[OOC] Prized Bride (A New Beginning)

[Ellion]

@BlackPanther....just me lol

[Ellion]

@ClocktowerEchos@Pupperr@Emma@Belle@BlackPanther@Nevix
You all are good to start moving characters over. I’m hopeful I’ll be either accepting or pming everyone else soon!!

[Ellion]

Bree

The Shadow Queen

Aubree Lamay

Race:
Gem
Age:
19
Element(s):
Fire
Height:
5’9”

Bio:
It had never been a question on if Aubree was selected, only a matter of when. From the time she was old enough to know that she was pretty, Aubree knew that her fate and future lay not in her homeland, but that of their neighbors and overlords, the drakken.

It was a common thing that occurred for female members of the Lamay family, which had only survived though the male line. It was a sick joke that the Lamay's mothered half the Drakkan alive today. Since the history of the deal, none had ever bore a Gem. An oddity that was occasionally poked at by well meaning friends, but the fathers and brothers of Lamay would promptly shut the conversation down. Who were they to speak about a family as wealthy as the Lamays?

If she had ever been sad about it though, it passed the day she met Allie. The shy girl who blushed something fierce when Bree told her she was pretty. But it was the truth, from the first time Bree saw her, she knew Allie to be the most beautiful girl in Bree’s entire world. Together, they convinced themselves that the selection was not something to fear, but rather, the start of their true lives. Free from the scorn that their love would bring in their homeland.

Much of Bree's childhood was filled with all the learnings of the drakken that were available to the Gems. She was well versed in the history, lore, religion and most of the prominent culture traits. Taught to her to make the transition as smooth as possible. All of this information she shared openly and freely with Allie. As soon as they were old enough, the two girls took their studies even further. Researching how things such as how brides were selected and basic psychology of the Drakken race. After all, if they were going to be selected together, they would have to be prepared.

They planned for every thing that would occur after they were selected to be brides. The best course of action to ensure they were selected by the same drakken husband. They choreographed exactly how the first night would play out, creating a system to ensure they would always have enough time for each other at the end of the day. They studied different plants that could be turned into balms that would keep tried husbands sleeping while the mice played. Beyond even that, they discussed at length the various methods they could be used in training a Drakken without him noticing, often using angry bulls as testers for their techniques.

As the year passed, and their time drew nearer, their plans became more vivid, discussing at length all the things they would do to each other, beyond kissing. Having planned to save each other for their first night of sisterwives. Whatever had to happen with their husband was always thought of as a price to pay for being able to love each other fully, each and everyday.

When the day came though…all their plans fell apart.

They didn’t choose Allie. They didn’t even look twice at her. They just took Bree and left.

It took the whole journey for Bree to figure out what her next step was: She was going to spin a tale of the most beautiful girl in the world. One her husband couldn't live without. It might take a year, maybe two, but she would have her love again.

Adult preference: I usually won’t. But if I am really feeling the moment I am all for it

I finally finished one of my girls!

[Obscene Symphony]

@darkwolf687 Go ahead and put Zak in the character tab ^^

[Obscene Symphony]

@Ellion Get yo butt over there too

Or rather... Bree's butt?

[Amethyst]

Scyrven Gunnvaldr

_{A very tall Drakkan woman with a wild air about her, with rusty russet locks falling to her shoulders in disarray and a scowling tan (though somewhat ashen) face, with deep-set amber eyes thickly lined in kohl. Most notable about her appearance is her peculiar doubled ram horns, with one curl on either side extending to the sides of her face, gently sloping down, and the lower curl wrapping around behind her ears and extending past her jawline.}

Scyrvensrel Talyrrth-Gunnvaldr

Race:
Drakkan
Age:
One hundred and eighty-nine
Element(s):
Fire and Air
Height:
Seven feet, four inches

Bio: pending negotiations with tracy, we’ve been remarkably bad at communication
The daughter of a proud warlord, and the fourth of seven children, Scyrvensrel Talyrrth grew up entirely in her elder brothers’ shadow. Her father a veteran of the Anathos War, one who held many, many Gemmenite brides for his heroism. Her brothers, most years and years older, were off to wage war in her father’s army for most of her childhood.

