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Post by The Divine Empire of Vessia on Jun 15, 2019 17:28:48 GMT -8
St. Guilliver’s Church is adjacent to the Imperial Palace, a place where past Emperors have been elected, slain and buried. It is a strange place, on the border of an honest place of piety and a degenerate hole of noble politicking. |
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Post by The Divine Empire of Vessia on Jun 15, 2019 17:29:26 GMT -8
News spread fast for some, but not so fast for the others. The Emperor’s death was unexpected at this very moment, but it was expected in a general sense. He was very controversial having many enemies and allies alike. He had cores of popularity all across the Empire, but spots of hate were everywhere too. Under his reign roads were built, smithies erected and much land in the East conquered. But many innocent men died under his rule, taxes were raised for austerity measures, heroes of the people disappeared mysteriously and many ethnic minorities claimed they were repressed.
Regardless of if one liked him or not, they were expected to go over to the Church he was to be buried at to pay respects. There weren’t many of the common folk present, for even those who liked Emperor Alexander still had a working day. But many of the nobility who got word came, regardless of if they liked him or not. Business was business, after all!
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King Ottokar II
Established
Roleplay posts: 13 
Age: 51
Physical Description: Otto is an aged man with a gradient of white to black from the top of his head to the end of his beard respectively. He is 187cm tall but a broad build is truly what makes his presence regal. His hair is generally neatly trimmed to be short accomodating his age, with a thick beard to make use of the still youthful hairs there. The King's eyes are a dark, ocean blue and his skin is a light peach shade of someone who was born darker but spends most of their time inside. Age has left his skin wrinkled particularly on a stressed forehead and around the mouth, but his shapely ears and chin remain strong.
Clothes and Equipment: The King generally wears his royal vestments, a breastplate, and a fur coat and a one-and-a-half handed sword at his belt. However there will almost always be some additions or modifications to this depending on what the King is currently doing.
Registered: May 24, 2019 13:25:21 GMT -8
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Post by King Ottokar II on Jun 16, 2019 7:31:12 GMT -8
King Ottokar was one of the many people already showing up. He had heard of the Emperor's death quite early, having been at the East's front-lines when he died. He quickly pulled his men back from the frontier, knowing that the Eastern Crusade was all but done now. The King had conflicting feelings about the now fallen Emperor. Egyszers vaguely had their rights respected, the Kingdom maintaining its autonomy and able to pressure neighbours to respect their minorities. On the other hand taxes were raised, and many Egyszer men were sent to the grinder of Swavia to never return. The fact Otto was forced to oblige to these demands of the Emperor certainly did put a strain on his popularity with both nobles and commoners.
But the past was the past and the future was what he was interested in. Already voices spoke with who would be elected the next Emperor, and as an elector and King he was troubled. No candidates were yet put forth as it was too early for that, but Ottokar was most certainly interested in speaking with major parties here. Naturally he'd put forth one of his sons as a candidate, but it was quite unlikely they'd win. So, instead he'd use his hefty vote to ttry and make any candidate accede to what he wanted as most electors would. The aging man turned his head this way and that, looking for other Electors, their representatives, or other interesting and important figures.
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Archduke Isenbardus
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 104
Age: 28
Physical Description: Extremely pale, white skin. His features appear to almost be chiseled by a master craftsman, no blemishes marring his face. He has long black hair that cascades across his shoulders and down his back. His eyes are piercing and bright blue in color. The eyes seem to belong to someone much older. He stands about 6'4 in height.
Clothes and Equipment: A black shirt and black pants of a fine silk, although he normally wears something over these. Typically a grayish colored leather robe that goes from his neck all the way down to his feet. The inside of it is lined with animal fur. Over this, he will wear a great cloak of various animal furs that also has a few clear colored gems hanging from the front of it near the top. He carries around a tall staff made of a silvery colored metal that is tipped with a large black diamond. It is said to have been the most valuable stone ever found by the House of Steitz mining operation and as such, the staff has been passed down for generations.
Registered: Nov 24, 2016 15:23:54 GMT -8
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Post by Archduke Isenbardus on Jun 16, 2019 11:17:11 GMT -8
Archduke Isenbardus arrived on horseback, accompanied by ten of his finest riders. Dismounting in front of the church, he ordered his riders to keep watch while he ventured into the church without an escort. As usual, he carried his families staff but otherwise appeared unarmed.
In some ways, it was unfortunate that the last Emperor had died so quickly but in other ways… Well, this was a fresh chance for Isenbardus to elect an Emperor far more sympathetic to his cause. The last Emperor hadn’t been terrible for the House of Steitz, but he hadn’t been the catalyst for much growth either. He had sided with Isenbardus a few times over minor conflicts, but that was all. Isenbardus was looking for far more than a few trifling favors out of whoever he voted for.
Finding a lonely corner to stand in that had a good vantage of the proceedings, the Archduke was content to simply observe for now. It would be unbecoming of him to search out other electors as soon as he arrived. If others wished to approach him, so be it, but he generally preferred to let others make the first move.
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Count Elric of Bergland
Established
"The Unhorsed"
Roleplay posts: 31
Age: 27
Physical Description: The Elector Count of Bergland appears pale white, although not enough to look unhealthy. His eyes match his brown hair, although the latter gives way to his auburn roots.
Elric would stand 6'2, although his usual posture makes him appear shorter than he really is. Once considered strong and healthy, the Count is slowly losing his musculature and otherwise healthy features.
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Clothes and Equipment: Elric is typically dressed in the attire of a nobleman, sporting the royal purple colors of his family crest.
Elric is no longer able to wear a full set of steel plate, and must compensate in some areas with lighter armors.
With difficulty, he wields a zweihander.
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Allegiances: Bergland County, Vessia
Player's online availability : Weekends
Registered: May 24, 2019 12:21:27 GMT -8
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Post by Count Elric of Bergland on Jun 16, 2019 12:35:11 GMT -8
A mounted retinue of heavily-armored swordsmen trotted into the courtyard of the Imperial Palace. Riding atop their black steeds, the Bergland Knights sported purple barding, steel plate, and an arsenal of zweihanders for which they were famous for. For generations they had cleaved bloody swathes through the Empire’s enemy. Indeed, some of them were present at the ambush which claimed the life of Emperor Alexander. But those men, along with the Count of Bergland, had been slain.
