Succession - A Hetalia fanfic audio drama
Project Overview
What if Prussia hadn't just let Austria go after their first battle? What if he'd pressed forth towards Vienna to take the entire country? Based on the Austrian War of Succession, a darker twist on what could have happened when Maria Theresa became Archduchess of Austria.
A fanfic reading of the Hetalia fanfiction I made about the War of Austrian Succession. There will be four chapters, off-screen violence, angst, and ultimately, a semi-happy ending.
Link to the fic: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12852228/1/Succession
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The most important non-voice role. I need someone to put the audio together with a photo or something to make it into a video I can upload to youtube. I'll credit you, send you the finished audio and the picture via email. Thank you. The audio shouldn't lose quality after being made into a video.
Say something you think would fit
The most important role in the entire project. You must have a good microphone and be able to record long pieces. If you have any pronunciation issues, ask me.
There will be description of injuries in the final chapter, but not super graphic.
(From Chapter 1) Even this close to death, his fingers still held the traces of warmth she held so near. The sheets were drawn up over his chest, and in his right hand he held a handkerchief which had once been white, but now was stained red with the blood the King had coughed up. His other hand held that of his daughter, whose cerulean eyes bled her grief in clear droplets, dripping down her pale cheeks, tainting them a faint rose.
(From Chapter 2) The white-skinned demon whose hair was ashen like smoke, and whose eyes were red as the fires of Hell. The creature whose lips stretched into an almost inhumanly wide grin, and whose nasally cackle rang out like a choir of nightmare creatures. His crimson cape waved in the wind as he approached, his eyes sweeping over the piles of bodies either dead or dying, and the soldier felt his heart stop when those bloodthirsty eyes fell upon him.
(From Chapter 4) Her beautiful nation. How could this have happened to her lovely, darling nation, so precious and pure, who didn't deserve any of this suffering? But he had gone through it all... for her. Theresa sniffled, her eyes watering. She leaned forward, carefully pulling Austria close, not wanting him to see her tears, but he knew she was crying. He always knew.
Charles VI was 55 when he died. He is only in chapter one, and he's on the verge of dying the entire time. There is no record of how he spoke, but he was a noble, so he had a more upper-class sound to his voice. A Viennese accent is appreciated, but since not many people know what that sounds like, I'll settle for a more aristocratic German accent. He should sound fatherly and kind, gentle, and also fragile since he is currently dying of Death Cap poisoning, but not brittle like an old man. He is 50, not 80.
(Gentle but firm) Don't speak, just listen: you must protect this land as I have. You must love it as deeply as you love yourself. Raise it up, keep it from suffering. Protect its people.
(Reassuring, gentle) You can. And you will. Everyone will support you. But in the end, you must hold this burden on your own. I believe in you- (cuts off by a fit of coughs. Don't record the coughing.)
(With his final breath, loving) Oh, my little Nachtigall... may the Lord watch over you...
Theresa is the daughter of Charles VI and the soon-to-be Holy Roman Empress. She is full of doubt and has many responsibilities thrust upon her. She has a character arc, from an insecure woman to a determined queen who will defend her kingdom no matter the cost. She has a soft voice, slightly higher, but not squeaky at all. She should sound like a princess, almost, but not pompous. Also, she is twenty-three-years-old.
She has a Viennese accent, but I am willing to accent a softer German accent with a more aristocratic tone.
Note: There is a scene in which she must sing. She is singing in German. This will be part of the audition.
(Confused) 'What's rightfully theirs'? What does he mean by that?
(Snapping at a councilman) Silence! (Turning back to Austria, angry and trying to persuade him.) If we allow Frederick II to take what he wants, all the other countries will close in on us. We can't become weak-
Please sing the first verse of "Schlafe, Mein Prinzchen" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJJoBqpxvWs (She is choked up by crying, and is trying to comfort Austria, who is extremely injured.)
Austria is considered by some (mainly Prussia) as a stuffy aristocrat. He is very worried for Maria Theresa, and he tries to support her as best he can. His voice should be different from his voice in-anime, which is far too loud and obnoxious. His voice is still very firm and aristocratic, but without the annoying edge. He will have scenes where he is very injured, but he will not speak much in those.
