forum The Sound of War (oxo closed)

Started October 03, 2022 by @ElderGod-yellowqueen

tune

I am absolutely obsessed with House of the Dragon and the GoT universe really. So I want to do an rp inspired by the whole universe. So this is really only if you love dragons and violence and mature scenes.

The Kingdom of Vallasaria has been ruled by the Callistars, dragon riders, for eons. They had gone through good and bad rulers but always had Callistar blood on the throne. Because of their dragons, they have been considered the strongest kingdom in all the land, leaving them the most feared as well. The current King Everand had grown greedy at this knowledge. No one dared to challenge him. They declared war on the kingdoms west, desperate for their land. He wanted to expand his rule and become an empire, remaining the one true king. And his dragons allowed him to do such a thing. The king had gone mad, everyone could see it. The king's firstborn son and heir, Thaddeus, had enough of it. It was time for the king to die. He knew it, everyone knew it.
So he rebelled against the crown.
Thaddeus attempted to kill his father on the throne but failed. He and his small army fled Vallasaria to the neighboring kingdom of Ensian, the kingdom most affected by King Everand's greed. Thaddeus had already begun negotiations for an alliance through marriage with the king's second oldest. The prince had sent word ahead of him that he was calling in his dues. He would be married before the night's end when he arrived at the palace. And then he would wage a full-scale war against his father. And he would not stop until he sat upon the throne with a crown on his head.

Thaddeus is my bisexual king so I'm looking for a male or female love interest.

Character Form:
Name:
Age:
Sexual Orientation:
Magic (if any):
Appearance:
Personality:
Other:

Name: Theo Ilyani
Age: 24
Sexual Orientation: asexual homoromantic
Magic (if any): he possesses the ability to communicate with most reptiles, including dragons
Appearance: with a slender, soft yet angular frame, he stands at about 5’11 with a narrow face with prominent cheek bones and an olive complexion. Almond shaped/ mono-lid eyes with warm brown irises that look almost gold in the right lighting. His hair is wavy, swept to the side and raven-colored. They used to wear it short, but recently they’ve been growing it out and wearing it in a few simple styles. A birthmark in the shape of a bird in flight on his right thigh. I imagine he wears something like this https://pin.it/4u6FqsB or this https://pin.it/36sLTW5, frequently combining black or other dark colors with very light, pastel ones. I imagine he is also the type to wear long skirts with ruffles or lace occasionally.
Personality: (annoying bully voice) neeeeerrrrrrddddd! But seriously, once you get past all the walls of good natured indifference, they show that they have a serious, sometimes obsessive, passion for both broad and specific topics. The main ones he’s been interested in for most of his life was forest wildlife, both in general and specifically reptiles and amphibians, horror and murder mystery novels, long-range combat, and how tea is produced. Usually that’s all kept hidden away though, as he is a bit of a solitary soul and a man of few words, and reveals certain sides of himself only when he feels safe or comfortable enough to do so. Though considered a very logical person, or at least employs logic in their actions and thought process, they are also very emotional. However, they rarely make decisions based in emotion. He’ll probably go somewhere by himself to cry or scream into his pillow, but he’ll come back with an entire plan or response in mind. Unfortunately, this also makes him rather useless when he is in an emotional state, often paralyzed by his feelings.
Other: he developed his magic as a young child, and made friends with two snakes who visit him from time to time

Name: Thaddeus Callistar Crown Prince and heir to the Vallasarian throne
Age: Twenty-six
Sexual Orientation: Bisexual
Magic (if any): Thaddeus is fire proof. He also has a small grasp on fire magic but with a bloody dragon it isn't needed often. He can be quite explosive with his fire magic but he can only use a small amount of it.
Appearance: Thaddeus is a fine specimen. His body was pure muscle from years of war.and battles. He towers at six foot two, taller than most men in his command and at court. His platinum hair lay just to his shoulder blade, usually plaited so the strands remained out of his face. He had deep blue eyes that could pierce your soul. He had a strong jaw and a crooked nose from it being broken one too many times. His body was riddled in scars from his victories and he wore them proudly. They showed that he survived. That he was not someone to be trifled with. His face was hard structured. Not many would call him handsome. He wasn't ugly but he certainly wasn't a pretty prince. He was not a dainty prince who lounged at court. He was a warrior. Appearances had no value to him, only skill.
Personality: Thaddeus is cold and calculated. He is a warrior at heart just as much as his body was. He was strategic and brash. He knows how to make hard decisions and understand the consequences of war. People are going to die, it's inevitable. Better for the small to die for the majority to live. Despite his willingness to save the innocent, he was bloodthirsty for his enemies. He enjoyed smiling his enemies blood. He smiled as he cut them down. He enjoyed hearing their scream as his dragon burned them alive. He enjoyed hacking their bodies to bits. He is abrasive and rude. He doesn't conform to the rules of court. He doesn't play the game. He wins by whatever means necessary. He has no care in winning over courtiers who are too scared of his father or suffer from the same madness to understand his father needs to be out down. He will do whatever he needs to to win this war
Other: His dragon is a beautiful girl, a color so dark blue she was almost black. She was a slender dragon, leaner than many of the others. It was an advantage to get through tight valleys and take sharp corners. Her size did not diminish her power. She was a warrior. And she was Thaddeus'. He would kill anyone that dare harm Rennil.

