Royal Invitation: Nations, Distrust, and Political Romances [ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS]

[Wavy Wallaby]

Details still being added but APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!!

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Guidelines and Overview

Hi reader!

This is the first ever nations roleplay I've hosted so please bear w/ and feel free to give any helpful suggestions where needed. And yes, I know the region and township names I've created are terrible, as you'll soon discover, but those are just minor details. Anyhow, welcome! The basic rules of this thread include:

• This roleplay is intended for 18+.
• Themes of war, political conflict, political marriages, and romance (including possible smut) may arise.
• This group supports characters and roleplayers from a range of backgrounds. All ethnicities, sexualities, etc. are welcomed provided they are comfortable with the above two points.

So there we go, a short list. Now onto the roleplay itself. This roleplay will be focused on developing certain romantic and political relations between nobles, rulers, and royals (ocs); and the tense, war-inducing consequences that follow their decisions. Whether your character's region is thriving, or living dirt-poor in poverty, it doesn't matter; all who fall into the category of politically influential are welcome. In short: consider this a roleplay focused on building romances and political alliances between nations in the hopes of gaining more power.

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Plotline

Dawnhilt, a powerful nation with a blistering past, faces a time of political opportunity and controversy following its beloved ruler’s recent passing. Just mere days ago did the country’s all-mighty king succumb to illness, leaving both his throne and esteemed legacy to his one and only heir, Prince Sir Kieran Fawls St. Challender.

However, as is the case with any great monarchy or rulership, old traditions must be adhered to; and as ancient law dictates: “only he who is wed may assume the throne.” Thus, although egregious to the prince and his beliefs, as the rightful heir, Kieran must soon be courted in the meaning of marriage if he wishes to take over the throne; after which official coronation and fruitful celebrations may take place.

Seeing opportunity present itself in the country’s upcoming annual leadership council meet, the prince and his confidants devise a plan. This is where our story takes off. Your characters, representing the land’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes (of whom are prominent council members), have received orders—by way of royal invitation—to travel to Wynterwood to be appraised by the prince and his subordinates. Princesses, dames, heirs, noblemen; all are welcomed and encouraged to be sent forth as tribute in the name of supporting Dawnhilt’s greater good. Though undoubtedly, only one will receive the endless luxuries granted by the prince's hand in marriage. As such, he or she who is chosen will be promptly wed into the nation’s royal family, with the responsibilities of great power, incredible wealth, and unquestioned loyalty bestowed upon them. Similarly, these generosities will be extended to their own families and townships; meaning the prince’s hand also comes with significant political gain.

So, there you have it. Send forth your most eligible characters: they could be anything from high-achieving minsters to simple mayors or lords of their village. They're all invited to attend the council’s preparations; and to be considered as a possible companion for the prince. Remember, although your character/s may not wish to be married or simply go, their families would be overjoyed at the opportunity (perhaps sending them regardless), since marriage to the prince = more power.

Furthermore, hopefully with so many singles in one place those not chosen by the prince will harbor their own feelings toward one another. If you can't marry the ruling prince, why not marry a rich noble or a beautiful princess from a neighboring region instead … right? All it bears is more political gain! And, as is the way with any hierarchal system where power is involved, political betrayal or distrust is strongly encouraged. Perhaps some marriages or affairs begin under false pretenses—after all, you never had to love the person you’d marry to gain their riches, just had to say "I do".

Let the political romances ensue!

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Royal Inquisitor's Map of Dawnhilt

_{Each ship represents a port which I can add upon request, alongside forests and townships. Generally speaking, a region will be considered more politically apt if it controls a number of ports and has access to natural resources.}

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Application Form and Questions

If the premise interests you then please apply. Simply fill out the application form below and post it in the thread. My form for Wynterwood is posted underneath for reference if you get stuck. If you have any questions about the roleplay or form then don't be afraid to ask; I'll try to respond promptly. All the best.

Application Form

Characters:
Maximum two characters : Please place each character in a hider beneath this section, with the below information about them in their relevant tab : if they are from separate provinces, please fill out separate applications for them.

Character Name Here

Name: Full name including their title, eg: Prince, Heiress, Knight …
Age: Twenties to early-thirties strongly preferred
Height: In feet and inches, eg: 5’7”
Description: Please write a short paragraph about their appearance including any distinguishing features

Please attach an image of their faceclaim here. Must be a human only (real life faceclaim or a detailed illustration, i.e: no anime or cartoon characters) in order to avoid merging certain overtly unorthodox pairings.