At the head of the column was Elric, the fallen Count’s son. By birthright, he was the Elector of Bergland and inherited his father’s responsibilities. But Elric was not a healthy man. Though he was once strong, youthful, and full of vigor, he now suffers from a debilitating disease. Such an affliction would entice rival lords and other enemies to take advantage of his condition, and so it is a well-kept secret known only to his family and closest advisers.
Not long ago Elric was issued a challenge in a tournament, which he reluctantly accepted. The young man was knocked from his mount with great ease, knocking him unconscious and sending him into the dirt unceremoniously. The event earned him the humiliating moniker The Unhorsed, and has raised suspicions that he may not be as healthy as he once was...
Elric was visiting the capital for three reasons. First and foremost, to pay respects to Emperor Alexander, whom his father had served loyally and with distinction. Second, to establish his right to rule - the other lords and ladies would need to know that Count Elric was Elector of Bergland. Lastly, as Elector of Bergland, he had an electoral vote concerning the next Emperor. He was undecided about who, if anyone, he supported. Perhaps this meeting of nobles would help him decide.
One of the Knights dismounted and assisted Elric off of his horse. The journey was long and tiresome and strained the Count’s health; he could feel his condition worsening, and he would need to take it easy for a short while to catch his breath.
“Should I come with?” the Knight asked.
“No. Stable the horses and have the men get some rest,” Elric told him. But he caught the man hesitating. “Don’t worry about me,” he assured him, “I’ll be fine.” The Knight nodded and took the reins of his master’s horse.
Elric proceeded into St Gulliver Church, where he quickly retired to a nearby bench for some rest...
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Lady Sabina
New
Niece of Empress Aurelia Rexus, Cousin of Duke Fabian Hapsburg-Portainne
Roleplay posts: 8 
Age: 20 years old
Physical Description: Hourglass shape, black-as-night hair, silver-grey eyes, and a moonlight complexion. Average height and weight.
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Clothes and Equipment: As a lady of Vessia, and of the influential House Hapsburg-Portainne, she is always dressed in fine clothes and usually paired with fine jewels.
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Allegiances: Empress Aurelia Rexus, the Duchy of Renovia
Registered: Jun 16, 2019 13:22:37 GMT -8
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Post by Lady Sabina on Jun 17, 2019 10:25:04 GMT -8
Sabina had only been in Augustgrad a week, but she was overwhelmed. Empress Aurelia Rexus expected much of her niece, and said so in the quiet hours of the night when the ears in the walls were sleeping. Just thinking about what the Empress had asked of her made Sabina's stomach flip, her palms clammy, and made her wonder if for these acts, she'd ever make it into Heaven.
Yet, she couldn't say no to the Empress, could she? In truth, Sabina felt sorry for Aurelia. The woman put up an appearance of beauty and strength and cunning, but clearly she was more fragile than she let on. Her second born child, the son of the late Emperor Alexander, had been taken by the Rexus family, to be molded and made into someone that would never know the schemes of his mother -- or so they said. Although Aurelia had only ever spoken of how important her son was -- and her first born son as well, Sabina's cousin -- the young maiden could see that Aurelia was fiercely protective and loving over both of her children.
That was why Sabina had come here, to the church. A carriage brought her there, and she stepped out with a veil over her face, a handmaiden with her as they came up the steps in their beautiful gowns and into the quiet sanctity of the church. She first saw Count Elric seated on a pew toward the 'back' of the church, away from the gilded altar full of iconoclasts and fillagree. But then she noticed the gathering of other nobles... and began to feel her stomach squirm.
She slowly came to a stop. Should she go? She felt as if she'd stepped onto something important.
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Empress Aurelia Rexus
Established
Empress-Consort of the late Emperor Alexander of Vessia
Roleplay posts: 14
Age: 23 years old
Physical Description: Lush, beautiful, with pale golden hair and enchanting silver-blue eyes, Aurelia was made to tempt men into sin. She has used her beauty as a weapon in the past to secure increasingly important marriages, and will continue to do so until her dying breath.
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Clothes and Equipment: Aurelia dresses in beautiful clothing and jewels that accent her figure WITHOUT appearing too promiscuous. She keeps a dagger hidden on her person, and it is rumored that one of her rings contains poison.
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Allegiances: Herself & her children, first and foremost; the Rise of Vessia
Registered: Jun 17, 2019 10:29:30 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Aurelia Rexus on Jun 17, 2019 10:51:11 GMT -8
She hadn't known that the little bird she'd brought to court would be at the church, and honestly wasn't thinking about it. Instead, her gaze was out the window, watching the beautiful city of Augustgrad go by as she was conveyed from the palace to the cathedral. It was not a long drive, but Aurelia appreciated being alone for a moment and not having to put on an act.
Since her marriage to Alexander, she'd been cautious and worried, looking over her shoulder twice as often as she had done before when she was a mere duchess. Since the death of Alexander, Aurelia had been terrified. Of course, she'd rather die than let anyone know, but a huge target was on her back for she had been openly manipulative in her bid to marry the Emperor, and he had used her for the exact same reason... to establish a dynasty.
The Electors and the nobility knew it, and with Alexander's mysterious death, it must have meant that there was a target on her own back, and a target on the back of her children. Through her oldest son, Fabian, she controlled the Electoral vote for the Duchy of Renovia, and through her youngest son, Korvinn, she could make a bid to control the Electoral vote for House Rexus. That was why she was on her way to the Church -- to discuss with the other Electors who the next Emperor should be. She'd be an idiot to suggest her toddler son, but she'd have to be smart about who she would throw her favor for.
Now Aurelia had to play the game even more carefully than she had before...
