In The Walls of the Palace [IC]

[Aureumterra]

Much is at stake in the Kingdom of Tarinia. Tarinia, located on the continent of Rinin, is the world’s superior power, and has established its dominance through its military and naval might. Rinin itself was a peninsula connected to the continent of Emura, however, Rinin was the world’s most technologically advanced area, and the only one where guns and firearms were widely used. After going through a long period of war and lack of innovation, known simply as the Dark Ages, Rinin reemerged as the world’s center for technological advancement, with Tarinia leading the way. It was in this time period that the arts have started to flourish again, and the great explorers of the continent have even found a brand new world far out west.

Within Tarinia was a change of leadership. The Tarinian throne belonged to the Sixurid Dynasty for nearly three centuries before a man, Louis Teborg, amassed a large army and took the throne, declaring himself the king of the powerful country in the process. After just a year of his reign, King Louis I died, with the inability to produce a male heir. This left his only child, his 26 year old daughter Sophie to become coronated as Queen Sophie I. Now that Queen Sophie has taken the throne, Tarinia’s future is looking promising and extremely dynamic.

Sophie has taken the throne amid a massive cultural shift in Rinin. Calls for the end of absolute monarchies around the world and the adaptation of a new system, the parliamentary system, run rampant. Many countries of Rinin, including Tarinia have begun colonizing faraway lands in the New World, as well as strengthening ties with neighbors outside of the continent. Rinin, and especially Tarinia’s use of firearms made going to war with and conquering the primitive natives child’s play. Tarinia’s economic boom has contributed to its assertion of dominance over many of its neighbors, creating many enemies. The world is at crossroads, as the year 1600 fast approaches. The new Queen came with many advisors, ministers, and palace staff. Tension runs high, as advisors and ministers clash, for the Queen’s approval as well as making their inner visions for Tarinia come true. Outside the walls of the palace, increased calls for a democratic parliamentary system are heard, while the New World is quickly being contested over.

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OOC: This is a political RP where you can play as one of the Queen’s many advisors, ministers, a high ranking military person, explorer/New World colonist, member of the royal family, other nobility, basically anything related to the renaissance politics of Tarinia. While the countries and the world here are fantasy, as you might have guessed, the continent of Rinin is basically Europe, the New World being the New World IRL, and Emura being Asia. The RP starts in IRL 1595, you can gauge the technology from there. Royal politics of the renaissance have always interested me, and this RP hopes to simulate this in a fantasy-but-not-so-fantasy world.

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OOC

[WhatsamattaU]

Prince Simon Haphsberg

The situation reminded Simon of some silly faerie tale. A younger prince, unable to inherit his father’s kingdom, sets off to another kingdom in order to woo the princess of that kingdom, a kingdom where there are no male heirs. He was almost certain that had been a story that he’d heard in his childhood, more than twenty-five years ago. Now, Simon Haphsberg, younger brother to the king of Derland, was living it.

In the story, there was so much more. There were ogres to outwit, temptations to overcome and dragons to slay. He considered those challenges preferable to what he would likely encounter: courtiers, arcane customs and suspicious native nobles. He hated those things in his own country and could not imagine that they’d be any more agreeable in Tarinia. Simon would be an alien in an alien country. But, he had a place to stay in Tarinia, at least.

Glowster House was a noble residence used by members of pre-Teborg nobility. One of his cousins was married to the Duke that owned Glowster. It was staffed (to the satisfaction of the Duke) and the rent seemed reasonable. The only staff that he brought with him was Johan, his batman..., they called them valets or gentlemen’s gentlemen.

Johan and Simon were of similar age. The difference in their positions was simply who their parents were. Simon was trained to be an army officer and Johan was trained to be an enlisted soldier. However, along with being something of a perfectionist, Johan was a good soldier and good company, so he was singled out by the senior officers and non-commissioned officers to be a batman. After the higher-ups put them together, they turned out to be a well-suited pair.