Family Crest: A color and a simple object or animal that represents their family's heritage.
Notable Qualifications: Create a list of their abilities, eg: expert farmer, wealthy influencer, swordsmanship.
Background Information: Any additional information about the relative character, such as their power, influence, or backstory to be included here.

Province:
Please write the full name of your province or kingdom here : along with a small description of what it entails. Eg: perhaps your region is fruitful when it comes to farming, or maybe it boasts endless riches from its mining towns. Maybe it’s dirt-poor and survives only on the generosity of neighbouring regions. Up to you.

Location:
Please draw on the map where you would like your region located; or describe its whereabouts. Green represents unclaimed land. Once accepted, I will add it to the official royal inquisitor’s map; after which, you may delete this section from your application. Same goes for if your region has a capital city or numerous cities (not too many though please) :)

Please also keep it to a reasonable size : it should be smaller than Wynterwood.

Further Information
If you have anything else you’d like to include, such as the nation’s history or reasons why your character/s is uncourted, please include them here : anything else you see as relevant to your application may go here as well.

[Wavy Wallaby]

Application: Wynterwood

Characters:

Kieran St. Challender

Name: Prince Sir Kieran Fawls St. Challender — Crowned Ruler and Heir to The Throne of Dawnhilt; Fathomed Leader and Crown-bearer to the Province of Wynterwood; Esteemed Grace of the Snowhelm Legion and Wyntermills Solstice Guard.
Age: Twenty-six
Height: 5’8”
Description: Broad-shouldered and muscular, Kieran boasts a heavy 186lbs frame courtesy of his natural warrior and longsword talents. He has hardened features, including: piercing steel-colored eyes, a pronounced jawline, and a strong nose with framing eyebrows. His hair, light brown and usually unkempt, is kept cut-short to further announce his handsome facial structure and status as Dawnhilt's crowned prince.

Family Crest: Golden dire wolf laced across a frigid, navy sky; symbolic of his royal linage, status as apparent heir, immense wealth, leader of the pack mentality, and ferocious warrior-like nature.
Notable Qualifications: Swordsmanship, horsemanship, knighthood, immense wealth, incredibly strong, fearsome warrior, adept political candidate.
Background Information: [Coming Soon]

Joshua Ledgerton III

Name: Duke Joshua Wyatt Ledgerton III — Second Heir to The Throne of Dawnhilt; Royal Duke to the Province of Wynterwood; Earl of the Wyntermills Solstice Guard and Champion to the Snowhelm Legion.
Age: Nineteen
Height: 5’6”
Description: Although Joshua maintains a slim figure, his role as a Wyntermills Solstice Guard benefactor—surprisingly—grants him credible strength and a lean build. His facial features are considered handsomely soft, having: deep brown eyes, a prominent jawline, and a gentle nose with lush brows. His dark brown hair is usually kept unkempt, often highlighting his natural curls.

Family Crest: Polar bear growling on a silver mountain; symbolic of his royal lineage, status as second heir, and represents his authority as leader of the Wyntermills Solstice Guard (of whom boast a similar emblem).
Notable Qualifications: Swordsmanship, horsemanship, immense wealth, naturally strong, expert dual-wield capabilities, heightened combat talents.
Background Information: Despite his youth and lack of current political influence, Joshua is arguably considered the second-most powerful individual in all of Dawnhilt. Earl to the Wyntermills Solstice Guard, he retains authoritative power over Wynterwood’s capital city, predominately in its day-to-day dealings. He controls the local guard and has the ability to exact summons or order lawful executions when necessary; further acting as both judge and jury in the majority of Wyntermills lawful cases. His natural sway and attraction toward the arts of battle have also earned him the ‘champion’ title from the Snowhelm Legion; for which he outlasted twelve opponents, all older than him. He has an affinity and desire for wealth and power and a tendency to act aggressive when he doesn't get his way. He enjoys control and objectively has made life miserable for those who question either his leadership or maturity. Destined to next inherit Dawnhilt’s sacred throne as Kieran's blood-relative and cousin, his power and credibility are also only yet to grow.

