forum "It's rotten work..." "Not to me. Not if it's you." [OxO] [Open]

Started March 17, 2023 by @bleeding_hearts

tune

Wow, this is a really bad idea. But I have characters to work through and love so it's fine.

So I've been working on a character, and I absolutely love him. So here's the kicker. This is more of a fantasy world-type thing. And I just- I want a soft story with lots and lots of angst. Your character can be however they want to be, I was thinking royalty? But doesn't have to be? But my boyo is a knight for the royal guard. So honestly any kind of character relationship is fine! It would make the most sense to be high status, but no need to be.

But basically, your character and my knight face a lot of peril, there will be angst, there will be triggering topics, there will be big bads, dragons, and there will be a whole mess of character and world-building, so let's just work this out together yeah?

NOTES

• I would prefer a more experienced roleplay partner, but I prioritize willingness to learn, so- honestly as long as you write well-thought-out answers, and no one-liners, totally fine by me! There is no expectation to be perfect. I understand that sometimes writing comes to a halt and it's hard to think of how to move the plot forward.
• If I say no, please understand that it is not against you, I just have a specific writing style and so I would like a partner that matches that kind of vibe.
• This roleplay will be mature, however, that is due to the nature of the world. I'd say it's 18+ so fair warning! Anything explicit will be moved to dm's or completely skipped over (as per andrew (Our Supreme Lord and Overseer)'s rules) if it comes to that nature, however, this will most likely be a slow burn if any relationships are going to happen.
• There will be triggering topics. I am saying that now. There will be violence, there will be death, and there will be questionable moral choices. Please, please tell me if you have triggers, and I will either give a trigger warning, or we can skip over those moments when they come up. This roleplay is supposed to be enjoyable for both of us.
• Swearing is allowed. It doesn't really phase me, just no slurs.
• This is a fantasy world- so like- no one gives a shit about your gender or sexuality, so in a sense, this is LGBTQIA+ friendly!

redacted

Name: Prince Romulus of House Vespasian. Prefers to go by Rom if given the choice. Known on the battlefield as Caesar.
Age: 25
Magic: Has been gifted with magic resistance, meaning he can't be enchanted or charmed, but that's all.
Weapons: Whatever he can get his hands on. He usually carries a set of daggers, each about a foot long, but he's big enough to not really need them often.
Appearance: Rom is 6'6"/2m tall and weighs roughly 300lbs/136kg, making him pretty muscular and imposing. He keeps his platinum blonde hair cut short around the sides and back, but roughly 6" long on top, usually rocking a fauxhawk. His eyes are an icy blue, and his left one has a large scar running diagonally across it down to his cheek, limiting his vision in that eye. He has a square jaw and a Roman nose, and was considered handsome at one point, before multiple breaks to his facial bones messed him up. Usually he can be found wearing his armor under clothes that only mark his royalty through their colors. He tends towards black, grey, and red in his other clothing choices, colors which contrast with his pale complexion. Rom would rather fight or screw than just about anything else. This has left his upper body covered in small scars, which aren't super visible on his pale skin until you're up close. He typically wears trousers of micro-chain mail over his black boots. His helmet is a classic Centurion's helmet, with some modifications. It has no plume; there is an open strip over the top of his head, and his fauxhawk sticks out as the plume. It also has metal strips connecting the two side pieces to cover his face, up to his eyes, which he leaves visible. There is a visor that covers his eyes if he needs it. The entire helmet is black and highly reflective, made of an osmium/titanium alloy. The helmet can be collapsed down to just a collar, with plates covering his face up to the eyes.
Personality: Romulus is a big personality. Loud, obnoxious, and often rude, he is a very typical royal in his tendencies to get into fights and asusme women will just fawn over him. He enjoys the soldiering aspect of leading, but is ill-equipped for the diplomacy or court requirements of a king. He often plays stupid to throw people off, but is an intelligent strategizer and schemer.
Other: His boots are actually greaves that extend up to his knee when in a fight. He also wears gauntlets which come up to his elbows. These are the made of the same black osmium/titanium alloy. They double as armor and weapons, but are tiring to use, which is why Romulus is so strong.
He also really doesn't want the throne, but knows it is expected of him.

