#da.intro

[romanwxrrior]

(dominic sherwood, 26, cis male) Is that (ROMAN HAYES) walking through the castle halls? (HE) hails from (RYHULE) and is known as a (PERSONAL GUARD OF THE CROWN PRINCE OF RYHULE). Word around the castle is that (HE) is (DAUNTLESS & PASSIONATE) but can be (QUICK-TEMPERED & EGOTISTICAL) if crossed. (ooc: marie, 25, est, she/her, no triggers)

Hey, everyone! This is my third role, Roman Hayes! He’s an ex-soldier who desperately misses the battlefront, and isn’t happy with his new position as a personal guard to the crown prince. He could care less about the alliance - in fact, part of him wants it to fail so that war breaks out. He might not be the easiest person to get along with, but he’ll try to make friends...maybe. 

Roman loved the military. He enlisted as soon as he was of age and fought in many battles and skirmishes - including some on Oscana and Ryhule’s border. 

Being a good soldier doesn’t always mean being well-liked, though. Roman’s temper and battle lust turned off a lot of people - including his superiors in the military - and because of that, he wasn’t promoted very often and didn’t climb very high through the ranks.

Though he resented the way the officers viewed him, Roman preferred fighting to giving orders and being bogged down with administrative tasks, so he sucked it up and continued to do what he loved.

Unfortunately, he was injured in battle a few months ago. The injury was entirely his own fault and shouldn’t have happened. His officer sent him to the capitol to be examined by the top notch physicians there. They told him that he would likely never be battle ready again and refused to clear him for duty.

Although he’s grateful (not that he shows it) to have a job, he isn’t particularly pleased with guarding the crown prince. He likes the other man just fine, but Roman doesn’t see the task as exciting enough. What threats are really going to present themselves in Oscana’s court? Other than princesses with fickle hearts? 

He’s open about his disdain for Oscana.

Actually, he’s pretty open about most of his opinions. He isn’t one to bite his tongue, and that gets him into a lot of trouble, especially since he’s quick to anger. 

When he loves, he loves deeply, but it’s very difficult for him to get to that point. He’s got a hard shell that isn’t easy to break, and he’s usually preoccupied with wanting to get back onto the battlefield. 

He fights as hard as he loves.He argues the most passionately with the people he cares about the most.

He has a fast temper and isn’t afraid to act on it. He also thinks pretty highly of his soldier skills, despite the reservations his superiors had about him.

He’s seen a lot of loss. Although he does love war and fighting, he isn’t immune to the pain of watching others die in battle.

In his opinion, the alliance negotiations are just for show. He doesn’t think that peace will ever be reached. He isn’t afraid to share that opinion. 

Before he left Ryhule with the crown prince, a Ryhule ambassador approached him. The ambassador promised that if Roman helped sabotage the alliance negotiations and the two countries went to war, they would ensure Roman could rejoin the military. Roman hasn’t acted on this promise yet, but he didn’t say no. The possibility of going back to doing what he loved is too tempting for him to just deny outright. 

[nissafletcher]

(alexandra dowling, 24, cis female) Is that (NISSA FLETCHER) walking through the castle halls? (SHE) hails from (OSCANA) and is known as a (COURTESAN). Word around the castle is that (SHE) is (INTELLIGENT & BRAVE) but can be (STUBBORN & DECEITFUL) if crossed. (ooc: becky, 25, gmt, she/her, no triggers)

TW: implied prostitution

+ Nissa was orphaned young, has no memories of her parents left, and very little awareness of exactly who she’d been before a travelling band of performers and artists took her in. She pulled her weight with her voice--sweet, innocent little songbird made a decent revenue in the towns and cities they haunted. 

+ At nineteen she had her introduction to court life through sheer chance. A girl in the Oscanan palace had caught her eye, so naturally she’d decided it was in her best interests to woo her. Cut to them being caught in the act by the girl’s fiance, met by an insurmountable rage from the young lordling that could’ve ended much worse had Madam Macre not stepped in. A handful of gold and some carefully chosen words. 

+ Nissa was saved from the punishment and inducted herself into Macre’s service out of admiration for the woman. Madam Macre’s position as a stewardess was a starting point for learning the ins and outs of the people around her. Nissa formed a bond with the woman that lasted past her time working under her. Even once she’d moved on and carved a spot as a successful courtesan, she continued to visit her for all manner of fickle reasons. Rather than admit to her attachment, Nissa claims its simply because she still feels indebted to her. 

+ She found she quite enjoyed life in the court. Learned quickly to use her looks and subtle actions to make her life easier, how to become a favourite to the right people and earn coin and gifts to see her status elevated. 

+ At 22 she was approached with the proposal to be a spy in Ryhule, took the job more for the chance to act than for the money. Nissa was sick of sitting back and hearing of the adventures of others without having the chance for her own. Whether it was bravery or stupidity that she disregarded the whispered tales of the things which happened to spies when caught is still up for debate. 

+ While she caters towards clients of all genders for her business, Nissa’s romantic inclinations have always been toward women. She daydreams at being married someday and living off her love of music and performance. 

