The Snow Princess blushes at the attention brought upon her by the Midnight Samurai. Her white fan flutters a hint more rapidly than the calm pace she had adopted for the duration of the evening. "Your compliments are too kind," she says, managing a smile. "It warms my heart to see such friendship among you, my guests and comrades. Friendship... and intellect as well. I believe that between all of us here tonight, if we put our best efforts into it, we could solve any problem faced by the Society or the Empire."
She looks up to the Winter Drake. "As our maestro has been urging, it is nearly time for the dance. I have something special in mind for this dance, though, a game of not only wit and deduction, but of dance as well."
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The Winter drake nods in understanding and once the Stirring Taldan National song is completed, he swings into the directing the orchestra to play a lively yet subdued song appropriate for the start of a dance. The melody is strictly Taldan to start, yet the smirk on the drake... well she did say choatic did she not?
"What friendship, indeed!" replies The Cat, cheerfully. "It is a great credit to you, Snow Princess, that you host a party where Prince Stavian and a Qadiran Merchant can share a toast, and a Rat and a Cat may play at cards with one another."
"As for the dancing, I would enjoy that very much. It is said that we cats are graceful creatures, but there is not much opportunity to dance the gavotte in the Mwangi jungles. I hope I remember the steps."
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Long after the influence of the Winter Drake had ceased and the music changed, the Kuthona Rat snaps out of of his stupor and looks around blankly. He moves as though to ask a question, but then leaps out of his chair and cheers at the announcement of the dancing and begins talking excitedly.
"Hurrah! Do tell, what style of a dance shall it be? A Taldan waltz? An Andoren allemande? A Chellish march or galliard? Maybe, since we're in costume a Verduran kolomyjka or Tian buyo would be better. Oh there's so many many many many styles! Let's see narrow it down, preferably common knowledge and easier to perform and representative of Taldor's prestige and glory and history and stuff, but that leaves plenty more questions like is tradish-on-all, contemp, or airy preferred? I don't know. I know mom said to behave and have fun, but I haven't been to a not-ball-shaped-ballroom before. Not even a regular ballroom. What if it's a style that I don't know? Or what if since it is an unregular ballroom, they make up a new style? Maybe that's how new styles of dances come about, but I don't know. It would be neat if it were a sword dance, but I doubt that'll happen because mom said to keep my fan closed and not wave it at people. I don't know how I'd avoid that though if it were to be a buyo. It'll be fun if Lady Cat's guess is right, the Mwangi did have good ideas for dances and the gavotte is well known I think, but I can't be sure since I don't think I know what other people know and think..."
His monologue continues shifting between tones of excitement, confusion, wonder, and agitation in his typical, manic fashion.
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"Oh, yes," she resumes, having found the idea she was looking for. "The Pathfinders make heavy use of the Hao Jin Tapestry to move themselves back and forth from Absalom. It could be used to move this army as well! That would greatly reduce the provisions required to support this army on its way to the Worldwound, as well as make supplying them with arms simple as well!"
The Princess smiles. "And if there are any problems at our southern border, the Qadirans would know that our army could be upon them within hours. Between the good reputation the Masked Cat wishes to promote and the Hao Jin Tapestry, our chances are greatly improved. The Society wants to solve the matter of the Worldwound, so they would be glad to make use of the Tapestry to that end, I would assume?"
If her mask were capable of showing emotion, the female Twin would surely be beaming. "Snow Princess, your beauty is only surpassed by your wisdom and brilliance; of course the Society will donate their treasured weapon to the cause! After all, if Taldor threatens to withdraw its forces should the use of the Tapestry be withheld, the Ten will have no choice but to comply or risk losing their precious Sky Citadel."
The male Twin's tone, by contrast, betrays his disappointment. "Removing the obstacle of marching to Mendev does not magically fabricate an army to do so. You still must recruit, arm, and train such a force, and whatever force you send is more likely to die there than in transit, Tapestry or no."
The female Twin picks up again. "Exactly, my brother! Which is why the vassal states should do the dying, while Taldor claims the glory for leading them."