The guards outside called a halt to the carriage, and Aurelia sat up properly, pulling her heavy veil over her face. She stepped out with grace, her gown beautiful and gilded at the edges, a crown -- small, yet a subtle reminder of who she had been and what resources she did have, even if not by law -- settled on golden hair that flowed into a loose plaits to keep it away from her face.
She walked into the Cathedral and saw Lady Sabina, who instantly moved to the side. A flash of annoyance settled into Aurelia's stomach, but she kept moving forward, two Imperial guards with her until she came to stand with King Ottokar and the Archduke Isenbardus. Even though her husband was dead, all were expected to show her the respect of her station. There was no Emperor yet, and thus, no other Empress but she.
As turn about, she lifted her veil so it fell over her hair and revealed her porcelain beauty. She was older than most maidens, but she wore the maturity like silk, making her features more filled and her wisdom of romance more obvious. She bowed her head to King Ottokar and Duke Isenbardus. "Good morning your majesty, your grace." She kept her tone quiet and even. Although there were no tears on her face -- her marriage to Alexander had not been a love match -- there was no hint of any playfulness or amusement, either, only a somber seriousness of the situation.
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King Ottokar II
Established
Roleplay posts: 13
Age: 51
Physical Description: Otto is an aged man with a gradient of white to black from the top of his head to the end of his beard respectively. He is 187cm tall but a broad build is truly what makes his presence regal. His hair is generally neatly trimmed to be short accomodating his age, with a thick beard to make use of the still youthful hairs there. The King's eyes are a dark, ocean blue and his skin is a light peach shade of someone who was born darker but spends most of their time inside. Age has left his skin wrinkled particularly on a stressed forehead and around the mouth, but his shapely ears and chin remain strong.
Clothes and Equipment: The King generally wears his royal vestments, a breastplate, and a fur coat and a one-and-a-half handed sword at his belt. However there will almost always be some additions or modifications to this depending on what the King is currently doing.
Registered: May 24, 2019 13:25:21 GMT -8
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Post by King Ottokar II on Jun 17, 2019 12:51:24 GMT -8
Horses came, along with many men. It seemed fellows from Steitz had arrived, their elector slinking off to stand. "Limp manhood, that one." He muttered, shaking his head. Ottokar had come by coach, but he brought along no guards or anything else of the sort. Whereas Ottokar was purposefully looking for others to do his business, his Southern neighbour was slinking in the proverbial shadows. The King was about to approach Isenbardus until he saw another man arrive.
A harsh laugh emitted from the aged man as the Elector of Bergland came, many Knights with him. Truly, he won the competition of who was the most insecure of present electors! He'd toy with the poor fellow a bit later, but for now he'd go over to the first one to arrive. Ottokar turned to Isenbardus and strolled over to him, an intent look about him. He wasn't quite as tall as the Archduke, but he had a heavy frame with broad shoulders that age only roughened and made more imposing. "Nasty business, the Emperor's death, eh?" he queried, raising a curious eyebrow at his counterpart. Ottokar had regrettably not taken nearly as much of an interest as he had hoped in the dealings of his Southern border state, more or less content with them for the moment considering more urgent issues.
Yet now the opinion of Steitz was as important as ever, considering just after the funeral would be the first assembly of Electors to discuss the vote of the next Emperor. The Regency Council would of course also need formation, a wholly separate ordeal of degenerate politics. "Truly, truly vile. I had loyal men die there, in fact I wasn't very far from the site of the Emperor's death myself. My sons are good boys, ready to rule, even rule an Empire if I say so myself." He said, with a wink. "But I don't think I'm done with this world, still a legacy for me to build!" He stated quite loudly, noting the approaching Empress.
"Ah, Dowager Empress, my sincerest condolences." The King stated, the stresses in pronunciation as boldly spoken as written. "Truly horrifying what was done to the late Alexander." He said, shaking his head. "When his body was recovered it was... hardly recognizable. No particular surprise what with the missing, err... and, well, the gone.... Truly, truly a tragedy. How is your son taking it? The young boy must be yet too innocent to understand it was clearly treachery that lead to his Highness's demise."
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Amia Deluth
Established
Roleplay posts: 42
Age: 18
Physical Description: She stands at an average height, with long red hair, a delicate freckled face, blue eyes, and noble bearing.
Clothes and Equipment: Silver Circlet
Silk Robes
Dagger
Slippers
Chain link girdle
Psaltery
Bag of herbs and medicinals
Registered: May 25, 2019 10:11:17 GMT -8
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Post by Amia Deluth on Jun 17, 2019 14:39:44 GMT -8
The Deluth family was well known to be climbers of the social rungs. It wasn’t for a lack of money that they were talked about; Marcus Deluth had one of the fattest coffers in the whole of Vessia thanks to his late father’s hard work as a gem merchant, and his father before him. Marcus now hired people to vend his wares, and people to guard the wares and keep the vendors from skimming from the profits. His father bought the title, and Marcus was a baron as a result.
It wasn’t enough.
He wanted his family to be front and center, to flaunt his beautiful daughter about until somebody above their station found some interest in the girl. Amia was a gift, a fair maiden with a charming freckled face… when most girls would stay out of the sun, he counted the freckles as an asset, for it added to the innocent look, he encouraged his daughter to be outdoors. Her red hair was like flames licking at that pale and freckled flesh, her eyes were gem like in appearance, and her frame was dainty yet sturdy to let any potential suitor know she would not likely keel over from childbirth. She was soft spoken and quite lovely, quite bright, and talented.
And right at that moment, she sat in the pew next to her mother, dressed in blue when most would dress in black at his insistence, her curls caught up in gold netting, just enough baubles to attract attention without being too gauche, and the blue was only shades lighter than the somber black.
It did not matter that they had come for a funeral; any time was as good as any to flaunt her and make a possible match. Marcus had one man in mind and had situated his family near enough to the Duke that had his eye: the Archduke. The patriarch of the Deluth clan smoothly moved toward Isenbardus, bowed when necessary, and settled his portly frame near to the man.
“Shame about his Highness,” he murmured, “Just as I was about to hand over a sizable sum for his household.”
