Role Playing - Basilikon Doron: An AU Modern Monarchy MYOC Game

degausser · 02-01-2015, 11:26 PM

Basilikon Doron: An AU Modern Monarchy Game

GOD giues not Kings the stile of Gods in vaine,
For on his Throne his Scepter doe they swey:
And as their subjects ought them to obey,
So Kings should feare and serue their God againe
If then ye would enjoy a happie raigne,
Obserue the Statutes of your heauenly King,
And from his Law, make all your Lawes to spring:
Since his Lieutenant here ye should remain,
Reward the iust, be stedfast, true, and plaine+,
Represse the proud, maintayning aye the right,
Walke alwayes so, as euer in his sight,
Who guardes the godly, plaguing the prophane:
And so ye shall in Princely vertues shine,
Resembling right your mightie King Diuine.
~The Basilikon Doron, King James I

It is the year 2015 and in Europe the Monarchy still reigns. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 never occurred, The French Revolution of 1789 effectively squashed and the Napoleonic Wars all but a whisper on some dead heretic’s lips. Across the Atlantic, a strange political system called “Democracy” exists, but remains largely isolated, its tenants of a government ruled by its people never adopted outside its united fifty states. The Divine Right of Kings theory still largely holds true, the authority of all European sovereigns granted directly by the will of God. The largest power in Europe is that of the English Monarchy, presently ruled by the House of Stuart, a dynasty that has ruled off and on in England since the 17th century.

At the center of every ruling monarchy is conflict, with several forces competing for favor and power. Not all conflict is confronted on a battle field with a foreign entity, but often navigated on a more local level through various courtly and political machinations. Not all battles are fought with swords or guns, but instead with pens and words. The English Court is one of intrigue and Machiavellian schemes, enemies masquerading as friends and retainers with questionable loyalties. Though the Stuart branch faces a number of adversaries outside their court who would challenge their authority openly, the people closest to them pose every bit as much of a threat.

Little has changed in the way England is run since the 17th century, and yet much has changed all at the same time. Education is available to the masses. Technology has evolved a million fold. Wars are fought in the air as well as on land and sea and with instruments of greater destruction. Modern medicine has extended the average lifespan. Mass production has made former luxuries readily available to almost anyone in the modern world. An infinite amount of knowledge lies readily available at the touch of a fingertip, and with the advent of social media, the lives of the ruling families around the world are accessible anywhere you can find a television, phone, computer or tablet. With all the new technology, never has a King’s relationship with the people been more important.

Nor has it ever been so precarious.

Let us sit upon the ground
and tell sad stories of the death of Kings
how some have been deposed, some slain in war
some haunted by the ghosts they have deposed
some poisoned by their wives; some sleeping kill’d
all murder’d; for within the hallow crown
that rounds the mortal temples of a King
keeps Death his court
~ Richard II, William Shakespeare

House of Stuart: The current ruling monarchy of England is the House of Stuart, an old line that traces its ruling sovereignty to 14th century Scotland and would later go on to rule Scotland and England upon inheriting the English crown from The Tudors following the death of Queen Elizabeth. Their first downfall came in the late 17th Century due to their relationship with Catholicism during the rise of Protestant popularity as well as their connection with the French. They would regain and lose the throne two more times over the next three centuries, competing not only with rivaling Houses but also with cadet branches of the Stuart line. The current dynasty was reestablished by the father of the present Monarch after deposing his cousin from the House of FitzJames. Over the last forty years, the Stuarts have fought off three attempts made by the FitzJames line to usurp the throne, but their conflict has existed in one form or another for the last two centuries. The present day Stuarts remain staunchly Catholic, with close ties to the Vatican. The King is a known philanderer with a tendency to force his wives aside when he has grown bored with them, reminiscent of King Henry the VIII of Tudor fame. For as flippant his personal life may seem, the current monarch is both cunning and ruthless, boasting one of the most powerful of militaries in the world and little sympathy for anyone who would oppose him.

Name: King George IV
Age: Forty-Five
Theme Song: Arsonist’s Lullaby by Hozier
Personality: Capricious, Audacious, Volatile, Cagey and Prurient.
Three Life Facts:
- The years leading up to the usurpation of the FitzJames throne in 1969 had been marked with scheming and bloodshed George Stuart was fortunate enough to never know, though he had heard plenty of retellings in his youth. George Stuart IV came into the world four years after the Stuart line reclaimed the English throne, and grew up in a period of relative peace and prosperity, a fact he largely took for granted. As the second born son, he was never expected to ascend to the English throne. Charles Stuart had been groomed for the ascension since birth, but his memory of being in a perpetual state of fear as the family moved around the country in the years leading up to their uprising made him a prudent and timid man in the end. Weak and easily pliable were other words for it; words that George threw around carelessly and antagonistically during Charles short two year reign following the death of their father.
- The first campaign made by the FitzJames family to retake the throne is said to have claimed Charles’s life, but in truth it was deliberately poor counseling that resulted in his fatal misstep. Several members of Charles’s cabinet felt similarly to George, that their King’s prudency left England vulnerable. Charles’s death was convenient for all save for maybe the FitzJames’s, and upon leaving his wife behind childless, the throne was left vacant for a stronger and more assertive Stuart to claim. Few would openly suggest that George actively participated in the plot that lead to his brother’s death, but the fact that most of his brother’s advisors were retained upon his coronation speaks for itself. During the twenty-one years of his reign, George has successfully and swiftly squashed two attempts made to usurp his throne. There are a number of political enemies currently serving as “guests” in the Tower of London, including the patriarch of the FitzJames family and several more beyond that who are short a head.
- George is notoriously fickle, a man difficult to please in mind, spirit and body. He has always demanded absolute and unconditional loyalty from family and advisors alike, the smallest of criticisms perceived as intolerable slights against his person and evidence of possible treason. One would think that a perpetual state of fear of displeasing the King would provoke unrest and hostility within his court, but George has always been charismatic enough to make new friends whenever necessary. Those who enjoy his favor are bequeathed with the unending charity and privilege of a generous king who gives often and freely, but what the King giveth, the King can also taketh away. Navigating his mercurial moods is often a game in and of itself. His queens are perhaps the most notorious example of how quickly someone can lose his favor. Four times married, two times divorced and once windowed, the women in George’s life know that the best way to keep his attentions and their heads is to keep quiet and make sure his eye doesn’t wander too far. Which it always does. Like, all the time, in fact. He might have a problem actually.
Relationships: TBD
Taken By: degausser
Played By: Michael Fassbender

