Sometimes his people called him cold, or distant, but Oriens did not think himself either of these things. Perhaps he seemed it, when he deemed honesty more important than sympathy. Sometimes he acknowledged it, that he should have been more tender with his half sister, way back when he had sent her and them into an eternal night.
But he wasn’t cold, nor was he distant. Without him Solis’ warmth would not exist, without him night would not turn to day. And he loved his people fiercely, his scholars and his soldiers. The children that ran through the streets of the dawn court, and the entertainers that sang to them. Even the stern medics that cried after them to slow down lest they need to waste a poultice on them.
He remembered every death, and every birth, no matter how long the life lasted. Lovis was no exception. He remembered the day the soft-spoken child had reared his head. Those were the quiet days, when Oriens rose and Vespera fell, in a quiet rhythm. Peaceful and gentle, days where a boy could grow without worry, and hunger for nothing but knowledge.
He had watched when Lovis asked for the hand of a woman, watched as she had rejected him, watched as she bore his child. He had been disappointed when the scholarly boy joined the army, instead hoping to see him travel lands in search of more. Nevertheless Oriens watched on.
And then one day he looked away, taken by some other child of his, though he could no longer remember who. Perhaps another soldier in that field, perhaps his own brother, he could never be sure. But he remembered the hoarse and ragged song that had reached his ears, and dragged his attention back down to the man he had watched for so many years.
He made a choice then, to descend, and to stop beside the man. He did not let him draw that final breath. Instead he drew it for him, and as he let it back out, he breathed some of his own life into Lovis. Perhaps it was foolish, to give such a gift to one child of the sunrise and not the rest, or maybe it was wise. It had yet to be seen which one, but it was done.
“Rise my child”
he spoke softly
“You will live another day yet”
The din of battle roared around them, the tune of Lovis’ song long gone.
“But promise me this. Use this eternal life to help those around you, to study the world. Go now young Lovis, there are many wounded, and they don’t need another soldier charging into the fray”
@Lovis feels life breathed back into him that day on the battlefield, now he must decide how he will use it.
Thread requirements: 1 reply, 500 words. Please tag the RE account in your reply.
How to tag this account: @*'Random Events' without the asterisk!
Once you respond, go to the Experience Updates thread to claim your quest EXP.
Everyone knows that Solterra is the land of the fierce, the ruthless. That it is the land of battle scars and trials of strength. Spars that gather crowds of raunchy spectators, cheering and jeering for blood to be spilled. But few remember that it is also the land of honeyed words. Of false promises coated in sugar, if only to delay the discovery of a bitter end.
It is also true that everyone knows the Ieshan, are the snakes that rule Solterra’s sands. Behind the ropes of every decision, every move, somehow they have slithered into every nook of the desert, and coiled themselves around it. It seemed Hagar was no exception.
Many here are born with magic. Some wield fire, to honor Solis. Others shift the sands to form new dunes and valleys. Though most seem to be born with such things, it does not mean they know it right away. Some show signs as children, perhaps a foal sneezes and smokes come from his nose. Others don’t seem to find it until they’ve grown into their hooves.
In this case, that seems to hold true.
An asp makes its way through the canyons, twisting and turning arounds it maze of walls. Searching for the perfect drop of sun in which to rest. It is swiftly halted, an obstacle in its path. He has seen many of these, and taken many of their lives. But this one feels different. Usually in their presence he is threatened, and even now in instinct, the asp lurches upward, standing with its hood spread wide. It’s tongue flicking quickly.
Yet there is something different about this one. Usually he is quick to strike, and turn the other way, but something about the woman… He feels… safer. As if enveloped by the sun itself, and though instinct tells him to strike, some small part of him thinks that instead he could flee, could leave her without harm. So he waits, tall and cold in the shadows, to see what the woman might do next.
@Hagar sees an asp, ready to strike, but hesitating for just a moment, waiting to see how she will respond first.
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Months ago Solis, Oriens, and Caligo had descended over the mortal world. Solis had brought his light to the Solterans, calling them to choose their leader. Oriens and Caligo had called for new prospects to step forward.