Johan had a peculiarity that Simon nearly envied. Johan didn’t care for women. Simon cared very much for women, but he hated the idea of being caught in some scandal of the peerage and hiring was out of the question (as one never knew what exotic pox might be lurking in a woman of that sort). Plus, Simon’s religious upbringing made Johan’s lifestyle taboo to the Prince. Simon spent time alone and went to confession for it.

When he arrived at Glowster, Simon was surprised to find that an invitation had been sent to him by Derland’s ambassador to Tarinia. The Ambassador was throwing a ball in Prince Simon’s honor. It smelled suspiciously like his royal brother’s meddling. Well, since it was something of an affair of state, there was a fair chance that Her Majesty would attend. Maybe Simon had misjudged George and the king actually knew something of statecraft and diplomacy or George may have simply tasked his people to try and help Simon. Either way, it was good to have a brother, a king, that cared about him.

[WhatsamattaU]

Maximillian Schreck, Ambassador for His Majesty,

King George Haphsberg
Of Derland,

humbly requests the honor of your presence at a

Grand Ball,

in welcoming

Prince Simon Haphsberg

on his visit to this great nation of

Tarinia,

to be held at Wulph Hall,

on the last day of this month,

beginning at eight o'clock that evening.

R.S.V.P.

[Aureumterra]

Queen Sophie I
Royal Palace, Biymond
Queen Sophie was getting ready to go to the invitational ball from the King of Derland. Of course, a prince named Simon would be there, the ball was in his honor. However, since the ball was an important event with potential diplomatic gains, Sophie’s advisors strongly recommended her attending this ball.

It had been a year or so until Sophie’s ascension to the throne, and while she assisted her father in the war for the throne, she was ultimately thrust into a position of power without much experience. Sophie then had to manage the most powerful country on the planet, from quelling loyalists to the Sixurid dynasty as well as silencing dissent that called for a parliamentary system. Events to socialize with people in a somewhat formal setting like this were few and far in between, so Sophie was looking forward to it. She put on lots of jewelry as opposed to her usual modest attire, and wore a bright flowing gown, as well as expensive silk shoulder wraps, topped off with a tiara, she practically radiated royalty. Her headdresser put her hair up in her regular hairstyle which was slightly tall and wide.

She would be traveling to the ball in her iconic jewel studded carriage, used by Tarinian royalty for many dynasties. Of course, there would likely be dissenters in Biymond as not all loyalists to the Sixurids had been quelled yet, and so the queen leaving the fortified palace would be a cautious procession, up to the head of household and her bodyguard to manage.

[Petrovsky]

Marshal Jackson Scott
Just outside the Royal Palace


Jackson was outside awaiting the queen's carriage. He was in his full suit of armor except his helmet, his sword in its scabbard. Both the sword and the armor had the coat of arms of the late King Louis. He looked up at the gate of the great palace, standing with his horse. He had just arrived back from a meeting with the Admiral of the Navy about some pirates harassing port towns around the country.

He pulled his sword from its scabbard, beginning to polish his sword. He began thinking, "This could be my moment", he began formulating a plan, "Just don't freeze up, and don't challenge some drunken fool to a duel, and you should be fine". He pulled an apple, feeding it to his horse, Striker while he polished and waited for the carriage. He would have to protect her at all cost, he'd sworn an Oath when he became Marshal for Louis, and he wouldn't break it as long as he lived.

[WhatsamattaU]

Prince Simon Haphsberg
Glowster House, Biymond.

The days flew by between Simon’s arrival at Glowster House and the end of the month, when the grand ball that had been organized by Maximillian Schreck, Derland’s Ambassador to Tarinia, in Simon’s honor was to take place. During that time Simon and Johan visited various tailors in the capital, recommended by the Ambassador, until they came upon one shop that had both the talent required to make clothing for royalty and the time to fulfill their orders. Even with a guide travelling through the unfamiliar streets, the shopping excursion was quite an ordeal.