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Archduke Isenbardus
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 104
Age: 28
Physical Description: Extremely pale, white skin. His features appear to almost be chiseled by a master craftsman, no blemishes marring his face. He has long black hair that cascades across his shoulders and down his back. His eyes are piercing and bright blue in color. The eyes seem to belong to someone much older. He stands about 6'4 in height.
Clothes and Equipment: A black shirt and black pants of a fine silk, although he normally wears something over these. Typically a grayish colored leather robe that goes from his neck all the way down to his feet. The inside of it is lined with animal fur. Over this, he will wear a great cloak of various animal furs that also has a few clear colored gems hanging from the front of it near the top. He carries around a tall staff made of a silvery colored metal that is tipped with a large black diamond. It is said to have been the most valuable stone ever found by the House of Steitz mining operation and as such, the staff has been passed down for generations.
Registered: Nov 24, 2016 15:23:54 GMT -8
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Post by Archduke Isenbardus on Jun 17, 2019 23:21:50 GMT -8
Attention turning to King Ottokar as he approached, Isenbardus regarded him with a slight smirk. As it always was with the Archduke, there was something a bit strange about his pale almost too perfect facial features. In some ways, they shared more in common with a marble statue than a living breathing person.
“Truly a tragedy that our young Emperor would have his reign cut so short,” Isenbardus said while shaking his head in disappointment.
While he considered Ottokar a brute, he didn’t consider the man a fool. Perhaps a bit predictable and bullish, but one didn’t rise to such a position and keep it unless they had something going for them. One of Ottokar’s advantages over many of the other Electors was his age and more importantly the experience that came with it. Fortunately for Isenbardus, that particular area was his specialty.
“Empress Aurelia, while I am quite glad to see you it pains me given the circumstances. I can hardly imagine what you and your family must be going through.” The Archduke said in a calm, almost gentle voice as he offered Aurelia a sympathetic look. His sympathies weren’t for the Emperor’s death so much as the ordeal Aurelia would have to deal with, assuming she managed to live through it that is.
Ottokar’s words to the Empress only reinforced Isenbardus’s opinion of the man. Unsubtle attacks against the Emperor’s widow, the man was clearly a warrior and not a politician. His musings of the King were rather suddenly interrupted by the approaching duke.
“Indeed, a terrible tragedy. You must be… Duke Marcus from the Deluth family? I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced before, but I’ve heard rumors about your rapidly rising influence.”
If there was one thing the Archduke did, it was memorizing and studying all the other nobility in Vessia. Even the smaller lesser known houses. It came in handy for situations such as this. He made no comment on the “sizable sum” the Duke had mentioned, deciding it best to let the Duke go on about it of his own accord.
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Empress Aurelia Rexus
Established
Empress-Consort of the late Emperor Alexander of Vessia
Roleplay posts: 14
Age: 23 years old
Physical Description: Lush, beautiful, with pale golden hair and enchanting silver-blue eyes, Aurelia was made to tempt men into sin. She has used her beauty as a weapon in the past to secure increasingly important marriages, and will continue to do so until her dying breath.
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Clothes and Equipment: Aurelia dresses in beautiful clothing and jewels that accent her figure WITHOUT appearing too promiscuous. She keeps a dagger hidden on her person, and it is rumored that one of her rings contains poison.
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Allegiances: Herself & her children, first and foremost; the Rise of Vessia
Registered: Jun 17, 2019 10:29:30 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Aurelia Rexus on Jun 18, 2019 2:36:09 GMT -8
Dowager Empress, he called her, and then proceeded to remark on the horrific and brutal way the Emperor had died. Was he trying to get under her skin and watch her squirm? Undoubtedly. King Ottokar wasn't the first maggot of the court that thought she and her marriage was a corpse to devour.
"Dowager would imply there is another Empress, but as there is not yet another Emperor, I am the Empress of Vessia. If it pains you to address me as such, you may call me Imperial Highness as well," she said, her silvery blue gaze fixed coldly on Ottokar as she reminded him of her place and his. She had worked for too long and too hard to better her life and that of her Children's in order to be further diminished in the face of the tragedy she had just endured; and would still endure. "I hold myself with great responsibility to this country that was left with a hole in it's heart at the death of my husband. Thank you for recounting the horror of his murder, I think it helps to remind all of the Electors present that the position of Emperor should not be a decision to be taken lightly, or given to just anyone."
Her thick lashes lifted then, to regard Archduke Isenbardus. Once upon a time, might she have married him? Perhaps she should have. She was fairly sure that she was only used goods when it came to the marriage market -- after all, she had four children given to a Duke and an Emperor and while she was certainly not old, she was in a precarious position with the court and both of the families she was connected to. He would need someone young and fresh, and she needed allies, not more husbands to bury.
Isenbardus' remarks were given a warmer reaction. "Thank you," she said simply to him, taking in his face for a moment before she looked away and watched Duke Marcus approach.
The man said nothing to the Empress, the highest ranking person in attendance and recent widow, but instead moved right on to his purpose for being there -- the Archduke. Aurelia did not make a scene, but instead looked to the wares Marcus was no doubt trying to sell to Isenbardus... And saw the red-haired maiden sitting with her mother in one of the pews. Young and fresh, indeed.
It made Aurelia's gaze travel to Sabina, her niece, lovely and wide-eyed and a pawn she planned to use.
The Empress and Grand Duchess turned her attention back onto King Ottokar. "Your son's must have seen truly terrifying sights on the crusade with my husband," Aurelia said to him, her voice softer and kinder, even while she wondered if one of Ottokar's bastards had sunk a dagger into Alexander's back. "Are they alright?" Her question seemed genuine.
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Lady Sabina
New
Niece of Empress Aurelia Rexus, Cousin of Duke Fabian Hapsburg-Portainne
Roleplay posts: 8
Age: 20 years old
Physical Description: Hourglass shape, black-as-night hair, silver-grey eyes, and a moonlight complexion. Average height and weight.
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Clothes and Equipment: As a lady of Vessia, and of the influential House Hapsburg-Portainne, she is always dressed in fine clothes and usually paired with fine jewels.