Name: Prince Dean Stuart
Age: 27
Theme Song: Monster by Imagine Dragons
Personality: Quick-tempered, Conservative, Cynical, Intelligent, And Sarcastic
Three Life Facts:
-First-born and rightful successor to the throne, Dean has grown up with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Since his birth, he has been groomed to take over the thrown, even if his father, the king, wouldn’t necessarily pick him from the lot. His mother left the home when he was extremely young after his father bored of her. She’s continued to live in the lavish lifestyle she had become accustomed to, which left little time for Dean and her to have a real relationship, unless she needs some monetary help.
-Dean longs for the approval of his father and is the “perfect” son. He is loyal, respectful and keeps up-to-date on the goings on of the kingdom. In addition, Dean goes above and beyond to keep the Stuart name in positive favor by doing a lot of charity work, which usually offsets his father and brothers’ philandering ways. Even though he works as hard as he does, he knows that his father favors Derek. He can’t help, but be resentful, especially considering all that he sacrifices to make his father happy.
-One of the major sacrifices is his romantic life. Though he’s been able to keep it a secret from everyone, Dean first realized he was attracted to men when he was 16 years old. He spent the next ten years having a few random trysts here and there as to not raise suspicion and focusing on learning everything he can about being king. Dean knows that his father would not approve of the lifestyle and would be a surefire way to get him kicked out of his home. In addition, he’s made such a stigma about being gay that he himself would stop at nothing from keeping this secret from coming to life.Misc
Relationships: King George IV (Father), Prince Derek Stuart (Brother)
Taken By: DingosAteYurBaby
Played By: Armie Hammer

Name: Prince Derek Stuart
Age: 25
Personality: Meretricious, Hubristic, Jocular, Tenacious, and Wheedling
Three Life Facts:
- Derek Stuart is the embodiment of a spoiled prince. He’s utterly selfish, undeniably charming, and never without a drink in hand. His love of breweries and women has earned him his father’s favor over the years. It’s an honor he cherishes greatly, for entering into the King’s good graces is a notoriously difficult feat. Unfortunately, his siblings do not share in his positive fortune. Jealousy runs amuck in the castle, much to Derek’s dismay. He would like to be close to his brothers but finds their ‘woe is me’ theatrics too irritating to combat.
- Second born, Derek has rarely toyed with the idea of inheriting the throne. Why waste his time on a pipe dream? Those were his thoughts until recently. Following a midnight tryst with a maid, Derek overheard his father confiding in an adviser. The King spoke of his desire to see his favorite son on the throne…if only he were capable. Derek’s boozing and whoring, more than his age, made him an unsuitable candidate to rule. Hypocritical words coming from a King known for philandering, but they hurt all the same. Derek is determined to prove George wrong.
- In his quest to show the King his worth, Derek plans to seduce young women from enemy houses for entail. Easy prey, he calls them, as females are known to run their mouths for ‘true love.’ Once he gathers enough information to weaken the crown’s opponents his father will have to take him seriously. But nothing has prepared Derek for what opening Pandora’s box will do. Unknowingly, he’s walking an irreversible path leading to frightening skeletons in the King’s closet. The truth about his dead mother among them.
Relationships: TBD
Taken By: Captivating
Played By: Jamie Dornan [/SIZE]

