Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

[madame_de_fer]

WHO: Select Orlesian and Fereldan Nobility and the Inquisition
WHAT: Josephine and Vivienne have orchestrated a good-will soiree in response to this dastardly rumor.
WHEN: Drakonis 15, Evening
WHERE: Skyhold Great Hall
NOTES:
- A list of nobles in attendance can be found here. The list was provided by the mods but there will be no npc support for them. Play away.
- A secondary outside party is being held in the valley in the tent town for anyone who couldn't/wouldn't attend and/or behave in the fancy pansty party.
- The goal of the evening is to clear up a spurious rumor about Cassandra and Leliana, with secondary goals of establishing the Inquisition as a respectable presence in Thedas (and fish for more money). Any major disruptions that would Game Over the court approval should probably be brought to the advisors and/or mods.



To say that Josphine has far outdone herself with this little soiree would be the understatement of the year. The Lady Ambassador has pulled out all the stops in providing a festive and yet elegant stage for this political intervention. Because sometimes gossip can be more deadly than a sword.

The Great Hall of Skyhold has been converted into a grand receiving hall, glittering with hundreds of lights around the room, in addition to the repairs accomplished to the original chandeliers. Of course, there has been artful placement arranged so there are a few shadowy corners for rendezvous of the more suggestive nature. Just in case. The majority of the floor has been cleared for dancing, and a fine troupe of musicians have been installed for the bulk of the evening's entertainments. Some members of the Inquisition have plans to entice attendees with their own artistic performances in addition to the group of mages performing illusory tricks to oohs and aahs.

For those who feel their energy flagging, there are chairs set against the walls, with a few tables interspersed between. Servers hired for the evening circulate the crowds with wine, fine Orlesian and Nevarran reds as well as crisp whites from Antiva. Refreshments are set out on buffet tables, tasteful and extravagant nibbles, including imported cheeses, spicy saucisson, dried fruits and nuts, and the highly sought after deep mushroom and anise petits fours that are all the rage in Orlais.

Comments

[bookish_lioness]

"They doubt him because they can't see him, despite the fact that people have lost their lives because of him?" Hermione asked. It was like Voldemort's return all over again, wherein people in key positions of power refused to believe he'd come back until things had gotten too bad to fix. "Really, you'd think more people would at least be willing to prepare their lands and their individual families for the worst."

[aceso]

"Yes. When the enemy is unseen, people will make any excuse they can as to what is happening out there. They do not understand until it is too late and the enemy is at their door." But maybe they could change minds tonight. It was a big 'maybe,' but stranger things had happened, like people falling out of rifts in the sky.

"Right now, the conflict between mages and Templars is what grabs people's attention most. We must shift it to the threat over the whole world that we must face."

[bookish_lioness]

"I thought these rifts people like me fell out of had been caused by what had happened at Haven," Hermione brought up. "Or, at least, that people hadn't started coming through the rifts until then. That they can see us, with shards in our hands, and still think that Haven had never happened? It's willful ignorance."

And while Hermione might not be a fan of ignorance, the willful variety is the worst there is.

[aceso]

"The rifts are scattered throughout southern Thedas, but those who do not live near one will think they are nothing more than stories. If not that, then I am sure they blame the rifts on mages."

Because what wasn't blamed on them in her opinion?

"People fear change, and they think their ignorance serves them well."

[bookish_lioness]

"Would that ignorance help them if they decided to travel south for some reason?" Hermione asked. "Especially when they see that there is nothing about these rifts that benefit the mages one way or the other?"

Hermione was willing to bet that it wouldn't, though to be honest, that was more likely than not because they wouldn't bother amending their ignorance even when faced with facts.

[aceso]

Christine smiled thinly and shook her head no. Ignorant people were often stubborn too. Such was life, unfortunately.

"You see, change comes slowly in this place. With the recent war throwing everything into chaos, people will cling to the familiar and resist change even when it is upon them. But tonight is about hopefully opening eyes."

[bookish_lioness]

Hermione supposed that was the benefit to living in a world with such convenient means of quick or even immediate communication: news traveled fast, and usually fairly effectively. Here in Thedas, where they didn't even seem to have newspapers? That wasn't exactly the case.

"Then I hope we succeed," she stated simply. "Heaven knows Thedas as a whole could stand to have its eyes opened in more than one regard."

[aceso]

"Agreed," she answered with a small incline of her head. "It has been good to speak with you again, but if you will excuse me, I think I should attempt to open a few more eyes."

[bookish_lioness]

Nodding in return, Hermione offered her a smile before commenting, "I wouldn't dream of stopping you. Good luck, Christine. It was nice talking to you again."