[xgodkiller]

(Jordan Fisher, 26, male) Is that (AYVEN BALTIERRA) walking through the castle halls? (HE) hails from (RYHULE) and is/are known as the/a (CROWN PRINCE). Word around the castle is that (HE) is/are (ASSERTIVE & GOAL-ORIENTED) but can be (INSENSITIVE & STANDOFFISH) if crossed. (ooc: tabi, 25+, ct, she/her, triggers: suicide)

hey heyyyy rolling in with the intro, i’m tabi, this is ayven, he’s a bit of a frustrated bitchface meme but it’s mostly because he’s really sticking his neck out and trying to get something Done and he feels incredibly alone out here,,, he really doesn’t know what he’s doing but he’s determined to TRY, bless his heart. i fully expect it to go badly. profile and shizz below the cut!

trust,,,,, he is not a smooth guy

he cares a lot about his people and his country and he doesn’t want his reign to be marked with the same old gripes and complaints as his parents’ and their parents’ and so on, with this cold war and all. he wants to be a Better King for ryhule, so he’s here to forge alliances and connections, as many as he can get

he doesn’t know if that’s really possible with oscana but he’s here to try

grew up a little sheltered but yearning for adventure, so he takes any chances he can to go riding or exploring or honing his swordplay craft

growing up, he often convinced his parents to allow him to travel around the kingdom, on as many political missions as he could garner, just so he could learn to climb the eastern mountains or ride a boat down the river or brush against the desert winds to the south. in his heart, he’s an explorer. the first thing he did when he arrived in oscana was go visit the seaside

he’s assertive, he’s a doer, he doesn’t like being put somewhere and told to sit still, he can’t even sleep without rolling around a lot (catch him waking up most mornings by rolling right off the bed)

he hides a lot of his emotions behind a mask of duty and responsibility, which he takes seriously, but his feelings run very deep and very strong-- he just doesn’t like to express them out loud

he’s been in love once before and it did not go well, he’s not excited about the idea of marriage

but he is loyal to a fault; to his friends, to his soldiers, to his people, and to his family, even if his parents are really pushing him to win the heart of the crown princess of oscana and convince her to marry him

it’s not that he doesn’t want to be crown prince, because he knows he can do a lot for people, but he’d rather be a singular force of nature, caught in the rushing tides of the world, instead of the pinnacle of commitment his station demands of him

[notprincerik]

hi everyone! here is my boy, youngest royal ryhulian, rik! he is a force to be reckoned and a grumpy lad so enjoy!!

what to know about rik!

by far the least suited to his station. he has trouble sitting still and paying attention and doing his actual duties, and leaves all the boring stuff to his siblings.

impulsive, abrasive, short-tempered

is honestly confused as to why he’s even in oscana… he’s pretty sure he’s only going to make the conflict worse.

hard to get him to take anything seriously

soft spot for animals (avid hawker, horse rider, & dog trainer)

would die for his siblings, especially maria, who always paid attention to him even though he was the insignificant baby of the family

only person he opens up to is his secret lover (wc!!)

maybe one of his sister’s ladies, one of his family’s guards, a pirate, a prostitute… anything that would look very bad for a prince. he would literally betray anyone and everyone for this person.

and that’s the basics! hit that like to plot!

[captain-westley]

Westley Davenport

(DANIEL SHARMAN, 30, CISMALE) Is that (WESTLEY ‘WES’ DAVENPORT) walking through the castle halls? (HE) hails from (OSCANA) and is known as a (PRIVATEER). Word around the castle is that (HE) is (CHARISMATIC & AMBITIOUS) but can be (IMPULSIVE, COCKY, & RUTHLESS) if crossed. (ooc: kayla, 23, pst, she/her, no triggers)

TW: DEATH.

Hello hi hey!! It’s ya girl, Kayla!! And now I shall introduce you to my fave boy!! Pls hit me up if you’d like to plot with him ♡

Basics ☆

He was born and raised in a commoner village in Capital City. His father was a shipwright and his mother was a seamstress. He had very humble upbringings but that did not mean he didn’t have a thirst for adventure and riches. He loved the sea but he loved it in a different way than his father; he wanted to explore it and experience the crash of waves for himself. Of course, that wasn’t what his parents had planned for him. They expected Westley to continue living the way they were; surviving but not thriving. He didn’t want that. So, at the young age of fifteen, he left. To this day, he has not spoken to his parents. He doesn’t even know if they’re still around, honestly. Though, he does miss them deeply.

Wes had no destination but he is a rather ambitious man and his perseverance always pushes through. He had a stroke of luck after a week of sleeping outside of taverns when a grand pirate ship came to port. He knew this was his chance to live the life he dreamed of. So, he snuck onto the pirate ship without a second thought.

When he was found on board of The Marauder, he thought he would be hanging from the gallows for sure. However, that wasn’t the case. The old captain was much less cruel than the tales that were told on land. At least to his own crew they were. From that day on, he began his life as a pirate.

He became the captain of the vessel only five years later, when he was twenty years old. He did this by staging the natural death of the former captain, using a highly potent poison he had come across during their voyages.

Westley visits Oscana court very often; something the former captain rarely ever did. He doesn’t want to be seen as a lowly criminal so, he shares the wealth he comes by when pillaging enemy kingdom’s ships. He especially loves parties and banquets for the free food, alcohol, and of course, the noblewomen.

