Posted by: Willoughby - 12-31-2020, 11:23 AM - Forum: Archives
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the road less traveled
Standing at the base of Veneror Peak, Willoughby felt an surge of energy swirling about. She knew this to be a place of holiness, of reverence and of religion. The people of Novus were oft religious, remarking upon gods she did not know anything about. She was daresay a bit of an atheist, but even she could not deny the power here. It felt safe and terrible all at once. Like a soft embrace was felt but stern words could be said. Like the kindness of a mother, but the firmness of a father...
The bard gulped, feeling suddenly self conscious and intimidated. Were they watching now? Should she try to climb the peak? Should she move on? Why would she do that? She was, again, not religious. She felt no pressure to pay tribute to the gods in Novus. Not knowing their names, Willoughby was at a loss on who to pray to. She glanced around, finding the approach of one equine toward the mountain's base. Perhaps she should ask them?
Slowly, she shuffled her body to face the stranger. Her head lowered politely, but not a bow of reverence. "Hello" she says to them softly "are you here to visit the gods too?" She left it at that, wondering if they were moving on or remaining here. If they remained, she would ask to go with them. She could learn so much from the devout. New songs, folklore... Anything of value. The religious folk had their own dances. It was wonderful to watch, less so to participate.
So yes, she felt intimidated around the devout. Not knowing what to say, how to feel... She did not mind the ones who prayed to their gods in peace. It was the ones that took their beliefs and twisted them, making them into zealous behavior. Burning down everyone who didn't agree. Destroying things that offended their gods. But did the gods cry out? No. They did not. Because it was not the gods that faulted mankind, but man itself.
Willoughby may be young. She may be naïve. But she knew. This is how the world worked. She chose to look away unless it bothered her or her people. Perhaps that was unkind of her to do, but she knew no other way. Not right now, anyway. She was untouched by conflict. Whether Novus would break her was unknown. She hoped not. She hoped to forever be a person people could go to for help. For them to be cheered by her dances and songs.
And she hoped the gods looked down and felt joy too. She would sing their words if given a voice. She'd dance to their merit, entertaining the masses as was their custom. Gods were always busy people. She didn't blame them for not showing up when the mortals needed them. Not everything could be solved through force. Not everything needed divine interruption. So she did her best, for her beloved people and for herself.
That is all she could hope to do.
The other did not respond. Instead, they moved on. Willoughby watched them go, understanding that their thoughts were their own. Their prayers were their own. She could intrude on them, an outsider as she was. Without a word to the stranger, she would move to the mountain's peak alone. There, she would offer her own prayer. Safety. Hope. Sprinkling in some added words about wishing for love and peace... She would soon depart, wondering if any gods here actually listened to her.
I have never been to the lands of day. I have seen deserts before, lived and breathed in their life, had my image written across its skies, but not like this one. I had thought Lyrus was a harsh place, with its towering red rocks, and it's one oasis. But Solterra, solterra was a cruel place. heat shimmered visibly in the air, painting it in waves, like the art of a long dead surrealist. I am sharply reminded that the waste had been a death sentence for me, and that I'd be lucky if this place wasn't.
Though this time I had company. a month or two back I had found two pups deserted in the mountains, ad though I hadn't been able to speak to them as I had Picoro, as of course, he would never share his role, I'd managed to give them enough love that they'd stuck around. Long enough now that I'd been able to teach them a few things. Both are sweet, though different in personality. While Yara is my shadow, Mithra prefers to run amuck. They grew larger than I expected, both now reaching nearly up to my stomach. Picoro to accompanies me of course.
I did not expect the desert to be this hot, though I should have known better, coming in in the summer months. I don't know what I expected. It does not bode well for me, and though I felt fine when the sun rose over the mountains, my head began to pound nearly the moment I set foot in Solterra. "Yara" I call softly, "Steady" it is one of the few things I've managed to teach her. to come into my side and take just some of my weight. It is handy on the mountains, and I hope that in time, with her and Mithra, I will be able to make it down myself, without having to employ one of the disciples.
After what feels like an eternity I make it to the court itself, and by then my body cries in exhaustion. I shush Picoro before he can say a word about my poor judgement, and lack of foresight. I had in fact, come here for a reason though. With the end of summer will bring with it sickness, especially with so many living in close quarters. Not much grows on the mountains, and I want to be prepared was sickness does strike. Deserts hold one of the best herbs for it, white sage, and someone in the markets is bound to have some. If I knew where the markets were.
