CWOS: The Last Queen {OOC / Sign-Up}

[Ordeith]

------- I ń Rr Ǣ Ɂ ȣ i P Ȼ hY s -------​

Salutations, friends!

As you well know, a diligent Story-Keeper never sits idle for long—for as the year turns, new stories are given life in words, and long-forgotten tales are finally restored in full. Still we labor to recover the lost kingdom of Dragonsbane, but that does not exempt us from our other duties. A new set of stories has recently come to the Library's attention, and we feel that your talents are best suited to the task of deciphering them.

I do not use the term "decipher" unduly; these volumes are cryptic, to say the least. The Library discovered them on a shelf that had long been obscured by the large sundial from Gwyladyr-Hav, where presumably they sat undisturbed for ages. Despite this, the language constantly flits between ancient and modern forms, and everything in-between. In some places, it takes a strong regional dialect—while in other places it borrows liberally from languages we have not even seen before.

In short, these works are an anomaly, shifting whenever we feel that we've properly identified them.

The author of the texts identifies himself/herself as Spurius—making a rather obvious pun at our expense. The margins and body are filled with this author's notes and spoiled drafts, indicating that much of the work is pure fabrication. Still, we of all people should know that fiction has value unto itself—and the magical properties of Spurius' work are reason enough to investigate.

Use whatever magicks, rituals, and resources lie at your disposal. I am certain that whatever you discover will be interesting, at the very least!

— J. Ordeith, Keeper of Tomes​

---------------------------- Ȝ ɱ dzR Ϯ C kB e Ƣ ū hY Ŵ ----------------------------​

Hello, everybody. I'm glad you decided to stop inside, and I hope that you stay for a while.

For reasons which I hope are obvious, I'll be presenting this information in a way that departs from the usual format of sign-up threads.

This post contains information relevant to the frame story of Spurius' works—the backstory, guidelines, rules, and procedures which can be applied to any story set within this larger framework. If "The Last Queen" doesn't produce anything worthwhile, these rules can be applied to a different story altogether, and still function as intended.

The second post in this thread will contain information about the premise and universe of The Last Queen, one of the many works under Spurius' name. It should explain the setting, principal roles, loose magic system, etc. It will also contain the character roster and complete list of events.

Without further ado, then...

Spoiler Show

The only consistent quality of Spurius is his/her inconsistency. Spurius' language might sing like poetry, drone like dry history—or groan like unfinished fanfiction. Characters are flexible and inconstant, sometimes disappearing from the narrative without warning. Every other page is rife with continuity errors. Nonsensical notes litter the margins of any given page, and drafts end as suddenly as they begin. These works read as if their author had been possessed by the spirits of a thousand different writers, each vying for a voice.

You see, we—collectively—write for Spurius. This entails the following:

• No post is ignored; everything is accepted without question.
• We will not discriminate based on writing experience/ability. Any variances in style and quality can be attributed to Spurius' sloppiness as a writer.
• Though we should all strive to uphold the standard forum rules, instances of rulebreaking are still accepted. If you feel that your character has been wrongly used by another roleplayer, you may submit an appeal. (See: "Appeal Process")

To prevent a chaotic free-for-all from taking place, one roleplayer will be designated as the RP's official "Spurius"—a moderator/DM figure who will decide the direction of the RP. This person will must do the following:

- Read every post carefully!

- Make judgments in the event of an appeal.

- Decide when to begin a new draft, and the circumstances which begin said draft.

- "Drafts" are chunks of roleplay content, book-ended by Spurius' direction. They represent the author's writing-and-revising process—so starting a new draft is a sort of "soft reset," moving the RP to another place and/or time. Anything can change between drafts, so keep a close eye on the draft notes.

- Drafts can also mark endings, much like the branching endings of Drakengard and Nier. Like the endings of those games, these endings can be complete—or abrupt and unsatisfying.

- Drafts should be marked in both the OOC thread and the roleplay thread. The former should contain only a bare minimum of notes, describing any changes that have taken place. The latter should contain an in-character post from Spurius, intervening as the narrator: scratched-out lines, self-critique of the writing thus far, vague directions for the next draft, etc.

- When a new draft begins, the events that took place within the previous draft should be logged.
​

- Pass the baton to the next iteration of Spurius. Remember, inconsistency is the only consistent quality of Spurius; if you are chosen as the replacement, don't worry about matching the style of the previous Spurius!​

Spoiler Show

Submitting a Character

To participate in this roleplay, only a few simple steps must be observed.
No template is needed, no sample post; all together, it should take less than a few minutes.