Speaking of, noblewomen can’t seem to get enough of him. Which he doesn’t mind one bit. While their husbands are busy tending to the royals, he tends to their wives. He doesn’t seem to take much shame in it, but he makes sure to be as discreet as possible. If he does get caught, he could usually just go on a six-month long voyage until things blow over.

He comes from humble upbringings but he has grown into a man of pride and cockiness. He flaunts his riches and has absolutely no shame in it at all.

He has actually had his heart broken by a noblewoman. Which is why he tends to be more promiscuous these days. Westley met her on one of his visits to the castle. He was prepared to leave the life at sea for her. That is, until he found her tangled in the sheets with a royal guard.

He is quite skilled in combat and can wield a sword effortlessly. His body count is much too high for him to ever remember but he usually feels no remorse. In his head, they would have done the same exact thing to him for the treasure.

Although he is usually surrounded by others, Westley feels desperately lonely at times. Like there’s a void in his chest that no amount of gold could ever fill. He obviously keeps this to himself.

Wanted Connections ☆

Flings/FWB’s: Give this dude all the girls to hook up with. He frequents Oscana court between voyages so I’d love for him to have a lady or two to entertain him while he’s around. He has a very fleeting personality and that could be the perfect recipe for so much A N G S T.

Crew Mates: I would love to see some of his crew from The Marauder here! They’re pretty close knit and probably get drunk on rum together all the time.

Ex-Lover: If any of the noblewomen here want to be the girl that broke his heart a few years ago, I WOULD LOVE THAT. I NEED ANGST AND MAYBE MUTUAL PINING?? She can be younger or older, I really don’t mind!

Literally anything else pls just give me plots for him!!

[princessrosamund]

(ellie bamber, twenty, cis female) Is that (ROSAMUND VIDAR) walking through the castle halls? (SHE) hails from (OSCANA) and is known as the (YOUNGEST PRINCESS). Word around the castle is that (SHE) is (CHARMING & PLAYFUL) but can be (SPOILED & SHALLOW) if crossed. (ooc: vic, twenty-two, est, she/her, no triggers)

Princess Rosamund Vidar has lived a charmed life since birth.  Raised in a castle, surrounded by an entire staff of people who must do as she says, her early life was every little girl’s dream.  Of course, while she continued to view her life through rose-tinted glasses, she could not miss the way everyone around her kept secrets and manipulations hidden behind tight smiles and faux courtesy.  Oscana’s reputation for morality, as it turned out, extended only so far as appearances, so Rosamund learned to value appearance above all else.

As the youngest of all of her sisters, she was always able to get away with just a little bit more than anyone else.  With a giggle or a sweet smile, everyone believed she was nothing but a sweet, innocent little princess.  Besides that, she had her parents behind her to make any of her mistakes go away when she could not -- or would not -- fix them herself.  Why, then, should she have to grow up?

Rosamund does not have a mean bone in her body, but she is so spoiled, so shallow, so careless, that she can be somewhat meaner than she intends at times.  She likes things to go her way, and she does not understand why anyone should refuse her.

Her chances of ever becoming queen were slim, but frankly, she did not mind.  The crown came with much more responsibility than she had any interest in taking.  As far as she was concerned, it was much more fun just to be a princess.  One day, of course, she would have to grow up enough to become wife to some other country’s royalty, but as long as no one was asking that of her now, it did not really matter what would come later.

Despite her unwillingness to mature, Rosamund did indeed grow up, and there were many around her who noticed when she did -- and she noticed them noticing too.  The innocent little princess gradually became a bold young woman, and she was not even sixteen when she began her first flirtation with a nobleman’s son almost three years her senior.  She thought she was in love, but of course, it did not last long.  Her parents caught them sneaking around the castle and put a stop to it.  She must have restraint, they said.  Remember your reputation.

The next time, she was much more discreet, but alas, he was not so -- she was one of several girls he was pursuing.  That time, Rosamund ended it.  Over the years, there have been quite a few of these relationships, boys and girls, but it always ends the same.  Everyone wants something, and Rosamund is happy to have her own fun while they’re at it, but she is always more disappointed in the end than she is willing to admit.

The one exception to this occurred a little over a year ago.  A kitchen girl Rosamund’s age caught her eye, and their affair, while brief, was different.  She did not expect love from her affairs anymore -- only a fun rapport in their flirting, and a good snog -- but with this girl, she thought she might be able to fall in love with her.  Real love.  Storybook love.  But alas, Rosamund might never take the throne, but she was still a princess, and a kitchen wench was much too far below her.  The girl was sent away, and Rosamund has not seen or heard anything of her since.

(TW: DEATH) After her parents’ accident, Rosamund was devastated.  She refused to leave her room for a week.  By the time two weeks had passed, though, she was more or less back to her usual self.  She had much too much to offer the world to let herself wilt like this, she decided.  She knows that there are some who believe she exaggerated her grief for attention, especially considering how quickly she bounced back to normal, but the truth is that she simply did not know how to handle it, and still does not.  Indulging it did not work, so instead, she will simply do what she does best: have her fun, and push away everything that is too difficult.

Wanted Connections:

Flings:  Former or current.  There have been quite a few of these over the years.  Perhaps they genuinely liked her, or perhaps they were only interested in her status.  Either way, it was probably not very serious, or very long.  They would not have slept together, but they would have spent a fair amount of time sneaking around the castle, flirting and otherwise having some fun.