Name: Prince Teague Jameson "TJ" Stuart
Age: 28
Theme Song: "Nothin' But a Good Time" - Poison
Personality: Inscrutable, apathetic, hedonistic, personable, calm.
Three Life Facts:
- Youngest born of House Stuart and thus possessing only the most tenuous of claims to the throne, as a child TJ enjoyed an atmosphere of permissiveness not accessible to his two elder brothers. As something of an 'oops baby,' by the time TJ came around succession had already been mapped out to the smallest of detail—Charles a certainty, George a less-favored ‘back-up’ and TJ an after thought, left to enjoy a life of privilege with no concern toward distant or immediate consequence. He was five when his father died and Charles ascended, seven when the FitzJames’ efforts stole Charles’ life and George gracefully filled his brother’s freshly vacated seat and TJ was barely cognizant of it all, more concerned with learning to ride a bike and building fantastical things out of legos. By the time he was old enough to pay the political dealings and machinations of his family any mind, George had years of a prosperous and peaceful reign under his belt and the FitzJames were like a worn-out joke, kept under heel by the imprisonment of its paterfamilias.
- Being closer in age to his niece and nephews than his own brother, the relationship between TJ and George is distant—at best. The two have very little in common beyond a surname, much of the Stuart ambition drained to dregs by the time TJ came along and though that earns him no favor in his brother’s eyes, it’s kept TJ alive and prosperous to this point. He’s never made a bid for George’s throne, never conspired with the usurpers to rid George’s shoulders of a head, never spoke up publicly about his own dissenting opinions regarding his brother’s political choices—though they are many and vast. In exchange he is granted the freedom and funds to do as he pleases, wiling away his time in pubs, at football matches, hanging out backstage at Coldplay concerts and being seen publicly with a laundry list of celebrity ‘it’ girls willing to exchange sexual favors for JustJared and TMZ page views. He sees his brother and his family a few times a year, largely during religious holidays and it’s usually then that he makes a childish point of fucking whichever new wife his brother’s acquired in the gap between visits.
- Though free of his surviving sibling’s ruthless and impulsive habits, TJ’s greatest fault is his apathy. That more than his conscience or the bond of fraternal love is the likeliest reason he’s not seen fit to rise against George in a sudden bloody coup, regardless of however many factions seek to bring his loyalties into their fold. He’s never been engineered to care much about anything political, beyond the unnecessary clubbing of innocent baby seals or the gradual eradication of our rain forests—his opinions stringently limited to anything involving cute defenseless animals. Dying war orphans? Not especially. Global warming? Snore. The gruesome murder of George’s political prisoners? Pass. The proliferation of the ivory trade? POACHING MONSTERS.
Relationships: George Stuart (brother)
Taken By: winter soldier
Played By: Garrett Hedlund

AtomicEmpress - Jodelle Ferland

House of FitzJames: The House of FitzJames line is a cadet branch of the ruling House of Stuart line in England, originating from one of the illegitimate sons of a Stuart King and established in 1670. The fall of House Stuart in the late 17th century also resulted in the exile of the House of FitzJames from England. From there, the FitzJames’ would go on to establish connections in both Spain and France through various marriages. The French line would later reestablish itself in English politics after a tenuous claim to the English throne resulted in the Stuart line’s second deposal from the English throne in the mid-19th century. This would mark the beginning of a one-hundred and fifty year old conflict that exists between the Stuarts and the FitzJames’s to this day. Their reign would last for over a hundred years before the Stuarts unseated them forty years ago, and the next four decades would be marked largely by unsuccessful campaigns to regain the throne. In spite of the fact that their campaigns have threatened to tear the country apart, the FitzJames family remains popular with the common people of England in large part because of their embrace of social media which has made them far more accessible to the public than their aloof cousins. They also employ the tactic of using marriage to strengthen their power, with the senior branch presently settled in France but other connections also boasted to powerful families in Spain, Italy and the United States.

Name: Cordelia "The Duchess" FitzJames
Age: 44
Theme Song: I Am Woman by Helen Reddy
Personality: Devoted, Adroit, Judicious, Munificent, and Charismatic
Three Life Facts:
- Born a Duval, Cordelia can’t recall a time she hasn’t been at home with the general public. Much of her youth was spent interning at newspapers and broadcasting networks, making herself educated and accessible. To call her tech savvy would be a gross understatement. Originally groomed to takeover her family’s media conglomerate, priorities shifted on Cordelia’s eighteenth birthday. It was there that Richard FitzJames took an interest in her. It was quickly decided that joining forces with House FitzJames would better serve the Duval family legacy, thus an arranged marriage took place.
- Cordelia began her wifely duties with resentment and a scowl. Why her family pawned her off was a mystery to her. How could she assist them outside their walls? Cordelia thought herself a wasted asset until Richard recognized the worth behind a pretty face. Unlike most men, the Duke celebrated the idea of equality. He wished to succeed or fail in life as a team. Cordelia fell in love with the respect she was shown but more importantly, she fell in love with Richard. A few years passed and two children were born. Soon the Duchess’ allegiance was no longer split. Despite caring for the Duvals, her ultimate loyalty came to rest with House FitzJames. The Duvals are (understandably) not privy to this information.
- The dispute between the Stuarts and the FitzJames family has been on the forefront of Cordelia’s mind since she said, “I do.” Initially she worried for the Duvals safety. Marrying one of their own to the King’s rival seemed unwise. King Charles’ low opinion of women prevented it from being a risky move. He never blinked an eye in Cordelia’s direction. He was similarly unthreatened by her husband, a grievous mistake leaving him open to attack. Richard was steps away from retaking the throne when Charles died. The ascension of the King’s brother changed the playing field. King George, vicious and paranoid, kept a close eye on his enemies. The crown thwarted two more attempts of usurpation before unlawfully imprisoning Richard. It’s been four years since The Duke was placed in the Tower of London, yet all hope is not lost. Cordelia has been working subtly to free her love and assure her family rules. With the help of social media and good will, the Duchess and her daughters are effectively earning the love of the people. Cordelia is confident a call to revolt is just around the corner.
Relationships: TBD
Taken By: Captivating
Played By: Bellamy Young