In this sign-up thread, you'll need to include the following in a single post:

1. Your character's name and age
2. A short description of his/her function in the world

That's it! It should span only a few sentences, and look something like this:

Sir Antony Ricce, 30
A knight of foreign origin, now four years in the queen's service. Respected by most, well liked by all.

Writing any more than that is acceptable, but certainly not necessary.

Furthermore, you are free to invent an occupation or role for your character—and your fellow roleplayers will accommodate your creative choice. Control the queen's personal bodyguard, her jealous cousin, her food taster, or someone who has never once heard of her. The Collected Works of Spurius are meant to be a platform for experimentation, so feel free to experiment!

If you need some guidance or direction, some predefined roles will be supplied. Some of these characters are (potentially) important to the plot; others are merely suggested courses of action. Don't feel obligated to claim them, but do keep in mind that they'll be given solely on a first-come-first-serve basis. As a general rule, I'm permitting only two of these predefined roles per roleplayer. Send me a PM if you'd like another.


The Appeal Process

If you feel that your character has been wronged in an exchange, that your plans have been disrupted, or that a section rule has been broken in an inexcusable way, feel free to submit a formal appeal.

Briefly describe your complaint in the OOC thread, and send more detailed private messages to me, OmniChaos, and/or the current Spurius. We'll review the post(s) in question, and deliver a verdict in the OOC thread. Then Spurius will call the beginning of a new draft, in which the problem in question has been resolved/eliminated. It's that simple.

This process allows us to resolve disagreements constructively, through the in-universe "revision" mechanic. Let's try to use it sparingly, though, since a private one-to-one exchange is often enough to settle this kind of dispute.

 

[Ordeith]

THE LAST QUEEN
or
The Nightmare of the Ivory Manse



| by Spurius, the Greatest Author Who Ever Was or Will Be |
__________________________________________​

Ϡ Prologue
With the stroke of midnight fast approaching, our fated players take the stage...

The Queen, wakened by news of an attack, left her chambers in the Ivory Manse to join the military council in Fort Londe. Through the gates, across the demesne between the manse and the fort, past the royal chapel and cemetery…

…she rode into their snare without a moment’s hesitation.

The council chamber was locked from without, sealed by magic, and she was left alone with them. The conspirators. The child she bore by her late husband; the hierophant who governs the holy Church; the merchant whose coin fills the royal bank; the Green Knight, a lauded champion of the realm; the chamberlain who advised Her Majesty for many years; and the spellcaster who treated with demons on their behalf—together these six conspirators moved against the Queen.

Aided by the powers of midnight, they performed an unholy rite upon Her Majesty’s person. Her soul was expelled from her body, and supplanted by a ghost of Hell—a demon who would prepare the way for the conspirators’ new order. O! what a terrible light came over her eyes, no longer her own to move or blink!

The six rejoiced in their success, but their celebration was suddenly cut short: Her Majesty’s guardian, the archangel of the royal family, arrived to the succor of her disembodied soul. Disrupting the conspirators’ ritual before its completion, the angel whisked Her Majesty’s soul out of their foul clutches—and out of the fort! Outside, all of the royal demesne—from Fort Londe to the Ivory Manse—was overrun with demons and wicked men; flight was the Queen’s last remaining avenue.

The royal army has been commandeered, and purged of dissenters…

The knightly orders are scattered, unaware of the calamity that has befallen the Queen…
…or else they are themselves allied with the conspirators.

The clergy, slowly but surely, are taking pacts with demons—preparing to preach the new order…

The aristocracy is blissfully unaware of the conversion taking place at its core…

The demon-queen holds court in Her Majesty’s name…

…and the true queen, now but a soul, has only the archangel to serve her in exile.
Her archangel, and the vengeful spirits of the slain. Until their dubious return, the kingdom shall remain in endless night, beset by the forces of Hell.

Godspeed, Majesty.​

​

Ϡ History & Setting
The kingdom of Arnaud Dragonsbane was built upon its magical bones, and so were countless kingdoms thereafter...

In a time unrecorded, there lived a king whose wickedness and vice brought shame to even his lowliest vassal. When his time was not spent at war, it was fretted away in idleness, drink, sodomy, and the acquisition of wealth. He lived for his appetites, this king—appetites which, as they were so often indulged, grew larger and more perverse with each passing day. As his teeth grew black, so did his soul.

Only by threats of brute force did he retain his power … but retain it he did, until the day that Fate demanded otherwise.
It was brought about by a clever woman: his youngest wife.

This king had known many wives during his long life, and all save those who had died in childbirth were still alive. They served him in whatever manner he saw fit; he especially liked to parade them out in succession, boasting to his guests that he had more wives than any man alive. Alas! the poor women had been treated so foully that not one thought of resisting him. So the king thought, at least.