Name: Vidar Kane, House of Luarian. Affectionately called Vi by people close to him.
Age: 24
Magic: Was born with magic, and tries incredibly hard to keep it hidden.
Weapons: Agile and strong Vidar uses spearheads attached to chains. He also has daggers which he uses.
Appearance: Vidar has medium-length brown hair that he usually keeps in a half-up half-down style. It reaches slightly below his shoulders when down. He has tanned skin from training in the sun all day, and his skin is completely covered in freckles. His eyes are a deep brown flecked with gold and greens. He's average height, about 5'9. He's lean and incredibly agile. He has scars that completely cover his back and legs, that look like whip marks, and a scar right above his heart from a stab wound. He has softer features, and calmer expressions, that hide a killing monster underneath. He typically wears all black and tight but flexible clothing when on missions. When in more casual, he tends to wear a looser creme-colored shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbow, black pants and boots, and a necklace he was gifted by his father.
Personality: Vidar is a new type of knight that the kingdom has been working on. Vidar is the silent type, calculating, and can come off cold to people that do not know him. He's diplomatic, kind-hearted, and incredibly patient. He knows when to speak, and when to keep silent. When he is around people that he is comfortable with, he's calm and gentle and honestly has a playful side. He's not as stuck up, nor is he cold and calculating. He'll crack jokes and have sarcastic tendencies when around people, and has a curiosity for the world around him. He is loyal to the core and will do whatever it takes to protect those he loves and those he has been assigned to protect.
Other: He has a wolf, Athene, who is his companion.
He owes his life to the Kingdom for saving his life and allowing him to continue fighting.

With the rising threat of assassinations, deaths of nobles, and three of the five kingdoms on the brink of war, the Kingdom of Vulrya was getting tense to say the least. Even with their Crowned Prince being an exceptional warrior, the King and Queen decided that it was best that there was at least a bit of extra protection so that the prince could continue his daily activities as usual. Guards had been upped after one of the noble's daughters had been reported dead. More and more people were being accused of carrying magic, and more were convinced that their neighbors were out to kill them. If the royals could guide them through the mess, that would be best. But even they were holing themselves up.

That is where Vidar was summoned. One of the kingdom's most loyal knights, who had been an iron fist for the royal family, had been asked to become the Crowned Prince's shadow. Vidar had no opposition to this, why would he? It was decent pay, he got a room and was paid handsomely by the King to keep an eye on his son. Vidar rarely interacted with the royal family despite being the iron fist of the kingdom, but he wasn't opposed to working closer to home. He could keep an eye on his sister, and pay for his family to live a somewhat comfortable life. Where was the bad side of that? He was allowed to bring his companion, Athene, and what little he had to the castle. He would get settled in that evening, and in the morning, he would meet the king at 8 am sharp to discuss their plans, and be introduced to the heir to the throne.

So, he did exactly that. He settled into his room, a room not far from the prince's own chambers, settled all his things around the room, and then went to bed with very little worry on his mind. Athene was curled at his feet, and the world was peaceful.

In the morning, he rose with the sun, trained for an hour or so, cleaned himself up, ate a quick breakfast, and spent the rest of his free time in his room. When 7:45 rolled around, he whistled for Athene and strode quickly towards the throne room where the king and his son would be waiting. He took a deep breath, steeled on a neutral expression, and did a once over to make sure he was presentable before he moved towards the big oak doors that separated him from his newest task. That's all this was. Another task for him to tend to for now. The guards stationed at the doors quickly shoved open the heavy doors and someone in the corner announced his arrival.