For Simon, he settled upon a modest white ruff atop a doublet of canary and butter yellows, fern colored hose and a robe the dark green of the juniper tree. Johan’s clothing choices mirrored his prince’s choices, except the colors were softer pastels of Simon’s choices. The pair also purchased black belts of fine leather and fashionable black shoes with golden buckles. The shoes would need to be worn a bit before the ball, to get the leather to properly conform, or “break in”.

Johan would be tasked with caring for Simon’s sword and scabbard, if the Prince decided to join any of the dances. The sword’s blued steel blade was razor sharp, slightly short of a yard in length and from the guard to the button was about nine inches, making its total length about forty-three and a quarter inches. It weighed three pounds and was expertly balanced. Simon could move and strike with it effortlessly, either cutting or thrusting.

Johan was also under Simon’s orders to refrain from flirting at the ball. Johan’s tastes in companionship might not be appreciated in the high society of Biymond, Tarinia’s capital city. Johan could look and speculate, but the Prince made it certain to his batman that Johan would be sent home immediately if his predilections caused a scandal of any sort. When Johan was at liberty, the man could do and take what risks as he liked.

Before dressing, the pair ate well, fortifying themselves for the long hours at Wulph Hall, the receiving line and the dancing. Yes, there would be food and refreshments, but it would make them look like paupers at a buffet if they were seen stuffing their faces. Also, socially, the Prince needed to mingle and dance, and if he was fortunate, he might spend valuable time with Queen Sophie.

They dressed and rode in the Ambassador’s carriage, arriving at Wulph Hall early in the evening, to check on preparations. When the clock struck eight, the doors of the hall were opened wide for the noble guests, their spouses, high ranking soldiers and their spouses (or companions). Simon and Johan awaited them at the end of the receiving line, farthest from the door and nearest to the ballroom. Simon would outrank nearly all of the guests, returning their bows and handshakes. Only when Queen Sophie arrived would he be the social inferior and defer to her greater royalty.

[Nagakawa]

Curoi, Fragarach
"Lord Leichter, we have received a reply from Mihael Naurissuli, the new Voivode of Egresi. Milord, the new Voivode seems to want to exercise caution in his dealing with us, especially with regard to our request to his late father Ivane Naurissuli for a shipment of 200 of their newly-developed rifles.. It is understandable that they may seek to reconsider their agreements with us now that they have undergone a change in leadership, but nevertheless, it would not be wise for us to let up with the initial agreement.

"We must continue to maintain a friendly but unwavering stance with them. Should we act as if we are mistrustful of the new Voivode, it would not bode well for future relations between the Earldom of Fragarach and the Voivodeship of Egresi. Likewise, we are not yet sure as to the nature of the new Voivode. Should we display any sign of weakness, there is a chance he may seek to take advantage of us, and while we may have a vast ocean between our two nations, it would be most detrimental to our economy if they were to deprive us of the spice trade routes we depend on them to protect with their navies.

"Milord, rest assured, I will ensure that Steiner consults with Karelus and Tymurus prior to making any decisions. I understand you seek to groom him early to succeed you as Earl... or perhaps as Marquess, should your bid in the new court be successful, and I will perform my utmost to ensure that you may be convinced of your son's prowess. We'll also continue to maintain the garden, though I do believe it is high time we cut down the poppies. They're beginning to... well, anyway... I wish you a safe trip to Biymond, Milord."

...

The Royal Palace, Biymond
Prior to his arrival at the royal capital, Earl Roland Albeinian Leichter of Fragarach had taken several detours through the Tarinian countryside. He was about to meet the newly-crowned Queen for the first time since her coronation, and though he had served her father from behind the grandiose curtains of the throne as Minister of the Royal Household for three years, this would be the first time he spoke to Sophie as Queen, rather than as Crown Princess- he thus considered worthwhile taking a slightly longer route through the countryside so as to obtain a selection of fine teas and pastries to offer to Her Majesty the Queen.

"How long has it been since you were last here?"