But the youngest wife was clever indeed. Using sorcery of her own devising, she slew the king when he least expected it, and claimed his throne for herself. Thenceforth the kingdom knelt not to a king at all, but to a queen—and gladly they did!

Magic of all kinds flourished under her long dynasty, to the great benefit of their subjects. Every last one, from the learned mages and sages to the simplest children, lived a better life thanks to the Queen’s patronage of the magical arts.

In time, two forms of magic rose to especial prominence in the new kingdom:

Spoiler Show

Pacts were the most common source of magical power, though rather unsafe in principle.

A pact, in the thaumaturgical sense, is a mutually beneficial bond formed between a human and an angel, demon, or fairy. By saying the ritual words, the human party acquires a greater affinity for magic—which alone would require decades of hard study and meditation—along with access to the canon of spells known to his or her otherworldly patron. In return, an angel or demon would usually be allowed to manifest physically in the world. Fairies, on the other hand, already own bodies; and so the terms of their pacts are often strange, specific, with ramifications that are not immediately perceptible.

Pacts with demons were for centuries believed to be impossible. The demon host is sealed permanently in Hell; until the conspirators’ recent success, any attempt to breach that realm was punished by death.

For those not wishing to treat with powers unknown, alchemy has always been the safer channel for magic. By mixing the natural elements in certain proportions, and saying certain arcane words, one can create a magical token. These objects can be of any size, appear as outlandish or mundane as the maker chooses. They contain a set canon of spells, infused with the very matter of the token, which the owner may access at any time without much mental or physical strain. However, the efficacy of a token depends largely on the purity of the ingredients used to make it, to say nothing of the purity of the recipe. To achieve power comparable to a pact, an alchemical recipe requires decades of refinement; and a high-tier recipe comes at quite a cost.

The Queens of the Ivory Manse have been blessed in both forms of magic, and many others besides. Each has held a pact with a powerful angel, as have their spouses and knights; each has worn the Moon Circlet, a magical token with no known flaws. Each has been so steeped in power that she could proclaim herself a goddess, and live indefinitely.

Yet time after time, the reigning queen has chosen to relinquish the throne to a successor…
(NOTE: Though they pertain to the story, you—yes, you, the roleplayers—are not at all obligated to follow these systems of magic. They stand merely as suggestions.)

​

Ϡ Character Log
The players in this, our ever-shifting drama...

Spoiler Show

Predefined Roles – Think of these as prompts, and nothing more; only the Queen, the Archangel, and two of the conspirators need to be claimed. Some of these roles are not even present in the story—not unless you decide to make them relevant.

The Queen - CLAIMED (for now)
The Archangel of the Royal Family - CLAIMED

The Demon Imposter - CLAIMED
The Child - CLAIMED
The Hierophant
The Merchant
The Green Knight - CLAIMED
The Chamberlain
The Spellcaster - CLAIMED

The Royal Astrologer
The Royal Alchemist
The “Queen’s Justice,” the Executioner
The Gaoler of Fort Londe
Commanders of the Knightly Orders
The Queen's Spouse

Spoiler Show

All characters—along with a concise record of their respective deeds—will be logged here.

Ordeith

The Black Knight, ~200
Once called the Silver Knight. After he was found guilty of treason and adultery, his flesh was burned into his armor by the Queen's magical fire. His spirit remained to animate the armor after his corpse had decayed, and he became the kingdom's most dreaded tool of war. Time has not quelled his rage.

Marutia the Archangel, ???
Guardian of the royal family since its institution. She has offered protection and wisdom to every queen, to varying degrees of success. Now she protects the soul of the reigning queen—who may very well be the last queen of this holy line.

Sir Bertrand the Moonlight Knight, 54
One of two knights leading an important sortie. In the month prior to the conspirators' attack, this unit was dispatched to learn of mysterious goings-on in the south, a region targeted by troubling rumors of demonic activity. Sir Bertrand wields the Crescent Moon Sword, a blessed heirloom of the royal family, so surely he has not come to harm...

Captain Edgar of Fort Londe, 32
When Fort Londe was taken by surprise attack, Captain Edgar led the defending forces. No one has seen him since that fateful night.

"Poor Tom," the New Jester
A puppet that has been animated by some kind of magic. It is mute, clumsy, and ridiculous—the source of a good laugh, for those whose hearts are cruel. The demon-queen has made it a fixture in her court.

Urganda the Enchantress, 40
An eccentric witch who hails from the south. Her past is unknown to her fellow conspirators—but even so, she has proven helpful and loyal to their cause. The beginnings of the demonic activity can be traced back to her.