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Allegiances: Empress Aurelia Rexus, the Duchy of Renovia
Registered: Jun 16, 2019 13:22:37 GMT -8
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Post by Lady Sabina on Jun 18, 2019 4:27:00 GMT -8
The young brunette lady and her handmaiden stepped off to the side as more important people arrived. Sabina had caught the look from the cool, blonde-haired Empress, and it made her heart squeeze in her chest.
No, very clearly she should not have been at the cathedral, and it would probably be best if they left...
... Yet, if they left now, Sabina may unintentionally cause a scene. Sabina was stuck there, for the moment, so she and her handmaiden stepped off to the side and subtly watched the gathering of Electors and the people that sat in the pews.
The Church was always open to the people, so there was the very quiet, faintly echoing din of people in prayer or quiet conversations between priests and nuns. Lucia, Sabina's handmaiden, leaned toward her lady.
"How gauche are the Beluth family? They had their daughter arrive in blue, and the Emperor's body isn't even cold yet." Lucia tutted.
Sabina's very-green eyes swept toward Amia Beluth and Sabina felt pity for her. How awful it must be to be paraded like a prize. The newly christened Duke Marcus was being awfully conspicuous in his bid to up his station, but Sabina was in no position to judge. Rumor had it that the Empress was once a milkmaid after all.
"And that poor Count... Likely he can't even walk to join the Electors, let alone sit a horse." Lucia giggled, and Sabina did join her once. The story of how Elric fell at a joust was an amusing one, although Sabina thought he seemed kind.
A priest gave a baleful look their way, and both Sabina and Lucia wiped the smiles from their faces. They turned into an alcove where Saint Desdemona looked down disapprovingly from where she was immortalized in marble. Going to their knees on the velvet cushions provided, Sabina and Lucia made a pretense of praying, although Sabina couldn't remember what Saint Desdemona was a patron of.
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King Ottokar II
Established
Roleplay posts: 13
Age: 51
Physical Description: Otto is an aged man with a gradient of white to black from the top of his head to the end of his beard respectively. He is 187cm tall but a broad build is truly what makes his presence regal. His hair is generally neatly trimmed to be short accomodating his age, with a thick beard to make use of the still youthful hairs there. The King's eyes are a dark, ocean blue and his skin is a light peach shade of someone who was born darker but spends most of their time inside. Age has left his skin wrinkled particularly on a stressed forehead and around the mouth, but his shapely ears and chin remain strong.
Clothes and Equipment: The King generally wears his royal vestments, a breastplate, and a fur coat and a one-and-a-half handed sword at his belt. However there will almost always be some additions or modifications to this depending on what the King is currently doing.
Registered: May 24, 2019 13:25:21 GMT -8
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Post by King Ottokar II on Jun 18, 2019 7:43:00 GMT -8
Ottokar kept his gaze on the Archduke, an impartial expression on him as he considered the fellow. There was something about Isenbardus that wasn't exactly endearing, but... well something that the King thought he understood about the man. Isenbardus was clever beyond his years and while there could be in theory some benefit for the King going after the fellow he felt it unwise to try and provoke the man.
For now, that is. Anyways, there was something more pressing to occupy his attention!
The Duchess's response all but brought a smile to the aged King, but while he lacked Aurelia's born talent of being a little serpent in a dress he made up for that with experience. A forehead's wrinkles creased, and the King's white bushy eyebrows curled as the man put on a face of elderly confusion, an apologetic tone in his voice. "Oh, my sincerest apologies my Empress, I am but a humble servant. In my language we say Császárnéző for a Dowager Empress." Otto stated, over-pronouncing the word already nigh-impossible to say for a non native-speaker of the Egyszer tongue. "It is used for the widows of an Emperor regardless of which Emperor or if one is currently on the Throne. Please, do not take offence!" He pleaded, giving a go at flipping the appearance of the situation; an entitled woman was berating an aged man over her title that was - all in all - ceremonial.
Yet another arrival came to the situation, to which Ottokar raised his previously mollifying eyebrows in curiosity. Now for all his expertise, Otto couldn't help but laugh with his shoulders heaving all bear-like at the Deluths. Some people - like the Duchess - at least had the decency to pretend to be mourning. But this Marcus fellow? He went striding in letting his daughter's pretty little arse swing about with the hopes of getting some bastard married to her. The bold mercantile display was... well, it was amusing but also oddly respectably to the King. But he honestly didn't have much to say to the fellow. He honestly wanted his sons married, but they weren't here and the Deluths were too distant if he remembered correctly for him to benefit from a marriage. Still, he made sure to keep the man in a mental note. A man willing to whore his daughter out at a funeral was a man that wouldn't mind marrying his daughter to some boys that... well, weren't exactly the kind of boys he'd want to marry his daughters.
With his short amusement done he returned his attention back to Aurelia, shaking his head with fresh thoughts of his sons. Her apparent genuine concern did momentarily make the man remorseful about what he said to the Császárnéző and elicited a legitimate response. "My sons they... they enjoyed the business. I had them all too close together, didn't know to raise them right. Two of my boys and one of my daughters quite enjoyed the bloodshed and killing, yes...." He didn't particularly want to elaborate on the fact another one of his sons didn't enjoy bloodshed but rather just came to like hurting things and the other son and daughter locked themselves in the castle to distance themselves from their siblings. But as he spoke he realized he most likely made a mistake by trusting the Duchess to have even a fragment of goodwill in her soul. But he decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and went down a line of inquiry that he would give to both an honest Aurelia, and Aurelia as he saw her. "How is the young boy Korvinn taking it? Good name, that, Swavische Vessian. The Rexus clan most likely helped old Alexei pick that name out. Odd family, that." said Otto, using the Egyszer familiar form of the name Alexander. The man struck a match on the back of the Marcus fellow hoping he wouldn't notice — but not particularly minding if he did either.