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A young woman clad in robes of midnight blue approaches the Chrysanthemum House. From head to toe white paint has been applied to her skin, and her hair has been dyed white as well. Pulled back in a simple ponytail at the nape of the neck it cascades past her shoulders and stops at the middle of her back, hair ornaments of silver glass artfully pinned into the strands at strategic locations. Ice blue runes are painted onto her face and hands, and she holds a white staff that at it's top-has artfully carved snowflakes surrounding a crystal. As she enters, she bobs in a curtsey to the Master of Games, handing her invitation to him. Then she makes her way towards the Snow Princess and the Midnight Samurai, bobbing again-this time in a more formal curtsey.
"Greetings to you, noble lady and lord."
The female Twin picks up again. "Exactly, my brother! Which is why the vassal states should do the dying, while Taldor claims the glory for leading them."
The Snow Princess lets out a gentle laugh. "I am afraid that we will have to progress one step at a time. It is my understanding that the Andorens require dramatic demonstrations of prowess before they can be compelled to do anything," she explains, her white fan fluttering as she travels through her thoughts. "The common folk have to be won over, a task which requires a different method than a pointed argument to a particular leader. I imagine that they will want to lead themselves into the battle at first, once they are convinced," she muses, considering a thought for a moment. "The Empire's leadership would be what they adhere to once Taldor shows them how to bypass the struggles they would face alone. I wonder what sort of emotional display would best draw them in..." she wonders, just as the Frost Witch greets her.
"Greetings to you, noble lady and lord."
"Welcome, noble witch of the north," the hostess replies, before gesturing to the ethereal snowflakes which have been conjured above her. "I see the eternal winter of Irrisen has followed you all the way here."
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The witch inclines her head.
"I find it easier to travel through warm climates with a bit of home following me." She replies. "Though quite frankly I refuse to step near a desert or anywhere that's located near one." She adds with a small giggle. "But, may I commend you on the beauty of this house and of the music you have playing?"
"You are quite welcome," the Snow Princess says. "The previous owner had maintained such lovely grounds that when she left, I felt compelled to continue this artistic masterpiece. As for the music, I believe I will be venturing to the floor rather soon. Will you as well?" she asks, before taking on a playful tone.
"And what about you, Your Majesty? Lord Samurai?" she adds, placing the two men in the costumes of Stavian III and the Midnight Samurai on the spot.
As mentioned, the rules of play for the next forum game are posted. They are technically in a second-draft phase right now, mainly because the exact rules somewhat change based on how many players are in the game.
Rules for the party game to be played during the dance.
I've also opened comment privileges to everyone with the link, so go ahead and let me know if any of you find anything confusing or unexplained.
If you wish to participate, either post your interest here or send a Personal Message to this alias. Also, the game supports a wide number of players, so if you wish to join but have not entered the Masquerade yet, simply send a Personal Message to this alias with your PC's true identity, costumed alias, and Perform (dance) modifier.
May the Eternal Rose smile upon your costumed endeavors.
-Matt
aka Master of Games
The hostess replies with a smile. "I would like that very much," she says, before glancing over to the Master of Games. "It appears that we are just about ready to begin. I wonder just what the nature of my own role will be in this game."
We will be starting the forum game this week. The rules change slightly based on how many players are participating, so I would like to make this the final call for participants.
-Matt
aka The Master of Games
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The Merchant wrinkles her nose a bit at the entry of the frost witch, then shivers so violently that she almost appears to be having a seizure.
"Are you all trying to freeze me to death? Isn't our hostess already fulfilling the role of stunning lady who wears Cocytus itself as a cloak? It's bad enough having to deal with that flying snow kobold on the ceiling. Oh, how I long for the featureless deserts that are the jewel of Qadira...
The hostess' last call for participants catches her attention.
Wait, hostess? What is the reward for this dancing contest? Bah, it matters not. If I don't do something to warm myself up soon, my vast fortunes will go to waste on other people."
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"Hail and well met fellow BEARDED of Taldor! let the wiiiiiine flow! for the strength of Taldor has arrived! skill, hard labour, and sweat is what builds empires! BEHOLD! I am here to make you smile! to simplify everything is my aim! (but my aim is debatable, I'm better in close combat! ha ha ha!)"
He pauses, look around some...
"Ummmm.... where is the 'MEISTER of... GAMES' or something like that?? Ha ha ha!"
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The merchant's eyes suddenly widen, and she shouts,
AHA! Caught you, thief!
The merchant swings an arm behind her butt, and, finding nothing there, her expression turns to one of befuddlement and outrage.
"No! Can it be, that they have already gotten away?