Name: Lady Margaret “Maggie” FitzJames
Age: Nineteen
Theme Song: Skin and Bones by Mirah
Personality: Amiable, Innovative, Perceptive, Benevolent and Poised.
Three Life Facts:
- Daughter of a traitor to some, daughter to the rightful King of England to others, Margaret FitzJames has lived in a perpetually fluctuating state of social pariahdom and public adoration for most of her life. The truth of any reality is all in the perception of it. Those who make up the FitzJames camp have painted Richard FitzJames as a martyr; a man who has been libeled, slandered and wrongfully imprisoned by a morally bankrupt tyrant. On the opposite end of the spectrum are those who see Richard FitzJames as a would-be usurper and terrorist. To Margaret, Richard FitzJames is simply her father; the man who would read her stories of forgotten chivalry before bed every night and patch up her knee whenever she scraped it. A man who has been imprisoned and taken from his loving family for the past four years now.
- With Richard effectively out of the picture, it has been up to Cordelia FitzJames to pick up the pieces of her splintered family and carry on. For the past four years she has been an unyielding font of strength and perseverance for Margaret and her siblings. If ever Maggie had a hero in life, it would be her mother. Fully embracing the concept that perception is reality, Lady Margaret FitzJames was one of the first members of the nobility to take advantage of the far-reaching influence of social media due in large part to the encouragement of her mother. A self-designated “tech nerd,” Margaret manages her own instagram and twitter accounts and genuinely enjoys taking pictures and making silly videos with her sister and friends, making her come across as being just as approachable as any other person on the street. Most famously, a Harlem Shake parody video she and her sister posted online helped Margaret to evolve from mere internet curiosity to internet sensation and darling.
- Despite having an admittedly carefully crafted public persona, Margaret possesses a rare and genuinely compassionate soul. A champion of killing ‘em with kindness, Margaret is guileless, possessing not a single vindictive bone in her body and would gladly give the shirt off her back to a stranger in need. That kindness is often mistaken for gullibility though, leaving people to believe she’s far more pliable than she actually is. It has never been Margaret’s intent to deliberately mislead people into a false sense of superiority around her, but she will not go out of her way to correct any misperceptions made about her either. Anyone who jumps to fast conclusions without all the facts, or would take advantage of any perceived weakness in the first place is hardly worth her time anyway.
Relationships: TBD
Taken By: degausser
Played By: Sophie Turner

Name: Lady Audrey FitzJames
Age: 17
Theme Song: Chandelier by Sia
Personality: Adaptable, Fearless, Loyal, Resourceful, And Impulsive
Three Life Facts:
-The “baby” of the FitzJames clan, Audrey took her father’s imprisonment the hardest. Having been a daddy’s girl, Audrey and her father were extremely close and she pays little attention to the praise from some and the slander from others. He always taught her to be strong and fight for what you believe in…right now, that is getting him out of prison. One positive in all of this is that Audrey, her mother and Maggie have become so much closer since his capture, which is something that will come in handy when trying to go up against a Stuart.
-While her older sister has embraced becoming a social media icon, Audrey has never taken much interest in it. She definitely understands its power of influence and will stand in for the occasional selfies to keep up appearances, but Audrey is definitely not your typical girly-girl and like to keep as much of her life hers as long as she can.
-Audrey is quite aware of her mother and sister’s strategy in trying to get their father out of prison, but Audrey, as impulsive as she is, is not happy with the speed of things. She understands that things can take time, but she is not the most patient and has decided that maybe she should try different tactics than those of her fellow female FitzJames.
Relationships: Cordelia FitzJames (Mother), Maggie FitzJames (Sister)
Taken By: DingosAteYurBaby
Played By: Bella Thorne

The Duval Family: Brash, ambitious, obstinate, American. Unlike their European counterparts, the Duval Family hails from the ever foreign and strange United States of ~~Unholy~~ America where enterprise and philanthropy are the law of the land, not God and Divine Right. Rather than a King, the Americas are supposedly ruled by a “Democracy,” and the people elect their ruler. Of course, the people are easily manipulated into believing they are free-thinking and independent, and that is where the Duval Family comes in. Though they trace their lineage to a minor noble French family from 18th Century, the bulk of their fortune was made during the American Civil War when they capitalized on burgeoning ammunitions industry, manufacturing and selling gunpowder to both Union and Confederate forces. Today they are proponents and benefactors of the American Military-Industrial complex, controlling much of the world’s supply of ammunitions and military grade weapons. The marriage to a young newspaper mogul’s daughter at the turn of the 20th century added the sway of media to their arsenal of weapons and today the Duvals operate one of the largest Media conglomerates in the World, largely controlling what the World sees and doesn’t see while also subtly pushing whatever agenda best suits their needs.

Name: Lynette Duval/Barberini
Age: 34
Personality: Assiduous, Equanimous, Cryptic, Heuristic, and Garrulous
Three Life Facts:
- "You're Cordelia's sister, aren't you?" It's a question Lynette failed to escape in her youth (often, her adulthood too). It's not that she lacks merit. Lynette is talented, as well as beautiful. She speaks fluent Italian, bakes divine desserts, and creates masterpieces from blank canvases. The list goes on and on. But the public doesn't love her. They like her, admire her even, yet she doesn't captivate them. Not truly. Cordelia was the charming one. Lynette didn't mind until her sister married Richard FitzJames. On that day she became a prisoner of her shortcomings. With her brother assigned to the family's military workings, Lynette bore the weight of the Duval media empire. And she didn't measure up.
- For years Lynette has struggled to be the media darling her family needs. She interned with her father from age ten to eighteen, tirelessly studying the ins and outs of broadcasting, social media, journalism, and graphic design. Her efforts made her a jack(ie) of all trades, a master of none. Lynette faked success for awhile by enlisting her parents help behind the scenes. They pulled the strings until they died. Afterward, Lynette began to rely on advisors despite her father's last wishes. In his will, he implored his youngest daughter to ask Cordelia for assistance. She was loyal to them, he claimed, always them. And with Richard imprisoned she'd come to their aide. Lynette didn't buy it. Her sister is a FitzJames first. It's clear to anyone with eyes. Lynette is using her, though, just not in the way daddy dearest intended. The FitzJames family is news. Her nieces especially. Lynette plans to exploit them as much as she can to benefit her business/stay on top.
- Another unpleasant bit of information written in her father's will? Lynette was adopted. Heartbroken at first, she quickly dried her tears and burned the document. Unknown to Lynette, she is technically half-Duval. She wasn't adopted from an orphanage or a random knocked up teenager. She was the product of her father's affair with a Barberini cousin. A cousin who gave her up after being threatened and bribed by the Duval patriarch.
Relationships: TBD
Taken By: Captivating
Played By: Rachel McAdams [/SIZE]