And Vespera? Well, she had been left behind. Perhaps she deserved it. She had angered her people, her mortals, years ago now. They no longer trusted her to help them choose their leader, to help them build their kingdom. Perhaps they were right, perhaps she had stretched their trust too far, back when storms had ravaged the land.
But it was no matter now. Marisol had fallen, and Elena had taken up her throne at her behest. But the golden girl was gone, and Vespera knew not why. Perhaps the weight of a crown had been too much on the woman, or maybe she hadn’t desired it from the beginning at all. Maybe a tragedy had fallen onto her shoulders as well. Regardless of the reason, Elena was gone, and dusk could not stay long without a ruler.
Vespera did not wait for her fathers urging. She followed the sun down, pedestal just before it, her shadow stretching far over the cobblestones.
“Come my children of Terrastella”
She called out, her voice carrying over the crisp evening winds.
“Elena is gone. To where I do not know, but her throne sits empty, and her crown without a head to rest on.”
She looked over the crowd that was quickly gathering, her eyes scanning for even a trace of the golden girl. She found none.
“Someone must take her place, but which of you has a heart strong enough to give to my children of dusk?”
Rules to Apply
All auditions are due by 11:59PM EST on April 5th.
Before filling out the form found at the bottom of the page, you must read the rules and guidelines below, as well as everything posted on this page! Please ask us if you have any questions or concerns at all!
Character Requirements:
You can audition both existing characters and brand new characters, however both are required to make an IC post responding to this post! This thread has been temporarily opened so that both OOC, pending, and accepted IC accounts may make their replies for the audition.
Anyone from any Court can apply.
Your character must be at least three years old.
You (the member) will need to have originally joined Novus at least 2+ months ago.
You do not have to create a character account unless you are chosen. In the event that you are chosen as Sovereign, you will have 2 weeks to create your character's profile (it should be easy, since all of the information is already required to fill out the audition form).
You can audition as many characters as you'd like! Each needs a fully separate post and application in this thread.
General rules and requirements regarding Sovereigns:
Please be aware that these requirements may change in the very near future. Keep this in mind when applying, and be on the lookout for official announcements!
Regarding Sovereign vulnerability: Sovereigns will be deemed Vulnerable if you make 10 IC posts or less per month (this means that it will be extremely easy for anyone to win a Challenge against you), and posted absences only make you immune for 2 weeks.
Sovereign activity requirements: To promote activity within their respective Courts, the Sovereign must setup 1 IC event every other season.
Once you are selected and your profile approved, your first duty will be to create a Court Rules thread in your respective Court forum. Read this thread for things you can do as Sovereign.
Regarding this audition:
All auditions are due by 11:59PM EST on April 5th. Novus-standard time is listed on the main page.
You must make an IC post replying to this post AND post the OOC audition form! Both must be included in the same post, with the IC post first and the OOC audition form underneath it.
Please, only reply to this thread if you are auditioning for Sovereign.
The IC post can have your own personal coding and art - but that will not affect the outcome.
All responses to this thread will be considered complete, whether they are actually finished or not. Please do not post Work in Progress auditions!
Please do not alter the OOC audition form itself. Although we love to see special coding and pretty pictures, we want to be as impartial as possible - and as much as we'd like to say we're fairly objective, special coding and pretty pictures can impress us! We want these to be bare-bones.
As you're filling out the audition form, pretend you're filling out an actual profile. Make sure you adhere to all Character Rules set out here.
Votes for the final pick of who will be Sovereign, will be determined by Court vote.
when placing your vote for the next sovereign you should consider the quality of writing, how well the characters fits court ideals, the members proposed plans and goals, and their general activity
If you have read through the rules, understand the requirements, and still want to audition for Sovereign, please make an IC reply to this post and put your completed OOC audition form (below) underneath it!
Code:
<button class="acc_ctrl"><h2>Click here to see this character's OOC audition form!</h2></button><div class="acc_panel">
<div class="tcat"><font style="font-size:20px; font-weight:bold;">About the RPer</font></div><blockquote><blockquote>
<span class="sidebarheaders" style="font-size:12px;">Thanks for auditioning! Let's start with your name.</span>
What is your OOC name?