"Very long time. By the Gods, Roland, we should go stop at one of them pubs if we have some down time. Good for circulation, I say."

Leichter was accompanied by Captain Winston Pinelli, a rugged, one-eyed hawk of a man who commanded the 1st Guards Corps, a private military unit tasked with the defence of House Leichter's estates and of the Earl. Both men were of the same age, and had spent much time in the Kingdom's main military together, growing close to such an extent that the commoner Pinelli was on first-name terms with the Earl of Fragarach. Rumours of an amorous sort had of course swirled around the unmarried Captain Pinelli and his married-with-children liege, but seeing as Roland found them amusing rather than sacrilegious, he paid them little mind.

"Come to think of it, I've never actually met Sophie", Captain Pinelli continued, running his fingers through his thinning crown. "I wonder how she is as a person..."

They passed through the gates, handing over their convoy to the palace attendants, and Earl Leichter looked up at the windows of the palace.

"Queen Sophie..."

...

"Listen up, gents. Orders from the Earl 'imself. The Queen's 'bout to go for a ball. This'll be our first job with both our new bosses, and we can't afford no screw-ups.

"We want 'er to have a sense of freedom, but we don't want to neglect 'er security either. So, let 'er dance with whomever she pleases, but make sure you keep an eye on 'er dance partners and anybody who gets close to 'er. I've indented three sets of evening dress, so later on, three of you will be changing into those and pretend to be dignitaries, but y'all will have them pistols 'idden on you. If anybody questions you, tell 'em you got orders from Earl Leichter 'imself.

"Stick to the schedules y'all agreed to, unless an order comes from either me or the Earl. No changes to your orders are valid unless they come either from Earl Leichter or from Winston Pinelli. Not even the Queen 'erself. Now get to it. I got something for y'all after we complete this job."

[Aureumterra]

Queen Sophie I
The Queen would get into her carriage and start heading towards the ball, the carriage itself escorted by soldiers on horseback. The loyalists to the Sixurids still hid undercover in the streets of Biymond, meeting up at night making futile plans to restore them to the throne, although little was known about where they fled into exile after the Teborgs took over. As such, it still wasn’t safe for the Queen to leave the palace unattended. She was informed by her executives about the soldiers who would be accompanying her undercover. She expected to arrive a little later, when most guests would already be present.

as the carriage and its escorts moved through the streets of the capital, being cleared of pedestrians by soldiers bellowing the Queen’s arrival, three men with swords appeared in the street right in front of the carriage, attempting to block it, shouting “Death to the illegitimate Queen! Glory to the Sixurids…”

[Petrovsky]

Marshal Jackson Scott
Riding next to the carriage on his horse

As soon as the carriage came, The Marshal climbed onto Stryker and began a slow trot next to the carriage. A very serious look on his face, he rode with a sense of pride. He had his sword in hand should any dissenters try and attack her majesty. As soon as he heard anything, they would have to face the wrath of The Teborg's Hammer as he'd come to be known during the war for the throne.

Suddenly he heard a yell of "Death to the Illegitimate Queen! Glory to the Sixurids". He rode full speed bat them, swinging his sword. "You'd best be going, or I'll make mince meat out of you Sixurid scum", he yelled as he defended the carriage of the men.

[Aureumterra]

Queen Sophie I
The monarch saw out of her carriage as her Marshal swiftly attacked the dissenters, who fled the scene. She hadn’t payed much attention particularly to him, although she knew he was one of her father’s most trusted generals. Once the dissenters left, the carriage and its escorts continued to the ball.

Once the carriage arrived, an orchestra in the ball would start playing the Royal Anthem of Queen Sophie, and a guard would go in and announce Her Majesty’s arrival, “All praise to the gracious Queen Sophie I, Queen of Tarinia, Duchess of Biymond, and Matriarch of the House of Teborg!” Sophie exited her carriage cautiously in heels, an interesting new footwear type that was quickly becoming popular among noblewomen of Rinin, and walked into the scene of the ball.