Friends:  Rosamund is rather self-centered, but she likes to have fun, and besides, more friends means more attention.  She does care about the people she considers friends, though.

Annoyances:  Let’s face it, Rosamund can be kind of annoying.  There are definitely some people who do not care for her dramatics, her self-centeredness, and her inability to take most things seriously.

Parental Figure:  Someone who looks out for her.  Rosamund may not accept it, but she does need someone to take care of her like a parent would, especially right now, as she is a bit more fragile than usual.

Anything else you can think of!

[aurora-windsor]

Lady Aurora Windsor

(ADELAIDE KANE, 24, CISFEMALE) Is that (AURORA ‘RORA’ WINDSOR) walking through the castle halls? (SHE) hails from (OSCANA) and is known as a (LADY IN WAITING FOR THE CROWN PRINCESS). Word around the castle is that (SHE) is (SOPHISTICATED & ALLURING) but can be (CUNNING & RUTHLESS) if crossed. (ooc: kayla, 23, pst, she/her, no triggers)

TW: Pregnancy.

Hey everyone! Kayla here, and I’m so excited for you all to meet my fave girl!! These are just some basics for plotting purposes and I will have a fully fleshed out bio page up for her soon! Hit me up for any and all plots ♡

Basics ♡

Aurora, or just Rora for short, is the first daughter of the Baron and Baroness of the Swamplands in Oscana. Although Barony is a lower rank of nobility, that did not mean much to the Windsor family; Oscana was a prosperous land that thrived and her hefty dowry proved just that.

She grew up studying diplomacy, etiquette, history, Latin, embroidery, dance and music. She excelled at every single subject and Rora was sure this was a huge factor of Queen Deidre picking her to be a Lady-In-Waiting for Princess Sylvia.

Rora loves the outdoors and will find any excuse to be out in the sunlight. Growing up in the Swamplands, she always admired the hunters who traversed the area and this caused her to grow interested in archery. She had a true affinity for the craft and considered it her favorite hobby. She has been told her skill amounts to that of the royal guard. Some of her other hobbies include horseback riding, painting and the piano.

She is a very headstrong young woman. She often struggles with biting her tongue and could come off a little rude at times. However, she thinks she is honestly just speaking her mind. This has gotten her into a few confrontations within castle walls with different noblemen and women but it has never been anything too severe.

She is naturally curious, opinionated, confident, charismatic and incredibly empathetic to those deserving of it.

However, she can also be very cunning and ruthless if she, her family, or Sylvia is wronged in any way. There is nearly no line she won’t cross to get what she wants done. And she is a very firm believer of “if you want something done right, do it yourself”.

Aurora is fiercely loyal to the monarch of Oscana and dreams of holding a spot on Princess Sylvia’s privy council once she is the Queen. She believes she would make an excellent addition. Especially since she has already been by her side since they were little girls. She began working as one of Sylvia’s ladies when she was about ten years old and has been living at court since. She often visits the Swamplands; usually to obtain fresh silk for her lavish dresses.

Aurora favors the treaty. The Windsor family always has, in fact. Peace is something they believe will benefit their nation and make Oscana even more prosperous than it already is. However, her loyalty lies with her country and her future queen.

When Rora was about fifteen years old, she fell madly in love with a man who was of much lower station than she. Already being the daughter of Barony, she knew that if she did marry, it would be in her family’s best interest to wed someone of higher nobility. This did not stop the teenage girl, though, and the affair continued for the better part of a year.

It only ended when Aurora became pregnant. Everyone knew the monarchy kept scandals well underwrapped and this time was no exception. Being a favorite of Queen Deidre, all the Windsor family had to do was contribute a hefty donation to the Faith and the crown took care of keeping shame off the family name.

For nine months, she was hidden away in the Swamplands under the cover of her traveling to another kingdom to learn of their culture. When she gave birth, her child was taken in the cover of night to Ryhule to be left at the steps of a nunnery. This was not the original plan laid out by the Queen of Oscana and the Windsor family bribed the servants to keep quiet about it, going with the tale that the child passed during birth. 

The original plan was to pass the baby off as the child of a high-ranking noble couple, though young Aurora just couldn’t bear having her own flesh so close by without being able to know them as her own.

Wanted Connections ♡

First Love: He was of lower station than Aurora. They had quite a whirlwind romance; sneaking around castle corridors, stealing lustful glances at one another during dinner banquets, etc.. He could have been a kitchen boy, a commoner she met while outside of castle walls, or even a privateer who had prolonged business at court. He does not know about her pregnancy or their child.

Friends: She has been living at court for many years so I imagine she’s befriended quite a few people there. Other Ladies-In-Waiting, noblemen, and noblewomen would be great.

Flings: While she is not consistently looking for people to hook up with, I can’t say that it hasn’t happened before. She has most definitely hooked up with some noblemen or their sons. She is also secretly attracted to women and I would not oppose to her having a lady she’s crushing on/experimenting with.

Family: Her parents are Barony and I would looooove to see them around! She also has an older brother who is the the heir to the Baron of the Swamplands title. I figured she is quite close to her family and confides in them greatly.

*These are just some suggestions! By all means, if you have any other ideas, please let me know!!

