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

[make_my_mark]

"They were keeping people in cages and--," her face tightened, eyes darkening. "Growing things in them. That red lyrium. Apparently they were taking them from the village and forcing them to work the mines until--"

Her lips pressed together.

[motherfucking_ghost]

"Wow. Shit. Sorry." No wonder Christine's schmoozing is important. "And that's what you dropped into? And here all I had to worry about were swamp zombies. That's some creepy shit, though. Growing in them? Like for real growths like a fucking fungus?"

[make_my_mark]

"Well, it was demons at the very first, and there were some dragons too, but yes." The images replayed in her mind, a flash of bodies, twisted and broken, the agony they'd suffered clear even after death. She could almost feel the heat of the lyrium again.

(Hear the hiss of the Greek Fire pots as the Deathless loaded and prepared and to fire at her. Smell the rot of the Stormguard's victims as she hung above them, awaiting her turn.)

"It was terrible. And anyone who wants that to stop, I can't help but agree with."