He brought the naked flame up to a pipe that was well engraved but lacking any other decoration to prevent being ostentatious. A long puff was taken, before being let out through the King's nostrils. "I don't know how well the poor fellow acquainted you to his family but they're not the sort one wants to or... well, one can cross. I recommend you treasure your next few days with your own young lad, Duchess." the King advised, again 'accidentally' using the incorrect title to address Aurelia
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Amia Deluth
Established
Roleplay posts: 42
Age: 18
Physical Description: She stands at an average height, with long red hair, a delicate freckled face, blue eyes, and noble bearing.
Clothes and Equipment: Silver Circlet
Silk Robes
Dagger
Slippers
Chain link girdle
Psaltery
Bag of herbs and medicinals
Registered: May 25, 2019 10:11:17 GMT -8
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Post by Amia Deluth on Jun 18, 2019 15:04:14 GMT -8
Amia was quite uncomfortable of the entire situation, aware of the boldly calculating her father tended to be. He truly didn’t care about who was on the throne and he certainly wasn’t one to talk to a woman like she mattered. Of course, she watched him bow and scrape, even overheard his distant talk of what to do with her. Her cheeks went red.
He certainly wasn’t painting her in a pretty light, she thought, even as he wasn’t putting her down either. And she was the obedient daughter. But at that moment, she was angry at him for his disrespect, and she simply couldn’t sit by while he embarrassed himself and her mother. Amia stood, her mother tried to grab her arm and pull her back to her ass on the pew, but the redhead pulled her hand away and calmly moved toward the group of people at the front. She was about to lie to her father.
Before she would address him, however, she gave a deep and respectful curtsey to the Empress, “You’re Imperial Majesty, I am so very sorry for your loss as well as that of the country of Vessia.” She could feet the heat of anger in her father’s gaze against her back. The girl had such a sweet voice, a bit shy and quiet as she addressed her better. Once she gave the appropriate amount of time for a brief response, she gave another curtsy and then turned to her father, “Father, I am sorry to disturb you, but you look like you are about to burst into tears and mother grew concerned. Please come sit down.” She glanced over to the others and then looked down, her cheeks red from her father’s ill manners.
Marcus looked at his daughter and curled his lip in contempt, “Return to your mother immediately, Amia. This is no place for you.” He curled his fingers into a fist like he would have struck her if he wasn’t in front of so many people, and that simply wouldn’t do. He pasted a “sad” smile on his face then and said toward the empress, “I too am sorry for your loss.” He lied through his teeth. He did not like women with power.
He grabbed his child by the upper arm, none too gently, and started to haul her away. She gave an apologetic look for his behavior even as she cringed when his fingers seemed to go vice-like on her arm. He all but tossed the girl back to her mother, and her mother started to chastise her. She did not listen. Her head bent forward and she looked like she wanted to be somewhere else.
“Pray, forgive my daughter. She and her mother always get overly concerned,” he lied some more. “She is a good girl,” that at least wasn’t a lie, though the “except for right now,” that was left unspoken was left hanging in the air.
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Archduke Isenbardus
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 104
Age: 28
Physical Description: Extremely pale, white skin. His features appear to almost be chiseled by a master craftsman, no blemishes marring his face. He has long black hair that cascades across his shoulders and down his back. His eyes are piercing and bright blue in color. The eyes seem to belong to someone much older. He stands about 6'4 in height.
Clothes and Equipment: A black shirt and black pants of a fine silk, although he normally wears something over these. Typically a grayish colored leather robe that goes from his neck all the way down to his feet. The inside of it is lined with animal fur. Over this, he will wear a great cloak of various animal furs that also has a few clear colored gems hanging from the front of it near the top. He carries around a tall staff made of a silvery colored metal that is tipped with a large black diamond. It is said to have been the most valuable stone ever found by the House of Steitz mining operation and as such, the staff has been passed down for generations.
Registered: Nov 24, 2016 15:23:54 GMT -8
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Post by Archduke Isenbardus on Jun 18, 2019 21:53:26 GMT -8
There was much the Archduke would like to speak to both Aurelia and Ottokar about, but unfortunately, none of it was appropriate in a public setting such as this. Aurelia’s retort to King Ottokar’s abrasive introduction brought a smile to the Archduke’s face. He found it hard to keep a straight face at the King’s subsequent “apology”. The man was clearly putting on such a poor performance intentionally but that didn’t make it any less painful to witness.
While he was making sure to listen to every word of the pair’s conversation, outwardly the Archduke’s attention was aimed at Duke Marcus. That was—until Amia approached. While not perhaps what all would consider a textbook example of Vessian beauty, her red, almost fiery hair made her stand out from the other ladies present.
It appeared she also had a bit of fight in her. Seeing a son or daughter oppose their parents at meetings such as this wasn’t unheard of, but the type to do so were usually brats. Loud, obnoxious, and entirely dull. This girl didn’t fit into that category yet still had defied her father. The poor thing was probably ashamed by her father's utter lack of tact.
“There’s nothing to apologize for Duke Marcus. You’re lucky to have such a thoughtful daughter looking out for your well being. It’s rare I see a woman so young willing to take the initiative.” Pausing a second, the Archduke’s gaze followed after Amia as she walked back to her mother. “I find it to be a rather underappreciated trait.”
Adjusting his fur cloak, the Archduke considered the reason for the Duke’s approach. Unless he was simply trying to rub shoulders with Electors, there was only one sensible reason he’d approach him… Given his age, Isenbardus was not surprised by the bombardment of marriage proposals thrown his way. While not the wealthiest or mightiest house, the Steitz name had something few other houses had—longevity. There were few other houses that could hold a candle to the Steitz family tree.
“So, tell me Duke Marcus, is Amia your only child?” While the question was said nonchalantly, there were more than a few implications behind it.
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Empress Aurelia Rexus
Established
Empress-Consort of the late Emperor Alexander of Vessia
Roleplay posts: 14
Age: 23 years old
Physical Description: Lush, beautiful, with pale golden hair and enchanting silver-blue eyes, Aurelia was made to tempt men into sin. She has used her beauty as a weapon in the past to secure increasingly important marriages, and will continue to do so until her dying breath.
