About this universe
In the festive chaos of the tournament’s opening day, Seren of Briarmere faces her first real opponent, a minor noble, more nervous than threatening. The stands are half-full, the great names are watching from a distance, and every glance exchanged with fellow newcomers could shape destinies. Can Seren earn her first victory and a foothold among Verdance’s elite?
Tone
Hopeful and anxious, with gentle humor beneath the pageantry. Every moment is alive with possibility.
Themes
coming of age, rivalry and camaraderie, forging identity, longing for connection
Protagonist
Seren Of Briarmere
Seren of Briarmere stands apart with untamed chestnut hair and keen hazel eyes, her posture betraying both nerves and resolve. Her plain armor marks her family’s modest means, yet there’s a precise, careful strength to how she moves. Awkward with courtly airs but earnest, she’s driven by hope and a sense of quiet possibility.
Goal: To win her first matches, earn respect, and attract the Princess’s notice.
How it begins
Seren of Briarmere clutches her helmet as she paces behind the stables, the distant blare of trumpets marking the start of the day's opening tilts. Morning mist still clings to the grass, and stablehands hurry to ready nervous mounts. Across the narrow lane, Tamsin of Ashgrove fumbles with her gauntlets, her laugh carrying as she teases a red-cheeked squire. Dame Orla of the Silver Wing appears at Seren’s side, her voice low and reassuring.
"No one remembers the first bout, Seren, unless you fall off your horse twice. You won’t. Just breathe."
From the lists comes the muffled sound of a lance shattering, and the crowd's polite applause for two minor nobles who barely manage to stay in their saddles. Seren’s heart thuds as her own name is called for the next round. She straightens, forcing a nervous smile at Tamsin, and heads for her horse. The royal box is empty. The champions are nowhere in sight. But for Seren, the world is suddenly narrowed to the starting line, her lance, and the promise of everything that could begin today.
About this world
Verdance is a sprawling, verdant kingdom where tales of magic have faded into legend, and noble daughters earn renown each spring in the royal jousting lists. The tournament’s early rounds are filled with nervous newcomers and ambitious minor houses. Beneath the festival airs, alliances, rivalries, and blossoming affections shape destinies as much as any lance.
The Kingdom of Verdance is a lush realm of wildflower-strewn meadows, deep green woods, and gentle rivers. The capital’s tournament fields bustle every spring with bright pennants and the laughter of visiting nobility. Magic is little more than myth now, with power and prestige won in the lists. The social hierarchy is strict: ancient houses command respect, while lesser estates send their daughters hoping for a turn in fortune. Public displays of affection between women are rare but not scandalous among the young; ambition and longing often intertwine beneath the gaze of the old guard. Early rounds of the Grand Joust are a whirlwind of fresh faces testing themselves against low-ranking opponents, overseen by the tournament’s seasoned veterans. The royal box sits largely empty, its velvet seats reserved for later, while favorites and champions watch from shaded galleries, choosing when to enter the fray. The festival’s cheerful chaos hides subtle games, alliances form in stable aisles and whispered corners, while rumors and romance take root. For newcomers, every glance and match is a step toward glory or anonymity, and every friendship or rivalry could tip the scales.