Province / Region:

Wynterwood

Wynterwood is Dawnhilt's most powerful province in terms of wealth and royal influence. Its harsh landscape featuring: perilous mountains, frozen lakes, and bleak ice fissures tends to be blanketed in snow all year round. Its climate consisting mostly of cloudy skys, thunderous winds, rain cycles, snow storms, and long blizzards also explains its high mortality rates attributed to hypothermia and frostbite.

Natural resources other than water and stone are hard to come by, with food sources often dwindling; making wildlife more aggressive. All previous efforts to erect farmlands and support livestock or vegetation settlements in the region have failed thus far, with only a select few barely making coin. Instead, the region profits significantly off it's rare gem extractions, cystrals and diamonds alike, couresty of its extensive mining operations. Pine tree forests and native wild-berry plants that naturally populate the rugged snow-scape also provide another means of Wynterwood's more profitable successes, particuarly in the areas of wood and berry trade.

The bleak mountainscape that encompasses the north-western border which tower over most of the region are where large wolf packs and arctic bears roam. This area is good for hunters, as it also houses lots of wild game, such as: elk, spotted fowl, and arctic hares. Any traveler attempting to either map or explore the higher parts of these mountain folds, however, should be aware that no one has ever returned from the summit.

Wyntermils

Wyntermills is the capital city of Wynterwood and houses the Throne of Dawnhilt's Royal Kingdom. Frigid, arctic waters align its operating port where polar bears and seals are a common sight. Hundreds of wood-mills that have granted the city its name function on its outskirts, while the Wyntermills Solstice Guard act as the city's authority: enacting lawful arrests and judicial proceedings. They are headed by Duke Ledgerton III and reguarly patrol the city, collecting taxes and fulfilling local guard duties. Recently, due to a rise in numbers of public executions, citizens have become increasingly fearful of their presence.

Snowhelm

[Yam I Am]

romance (including smut) will arise.

@Wavy Wallaby

[Wavy Wallaby]

Hider

@Yam I Am

Just based it off the shows I've seen set in the same time-period haha. But thank you for the meme

[deia876lat]

Call me invited...I'll be whipping up something fancy.

Just to be curious are we keeping it relatively realistic or is there an amount of magic in this world; low or high, if taken into account could influence the wealth, power, trust situations significantly. Think of glamours to a whole province or country specializing in magic.
Just so to be clear on our limitations.

[Wavy Wallaby]

Wow, glad you're interested @deia876lat! I'm looking forward to seeing what you've come up with.

And yes, I suppose some fantasy elements will be present (to make the premise more exicting), so magic and spellcraft can be included. Generally speaking though, it might be a rather frowned-upon practice despite the great potential it offers. Maybe this could be something your character/s bring up at the council meet if they so choose :)

[deia876lat]

My Hider

Character: Odessa Leonora

My Hider

Name: Leonora Sorcha de Tintagel (Le-o-no-ra Sor-sha duh Tin-taa-*gul (as in glue))
Title: Odessa de Tintagel
Odessa; pronounced as O-dessa with the ‘O’ signifying the importance of their station.
See it as Dessa meaning Lord or Lady and the ‘O’ in front of it signifying rulership over the other lords and ladies.

Other honourary titles that are used by announcers and minstrels; Mistress of Silks and Spices, Rain of Plenty, Lady of the Foreshore, Bounty of the Sea. Heiress to the House of de Tintagel
Age: 22
Height: 5’7
Description: Before you stands a young woman, graceful in her movements as the flowy fabrics of her dress follow the movements of her well-practiced manners.
Sunkissed skin, showing a pleasant warm smile as piercing blue eyes stare into the depths of your soul. Fair features, long eyelashes and long locks that are partially woven into an intricate pattern sporting soft coloured sea pearls.
She dresses normally in a soft blue or white colours with a translucent layer of dark blue emanating the sea.
Often these are large dresses in length of fabric of white, silver, blue and green colours hinting at her kingdom’s wealth.



Family Crest: Two crossed white narwhal horns upon a blue field.
Notable Qualifications:
As a daughter of a seafaring and trading kingdom her knowledge and skill in diplomacy are above those of the average merchant.
She sees opportunities, can calculate potential risks and has an ambitious side when it comes to business.
She is well informed on her allies and competitors, thus being a font of information.
She is well-read and well-liked, both by rich and poor, due to her nature to see opportunity in the smallest of favours.
Wealthy.
Speaks quite a few languages as she is often relied upon to entertain her father’s guests and business partners. Being somewhat of a secret weapon, one that her father pulls out as a charm factor to parties that feel slighted, displeased or even outright furious.