[littlesxcret]

hello everyone! thank you for your lovely welcome into the discord last night and pls get hype to meet.... xenia! i hope you’ll love this sweet little nugget as much as i do, so let’s just get right into it!

things to know about xenia!

this little lady is the secret daughter of emmett greenwood, earl of the north. she doesn’t know either, it’s okay to be surprised ;)

she was raised near the kingdoms’ border so she’s experienced her fair share of upheaval and strife. it’s given her a real soft spot for those less fortunate than her.

the only true loss she’s ever known is when her grandfather (and sole father figure) died when she was 12. but he never really liked her anyway.

most of her friends growing up were lower class village kids. xenia never really noticed until the kingdoms’ conflict started leeching into her hometown and she was boarded up into safety in the family home while all her friends had to continue their daily lives as if it was safe.

that was about a year ago. very recently she’s come to court with her mother, who told her it was no longer safe to live at home period.

it bugged her, therefore, that her grandmother didn’t come with them, but xenia knows better than to ask her mother too many questions.

they have a good relationship and xenia wants to see the best in her, but she also recently discovered a sketchy letter regarding her mother and emmett greenwood....

i like to imagine her mother is likely not deserving of all the benefit of the doubt xenia gives her.

then again, xenia gives that to everyone whether they want it or not. too kind for her own good.

excited to be at court bc she’s always wanted to see more of the world than her own little village, but it is also going to be a huge culture shock.

more info here! and pls feel free to reach out for plotting (here or discord, i don’t have a preference)... and that’s all for now ig! i hope you like my baby girl!

[fabienmontassier]

(joey batey, 20, male) Is that (FABIEN MONTASSIER) walking through the castle halls? (HE) hails from (OSCANA) and is known as the (COURT’S MINSTREL.)  Word around the castle is that (HE) is (COMPASSIONATE, LOVING and CREATIVE)  but can be (CRUEL, ANXIOUS and MANIPULATIVE) if crossed. (ooc: george, gmt, he/they, 24, no triggers)

Fabien was born into a minor noble family of little repute, who had made their fortune selling spices and traded goods. The youngest son of seven, he found himself often at his wit’s end, and with a softer demeanour than his older brothers, was often at the end of their training swords, taking a beating. The youngest of the Montassier boys found he did best when on display. When showing an easy mask, a charming smile, a performance crafted expertly and with precise intent could gain the exact result he wanted.  It started best around his mother. A soft pout under the dreamy brown curls, and the youngest son could have whatever he demanded. The best toys, a tight hug, a new lute. Anything he wanted could be so easily charmed out of others. Softness could be weaponised, turned sharper than steel. His tongue was a weapon, his smile, his naturally flirtatious attitude, all of it. All of it was to be used as his brothers would wield a sword. And soon, he would have what he wanted. The boy’s voice was like a lark, high, clear and near perfect. And once schooling was given, he would rise above all of his brothers to become a courtly favourite. Learning the ways of the minstrel,  Fabien became adept at courtly behaviour, at storytelling, poetry, music, art. As many ways as nobles could be entertained, he learned them. Even down to the gentle arts of love, and the courtesan’s ways. Not that he would use them openly, of course. But the quickest route to a lord’s heart was through his trousers, and there was far more information to be found when someone was willing to share with you their story. But as much as others would share with him, Fabien found himself sharing back, falling so easily in love throughout the court that it became a common discussion as to which young noble it was that had stolen the boy’s heart this week. Soon, he became the favourite of the court, other bards and performers turned away or shunned in favour of the young man with the angelic voice, and it became easy to see how power could really be wielded. Bards create reputation. That is easily forgotten by many. With a single song, a single misplaced poem or tale, and reputation and valor could be besmirched. It created Fabien a unique, almost immune position at court, though he still fears for himself amongst the chaos of the power struggle at present. But a heart so easily stolen is a weakness. A man from Ryhule with a gaze like sunlight met him one day, and walked away with the bard’s heart held tight in his hand, fluttering like a nightingale. And the minstrel doesn’t think it’s come back since. It was a whirlwind romance, secret and stolen kisses in corridors, trysts in the night time. And once he left, letters went unsent, stories told to a man who never responded. And the bard’s hand stayed wrapped around a small silver pendant with a house’s emblem wrought into the metal. He didn’t even know which Ryhulian family his love belonged to. Just that he had promised him this, and sworn his loyalty, before disappearing out into those gods-forsaken forests, never to return, or to write. There is a melancholy in the bard’s voice at the moment, something slightly off about him. But he sings like a lark, and will always turn a smile to those who need it. The castle is his stage, and all is a performance here in court. It’s just good to be aware of that fact, constantly. There is so much to unpick in the actors. wanted connections:

a lost love: obviously, I’d love my darling bard to be reunited with his greatest muse. or to have a family member break the news he fears most.

a courtly friend: somebody who sees behind the curtain, who knows Fabien as he actually is.

someone spurned by song: obviously, bards are satirists and gossips and general powerholders. songs can make or break a name. I’d love him to have trod on some toes. 