He has a Viennese accent, but I am willing to accent a softer German accent with a more aristocratic tone.
(Disdainful) Oh, yes, it's definitely from Prussia. I'd recognize the illegible scrawl anywhere. I'm not sure it's exactly what you'd call a 'happy note'.
(Wincing at how upset Theresa sounds.) You were right. You were right the whole time. We shouldn't have let Prussia do what he wanted... (Frowns, sounding dispassionately determined) We'll go take Silesia back, no matter what it takes. (With a serious intensity) But if anything happens to me, you need to run. Go West. Hungary will protect you."
(His voice is a scratchy croak. He's in a lot of pain, but he's trying to comfort Theresa.) D-don't... cry... I-It's n-not... befitting...
Hungary is a very stubborn, opinionated, and passionate young woman who would kill for the people she cares about. She is very loyal to Austria and Theresa by association. She has a higher voice, but it is still strong and clear.
She speaks with a Hungarian accent.
(Stomping her foot, crying in outrage) How dare he call himself 'awesome' like he is some holy entity! We should go stomp that demon-douche right now!
(Out of breath, but composing herself slowly.) Austria and I are an Empire. If Silesia was taken, I'd feel it too.
(Triumphant, announcing to her soldiers) Now we'll go retake Vienna and save Austria's little Happy Place!
Prussia is a rising power in Europe, and he seeks power over Austria. He's a war-hungry sadist that is most easily described as a demon. He is unapologetic and loves to see his enemies submit under his boot. But what he wants most is to make his Boss proud. He's very egotistic, and it should reflect in his voice. He is never quiet. He is always blunt, loud, almost annoying, really.
He has a German accent, but it's very pronounced, and he almost seems to speak from his throat. Like I said before, he is highly annoying, but he should also be able to sound menacing and mocking.
(His voice reading a letter addressed to Maria Theresa. Very haughty and condescending.)
'Hello, Ms. self-proclaimed Queen, I am Prussia and you are not. My awesomeness is exploding at a rate extraordinary even for The Great Prussia! Anyway, congratulations on your inauguration and whatnot, I'm sure you're very happy, but we are not so happy. We openly reject your silly "Pragmatic Sanction", and therefore, do not recognize your leadership. Furthermore, your family has a lot of unkept promises to us that it has yet to make good on. Since Austria's clearly weak enough to have a woman on the throne, we'll be taking action and claiming what is rightfully ours. Oh, and Austria better not interfere or else we might just take the whole country! Since I'm really strong and you are not, I think it's better if you just roll over like the weaklings you are. Otherwise, we'll attack you with awesomeness and laugh mightily as we destroy you!
From Prussia with love.
P.S.: I'M AWESOME!'
(Speaking to an Austrian soldier who's bleeding out on the ground) Hey, don't die yet, little soldier! (Sing-songs in a sickly-sweet tone) You Austrians have grown soft, haven't you? (Mocking) Your old Empire's become brittle, like a dry cracker, one which I'll gladly take as my snack before my world-domination meal!
(Low tone, menacing and mocking) Look at me, Queenie. Look long and hard. Look at all your mistakes reflected back at you, all your stubbornness and the misery it wrought. This could have been avoided if you had surrendered, but you fled like a coward. You're truly unfit to be a queen.
Frederick II is Prussia's Boss, but he isn't nearly as sadistic and openly menacing. He appears as almost a father-figure, working constantly to reign in Prussia's wild side. He is more level-headed, and I picture him almost as gentlemanly.
He is twenty-eight at the time. He speaks in a more aristocratic German accent.
(Cold) They're a Commonwealth, Prussia. She had no choice but to get involved.
(Eyebrow raised, amused) Don't tell me you're afraid of a woman invading your Vital Regions...
(Harsh, scolding, shouting) You must stop this brash behavior! Men are not just pawns to throw at the enemy as you please!
He speaks at the funeral of Charles VI, but he has only one spoken line in the script.
If you would like, anyone who auditions for the Pope should also audition for the Archbishop.
Amen
He only has two lines. He is part of the coronation ceremony. He can sound however you like, but his accent must either be Austrian or Hungarian.