Queen Anastaise II, 89
Known to be wise and fair, loving and generous, intelligent and powerful, the Queen has all but surpassed her forbears' legacy. She inherited an age of relative peace, and used that peace to build the most enlightened nation in living memory. But now approaches the greatest war in living memory — and with it, all of the Queen's deepest fears have emerged. When a person is naught but a soul, what can fear do to her?​

Professor Ven

Gibyr Witticus, the Old Jester, ???

An enigmatic, almost demonic figure clad in green and purple. Legends whisper of madmen's tales, murmurings of "A mask, a mask! My kingdom to a mask!" For those who know of the platinum facial covering fear above all the malevolent spirit that has remained locked inside of it for countless centuries, possessing one host after the other.

Replaced, and cast out of the Ivory Manse, he seeks only revenge via the most meticulously murderous methods possible.​

KitKat

Cathy Fairchild, The Royal Taster, 21

The abrupt leave of Her Royal Majesty has left the royal taster out of a job. Therefore, she has to choose quickly to serve the next King/Queen in line as their royal taster, or perhaps train to become an assassin and kill whom ever has made Her Royal Majesty flee from the castle. Using the royal taster job as a decoy to stay close to the new King/Queen until she can get to the bottom of this. Thankfully Cathy is a direct descendant of fey and has some magical properties in her blood. All she has to do is learn how to use it... that is if she can come in contact with the fairies.

And avoid any flirtatious men in the process.​

OmniChaos

The Warlock, Adviser to the Demon-Queen, 26

A mysterious man from lands far away, the Warlock wormed his way to the Demon-Queen's side, much to the dismay of the conspirators. With unknown intentions, the Warlock holds the Demon-Queen's ear and is able to often persuade her to his side. Though a growing nuisance for the conspirators, a greater evil lurks behind the glowing, white light that rests within his right eye socket.

The Fell King, Ruler of a Thousand Kingdoms, ???

A mysterious king from far, far, away, the Fell King conquered countless kingdoms and has now set his sight upon this one. Through his vassal, the king sees all the Warlock sees, and may speak through his lips.

Haloge the Dragon, Age 5169

Elder brother to the legendary beast slain by Dragonbane, Haloge was given great knowledge of the magical art by a wandering warlock so that he may avenge his brother's untimely demise. Though through a cruel twist of fate, the dragon found himself imprisoned inside a small, glass orb by the very same man who had just helped him. Time marched forward, ever relentless, until he was eventually freed by Izan, who he now aids in hope of exacting his revenge upon Dragonbane's descendants. While in the guise of a human, he acts the part of Izan's assistant.​

Hidden

The Doppelganger Queen, Age 0

Called forth from the shadowy non-existence of the netherrealms, the demon-queen is enjoying her newfound coporeality. She knows the pact which called her into this world binds her to the will of the conspirators, but she also senses that the archangel's interruption left this ritual incomplete and imperfect. She is anxious to test the bounds of her magical binding.

Sir Bercilak de Hautdesert, or the Green Knight, aged 52

Sir Bercilak de Hautdesert, celebrated champion of the realm, a hero of great stature and courage. Other accounts call him Bredbeddle, a cowardly woodsman who came by his green tint and ill-found power through a pact made with a fay, mysterious beings of the forest surrounding Dragonsbane.

The Young Prince, aged 14

Inexperienced and desperate for power, the young Prince Lucius was easily enfolded into the conspirator's plot. Aware that the throne could only be passed matrilineally, he agreed to help depose his mother with the promise of becoming Dragonsbane's first king in a millennium.

Brother Lazarus, Age 79

Ordained brother of the Laetrium Order, Brother Lazarus took his robes and vows of silence at the age of 9. For the last 70 years, the only words to pass through his lips have been sacred psalms of praise for the Goddess and her earthly incarnation, the Queen.

The Taoist Assassin, ~50s

He does not appear in this story.

Xuan Jie, Jinni, Ageless

A magical being known as a Jinni, Xuan Jie comes from the eastern island of Peng-lai in the kingdom of Xing. He takes sojourn here in the abandoned bottle once inhabited by the dragon Haloge. Bald-headed with a full beard and fierce eyes, he strikes an imposing figure, though he is kind at heart.
​

Nami

helena, the right-hand maiden, 23
a young lady that is often all smiles. she's been one of the queen's handmaidens for a couple years, but unbeknownst to all, she is also her part-time lover. she is secretly very smitten with the queen and also very aware of how dangerous that is. currently she is unaware of the queen's predicament.​

SwagStarIV

KidD, Royal Alchemist of the Golden Fist- Age 13

Once thought to be the a rising prodigy in the underground community. His unique ability craft artificial tokens started at 5. Being born in an orphanage instilled a bitter heart to go with his small figure and prominent mind. The only thing keeping him out of trouble was his fairy godmother. He likes to keep his pact secret from his colleagues and royal family. Though intuitive he often misjudges character, and rarely trust anyone.