[WhatsamattaU]

Queen Sophie I

The monarch saw out of her carriage as her Marshal swiftly attacked the dissenters, who fled the scene. She hadn’t payed much attention particularly to him, although she knew he was one of her father’s most trusted generals. Once the dissenters left, the carriage and its escorts continued to the ball.

Once the carriage arrived, an orchestra in the ball would start playing the Royal Anthem of Queen Sophie, and a guard would go in and announce Her Majesty’s arrival, “All praise to the gracious Queen Sophie I, Queen of Tarinia, Duchess of Biymond, and Matriarch of the House of Teborg!” Sophie exited her carriage cautiously in heels, an interesting new footwear type that was quickly becoming popular among noblewomen of Rinin, and walked into the scene of the ball.

Prince Simon Haphsberg,
Wulph Hall, Biymond, Tarinia.

The arrival of the Queen was first signaled from the doorman, by use of a white handkerchief slowly being raised and lowered until the next man in the chain understood the message and repeated the motion to the man in the chain after him, and so forth, until it was shown to the orchestra conductor. He, then led the orchestra in the playing of the Royal Anthem. The music was a slow processional, like a march but more relaxed. Soon after that, a guard appeared in the hall and announced the Queen's arrival.

With that, all of the guests still in the receiving line stepped to one side, the men deeply bowing and the ladies curtsying to the best of their ability, to show deference to Queen Sophie as she approached. Prince Simon held himself straight, while Johan kneeled, awaiting the Queen to reach his position before he, too, gave an appropriate and respectful bow. She stopped and acknowledged him with a nod of her head. Simon regained his princely posture and offered the Queen his hand, for protocol dictated that as the highest ranking noble present, to escort her into the ballroom. As she placed her gloved hand upon his, he respectfully and lightly brushed his lips upon it. They both then turned toward and proceeded to the ballroom.

Simon and been mildly surprised, at first, by the amount of jewelry adorning the Queen, as it was somewhat at odds with her reputation. However, on a moments reflection, this was something of an "Affair of State" so a bit of ostentatious flair was certainly understandable. Once he'd overcome his surprise, Simon looked past the baubles to see a lovely younger woman in a gown that flattered her.

Once they had made it to the ballroom proper, the orchestra played leisurely music and all of the guests, behind the Queen and the Prince, made a promenade of the room. During this, Prince Simon smiled and said to Queen Sophie, "Your portraits, Queen Sophie, do not do you justice, as they cannot convey the experience of seeing you in person. I pray you not treat the artist harshly, for I doubt anyone on the continent could accomplish the feat."

[Aureumterra]

Queen Sophie I
Sophie simply smiled at Simon’s comments, she enjoyed being flattered, albeit she was a little uncomfortable at his sudden moves. Remembering her position as a monarch, she began talking politics, “I hope Derland will support us in vanquishing the last remnants of the Sixurids near the border.”

[WhatsamattaU]

Queen Sophie I

Sophie simply smiled at Simon’s comments, she enjoyed being flattered, albeit she was a little uncomfortable at his sudden moves. Remembering her position as a monarch, she began talking politics, “I hope Derland will support us in vanquishing the last remnants of the Sixurids near the border.”

Prince Simon

The King of Derland's brother kept his own countenance pleasant at the question of official Derland action on behalf of the Tarinians, as they continued the Promenade. Simon had intended to speak of politics with Queen Sophie, but was not certain at the time in which to begin the conversation. However, the Queen had decided that politics would be discussed now, rather than at a meeting with his brother's other diplomats. So be it.

"Your Majesty," the Prince replied in a soft voice, pitched so that only the Queen could hear, " I cannot imagine that your lords would be pleased at all to have Derland troops marching into the Tarinian holdings on the Derland Penninsula. However, I believe that my brother would be willing entertain a request to tighten security on our mutual border, in an effort to apprehend criminals from evading hot pursuit by crossing into Derland or receiving illicit aid from some of our citizenry that enjoyed relations with the previous monarchy."