[shadesofxgrey]

(theo james, 33, cis male) Is that (JASPER GREY) walking through the castle halls? (HE) hails from (OSCANA) and is known as the (NAVAL ADVISOR IN THE PRIVY COUNCIL). Word around the castle is that (HE) is (DECISIVE & FOCUSED) but can be (MERCILESS & DECEITFUL) if crossed. (ooc: marie, 25, est, she/her, no triggers)

Hey there, everyone! I’m Marie, and this is my first role, Jasper Grey. His full bio is right here and I’ll have some possible connection ideas soon! I’m super excited to write with everyone, and I’m always looking for new connections and plots. If you have an idea, please just let me know. I’m open to talking things out! I really like to move plots forward and write active threads, so hopefully Jas will really have a chance to grow (for better or for worse)!

Grey is not Jasper’s real last name. It’s the surname of a prestigious military and naval family in Oscana. When he joined the navy, Jas posed as the bastard son of the last known Grey. He’s been going by the surname and pretending to be a member of the family ever since. At this point in time, only the crown princess of Oscana knows his real identity.

Jasper grew up very poor and had to learn to fend for himself early on. He never left behind his old ways of trickery and deceit. He’s very cunning and always wants to be in control. He’s not afraid to blackmail others and cheat his way to the top.

Jas is known for his impartial advice. He has a striking ability to discuss possible outcomes without emotion - well, that was until recently. Now that there are whispers that the crown princess may have the throne stolen from her, he finds himself showing more anger when her life and safety are involved. Other than that, he’s still very good at remaining impartial when advising on naval issues and strategizing. Of course, if it’s own decision, he’s almost certainly going to pick the path that helps him the most, everyone else be damned.

He’s been at court five years, so he has reason to know most of the big players at court.

Now that it’s been revealed that he’s the crown princesses’ lover, there are more eyes watching him than ever, and Jas isn’t quite sure what to make of it.

While he wouldn’t mind an alliance with Ryhule, he is absolutely opposed to an alliance through an arranged marriage. If the deal breaks down entirely and they go to war, he will happily assist Sylvia in crushing Ryhule like a bug. 

[beachenery]

(angel coulby, thirty-six, cis female) Is that (BEATRICE “BEA” CHENERY) walking through the castle halls? (SHE) hails from (OSCANA) and is known as the (APOTHECARY). Word around the castle is that (SHE) is (GENTLE & KIND) but can be (GUARDED & WITHDRAWN) if crossed. (ooc: vic, twenty-two, est, she/her, no triggers)

DEATH TW THROUGHOUT

Beatrice Chenery takes after her mother.  Both dedicated to the art of medicine, both desiring nothing more than a simple life with the ones they love, and both relentlessly pursued by tragedy at the hands of Ryhule.  When Bea was eight years old, her father, a soldier, was killed on a mission, and when she was nineteen, her older sister, Margaret, died too.

While Bea took after their mother, Maggie always took more after their father.  The two of them both longed for action, for adventure, and when he died, Maggie was determined to avenge him, despite their mother’s admonitions.  When she was eighteen, she left home, joining up with a crew of pirates.  She was strong, skilled in combat, and the toughest person Bea knew, but none of that mattered when her ship was attacked by Ryhule’s soldiers.  Bea was nineteen when word reached her and her mother that Maggie, barely twenty-two years old, had been killed with her crew.

Her sister’s death was a harsh reminder of why she loved the simple life.  She wanted nothing to do with hatred, or rivalries, or bloodshed.  In fact, she wanted just the opposite.  She wanted to heal.  When she was younger, she considered becoming a physician, for the sake of not following in her mother’s path exactly, if nothing else, but as she grew up watching her mother make all of her remedies, she realized she loved the artistry of it.  Besides, what good could a physician do without an apothecary?  In her shop, Bea is very fair.  She deals with court physicians and peasants alike, and she never turns someone away simply because they cannot pay.  She did not turn to healing for the sake of money, and her wealthier clients allow her to take care of the people who live more like her, the people whom she really wants to help.

Outside of her family tragedies, Bea managed to build for herself the simple life that she wanted, a dream that was shared by her husband, a merchant named Tom.  Best friends for years before falling in love, they married when they were twenty-one.  Why wait any longer, when they were so sure of each other?

Unfortunately, even simple lives can be cut short.  The Chenerys lived in not-quite-perfect, but absolutely wonderful harmony for nine years.  Perhaps Bea should have known when he had to travel to Ryhule on merchant business -- a border skirmish broke out at just the wrong time.  Tom, caught in the fight that was not even his, was killed.  Was this not how such things always went, in Bea’s family?  But Tom was not a soldier, or a pirate.  He was a merchant.  It was the only time in her life that Bea understood her sister’s ferocity for revenge.

Bea’s desire for peace above all else won out, though, as it always does, and gradually she regained the strength to get through her loss, as she always does.  While she does miss him, it has been years now.  She loves her shop, and she loves her life, and on top of all of that, the animosity to which she has lost so much may finally be about to come to an end.  How could she wish for anything more?

Wanted Connections

Friends:  Bea is very friendly.  She is happy to make friends with anyone who is not unkind.  Once befriended, she considers you a friend for life, though she will not hesitate to call you out for bad behavior, even if you are her friend.

Customers:  Bea owns an apothecary shop, and she is very good at what she does.  She provides remedies to both the court and to individuals, so anyone who has been ill in some way has probably dealt with her at some point or another.  She treats her customers very well, though it could also be interesting if there was someone (or a connection of someone, more likely) whom she could not help.