Trisk, KidD's Fairy Guardian- Age 123

A fairy that met KidD when he was just an infant. She was the one who found him and brought him to his orphan home. In a moment she instantly fell in love. Once he showed signs of intelligence, she decided to make herself known. She now guards over him as a mother would her own. Her control of the forest and plant life is essential in KidD's rise to his royal stature.

Hitro Aer, Royal Astrologer- Age 23

Often referred to as, Celes De Anon in the underground community. Once your every day Freelancer, often taking interest in hunting, looting caves, and selling his items on the black market. This all changed when he encountered a near death angel within a cave, recently fallen from their spiritual sanctuary to the physical plane. Though he hid and aided it back to health, once it woke it slayed him on sight. Due to guilt, the angel journey to hell to save him and brought him back through a pact. The only thing keeping him alive is his pact and the resulting token within a small box on his belt. He is the royal astrologer for his 129,600 Chapter book titled, Celestial Haze.

Irene the Serene, Hitro's Guardian Angel- Age 2 eons

Irene was a guardian of her sector. Due to a divine rebellion she was tossed in the hands of fate. Once a captain of her squad, she fought against the demons in a seemingly never ending battle, until she was tossed from the front lines into the physical realm. After making the pact with Hitro she resides within his token, stuck in limbo, unable to go back to the spiritual realm. Due to these events, she often remains present in the physical world as his assistant who secretly wrote all his infamous books on astrology and is the sole reason for his royal status and prestige.​

I<3Kiari

Maxamillion Varad II, 25
An adventurer of unknown origin.​

Spoiler Show

The events of each draft will be recorded here.

 

[Ordeith]

I'll give everybody a short while—a day, at most—to peruse this information, and then I'll post the thread itself. After that, feel free to introduce your character in whatever way you see fit!

Until then...


The Black Knight, ~200
Once called the Silver Knight. After being found guilty of treason and adultery, his flesh was burned into his armor by the Queen's magical fire. His spirit remained to animate the armor after his corpse had decayed, and he became the kingdom's most dreaded tool of war. Time has not quelled his rage.

Marutia the Archangel, ???
Guardian of the royal family since its institution. She has offered protection and wisdom to every queen, to varying degrees of success. Now she protects the soul of the reigning queen—who may very well be the last queen of this holy line.

Sir Bertrand the Moonlight Knight, 54
One of two knights leading an important sortie. In the month prior to the conspirators' attack, this unit was dispatched to learn of mysterious goings-on in the south, a region targeted by troubling rumors of demonic activity. Sir Bertrand wields the Crescent Moon Sword, a blessed heirloom of the royal family, so surely he has not come to harm...

Captain Edgar of Fort Londe, 32
When Fort Londe was taken by surprise attack, Captain Edgar led the defending forces. No one has seen him since that fateful night.

"Poor Tom," the New Jester
A puppet that has been animated by some kind of magic. It is mute, clumsy, and ridiculous—the source of a good laugh, for those whose hearts are cruel. The demon-queen has made it a fixture in her court.

Urganda the Enchantress, 40
An eccentric witch who hails from the south. Her past is unknown to her fellow conspirators—but even so, she has proven helpful and loyal to their cause. The beginnings of the demonic activity can be traced back to her.



Remember! When the RP is under way, you can just post a character summary similar to those above, and begin posting immediately.

 

[Professor Ven]

Gibyr Witticus, the Old Jester, ???

An enigmatic, almost demonic figure clad in green and purple. Legends whisper of madmen's tales, murmurings of "A mask, a mask! My kingdom to a mask!" For those who know of the platinum facial covering fear above all the malevolent spirit that has remained locked inside of it for countless centuries, possessing one host after the other.

Replaced, and cast out of the Ivory Manse, he seeks only revenge via the most meticulously murderous methods possible.

 

[KingdomKey]

Cathy Fairchild, The Royal Taster, 21

The abrupt leave of Her Royal Majesty has left the royal taster out of a job. Therefore, she has to choose quickly to serve the next King/Queen in line as their royal taster, or perhaps train to become an assassin and kill whom ever has made Her Royal Majesty flee from the castle. Using the royal taster job as a decoy to stay close to the new King/Queen until she can get to the bottom of this. Thankfully Cathy is a direct descendant of fey and has some magical properties in her blood. All she has to do is learn how to use it... that is if she can come in contact with the fairies.

