RuneScape Forum Archive | Scions of House Arenar (RP)

NotFishing

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The Beginning

The Royal Palace of Alyssium was without question the grandest and most magnificent building in the land. Funded by the wealth of all of Tavia, then designed and added to by the finest architects and engineers throughout history, it was the culmination of centuries of effort. The bulk of the palace was made of solid marble and granite, inlaid with gold and silver. The stained glass windows depicted some of the Realm's most famous Monarchs and Scions, along with important historical scenes.

The ballroom alone was large enough to parade an army, and it is in the ballroom that our story begins. Or, more accurately, just outside of it.

The Scions of House Arenar had gathered in an antechamber. There was Princess Derene, eldest of the Scions and Royal-Chancellor of the Realm. She was tall and beautiful, with night-black hair. It was her duty to record the realm's finances, and propose new sources of revenue. She had done that job ably, and was high in her father's favour. She wore a beautiful green dress, and was adorned with gold and ruby jewelry. Of all the siblings, she had perhaps been the easiest to get along with.

Then there was Prince Roland. At the age of twenty-seven, he was the youngest of the Scions (or at least, youngest of those born within wedlock.) He was a Knight of the Realm - the most famous knight, in fact. He had travelled across Tavia seeking adventure, slaying monsters and striking down bandits with sword in one hand and lightning in the other. He was well-loved by commoners and nobility alike, although he was considerably more difficult to get along with - often coming across as condescending and arrogant. His hair was golden blond, and his eyes emerald green. Adorned in his ceremonial gilded armour, he wore a confident smile on his face as he regarding his siblings. Beneath the gold, the Bitter Steel.

10-Jan-2022 05:06:52

NotFishing

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And there wasn't a soul in the capital who could forget Prince Gallus Arenar, a renowned warrior in his own right: he was a champion in the local tourneys, as well as renowned duelist - all at the young age of twenty-six. All this he did without even calling upon his mastery of wind, which was formidable in his own right, but he had never been known to use it when he was not practicing. 'To keep things fair,' he had always said. He was also a bastard, having been sired upon the noble wife of a lowly baron. He wore a grey doublet, and there was a light-smirk on his olive-skinned face.

Another figure of some provenance was the Princess Kathlyn. A twenty-five year old human and the daughter of Queen Emilia, her place in the court was that of the Royal-Steward. While the Royal-Chancellor oversaw taxation and financing across the realm, the Royal-Steward was tasked with directly overseeing the royal family's personal holdings. Although it was much narrower in scope, it carried almost as much influence. Her dress was a light blue; her jewelry silver and sapphire. Despite these soft, cool colours, her power gave her mastery over fire.

Princess Chloelle was no less a familiar figure, but for a different reason. Although she had no official occupation, she was a known socialite, and had ties to many tailoring industries. This had made her into a famous trendsetter, whether she had wished to be one or not. Whatever new fashion she decided to test out would quickly be adopted by the other noble ladies of the realm. She might not hold much say in official governance, but anyone who had any financial investment in fashion was practically at her mercy. Beneath the gold, the Bitter Steel.

10-Jan-2022 05:07:06 - Last edited on 10-Jan-2022 05:16:04 by NotFishing

NotFishing

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Meanwhile, Princess Adrienne's presence at this gathering was a matter of course. She was a famous diplomat, having successfully smoothed over many diplomatic incidents - often times before they even had a chance to become incidents. The King had relied heavily on her throughout his reign, and she could rightfully take credit for much of the Realm's current stability.

Adrienne's twin, Ariadne, was also deeply embedded in their father's government, but in almost the opposite profession - she was the Royal-Marshal, commander of the Realm's armed forces. She was perhaps one of the most dilligent of all the King's children, having worked tirelessly to get the army into shape after it had fallen prey to decades if not centuries of neglect. Progress had been slow, and more than a little frustrating - despite her martial aptitude, she spent more time behind a desk than in the field.

Somewhat more controversial was Prince Flynn, having returned to the capital after years of travel in distant lands. There were rumours that he had been killed time and time again, only for new rumours to arrive that he was sighted in some backwater village, or seeking hospitality in some minor lord's castle. This is in turn had led to additional rumours that he had somehow figured out how to return from death. But he had recently returned from a long expedition into the Western Wastes, bearing much new treasure and knowledge, including one of the most significant discoveries in history - the Kalodar Stone. Beneath the gold, the Bitter Steel.