Love Interest:  Any gender.  It has been six years since her husband’s death.  Though she has moved on mentally, she has not actually pursued any new romantic relationships since.  She is not actively looking for a new romance, but she would not be opposed to one if it happened to find her.

Under Her Wing:  This would probably be someone younger than Bea.  Perhaps they are interested in apothecary and she is teaching them, or perhaps they are a bit of a lost soul whom she looks out for.  Whatever the case, she cares for them with an affection that is almost maternal in nature.

Anything else you can think of!

[captainfelicityflint]

(Jamie Chung, thirty-seven, cis female) Is that (FELICITY FLINT) walking through the castle halls? (SHE) hails from (OSCANA) and is known as the (PIRATE CAPTAIN). Word around the castle is that (SHE) is (PASSIONATE & CLEVER) but can be (PROUD & BITTER) if crossed.

Death tw.

Felicity Flint came from incredibly poor origins.  With only a mother and a younger brother, her early years in the North were characterized by lack -- lack of food, lack of money, lack of hope.  They managed for a time, though it was a struggle, but by the time Felicity was eight years old, her mother knew that they could not continue like this for very much longer.  She was already sick, and soon, her children would be too.  She appealed to the Greenwoods for help, but though it was their responsibility as the leaders of the region, they hardly did anything at all.  Not even six months later, she was dead, leaving Felicity and her brother to fend for themselves.

No one cared, Felicity realized.  Those nobles could have done something, could have saved her mother, if they had wanted to -- but they hadn’t.  And now she and her brother were going to starve, and still, no one would care.

They learned to steal to survive.  Felicity was quick, and her brother was cute, and if it was not enough to be safe, it was at least enough to get by.  If no one else would care, they would at least care for each other.  And for a time, they did, until one day he did not return to the hovel that passed for their home.  Maybe he had gotten held up somehow, she thought, but she looked and looked and even when she screamed, she could not find him.  No one could help her find him.  Her rationality tells her he must be dead, but privately, a part of her still hopes he is alive somewhere.

After losing her brother, Felicity drifted around for a while, still simply trying to survive.  And then she met her -- Marion Blackthorn, Captain of the Maiden’s Revenge.  She caught Felicity trying to rob her, but she saw a fire in the fourteen-year-old.  Rather than punish her, the Captain gave her a chance.  She took her aboard her ship, testing her with small tasks and training her in skills like sailing and sword-fighting.

Felicity worked her way through every position on the ship, learning everything the Captain had to teach her.  Eventually, she became second-in-command, the Captain’s most trusted crew member.  By then, Marion Blackthorn had grown older, richer, and she was ready to retire in style.  At age twenty-five, Felicity Flint became the Captain of the Maiden’s Revenge.

The Maiden’s Revenge had always been somewhat Robin Hood-like in nature, and that did not change under Felicity’s leadership.  They rob and plunder like all pirates do, but while they keep some for themselves, they use quite a bit to help others too.  Felicity has always been willing to be the one to get her hands dirty if that is what needs to be done, and as a pirate, that is how she lives her life.

Recently, she has come into a bit of information about Emmett Greenwood.  Though it has been many years, she never forgot what his family did -- or rather, didn’t do -- to hers.  He is not his parents, she knows, but she has heard more than enough about his careless ways to know that he is no better.  She sees him as everything she hates about the nobility, so when she discovered the nature of his connection to Delia and Xenia Arkwright, she did not need to think twice.  This was the perfect opportunity to help people at the expense of the family who had most wronged hers -- a private vindication, if nothing else.  She sends letter after letter, demanding money for her silence.  She does genuinely like the Arkwrights -- but that does not mean she will not follow through on her threats if it comes to it.

[morwcna]

(janet montgomery, 30, she/her) Is that MORWENA GREENWOOD walking through the castle halls? SHE hails from OSCANA and is known as the LADY OF THE NORTH. Word around the castle is that SHE is WITTY & ASTUTE but can be VOLATILE & SCORNFUL if crossed. (ooc: emma, 21, est, she/her, abuse)

intro below! tw: death

Morwena’s full bio can be found HERE. But TL;DR:

Morwena is the middle child. And her personality definitely falls between Emmett and Brandon; not quite as chaotic as Emmett, but far less dutiful than Brandon. 

The older she got, the more disillusioned she became with royalty and wars and all that. This alliance? Of little importance to her, nor does she think it’ll actually work. She doesn’t like the idea of war, but if people can’t get over their pride, well ... maybe that’s the only option left.

Her not-so-kind views of royalty got her in trouble with her parents sometimes, but for the most part, she acted like the ‘lady’ they expected of her. Their deaths were hard on her, though she hid her pain for the sake of her brothers and because vulnerability is hard for her. 

She essentially trusts no one but her brothers, though they don’t get along all the time and might push each other around. 

When you cross her: she will ruin you with just a few, fiery words. Her temper is HOT, and her tongue is sharp as a knife. Beware. 

In her good graces: she’s still not all sunshine and rainbows, and her wit isn’t for everyone. But she can likely solve any problem you have, and loves a good adventure (even ones that are totally improper for a ‘lady’). 

Speaking of impropriety: she’s had a few flings (with both men and women). She’s very secretive about them, and her difficulty with vulnerability means they don’t last forever. But deep down, she has a heart that can love, and yearns to be loved in return, even if she’s not outright about it. 