Additional Information:
Born from a wealthy family that became the ruling nobles through rallying their fellow merchants and smallfolk of means and overthrowing the ruling Noble house.
They established a small republic and managed to obtain a level of trust. A Tintagel’s word stood for something, thereby often approached by less wealthy merchants and nobles for approval or support. Or simply for advice on a potential business venture.
Due to this they are well-informed and often well-read on matters of importance. Keeping an eye on changing situations such as weather patterns, marriages and alliances and ofcourse political maneuvering.

Considering they did not want any association to the former nobles, they changed the ruling titles, to Odessar and Odessa.
Naturally the other people of means in Alcyone followed suit attempting to get in their good graces by taking on the lesser titles such as Dessar and Dessa.
This having occurred some 150 years ago has allowed the term to be widely known overall and create a sort of mark of significance.

Kingdom: Alcyone; though relatively small is very influential, its fingers reach far. What they don’t have they trade for and they’d be able to sell your own mother-in-law to you.
Capital: Sensaridh – City of Silks and Spices
A bustling coastal city with its many canals and build up of several levels over and on top of one another. The most influential and rich owning land and living in the fairest spots connected to the platform parks. But overall it has a place for everyone.
The Spice Houses sell more than just spices, they offer an experience for the tired and bored traveler, whilst the best deals are struck in the Auction and Market Houses of the Basin.
The variety of different structures hint at the freedom of expression or belief, resulting in a strange mix of buildings and sections of the city.
Naturally the de Tintagel live in their respective home overlooking it all, which is known as the Ard Pallas. Or in common: the Sea Palace.

Nestled nicely, this city enjoys the crystal clear marine waters at its luscious shores.
It draws people from all over, seeking freedom, trade or to make their fortunes one way or another.
It once began as a small fisherman’s village that through its location and protective barriers soon became known as a safe city. Difficult to sack or to think lightly off as most enemy ships didn’t even make it to the harbor without a clear go ahead.
Wealth: Its wealth lies in the goods its carries, starting off with pearls, coral, salt and finely crafted lace they cut down a forest for their merchant shipping fleet, with which they trade and transport goods all over. The traders are seen as a welcome guest bringing goods from far off places or necessary tools or materials one needs for their own business or crafts.

Location: The Island on the lower left

Further Information:
She is sought after by others, but belonging to family who has ambition, will not settle for a lover’s demand, when there is a prince to be won.

Leonora is well aware her of her position and potential future, all she can truly hope for is a husband that isn’t a cruel or adulterous man, lest she runs the risk of having to deal with mistresses.
She’s no fool, but she can’t be bothered with cleaning up the mess of ill-tempered ‘children’ who are barely flowered and have no sense of business or politics. Looking at her father’s late mistress here of the age of 16 and seeing her nearly destroy the close ties with one of their closest allies, cost Leonora dearly in smoothing that whole ordeal over.

Hopefully I've done it correctly and haven't overstepped my mark.

[deia876lat]

I can always add a second character, but want to be sure I've done the first one correctly.

[Wavy Wallaby]

@deia876lat You've done a wonderful job, 11 out of 10!

The region of Alcyone certainly ties in well to Dawnhilt's current political climate. While acting as a somewhat separate kingdom (though still under Prince Kieran's official rule); given it's island status, the maritime and independent aspects of its dealings in trade and spiced goods work well. Perhaps in the council meeting Leonora may also seek to strengthen ties with the mainland, especially if her family's reputation as to how they came into power still proves an issue, despite the 150 year gap.

[Edit] I've added it to the map!!

[deia876lat]

Well ofcourse, one does not overthrow a noble family and gets away with it scotfree even if it is 150 years ago.
After all more selfproclaimed nobility (as the de Tintagels are) does not a noble make, we'll see though how many are willing to overlook status for wealth and influence since most marriages are and were focussed on those things particularly.

[DELETED32084]

Consider me interested. I’ll look to spin up some folks in the next day or two.

[Wavy Wallaby]

@Pagemaster Awesome, looking forward to seeing them! :)

[DELETED32084]

The Five Valleys (Steinland)

Coat of Arms

Landscape

Looking south toward the Karinkar Mountains

Kingdom: Steinland (The Five Valleys)
Location: The top left peninsula.