10-Jan-2022 05:07:17

NotFishing

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Compared to such figures, Prince Reyner appeared almost inconsequential - the lord of a small isolated village, who had somehow made an agreement with an equally small and isolated goblin tribe. By all accounts both his people and the goblins he aligned himself with had prospered under his authority, and in such a short time too. There was no doubt he would go on to accomplish more after this day. But between his youth, his relatively small-scale accomplishments, and the fact that none of his siblings had actually met him before this day, he was somewhat overshadowed. But those who did notice him regarded him with no small amount of curiosity.

Most shocking of all, however, was the presence of Princess Evalayne. Until less than a week ago, she had been missing and presumed dead for seven years. Her sudden reappearance after all that time would have caused no small amount of uproar. It would have been a cause for a grand celebration in its own right, had it not come so close to this one. Although the public was kept oblivious to her return, all the Scions been informed beforehand, so her presence here was not completely out of the blue. Nonetheless, this was their first time seeing her in the seven years since her supposed death.

It was a rare occasion indeed to have so many Scions in a single room. And they had gathered in this room for but one purpose: to wait until it was time to enter the ball. Based on the music and the chatter that could be heard in the ballroom, it was evidently already getting underway. But by longstanding tradition, the Scions of House Arenar would always enter an event last, so that all could see them and bask in their entrance. Beneath the gold, the Bitter Steel.

10-Jan-2022 05:07:27 - Last edited on 10-Jan-2022 05:10:56 by NotFishing

NotFishing

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The time to enter was soon approaching. For now, they had a few minutes to talk with one another in private, but after those minutes passed it would be some time before they would get another chance - for in such events they always found themselves surrounded by courtiers and sycophants, and it was impossible to maintain a conversation with any sort of privacy.

An awkward silence followed. For some, this was their first time seeing their siblings in years. There was so much to say, and so little time to say it. And that was without even beginning to mention that this was a day where the unspoken lifelong competition between so many of them would finally come to a head. No matter how much some of them might have liked to boast or think otherwise, they had no way of knowing who their father would choose. And when he did choose, would things ever be the same after this?

"Well," Prince Roland grinned. "I'm glad you could all make it. I am so touched that you came all this way just to watch me be named Crown Prince." He turned to Evalayne. "Especially you, dear Evvie. You even came back from the dead for me."

---

Meanwhile, inside the ballroom itself, a vast crowd of nobles had already assembled, gathered into individual pockets around other prominent figures at court. King Yareth was detached from all this, with his trusted brother Prince Leon standing to his right, and his retainer Dalhover standing to his left. A dozen armed royal guard formed a loose perimeter around them.

If he was bold enough, this was a rare chance for Dalhover to speak to the King in confidence. Beneath the gold, the Bitter Steel.

10-Jan-2022 05:07:57 - Last edited on 10-Jan-2022 07:09:31 by NotFishing

Apr

2016

Taleisin

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A soft chuckle rings out after the Prince Roland made his bold proclamation. Chloelle offers a gentle smile, as if he had given her a compliment. She tilts her head slightly, glancing aside at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Dear brother...There is so much more to being a ruler than throwing yourself at monsters," she comments delicately, her hands folded in a relaxed manner before her.

For this ball, she has chosen a dress of the palest powder blue that clings to her torso in a halter style, continuing to stay skin tight until her waist - where it blooms out into an asymmetrical skirt that shows off the layers of royal blue chiffon that drapes down to the ground - a myriad of sparkling embroidery and small gems scattered across the layers. The effect is like gazing upon the night sky as she moves and twirls. The same chiffon is used for the sleeves, which cover her arms from just below her shoulder joint to her wrists. Strings of white pearls drape over the upper part of her skirt. And to finish the look, her hair is tied up into an elegant bun with strings of white pearls woven into it, strands of wavy hair left loose at the front to frame her face.

Chloelle turns her attention to her other siblings, passing her gaze over them - one by one. Her smile grows a little more. "It is so good to see everyone gathered like this. Some faces I have not seen in so long - I hope we will get along well regardless of who becomes Crown Prince or Princess."

Everyone has the potential to be an asshat in a flower crown.

10-Jan-2022 09:03:48

Azi Demonica

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While the princes and princesses awaited within the antechamber, The King’s brother, Prince Leon, and the Master of Defence stood by His Majesty. For the moment, the old knight’s thoughts swirled, reflecting about the surrounding royal guards, a good number of whom he trained over the years...

While the clusters of nobles here and there chatted, The King and his brother seemed reserved. Amid the impending celebration to take place, something gnawed at Dalhover. Paranoia brewed within the Master's aged mind... A sign of his experience, or just old age creeping up on him?

When the chance came, Dalhover bowed before His Majesty—an unexpected crack interrupted a full gesture, though the Master of Defence kept his composure despite his old spine and its lifetime of batterings.