<span class="sidebarheaders" style="font-size:12px;">Great! How old are you?</span>
How old are you?
<span class="sidebarheaders" style="font-size:12px;">Have you ever held a Position of Power before?</span>
Have you ever had any characters in a leading position, on or off-site? What did you like about it? What did you not like about it?
<span class="sidebarheaders" style="font-size:12px;">Have you read the Sovereign Rules?</span>
Yes/No - if No, please read the rules above and follow the links to the rules regarding Sovereigns and Courts
<span class="sidebarheaders" style="font-size:12px;">What aspect of Novus are you most excited about?</span>
Tell us something that stood out to you when you read the Guidebook, or something about the site in general.
<span class="sidebarheaders" style="font-size:12px;">Why would your character be a good candidate to lead the Court?</span>
Tell us why your character would be a good choice to be Sovereign of this Court. Match up their ideals and values with the Court and its patron god.
<span class="sidebarheaders" style="font-size:12px;">What would be their goals as Sovereign? What would they do with their new power?</span>
What are your plans for the Court? Do you have a vision for the Court? What rules would your character set? Would they hold any events to garnish activity? If so, what?
<span class="sidebarheaders" style="font-size:12px;">You've got us convinced. Is there anything else you'd like to add?</span>
Here's your chance to add anything else at all!
She hadn’t been back to the mountains in a long time. Not since Tenebrae had disappeared from within its walls. Luvena didn’t know what had become of the night order since, hadn’t heard much from them, nor seen them. Even now she didn’t venture up the peaks, remembering the way the bitter cold had swept over them in fall. Times when she had scarcely left the confines of the temples.
Even down here late in the season the air was brisk, and she shivered against it. Her room back in the markets was not much better, sheltered from the wind at least, but with no fire to keep it warm within the walls. Instead the bed of moss she’d fashioned was no lined with various furs. The window boarded up, and all the cracks stuffed with moss. At night she rolled up one of the furs and stuffed it up against the crack beneath the door. Picoro curled on her back, while the girls, built for the weather, curled up on either side of her. By the time she fell into fitful rest, she was warm enough.
Though she wished to return and curl up now, the window to gather herbs for the harsh winter ahead was quickly closing. Even now things were beginning to die, and she heaved a sigh of frustration. The stores weren’t built up enough, and even if they were… From what she had seen there were few active medics within Denocte, and come winter she had far less energy to pour into her work.
She meandered around the foothills wearily, Mithra pressed up against her side to take some of her weight as they did. “Any luck?” Picoro asked from his perch on her wither.
She shook her head. “Too late in the season for much of anything to be viable…might as well head ba-”
She was cut off by a sharp bark from Yara, who now bounded off away from them, towards a stranger on the horizon. “Yara!” she called the leonberger back to her. Though it took her a moment to listen she slowly plodded back, and Luvena made her way towards the horned woman. “Good morning!” she called out.
Posted by: Maerose - 03-23-2021, 01:50 AM - Forum: Archives
- No Replies
Solterra had had markets of its own, of course, but there really is no comparison to those of Denocte, any more than there is between the Day and Night Courts themselves. I'll admit that it has played a small part in my decision to leave Solterra upon my mother's death; there was little to hold me there, anymore, and I'd always had a certain wary curiosity about the other courts that I'd never had the ability--or the compunction--to pursue the slowly budding desire to explore the rest of the world outside the not-so-serene walls of Solterra. Things were…better now, of course, but the impact of a turbulent childhood made it hard to truly trust in the quiet. Like the calm before a storm, I would think to myself on the more restless nights.
Several days have passed since crossing over the border between Solterra and Denocte--almost a week, I'm surprised to realize. I'd spent much of the past several days simply exploring, getting my bearings as best I can, but eventually even that has to come to an end. Though it is no hardship to find myself in the Night Markets, getting a more intimate feel for the place that I expect to spend more time than most. It is past evening now, the sun long disappeared below the horizon, and yet the Markets themselves are still buzzing with activity. It's refreshing to see not because the Day Court was any different, but because they're so similar at their core. So far, Denocte doesn't quite live up to the dastardly reputation I'd grown up listening to.