At the age of 55, when she was still a child by most regards, she snuck off from her life (which had been mostly learning to manage an estate from her mother, though naturally she was trained into peak physical condition) to join her brothers’ forces. First refused from the fight, then put in as a grunt soldier – after all, her brother claimed, if she was stupid enough to get killed she deserved to die – and eventually working her way to the top and unseating him as captain of their house’s force.

For years she remained in the skirmish in the northern reaches of Drakka, earning notoriety for her ferocity and skill. Her father’s forces as a whole rose to prominence under her guidance. Finally, as she approached her eightieth birthday, she was at last summoned home by her father. Hoping it was some sort of military distinction, laurels for her successes, she was instead afforded what was arguably the worst punishment known to Drakkenkind: a season at the king’s court. A season of being stuffed into silk gowns painfully tight and ill-fit to her frame (her father had sent her measurements specially to a tailor in Gemmenia, but something was seemingly lost in translation, as they did nothing but constrict her broad shoulders and muscled thighs) and courted by “gentlemanly” older males – who thought the best way to prove their worth as a husband was to drag her to their bedchambers. Multiple gowns were torn and “gentlemen” nearly gelded to ensure she maintained her virtue.

After the disastrous season she was eager to don her armor and get back onto the battlefield, but she was scarcely away from home a few seasons before she was called back, this time for an “arranged engagement.” One of her father’s old comrades of the Anathos War had proposed a union of their houses – he had a son only a few seasons younger than Scyrven herself, and proposed that they be wed.

She met young Gwillim Gunnvaldr only shortly before they were to be married. She held utmost respect for his person and his achievements, though little love came between them. As she would later come to reckoning, she much… preferred the female form to the male for pleasure, though of course procreation – as her duty required – called for a mate of the opposite gender.

She shared her husband’s bed, eager to bear fruit for the union (their familial honor was at stake, after all) but struggled for many years to conceive a child. A few times she had dared to hope – only to have those hopes dashed on the rocks after miscarriage. It was with bated breath that she waited, and beyond all odds bore a beautiful daughter Alfhildr twenty-one summers ago.

She had wept, for the expectation was for her to have a son, but nonetheless treasured the rarity that was her daughter and sheltered her so much as the environment of Drakka would allow. After twenty-one summers, their daughter is strong, athletic, and growing so well. It was more than Scyrven dared to hope for.

With this being said, her husband needs a second child, and attempts to conceive since Alfhi’s birth have been fruitless. At last she and her husband come to Shadow Worth together to choose another… brood mother to ensure the longevity of their dynasty.
Other:
Married to @tracyarmav’s Gwillim. They’re taking Brides as a unit, I think.
Adult Content Preference:
Fade to Black please!

Miry Unalim

_{An exceptionally diminutive young woman, standing less than four and a half feet tall. Though altogether rather plain in appearance, she carries herself with composure and dignity, a light of wisdom and confidence sparking in her blue-violet eyes. Her mousey blonde hair is combed into a glossy, smooth sheet, lightly curling down to the base of her shoulder blades. She dresses plainly, though her clothes are of quality.}

Aymiria Unalim

Race:
Gemmenite
Age:
Nineteen
Element(s):
Water
Height:
Four feet, five inches

Bio:
Oh, how times have changed. Aymiria Unalim, born Aymiria Cassiell, was once a servant’s daughter, a servant herself – minstrel and eventually handmaiden for the third-in-line princess of a realm.

A year ago today she was taken in a reaping, barely eighteen. Her twin sister, an artist and painter, was too. She watched her sister die. And her sister-bride, all for a man’s greed. Not even the greed of the man who was to be her husband, for some – cruel, horrible plan of crowns and kings and so on and so forth.

Such massive affairs should not have involved her. She wept, even as her future husband tried to comfort her and reassure her it was going to be okay – in a manner most unbecoming of a Drakken, she would realize. He had not forced her into his bed, nor any of the horrible rumors that surrounded the alliance.