And avoid any flirtatious men in the process.

 

[OmniChaos]

It takes place in the KHIFables world, so you had to have known this was coming.


The Warlock, Adviser to the Demon-Queen, 26

A mysterious man from lands far away, the Warlock wormed his way to the Demon-Queen's side, much to the dismay of the conspirators. With unknown intentions, the Warlock holds the Demon-Queen's ear and is able to often persuade her to his side. Though a growing nuisance for the conspirators, a greater evil lurks behind the glowing, white light that rests within his right eye socket.

The Fell King, Ruler of a Thousand Kingdoms, ???

A mysterious king from far, far, away, the Fell King conquered countless kingdoms and has now set his sight upon this one. Through his vassal, the king sees all the Warlock sees, and may speak through his lips.

The Puppet Master, Unknown Monster, ???

"Character from maddened scribblings. Not sure where to put him yet, but too interesting to pass up. Will think of something later."

 

[Hidden]

The Doppelganger Queen, Age 0

Called forth from the shadowy non-existence of the netherrealms, the demon-queen is enjoying her newfound coporeality. She knows the pact which called her into this world binds her to the will of the conspirators, but she also senses that the archangel's interruption left this ritual incomplete and imperfect. She is anxious to test the bounds of her magical binding.

The Green Knight, age 52

Sir Bercilak de Hautdesert, celebrated champion of the realm, a hero of great stature and courage. Other accounts call him Bredbeddle, a cowardly woodsman who came by his green tint and ill-found power through a pact made with a fay, mysterious beings of the forest surrounding Dragonsbane.

The Young Prince, age 14

Inexperienced and desperate for power, the young Prince Lucius was easily enfolded into the conspirator's plot. Aware that the throne could only be passed matrilineally, he agreed to help depose his mother with the promise of becoming Dragonsbane's first king in a millennium.

Brother Lazarus, Age 79

Ordained brother of the Laetrium Order, Brother Lazarus took his robes and vows of silence at the age of 9. For the last 70 years, the only words to pass through his lips have been sacred psalms of praise for the Goddess and her earthly incarnation, the Queen.

Xuan Jie, Jinni, Ageless
A magical being known as a Jinni, Xuan Jie comes from the eastern island of Peng-lai in the kingdom of Xing. He takes sojourn here in the abandoned bottle once inhabited by the dragon Haloge. Bald-headed with a full beard and fierce eyes, he strikes an imposing figure, though he is kind at heart.

The Taoist Assassin, ~50s

He does not appear in this story.


More characters likely to follow. I may not be able to post regularly, but due to the nature of this roleplay I have no problem with other roleplayers including and directing these characters in their own posts.

 

[Ordeith]

Did I say "a day?" Pfft, I meant three days.
Ugh. Apologies, everyone. I'll have this up and running, lickety-split...

In the meantime, I bid everyone — and their wonderful characters — a hearty welcome! Already I'm seeing a wide and varied cast, and just as many interpretations of the theme and setting. Oh, this is going to be good.

 

[Ordeith]

Don't rush to post all at once, everybody.

If it helps, know that the scribbles and "margin notes" are just garnishes that I, as the current Spurius, thought to include. Nor are the times, locations, and perspective characters' names necessary. Near-total freedom is what we're aiming to have here -- so if you feel like writing a post that's the same length as this one, go for it!

 

[OmniChaos]

I should have a post up tonight. I've just been thinking what I am going to do and how I am going to go about doing it.

 

[Hidden]

After that, I won't even look at it until I've given everybody else their fair due of posts.
Nightfall, Arcana, Night of Fate ... all of them!

Don't rush to post all at once, everybody.

Hi Mr. Pot, I'm Mr. Kettle, have we met?

But yes, sorry, I did say I would be participating. I will do my utmost to have a post up tonight.

Also, I've changed my character entry for the Green Knight to better reflect the nature of the roleplay as I see it, and added a character entry for the Young Prince.

Edit: Posted. I hope you don't mind I obviously riffed off of your narrative voice; mine is quick and messy and not as well put-together as yours, but it was a fun exercise in irreverent writing. I won't write like that for every post (too distracting and too much work), but it might be a reoccurring theme for Sir Bercilak/Bredbeddle

Double Edit: I double posted. The later post supersedes the earlier post. Proceed as you will.

 

[Ordeith]

Hi Mr. Pot, I'm Mr. Kettle, have we met?