The people here seem...cold, in stark contrast to their home, and though no one seems particularly ready to help a woman whose spine just from her back, I will not return to the temples empty handed. The first man to catch my eye, is one with a head full of snakes. "Excuse me." I call softly, unsure if my voice will be heard above the clamor of others moving about. "Could you direct me to the markets? I'm afraid I'm rather out of my element here"
The Mountains had always been a source of peace for Katniss, a place where she could think without fear of being heard or bothered. Up in the mountains, the air was crisp and clean. The only sounds she heard was the sound of her own breathing and the trees swaying in the wind. Up here, Katniss felt herself.
So many things had happened recently, so many things she wished she understood. When she had returned home, she had been met with Morrighan’s questions and now she was left with more questions than she had answers to. What had happened to Morrighan? What had happened to the court she vowed to protect? Her queen had been killed and she could do nothing to stop it. She felt like a failure, something Katniss did not like to feel.
A warrior is supposed to be strong and unwavering. It seemed that lately, Katniss was not the warrior she thought she was. Since her return, she felt more lost than ever before. What was she going to do? She supposed she would do as she had always done: protect Denocte with her life. Nothing had changed in that sense.
On this particular morning, Katniss had come to the mountain to think. She needed to talk to Caligo, to try and make sense of Denocte’s future. The unknowing was frightening, not really for her, per say, but more for her son. Kibou needed protection. Kibou needed leadership, leadership she wasn’t so sure she could give him. At least on the mountain, she was able to clear her head, to try and purify herself for her talk with the gods. She wasn’t sure if anyone was actually listening, but she supposed it made her feel better.
The warrior stands on the edge of a cliff, her large neck hanging forward so she can look down below. She feels the way the breeze whips through her hair and it makes her feel alive, even though her heart feels dead inside.
But there is a sound behind her, the kick of a pebble as another approaches. Ears flick back to meet the sound, hearing then the footfalls of another. Respectfully, she turns her neck to strain towards the stranger, her eyes resting on a one she only knows by reputation. She has never met him before, though she admits to seeing him from time to time. “Have you come to clear your head?” People came to the mountain to run, to pray, or to reflect. She had come here to do all three at least once in her time here. But no longer was this day about her and her own self-reflection. Now she had to entertain.
@Tenebrae - I am terrible with starters and I apologize profusely.
Delumine was a special place full of special people. She found she related to the equines here, but was not connected enough with them to actually join their court. Perhaps she never would join one, but if she had to choose she would pick the Dawn. As a rule, Willoughby greeted each day - each dawn - with a smile on her face and a spring in her step.
Today was no different. She found herself wandering Delumine, visiting the meadow she had sometimes traveled to. It was peaceful here and she could stop and think. Lyrics bounced around in her mind about many different things. Mostly new routines she would love to play for others. She did not save enough coin for an instrument yet, but she had her eye on something in the Night Market.
It was a lovely item and they promised to hold it for her. Willoughby scoured for anything of value to sell so she could reach her goal. Today she would pluck precious herbs from the meadow. It didn't help she didn't know the names for most of them. Pulling weeds was more her speed. Too engrossed in her own thoughts, she failed to notice the mare approach.
”Im bored.” She whined, causing her mother to give a sigh.
”I’ve already told you 10 things you could do, Dearest. I have to get this done.” She said, returning her attention to the Shaman.
“Cant you get it done FASTER!?” The red child said back, throwing herself to the ground.
Taking the last drink out of the bottle of Solterrian sweet wine, she let it clatter to the bartop with the loud clashing of glass hitting wood. “Alright, oldtimers. Listen up!” She said dramatically, stamping a hoof to the floor to draw even more attention, “I’m going on an adventure.”
Hargis, the grumpiest man in the building who could always be found in the same dark corner, gave a snort. “Yer going t’get yerself killed is what yer gonna do.” He said, with a rolling of his one good eye.
Dearest laughed, a sound very close to way the bells rang in her hair, “You better be careful. People might think you’re starting to like me, Hargis.” and he instantly made a noise of disdain, though it got stuck in his throat and turned into a cough.