Vidar strode into the throne room confidently, Athene at his heels. He was quick to bow his head and bowed deeply, doing the kingdom's salute of creating a triangle with his hands with his pinkies flared out. "I heed the kingdom's call." He straightened, keeping his neutral expression as Athene sat obediently by his side.

Queen Cornelia Vespasian was a shrewd woman. She'd had to be, in her position. One of the Keres, uplifted to Duchess by her marriage to the Second Son of House Vespasian, and then uplifted to Queen when the King had died and her husband ascended the throne. She was a beautiful woman, and one who had put in the time on the battlefield.
She was also a mother, and the current atmosphere amongst the 5 Kingdoms was troubling to her. Her husband had no interest in coddling their son; he never had, even when the Prince was young. In fact, if not for the fact he was expected to have an heir, Cornelia suspected he never would have bothered with marriage. She'd borne him a son first thing, and he'd never shown interest in more children, or a bigger family. He'd never shown much interest at all, other than in his son's failings, for which the young Prince had always been severely punished.
So when things had began to go wrong within their own borders, it had been the Queen who had ordered higher security for her son. And it had gone so far, now, as her summoning Vidar Kane, a man of impressive record. Hopefully, he would be the last bit of personal security the Prince would need.
They had a meeting this morning at 8, and the Queen was ready for a fight from both of the men in her family.
Vidar arrived on time, and the Queen smiled slightly. That was a good sign. She glanced over at her husband, and beyond, to the spot where the Prince usually stood.
Somehow, he was missing. She should have expected this… maybe Vidar could keep him on time or something. The man was prompt at least.

King Olybrius Vespasian was an impressive man. 6'2", blocky, like he was carved from oak, with the musculature of a champion of old. His long, golden blonde hair was pulled back in a tight Viking braid, his beared plaited. The armor he was wearing was dyed a blood-red color. The King never presided in anything other than his armor. Most other kings had ceremonial clothing, more comfortable outfits they would wear while not in combat. Olybrius wasn't that kind of man.
His piercing blue eyes were set in a hard stare, seeming to bore directly into Vidar's soul. He didn't acknowledge the bow, the symbol, or the greeting.
The Queen smiled at Vidar, and inclined her head. "Vidar Kane, thank you for your willingness to be here, and to heed the call placed on you. I'm sure you're aware of the upheaval in these days, and I'm sure you're also aware of the necessity of protection for-"

As if on cue, a raucous laugh could be heard echoing in the halls of the antechamber. Several men's voices mixed, calling goodbye's and see you laters, and then a mountain strode through the doors.

King Olybrius Vespasian was an impressive man, but the son he'd sired with one of the Keres was… beyond believing in many ways. At 6'6", he towered over his father, despite the small height difference. If Olybrius was carved from oak, the Prince was sculpted from granite. If Olybrius looked like a champion of old, then Prince Romulus Vespasian was one of the gods, come back to his people. His hair, more platinum than gold, was styled in a long fauxhawk that would stick out the top of his helmet like a plume. As he passed Vidar, he turned and nodded at the warrior, a friendly gesture. His eyes were an icy blue, similar to his father, but lacking the hostility. They were open, friendly, and at the moment… slightly unfocused.

As the Prince walked to his spot on the dais, Vidar got a strong whiff of alcohol, specifically whiskey. Romulus kept a steady gait in his vantablack armor, his helmet under his arm. He gave his father a short nod, and gave a much more sweeping bow to his mother.

"You're late, boy." The king spoke, his voice a growl. "Can you not even summon the decency to be on time?"
Romulus took his spot next to his father, and when he spoke, his voice was a deep rumble. "My apologies, my King. Had I realized we were to have such a distinguished guest, I would have hastened my steps." The underlying accusation of 'you don't tell me anything' was clear.

The King narrowed his eyes, and turned his attention back to Vidar. "I disagree that my son needs guarding. If he fails to protect himself, then he was never worthy to be a Vespasian, or indeed, my son, in the first place. However." He glanced at the Queen. "I do agree he needs a baby sitter, like some suckling child unable to be responsible."