Do the people of the Austro-Hungarian Empire accept the elect as their king?
Your Grace, in the name of the Church, please proceed with the coronation.
I will be casting multiple people for this role. Don't worry about your voice of the authenticity of your accent. I'll hopefully be casting 8 females and 10 males. Please have little background noise/static, but if you can record in a large room, just to give it that echoey quality, I don't mind either way.
(People of the ceremony, either German or Hungarian accent) Agreed, so be it, long live the King!
(German accent) Long live the Archduchess of Austria! Glory to the Empire!
(German accent) Victory! Victory!
He can either have a Hungarian accent or an Austrian. If you've ever been to Catholic Mass, you know how he should speak. He has many long lines, all of which are either coronation formula or prayer. Be prepared for that.
Almighty and everlasting God, Creator of all things, Commander of angels, King of kings and Lord of lords. Hear our humble prayers and multiply Your blessings upon Your servant, whom in prayerful devotion we consecrate our king. May he please You in all things and always walk without offense in the way of justice.
Accept this sword through the hands of bishops, who unworthy, yet consecrated by the authority of the Holy Apostles, impart it to you by divine ordinance for the defense of the faith of the holy Church. May you be glorious in the triumph of justice and reign forever with the Savior of the world, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, forever and ever. Amen.
Inerrant God, King of Kings, Protector of the innocent and Vanquisher of sin, we pray to You on this holy day to bless our people and our king, to bestow upon him Your divine power, and that he may protect Your Holy Faith, and serve as a vessel of Your awesome sovereignty as Father of Heaven. In Your Name, we pray. Amen.
Josef is very hesitant and nervous about expressing his opinions. He is one of the men on Austria's council.
(Nervous) Excuse me, sir, but... we... we have a concert in March. Will this fighting interrupt it?
There's nothing we can do, Your Majesty. We must-
One of the men on Austria's council.
This isn't our concern. Silesia was Prussia's from the beginning.
One of the men on Austria's council.
(Shouting) Charles VI spent his reign trying to secure alliances, not prepare to fight!
One of the men on Austria's council.
It's a dead end war. We couldn't win anyway. We may as well give in to their demands.
One of the men on Austria's council.
Sir, if we lose this battle, you will lose more than just your Vital Regions. You cannot risk it.
One of the men on Austria's council.
For the good of the people, you must not go!
The man standing in the watchtower when the Prussian armies march on Silesia. He can have an Austrian accent, Polish accent, or a mix of both.
(Calling out for all of the village to hear) Everyone, move to the South! Prussia is here!!!
A frightened Child in Silesia during the invasion. He may have an Austrian or Polish accent. He is no older than six.
(Frightened) M-Mama, what's going on?
Spain is one of Prussia's partners in the Silesian Invasion.
(Informing Prussia, no apparent malice.) The Region has given in. Soon we'll mold Silesia to our image.
France is one of Prussia's partners during the Silesian Invasion.
Why so quiet, mon ami? It's not like you to claim victory without a speech.
Italy is a servant in Austria's house. His voice is very childish and could be played by either a boy or a girl.
(Nervous) W-would you like some tea, Y-Your Majesty?
(Handing Theresa a cup of tea) Here you go.
(Nervously accepting a cookie) Oh, o-okay... Thank you,
Just a generic servant. You never see his face.
(Chasing someone who is running into the Archduchess' room) The Archduchess is in there, you cannot just-!
The Austrian version of Mr. Newspapers. He's the Royal News Deliverer (or so he proclaims), and he's also a big megalomaniac. Imagine his voice like that of a newspaper boy who stands on the corner shouting "Extra, extra!"
(Pronounced: Kai-ten boat)
(Introducing himself with a big smile) Good day, Your Majesty! Keiten Bote, Royal News Deliverer.
(Dramatically unrolling a scroll of paper with news on it) News from Silesia!
Two generic soldiers in the Vienna Palace. I will be casting 2 people for this role.
(A little confused, but obedient) Yes, Your Majesty.
A generic Prussian soldier, maybe a little young-sounding (personality-wise)
(They come back from searching the Vienna Palace. When Prussia demands where Theresa is, this one says hesitantly:) She's not here, sir.