The Markets bustle, the energy coming not only from equine bodies. I'd been somewhat startled by the pygmie dragons when I'd first caught sight of them, though the unease had been lessened somewhat when a merchant had seemingly caught sight of my nervous expression and, with a laugh, explained.
"Ah, yer new, yes? Them's Caligo's Pygmies. They won't hurtcha--'less you count stealin' your shinies as hurt." The stallion nods his head at my bangles. I nod my own head in thanks before moving of, stride a little looser now that I'm not quite as worried about my new passenger despite the faint prodding of tiny claws I can feel against my hide every time the little creature shifts upon my back.
Slowly now, new companion in tow, I continue to wander, not having any particular destination in mind; it isn't so much intent that guides me as it is interest and curiosity. Things I haven't found reason to feel in such a long time. It is refreshing, and strangely exhilarating, and I can't help but let out the gentle curve to my mouth that's been fighting its steady way to the surface almost since I'd stepped foot in the Markets.
"Just give me the world and I will give it back to you
Just tell me it hurts and I will fix it for you"
The forest was alive with sound, but half of it only the young doe could here. Her ears twirled, both sets spinning wildly as she tried to take in every soft whispered greeting, as leaves swayed in the wind. Every high pitched gossip of bushes, every eager compliment of a flower to win her favor. The whispered, and almost seemed to work above the sounds of the very earth that yielded to her step. But she didn't hesitate, she didn't pause, her limbs carrying her further until she finally hit the forest. A collective sigh of welcome, trees whispering softly in welcome for her return. Whispered excitement, whispered wonder. Branches seemed to crunch and gently stretch towards her, almost unnoticeable, even as she felt the twins brush her hide, the leaves lean into her returned brush of pelt against bark, "Yes, yes, I missed you too." She mused delicately to the forest that seemed to hum with brighter, and warmer energy. The ley lines of the natural energies, the very life giving magic that swirled around her on a metaphysical level.
Her eyes closed, the slight sparkling of energies wafting over her pelt, clinging to her body like the possessive energy it was. She pretended to ignore the slightly fuzzy, static feeling it presented, instead of letting her awareness spread out, tracing the lines of natural flowing magic - zipping along the natural currents from tree grouping to tree grouping, from plant to plant, to every shrub bush, and every patch of flowers, reacquainting herself first with the forest of her home, the home she'd taken into her heart when she'd tumbled into this world, head over hoof. Once she was certain that she had resettled her awareness to the forest, retouched and reconnected with it as she had before she'd gone to the ley lines, disappeared into the energies for a long rest. Only then did she follow the lines to the brighter spots of energy, the individual animals, silently accounting for the different creatures, knowing where friend and were foe might be. As the forest around her seemed to sigh at the re-established connection, as Cally herself let the very magic of the forest that anchored life to earth flow through her did she open her eyes again. Briefly, that sparkle along her pelt was visible in her eyes before she blinked a few times and her awareness settled.
It was an odd thought to have, how part of her awareness was within the magic, the other part was within her body. A silent touch of acknowledgment, letting the energies, the flow of that natural magic work straight through her own body, anchoring her to it. She settled in her own body again, stretching her neck, rolling her shoulders before her cloven hooves kicked up, carrying her along Delumine, looking now for someone to talk to, to let her know what might have changed, what was still the same. She had, after all, been asleep within the earth, within the very magical flow of life forces for so long. Even now, the scent rolling over her spoke of a new royal in Delumine, perhaps she needed to search that fact out at some point, as well, a casual introduction. But for now, just more knowledge on what she had missed out on would be enough.
And after sleeping within the ley lines for so long, she was ready for some company anyway.
Posted by: Novus Team - 03-20-2021, 06:14 PM - Forum: Updates
- No Replies
Common or Unique Item Rewards
Reply here to redeem common or unique items earned through events or incentives!
Requests will be deleted as they are fulfilled to keep the thread tidy.
All users are responsible for tracking and posting to claim their own items. If you have already been sent the item, no need to reply here as the item is usable as soon as it's sent to you.