The Queen had taken on a long-suffering expression, not enjoying the tension between the King and his heir. When it became clear that Olybrius wasn't going to shoot down the idea, though, she perked up. "Indeed, perhaps some of your better habits could rub off on our youthful son." She smiled at Vidar. "Have you any particular questions for us, before you are assigned on this necessary, and might I add honorable, task?" Her eyes were hopeful.
The King's glare was back, baleful and challenging Vidar to say anything, anything out of line.
And the Prince's expression? Somewhere between complete boredom and deep annoyance.

Vidar had his fair share of family drama and chaos. However, his family was very different from those of this… dynamic. He came from a more humble family. Smaller. But he carried his family's name in honor. He did these jobs to protect his father, a man who worked his hardest to provide for his family until an accident ruined his legs and he was no longer able to work. For his mother, who took up the mantle and worked every day of her life as a blacksmith. For his little sisters, whom he protected with a solid and firm hand, and raised while his mother worked and his father healed. He knew the word 'duty' before it was a word in his vocabulary. He knew the meaning of sacrifice before he had even hit the age of 10. His mother trained him with the blade, though he found his comfort in spears and weapons that allowed him to be fast and merciless in his approach. Some swords could be considered flashy. His weapons were straight to the point. Enough to confuse, and as fast as a vipers strike.

He had become a killing machine for his family. His mother had taught him of weapons, his father taught him of honor, and his little sisters had taught him patience and wisdom. That is all he needed. But it was clear that this family was bitter. He completely respected them as a family, completely respected the Royal family, after all, they had provided him with jobs, no matter how gruesome. They were the ones paying him so that he could care for his family. A means to an end that he would serve with pride and the honor he had been raised with. Seeing this family dynamic was certainly something different. His family approached with love. This family held high expectations for their son. That made sense of course, but considering the prince was the heir to an entire kingdom, the expectations are incredibly different. His eyes followed the queen when she looked for the son, but he did not comment. It was not his place.

When he felt the king's gaze on him, he did not speak. His expression remained calm and neutral. He had been under these kinds of gazes before. Assessing weaknesses, his next move. The current king was a warrior, there was no doubt with the way he held himself. But Vidar met the king's gaze with cold, calculating eyes. He did not flinch, nor did he back down. He simply regarded the king politely. There was no mirth, no challenge in his eyes. He simply held the king's gaze until the queen spoke. He politely placed his hand over his heart. "I am aware of the situation, and I heed my Kingdom's call." He answers, before his eyes shift to the noise outside the door.

He had heard various stories about the prince. But nothing could compare to seeing the figure that entered. If Vidar was impressed, however, it didn't show. As usual, his expression remained cool, calculating. Vidar was an average-sized man, there was no doubt that he was thinner, but that was because of the lean muscle that allowed him flexibility a regular soldier did not possess. But besides the Prince, he felt particularly small. He was not worried about that, he was used to being smaller than most of the men in this kingdom, but the Prince's height was just ridiculous. When the prince nodded to him, he replied with a fluid and at ease nod in response. Warrior to warrior. He could tell the prince was inebriated when he entered, but the whiff of alcohol simply confirmed his suspicions. Vidar tended to stay away from alcohol. It dulled the senses and slowed the reflexes. When one was a warrior that relied on both those things, alcohol was a hard pass.

In the time that the prince had arrived and the chatting, Vidar had eased into a more neutral position. One hand rested on top of Athene's head, the other rested on his hip. His eyes easily tracked every move the family made, and he tilted his head as he watched the others talk amongst themselves. He listened respectfully, though his lip twitched when the prince hinted at the fact that his father had not told him of anything. He did not speak when the king spoke of his son, and the expectations placed on his son. Vidar had agreed to be a weapon. He agreed to kill people. He agreed to fight in the honor of his country. But being a babysitter for a man that practically towered over him was not something he was expecting.