Bah! Mr. Pot doesn't even remember the day of the week, so cut him a little slack.
Besides, I've fulfilled (as of now) one of those three promises -- and hopefully the rest will follow quickly!

Also, I've changed my character entry for the Green Knight to better reflect the nature of the roleplay as I see it, and added a character entry for the Young Prince.

Duly noted, and duly added.

By the way, I probably should have explained more clearly that "Dragonsbane" is a reference to the setting of "KHI Fables," to which this is a prequel of sorts. Despite that, I like the discrepancy that you've introduced here -- and I'm not just saying that. It creates a sense that time is disjointed, and that the narrative can't be trusted. Some details fit much better in a post-Fables setting, while others could have only taken place before. Who can say which interpretation is correct?

Edit: Posted. I hope you don't mind I obviously riffed off of your narrative voice; mine is quick and messy and not as well put-together as yours, but it was a fun exercise in irreverent writing. I won't write like that for every post (too distracting and too much work), but it might be a reoccurring theme for Sir Bercilak/Bredbeddle

Double Edit: I double posted. The later post supersedes the earlier post. Proceed as you will.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Exhibit A -- "A" here standing for "admirable."
Humorous, chilling, clever, open to others' input, full of meta-narrative on so many levels...

I could praise it for quite some time -- but you already know that, from our conversation. Suffice it to say that you never disappoint, Hidden. Take these ideas and run with them, everybody; as you can see, it produces great results!

(But please don't feel obligated to write a masterpiece novel. I just want this project to succeed, and for everyone to have fun.)

 

[KingdomKey]

Sorry for how long it took for myself to post. Hopefully its acceptable, Ordeith. I'll change it if it proves otherwise. Anyways, I had fun with my post. I'm not quite used to writing in this style per se -- but I'll stick with it until later on.

I'd like to ask if us (the characters,) will acknowledge each other in this rp? Or will we be writing like this the entire time? I don't mind either way if that's the case.

 

[Ordeith]

Sorry for how long it took for myself to post. Hopefully its acceptable, Ordeith. I'll change it if it proves otherwise. Anyways, I had fun with my post. I'm not quite used to writing in this style per se -- but I'll stick with it until later on.

Oh, you don't need to match my style — or anybody's style, for that matter. I'm not grading every post by a "Spurius-ness" rubric. Feel free to write in your own style, with your own parameters/formatting/etc.

That having been said, I enjoyed your post very much! I really, really like your use of dialect; it adds flavor (pun intended) to the kitchen staff. I also think that Finnian is going to prove an interesting character in the events to come. Would you rather he remain under your control, or is he a "NPC" for anyone to control?

I'd like to ask if us (the characters,) will acknowledge each other in this rp? Or will we be writing like this the entire time? I don't mind either way if that's the case.

Oh, of course our characters will interact! We've just been ... setting the stage, I suppose.
Sorry if you got that impression!

If you'd like Cathy to slip away from her escort, visit Urganda's chambers, and stage a chat between them, go ahead. If you want to track down Sir Bercilak or the Prince, go for it.

The castle — and, for that matter, the world — has no predetermined map or design, so feel free to make it up as you write. Rather than bind you to a set style, the "Spurius" gimmick is meant to give you more options than controlling a single character. You're the author-god of this world, just as much as any one of us. Don't worry about power-playing or respecting boundaries; just have fun!

 

[KingdomKey]

Oh, you don't need to match my style — or anybody's style, for that matter. I'm not grading every post by a "Spurius-ness" rubric. Feel free to write in your own style, with your own parameters/formatting/etc.

That's good to know — I can relax a bit more with my future posts now. Oh, but don't get me wrong! I quite liked the challenge of writing in your style! I'm not quite sure what my style/format/parameters are to be honest. But I'll discover that, as the story progresses further along.

That having been said, I enjoyed your post very much! I really, really like your use of dialect; it adds flavor (pun intended) to the kitchen staff. I also think that Finnian is going to prove an interesting character in the events to come. Would you rather he remain under your control, or is he a "NPC" for anyone to control?

Thank you! I was winging the dialect but, I'm glad you liked it! I've been wanting to use said dialect for quite awhile now, and I was waiting for the right character to use it on. But yes, Finnian was intended to be an NPC. And still is, should any of you liked to use him and have him interact with your characters however you like.

Oh, of course our characters will interact! We've just been ... setting the stage, I suppose.
Sorry if you got that impression!

Setting the stage sounds about right. So yeah, its good to know we'll interact after all!
Therefore, no worries. :3 It was more of an after thought than an impression, that occurred to me shortly after my post.