Name: Harold “Harry” Duvall IV
Age: Twenty-Nine
Theme Song: In The Hearts of Men by First Aid Kit
Personality: Principled, Straightforward, Dogged, Erudite and Amiable.
Three Life Facts:
- Harold Duval III was a force to be reckoned with. Jack of all trades, Master of Everything, there was no enterprise he could not crack when he put his mind to it. Harold would go on to oversee the evolution of the Duval empire from an antiquated ammunitions enterprise with a small-time East Coast based newspaper to one of the top ranked conglomerates in the world. Duval Inc. has its corporate finger dipped in a number of different industry pots, beginning with the acquisition of one of the United States major television programing networks and ending in a number of different cable subsidiaries. Harold also managed to develop a number of exclusive contracts with the United States Military not only as its largest supplier of ammunitions but also in developing classified projects involving biological and nuclear warfare experiments. Considered almost a God among men by his subordinates, Harold Duvall III was shrewd, cutthroat, ambitious and resourceful, no mortal foe considered his equal. Harold Harry Duvall IV is, unfortunately, none of these things.
- Having gone big in all things in life, including his red meat dominated diet, Harold Duval III’s undoing would prove to be his own gluttony. Enter Harry Duval. No one was more convinced of Harold Duval’s immortality than his own namesake and eldest son, which may have been why Harry shirked the responsibility that comes with being the heir of a major international conglomerate for as long as he did. One minute Harry was enjoying a full-expense paid tour of Wine Country in Napa Valley, California one moment, then he was suddenly standing in front of his father’s board of Trustees with a deer-in-the-headlights expression the next. The transition of ownership has been compared to the blunder of Hal Steinbrenner inheriting the ownership of the New York Yankees from father George Steinbrenner postmortem. Even with his older sister managing the company’s media operations, Harry is completely overwhelmed and in over his head, his four-year-run as C.E.O. of Duval Inc. marred by mismanagement and a number of embarrassing business blunders.
- Harry Duval is, for all intents and purposes, a good man. A straight shooter through and through, Harry values honesty and loyalty above all things and has little patience for scheming and clever word speak. These qualities might be admirable in some circuits of life, but in business they make him a guppy in shark infested waters. To be fair, Harry’s painfully aware of his shortcomings, never desiring to fill his father’s impossible to fill shoes, preferring instead to contemplate business from a theoretical point of view than to actually practice its application in the real world. He was enjoying the life of a scholar at Stanford University before family duty called him home.
Relationships: TBD
Taken By: degausser
Played By: Henry Cavill

male son - AtomicEmpress

House of Barberini: If Kings derive their right to rule directly from the will of God, then it is the Barberini family with whom one might appeal to should they desire God’s favor. The Barberini’s come from relatively humble beginnings as wool and textile merchants and would come into their power during the 17th Century when one of their own was elevated to the Holy Throne in the Vatican. The Barberini’s would use their Papal influence to elevate the family and expand their influence from outside of Florence and Rome to the whole of Italy. Three popes and a countless number of Cardinals later and that influence still reigns today. There are two sides to every Berberini Family member: the side they show the public, which is the devout and almost archaically stuffy persona that suggests they would rather perform ritualistic flagellation than risk dirtying their pristine hands. And then there is the reality: the Barberini’s have maintained their power for as long as they have in large part because they are ruthless and cutthroat. Many a rival has found themselves on the wrong end of a pointed stiletto or choked to death on a seemingly innocuous cup of soup. Peel back the layers of Papal silk and you’ll discover their hands are just as black as anyone else’s, if not more.

Name: Sibel Barberini
Age: Thirty-One
Personality: Book Smart, Naive, Headstrong, Manipulative, and Adaptable
Three Life Facts:
- Sibel is much more than a typical Barberini daughter. Her loyalty is not tied up in a weak marriage package, nor is she defined by her beauty. In lieu of acting as a piece of meat and joining forces with a man, Sibel’s lifelong vows are to her work. A most amicable union from where she’s standing. Years of ceaseless striving have earned her the reputation of renowned counselor, a title verified by her wisdom and intelligence. Sibel’s studies of psychology and philosophy have placed her on a pedestal inspiring those in her presence to ask, “How high?” before daring to jump. It’s quite nice. Still, despite how the masses perceive her (which is exactly how she wants), Sibel isn’t a feminist longing to make a name for herself apart from the Barberini bloodline. Everything she’s done in life has been for her family. Knowledge is power.
- Three months ago, Sibel accepted a position as one of the King’s trusted advisors. Despite her family’s protests, she intends to use her eyes and ears to dethrone George and make her brother King. Blackmailing George shouldn’t be too difficult if Sibel plays her cards right. Intuition tells her he has his fair share of dirty little secrets, and everyone has heard the rumors about Charles’ demise and Prince Dean's sexuality. All she needs is one piece of solid evidence to strike. Once that’s obtained the rest will fall into place.
- Sibel has a bastard son somewhere in the world, but she wouldn’t know where to look. She’s not sure she’d even want to. When she was fifteen years old her uncle, a supposed ‘Man of God,’ violently raped her. Sibel refused to speak of the assault and (due to her small frame) was unaware a child has been conceived until six months later. Despite a botched abortion attempt, she gave birth alone on her bathroom floor. Sibel cut the cord, cleaned up all the blood, and snuck the infant away unnoticed. She dropped the sickly baby at an adoption center without a note and never looked back.
Relationships: TBD
Taken By: Captivating
Played By: Rebecca Ferguson