But she’d seen her sisters scars, the burn branded deep into her abdomen. She’d gotten lucky, somehow. Most of the other girls would not have.

Living in her husband’s keep, free to pursue whatever she wanted – she was a lady, at least, sort of, and she didn’t have daily chores and errands to run – she educated herself about his people and his languages, and he was nothing but courteous and kind, if distant. His ruling grandfather, though less kind, did nothing to directly harm her. She did ultimately grow to appreciate her place, and to consider the implications of her presence. The grandfather quickly grew irate that she’d not shared her husband’s bed, not presented him an heir.

He never pressured her, but as she grew to spend more time with him – learning the language, for her tongue was clumsy and most unbecoming of a future duchess, learning the literature and history of the fallen empire, all of the intricacies of his people’s culture and religion – at some point during all of that she did fall for him, badly, and of her own volition began to share his bed at night and stay by his side during the day.

This decision was made three moons ago. Now she stays with him always, hoping to someday be properly married to him in his people’s custom, rendering her as his equal and his wife, not his bride (an important distinction.) Recently she’s felt quite… unwell, and is uncertain - both afraid and daring to hope that perhaps her husband’s seed has taken root and she’ll be able to bear him a son, and fearing what may come of it.

Today, they move towards the Drakken capital once more, Zakroti being under orders from his grandfather to choose a second bride. Riding beside him, in the column of black-clad soldiers as she has grown accustomed to, Miry can't shake the crushing feeling that she's been a disappointment. In her heart she knows Zak would never leave her, but she cannot shake the thought that perhaps she'll be left behind for better, more traditionally beautiful brides. Even if she's not, she's convinced she will be relegated once more to the task of servitude, being turned into a handmaiden for her new sister-bride and being expected to kiss all notions of her love goodbye.

A pit of jealousy turns in her stomach. She won't let that happen.

Other:
((take her out of the pairing rotation, as seen above she’s been happily a bride for the last year))
Adult Content Preference:
Uhhh….

another bride is coming later today!! :D

[Ellion]

@Aura@SilverPaw

You guys are accepted

[Amethyst]

Nenra Corislen

_{A slender young bride with pale olive skin, shoulder-length light brown whisps of hair, and striking gold-green eyes. Her clothes are very simple, clearly crafted by hand, and she carries herself confidently. She has a very serious depth in her face, a vaguely haunted look always in her eyes.}

Nenra Corislen

Race:
Gemmenite
Age:
Eighteen
Element(s):
Earth
Height:
5’3”

Bio:
A quiet, motherly young Gem, Nenra spent her early childhood in part of a large, happy family, working a farm with her eight siblings and few dozen cousins. The town they lived in was mostly comprised of their extended family and two others – trading was a simple affair, the inn was managed by one of the grandmothers, as were the shops, and everyone else stayed in the fields or the farmhouses. Subsistence and self-reliance was the way of life.

That all changed when Nenra was fourteen. One of her younger cousins contracted a mysterious illness – the poor girl’s whole body was covered by a multitude of small white, oozing boils, and she quickly grew weak, feverish and delirious, and expired a mere two weeks later. No one else had seemed to have caught it, and amid the mourning there was a spark of hope that no one else would die.

The day after poor Liilin was buried, four of her other cousins started sprouting boils and coughing. It spread likewise throughout the entire town until all but a handful of the residents were sick. Nenra was diligent about scrubbing herself, washing her hands almost until they bled whenever she had to be around her family, and doing everything in her power to keep the farm running in between taking care of them. One of her younger brothers left the town on the fastest horse to track down an herbalist from a better city – there must have been something to be done.

But there was nothing. When he returned with a doctor, the doctor grimly informed them that it was the weeping pox. Nothing could be done about it except keeping the victims comfortable and well-hydrated – if they were strong, they would survive. If not, they would perish. The doctor left the town, advising they raze it to the ground, for the illness could linger in wood and earth for years after it had faded, waiting to strike again.