He felt slight pity for the queen. It was clear she was fond of her son, but it seemed like the ongoing tension between her husband and her son caused some long-lasting exhaustion. Vidar took note of the King's glare. But his task was clear enough. He once again placed his hand over his heart and bowed his head politely. "As long as my earnings go to my family, I have no questions regarding this task. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve my kingdom." He straightened once again and glanced at the prince. "I will work as usual. I will shadow the prince regarding his duties, and work against any that threaten the peace of the kingdom. You have my word."

The Queen smiled, a beautiful expression on her lovely face, and clasped her hands together gratefully. "Thank you, Vidar. Your family will be compensated handsomely, I assure you."

The King kept his glare on Vidar, for just a moment longer, before glancing at the Queen. "If we're done here, I have a meeting with my generals to get to." He stood and strode off the dais, and down the center of the room. As he brushed past Vidar, he growled "Don't disappoint her." His guards fell in behind him, and he was out the door.

The Queen stood as well, looking happily from Vidar to Romulus, who still had an impassive look on his face. "I'll leave you two to get to know one another. Romulus, will you be at dinner tonight?"
"If you ask it of me this time, Mother." The Prince said quietly. "If you feel like enduring the spitting match that is sure to come."
A sad look marred the Queen's smile. "I do ask, and I also ask that you do your best. It's a hard day for your father."
"As you wish, my Queen." Romulus bowed low from the dais, and the Queen flashed one more smile at Vidar, before exiting as well.

Romulus stood and squared his shoulders as she left. He regarded Vidar for a long moment, as if studying the man. He took in the lethal look of the man, his size, what visible scarring there was, and the wolf at his side.
With a shrug and a smile, Romulus decided he liked Vidar.
He stepped down off the dais towards Vidar.
"Well. Vidar Kane. Let's get a couple of things straight." He stuck out a gauntleted hand, big enough to swallow Vidar's hand and wrist in a handshake. "First, my name is Romulus, and you can call me that or Rom. If you must call me some honorific, 'My Prince' will do. If I have to remind you more than once to avoid 'your highness', 'your majesty' or any other such ridiculousness, I'll remind you with a backhand." He locked eyes with Vidar. "Second, I'd like to call you a friend, rather than a bodyguard, because believe me, I don't need you. You're here now, and my Queen has asked for you to shadow me, so I won't try and bribe you out of that. But please, let's neither of us pretend I need protecting." He released Vidar's arm. "Questions?"

He nods, seeming satisfied with the queen's remark. As long as his family was taken care of, that's all he could ask. When the king passed him, he simply bowed his head politely. He hadn't failed a task he was assigned, and he didn't plan on failing now. He did not speak when the queen and her son shared words, though his eyes did flicker between the two of them talked. He bowed once again when she left before his attention turned to the prince.

He regarded the prince as well, studying him carefully. The stories had heard could not compare in the slightest. He was much larger in person, terrifyingly strong, and the scars spoke of his battles. Vidar would not make any assumptions about the prince until he had known the prince a bit longer.

Athene growled softly when the prince approached but eased the moment Vidar gave a soft click of his tongue. She was a large wolf, with teeth that would willingly rip into anyone given Vidar's order. A wolf he had raised to be his companion, friend, and guard.

When the prince held out a hand in greeting, despite his hand being completely engulfed, Vidar met the handshake with surprising strength and grace. He kept his ever-neutral expression as the prince laid down the ground rules, his eyebrow quirking slightly at the mention of a backhand. He did not doubt that Rom's words were true, but it did make him faintly wonder. But he put it aside for now. He simply agreed to this job because it paid well and took care of his family.

"That is all I simply am, Rom." He tilts his head, eyes cold and calculating. "I am simply a shadow. You go about your daily life as is. You do not need to acknowledge my existence if you do not wish to do so. I am more than aware that you are capable of tending to yourself. I was hired by the Queen to offer my aid and protection. That is all I do. You may call me a friend, you may call me a shadow. It is your preference."