Name: Marcello Barberini
Age: 30
Theme Song: "Always Summer" - Yellowcard
Personality: Epicurean, narcissistic, insincere, flirtatious, brazen.
Three Life Facts:
- Marcello exemplifies the 'only child' trope so convincingly well, the actual existence of legitimate siblings may as well be of negligible significance. Though not the eldest of the Barberini lot, nor the cleverest, nor the most beautiful (debatable) nor most talented he happens to be the only male and in a predominantly patriarchal and traditional society, XY chromosomes are king. Not quite king. Pope. Duke. Try as his beloved mother and father might, enthusiastically, rigorously, and frequently—the Barberini lineage would sprout only Marcello, alongside a cool half-dozen sisters. Which was never a concern to him, Marcello was only happy to sit atop his polished ivory pedestal of favored only son, accepting attention and praise and the scrutinizing eye of his stringently pious father. The resulting narcissism was a given.
- As a boy he observed the devout, supposedly ‘virtuous’ behaviors expected of him, of a child born of the upper echelon of the Catholic faith, but precisely around the time he’d learned Santa Clause wasn’t real, he stopped believing in God. He went through the motions regardless, young and naïve but recognizing the futility of any alternative, choosing to pursue religion as less of an avenue for personal dogma and more as something worthy of scholarly consideration. It would, at least, serve to satisfy his father enough that when he wasn’t learning Hebrew and Aramaic or digging through old manuscripts to prove or disprove one theory or another, Marcello was permitted to seek out varying other private interests. And seek he would. He would begin with the arts, as any full-blooded Italian male might, working his way through music and theater and paintings and sculpture until eventually he’d gotten three tattoos and decided 'skin artistry' was as close as he’d get and moved on. Sexual exploration was a more gratifying journey, beginning at the awkward perilously young loss of virginity and culminating in a decision that maybe—like God—women weren’t actually his scene. That, like the tattoos, he kept to himself, mindful of his family’s saintly reputation but not the least bit ashamed of any of it.
- Marriage was a dubious act Marcello hadn’t been too keen on submitting to—despite being necessary, obviously, to continue the Barberini line—and he’d put up the token fight until the moment he’d met his would-be bride. Elisabetta Medici wasn’t nearly tall, muscular and testosterone-filled enough to suit his personal tastes but she was beautiful, like something straight out of a Bouguereau painting. They were wed days after their first meeting. Marcello came to care for her in time, not as a lover but as a sister, oddly more in tune with his moods and whims than any of the six Barberini women he wasn’t married to.
Relationships: Elisabetta Barberini (wife), Sibel Barberini (sister)
Taken By: winter soldier
Played By: Ben Barnes

Name: Elisabetta Barberini
Age: Twenty-Eight
Theme Song: Apres Moi by Regina Spektor
Personality: Devout, Shrewd, Beguiling, Selectively-Candid and Discerning.
Three Life Facts:
- Born Elisabetta Medici, Elisabetta was the fourth of seven born and might have been relegated to the typical obscurity and negligence her birth affords the quintessential “middle child” were it not for her striking looks and shrewd whit. Before marrying into the Barberini family, Elisabetta already enjoyed a significant amount of affluence, her family having held a prominent place in Italian economics and politics for well over six centuries now. The House of Medici rose to power in 14th century Florence, their trade being banking. With the construction of the Medici bank in the 15th century, they went on to become one of the wealthiest families in all of Europe. That wealth continues to this day, and Elisabetta’s father currently owns and runs the National Italian Bank, of which many private (and more notably political) institutions are indebted to.
- Similar to feudal Italy, many prominent Italian families seek to solidify various political alliances through marriage. The Barberini’s and Medici’s, having a long standing history of enmity in papal politics, sought to consolidate power in the Vatican and set old animosities to rest by joining their houses in marriage. Elisabetta was the lucky candidate. Tolerance was the best she could hope for with a man who seems generally disinterested in the fairer sex. That they enjoy the company of others outside their matrimonial contract is something each is aware of, though discretion is still observed for propriety’s sake.
- Elisabetta has a great appreciation for the arts and similar to the Medici’s of old, she has been known to ~~take to her bed~~ patron young up and coming artists. Her own artistic prowess is lesser known. Elisabetta is a very skilled pianist with a number of unpublished compositions under her belt. Music is her one and only love.
Relationships: TBD
Taken By: degausser
Played By: Roxane Mesquida

OTHER:

