Riwer. The Ringed City. Home to the Immortal King Aldarn.<br/><br/>It was the first major human city to threaten the other races. It alone crushed the Orcish horde to the north. Its walls have been closed off for over 50 years.<br/><br/>Now the guards open the rings once again to visitors. Parchment has been posted to every signpost throughout the city, all the way out to the 4th ring, and beyond. The Immortal King searches for a new wife; and the borders have been opened to allow women of all races to compete for chance to be queen.<br/><br/>Riwer is made up of circular walls known as Rings. Inside the first ring lies the palace, as well as the nobles of Riwer, the first ring is known as "High Town" or the "High District" Going out from the palace (which is the center of the town, you leave the first ring and come to the Midland or the second ring. Businesses, Shops, Trade, and Taverns await you in this district, and you can find a mix of wealthy and poor. Continuing outward you reach the farmland and slums, or the inside of the third ring. This is the largest of the rings, taking up huge swaths of farmland. People are more spread out, although you can find small settlements of taverns or general stores to cater to the farmers. The final ring is the military ring, nothing but guards await you here, and it is the thinnest of the rings, the fourth wall being the largest and most imposing, for it was created when Riwer shut itself from the rest of the world.<br/><br/>You are a visitor or citizen of Riwer. Stake your claim.<br/><br/>_____________________________________________<br/>------- OOC Rules -----------<br/>_______________________________________________<br/><br/>1. Create a Character here: http://bluemoonroleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=25310<br/><br/>2. PM me with ideas that may be outside of character creation<br/><br/>3. Sex will happen, and should happen ALOT. Riwer is a seemingly normal city with lots of underground nastiness going on. Think of it as suburbs that look normal, but everyone is wife-swapping.<br/><br/>4. You don't have to be a contestant to play in the world. There are plenty of other motivations.<br/><br/><br/><b>Characters needed</b>:<br/>Dark Elf Witch<br/>Contestants<br/>Members of the Lion Guard<br/><br/><hr class="bbc-hr bbc-hr--3"/>The Immortal king Aldarn had ruled over the kingdom of Riwer, for five generations now. Riwer had known only peace and prosperity since the king had rode north to meet the threat of the Horde head on. He slew the barbarian king that day, parading Gruumrish's head around on a pike as the citizens cheered for their beloved king. The feasts and celebrations went on for two full weeks, and within that time Aldarn, took notice of a humble serving girl. She was indeed a diamond in the rough, the most beautiful maiden in all of Riwer, and Aldarn took her for his wife.<br/><br/>Thus began the golden age of Riwer, where peace reigned, and the people were happy. Aldarn took every opportunity to protect his people, riding out was not normally a kingly thing to do, however he saw it as the one thing that he could give back, protection. Any small threat from the northern hordes, the Djinn in the south, or the Elves to the west were crushed without hesitation.<br/><br/>During one of these campaigns, they say he was within the realm of the immortal elves, he came upon an artifact, an orb that glowed with blue-purple-and greenish hues, like the skylights in the north. It is said that when he touched the orb, the soldiers that were with him vanished, much like the grey hair and wrinkles that had started to creep up on him. He took the orb back with him to the palace, and although he brought in mage and scholar from each of the 3 continents, none could decipher how it worked. None could get it to work again.<br/><br/>Years passed, his wife aged, he did not.<br/><br/>He continued his campaigns, even sailing to the far east, none had an answer for him, until he received word from one of his messengers on his way back from the campaign. His wife was sick, she was dying. He took the fastest griffon back to Riwer, but it was too late. He threw himself on his own sword in agony, only to find that death was not the escape that he longed for. Many suicide attempts followed, the golden age was over.<br/><br/>The Dark ages had begun. Aldarn was haunted by the memory of his wife, and this was further compounded by the mysterious presence of a dark elf witch in his court. Rumors suggest that she is poisoning his mind, causing him to forsake his kingdom, and mourn his wife in unhealthy ways. Years passed, the kingdom was shut off to outsiders, it stagnated, much like the king.<br/><br/>Recently, however, one of King Aldarn's greatest generals (and good friend) passed away of old age. On his death bed he urged the king to forgive himself, to reopen the borders, to look for new love. The Dark Elf whispered in the King's ear, but it was too late, she could only influence his actions in part, for the love of his friend was too great.