The merchant takes a few deep breaths. She cranes her neck back on each inhale as if to force more air in, and exhales as if she were trying to blow out a particularly stubborn candle.
Calm down, Calm down. Assess the damage, over-report to the insurance you took out when traveling to this accursed country."
"Hail and well met fellow BEARDED of Taldor!"
The Masked Cat smiles at the new arrival. "You honor me too much. I am no bearded of Taldor, having only whiskers." She seems about to direct The Carpenter towards The Master of Games.
"Lady are you being harassed by an invisible attacker or prankster? Do you need help?"
"I don't believe it is serious. Perhaps the invisible hand of the market has just pinched her in an un-gentlemanly fashion?"
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"Lady are you being harassed by an invisible attacker or prankster? Do you need help?""I don't believe it is serious. Perhaps the invisible hand of the market has just pinched her in an un-gentlemanly fashion?"
"Ah so the Lady is not Taldor-borne... yes, those tariffs can cause quite a pinch!"
"having traveled myself, with personal stake in a certain caravan... yes... I have had my buttocks not so gently squeezed at times... he he he"
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The merchant places a hand to her brow and scans the room carefully.
"Not serious? What other reason could there be to pinch a lady's bottom, other than to distract her enough to pinch her gold pieces? But, ah! Invisible thief...who could have seen...I know! I must speak to the one who among all of us is the wisest and most likely to have seen a thing that is not so clear to anyone else."
She addresses the Kuthona Rat.
"Mr. Rat! Hello? I need to ask you--what can you tell me about the invisible bottom-pinching pilferer?"
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The Kuthona Rat turns to respond to the Merchant's query.
"An invincible pot of imps and bills for her? I'm not entirely sure where somebody would find that, but now that you mention it, Lady Rose did say that stories have the answers to all questions. So let's see here..."
He pauses to think for a moment before beginning to tell his tale with great enthusiasm while incorporating the finer oratorical skills of a master speaker.
"We don't have enough time for me to tell the long, whole story, so let me stick with a bridge version instead. Once upon a time, there was this wizard. He had a name, but it was stolen one day. All of his stuff was stolen too. He used some of his spell casting; casting is the way he uses magic, it is different from making coins and fixing bones and going fishing; to look for who stoled his stuff and his name. Then, he found and telled a porter to go with him there. Porters are really fast so he got there in seconds or firsts. So he talked to the lady, who was newly named Aaron, and asked for his belongings back and she refused. So he decided to steal them back. Since he was not a rogue, he needed someone who had hands of slate. So he borrowed some money and summoned a bunch of imps and convinced them to help him. Since he didn't want them to be caught or hurt, he put them in an invincible pot that couldn't break. He was worried she might see them inside or refuse to take the pot though, so he filled it with duck bills. The ducks were very sad that they losed their bills and greatly regretted flying to a place where their face was considered a delicacy. But I digress, the wizard never got his stuff or his name back because the lady who was newly named Aaron exploited the one flaw in the wizard's plan: She was really hungry. As a result, she eated all of the imps and bills and lived Aaronly ever after. The End."
It is baffling that his presentation remains as compelling as it is, despite the complete and utter absurdity of it.
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The merchant listens closely to the rat's tale, nodding as he speaks.
"I see, I see. A compelling, cautionary allegory about the greediest of thieves, those who wish to rob so thoroughly that they steal their victim's very name and reputation. All of the cunning and trickery and the world will fail against such a thief, if one makes the crucial mistake if assuming that the thief can be reasoned with. The invincible pot...represents taking excessive effort in a futile defense against a nonexistent threat. Why would the thief break an object when she could just steal it? The devouring of the duck bills and live imps represents the monstrous and insatiable nature of the thief, how they have cast aside their personhood in the pursuit of their quarry. It was the wizard's mistake to attempt such a course of action. In the end, the wizard lost money, since he now has to repay his loans. He paid a greater price for his poor appraisal of the situation than he would have if he had done nothing.
I believe the moral of this story is, when dealing with a thief, consult the proper authorities rather than attempting to take matters into your own hands. Sage advice from the Rat, as always."
The merchant walks over to the Snow Queen.
"Excuse me, my lady. I am sorry to disturb you, but an invisible bottom-pinching thief has intruded upon these festivities."
"A invisible thief?" the Princess repeats. She glances about the room, seeming to instinctively reach for her mask to adjust it as if it were a pair of eyeglasses. Failing that, she gently nudges her mask into place.