A Description of Steinland:

Where Wynterwood is harsh, filled with perilous mountains, frozen lakes, and bleak ice fissures, Steinland is a picture of ancient rounded mountains, lush river valleys, endless castles and stunning vistas. Bordered to the south by the Karinkar Mountains, and by the Ocean on all others, there is a certain sense of peace and security to be found here.

The name Steinland, or the Five Valleys, comes from those same geological features, though they are not the intense savage mountainscape one might expect. Deep and wide rivers snake down from the mountains and the soaring peaks of the south quickly give way to rolling hills, rounded ancient mountains, and a certain sense of walking into antiquity. The mountains here are old, far older than those of the south, and thousands of years of rain and wind have battered them into a pleasing undulating landscape.

Deep forests are common here, but unlike the Valewald Forest of Myremarke, they are filled with mighty oaks, colourful maples, and delicate aspens. This is a land poets and bards sing of when they bring forth songs of beauty and prosperity.

Castles dot the landscape from small strategic holdings to the massive citadel at Steinbach. The Nobles here fight each other as often as they have external enemies and no lord is to be caught without a formidable redoubt to call home.

The People of Steinland:

Steinlanders are a fair folk, tall, well fed, and great fans of ales, meads, and violent sport. Often considered dour and studious by their neighbours, that is a reputation gained from those who have come from behind the natural barriers that protect these fine people.

Those in Steinland love as much as they fight and the population has remained strong for many years. The abundance of water and resources has allowed for a comfortable lifestyle, even for the peasant classes. It is no surprise then that Steinland considers itself the true heart of the nation.

The Economy of Steinland:

Steinland draws much of its wealth and strength from the Karinkar Mountains, and the ancient mineral deposits found throughout the land. High quality coal and plentiful iron have allowed Steinlanders to make their mark as the finest blacksmiths in the land, producing incredible armour and weapons. It is a true status symbol to be equipped with Steinland plate.

Two major ports, Steinbach and Ostfelsen, allow a steady flow of trade with the rest of the continent, as well as those across the sea. Not lacking for agricultural goods or the bounty of the sea, Steinland is loath to part with much of its homegrown wealth.

Steinbach:
Steinbach is an ancient and soaring city that has spread across the mouth of a major river and up the sides of the mountains that embrace it. Stunning architecture, powerful industry, and a studious, if at times ridiculous people, make this city a true powerhouse in the realm. The finest swordsmen and armour come from this region.

Unlike the frozen hellhole Wyntermills, Steinbach enjoys a mild year round climate with the temperature rarely dropping below freezing while the summers are pleasant and most desirable.

Ostfelsen:
Ostfelsen lies to the north of Steinbach along the coastline and straddles a series of rivers and canals that make it a wonder to visit. Unlike Steinbach, with its heavy industry and love of weaponry, Ostfelsen is popular with craftsman and makers of liquor.

The architecture here is less brutal and formal, allowing it to attract folk from far across the seas as a place of learning and study.

Further Information:
It is an open secret that Steinland considers itself the best part of Dawnhilt. With the death of both Dawnhilts King, and the King of Steinland, it remains to be seen how the Crown Prince will react to the new leadership hopefuls in Wynterwood.

Crown Prince Karl Müller-Hohenstein

Character: Karl Müller-Hohenstein
Title: Crown Prince of Steinland

Age: 25
Height: 5’8
Description:
Karl was once a tall and proud young man but the injuries he suffered at the hands of pirates has left him bent and twisted. His shaves his head completely, and never permits himself to grow any stubble on his face. His teeth are either gone or broken, painful to the touch. His right leg is bent and gnarled, forcing him to use a cane. Both his feet are badly mangled and angle inward causing him to walk duck footed. His once broad shoulders have shrunk to little more than the that of a youth. His fingers, all broken before healing into a gnarled mess, had to be rebroken when he was rescued, healing again into some approximation of claws.

It is his eyes that still give life to an otherwise piteous being. They are a pure and hate filled black. Like two pools of evil that try to draw you in and drown you.

