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

[sunshinethroughgrey]

"Announcing Lady Bethany Hawke, of the House Amell of the Free Marches, Grey Warden, Sister of the Champion of Kirkwall."

Well, of course Bethany had come to the party. For one, they needed more representation than just poor Alistair. For two, she was actually nobility, and that still had a lot of sway even if she was from Kirkwall. Naturally she was going to use her sister's influence as well. Grey Warden, nobility, sister to a hero on multiple levels or a scandal in others?

She was brilliant in blue, her hair kept up with a jeweled hairnet with pearls and opals, a griffon sewn on her cloak but nowhere else on the gown. She smiles brilliantly as she is introduced, and goes to make the rounds.

The Inquisition was going to get a burst on the gossip wagon, and a heavy dose of Bethany Hawke charm tonight. It was another part of her plan, to make peace as best she could.

Charming the nobility

If there was any doubt that Bethany could charm people, it was laid to rest tonight. Her smiles were flashing and warm, her tones light and tripping as she walked amongst the nobles and the rest of the Inquisition folks. For a certain Bann, she had nothing but exciting stories to tell about the creatures she had fought. For the bickering sisters, she had all the details about the Champion of Kirkwall that they could desire, without actually giving away anything they didn't already know.

Throughout this, she was a strong proponent for the Inquisition, that it was on the Maker's own path and that the Grey Wardens supported the Inquisition as much as they could without giving up fighting the darkspawn, which was where most of their numbers were, of course.

Dancing

Bethany is of course happy to dance. She's got a light step, a bright laugh, and enough energy to dance away the entire night. She also won't turn anyone down - because she knows there's a pariah status she has to overcome due to recent events. Still, she's here to be supportive, and show that the Grey Wardens are allies to be counted on.

Even in dancing slippers.

Wall

Yet even she has to rest from the brilliant dance of the Game, so you will find her against the wall, fanning herself with a lace fan and offering a slightly weary smile to those she knows well.