To Simon, it appeared that the Queen was hoping for something more like wholehearted support, but that she considered his reply to be a positive step in the right direction for Tarinia.

They concluded the circuit of the Ballroom and the chamber orchestra ended playing the promenade. Simon signaled to Johan, who briskly accepted the Prince's sword, within its scabbard, and made his way back off of the dance floor.

"Shall we dance, your Majesty?" Simon queried. Then he said, "I am prepared to discuss politics further. I might even, unofficially, be able to echo King George's thoughts on various matters. Still, perhaps we may set aside affairs of state, for now, and simply get to know one another. I stand ready, either way." The Prince smiled.

[Aureumterra]

The Queen nodded, and took Simon’s hand, and proceeded to dance. “I must say, you do not look quite bad yourself.” she commented. As she continued, her mind wandered to the guard who had scattered the dissenters on her way here, however…

[WhatsamattaU]

Queen Sophie I

The Queen nodded, and took Simon’s hand, and proceeded to dance. “I must say, you do not look quite bad yourself.” she commented. As she continued, her mind wandered to the guard who had scattered the dissenters on her way here, however…

Prince Simon

Simon knew (by the stares of some of the younger women) that he looked much better than, "... not look quite bad....", and acknowledged the Queen's 'compliment' with a nod of his own, as they danced the pavane. It was a 'courtly' dance and it allowed for conversation. Simon decided to test Sophie and see if she had a sense of humor.

"I must be cursed, then," said Simon, "For it was my goal to turn the heads of all the eligible young women in the hall. I wonder what it is that I have done wrongly?"

If Sophie heard Simon, then he thought she was being cruel by not playing along. Her mind seemed elsewhere. Well, that would be fine with him. He still imagined that a child of theirs might ascend to the throne of Tarinia. If she did not immediately find him physically attractive, it was not the end of the hunt. Time to begin putting his 'cards on the table'.

"Queen Sophie," Simon asked with a smile, "tell me, are your lords and ministers making any noises to you about your producing an heir to the throne?

[The Vekta-Helghast Empire]

Friedrich Clarifont.
Wulph Hall, Biymond, Tarinia.

Friedrich, as per usual when it came to social events - was fashionably late to arrive. He couldn’t help but release a heavy sigh as he dismounted his own carriage in the now almost abandoned entrance to the estate; his personal retinue of several junior officers shadowing him closely as he made his way to the top of the stairs - handing his large trench-coat to one of the presiding servants as he made his way inside. Stopping to admire the aesthetics of the place, clearly in no rush to join the festivities. It’d take him a good ten minutes to finally reach the entrance to the ballroom, his hands hovering just before the doors, he paused to address his colleagues, ”Remember, do not speak to a soul unless spoken to first - you may be officers of her Majesty’s army, but you’re not aristocrats, many of these people will turn their noses up at you. Stay close, and stay aware. Should you hear anything interesting whilst we’re in there, remember to enter them into your reports when we return to the garrison. And lastly: do enjoy, but be diligent with the alcohol. I do hope you’ll be coherent by the time we get back.” He offered a light chuckle and nod of the head, before finally making his appearance.

Almost immediately upon entering the doors, as was custom at such events - his arrival was made public by one of the serving staff, ”General de Division Teborg and commander of the garrison of Biymond, Duke of the Clarent - Friedrich Clarifont!” The introduction alone made him regret accepting the invitation, but he knew it would be seen as odd had he not appeared. He was an unwed Duke, and likely sought after by many a nobleman for their daughters. To be quite frank, that was perhaps why he so hated these social events, too many false smiles and hidden agendas for his likes, he far preferred the intrigues of the battlefield than those of the courts, but alas, he knew he had a duty to his family, and that he’d need to find a wife eventually, he could only hope it wasn’t one that married him for his position, rather than his persona, as rare as such a luxury could be.