Notable Traits:
Spymaster: Spies, assassins, mercenaries, all of it falls into Karl's purview and he wields those resources with terrifying skill, both within Steinland and abroad.
Cunning: Those who cannot wield swords, wield words, and Karl has proven himself time and time again to be a skilled negotiator. To those paying any attention, a sudden cessation of local feuds hints at a unification within Steinland.
Useless fighter: Karl couldn't fend off a child.

Personality:
Karl is cunning and cruel on a level that very few people can imagine. The cruelty that he suffered at the hands of pirates following his capture at eighteen left him scared and vengeful. The once handsome and confident young Prince has become a twisted and evil person, driven only be the desire for revenge and to make his enemies suffer as he suffered. Many of those in Steinland, where martial prowess is so highly valued, have come to respect him for his intelligence and common sense. Among the cheerful folk of Steinland, Karl is considered a serious person. He rarely smiles, never laughs, and is known to enjoy inflicting pain on others.

Karl loves one person, his twin sister Michaela. To what extent this love goes is anyones guess, but he dotes on her and she has forever accepted him.

Princess Michaela Müller-Hohenstein

Character: Michaela Müller-Hohenstein
Title: Princess of Steinland

Age: 25
Height: 5’10
Description:

Description:
Michaela stands taller than most women of Steinland with a height of 5'10 with skin so pale that she doesn't bother with whitening it with makeup like most other women and thick hair as red as a sunrise that reaches her lower back. She has a slender, but muscular build, as she trains daily in various combat styles.

As cultural standard demands, Michaela is often stoic, playing the graceful and polite hostess. In more private settings or when provoked, she'll show more raw feelings. When in the field, she'll wear men's clothing over women's, taking comfort and ease of movement over beauty and societal standards. Because of this, she will also have her hair up in a high ponytail, so that is stays out of her face, rather than spend time on some elaborate up-do.

After her brothers capture she began to train in martial skills and wears a longsword and a short stabbing dagger strapped to her hip for most occasions, showing her status to others as a Knight. The only time she is without either of those blades are when she has to be in a formal setting dressed in a flowing dress of green or blue, but she will always have dagger on her person for protection.

Notable Traits:
Artist: Michaela is a talented artist, capable of recreating any scene or object from memory with great detail. As a daughter of a King, she is trained in the proper etiquette and customs of her people.
Average Swordswoman: Michaela had to modify her sword style to accommodate for the fact that most of her opponents would be able to easily strike her down if she relied on strength alone. Thus, she focuses her training on speed and her ability to parry strikes.
Poor Archer: While she can string a bow and nock an arrow, she has poor aim and will often miss the target.
Adept Strategist: While on the field - Michaela is able to analyze the battle in front of her and make decisions accordingly. She shows promise and will flourish under guidance.
Adept equestrian: Kanna has a love for horses and rides well. Her skill in fighting from the saddle is well known.

Personality:
Michaela is a confident young woman and takes after her father in some ways. She is cunning on both the battle field and when dealing with others, often catching her opponents off-guard due to their misogynist views of the capabilities of a woman in a position of power. She has the capacity to be ruthless and will be so when it comes to her twin brother and upholding her father's wishes.

However, underneath it all is a compassionate woman who cares for her people and will try to find a fair middle ground when possible, but only if it doesn't interfere with her father's orders. If one is fair with her, she will respond in kind. Offer anything less, and she will respond with malice. She is not generally swayed by emotions and handles most situations with a calm perspective. After a long demanding days, she enjoys taking a nice hot bath followed by some quiet time with a canvas and some brushes.

Michaela is closest with her twin brother and will do anything for him to a fault. Her biggest fear is to lose her other half on the battlefield and not being able to do anything to stop it. Her next fear is sharing the same fate as her mother, married to a lord who will keep her locked away from the world and all it's wonders. After those two things, there isn't much else she has come to dread on this earth. While Michaela is mostly a calm woman, once she is set off she can have the most terrible temper and act without regard for her own safety or to her limits.

Important Note:
It is largely believed that any future heir to Steinland will come from Michaela. Rumours circulate suggesting that Karl cannot produce any children following his torture.

[ClocktowerEchos]

Seeing as this dragged me out of my hiatus, I'm interested. I'm thinking of playing a prince (or even young king who rose to power in the past year or so) that feels burdened to uphold and improve his family's honor and prestige. An uphill battle since his family as of now has only been known for middling to terrible lords, just smart enough to not get the entire dynasty killed off, the lands his family owns is hardly a land overflowing with milk and honey and there has recently been some major bad event that is haunting the house (like a scandal or the lost in a war/battle with someone else).

