In the kingdom of Tir Arandor, peace with the Fae realm is a fragile thread woven after centuries stained by bloodshed and mistrust; the tenuous truce between humans and Fae rests on the shoulders of a weary king who has fought to forge a treaty in the hopes of a better future. But danger looms on the horizon, and many wish to see the kingdom plunged back into war.
Youâve grown up in the heart of the palace, raised by your mother, the kingâs personal guard and dearest friend who has sacrificed everything to ensure his vision becomes reality. By your side has always been Taryn, the spare, the second-born of the royal family, and your closest friend. Now, as Taryn approaches their twentieth nameday, a grand tournament is set to determine who will act as their protector. Winning means securing your place as their guardian, but failure could leave Taryn vulnerable to the threats lurking in the shadows.
Win the tournament and secure your place at the Taryn's side, but your trials have only just begun. Dark forces are conspiring against the royal family and only you can uncover the plot. Your choices will determine the fate of both worlds.
Will you be the shield that holds back the storm, or the spark that ignites the fires of war?
The game is 18+ for the presence of sexual scenes, violence, gore, abuse, and death.
Throughout your time in Tir Arandor, you'll be able to bond with other characters.
Some things to note:
All ROs are playersexual. Meaning you can romance them no matter what your gender is.
You can be Asexual
All explicit scenes can be skipped.
These relationships will span over multiple years, and the ages listed are the characters' ages during their 'commitment' scene.
The (current) poly option is Taryn/MC/Ali
Taryn - They/Them
Taryn, the second-born of the royal family, is a whirlwind of laughter and energy in a world that often feels too serious. With a sharp wit and a playful spirit, they bring a sense of joy to the stifling halls of Tir Arandor. But behind their humorous facade lies a deep struggle. Often called "The Spare," Taryn yearns for change, craving the freedom to carve their own path, yet they often feel powerless and trapped by the weight of their birthright.
While their father supports Taryn's whimsical nature, their older brotherâLucianâwatches with a mix of exasperation and concern. He carries the expectations of the kingdom on his shoulders and often finds Taryn's antics annoying, even as he understands the pressure they both face. As the responsibility of royal duty looms closer, Taryn finds themselves torn between their desire to be true to themselves and the role they must eventually embrace. Will you stand by Taryn as they navigate the treacherous waters of court life? Or will your growing feelings for them complicate their journey towards destiny?
Rhiannon - She/Her
Rhiannon is a formidable presence within the castle, a wall of strength and discipline as the best swordsman in Tir Arandor. With her striking red hair and unwavering focus, she commands respect in every training session and fight. But behind her stoic facade lies a heart riddled with doubts and fears that she dares not show. As the oldest child of the castle blacksmith, Rhiannon has trained tirelessly to prove herself worthy of respectânot just from the court but from the family she fiercely protects.
Her loyalty to Taryn and the royal family runs deep, and she would lay down her life to fulfill her duty. However, earning her respect is no easy feat; she expects nothing less than absolute dedication from herself and those around her. If you can break through her defenses, the bond you forge will be unbreakable, and she may be your greatest ally or your most formidable opponent. Will you help her confront the fears that haunt her, or will your growing feelings complicate her already tumultuous world?
Lirien- He/Him
Lirien sweeps into the court of Tir Arandor like a whisper of wind through the Shadowbloom. Playful, charismatic, and brimming with secrets, he quickly becomes a figure of intrigue and danger. As the Fae ambassador, Lirien carries with him the weight of Val'Arathâs mysteries, never revealing more than he chooses to. His motives are as elusive as his smile, and his every word dances between truth and deception as he balances the unpredictability of Human/Fae relations.
Despite his light-hearted demeanor, Lirien is anything but careless. Thereâs an edge to his charm, and his playful flirtations are laced with a deeper, more dangerous game. Will you risk getting closer to him, knowing the secrets he keeps could unravel everything? A relationship with Lirien may be intoxicating, but the price of his affection could be higher than you imagine.
Morgan - Female/NB (maybe)
Morgan serves as the apprentice to the kingâs magic advisor, quietly mastering the arcane arts within the castleâs stone walls. With an analytical mind and a keen understanding of magical theory, Morgan is often reserved, preferring the company of dusty tomes and ancient scrolls to the political intrigues of the court. Their distant demeanor hides a fierce intellect and a deep curiosity about the worldâand about you.