Here is the current list of what you can redeem:
Common Items for Joining Incentives - Varies on the posted incentive
Can only be claimed for the character joined, and cannot be transferred to a different character.
When redeeming, link directly to your character's application and list the name of the incentive & items you are redeeming.
Unique Items from a Sovereign-run Court event, activity, or incentives - Designated by the Sovereign
Your character must be part of the Court the event takes place in.
When redeeming, link directly to the Event/etc "Info" thread posted by the Official Court account, as well as the "proof" (IC Thread started by your character, etc) of how you earned the item based on the Sovereigns designated requirements.
Common/Unique Item Rewards Form
Respond to this thread with the following form filled out. Repeat the middle portion (For, Item Type, Event/Incentive Proof, Character Proof) for each redemption.
<b>Name:</b> YOUR OOC NAME HERE
<b>Account:</b> WHAT CHARACTER ACCOUNT IS RECEIVING THE REWARD
<b>For:</b> WHAT ARE YOU REDEEMING THE REWARD FOR
<b>Amount:</b> HOW MANY (SEE THE FIRST POST IN THIS THREAD FOR A LIST)
<b>Event/Incentive Proof:</b> LINK TO THE EVENT/INCENTIVE INFO THREAD
<b>Your Character's Proof:</b> LINK TO YOUR CHARACTER'S APP (JOINING INCENTIVE) OR OTHER PROOF (SOV-RUN COURT EVENT INCENTIVE)
<b>All Items being Redeemed:</b> LIST ALL ITEMS TO BE REDEEMED
<b>Notes:</b> ANYTHING ELSE YOU THINK WE NEED TO KNOW
"Just give me the world and I will give it back to you
Just tell me it hurts and I will fix it for you"
Her eyes drowsily blinked open, and for the first time in a few seasons she was more aware of the world around her. The ley lines hummed, filling her with energy, embracing her like a long lost friend, and she finally understood why they had treated her so, but it mattered little for her. Past lives, connected to a world she couldn't reach any more, who cared who she was once - she was still Cally now. The lines still tugged, pulled, wanting her attention and she sighed as she shifted from where she was wrapped in them, and then like the fluidity of magic, her magic, she materialized on the earthly plane, leaving the energy of the lines behind to once more return to soil. She faltered for a moment, the oddity of being back on land foreign and unfamiliar after being trapped in a state of energy while she was forced to go through the proper connection of regaining her magic. The memories it had unlocked.
She shifted, stretching out unused joints. Around her, grasses snuggled up to her limbs, the trees seemed to bend towards her in greeting, subtle bowing of their branches as the former druid deer turned earthen guardian hybrid rejoined the land. She smiled as whispers of what had happened in her absence filled her being. Stories of kings stepping down, islands sinking (this caused a touch of distress in the tiny doe) and then the whisper she was most curious about. That raven-shift stallion has returned. Coy had left? And returned? Instantly there was an eagerness in her being. To see him, to find him, and as if answering that call, the trees whispered suggestions, where they had heard of him being last. She followed those words, tiny hooves prancing as she worked out the remaining stiffness of being part of the lines for so long - once more becoming intuned with an actual body again.
She was curious of where the male was, however, and an odd pang in her heart reminding her of how much she had missed him. How much she was hoping to see him again. He'd always had a habit of turning up when she least expected it, always seemed to have the ability to locate her. Was that why the whispers were of him meeting up with others, re-establishing connections? He knew she wouldn't be found yet? What odd connection would they have to have or that to be the way it was? She didn't know, even as her limbs carried her closer to where she would find him. Or would he find her first? All she knew was that sense of reunion was swallowing her up, and she couldn't wait to see him again.
It had been a long time since Jane had travelled in company. The last had been Hardison- it was with relief that Jane passed into the walls of the city with her new friend.
Solterra in Autumn had barely changed at all from its shades of Summer. Coming from the desert, the light glared off every surface in a way that hurt Jane’s eyes. Centuries had given the city the impression of a skeleton; its bones older than breath, older than memory. Veil by her side, Jane tried to pretend that this city meant anything to her at all. Limited communication aside, Jane could only do her best to lend the other a silent company.