"This thief, wherever he is, has a terrible sense of timing, in addition to a terrible sense of manners. Although, after the discovery of a secret spirits shelf earlier, I would not be entirely surprised if you were pinched by another sort of spirit."
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At the mention of little folk, the female Twin perks up. "Oh, Snow Princess, are you having problems with your slips?" the female Twin inquires. "They do demand a firm hand to keep them in line."
The male Twin's chin dips slightly towards his chest, "I wish you wouldn't use racial slurs, dear sister. Its most unbecoming."
"Nonsense, brother, they're only slips. You don't complain when I call a chair a chair, or a dress a dress, you shouldn't care when I call a slip a slip," The female Twin says matter-of-factly.
"Regardless... Snow Princess, would you require aid identifying this mysterious invisible thief? I'm sure my sister and I can locate the scoundrel." As he finishes speaking, the male Twin reaches one hand up a sleeve.
"There is nothing invisible in this room, unless it has a mind blank," the Dark Lady announces, "This is the result of a simple parlor trick, nothing more."
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The Kuthona Rat tilts his head in a puzzled manner towards the female twin before backing away from her and going to whisper to the Masked Cat,
The Snow Princess lets out a gentle laugh when she comes to a certain realization after examining the area. "I do not believe that thievery will be a problem," she says, before looking up at the Drake. "With that vantage point, any mischief would have to be overlooked by our maestro."
"I am grateful for the magical assistance, though. It is a comfort to know that my friends will come to my defense."
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The Samurai joins the Carpenter at the fruit punch, but gives a sigh upon looking into the bowl and instead begins looking for another servant to bring him wine. "Man of action, I assume?," he asks candidly. "There's a certain feeling you get when you're not in plate." He shakes his head. "I'd never expect one of those wand-wigglers to understand it." He finally flags down one of the servants and takes the full platter of wine from the protesting woman's hands. "Here's to the glory of a fallen foe," he says, holding up a glass in a conspiratorial manner.
Today, we will be starting the long-awaited forum game which takes place during the Winter Masquerade's music and dancing. A few rules have been updated, so I have posted them below.
The game we will be playing is an adaptation of the game Mascarade, a party game by Bruno Faidutti of Citadels fame.
Each player begins the game with six songbird feathers. The number of feathers each player possesses is always known to all players. The object of the game is to use wit, deduction, and the various abilities of the characters to obtain thirteen feathers. The first player to reach thirteen feathers wins the game. However, if at any time a player has zero feathers, the game ends and the player with the most feathers wins the game.
During the dance, each player has a hidden card. On the face of each card is a depiction of a character, which comes with it a unique ability. The card’s face is hidden from all players, including the card’s holder. During the game, the players will often swap cards, so it is difficult to be sure of which card their dance partner is holding.
At the beginning of the game, one card is randomly dealt to each player. The characters on the cards’ faces are announced before they are hidden from all players, including the card’s holder. Once initial dance partners are chosen and the cards are announced and then hidden, the dance (and the game) begins.
At the end of first dance, each player will change partners by publicly choosing another player, after which the two players’ dance partners are swapped. Also, each player privately chooses whether to keep their current card or swap cards as well as dance partners. This choice is made over a private message to the Master of Games. Both cards remain hidden from all players while changing partners, and the player making the choice does not get to look at the cards. This means that other players don’t know whether a card was swapped or kept.
After the first dance, players have three choices of actions that they can take at the end of each verse:
-Change dance partners as above, along with privately choosing whether to swap cards.
-Look at their own card.
-Announce that they are carrying a particular card and gain the benefits of its ability. If the player announces that he or she is carrying the Lion Blade, the Fool, or the Witch, the player also chooses which other players will be affected.
When a player decides to look at his or her own card, the player publicly reveals that they are looking at the card, and the Master of Games will reveal the character depicted on the card to the player over a Private Message.
When a player announces a particular character, the other players have the option of challenging the player’s announcement by claiming to have that same character as well, even if they do not actually possess the card. If a player claims to be carrying the Lion Blade, the Fool, or the Witch, challenging player also chooses which other players will be affected when making the challenge.
If an announcement goes unchallenged, the player applies the ability of the character named without revealing the card. This means that it is possible for a player to use the ability of any character in the game without actually having that card, even without knowing which card he or she has.