Imagine a young Tywin Lannister with all the drive, determination and duty to house except without the knowledge, wisdom or exprience of age.

I'll see how well I can still make CSes soon

[DELETED32084]

@ClocktowerEchosI am happy to be the enemy you've been duking it out with, if you like.

[ClocktowerEchos]

@ClocktowerEchosI am happy to be the enemy you've been duking it out with, if you like.

@Pagemaster

Perfect, I'm still figuring things out at the moment but I'll poke you again once I have a more solid idea of the what and why of the war. Right now I'm thinking of being above Alycone, under the leftmost mountains.

[DELETED32084]

@ClocktowerEchosThat suits, it would put you right below me. Chat soon.

[ClocktowerEchos]

Slightly smaller WIP. Myremarke is pronounced "mire-mark".

Talvyrn

Name: Talvyrn Amberclad, Heir to and Master Minister of the Grand Duchy of Myremarke
Age: 29
Height: 5'10"
Description:
A serious looking man with sharp green eyes that light with determination and an even sharper gaze fueled by ambition. He has a resting dour look on his face making him look annoyed or disapproving in most cases. He is skinny and lean, a result of living in the Mire as children rarely fatten up, yet a life time of avid hunting through the forests and bogs has made him strong and athletics, letting him move across knee deep water without slowing and pulling back the heaviest warbows Myremarke can make.

Face Claim:
(WIP)

Family Crest: A two-pronged spear flanked by an arrow on each side set on a field of green

Qualities:
- Exceptional archer and hunter, and physically fit as is to be expected of a Myremarke noble
- Appointed Master Minister by his father (effectively the minister of the interior and coin master) and has proven himself more than capable of the role
- Posesses incredible vision and can spot moving objects in the distance
- Known for his focus and determination, a stubborn, single-minded pursuit of a task
- Independant and used to working alone or with very limited outside assistance

Additional Notes:
Typically Myremarke dukes are seen as lazy, apathetic or otherwise very content to just stay in their lane to the point its sometimes a joke by the other kings and nobles. Talvyrn is probably the first Amberclad in at least two centuries to buck the trend and show this kind of drive and ambition to the point some say his father's current illness is actually due to him poisoning him and his late older brother (who died as a child) was killed by Talvyrn to ensure he would be heir. Talvyrn as of right now is content to let those rumors continue mostly to spread his name.

Myremarke

Grand Duchy of Myremarke (the Mire)

Location: Left most coast on the main continent, under the mountain

Description:
Myremarke is not blessed and counts itself among the poorest of the kingdoms in Dawnhilt, too poor to even be considered kings. It is only through the trade of amber that its ruling family, House Amberclad, sustains itself and its position. Half of the land is taken up the by Fenglan Wetlands, a foggy mess of mud and bog, and the other is taken up by the Valewald Forest, a dark and untamed woodland, with only a sliver of the Karinkar Mountains to carve rock and mine coal from. Only brute determination and clever construction of man made islands and crannogs help keep the realm afloat.

Living up to its name, the Mire is a place where few would willing go without cause yet its people remain, stubbornly holding on to what little they have, determined to make something of it. The Valewald isn't a majestic forest and the Fenglan Wetlands are nearly impossible to traverse in some places but with some clever engineering, the roughest of roads have linked the scattered fortified villages with the largest towns in Myremarke who themselves are seen as some of the smallest on the continent. Due to its foul landscape and fouler reputation, it has become a hotspot for bandits and criminals, fleeing justice by hiding out in the deep woods and swamps, coming out only to prey on the locales.

Culture:

The people of Myremarke are a dour and rugged bunch, widely believed to be hostile to outsiders. This is only partially true as suspicion is more common than outright hostility, mostly as a result of bandits who live in the most remote parts of the Mire. To live in Myremarke is to live a harsher existence than those in the more "civilized" and gentler kingdoms. People sew swamp grain in murky flooded fields, hunt for frogs and boars with spear and bow, harvest peat and bog iron from the wetlands and chop gnarled trees from the forest. For this, Myremarke is seen as being "less civilized", more backwards or even more barbaric than the rest of Dawnhilt with its people living in crude huts and trudging through muddy paths everyday. Yet in this, they take a degree of pride, boast (mostly to themselves) about how they live in a place where most would either give up or die, that their struggle makes them stronger rather than going soft.

