HALL OF STATUES
Like many of Novus’ noble families, the Ieshans are proprietors of a variety of fine art. And in the rare event that the house is opened up to the public—as it has been just for tonight—they take pride, too, in showing off their collection.
On the ground floor is the family’s gallery, and perhaps the most awe-inspiring part of it all is the Hall of Statues, a long corridor which is lined on both sides with a collection of Novus’ finest sculptures. Some of them are rumored to be products of Elliot de Clare himself: it almost looks as though his family crest might be carved into a marble hoof here, or an opal horn there. (But of course the guards would never let you close enough to know for sure.)
Then there is that Ieshan who seems as though he might be a statue himself. For most of the night, the First Prince of House Ieshan, the Cleric of Virtue himself, Adonai, can be found wandering (albeit quite slowly) through the hall. And it seems as though he is not the only living statue: upon closer inspection, one can find three hired performers acting as sculptures at various points of the room.
They are quite dedicated to their jobs, and it is impossible to goad them away from their posts. But they catch wind of more gossip than anyone, and if you ask oh-so-nicely—or if you have something to offer in return—they might just let you in on the news of the night.
Instructions: The Hall of Statues has been opened to the public as part of the Ieshan’s winter party. The Hall may be used as a setting for any festival thread; just beware the soldiers that guard these valuable artworks, and certainly be careful of touching anything you aren’t meant to touch. @
TRUTH OR DARE
Out in the courtyard, the second oldest princess, Hagar, has set up her own booth. Though it is a quiet corner compared to the hustle and bustle of the rest of the party, you find yourself inexplicably drawn to it. Perhaps it is Hagar herself who catches your attention, clothed in a translucent robe of finest silk, whose warm amber eyes seem to track every attendee at once; or perhaps it is the fact that everyone who comes up to meet her leaves, whether minutes or moments later, looking thoroughly shaken. The booth itself is simply decorated. Its wooden surface is covered in a thick velvet cloth dyed to match the deep wine of her cloak, and candles burn at each corner. In a corner of the yard that has been tastefully overgrown by vines, it looks almost like part of the scenery, grown up from the ground itself rather than being placed there.
If you are not drawn in quick enough, Hagar is not above coming to find you herself and dragging you back with her. She smells like money; she is both stronger and more persuasive than she seemed at first glance, and hard to refuse once she sets her sights on you. But whether you come of your own volition or not, her question is the same: truth or dare?
Instructions: Out in the courtyard, one of the princesses has generously donated her intuitive talents to organizing an extensive game of truth or dare. @
OPEN BAR
The Ieshan’s exorbitantly large dining room has been converted to serve as a buffet of sorts. But unlike most buffets, the breadth of drinks offered almost matches the extravagant variety of food that has been laid out. On a long stone table covered by a gold-filigreed white cloth, tray after tray of ales, wines, absinthes, and drinks so rare they have no name have already been poured into one of a hundred identical cups; and if there is anyone meant to keep track of whether young attendees have snuck in, they left long ago.
The head of house himself mans this station (though “mans” might be giving him too much credit). Prince Pilate, ever the gracious host, is careful to greet everyone who enters the room with a charming smile and an inquiry into whether they’re enjoying themselves. As the night goes on and more drinks are poured, perhaps he becomes a little friendlier than usual, or slurs his words a little more; but never enough to warrant concern from attendees or a warning from his siblings.
And he never loses his ability to answer questions about this or that particular drink. The only uncertainty is whether that quick answer might be a lie.
Instructions: The Ieshans’ private dining hall has been converted into an open bar, accessible to all party attendees. @
- Pale gold with pink swirls; smells spicy and tastes sweet.
- Sea green with brown swirls and a slice of strange fruit on the edge of the glass; smells and tastes like anise.
- Amber, carbonated, with red swirls and served over ice; smells and tastes like mint, though the aftertaste is faintly of charcoal.
- Sapphire with a smooth, thick texture, served warm; tastes like rum with a violently spicy finish.
- Emerald liquor carefully layered on a base of denser silver liquid; smells brightly cold & minty, tastes closer to lemon.
BODY ART
It would hardly be a Solterran party without some kind of body art; and the Ieshans have splashed out on their hired artists, just as they seem to have thrown money everywhere else. In the wide courtyard, across from Princess Hagar, three native Solterran artists are taking requests. They are said to be capable of completing almost any request, from large pieces done in washable berry paints down to the most intricate of mehndi designs meant to stain the skin for weeks. (These artists are such native Solterrans, though, that their accent can be almost too thick to interpret. Be prepared for some length of conversation before they fully understand your request... if they ever do.)
The youngest Prince, Corradh, spends most of the night here. Between flirting with all three of the artists, he’s gotten himself roped into becoming both their canvas, a living body painted to showcase original designs, and their apprentice, learning their techniques hour by hour. If you’re willing (and though he would never be uncouth enough to say it out loud, if you’re pretty), he might even ask to practice on you.
Instructions: The second activity held in the courtyard is a professional body art station. There are three native Solterran artists here, who are more than happy to paint whatever design your character desires on any part of their body; but they aren’t the chattiest, and at times might be hard to understand. @Corradh (syndicate) is the most likely of the Ieshan siblings to be found at this event. He seems to alternate between letting the artists practice on him and asking strangers whether they might let him practice on them. If you’d like a thread with Corradh, please DM Syn; otherwise, feel free to play out the hired artists as NPCs and use this as a setup for other threads!
SCAVENGER HUNT
It’s been said that Ruth wouldn’t be recognizable as an Ieshan, if you found her out on the street. But in the glitz and glamour of the mansion her royal blood seems undoubtable, due far less to her looks than the ease with which she walks the property; ducking in and out of rooms and corridors, shouldering her way through rows of guards to open apparently unlocked doors. Yet there is also something frantic in the way she does it. At the very least she seems annoyed. When she sees you, she hesitates—maybe deciding whether or not to acknowledge your presence at all—but eventually trudges over to meet you.
And perhaps she is the plainest of her siblings, physically; but up close you are suddenly entranced by her eyes, not only their odd color, but the sheer coldness of them. “I’ve lost something,” the princess tells you flatly. “Important. Have you seen it?”
Instructions: Far removed from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the party, a “scavenger hunt” of sorts has been unwittingly organized. @
Concepts and writing by @