If an announcement is challenged, all players who have claimed to have that particular card reveal their cards to all players. If one of the players’ cards is indeed the announced character, that player immediately gains the benefit of the character’s ability. Then, all players who falsely claimed to have that card must each lose one of their feathers. These feathers can be reclaimed after future verses by playing the Count. It is worth noting that if too many players make too many false claims, the Count can very quickly become a winning play.
The game ends when a player possesses thirteen feathers, or when a player completely runs out of feathers, at which point the player with the most feathers wins the game.
Since we have six players, there will be a total of seven cards available. Here are descriptions of the seven cards and their abilities:
The Lion Blade: The player secretly looks at his or her own card and another player’s card, then privately chooses whether to swap these two cards or leave them.
The Priestess: The player takes two feathers from the player with the most feathers. In the case of a tie, the player chooses from which player the feathers are taken.
The Count: The player takes all feathers which have been lost due to falsely claiming to have a card. If any players lose a feather due to falsely claiming to have the Count, the feathers are lost after the player holding the Count takes all the other feathers.
The Princess: The player receives two feathers.
The Grand Prince: The player receives three feathers.
The Witch: The player chooses another player, and the two players exchange all of their feathers.
The Thief: If the player has ten or more feathers, that player wins the game. If the player has less than ten feathers, nothing happens.
Note that this game will have six players, yet seven cards. This is because the Snow Princess, though not a player in this game, will be carrying a card. When a player chooses to change dance partners, he or she may elect to change dance partners with the Snow Princess, and thus may elect to swap his or her card (or not) with hers.
At least for the time being, verses will be assumed to end on Wednesday and Saturday nights. All of your choices of actions are “due” by the time the Master of Games is able to resolve them on Thursday and Sunday mornings. If your action is not posted by then, the Master of Games will assume that you are choosing to look at your own card.
Players will have until Thursday night (for verses which end on Wednesdays) or Monday morning (for verses which end on Saturdays) to make challenges to other players’ announcements.
In the case of a situation where multiple players' choices overlap, and their order of resolution matters, the order in which they are resolved is done secretly, having to do with the players' dancing skill.
So, there you have it. Everyone, start choosing your dance partners, and the first choice of changing partners is due by Wednesday night. Let me know if you have any questions, and may Shelyn smile upon your costumed endeavors.
-Master of Games
Beyond the PCs and NPCs already present in the Masquerade thread, there are several others who are present this evening and would make excellent dance partners:
-The Priestess, a tall Taldan lady in a flowing gown of white and red. Her mask seems to be made of birds' feathers. She has a cheerful, untamed demeanor about her.
-The Corsair, a young man whose costume places him among the famed corsairs of Cassomir. He seems to have a playful look on his face, which is covered by a simple black mask.
-The Wanderer, a young, dark-haired lady whose frame is almost entirely concealed by a red cloak. Her bright green eyes lie behind a mask of red velvet. She appears to be a bit shy this evening, making her seem a bit nervous.
-The Green Knight, a large man dressed in what looks like heavy green armor, much like a character of the folklore of northern Taldor. He seems to be in a jolly mood.
-Master of Games
The Samurai joins the Carpenter at the fruit punch, but gives a sigh upon looking into the bowl and instead begins looking for another servant to bring him wine.
The servant is a bit later than she (and the Samurai) wished, but she hurries over as quickly as she can. There is a surprised look on her face when the Samurai takes the full platter from her hands.
For your reference, here is a list of the six players in the evening's party game:
-The Merchant of Sands
-The Frost Witch
-The Masked Cat
-The Midnight Samurai
-The Kuthona Rat
-The Carpenter
In addition, we have four NPC dance partners, and the Snow Princess has a special role in the game as well. However, it is worth noting that a player can have any dance partner, PC or NPC, and the game will work perfectly fine.
Best of luck to all of you,
-Master of Games
The servant looks unsure of herself for a moment, biting her lip as she holds the platinum piece. She glances around, then quietly pockets the piece while smiling and nodding to the Carpenter, after which she scurries off to the kitchens.
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With the announcement by the Master of Games, the Winter drake signals to the orchestra. The Entire ballroom goes silent for the first time through the evening. After the dramatic pause, it spins in a lazy circle and directs the beginning of mid range song, highly suggestive for the dancing to commence.