Their homeland has also made Myremarke famous for its hunters, trackers and survivalists, naturally trained by virtue of growing up in the Mire. There is also a long tradition of archery where every man, woman and child is expected to be proficient with a bow by law as some of the trees in the Valewald make for excellent bows. Even nobles aren't exempt from this law leading the armies of Myremarke to have very little knightly noble horsemen and many more longbowmen and noble archers to pepper the enemy. The Mirefolk are also more egalitarian than some of their "civilized" neighbors where the same effort and grim determination is expect of men and women out of necessity; there simply too much work and too little time or people to care about who is doing the labor as long as it is done.

Economy:

There is little land that can be cultivated in Myremarke, that few patches that can are often logged with water forcing farmers to grow swamp grain or tangled with roots of trees, forcing them to scatter the seeds of root vegetables in the hopes they will find enough dirt to grow. There are no major ports in Myremarke simply because there isn't enough things of value to trade. Timber from the Valewald is too knotted and gnarled to be used by most carpenters, no one wants to buy swamp peat or bog iron when they have actual coal and iron ore to use instead, the meat from hunted animals is too gamey for outsiders and their furs while warm and waterproof aren't the refined, soft manes favored by others, and there's barely any surplus food to trade away most years. Instead there is only two things of value to that keep Myremarke on the map: Salt and Amber.

While Myremarke is hardly the only place to produce salt, no one else has put so much effort into making so much. Evaporated sea salt takes time and mined out blocks of salt can be expensive but Mirefolk have their own ways of teasing great quantities of salt from the salt marshes kept secret only by the fact few care to travel so deep into the Mire to learn how. Ultimately, once the salt is on the table only the most refined (and snobbish) diner can taste the difference between salt and mire salt. Amber on the other hand is more unique to the land and while some others have trees that can produce amber, Myremarke and House Amberclad has forests of amber. Since the earliest records, use of amber as jewelry or religious items has been common in various parts of the continent. Even today with apothecaries and Wynterwood gems open to sale, Dawnhilt's taste for the warm honeyed amber of Myremarke has never gone away.

Although a largely domestic market, Myremarke's cobblers and shoemakers have created the "Mire Boot" that goes up to the shins and is made of specially treated leather, flax and herbs that makes them warm and more important completely water-proof, a necessity in such a swampy land.

Places:

Lendric:
The largest proper city and capital of Myremarke, named after the castle it is built around that was in turn named after the Amberclad king who waste the only time Myremarke was ever considered rich and poured its wealth into its construction. It is the only place where one can see much of any kind of wealth and even then its dwarfed by the capitals of its neighbors. Its streets are chaotic and messy, quickly going from stone to dirt to watery marsh all in the same step. It has no walls, instead having an expensive system of canals and waterways that can quickly flood the surrounding already difficult terrain into a truly hellish slog through waist high swamp all while a hundred strategically placed archery towers rain down arrows from above.

Boatmurder:
The closest Myremarke has to a proper port, earning its name from the wreckage of ships ruined by the jagged rocks of the Dragon Cliff, their drift wood used to make new building or as firewood. It is home to many fishermen who sail out to catch fish, crabs, snails, clams and oysters as well as the base of the House Amberclad navy, a small force consisting mostly of ships bought from Alcyone. Has a number of geothermal vents and geysers nearby as well as regularly attracting the attention of Marsh Elephants for unknown reasons. Several "wars" have been fought against the elephants after they threaten local farming efforts and outlying buildings. Their hides are used to make Mire Boots.

Further Information:
Myremarke has long been the redheaded stepchild of Dawnhilt, being lead by a series of middling and uninspiring dukes in the best of times. Yet with the death of the king, some speak of the ambition of the heir, seeking to elevate the land (or himself) into prestige and power.

[ClocktowerEchos]

@Pagemaster Pinging you now because I forgot to in my previous post, but as of right now I have it that Myremarke and Steinland have fought on multiple occasions before and that the most recent was over the mountain on our shared (?) border by the current Myremarke King. And that it was during the fighting that Karl got some or all of his injuries. Thoughts on this?

[DELETED32084]

@ClocktowerEchoshe got them seven years ago from Pirates who captured him