I'm asking this from a player's perspective so no spoilers please.
We are about to attend Thrune's masquerade in book 3 and it is obvious we are supposed to attend but we can't find a good reason to go.
Did we miss something? Can anyone offer spoiler free reasons to go?
Everybody who is anybody will be there, which makes it a good way to pursue alliances.
You don't win a revolt without allies.
What if you went in disguise to see what's up?
Why is it obvious you should go?
Also, rumor has it that Barzillai is going to make a big announcement. I’m betting on him announcing that he’s finally lift the martial law!
If you don't trust Barzillai (and given your position, why should you), it seems reasonable to assume he's up to something. A guy like that doesn't just organise the biggest party of the year without having some sort of scheme... Better that you be there to deal with it in case its something truly nefarious!
Of course, even if it isn't arkham is right. Lots of people will be there and if you want to gain some clout for the rebellion it seems sensible that you would be there too. Not to mention the Opera House has been closed off for so long. There's probably loads of cool and potentially useful stuff to find there!
No matter what happens, it's promising to be the biggest event in Kintargo for a long time, and as the heroes of the city you should be aware of what's going on in it!
Thank you Trichotome and Arkham, those are plenty of logical reasons to attend. As yes, it does seem like an obvious trap as he should expect us to attend. I hadn't expanded that thought to others, we were more concerned about him changing recently and putting on a better face for the people.
Also, you could try to assassinate him at this party--his security detail might be over-extended.
Because who doesn't love a party?
You should decide based on what you know about Kintargo and Barzillai Thrune and the Maquerade itself. That information and how you/your pc's perceive it will vary tremendously based how your version of the Silver Ravens have acted and how your GM has run the AP.
You should go if as players you think it will be fun or if as pc's you think it's important (or fun.) There are no right or wrong answers, only different consequences. Whether you attend or not, how you attend (or not) will matter just as much, if not more.
There's gonna be an open bar! That was good enough reason for the cleric of Cayden in my group. The others thought that it would be better to be there than not to, in best case just to keep an eye on things, especially since many of their friends and relatives are going. (One PC's actress sister (an NPC) is even going to play Jilia Banilius in a little performance called "Passing the Torch" that will be shown at the party. That addition's just in our campaign, so not a spoiler.) They're also quite curious, and want to see their enemy Barzillai in the flesh, since he's been so reclusive personally. So they're going to go in disguise (well, it is a masquerade, so hard not to).