While their loyalty to the crown is unwavering, Morgan is not without ambition. They seek knowledge and power, but also connection, something deeper that may lie beyond the realms of conventional magic. Your relationship with Morgan could blossom into a powerful bond, though magic always comes with a price. Will you explore the mysteries of the arcane together, or will the secrets they guard come between you?
Sorin - Selectable
Quiet, kind, and ever watchful, Sorin has devoted their life to healing others. As the castleâs healer, their days are spent mending wounds and tending to the sick. They rarely speak of their own pain, preferring to pour their energy into helping those in need. With healing magic that requires as much strength as it does compassion, they stand as a beacon of calm in the midst of the courtâs chaos.
But behind their gentle smiles lies a deeper hurtâone theyâve kept hidden for years. Will you be the one to earn their trust and help them confront the scars they carry? A relationship with Sorin/Sylvie is one of patience and empathy, requiring you to look past their exterior and discover the resilient heart that beats beneath.
Ali - Selectable
Alister/Alista (Ali) is the person chosen to marry Taryn, a union forged out of political necessity rather than love. The ninth born to a distant noble house with a reputation for ambition, theyâve been raised to fulfill the expectations of the court. Graceful, intelligent, and always composed, they are well aware of the duties that come with their position. While they seem resigned to their fate, thereâs a quiet yearning beneath the surfaceâwhether itâs for freedom from their obligations or a deeper connection with Taryn, even they may not fully understand.
As the royal betrothal takes shape, your arrival throws everything into question. Will you challenge the expectations placed upon them or help forge a lasting bond with Taryn thatâs more than mere politics?
So the depression hit me like most creatives, but never fear! I havenât given up on this. Thank you to the folks who have sent me kind asks, I really appreciate it.
The folks who sent me rude, demanding, and entitled asks can get bent.
To be honest life hasnât really afforded me a spare ten minutes to even read any IFs let alone write mine. But Iâm going to try and make some headway this summer. Thank you for sticking around, and for caring about this little passion project of mine.
How come Taryn didnât come to resent MC like Lucian did ? Does Cailen favor MC over Lucian and Taryn because MC is Jeyras child or is it deeper than that ?
Taryn and MC are basically raised together, Caelin makes MC Tarynâs companion (they follow Taryn to their lessons and are meant be a friend, but itâs up to MC if thatâs true friendship or just their job). If MC were a bastard this would be a typical role for them. Caelin is closer to Taryn as well. Lucian takes after his mother in personality (which Caelin canât stand) and she has more influence over him.
Caelin is in love with Jeyra, he looks at MC and he wants them to be his child. All heâs ever wanted is to be with Jeyra, heâd give up the throne if that would win her heart, but Jeyra sees him as a brother. Heâs satisfied with what they have, but his love for MCs mom also includes them.
You ever find out the love of your life is pregnant (which should not be possible) and go on a journey of self-destruction because the act of creation is something you donât feel worthy of?
Oh man can we get a short of Isolde walking in on Cailen and Jeyra playing with a laughing baby MC ? I want ALL THE ANGST đ
Ps. Iâve sent a couple asks that werenât answered which I am in no way complaint about because Iâm assuming the answer would be in spoiler territory but if the ask itself doesnât contain any spoilers for the IF would it be ok if you just answered with âI canât answer this cause itâs spoilersâ or something along those lines ? Just so me and any others have the knowledge of whatâs ok to ask and whatâs currently off limits.
Hey howdy hey! Its not a slight against you or the other anons. I've just had a lot of things going on. But I hope this apology will suffice.
The sunlight poured through the tall windows of the Kingâs chambers, its warmth doing little to dispel the chill in the air. Isolde pushed open the heavy oak door, baby Taryn nestled in her arms, their soft babbling a stark contrast to the storm brewing in her chest. She had come looking for Caelin, intending to discuss their eldest, Lucian. Instead, she found something that made her steps falter.
Caelin sat on the edge of a low bench, his golden hair illuminated by the sunlight. Beside him, Jeyra knelt on the plush carpet, holding the tiny hands of a laughing baby. Caelinâs gloves lay discarded on the bench beside him, his bare hands supporting the babyâs arms as they tottered unsteadily toward him.