By the time the plague left the town, it was absolutely decimated. Her mother and father were dead, many of her aunts and uncles as well. Not an adult in the village had escaped the illness, and those that remained alive were so weakened by it that they were scarcely able to take care of themselves, nevermind the farms and gardens. Of the children and teens, many had perished as well, but those that didn’t soon bounced back to full functionality, if an exceptionally scarred, disfigured functionality.

Word spread along the road that the town was to be avoided like… well, like the plague. Nenra was fine with that. There was a harvest to be brought in – with not a working soul above the age of twenty – and … too many dead to bury. The words the physician had spoken haunted her. “burn this place, or it will be everyone’s grave.”

They couldn’t bury the bodies, so they burned them. The earth elementalists among the group stirred the ash into the earth, tilling the soil and sprouting a forest of massive rosebushes from it. Mother’s roses, as later visitors to the town would identify them as.

Then they went about their lives, as best they could. Nenra and a few of the other girls wound up as caretakers of the orphaned children, and taking care of the elderly. Everyone with Earth magic quickly became adept at control of it – they had to be, with twenty sets of hands doing the work previously done by a hundred. Farms had to be kept, linen spun and woven, cows milked, goats herded. Life continued on.

They all knew of the drakken, of course. One of their cousins had been taken when they were younger, but they’d imagined word had gotten out about the pox and that the village no longer had young, desirable girls. So it was to shock and horror when the Drakken reaping caravan rolled through their village. They took one look around and decided that this was a stop for supplies only, and raided the storehouses and didn’t bother to pay the few shopkeepers for their trouble.

As they were getting ready to leave one of them noticed Nenra. Though she was hardly a specimen of beauty, she was the most beautiful eligible girl in town (by simple virtue of not having the deep pockmarks and raised scarring from the pox) and eventually, after some discussion, ordered to come along.

She would have resisted, but they threatened violence. She took one look at her scared, heartbroken family, set her jaw, and stepped into the carriage. No more lives would be lost on her watch. Even without her to take care of them, the little ones were getting older and were now able to help in the fields and take care of their own mothers and grandmothers. The younger teens had mastered the element enough that they could continue to bring in the harvest, to till the fields and plant them.

They would survive. Sure as the soil beneath her feet and the sun on her shoulders, they would endure. Whether she would or not, she was not so sure.

Other:
N/A

Adult Content Preference:
Fade to black please!

[Emma]

Super excited for this to start. A lot of the CSs are awesome.

[Vesuvius00]

[Saltwater Thief]

Let's try this again...

Edits made, didn't realize the option to not be fresh meat wasn't intended for the way I used it.

Hider

Zeldria Miphras

Race: Gem
Age: 19
Element(s): Fire
Height: 5'11"

Bio: Not every Gem lives in a major town or city. For some of them, a more rural lifestyle is what calls to them. Such Gems, on occasion, find themselves coming together to form a small settlement where they coexist and work to help one another. In the plains of northeast Gemmenia, one such settlement formed nestled amid the hills. They never decided on a name; theirs was but a small cluster of a few homes, ranches, and farms, almost too small to be marked on a map. And, for a while, it seemed their size was small enough that the Reaping was largely kept away from them. They still had to pay their dues, as it were, but their small size and relative insignificance meant it was many years at a time between visits.

Zeldria was born into such a life. Growing up in such a setting was far from glamorous, often involving hard work, but like all the girls of the settlement she grew into it. People often remarked that she was one of the best they had, both because of her looks and her mind. She was sharp, learned fast, adapted quickly, and was taught from her first walking days to be kind and compassionate towards others. Her parents always taught her that if there was something she could do to spare someone else trouble, she should do it without hesitation; a lesson she took to heart.

One day she was forced to prove she’d learned that lesson in the most terrible way imaginable. Drakken reapers came to the settlement, unscheduled and all but unannounced. The leaders of the small community reacted immediately and defensively; they knew for certain that they were not scheduled for a Reaping, and they demanded to know why the Drakken were there. To hear them tell it, the town that had been scheduled for a reaping to the north had somehow given them almost no brides at all. That would not please their masters, they said, so they had stopped at the settlement to fill their cart more. When the community leaders understandably protested, the Drakken moved toward violence. Conjuring fire from his hand, one of them moved to set the entire settlement alight. “You’re just a small outpost that doesn’t even show up on every map, do you really think the Council will contest us over you?!” they yelled. Before anybody could consider calling their bluff, Zeldria stepped forward and volunteered to go with them. She fully knew the risks, or so she thought, but if she didn’t the settlement might be destroyed and all their lives ruined; as the only girl of age there, this was something she could do to spare all of them trouble, and so she did it.