“Like ya? I don-” He coughed again, clearing out the clog, “I don’t like yeh! Doesn’t mean ah want ye runnin’ off t’Gods know where all la-di-daing like some flouncy airhead withha flower up’er rea-”
He stopped talking when Dearest almost fell over cackling, the scowl etched deeply on his face and directed straight at her, “Whatcha laughin’ at?! Think this place is juss rainbows an’ fairy tales. Iffin’ I had the right mind I’d...” and he continued to complain, but it trailed off into mumbles none of the rest of the patrons could hear.
“Gonna be gone long?” Reolfwig, the owner, chimed in, lazily wiping down a couple whiskey glasses. She gave a small shrug, still catching her breath after such a grand showing of mirth, causing her black curls to shift against her neck.
“A week or so. Not too long. Or well, not long enough for you to give my room to someone else.” and she gave him a wink that he returned with a smile.
“Well go on then,” he said back in a teasing way, “What the hell y’still doing here?”
She grew a little shy, looking around to see if anyone was watching them before leaning in closer. “Can, uh... Will you draw me a map?”
Hargis yelled gruffly from his corner, “Told ye yer gonna get killed! Ye don’t even know where yer going!”
30 minutes later (and having been lectured the whole time), she was on her way. She stepped out of the dingy bar, the cooling enchantment stripped from her skin, and the full heat of the day blasted itself forward like a charging beast. Her stomach churned slightly, still sloshed full of red wine, and for a brief moment she considered just turning around and drinking another bottle. That would be admitting defeat however and the red woman was much too stubborn to let that happen. She slipped into the crowd, trodding heavily down the cobblestones, until she stood on the edge of the court with a sea of sand spread before her, glittering beneath the sun. The air seemed to shiver and shake in the far distance, promising quite the battle of endurance. Dearest frowned, already tired just thinking about walking across the dunes.
“Travelin’!?” An excited voice said from her right side, and it almost made her give a surprised squeak. She turned, not seeing anyone... and then looked down. He couldn’t have been more than 8 hh, this stranger, though he didn’t seem to mind that as he was grinning up at her confidently with a very prominent gold tooth that matched all the hoops he wore on each ear.
“Excuse me?” She said, sidestepping to put a little space between them but he moved with her, nudging into her leg with his shoulder.
“Travelin’! Explorin’! Settin’ out inn’tah the WILDS O’ NOVUS!” He said grandiosely, gesturing with his head to the wide open that laid before them.
“Oh.. Well..” She paused, uncertain of the small creature, but he continued to grin up at her, “Yes. To the dusk court? I have a map somewh-” and she trailed off as she tried to locate it, spinning in a circle, stopping, looking behind her. She froze for a moment, concern crossing her face, and with a blush crawling onto already red cheeks, she mumbled a very unladylike word and turned back to the stranger. “Well. I had a map.”
“Map, Smhap!” The miniature horse said, “Dont be needin’ a map, lass. Ol’ Gipetto here at your service!” and he bowed so low that his earrings touched the sand. She still wasn’t sure what to make of this character, but she didn’t have much choice in the moment. “Come on. Lessgo. This way.” He said, circling around her and pushing into her rump to jumpstart her forward, and she followed the directions... not seeing as Gipetto quickly kicked sand over the map on the ground and then scurried to catch back up to her.
“Juss rightin’ this way, around t’corner.” He said with excitement, and walked for a few minutes near the outside of the day court, following along the wall, until he proclaimed “TA-DA!”
Dearest was looking at an old wooden cart, its wheels floating just slightly above the ground, and a large stallion who leaned against it, sleeping.
Gipetto did not look pleased, his expression souring. “I said.. TA-DA!” and the new stranger jolted, snorting himself awake and clumsily unfolding his wings, “Ta-daaa... crap. Cramp.” and he winced, rolling one of his shoulders and causing the small merchant to sigh. He returned his attention to Dearest, forcing back on his grin. “Best in the, uh, business. Reckon we can get ya there in 2 hours.”
The red woman simply blinked at him, as if still trying to make sense of the scene before her. “Business?” She asked, before it clicked, and her lantern eyes grew wide, ”You want me to ride in that!?”