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Clothes and Equipment: Aurelia dresses in beautiful clothing and jewels that accent her figure WITHOUT appearing too promiscuous. She keeps a dagger hidden on her person, and it is rumored that one of her rings contains poison.
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Allegiances: Herself & her children, first and foremost; the Rise of Vessia
Registered: Jun 17, 2019 10:29:30 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Aurelia Rexus on Jun 19, 2019 4:57:51 GMT -8
King Ottokar seemed determined to insult her, and in front of others. He bumbled his way through an explanation, still calling her a Dowager when she wasn't and using some ridiculous word that may or may not have actually meant 'empress.' He went on to speak about how his children not only enjoyed blood she'd, but gloried in it. Even Alexander at his most ruthless ever saw war as a means to an end, not an act to exalt.
Aurelia might have continued to still attempt a conversation with the King, when he then made open comments about her son, Prince Korvinn, and their dangerous circumstances. Her silver-grey eyes went very... Very... Cold, especially when he called her duchess, just to add a little more salt into the wounds he was trying to rip open.
"Thank you for your concern, my Lord," she said to him, undercutting his title as king. "Your skills at raising children are admired throughout the Empire, and your advice is..." Useless? Unasked for? Redundant? "...appreciated."
The Empress of Vessia simply turned her head away from King Ottokar, followed by her body, shutting him out of further conversation as Lady Amia approached. The coldness in Aurelia's eyes faded, and although a soft, welcoming smile turned her lips, her gaze was mercantile. She serenely nodded her head. "Thank you," she said to the girl, then turned to regard Duke Marcus. The coldness returned, and all she did was send a look up and down his body, conveying that although he wore the finery, she saw dirt on him anyway.
The Empress turned to the Electors present. "The Church is busy this morning. We'll convene an Electors Council in the War Room of the Palace tomorrow, over dinner. I'll make the arrangements." She then turned and made her exit, guards falling into place behind her and her veil falling back over her face.
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King Ottokar II
Established
Roleplay posts: 13
Age: 51
Physical Description: Otto is an aged man with a gradient of white to black from the top of his head to the end of his beard respectively. He is 187cm tall but a broad build is truly what makes his presence regal. His hair is generally neatly trimmed to be short accomodating his age, with a thick beard to make use of the still youthful hairs there. The King's eyes are a dark, ocean blue and his skin is a light peach shade of someone who was born darker but spends most of their time inside. Age has left his skin wrinkled particularly on a stressed forehead and around the mouth, but his shapely ears and chin remain strong.
Clothes and Equipment: The King generally wears his royal vestments, a breastplate, and a fur coat and a one-and-a-half handed sword at his belt. However there will almost always be some additions or modifications to this depending on what the King is currently doing.
Registered: May 24, 2019 13:25:21 GMT -8
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Post by King Ottokar II on Jun 19, 2019 11:51:15 GMT -8
Otto puffed on his pipe a few more times, witnessing the Archduke's reaction to the situation and his shifting focus and doing the same for Aurelia. He didn't really bother suppressing a laugh at Aurelia trying to spite him with the title "Lord", if she thought she riled him then she didn't know the man nearly well enough.
"I am not a malicious man m'lady. I really don't think you should have power you for the moment have in theory but even in the most serpentine women it is regrettable to have their children stripped away from them, and much worse for a flower of the Empire as yourself." The King said, shaking his head as he let the smoke in his mouth go this way and that. "As I said, I am not aware of how well acquainted you are with the late Alexei's family but I think I can at least say they shan't go for other fruit of your union. Or so a particular man heard ere-yesterday. For whatever animosity we may have I recommend you heed my advice and treasure your next few days with your son. I can organize the first session instead of you, if you desire... and of course if you trust me to not poison you and all the other guests and somehow make the whole business a power-play, of course." He'd say this regardless of if she stayed to listen or not, making sure people heard the oh so generous offer of the King.
With that said he looked down to his match which was burning to the bottom. After a thought he gave it a flick on the ground and ground it into black dust. He had noticed some ladies looking at Elric, ladies he had seen bobbing around before at some ball but never bothered to learn the name of beyond "giggling girl". Well they had reminded him of Elric and for that he certainly thanked them.
He walked over to the fellow's pew, mulling over what exactly he'd do. He couldn't just plainly insult the man, he wouldn't want to earn the ire of some older more etiquette oriented members of the court. There were some rich old men and women who would not take to that. But he needed to give the young bugger something to think about, something to make his trouser smell. So as he approached he swung an arm with the hope of inciting a cowardly flinch, even though the motion was only to give the man a slap on the shoulder. With that done Ottokar took his seat right beside Elric, looking down on the ground. "I'm sorry for your loss lad. Your father was a man with a legacy it is very difficult to live up to, one very difficult to match. I'm sure you have the strength, however." The King said, not a hint of irony in his voice.
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Empress Aurelia Rexus
Established
Empress-Consort of the late Emperor Alexander of Vessia
Roleplay posts: 14
Age: 23 years old
Physical Description: Lush, beautiful, with pale golden hair and enchanting silver-blue eyes, Aurelia was made to tempt men into sin. She has used her beauty as a weapon in the past to secure increasingly important marriages, and will continue to do so until her dying breath.
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Clothes and Equipment: Aurelia dresses in beautiful clothing and jewels that accent her figure WITHOUT appearing too promiscuous. She keeps a dagger hidden on her person, and it is rumored that one of her rings contains poison.
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Allegiances: Herself & her children, first and foremost; the Rise of Vessia
Registered: Jun 17, 2019 10:29:30 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Aurelia Rexus on Jun 20, 2019 4:45:14 GMT -8
She was made to stop her exit when King Ottokar spoke up and almost over her. Aurelia could feel herself getting defensive, and every word he spoke seemed insulting...
... But she made herself re-evaluate the conversation, and the man speaking. She knew of Ottokar's reputation, and he was too bold and plain spoken by half.