Hooves beat against ground, kicking up dirt as they passed. Men, bloodied and bruised, rode atop their stallions. They had been riding for almost a week with little rest. They stopped long enough for their horses to drink and graze and rest, but never long enough for a full night's rest. Not with riders pursing them. They could not stop until they were in the safety of the wall of the Ensian castle. That was the only way that the riders hunting them would give up their pursuit and return home. The only way.
They were too battered for a fight. He would likely loose most of his men if they stood their ground and fought. He would not risk his men. His loyal men that had turned against the current monarch just as he had. They had risked their lives for this. He would not lead them into a death trap.
So they rode.
They rode until the gate came into sight. They rode until the gates opened upon approach of Prince Thaddeus. They rode until they were at the front door and stable hands were running to take and care for their horses. Their were few of his men that could stand on their own, their wounds too great. Despite being injured himself, he helped drag his men off their horses and handed them off to the healers that had appeared outside. He waved off those that approached to tend to him. His men were in worse shape than he was. And he had a matter to attended to before he could go with a healer. He needed an audience with the king. The matter was too grave to wait.
He threatened violence if he wasn't taken that instant and an attendant beckoned for him to follow.
His footsteps were heavy and loud on the floor. He left a trail of blood and dirt in his path but he was too tired and hurt to care. He needed to see the king.
The attendant pushed open the door to the throne room. "His Highness, Prince Thaddeus Callistar." The attendant announced his name to the awaiting king.
The prince stepped forward into the room. He bowed for the king, as he knew that he should, despite his pain.
"I have come to collect on our arrangement. We cannot wait any longer. Every day my father gets more powerful. We must fight back now."

The Ensian castle was grand, a sprawling maze of interconnected of long houses and rumah adat, built from stone and brick, bamboo and thatch. Small man-made streams of water ran throughout the grounds, feeding the garden in the courtyard that had filled with healers and physicians once the Vallasarian’s arrival was known. Dark clouds gathered in the sky above as the noise of voices and footsteps and hooves and rumbling carts steadily increased.
The attendant lead the Vallasarian prince into a spacious room, with bamboo flooring covered in rugs and cushions, with wooden beams holding up and running along the ceiling, which was hung with tapestries, long, woven tassels and charms. King Sareth sat with the members of his council on these cushions, legs crisscrossed or one underneath the other, their chins resting on their palms. Two other attendants stood behind the king, waving wide fans to help with the humidity. The king and his council raised their heads at the announcement. Though not many seemed to care too much, a few seemed to sneer at the rugs being stained with Callistar blood.
King Sareth stood up to greet the rebel prince. His long, braided hair was draped over one shoulder, and a wreath of twisted metal and jewels wrapped around his head. He looked tired, resigned.
“Rise, Prince Thaddeus,” he said. “I have what you have come here for, however I must know if you have brought your due payment in return.”
Despite the grand look of the castle, it was only looks. King Everand’s forces had stripped Ensian of its resources, and King Sareth would not simply give away his child without a price.

Thaddeus stood on his aching legs. To a common person standing by and watching him, you could never tell he was in pain. He did well at masking his pain but in reality, his body was barking at him to rest. His wounds were covered by blood and dirt. If he didn't clean them soon, he would be dealing with a nasty infection. He needed a healer but he would not see to one until he got what he came for.
He bowed his head in respect to the king. Thaddeus needed him as much as King Sareth need him.
And he would provide.
He did not have his father's beliefs. He believed each kingdom should remain under its own leader's rule. It was not any other kingdom's business what a king did to its people unless they committed atrocious crimes on the innocent. It was the only thing he could see another king stepping in. His father had gone mad after the queen's death. He became crazed with the idea of total domination so that no one could ever threaten him or his again. His father believed that his wife was murdered when really, she died of sickness. There was no healer that could heal her. It was tragic. But it was not a murder.
"My armies and our dragons, as few as they may be, are yours. We will liberate your kingdom of my father's wretchedness. When I defeat my father and am named king, your second born will be my consort. You will always have an ally in the east for the remainder of our days. We will do anything to support your kingdom in whatever way it may need."
Thaddeus needed his armies, his navy. He needed his military support. The only way to obtain such a thing was marriage. A marriage to unite their blood and their houses. And it was the only way he could guarantee they would not turn on him when he ascended his throne.