The minature horse seemed offended. “She’s as sturdy as a ram!” He insisted, trotting over to smack it with a hoof. The cart shimmied and shuttered, but it didn’t break. When she still didn’t seem convinced, he thought for a moment, looking at the winged man then back to Dearest. “I’ll throw in a bottle of his homemade mead.” and she struck the deal even as the stranger’s partner voiced complaints over his alcohol.
The ride did not end up being smooth, or as short as quoted, but it sure was a hell of a lot better than a two day trip. They had glided high above the land below, sand turning into trees, endless blue skies replaced by softer ones with clouds. They were currently over a wide flat valley, and Gipetto gave a small shrug as he turned to the young mare, “Tis the spot! Not allowed t’land in the Dusk Court anymore after the crash. Hold on!”
“Crash? Wha-” but her words turned into a scream as they shot into a dive heading straight for the grass below. She dug her teeth into the wood, bells ringing wildly as the wind whipped back her black curls, and said a silent prayer. The cart made contact with a thud, bounced, thud, thud. The jolt hurt her neck but she hung on, making a mental note to NOT tip the driver. When the motion stopped, and the cart was once again hovering ever so slightly, she made a rather annoyed noise and turned to the merchant.. Who wasn’t there anymore. She looked around her quickly, and saw him groaning a few feet away, having bounced out at the last minute.
“That’s your idea of customer service?” She said in an annoyed voice, her adrenaline still going.
“Y’ain’t dead, are ya?” He said brightly, flashing that gold tooth. She threw her coins into the cart, giving him an eyeroll in response. “Oh yer finnne. Dusk court is that way.” He said, pointing her off into the distance. “Bout a 30 min walk.”
“It’s been a pleasure.” She said sarcastically, brushing past him, and not looking back as he started laughing and counting the money.
To be honest, there was little interest in the court of Day. Willoughby did not like the desert realm; simply because she was a vain creature. Sweat poured off her as she wandered into this region and she greedily approached the oasis with the intent to clean the dust and dirt off. The sweat seemed almost iridescent on her pale coat - but she didn't care. It was unsightly and disgusting to her.
With a tired sigh, she strolled into the oasis's waters. Why was she here again? The vagabond did not know. The other courts had wonderful displays and specific places to explore. Day had little things of interest. Of course, the people were exotic and interesting. She did not doubt that. But dust, dirt and blood were not something she personally appreciated.
The field of battle was lost on the pacifist's mind. She did not come to see those fighting. She had merely picked a direction at random, following the road. Such was her life as a lone beast. Crossing the desert had taken precious time; she would relax for now. Standing shoulder deep in the depths, she smiled as she closed her eyes. The pegasus stretched her wings.
"It is not kind to watch a lady as she bathes" she says, not looking in the direction the other was in. The maiden heard the footfalls and heard them stop. She could almost feel the hesitation.
I breathe deeply the bitter salt air, letting it fill my lungs with the sting of lost loves and time immemorial. I have found myself drawn to the sea again as the seasons have turned to something warm against my pelt. The breeze that wafts up from the edge of the world keeps my skin cool as the midday sun blazes unabashed in the sky. I recall the taste of my last visit to the sea and a chill ripples through me, electric and exciting. It was here that I learned how to live and love this world I had been brought to, even if I had not realized it at the time.
My mind wanders to the figure that had come forth from the sea, and was of her. I wonder if she is there now, beneath the waves, waiting for night to fall and to lure others to her inky world. I wonder if I would follow her as I had once been so desperate to do. Perhaps, I think I would, if she were to show herself to me again. If I were to be graced with her presence. Though I have come to understand that gods do not regularly walk the realms of Novus, she I think is an exception, regardless of her words to me assuring otherwise. I have been blessed to know deities in many forms, and I would be remiss to have called her anything but.
I watch the shoreline, breathing in time with the wash of the tide. Gulls in the far distance swoop and dive to the waters, looking for goodies to scoop up. Shells deposit themselves upon the sands before being lifted away back where they came from. The dull slosh of the ocean as she reaches for me creates a melody to my audits. I flick my banner behind me, keeping just enough distance between me and the high tide. I remember what it is like to step into her beckoning waters and it takes a good measure of restraint to not fall into her embrace. Still, the sea whispers her sweet-nothings to me like a tired lover begging me to bed.