''Holy King of Tavia, I wish to express my elation that both Evalayne and The Black Prince, Flynn, are alive. Fond memories of our daughters’ friendship...how mine alerted yours of a marriage she never wanted years ago, then going missing for so long... Barbara felt so guilty, sometimes blaming herself for causing Evalayne’s departure. A great moment indeed, especially since your adventurous son had found the Kalodar Stone. I have never even seen powerful relics despite my many journeys into the Western Wastelands, so...is this a relic possessing power over the Divine Barrier? Or the cause of the ruins throughout the badlands? Should we inhibit rumours of this stone of immortality?''

Asking such questions were, actually, not only what Dalhover had in mind. Suspicion raced through his wary thoughts.
Your Majesty, such a powerful relic, if dangerous, can be a terrible weapon.
Your Highness, I am concerned of Prince Roland...
My Lord, what if someone evil uses the power of that relic...
My King, I fear Roland will steal the stone from Flynn and then wield its immortal power against...
What happened to the ruined civilizations is a fate looming over us all...

10-Jan-2022 10:30:39 - Last edited on 10-Jan-2022 22:25:28 by Azi Demonica

George Rozas

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Following the proclamation of his younger brother the lips of Prince Flynn curved upwards, widening the smile that had been sitting upon his face since entering the antechamber and seeing so many of his siblings. His eyes lingered on Roland across the room, a pleasant warmth in his gaze not unlike that of a parent humouring the silly declarations of their child - truly, things had not changed as much as he had first feared.

" You have the right of it, Chlo, " He spoke up without any hint of embarrassment at the nickname he'd always used for his half-sister as a child, eyes settling upon her with the same warm gaze that had met Roland, albeit lacking the exasperation. " It has been far too long since I've seen but a one of you... Quite honestly, I've missed you all terribly. " It was said without reservation or regret, Flynn's statement an earnest one as his head turned and looked upon each and every person within the room.

On two did he linger for a few beats longer, the first his dear sister Evvie - when news reached him so many years ago that she had been presumed dead, the young prince had broken down for weeks. With naught but unfeeling figures around him it had been a long and slow road to coming to terms with grief, none to rely on but himself to push through. For her to have been alive all this time, hidden away somewhere for reasons that were her own... there was no anger, he looked at her with an unbridled joy as one who had seen a dear loved one return to life almost before their eyes. His smiled grew, warmer still.

The second where his gaze lingered with the enigma of the gathered Scions - that of Prince Reyner. Having never met the Prince, nor even known of him before this day, Flynn found himself in a strange place in regards to the man. Hells, it was likely Reyner felt himself in a similar position if all the curious gazes in the room were anything to go by.

But even so, the young prince was family. Of that Flynn was certain. I am Inferi.

10-Jan-2022 14:50:42

George Rozas

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He stepped across the antechamber towards Reyner, approaching with an outstretched hand as a middle ground between nothing and a brotherly hug. His teeth flashed as his lips shifted to a friendly grin.

" Reyner, yes? I only learned of your existance today to be frank with you, but you're still blood - I'd be honoured to know you as a brother from here on. " I am Inferi.

10-Jan-2022 14:59:38

Drahcir Evan

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Reyner stood erect in his usual menacing-yet-noble posture with his shoulders back yet arms ever slightly tensed. His strength was written in the stoic look upon his face, and the imperfections of his stance would shine clearly to any highborn who had practiced demeanor all their lives. As aloof as he was out of place, the brutish man's eyes darted around the room taking in his cohorts' features without lingering on any of them everlong.

George Rozas said :

" Reyner, yes? I only learned of your existance today to be frank with you, but you're still blood - I'd be honoured to know you as a brother from here on. "
Now thrice-robbed of the first word, Reyner begrudgingly accepted this turn of events. After a slightly-too-long glance at the offered hand, he alas accepted the handshake with a ruthlessly heavy grip.

"Blood can be fickle. Bonds are forged, not merely born..." he replied gruffly with no shift in his hardened face. His golden eyes glowed slightly in the lantern light as he stared back at the blue-eyed man, certainly taking his measure. "Reyner." he confirmed, closing his end of the exchange.

There was the expectation that this dark-clad man would in turn state his own name. Reyner knew very little of his siblings and could not identify the few he'd heard of by name. This one before him was clearly formidable, though, and wore the gait and garb of a traveler. Between the visible scar, his taller height, and a seemingly tempered build, it was evident that he was no sheltered noble.

"You've not the look of a prince." Reyner observed. "Another stray born of the king's shame?" he guessed.

10-Jan-2022 15:41:55

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