It also, perhaps, meant that he wasn't a manipulator, at least not in the ways that most at court were. She forced her coldness to ease, even while she still felt like he must have thought her a true idiot to have not considered the threat of House Rexus herself. ... Or the fact that she'd been married to the Emperor for three years, acquainting herself with his machinations and dreams while Ottokar had been hundreds of miles away.
"Thank you, but I will handle the arrangements of this next meeting. It's plausible we will not come to a conclusion, but rather engage in meaningful discussion and consideration, so I will make you in charge of our next council thereafter. If you'll excuse me." She wasn't asking for permission as the Empress finally did glide out of the Church with queenly grace, an island unto herself.
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Johann IV of Bayern
New
Roleplay posts: 9
Age: 34
Physical Description: Tall, athletically built, strong facial features, a shock of dark black hair that fell to his shoulders... can no longer describe the youngest son of Albrecht II. He still stands at 6'4", but a life of rich foods and copious amounts of alcohol has taken their toll, and the athletic build has become a prodigious gut. His hairline has started to recede, and the long locks has been cut to be more manageable. A scar along his left cheek from a heathen's sword has marred what few good looks he had remaining.
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Clothes and Equipment: Being of noble house enables Johann to have the richest, most fashionable, and flattering clothes. As such he is rarely under dressed for any event. In fact the opposite has often been said of him, with his personal tailors complaining quite often for the seeming lack of decorum in the care of his clothing.
As befitting a man of high stature, he has a full suit of plate armor fitted to him. His main weapon is a war hammer, though he carries a sword mostly for ceremony.
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Allegiances: The Divine Empire of Vessia and the Duchy of Bayern
Registered: Jun 20, 2019 10:24:04 GMT -8
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Post by Johann IV of Bayern on Jun 20, 2019 19:13:33 GMT -8
"AND WHY DID YOU LET YOUR LORD SLEEP IN? SO HE COULD SHOW UP LATE AND MAKE AN ASS OF HIMSELF?"
"M-my Lord, I-I'm sorr-"
"YOU ALREADY SAID THAT A HUNDRED TIMES! IT DOESN'T FIX THAT YOU SCREWED ME!"
Still down the lane from the chapel, the roaring "discussion" announced the imminent arrival of yet another welcome, or unwelcome to probably most those present, Lord. As they turned into a view, a small retinue of about a half dozen appeared on spotted horses, most wearing light armor festooned with bright fabrics and feathers.
Save the rider in front, who was only richly dressed in several layers of billowing, rich fabrics of gauche colors, and was mounted on a large sorrel stallion, standing several hands higher than the other horses. Which was probably for the best, considering the load it was carrying. "You lot see to the horses, and I swear if you arrive a moment late again, I'll string you up by your testicles," growled the leader as he turned to face the rest of his party, and though his tone was lower it was perhaps even more threatening than his roar.
The others of his party turned their heads as he dismounted, well versed in the groans and grunts as the rather heavy man swung himself from the high cantled saddle. It was for the best, because otherwise if he saw them staring, there would probably be a week of cleaning the latrines when they returned home. Pride could do awful things to the innocents who surrounded its keeper.
Finally he reached the ground, and handed off the reins to the rapidly departing horsemen. "Lousy buggers," he growled as he turned towards the chapel. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves as his chaplain often begged and pleaded him to do. Well he couldn't help that he was hot tempered, especially since it seemed that everyone around him was incompetent or drunk or a mixture of the two. Which probably was because he seemed to be that most the time and attracted that type.
But there was no time for that now, as he stepped through the door into the chapel. He straightened his coat to reveal the full rearing boar on its lapel, as well as the moon on the opposite. It used to grate on him, having the descending moon be forever associated with him as the younger son, but now he had made some peace with it. For the moon ultimately replaced the sun when it had set. And he was fresh from a personal funeral himself.
And luckily by himself, and not with those Sons of the Ram. They were nothing but kids. Speaking of them, he had managed to jostle his way past the line of well wishers, joining what he considered was his rightful spot alongside the Electors. Nevermind that those kids were standing in the way of him joining them in title as well, he could at least be physically present and representing his home that way as he took the seat on the pew settled for the Duchy of Bayern. Which turned out to be rather uncomfortable, telling him this pew was made for a... fitter man.
He waved over an usher, and growled sharply, "Wine, and a pillow."
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Amia Deluth
Established
Roleplay posts: 42
Age: 18
Physical Description: She stands at an average height, with long red hair, a delicate freckled face, blue eyes, and noble bearing.
Clothes and Equipment: Silver Circlet
Silk Robes
Dagger
Slippers
Chain link girdle
Psaltery
Bag of herbs and medicinals
Registered: May 25, 2019 10:11:17 GMT -8
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Post by Amia Deluth on Jun 20, 2019 20:03:00 GMT -8
Amia did give a brief smile to the empress before her father turned and went on his little hissy fit at her presence.
“She is a good girl,” he said, at least able to be honest about that even if he was angry that the chit had involved herself in things that were not of her affair. He looked nonplussed as the Empress had given him a cold, stink eye, and now he could feel that same chill radiating from the gaze of his daughter’s ice blue eyes. He’d curled his upper lip ever so slightly at all these females and their attitudes. He could not punish the Her Imperial Highness, but he would most certainly have a lash taken to Amia’s bottom for that insolent display unless he could turn it around for his own good.
When asked if she was his only daughter, he nodded. “She had an older brother but he died doing service to Vessia.” He looked at her with a smirk and she tightened her lips. “She rarely ever disobeys her mother or me, not like I have seen some hoydenish girls in the past. I suppose if a man saw the size of her dowry and inheritance, they might even overlook the few flaws she has.”
The girl in question looked like she wanted to sink beyond the pew and into the floor at all of the odd things being talked about at a funeral. She was about to try and get out while she could, but the moment her muscles tensed to get her to her feet, she could feel her mother’s fingers digging into her skin.
“Mother, this is undignified,” she hissed in a whisper.
“You mustn’t disobey your father, child, or he’ll be looking for the nastiest old man to marry you to. He said so to you this morning, did he not? It is your duty to pretend he is right eve if he is wrong.”
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