King Sareth nodded. It wasn’t as if he could say no, really. He had hoped for more… material goods as payment. Perhaps even what would constitute as a full on dowry. Riches and treasures, animals and spices. But of course, he wasn’t going to get anything of the sort from this rebel prince. But of course, an alliance, freedom, and a few dragons may be just as valuable, if not more.
“I accept. May Ensian be your ally to the west for the remainder of our days.” The king snapped his fingers, the sound echoing, and a door in the far corner of the room opened. An attendant stepped out and announced, “Her Majesty, Queen Aditya, and His Highess, Prince Theo.”
The mother and her child entered the room. She led him to the others, having offered them her arm. There was a strange sort of hush in the room. The prince’s raven-colored hair was twisted into a small topknot, with some of it left to hang over his forehead and frame his narrow face. Securing the topknot was a silver pin, with a small emerald imbedded in one end. Silver ear cuffs also framed their ears, curling in detailed patterns over the olive skin. They wore a frilly white dress shirt with the large sleeves he adored so much, overlaid with a green silk sash. Despite the decor, and his mother’s practiced smile, Theo’s eyes were glazed over and dull.
Queen Aditya let him go, and her eyes were pinned on them as they approached Thaddeus. Giving him a simple bow, Theo greeted, “Prince Thaddeus Callistar.”

Thaddeus nodded. "The rest, of course, can be discussed in later negotiations. I will not let the family of my betrothed suffer."
He knew the king sought after his gold and resources. Later, they could discuss the menial parts of this marriage. They could hash out trade negotiations and how much gold was enough as a dowry. He would not let them suffer. They were to be his family, should everything go accordingly.
He turned his body as the queen and prince's presence was announced. He watched quietly as they approached. His eyes looked over every inch of the prince, unbashful. Comparing the princes side by side, Thaddeus had certainly seen better days. His platinum hair was red and brown as it was matted in blood and dirt. His clothing was ripped in various placed and dirtied in his blood and others. His wounds had reopened and many of them bled freely. The trip from dismounting his horse to the journey to the throne room had caused too much stress on his body. He needed a healer. He needed rest. But he must secure his alliance, first. He would demand they be wed that night. The sooner the better. The sooner it was over, the sooner he could campaign his war. He would soon reach out to neighboring kingdoms to back his claim. Now that he would have an army, it was less of a risk to support him. And his father needed to be put down.
Thaddeus returned the bow as the prince approached him. "Prince Theo Ilyani."

Theo was barely looking at the other prince. Everything seemed like it was underwater. Voices were muffled and his vision seemed blurred. The only thing that kept them from dissociating completely was the scaly bodies that were coiled around his arms, underneath their sleeves. His serpentine friends had been kind enough to see them through this, and they were very grateful for it.
He tried to take a few breaths and look at Prince Thaddeus with clear eyes. They could see glimpses of muscled skin in the rips of his clothing, smear blood and dirt. They looked away again. So he was one of those princes.
Through the fog of his mind, he felt his father’s eyes on them. He instinctively straightened their posture and kept their head down. “… negotiate the details later,” he heard the king say. “For now, why don’t you wash up? Our healers are quite proficient in water magic. We have prepared rooms for you and your men as well.”

Thaddeus kept his eyes on the prince for a few moments longer. He could tell he was t all there with them so he made no move to advance on him. He had no intentions of scaring off his groom before they were even married.
"I thank you for the kind off her , your majesty, but I must insist the wedding be tonight. We cannot wait any longer. My father grows more powerful everyday." I need access to your armies. He didn't voice that out loud but it was included. He would lead their armies into battle and he would not stop until he won. It was time for his father to step down from the throne and it was time for Thaddeus to rise.
"If we are in accordance, I think I will take advantage of your healers and bath."
Even the gods could see he needed to bathe. He looked horrendous, standing there matted in blood and gore. He wasn't ugly. He wouldn't call himself handsome m, he was too rugged for that, but he did certainly look better clean and refreshed than he did at that moment.
He gave a deep bow to the king, then turned to the prince, giving him a deep bow as well. Had he been clean, he would have kissed his hand, but he doubted the prince wanted dried blood and dirt on his hand.

King Sareth nodded. “I only wish to offer my hospitality, but I understand.” He looked to his council, wife, and son, then returned to Thaddeus. “The wedding will be tonight, then, and no later.” He eyed the blood dripping from Thaddeus onto the floor. “Go, before the blood stains the rugs.”
Theo returned the bow. He did not really have much of an opinion of Thaddeus at the moment, they only assumed he was one of those rough, hardened warrior princes who were born with a sword in their fists, like his older sister. Nothing like him. They remembered to breathe again. A small hiss that only he could hear rose up.
Are you alright, Theo?
He will be. They should be. They didn’t understand why he was reacting so poorly to this. He was glad that the Vallasarian prince did not kiss his hand, he would have seen it was shaking. This was for the good of Ensian and Vallasaria both.