She’s picked up on a LOT over the years amongst the royalty/nobility, but holds it to herself until it becomes of use to her.

WANTED PLOTS:

Friends: These are few and far between for Morwena, but those who can handle her find a strong friend in her. Maybe it’s someone who encourages her improper behaviours—maybe someone who is kind and soft enough that she can relax around them. Let’s plot!!

Flings: Also a few of these. Could be fun to have some animosity after a fling ended badly! Also have an ex-lover WC HERE. 

Noble/Royal Acquaintances: People she grew up around and tolerates due to her station. 

OPEN TO BRAINSTORM!

[ofnorthearl]

(luke macfarlane, 38, cis male) Is that (EMMETT GREENWOOD) walking through the castle halls? (HE) hails from (OSCANA) and is known as the (EARL OF THE NORTH). Word around the castle is that (HE) is (BOLD & LIVELY) but can be (SHAMELESS & ARROGANT) if crossed. (ooc: marie, 25, est, she/her, no triggers)

Hey everyone, it’s Marie again with my second role, Emmett Greenwood. I don’t have his full bio up quite yet, but when I do, I’ll post the link! I’m super excited to write with everyone, and I’m always looking for new connections and plots. If you have an idea, please just let me know. I’m always open to talking things out! Without further ado, meet my chaotic muse Emmett.

Emmett is the Earl of the North, having inherited the title from his father after his death. Whether the prestige of the title fits Emmett is up in the air. 

Some nobles take on high positions at court and others play games to maintain their reputation and gain more power. Emmett has no interest in such things. He already has plenty of money, land, and power. He’s only interested in the things that bring him joy and pleasure. He does what he wants, when he wants. There are consequences for all of his actions, though, and he doesn’t particularly like dealing with them.

Emmett has come to and from court throughout his entire life. On more than one occasion, the former king and queen sent him away to get a break from his never ending stream of scandals. Despite them doing their best to keep him in line and stop his misdeeds (mostly his promiscuity) from spreading around, most people at court know that Emmett is less than a morally upstanding subject.

Not interested in politics, Emmett doesn’t particularly care whether or not the alliance breaks. At this point, it doesn’t impact him, so it doesn’t matter. If that changes, he’ll pick a side.

He is a bit (read: very) quick to emotion of all kinds. Anger, happiness, sadness - you name it, he feels it deeply.

If he does have an opinion, he never holds back. He doesn’t care if he’s speaking to a servant or royalty, he’ll speak his mind regardless of who the audience is.

Emmett holds himself in high regard, and it’s nearly impossible to shake his confidence.

What he’s known best for around court is how quickly he flits from woman to woman. He’s never been one to settle down, and he’s made it very clear he doesn’t plan to marry any time soon. 

Years and years ago, Emmett fathered a child out of wedlock. His parents paid the woman to leave the area and never return, and Emmett has not heard from her or the child since then. Someone learned of his secret about a year ago and began blackmailing him, and Emmett is determined to find out who is threatening his current life - and his child.

[noble-intenticns]

(gemma chan, 37, cis female) Is that (JIA FEI) walking through the castle halls? (SHE) hails from (RYHULE) and is known as a (LADY & AMBASSADOR). Word around the castle is that (SHE) is (OBSERVANT & AMICABLE) but can be (MANIPULATIVE & CORRUPT) if crossed.

Hello again, it’s Jean once more, back with the Lady Jia Fei, ambassador from Ryhule and snake in the grass waiting to strike! Jia was very much involved in the negotiations that created the arranged marriage deal between Oscana & Ryhule, and she is very put out that it seems like it’s not going to happen. She was banking on that deal to be a feather in her hat, and she’s determined to make it happen --one way or another. She has a network of spies and nothing to lose, so watch out for this lady! Again, I love working with people to build really great plots together, so don’t hesitate to reach out with any of your ideas and I’ll do the same! 

Keep reading to find out more about Jia:

Jia was born to a lesser noble family in Ryhule, and was always relatively poor. She was determined to climb the ranks and do better for herself, and after a fruitful career as a social climber, she has been appointed the Ambassador to Oscana, an honor she carries with pride.

She is married to a prominent general of Ryhule’s military, but she is not necessarily loyal to them all the time. Jia is willing to use all of the tools at her disposal to build alliances and ensure loyalty, and she’s not above seducing others or using her body to do just that.

Her spies vary in rank and nationality, some are devout Ryhulians who came to Oscana to serve their country, others are Oscanans who she’s bought or blackmailed into serving her. Whoever they are, they’re stationed all over to keep her apprised of anything she may need to know to forward her motives.

Her motives, for the most part, align with Ryhule’s best interests. She wants wealth and power, and until the kingdoms are united, she has the best shot in her homeland. But that isn’t to say that she wouldn’t switch sides if the price was right.

Jia is very good at lying and manipulating others; there are those who believe she is a loyal and true friend, but she would sell them down the river if it suited her. There is almost no one Jia wouldn’t lie, cheat and steal from if she needed to.

I’m looking for all kinds of plots for Jia, but you can read more about her background here or find a list of connection ideas here, so feel free to hit me up with any ideas! I love discussing ideas to make something work for us both, so don’t be shy!