: Being the third son of a ducal family is not easy, as Lous-Verrant has learned. Yes, despite your status you still live with relative luxury, but being the third son of the Duke of Norait does get infuriating sometimes. You may have learned to ride excellently, fight with the blade like a true master, astonish artists everywhere with gorgeous paintings and other works of art, but everything you've done - your brothers already did it first. Its nothing special. Everything you've achieved, your brothers, too, have done so. And yet should you be better than them in one field, you are expected to never surpass them. You must know your place. Just because of the time of birth, there is such a wretched difference in the things one receives. You bow to incompetents. You must love a father who belittles you. It is a harsh life. Lous-Verrant knows he will not inherit the Duchy of Norait. He wasn't born for it. But he will fight fate in his own way. Instead of begrudging his status, he has learned to accept the discreet benefits it offers. He plays to the fancies of all around him, and has caused both his brothers to see him as their own minions and shower gifts on him. Instead of diving into swordplay and scholarship like what nobles are expected to do, giving him no recognition, he chose to take up lessons that gifted him with charm, eloquence, and ultimate etiquette. His father noticed him at last, and saw his potential as a great diplomat. His first assignment was to the fief of Casair in the Duchy of Norait. An insignificant village which was rioting over heavy taxes. Lous-Verrant arrived, talked the village elder down, quelled the populace, and raised the taxes even more. His father, the Duke of Norait, was astonished and had no idea how this was accomplished. Immediately, Lous-Verrant was seen in a new light. But he took care not to step too much into the limelight ... because politics gets ugly. Many years later, Lous-Verrant proved himself as a worthy diplomat and a masterful speaker. To the delight of the Duke, he was summoned to the court of the King of Avantier himself, and given an assignment to go to a distant nation called Tanperi, to serve as an emissary in their capital city of Ende. Due to the nation's xenophobic persona, Tanperi has never been very welcoming of foreigners. However, recent affairs in Tanperi appear to have caused some sort of disturbance, and the King wished for the most skilled diplomat he had at his disposal to go into Tanperi bearing the Avantierian royal crest and obtain the much-desired trading rights from Tanperi, which many nations desired because of the strategic location of Tanperi which was positioned close to a great many naval trading routes. Hearing of Lous-Verrant's ability, the King thus summoned him and ordered him to go to the city of Ende as an emissary in the name of the Kingdom of Avantier. Lous-Verrant obeyed. Though he did not show it, he was elated. Excited. Finally, the shackles of his birth had been thrown away, for in a new nation, he could carve out his own sizable chunk of profit without answering to anyone back in his homeland... And of course, the King would get his share as well.

* On a side note, Avantier distinctly resembles France.

[Etherwood]

All good, guys!

I would say the Emperor ought to be at least ten years older than he presently is, though - his son has to be old enough to be married to Gisele (who's 25) and he's been in power for 15 years. Small tweaks ought to do it.

[Etherwood]

All right, my lovely beanlings!

https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=77429.new#new

There is your IC thread. I've put it in Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&M because I'd rather not limit what you guys get up to in the storyline. Feel free to be as vanilla as you like, but be aware that you have possibilities with darker themes if you'd like them. :3

Post as you like! Given how many of us there are, if you break off into dialogues, don't wait for everyone else. Where possible, if your characters are going to be talking for a long time, try to get one another on a messenger or by PM to arrange creating one large post of it.

Other than that, my freaky darlings, it's time to get the ball rolling! :D Any OOC chat or questions can be posted in this thread.

[Lyrus]

Wait, is my character accepted? No? I have no confirmation whatsoever! @_@

[Silk]

Her post ok all ok came after yours lyrus I think your fine :P

[Etherwood]

Yes, Lyrus, you're in. :3

[Etherwood]

I'll post in the morning, folks, I've been at Pride all day and probably couldn't string a coherent post together if I tried. :x

[Hunter]

Hmmmm....I've been looking for a bit of a change.  I'd like to take a crack at the Crown Prince, if I could.

