♚ House of Delacroix - A Historical RP

House of Delacroix ​

The year is 1771. You are a part of King Phillipe XIV's court, either royalty or nobility, and you've been faced with two choices: 1. Remain loyal to the king, or 2. Revolt against his rule. Sounds simple enough, right?

Unfortunately, no, it isn't that simple. By remaining loyal to the king you are remaining ignorant of or supporting his oppressive rule, but by rebelling against him, you risk annexation, or even death, for disagreeing with him. Even neutrality at this point seems to be dangerous.

Thousands, if not millions, of commoners are struggling with poverty, hunger, and disease. Debt in the country is high, food prices are high, and taxes are high. Many look up to the recently independent nation of Colonia, whose common people dictate their own government. Still, the kingdom seems to grow richer, their mansions larger, fashion more elaborate, parties more lavish, and eating habits more gluttonous by the year. Even worse is how oblivious some nobles are to the growing problem of poorness.

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Founded in 1530 by Jean IV, the House of Delacroix is the ruling family of the Kingdom of Fontaine, one of the most powerful nations in the continent of Avrupa. Other countries on the continent include the Nemse-Ogyer Empire, Rosainian Empire, and the kingdoms of Tutonia, Hespera, Lassi, Pryton, and Pola.

The other continents are Aoia, Yafren, Sajal, and the Erigos. Avrupans have colonized the Erigos, forming their own nations and colonial territories, but leaving very little sympathy for those native to the Erigos. Aoia is a very large, diverse continent with many different empires and tribal groups. Some of the Rosainian Empire extends into this, while the Aoian empire of Osman extends into parts of Avrupa (and Yafren). Yafren, like Aoia, is very diverse and covers a very large space. There are many small kingdoms within it, some based on foreign empires, others more traditional, and other areas colonized by Avrupans. Last, is the continent of Sajal. Similar to the Erigos, as it was 'discovered' by Avrupans and is inhabited by aboriginal peoples, it is undergoing a movement of colonization by the Kingdom of Pryton.

Overall, there are many countries outside of Avrupa, but this role play will take place there. It is based off of real events in late 1700's France. Avrupa is Europe; Rosainia is Russia, Nemse-Ogyer is the Austrian-Hungarian Empire/the Holy Roman Empire, Tutonia is Prussia, Hespera is Spain/Portugal, Lassi is pre-unified Italy, Pryton is the Kingdom of Great Britain, Pola is Poland, and the Osman Empire is the Ottoman Empire. The other continents, Aoia, Yafren, Sajal, and the Erigos are Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas (respectively).

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Rules​

> ALL BYC rules apply.
> PM your forms to me; do not role play until I accept it.
> No god-modding. In fights, only one blow per-post; wounds don't heal instantly.
> Be realistic. People did not have neon emo hair back then, women wore long skirts, names like "Evlyn" or "Ravyn" or "Jaylyn" did not exist, your character cannot be a flying half-cat geisha, etc.
> Only make as many characters as you can handle.
> Please don't make this entire RP about romance. It can be a part of it, but it's not the main plot.
> Women characters are important, but men are as well. Please try keep the population about 50/50.
> No explicit scenes. You know what I mean.
> No one-liners. Try to be creative
> Finally, I'm going to be holding people up to higher standers here. Try to make rounded, realistic characters, use your best grammar and spelling, and so on.