She only hopes she made the right decision and that things turn out well enough.

"This is naught compared to what it averts. I do not flinch before the lightning flash; I will not flinch here."

Adult Content Preference: Fades to black, neither comfortable nor confident writing them out.

[Emma]

Could someone updated the Opening OOC post with the god/goddess info please.

[DeletedUser9Gh7]

Update CS as requested by yours truly.. @Ellion

Drake Naestra

Drake Naesatra

"To fight is too hurt yourself, to use your knowledge is too finish the fight without hurting yourself."

Race:
Drakkan
Age:
162
Element(s):
Fire and Wind
Height:
6'5

Bio:
Born from a Drakkan lord and a knowledgeable gem, his mother died at childbirth. As Drake grew to the age 25 he found an old letter from his mother detailing a pile of books hidden in her study. Drake reads these books which gave him knowledge about gems and changes the way he views them forever. Of course this made Drake spend most of his time at his mother's study reading the other books making him leave out on training sessions arranged by his father. But Drake gained empathy for the gems which he carries on until today.

At the age of 64 his father and others took him as weak. He even had no friends, this changed when he saved a group of three young drakkans from a wild animal in which they became friends and he started to teach them about his point of view about the gems. But word from three drakkans is not enough so one day he challenged a grunt. Using the surroundings to his advantage to make him land on top of the grunt and lifted the grunt's head enough the he died. The audience and his father claps as they welcome Drake back. In this point of his life he learned advanced unarmed techniques which ultimately helped him.

His three friends would be away when his father talked to him. This happened around the age of 130 in which his father took him as weak and he told him that if he was strong he should stab his father. He refused but his father challenged him, forced the fight he was forced to kill him. Drake was depressed but his friends wanted him to get of it. They taught him how to use the bow in which Drake was relaxed that his friends were able to talk some sense to him. He and his friends bonded again and went to adventures but they became 'Gem Empathizers' and suspicion aroused.

At the age of 162 he chose to partake in the choosing of brides. For many reasons, first he wanted to eliminate all suspicion due to the fact that he prepares buying a new book instead of a new sword and second his new bride might become his ally. He also wanted to reproduce with a gem and continue the strain of knowledgeable drakkans in the society even if he fails.
Other:
Drake names his sword "Tribal Legend".
Adult Content Preference:
Fade to black or hider or PM or whatever you want I'm good

[Obscene Symphony]

Could someone updated the Opening OOC post with the god/goddess info please.

@Emma

The god lore is already there though? Do you mean you want us to add to it?

EDIT: Ah, I see now that the creation story is a little wonky and needs some fixing up (for one, it says the Great Spine separates the north and South, instead of the East and West, lol). I’ll see what I can do.

If you’re looking for it, the god lore is in the “Players” section, in the gem and drakken hiders.

[Belle]

@SantosGabriel77 oooooooh hello Mr Abs. 😍😁

[Aura]

@SantosGabriel77 oooooooh hello Mr Abs. 😍😁

@Belle

Haha I totally agree 😍

[eclecticwitch]

Oh no, should I post my updated CS here?

[eclecticwitch]

Adorabella

{Adorabella Orchard (Honara)}

Race:e
Geminite
Age:
20
Element(s):
Water
Height:
4'10"

Bio:
When Adorabella was born a girl the noble Honara family they did not wish for her to be taken away by the Drakken. Her parents wished to protect her from the possibility of this and gave her to the midwife to hide away from the eyes of the world. The midwife, named Olynna, was an old friend of her mothers and ran away with her in the night. They travelled until she found a small town. They settled in the forest where Olynna raised her as her own daughter and kept her away from the people.