I close my eyes and listen to her words, how sweet, how bitter they must be. If I focus, I think I just might be able to make out clearly her desires. Another breeze pushes my veil-covered tresses away from my body, the bells adorning my antlers trickle like rain and I embrace her. I fill my bodice with the sweet air and hold it as long as I dare, sucking all the oxygen from that breath and imbuing myself with all its power. The salt is a cleansing thing, and to be sure, I feel the darkness leave my body like a cloud of thick smoke as I exhale.
“Thank you,” I whisper to none in particular, my lids still half closed as I enjoy the sensations of the world around me. But it is the height of summer, and surely there will be souls along this stretch of beach soon enough. Still, I enjoy the moments of peace while I have them.
The only good thing about a shattered heart you put the pieces back together however you want
At first it was a quiet white-noise, ever-present but nothing more than a pinprick at the edge of her senses. But then it deepened, its grasp pulling her closer and closer like the gravity of a black hole. Days, years, centuries - how long had it been that she had slumbered under her sky so dark, littered with the stars she loved so?
She fought the sensation of restlessness, turning back into the void she was swathed in.
But He would not be ignored. "Wake up, daughter," the quiet call reached out across the expanse of the universe. He pulled at the edges of the void that surrounded her, unravelling the nest she had buried herself in. "You are needed."
Eyes as sharp and unforgiving as the rough edge of a diamond, she awoke with a rolling thunder under her hooves. It felt like she had no breathed for an eon, existing only on dark matter and the silent vacuum of space.
And so she unfurled herself from its grasp; Caligo - beautiful as ever, tall and strong and so very wild - regarded her Father with silent but knowing eyes. Words were never necessary between them, for their bond went far beyond anything time had ever known.
And just like that, Tempus led his demi-goddess daughter across the sky. Where their hooves touched, rolling thunder and a spark of lightning echoed a sad chorus that filled Novus' night skies. He led her to the edge of the clouds and stopped - but she did not.
Bright and burning eyes glanced back at her Father for a moment before she descended, never wondering if the pull she felt was the same one her brother Oriens did when he too descended.
In that moment, her statue disappeared. The black ink of it dripped and dripped and dripped, seeping into the snow-capped ground atop Veneror peak. The diamonds bled and buried themselves into the earth, and all that was left was the twisted base of her statue reaching up from the depths — grasping at nothing and everything. In the shadows the demi-goddess stood for just a moment as the icey air shocked her lungs - but she did not linger. She was tall and grandoise, her wild mane a swirl of tendrils about her. And it did not take her long to descend that mountain.
So here she stood, in the middle of the Court filled with dreamers, and artists, and beautiful souls. "Denoctians," her voice was the echo of the thunder from when she had walked across the sky. "Morrighan is no more," the demi-goddess quickly regarded the growing crowd before her.
"She has been killed, and I cannot tell you how or why." and a hush fell over them all, their silence a deafening sound that bested even the darkest depths of space.
"What I must ask you instead: who will step up and prove themselves worthy to fill the void left by her?"
Rules to Apply
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:
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 01/10/21. Novus-standard time is listed on the main page.
At least temporarily, those on the staff team will not be able to occupy a Sovereign position while Ink determines how she'd like to move forward. This may change - but please keep this in mind if you intend to apply for a moderator role when applications are opened soon!
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.
Staff will narrow down their top three applicants, then put those top three to final member vote. Only Night Court members may participate in that final vote.
We'll be judging on writing quality, how well your character fits into Denoctian ideals, your proposed plans & goals, and 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 Denocte?</span>
Tell us why your character would be a good choice to be Sovereign of this Court. Match up their ideals and values with Denocte and Caligo.
<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 Denocte? 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!
It felt like it had been a century, asleep underneath an expanse of vivid pink sky. But when he opened his eyes this time, summoned with the gentle pull at the edge of his consciousness, his gaze met Tempus'. And as soon as it did, he felt the hole in his heart.
"Father?" the inquiry as Oriens took his place at his father's side. Tempus' four knowing eyes left his son's gaze and instead focused on the horizon, where the sun was cresting up to awaken Novus for the day. Oriens asked no more for he now knew all he needed to know... and together they stepped. They traveled in silence but there was nothing louder than it.