Name: Phoebe Warwick(-Stuart)
Age: 37
Theme Song: “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked” – Ida Maria
Personality: Purposeful, sentimental, charming, opportunistic, whimsical.
Three Life Facts:
- First impressions are not kind to Phoebe Warwick. Her origin story is well known by the English public, smeared across countless tabloids the day after her engagement to King George Stuart was officially announced—born a nobody, daughter of nobodies, in a nobody town known of by precisely nobody. Which, in itself, wasn’t enough to condemn her, because Cinderella had paved the way for the ‘humble beginnings, people’s Queen’ trope, and Phoebe was beautiful with an infectious, crooked smile, but her appearance wasn’t near enough to overcome the rest. Namely, that it was apparent from Day One of their ritualistic courtship that Phoebe was nothing but a social-climber. Cared not enough for England’s dreamy ginger King but for his position, his power, and the wealth he’d shower upon his beloved (third) Queen the moment after they’d exchanged their ‘I Do’s.’ Which was honestly true, in the beginning at least—Phoebe had no eye for love nor fairy tale romance, concerned only for being taken care of, enjoying a life of luxury, and looking absolutely fabulous in diamond-encrusted tiaras. That would change as all things do, with time, and a wedding ring, and a baby girl growing in her belly. But by the time her ‘I love yous’ grew to be genuinely heartfelt, Phoebe’s amorous embrace would be met with a neat stack of divorce papers, the confiscation of said wedding ring, and a ‘sorry about that, dear, but we need to make room for Queen #4. You can have Highgrove House.’
- In spite of it all, Phoebe isn’t bitter. No, really. Being a Queen is more than it’s cracked up to be, what with all the appearances, charity events, and the needy public hanging on your every word, then tearing you down for every misstep. Phoebe is perfectly well taken care of, maintaining a wealthy lifestyle courtesy of her darling ex-husband. She’s even building her own mini-fashion empire in her spare time, focusing her flawless taste on something other than spending the Crown’s funds. The label is still in its infancy, though boasts a spring line Anna Wintour herself shed a single perfect tear over, it’s no doubt Phoebe has found her perfect niche. Occasionally, though, she does miss her ex-husband, his ~~package~~ attention, and all of those beautiful tiaras. And her daughter, too. Naturally.
- Like any wealthy woman of moderate appeal, Phoebe has been known to cavort about with younger men. Never seriously, of course, because in some small way she’s still rather fond of the man who ditched her the second she thought she might be in love with him. Just casually, enough that TMZ has devoted a weekly/bimonthly column to ‘which hot dude Lady Phoebe is frolicking about the beaches of St. Tropez with this time CLICK TO SEE.’
Relationships: tba
Taken By: winter soldier
Played By: Jaime Murray

Reserved PBs/Characters:
dreamboat - Emily Blunt
Captivating - James Tupper

Game Rules:
1. This game is kind of in the spirit of a modern day Game of Thrones, and as such characters will probably die and potentially face brutal deaths. If you no longer desire to play a character you have created and would like to volunteer them for a death, I'm sure one of us would be happy to oblige.
2. This is a mature game for mature writers. Mature things will happen.
3. One boy and girl to start off with, please. After that I will not enforce it unless we need to even out the ratio of genders.
4. Be polite and respectful of one another.

Profile:
Name:
Age:
Theme Song: Optional
Personality: Five adjectives
Three Life Facts: Three life facts involving their history, interests, relevant connections and any other information you feel might be useful.
Relationships:
Taken By: You
Played By: Name and picture.

degausser · 02-01-2015, 11:28 PM

More random information to be added here.

A note on the King: I would very much like the King to have a large extensive family for the sake of potential succession drama. I will be pulling a page out of Henry VIII's book and start him off on his third or fourth wife. At least one of his former queens will have been executed for convenient treason reasons. I would love for him to have a couple of children from different marriages and I wouldn't mind a mistress and bastard children for him as well. If anyone's interested in playing younger siblings with ambitions to take the crown, I'm also very much down for that. The more succession drama, the better.

The titles used by each of the family members:
The Stuart Family: King, Queen, Prince, Princess for the immediate family. The eldest son of the ruling Monarch holds the title of “Duke of Cornwall.”

The FitzJames Family: The head of the family holds the title of “Duke or Duchess of FitzJames.” If someone wants to play the head of the Spanish branch, they would hold the title “Duke or Duchess of Berwick.”

The Barberini Family: If any are serving in the Papal Court, they would be Cardinals. I’m totally making this up now, but the head of the family will have the title of “Duke or Duchess of Monterontondo” which was an actual Duchy they held in the 17th century.

The Duval Family gets no titles because they are silly, unsophisticated Americans. Sorry.

Feel free to use other titles from the British Peerage for any characters you make not connected to the four families mentioned.

Family Histories for your convenience:
For reference purposes, I am going to say the history of each of the families largely remains the same up until the 17th/18th century, by which I pretty much made things up from there for the sake of the fact that the game is set in an AU universe. You can read their wikis in the links below.

House of Stuart
The Barberini family
House of FitzJames

winter soldier · 02-01-2015, 11:32 PM

The Duvals sound very similar to the Starks (a la Marvel). Now I'm tempted to make a Tony-like character.

Spot, of course. Not sure who yet.

degausser · 02-01-2015, 11:39 PM

You should totes make a Tony Stark type character. I support that whole heartedly.

If anyone needs any character ideas, I'm contemplating doing a Kingmaker's Daughter type plot with my Sophie Turner character. She would be the daughter of the man who helped put the current King's father on the throne originally ... or helps to keep the current King on the thrones.

PM me if interested.

winter soldier · 02-02-2015, 12:17 AM

For now I'm going to stake my claim on one of the King's children (M, PB: Taron Egerton), the Duval patriarch (probably Tony Stark), a miscellaneous female (PB: Emily Blunt) who might be a member of the english press (or might not), and possibly a FitzJames of unknown gender.

Captivating · 02-02-2015, 07:21 AM

I like what you've done here, Letty. Bravo.

I'll take the female head of the FitzJames family along with a member of House Barberini and House Stuart. I'm not sure what the roles of the last two should be or what's needed/desired so advisement would be most appreciated.