[Etherwood]

Go for it. :)

[Hunter]

Full Name: Roger Vincent Ainsworth
Given Name/Title: His Imperial Highness
Desired Role: Crown Prince
Gender: Male
Age: 21
Height: 6' 0"
Build: Thin but muscular
Eye Color: Green
Hair Color: Red
Sexuality: Straight


Character Background: Roger is the eldest and current heir to the throne.  He's been trained and groomed since birth to take his father's place someday, something he seems to be in no hurry to take on.  Appearance wise, he takes after his mother rather than his father.   He carries his father's temperament, which tends to make crossing him nearly as bad of an idea as crossing his father.  His skill with a sword is fabled as is his ability to lead troops into battle.  Unlike many nobles, he tends to lead from the front rather than the rear and during battle can be found in the heaviest parts of battle.  He's also notoriously lucky, has reflexes of a snake, and the tenacity of a grizzly bear.

[Etherwood]

All good bar his age! His father's 39, so around 20-21 is probably reasonable. :3 Otherwise, jump on in when you like.

[Etherwood]

I'm gonna give Vostroya 24 hours to post before I move this along, folks. We'll be back in business this time tomorrow one way or another. :3

[Travaius]

AWESOME!! Was actually just thinking about this roleplay.

[LimitlessNikkie]

Going away for the weekend so I won't be around again untill sunday sorry everyone!!! :(

[Etherwood]

It's all right! Thanks for letting us know. :)

[LimitlessNikkie]

no problem.

[Etherwood]

With luck it won't move crazyfar! The next few days ought to be a renewed search and the characters generally getting to know one another better.

And whilst I'm here, I may as well give you some details for those of you who WILL be on the hunt.

The Empress and her contingent are presently sat, coach, horses et al, at the bottom of a lake about four miles north of the mainland bridges. If they go to the inn for details (the furthest southern inn on the highway), all the innkeeper would be able to tell them was that six men died in their sleep the night before the Empress was known to be missing. He'd know a robed woman was with them, so it may be easy to assume said woman was the Empress herself. Feel free to NPC the innkeeper, but limit his knowledge to that alone.

The bodies of the six dead men would likely have been buried, but can be exhumed. They were dressed in black and light armour and their possessions consist of bows, arrows and an array of small, close combat weapons. They'd be identifiable as Tanperian citizens, but have no identification on their persons. They have no wounds and any apothecary or doctor questioned would probably assume they'd been poisoned.

That ought to leave you plenty to be doing once the search begins in earnest. Since Mereavus won't be joining you in looking, how you use the information you find ICly is up to you. Go with the logic of your characters. Findings would be expected to be reported to the Emperor, though if Vos isn't available to post, you can bring it to either the Crown Prince or Mer.

As far as interior castle politics go, I'll be throwing up a little drama in the upcoming days, once I feel we're settled enough with one another's characters to withstand it. We seem to have plenty of it with the arrival of the Diplomat and general unease anyway.

Prepare thyselves, ladels and gentlespoons, the drama will begin shortly. :3

[Travaius]

Awesome...I am sure my character will love drama... :P

[LimitlessNikkie]

Wow coolness can't wait! Don't worry about going crazy far I'll catch up on sunday.

[Etherwood]

Trav, given that we probably have a lot of dialogue coming up with this dinner agreement, when it comes to it, do you want to use a messenger or PMs to combine into one bigger post so we're not flooding the whole thing with things to read in snippets? My MSN is on my profile, but I'm open to PMs if that's easier for you. Let me know.

[Etherwood]

Just a few notes for you all, guys!

The Emperor isn't a King - otherwise it'd be a Kingdom, not an Empire. The Empire has several countries under its jurisdiction.

Also, all of the nobles' land isn't exactly owned by them. They're caretakers, but they don't control it outright. The Emperor does. If he wants to search it, he can search it, and if he wants to take it away, he can take it away. It's working on a Feudal system right now (which you can wiki if you're unsure).

Hope that clears up some stuff for some of you, it's just a few things I've noticed as we've been going. :3