The god of Dawn's steps were silent but powerful, his golden gaze drifting down towards the peaceful landscape far beneath them. Tempus had led his god son across the sky, stopping shy of the clouds' edge. Oriens briefly stalled and their gazes met once more; years of knowing passed within a single blink of an eye.
His statue disappeared, swathed in a thick fog that poured from the orb atop the statue's head. As it inched down the statue and swallowed it whole, nothing was left except the pristine stone of the navy-colored base. Yet there Oriens stood, taller and more radiant than ever before. He did not linger or wait, for he knew - knew where he was going, knew what he had to do, and knew the news that must come alongside that.
Oriens left the mountain, no part of himself left behind, and appeared within his Court. Stunned silence applauded his entrance.
"Deluminians," his voice echoed and more gathered. "Ipomoea and Thana have run off into the wilderness to hunt old gods, and as such have taken their feral children with them."
He knew no words would come from their silence; so he continued. "Who will step up and take the helm of Sovereign?" A hoof was placed forward, imposing but somehow welcoming all in the same step.
"Come, stand before me."
Rules to Apply
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:
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 01/10/21. 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.
At least temporarily, those on the staff team will not be able to occupy a Sovereign position while Ink determines how she'd like to move forward. This may change - but please keep this in mind if you intend to apply for a moderator role when applications are opened soon!
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.
Staff will narrow down their top three applicants, then put those top three to final member vote. Only Dawn Court members may participate in that final vote.
We'll be judging on writing quality, how well your character fits into Deluminian ideals, your proposed plans & goals, and 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 Delumine?</span>
Tell us why your character would be a good choice to be Sovereign of this Court. Match up their ideals and values with Delumine and Oriens.
<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 Delumine? 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!
Posted by: Moira - 12-30-2020, 12:39 AM - Forum: Archives
- No Replies
we are all just stars
with people names
—
P
lease, stay tonight, she wants to tell him and let him fall into her arms again and again and again. Just the press of his side against her side is enough to leave her breathless and wanting more. There is, after all, hardly a moment they are parted, and when they do part she can hardly bare to look, to watch him go step by step away from her again. There is always that looming darkness, that fear that something will happen, that he will just disappear, that this will all have been a dream. It is but a shadow most days, kept at bay by shafts of light shifting in her thoughts, great windows and skylights letting in sunnier thoughts.
Like when he came back and stayed with her. Like when he walked with her on the beach before that. Or when they were in a tavern in the middle of the city and he sat and talked with her and made her ache so wholly for him she thought him holy, too.
These things keep her sewn together, keep her from letting rice and cotton stuffing spill from split seams as they would on the dolls she'd played with as a girl when she was lucky enough to have them.
Moira Tonnerre does not ask him to stay tonight.
She watches as Michael rises like the sun, golden, resplendent, impossibly handsome still. He looks to her with that same soft, constant smile. If there is sorrow in it she does not always comment, just tries to heal by staying by him, too. He is a half of her she missed before she ever knew he was a piece that had fallen away. Or perhaps, she'd been a piece of him that had fallen away into a different world and only now are they returned together once more. But she does not want this to be the only once-more that they have. Michael does not see when the young immortal bites her lip as he turns and opens the door. Such an action is swept under the blankets when he looks back a final time, tells her to have a good day, for it will be busy.
The day is long and droll and full of so many things she hardly has time to file them away in the halls of her mind. Great towers of shelves full of mental notes sit, gothic and grim, waiting for another tome to fall on them.
It does. Of course it does as the day winds down.
Moira needs a drink by the end of it.
And instead of going to the little pub she and Michael would frequent, instead the Emissary winds her way through the streets. She smiles like she is not worried, like there is not something awry in their court once more. Her home, shaken. Her home, forever changed. How long must there be a change such as this? Will it never cease.
A great breath falls from her as she opens a door. A quaint, quiet, sweet little door. And inside, Michael is there and he is golden. Her sun, her moon, her sky. He turns, his pale, pale, bone-white hair in some sort of tie or braid to be kept from the tea, and smiles that business smile, that Michael smile when a customer comes in. It lasts only a moment, and that moment makes her pause, makes her watchful, for his smile to change into something that is them. Him. And her.
Moira smiles back like she's seen the sun because she has. He is her light.
"Hello, beastie," she murmurs past the other patrons of his shop. Because he is here and she is his and this is the only face she's longed to see the entire day.