For now, save me James Tupper/Jamie Dornan as male PBs (can't decide) and Rebecca Ferguson and Bellamy Young as female PBs.

degausser · 02-02-2015, 04:57 PM

Yeeeey! I've updated the first post with your requests.

So, as it stands:
1. James's first wife was an arranged marriage that he set aside upon falling head over heals for wife 2. She is probably still living and enjoying a comfortable life in the London countryside somewhere.
2. Wife #2 lost her head due to being far too ambitious and a "protestant sympathizer."
3. Wife #3 probably just bored him, and was replaced when he fell for wife #4.
4. ... who I imagine is probably as young as his oldest son and somewhat dimwitted/inexperienced/easy to manipulate.

If anyone, you know ... needs character ideas.

Name: King George IV
Age: Forty-Five
Theme Song: Arsonist’s Lullaby by Hozier
Personality: Capricious, Audacious, Volatile, Cagey and Prurient.
Three Life Facts:
- The years leading up to the usurpation of the FitzJames throne in 1969 had been marked with scheming and bloodshed George Stuart was fortunate enough to never know, though he had heard plenty of retellings in his youth. George Stuart IV came into the world four years after the Stuart line reclaimed the English throne, and grew up in a period of relative peace and prosperity, a fact he largely took for granted. As the second born son, he was never expected to ascend to the English throne. Charles Stuart had been groomed for the ascension since birth, but his memory of being in a perpetual state of fear as the family moved around the country in the years leading up to their uprising made him a prudent and timid man in the end. Weak and easily pliable were other words for it; words that George threw around carelessly and antagonistically during Charles short two year reign following the death of their father.
- The first campaign made by the FitzJames family to retake the throne is said to have claimed Charles’s life, but in truth it was deliberately poor counseling that resulted in his fatal misstep. Several members of Charles’s cabinet felt similarly to George, that their King’s prudency left England vulnerable. Charles’s death was convenient for all save for maybe the FitzJames’s, and upon leaving his wife behind childless, the throne was left vacant for a stronger and more assertive Stuart to claim. Few would openly suggest that George actively participated in the plot that lead to his brother’s death, but the fact that most of his brother’s advisors were retained upon his coronation speaks for itself. During the twenty-one years of his reign, George has successfully and swiftly squashed two attempts made to usurp his throne. There are a number of political enemies currently serving as “guests” in the Tower of London, including the patriarch of the FitzJames family and several more beyond that who are short a head.
- George is notoriously fickle, a man difficult to please in mind, spirit and body. He has always demanded absolute and unconditional loyalty from family and advisors alike, the smallest of criticisms perceived as intolerable slights against his person and evidence of possible treason. One would think that a perpetual state of fear of displeasing the King would provoke unrest and hostility within his court, but George has always been charismatic enough to make new friends whenever necessary. Those who enjoy his favor are bequeathed with the unending charity and privilege of a generous king who gives often and freely, but what the King giveth, the King can also taketh away. Navigating his mercurial moods is often a game in and of itself. His queens are perhaps the most notorious example of how quickly someone can lose his favor. Four times married, two times divorced and once windowed, the women in George’s life know that the best way to keep his attentions and their heads is to keep quiet and make sure his eye doesn’t wander too far. Which it always does. Like, all the time, in fact. He might have a problem actually.
Relationships: TBD
Taken By: degausser
Played By: Michael Fassbender

DingosAteYurBaby · 02-02-2015, 11:40 PM

Hey guys. My time has freed up a bit. Looking to get back in the swing of things if you'll have me.

I'd like to take a male heir to the Stuart throne and a female daughter of the FitzJames clan.

winter soldier · 02-02-2015, 11:44 PM

Welcome back to the fray!

degausser · 02-03-2015, 04:45 PM

Of course we will absolutely have you! Welcome back.

I've updated the first post.

A little new information regarding both the Stuarts and the FitzJames's.

Libby's Jamie Dornan is going to be from James's second marriage and he's twenty-five. So the heir will need to be at least a year or so older than him. I can see him having his first born as young as 18, so you'll be looking at about the 27 year range. If you wanted to go a little older, I don't mind switching out my PB to age him up a bit (I don't think Fassy can pass for much older than I have him at). Let me know. I don't mind potentially changing.

Regarding the FitzJames's: Libby and I determined that the male patriarch is currently a political prisoner, so her female character will be the head of the family. This is mentioned briefly in James's profile, but in case people missed it I thought I'd mention it here.

I also made Sophie Turner a FitzJames.

winter soldier · 02-03-2015, 04:48 PM

I'm shuffling my characters around a bit. For now, all I can really say is I'm using Emily Blunt. For someone.

degausser · 02-03-2015, 04:56 PM

What about Tony Stark?

winter soldier · 02-03-2015, 05:08 PM

Maybe, maybe not. I'm having trouble seeing where he might fit in with all of this.

degausser · 02-03-2015, 05:14 PM

He is the main supplier of military weapons and ammunitions to either the Stuarts or FitzJames's? He's instrumental in helping James to maintain some semblance of a "good image" with the public, because lord knows his personal antics with his wives/philandering/unlawful imprisonment and just in general not being at ALL down with social media trying to invade his personal space doesn't help him one bit?

Maybe he plays both sides, helping James with his image but secretly supplying the FitzJames's? Trying to marry one of his kids into either family, who cares, so long as they gain a title in the end?

degausser · 02-03-2015, 05:15 PM

I just realized I named the King James and the rival family is FitzJames.

This could be confusing.

Obviously I have to change it now.


Fan Forum > Archived General Discussion > Role Playing > Basilikon Doron: An AU Modern Monarchy MYOC Game