SATINALIA

[incaenstrix]

WHO: Everybody!!
WHAT: SATINALIA!!
WHEN: Backdated to the first day of Firstfall
WHERE: Gallows courtyard
NOTES: Drunkenness and shenanigans. HALLOWEENMAS!!

This Satinalia is, perhaps, less grand than in years past. Blockades are still limiting access to luxury goods, after all, so the fine liquors and dainty foods that have been featured before are nowhere to be found. And Tertia, the temporary Morale Officer, doesn't have the connections or deft touch of organizers past, so things are rougher than they've been before - the musicians are less polished, the ale a little more watered-down, the decorations somewhat haphazard.

But you know what? It's still Satinalia. Nothing can really screw up Satinalia. Especially because there are some rather lovely touches, the best of which might well be the ice skating rink. A section of the Gallows Courtyard has been roped off and frozen over with magic, leaving a (largely) smooth sheet of ice covering it. Skates are available to borrow if you don't have a pair. Of course, some injuries are definitely going to result (if you skate off the edge, you're smacking into stone instead of a soft snowbank, which can be disastrous), but hey, it's fun.

Other perks are the bonfires, with mulled wine and cider being served out of cauldrons around them, where people might sit and reflect while watching the flame. There's also dancing, of course, with the musicians basically being any band that's been recommended by members of Riftwatch - so there are lots of half-competent cousins-of-friends playing here. What they lack in skill they make up for in enthusiasm; this is the first gig for a lot of them, and they're thrilled to be here.

One thing that's missing is the Satinalia fool being named ruler. Tertia wasn't familiar with this tradition and didn't arrange it - so there's a last-minute campaign being held, in which people can either nominate others or self-nominate to be named Riftwatch's greatest fool to be celebrated.

Enjoy yourself. Exchange presents. Get drunk. Have a blast. Don't lose any teeth.

Comments

[favoriteanalyst]

"Mmmmmmmhm." He notes the look, smiles slyly. "They can go for weeks."

Though maybe he should be nice and shed a little light on the circumstances: "I was with this group a few months back, and there was a long party for the ruler--a birthday or something. So I can only imagine how hard they must go during a proper holiday."

[sprent]

Weeks! Gela can't imagine it, she thinks that she would get tired within a few days- or that something would trip inside of her, and transform her. Overwhelming situations are probably dangerous for her self-control. Right?

This thought causes her to put her cup of cider firmly down...

"What was your group doin' in Antiva? If you don't mind my askin'."

[favoriteanalyst]

"Trying to convince merchants to stop trade with Tevinter. Kind of behind backs, trying to be subtle. Schmoozing." It worked, in the end, though frankly it's nothing short of a miracle that it did. "And spreading the good word about Riftwatch. Was funny to see the less social try to pretend to be more."

[sprent]

"I'll bet," she says, conversationally, "I was just tryin' to do much of the same out west. Pamphletin'... in Orlais! Can you imagine?"

In case he cannot, "We were run out."

[favoriteanalyst]

"In Orlais, yeah, that'll happen. Maker, tell me you weren't trying to schmooze with the upper crust and their delicate sensibilities! Be happy you were only run out and not strung up."

[sprent]

"No," Gela says fervently, "I went to a chantry, in Orlais, with a man hailin' from Tevinter on my arm who decided to pick a fight with a chapel sister five minutes after crossin' the threshold."

And then she bursts out laughing. Because said aloud like that-