<br/><br/>The King reopened the borders of Riwer, and decreed that there would be a contest. He sent messengers to the four corners of the world, relaying the rules of the contest. If any woman throughout the world could entrance him as much as his first wife, he would take them as his queen, be it Elf, Dark Elf, Djinn or even Orc, all of the glory, gold and kingdom would be theirs. The King sat on his silver throne, and waited on that day to come.<br/><hr class="bbc-hr bbc-hr--3"/><br/>The silver halls of the palace continued to glitter as the setting sun yawned the final time.  Aldarn slumped on his throne, wrapped in the crimson cloak of kings; his silver shaggy hair matched that of his throne room. His palm rested on the hilt of his greatsword – Firebrand, as the sword sat, sheathed within its leather wrapper. His closest advisor was on hand, The Witch with no name, a dark elf, whom even other members of the Lion Guard had come to suspect. She leaned casually against the side of the throne, wearing nothing but a thin black silk gown.<br/><br/>Aldarn’s deep blue eyes shut for a moment, as he took a breath awaiting what was to come. Today was the first day of the contest - the contest that he had promised Derrik he would go through with – and there was no way to back out on a promise made to a dead man.  His eyes opened again a few minutes later to the sunbeams radiating through the stained blue windows, and a messenger standing silently.<br/><br/>“My liege…” the messenger started, “Madam Porteau has a few girls that she would like to bring for the contest, they are right outside, shall I allow them in?”<br/><br/>An eyebrow twitched and he adjusted his posture, sitting up a bit on the silver throne, “Go ahead.” He said in a deep quiet voice. The Witch adjusted as well, standing straight and folding her arms over her breasts, staring a hole through the messenger, who bowed and scurried away to retrieve the contestants.<br/><br/>The Witch leaned over to the king to grant a few whispers before they arrived, being led by Madam Porteau, a tall human female with jet-black hair and violet eyes.  She wore a large flowery dress and corset, along with a good portion of make-up. This was one courtesan who could get away with having none of the makeup or perfume, but she had an example to set being the headmistress, and getting all of her girls to act the same way guaranteed the money kept rolling in.<br/><br/>Her eyes met the Kings, and she bowed gracefully, “My lord!” She tugged on a small golden chain, as delicate as butterfly wings; this chain was connected to each of the 5 women that she brought before the king this day. The women lined up horizontally before the king, each a bit different, but all human. They all wore loose fitting dresses in varying colors, and the madam had made sure that their makeup was just right, “These are just a few of the slaves that we own at the Purple Petal, they all wished to come before you to see if they could have the honor of serving you in some space or another. Perhaps as your new wife?” She grinned, as the Dark elf glanced her way, folding her arms once more.<br/>The King leaned forward, glancing over each of them as they stood, staring into empty space, awaiting someone’s command. “See anything you fancy my lord?” Porteau asked, a bit out of turn.<br/><br/>He continued to scan them with his blue eyes, before stopping, leaning back in his throne, “No.” he stated flatly. The Witch smiled a half-smile, but Porteau was not done, “Remove your clothing!” she commanded, and the slaves did as they were told, each one disrobing quickly, bearing their full nude bodies to the king, “How about now your grace?”<br/><br/>The king gave a slight grin, giving the slaves a second look over, “I must admit Porteau, you do not give up…” he chuckled lowly to himself, but did not lean forward in interest as he did before.<br/><br/>Porteau grew nervous, “You are not interested…?”<br/><br/>“No…” The king said flatly again, “However…”<br/>“Yes m’lord?” She said again, hopeful.<br/><br/>“I will use all five of them tonight in my bedchamber. “<br/><br/>Porteau looked relieved and very grateful, “Yes m’lord!!” she pointed the slaves to the back bedroom to await the king, “Thank you m’lord! Shall you pay upfront?”<br/><br/>Aldarn stood finally, looking down at Madam, he dwarfed the woman, as he dwarfed most humans in general, “Your payment is getting to walk out of here with your life. Do not waste my time again…”<br/><br/>She visibly shook as she bowed quietly, turning and leaving the hall.<br/>He sat back into his throne as his messenger came running back to him, “My liege… what would you like to do now?”<br/><br/>The Witch, began to walk out of the room, satisfied that she had enough influence over the King for the night.<br/><br/>Aldarn leaned back into his throne, hands clenched together in thought, “I want you to make it known to every woman in this city, be she rich or poor, that she has a chance to be queen. Plaster flyers everywhere in and around the city. Send messengers to the far corners of the world. The real contest begins soon.”<br/><br/>And so it was. Every woman of age was sent letters. Flyers were placed everywhere in the city. Messengers were sent out to every major city, announcing, and advertising.<br/><br/>The King needed a wife, or wives. Last time she was a slave girl. This time he would not let any overlook his gaze.