Then, finally, Jane came across the house where she stayed. Rays of light, burning light, bounced off the eaves; the scent of dust slowly clearing for a coming Spring.
A momentary anxiety filled her chest at the knowledge that they had certainly not expected a visitor. It was not kind of her to bring Veil to them but Jane felt distinctly in her heart that this was the right thing. This was new. Never before had she had the sense of fate, like this was something predestined that she was meant to do. No one else. Just her.
A hint of selfishness had always existed in the young mare. Privileged, rich, Jane had thought only of herself in the absence of any other. Now, for the first time, it was this stranger, this newcomer, who Jane thought most about.
The door was opened by her aunt. A moment’s pause, looking between Jane and Veil. Something in the gaze said that it was over.
“Who on earth raised you to believe this was acceptable,” the aunt said, and Jane bristled. “Who even is this?”
“I’m very sorry, ma’am, but if she could just stay in my room for a bit-”
“Jane, this is too much. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave. You can visit us if you need anything, but- you need to go, anyway.”
And this is the story of how Jane ended up in a street on an autumn day; heart pumping as she looked into Veil’s eyes, a cosmic entity so unsuited to daylight. Jane sank her head- anticlimactic as it had been, Jane sighed for yet another life snatched. She knew it was her own fault, but she just hoped- “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
@[Veil Nebula] / speaks /im sorry this is utter shite but i've been putting it off enough /sigh.
Something stirs....
Deep within the abigo caves, the air seems to crackle and bubble as it rises from slumber. A creature who seems as old as time itself, made of iridescent courts and dripping gold. Slowly it unfurls itself, revealing a creature so large it could devour forests, and kill an army in one fell swoop. Its cave is filled with fumes, thick from years of broken dreams letting the knot of control slip loose.
Finally it blinks open cold serpentine eyes, and by the second blink it is swarming out of the caves. Twisting through the largest passages, until the darkness is left behind. It is the bats that screech out of the caves gaping entrance first, silhouetted against the moonlight. And the beast, the dragon, is quick to follow.
He perches himself above the mouth of the cave, stretching wings that have not been used in many turns of the world. They cast a shadow so wide, and so deep, that even Solis’ sun could not have pierced its depths.
The beast remembers…
That from the time he hatched he was fractured, broken. As if at his conception someone had torn out a piece, and thrown it to the wind. He had spent decades searching, wandering the world. From far off lands of ice and fire, to quiet barren worlds. He hungered for it, and no matter what he did to satisfy, the starvation gnawed away at his insides. And finally, when he felt he was losing a grip on those pieces that still remained, when the string holding him together was loosening. He had taken the plunge, deep down under the soil of novus. And curled himself into a just right chamber. To forget. To fade.
And yet now he awoke, to something stirring in the air.
The feeling was ambiguous, no real substance. But it was a sort of pull, a tug, that had made its way into his dreams, and thrust him into consciousness. He took off into the skies, and flew for three nights, and three days. He passed over veneror peak, and stopped atop its temple, feeling the stones shift under his weight. He passed over each court, searching, and hoping that perhaps somewhere, the tug would become a pull, and he would find what he was missing.
He finds it…
It was on the fourth night, as he had finally given up hope, flying over Novus’ seas to a new land once more, that it struck him. A force so strong, it was as if his legs had been shackled in golden chains, and reeled in by the force of 10 000 men. He circled back towards the continent, eyes narrowed at the distant shore. The sound of the waves grew louder, deafening even, as he approached. The spray brought up the smell of salt and brine.
He emerged,
Only his shadow visible from behind the spray, until he soars through it, finally perching in front of the man who stands on the cliffs. Rocks tumble into the sea as he plants himself there, sending water high into the air.
“You”
The words come out as a deep rasp, after decades of not using that serpentine tongue.
“You are what I’ve been looking for”
@Vercingtorix sees a large dragon land and breathe just inches from him.
Thread requirements: 1 reply, 500 words. Please tag the RE account in your reply.
How to tag this account: @*'Random Events' without the asterisk!
Once you respond, go to the Experience Updates thread to claim your quest EXP.
