"Wake up," said a low voice.

The prince blinked awake, confused. His bedchambers were still dark, no candles were lit. The curtains had been drawn, though, allowing in light from the yellowed moon. Thin clouds arched above and below it, giving it the look of a monstrous, glaring eye. A disapproving look from God.

"Get up, Athalus," said the low voice again. The prince turned to find the wizard, Salazar, leaning over his bed, his gaunt face framed by black hair streaked with silver. 

"What are you-?" asked the prince, but the wizard grabbed him by the nightshirt and dragged him upright with surprising strength.

"We don't have time," said Salazar, "We have to get out of the palace."

The prince felt a prickle of fear crawl up his neck.

"What has happened? Where is Ranar?" he asked.

"Ranar is dead. And the rest of your guard," said the wizard, "Your father will be dead before long. You must come with me." 

"How?" gasped the prince.

"Your uncle has returned."

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Basic idea here is a the legitimate heir to the throne is on the run from his usurper uncle. Players will form the party around the prince- his body guard, advisors, friends, etc- as he flees from the assassins of the usurper and plots his next move. Raise a rebellion? Contract with mercenaries to take back his throne? Ally with a foreign power? Court the Dark Powers in a quest for revenge?

This would be an original fantasy setting we'd flesh out as we'd play. 

I'd like for a player who is [i]not[/i] me to play the prince himself (or princess herself, the scene above is not set in stone, just window dressing. This RP can be called crownless queen!). I'd also like to work out backstory between many of the characters as part of the process of creating Character Sheets, since some- perhaps most- of the characters would have been in the orbit of the royal court in one way or another.

Any takers?