The sight stopped Isolde in her tracks.
Caelinâalways so cold, so distant, even with her and their childrenâhad removed his gloves. His hands, the hands he only showed under obligation, rested lightly on the childâs tiny shoulders. His expression was soft, an unguarded smile gracing his lips as he murmured encouragement. Jeyra chuckled, her usual steely demeanor softened into something almost maternal as she steadied the baby.
The air grew heavy.
âCaelin.â Isoldeâs voice cut through the laughter, cold and sharp.
The warmth drained from the room. Caelinâs smile vanished instantly, his body stiffening. Jeyraâs hands instinctively moved to pull the baby closer, her expression hardening as she rose to her feet.
âWhat,â Isolde began, her voice trembling, âis the meaning of this?â
âIsoldeââ Caelin started, his voice calm, but she didnât let him finish.
âDonât you dare,â she hissed, taking a step forward. âDonât you dare try to explain this away.â
Her eyes flicked to Jeyra, who now cradled the baby against her hip. The sight burned like acid.
âThis⊠this is why you refuse to hold Lucian?â she spat, her voice rising. âYou couldnât even touch your own son without gloves, but thisââ she pointed at the baby in Jeyraâs arms, her hand tremblingââthis child is different?â
Caelin stood slowly, his expression carefully blank. âItâs not what you think.â
âItâs exactly what I think, I'm not stupid!â Isolde snapped, her voice cracking. Taryn whimpered in her arms, their small hands gripping her gown, but she barely noticed. âYou wonât touch me. You wonât touch our children. But youâll do this?â She gestured wildly at Jeyra and the baby, her fury barely contained.
âIs this child yours?â she demanded, her eyes blazing. âTell me, Caelin. Is this bastard yours?â
For a moment, there was silence. Caelinâs gaze flicked to Jeyra who gave a small shake of her head, then to the baby, then back to Isolde.
âDoes it matter?â he said quietly, his voice devoid of emotion.
Isoldeâs breath hitched. âDoes itââ She choked on her words, her free hand curling into a fist. âHow dare you. How dare you!â
She crossed the room in a blur of motion, Taryn balanced carefully in one arm as she lashed out with the other. Her hand struck Caelinâs cheek with a sharp crack that echoed in the room.
Caelin didnât flinch. He didnât raise a hand to stop her, nor did he retaliate. He simply stood there, the faint redness blooming on his cheek the only evidence of the blow.
âYou disgust me,â Isolde spat, tears streaming down her face. âYou have a sonâa son who idolizes you, who would give anything for a scrap of your attentionâand you give this instead? This is what youâve chosen? To play happy family with her?â
Jeyra shifted, her body tense but still, her arms tightening around the baby she held. The child whimpered, their tiny hands clutching at Jeyraâs tunic.
âEnough, Isolde,â Caelin said softly, his voice steady but tinged with weariness.
âEnough?â Isoldeâs voice rose again, incredulous. âYouâve denied me everything. Youâve denied Lucian and Taryn everything. And now Iâm supposed to accept this? Without so much as an explanation?â
She shook her head, her voice dropping to a bitter whisper. âYouâll never admit it, will you? Youâll never tell me the truth. Because you canât even give me that, the dignity of knowing I married a cruel man.â
Taryn began to cry, the tension and raised voices overwhelming the babe. Isolde tightened her grip on them and stepped back, her eyes burning into Caelinâs.
âI hope you rot in the happiness youâve created,â she hissed before turning on her heel and storming out, her sobbing child held tightly against her chest.
The door slammed shut behind her, leaving silence in its wake.
Jeyra glanced at Caelin, her expression unreadable. âYou should have told her.â
âShe wouldnât have believed me,â Caelin said quietly, sinking back onto the bench. He picked up his gloves and slipped them on, his hands trembling slightly.
The baby in Jeyraâs arms sniffled, their cries fading into soft whimpers as she rocked them gently. âAnd Lucian? You need to build the bridge before he falls into the chasm his mother is dragging him into. Both of your heirs need a father.â she asked after a moment.
Caelinâs shoulders tensed. âI donât know how to fix it,â he admitted, his voice barely audible.
Jeyra didnât respond. She turned and left the room, the baby still cradled against her, leaving Caelin alone with the heavy silence and the ghost of Isoldeâs fury lingering in the air.