The castle — and, for that matter, the world — has no predetermined map or design, so feel free to make it up as you write. Rather than bind you to a set style, the "Spurius" gimmick is meant to give you more options than controlling a single character. You're the author-god of this world, just as much as any one of us. Don't worry about power-playing or respecting boundaries; just have fun!

Oh my. I wasn't aware we had that much control. Figuratively speaking, I'm out of my own comfort zone with this. Which is a good thing, of course. This ought to be a lot of fun -- however we choose to weave the story together. Its almost like writing a book from several different points of view. I'll have to keep that in mind, next time I write another post. Even so, I'll try not to go overboard. (xD)

 

[Ordeith]

Thank you! I was winging the dialect but, I'm glad you liked it! I've been wanting to use said dialect for quite awhile now, and I was waiting for the right character to use it on. But yes, Finnian was intended to be an NPC. And still is, should any of you liked to use him and have him interact with your characters however you like.

Excellent! I think we can all make creative use of him.

Oh my. I wasn't aware we had that much control. Figuratively speaking, I'm out of my own comfort zone with this. Which is a good thing, of course. This ought to be a lot of fun -- however we choose to weave the story together. Its almost like writing a book from several different points of view. I'll have to keep that in mind, next time I write another post. Even so, I'll try not to go overboard. (xD)

Yup. My job — instead of creating the entire world myself — is to stitch together any unsightly seams, and make sure that someone doesn't try to rip the entire fabric apart. No tug-'o-war conflicts here; just easy, fun storytelling.

The best part is that we can change what we've previously decided, through the draft system. If it manages to survive for long enough, this RP will have a many-branched story, like a chaotic "Choose Your Own Adventure" novel. Suppose the Black Knight escapes the conspirators' custody? Suppose he aids them willingly? Or what if he and Finnian stage a Mission Impossible-style heist of the crown jewels? It's just a matter of imagination and time.


Anyway, I'm hoping to have a post together soon. From me, "soon" should usually be taken with a pinch of salt, but this upcoming post will contain some cut portions of my first two posts. Hopefully that will make the delivery a little more timely!

And to everybody who has posted: Many thanks for your excellent work.


EDIT: I don't mean to write novellas, everybody. Honestly, I don't.

 

[Hidden]

I'll do my level best to get another post up this week--this is currently the roleplay I most enjoy writing for, but it does take some extra time and effort. Among other things, I need to review my Middle English poetry.

 

[KingdomKey]

The best part is that we can change what we've previously decided, through the draft system.

Does this mean, I can choose to interact with your Enchantress or not?

Don't get me wrong, I was super duper excited to see Cathy get interacted with! Especially from the Enchantress of all people! Got me so excited to start working on my next post as soon as possible. And I enjoyed your post a lot too!

If it manages to survive for long enough, this RP will have a many-branched story, like a chaotic "Choose Your Own Adventure" novel. Suppose the Black Knight escapes the conspirators' custody? Suppose he aids them willingly? Or what if he and Finnian stage a Mission Impossible-style heist of the crown jewels? It's just a matter of imagination and time.

^ I think this is an awesome idea and I'd love to see that happen.

 

[Ordeith]

I'll do my level best to get another post up this week--this is currently the roleplay I most enjoy writing for, but it does take some extra time and effort. Among other things, I need to review my Middle English poetry.

Ohohoho, I look forward to it. I can't believe that I didn't recognize "Sir Bercilak" when I first read it — but hindsight is 20/20, they say.

Does this mean, I can choose to interact with your Enchantress or not?

Don't get me wrong, I was super duper excited to see Cathy get interacted with! Especially from the Enchantress of all people! Got me so excited to start working on my next post as soon as possible. And I enjoyed your post a lot too!

Just roleplay as you normally would. However, if you'd rather Cathy not interact with Urganda, just throw together some "editing" and change Cathy's position. This can even happen well after their conversation has passed — if the next "draft" reaches that far back in time.

And thank you! I hope it wasn't too long a read.

I think this is an awesome idea and I'd love to see that happen.

All that and more, so stay tuned!


To OmniChaos: A fitting introduction, with plenty of fun references besides. I think that Izan and Urganda are going to have an interesting time of it, moving forward...

 

[Nami]

not too late to sign up, I hope!

helena, the right-hand maiden, 23
a young lady that is often all smiles. she's been one of the queen's handmaidens for a couple years, but unbeknownst to all, she is also her part-time lover. she is secretly very smitten with the queen and also very aware of how dangerous that is. currently she unaware of the queen's predicament.
[A little doodle of how she may look]

if this is an issue please let me know before i begin playing. ; u ;