He knew his place all too well when dealing with noble families. They did not want to acknowledge him. He was born of poor status. He was the first in his family to work amongst the names of the noble families. Of the dirt and filth they never wanted to step foot on. And he was fine with that. He had a job to do, he was paid well, and he went home with blood on his hands that never belonged to him. And the cycle would continue. This had been his life for the past four years of his life. But blood and death had been a part of his life since he was 16. He was fine with that.

So he stood there standing ever taller when facing the mountain of a prince. He looked up with a chilling peace like he had resigned to his fate of being a cold-hearted killer until his limbs no longer worked, until he died, or by some miracle, made it to old age. His companion simply sniffed the prince curiously. She did not move from her side, nor did she break the personal space of the prince, she just simply sniffed to get used to the prince's scent.

Romulus smiled at Vidar's grip. Good, he was a man. He also smiled when Vidar's eyebrow quirked. Perhaps some… friendly competition was in order. This man was a bit of a legend, despite being young and lowborn. Romulus honestly didn't care about that last part, unless the man was going to try to preach to him about his social responsibility as a royal.

His smile faded when Vidar laid out how he expected the role to go. He shook his head just slightly. "See, that's exactly what I don't want. I don't want you over my shoulder like some silent, creepy scarecrow for the baddies. I want to call you a friend, so we will be friends, Vidar. I'm not having some unacknowledged lackie walking around behind me intimidating people. I do enough of that myself. Nothing screams 'bodyguard' more than you standing there all hard, and me saying 'oh that's just Vidar, ignore him.'"

The Prince smelled like leather and a particular metallic tang, likely the smell of the strange alloy of his armor. He also smelled like alcohol at the moment, and under all that, there was something much more animal, and familiar to Athene.

"Can we agree on that, Vidar?"

Vidar hummed when his hand was released, returning to gently placing his hand on Athene's head. He was curious, to put it lightly, to see just how strong Romulus was. He had no doubt regarding the hulking figure of the prince that he was strong, but he wondered how they would match and how they would oppose when it came to combat. He had no intention of preaching responsibility to the prince, that was not his place, but he would not be one that would ease if the prince slacked off. He was a 'babysitter' after all. He was meant to keep the prince on his schedule.

He seemed to regard Romulus for a moment when the other explained his wishes. His eyebrow twitched once again before shrugging. "Very well. You may consider me an ally. But 'friend' is quite the stretch. Is it not? You barely know anything about me." Besides. A killer did not have friends. He could not place his trust in people. Not even in his family. He loved them, don't get him wrong. But he would not risk their safety because of his job. He did not become friends with people. They could hurt him, or worse hurt those he cared about. That's all he was. A merciless killer. But he would not argue further with the prince. That was not his place. "But other than that, yes. We can agree on that."

Athene wagged her tail when she sensed the ease in her human companion. He scratched at her favorite spot as a reward for behaving in front of the royals. "Athene will usually walk beside me, but if it calls for her, I can send her off to hunt. I know some places are not fond of having wild animals amongst the people."

Romulus caught a particular look in Vidar's eye, a look most men had but few did on purpose.

Curiosity.

They'd have to get into one of the fight pits at some point, and just duke it out. Vidar, if his reputation spoke correctly, would be the closest thing to competition Romulus had had in a while.

He listened as Vidar laid out his response, and waited till he'd commented on Athene.
"Usually, people are fine with a thing if it involves me. Nice side perk." He headed towards the door.
"And you're absolutely right, I don't know much about you other than what gets back to us from the battlefields you're on. So let's fix that. What do you like to drink?"
They walked out into the courtyard, and the cause of the familiar smell on the Prince became clear. There was a huge Wulf outside, dyed a dark red, and saddled. He was pacing, and turned when Romulus walked out. The Prince went to him and pulled down the large head, tugging affectionately at the beast's fur. "This is Ruir, by the way. Do you have a mount, or will you need one?"