As she grew she learned the tricks and traits of being a medicine woman and midwife. She learned herbal remedies and the abilities of stone. She learned to birth children and to mend broken bones. She learned trapping and hunting. Olynna was also religious and taught Adorabella the ways of the gods. As she got older she got more curious about the people who came to Olynna's cottage in the woods asking for help. Olynna would make her hide so that she would not be seen.

When she was sixteen she decided she was going to go into town and told Olynna as much. After a long fight Olynna finally gave in to her. The two women went to purchase goods there and Adorabella began making friends. She became well known among the town for her optimistic view on life and her gentle speech. She was a calm and lovely girl. She even dated a few times but the relationships were brief.

Despite Olynna's best intentions, Adorabella was recognized as a member of the Honara family. The tell-tale hair opalescent color, eyes, and skin like a tiger's eye stone made her stand out. He was after all a part of the family. It was her Uncle Sunclad that found her, being a merchant he had initially been searching for new goods and sources for trade. He stopped her in town and questioned her. Adorabella had no idea what he was talking about. Sunclad offered to take her back home and to re-unite her with her parents and brother. She refused, believing this man insane. Adorabella confronted Olynna later and after a few attempts to change the subject Olynna finally told her the story.

When her Uncle returned to the city they told the Honara family that there was a girl located in a far-off town that looked just like them. This cause them to travel to find their daughter and bring her home. They were, of course, disappointed that she had been recognized but so happy to see her. She and Olynna stayed with the Honara family, traveling back to her original hometown. Adorabella learned from her mother she had two other sisters who had been given away in the same style that she had been. Of them all, she was the eldest.

Her family began to teach her the ways of nobility and to make her a proper lady. She is not sure about this life of nobility and often finds herself failing in the social graces she should have been taught. The clothing and lifestyle are so very different. Adorabella got along very well with her younger brother, being two peas in a pod. Once they met it was almost impossible for them to be seen apart. His name was Drasyl and he was three years old. Though she was glad to be getting to know her family, she longed for the days in which she could run wild through the trees and taste freshly picked fruit.

When it came time to give the women to the Drakken, Adorabella was chosen. She is not so bothered by this, though her family were devastated. She knows next to nothing about the Drakken. True, she had heard so many stories about them but to her they sounded like fairy tales. She had never met another member of that race and found it hard to believe they should be so gruesome. Her go with the flow personality also allowed her to calmly accept her position. What saddens her about her predicament is that she will never see her brother or Olynna again.

Other:
n/a for now
Adult Content Preference:
None. I enjoy myself a well-timed blackout.

[Tracyarmav]

"Despite Olynna's best intentions when it came time to give the women to the Drakken, Adorabella was chosen. It was soon after she learned of her true heritage and with Olynna went to visit her parents. They were, of course, disappointed that she had been chosen but so happy to see her. She and Olynna stayed with the Honara family. Adorabella learned she had a couple of other sisters who had been given away in the same style that she had been.

Her family began to teach her the ways of nobility and to make her a proper lady. She is not sure about this life of nobility and often finds herself failing in the social graces she should have been taught. The clothing and lifestyle are so very different. She longs for the days in which she could run wild through the trees and taste freshly picked fruit."

@eclecticwitch

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't chosen brides dragged off the same day/week they are chosen? I thought that was part of the conflict, the daughters being snatched away with few, if any, every getting word back, much less returning in person. Just trying to make sure I have the right idea in my head. @WeepingLiberty@Ellion@Obscene Symphony

[WeepingLiberty]

@Tracyarmav

We did leave some room for variety in this case. As stated in the discord previously it is the Grand Council that decides what villages may be reaped from. While the Drakkan do enjoy going and just snatching, as long as what they are provided with is sufficient, they do not care how they receive them. This means if a town or village has a tradition of choosing the brides before the Reapers come to collect, then that may be used as part of the backstory.

You are correct, however, that once the Reaper comes, they are dragged away and don't get to come back (at least not normally). Even when they die, they are usually discarded somewhere in Drakka.