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Ranks​

King ("his Majesty") : The hereditary ruler of a kingdom. Typically male, but some females may reign as "Queen regnant". There is a line of heirs behind him, his oldest son, or if not available, his oldest brother or grandson and so on. If no male heirs exist, a female heir will be chosen in the same line.
Queen Consort ("her Majesty"): The wife of the king. She has little to know say in the king's rule, but it is typically an honor to hold this title. Consorts are not chosen by the king himself, but rather, by an adviser or his parents and usually while he is still a prince. The queen, like many other non-relatives of the court, is usually a noble or princess from another kingdom.
Prince/ss ("his/her Serene Highness"; or if foreign, "his/her Highness"): The son/daughter or brother/sister of a king. Some Princes or Princesses from other kingdoms may live here, too, particularly if they are marrying one of the king's prince/sses, coming for education or diplomatic purposes, etc.
Duke ("his Excellency"): The highest ranking peers of the king, and the highest rank a man of the nobility class can receive. Their wives are called Duchesses. Some Dukes may also be related to the king. There are many Dukes, but only a select few are allowed to live with the king.
Knight ("Sir"): Unlike medieval knights who rode around in steel armor, a knight of this age has won the honorary title by doing the country a high service. He is considered an aristocrat or noble rather than royalty. Like the Duke, there are many Knights but only can live with the king.
Other nobles, aristocrats, and courtiers ("his Lordship"/"her Ladyship"): Several non-specific folks of the court. They are all of high birth and only the most important are expected to be a part of the king's court.
Diplomat ("Lord"): An aristocrat who represents the Kingdom of Fontaine. His wife is called a "Lady".
Foreign dignitaries, ambassadors, royalty, etc.: A noble, aristocrat, diplomat, or royal from another nation.
Valets/Ladies-in-Waiting: Courtiers, usually young adults, who are assigned to serve the royalty or higher nobles. Unlike normal maids, they dress, accompany, make minor arrangements and are generally in closer contact to the people they serve.
Mistress: Because the king's marriage is arranged and not always desirable, he often chooses other ladies of the court to be with him. Although it is considered a great honor for a woman to be a Mistress by the king, others may frown upon it. The king's favorite is called "Madame".
Maids, servants, cooks, gardeners, artists, stable-hands, governesses, etc.: Courtiers and aristocrats of lower rank, usually those who do the dirty work.

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Fashion​

In real life, fashion was a big deal in the 1770's. This is also true for Fontaine and the rest of Avrupa.

For women, there are three main styles of dress. The robe a la francaise is a gown with loose pleats hanging down the back, like a cape, while its counterpart is the robe a l'anglaise, which has a fitted back. The Brunswick gown consists of a jacket with tight sleeves and a hood, with a matching skirt. To maintain a fashionable silhouette, stays (corsets) and side hoops are worn under the dress. Stays are long, reaching from under the armpit to the upper hips, reinforced with whale bones, and encourage good posture by pushing the shoulders back slightly. They are laced tightly, but normally not until the point of discomfort. Side hoops support the over gown's petticoats and give the illusion of large hips. Hair is curled, frizzed, and placed high atop the head, sometimes with the help of hair pieces. It may be either left natural or gelled and powdered white/gray.

Men's dress isn't any less elaborate. A long, mid-thigh length coat is worn over a waistcoat and breeches with stockings. Shirts worn under waistcoats typically have gathered, lace-edged sleeves. Fabric used for coats is usually fine. For formal occasions, a white powdered wig is worn, curled and tied back. The same can be done with one's own natural hair, either powdered or un-powdered.

Court/formal dress for both men and women is stiff and overly adorned. Women's large skirts force them to stand before the king, and men and women's hair or wigs are tall and very carefully made up. Fine imported silks and brocades cannot be washed, so the wearer must take extra precaution not to dirty their court clothes. Embroidery, jewelry, pearls, hats, flowers, canes and shoes with heels were popular accessories.

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Map(s)​

Coming soon!

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Form​

*Name:
Gender:
Age:
Rank:
Loyalist or Rebel?:
Spouse:
Personality:
**Appearance:
History:
Other:
Username:

*Kings, Queens, Prince/Princesses do not have surnames. Relatives who are non-princes/queens will use the surname "d'Croix". Also, if you are making a Duke/Duchess, I will assign you a title (ex; "Duke of ____").
**No pictures, please. Try to make a detailed description.

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Character Page​

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/house-of-delacroix-character-page
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( I'll have my characters finished soon, too. )

 

( Thank you! And yes. )

 

Anyone's welcome to join! ))

 

The Queen's space is open, if anyone's interested. I'll start the role play itself tomorrow. ))

 

Sure! ))

 

( Ahaha, you're right, I completely blanked it. Thanks for reminding me. )