The Ferelden Palace is bustling with the arrival of His Royal Highness' betrothed, the young Liege, Franziska Campana. The palace gates are open, with magical balls of light illuminating any and all dark corners, guiding those from Denerim's busy center towards the festivities of the King. Merchants peddling wares are along the main path to the palace, merchants from all over Thedas have been given permits to sell during these festivities.
Circus-folk, acrobats, and more have been set up in various sections along the road to the palace, and more are to be found in the courtyard, where the main festival is being held. Fire-breathers, animal-tamers, anyone with a talent or a trick can be seen today. Why not let your coin purse out a bit, hm? Surely, you've the money to spare in celebration of the King's upcoming marriage nuptials. In times as dire as these, with strange things happening in every corner and a Blight on the doorstep of the nation, sometimes good fun is the best medicine to rally morale.
And remind people that peace does in fact exist, and that the nations of Thedas should band together against the Blights, rather than war amongst each other.
The invitations for this event indicated that everyone across the nation is welcome, regardless of their choice in clothing, their criminal status outside of Ferelden, or their status as a mage (or not). Byron's proving to be a progressive King, and not everyone likes that.
Rumors Floating About the Event: Feel free to use these rumors as things your characters are talking about, have heard, or are saying. c: But be careful, you never know who's listening!
It is rumored that Princess Franziska of Antiva had been a fugitive with her family, who have not been seen in the Antivan Palace in quite some time.
It is rumored that Princess Franziska is actually an assassin. The Crows, you know, they run Antiva and use the royals as figureheads, surely the royals are in on those dealings...?
It is rumored that King Byron is a werewolf, and strong-handed the throne away from any rightful heir that was nearer to succession than he.
OOC NOTE: This event was suggested by Drake, and would usually be posted from the King of Ferelden's account—however, since this is our first time posting an event on the site, we wanted to make sure to give everyone an example of what we're expecting of member-led events (because we do want consistency to this). To avoid overwriting the introduction of the event, we've left it vague. Feel free to assume the types of performers, thieves, so on that have shown up to this very open festival to celebrate the King's betrothal.
This was Garryn's first real party on the surface, it was also his first masquerade. He felt slightly uncomfortable in the dress clothes, perhaps a bit out of place. He couldn't help but still feel like he didn't belong there, it should be his father, not him, not now, not like this. Two years, he'd been king for two years now, but king of what, the land they were granted was just a kindness from the King of Ferelden, it wasn't really theirs.
For the most part Garryn found himself hovering around the refreshments table, unsure who to speak with or what to do. Most of the faces he didn't recognise, some looked vaguely familiar. He got himself a drink, alcohol would help, certainly, probably, hopefully. Anything to calm his nerves, he usually wasn't this bad with social anxiety, but the situation with the dwarves had everything turned tits over arse.
He nodded at a few faces, smiled politely and took a deep calming breath.
Moira had only been home for a little while, but when she'd overheard Garryn talking about the King of Ferelden holding a masked ball, she had encouraged him to attend. It was important to keep in the King's good graces, lest he attempt to take away what was sovereign dwarven land. She could only imagine how Bhelen would have handled such a mess... and tutted quietly, as she caught sight of her son. "You know," she flashed the young man a smile. "Your father would have been hiding by the refreshments too."
The older woman let her gaze wander the faces of those mingling, she knew many people, many nobles had come to her over the years for fertility treatments, healing, advice. She was just a lowly farmer, widowed and alone with a ragtag group of children to many, but to a lot of the people of Ferelden, she was a healer they could send for when things were dire and required the most expertise. "It's typically good form to speak to the host." She stated, quietly. "I don't know this new King, not well, but we should congratulate him on his upcoming nuptials. Curry favor." She murmured, as she offered a cursory glance through the crowds.
Normally at events such as these, if she had attended, it was at Bhelen's side; keeping him out of his head, on track, ensuring he had safe arms to fall into if things started pulling apart. It was strange, not having him at her side.
Garryn felt a surge of relief at the sound of Moira's voice, he was quite positive that without her there he'd end up fucking things up. Diplomacy was hard, his dad had made it look easy, but it was really fucking hard. Never knowing for sure what people are meaning, who's lying, who's just trying to curry favour, who means what. Truth be told he was hoping to perhaps avoid a one on one with the king of Ferelden, but then he couldn't afford to insult the king either.
"Dad could hold his alcohol a bit easier than I can, trying to find the sweet spot, enough to give me liquid courage but not so much I make a total arse out of myself." He still hadn't lived his 18th birthday down when he woke up in the kitchen larder spooning the potatoes.
"I wish I had something decent to give for a gift, not that rune armour isn't something nice, maybe I'm just overthinking things a bit." That would be an understatement.
Moira laughed, softly. "Your father couldn't hold his alcohol when I met him, dear." She smiled softly, thinking back on the years she'd spent with the Aeducan family. "But he learned, and so will you." She declared, the promise into the air as if it would be true simply because she had said it.
Her smile faded, as the young King talked about the gift they had brought to represent the dwarves, and she moved to give the boy a hug, rubbing his back as she studied the people enjoying the festivities.
"The King will be honored to have armor crafted by our people. Remember, dwarven armors are some of the best," she whispered, as she released the boy. "You're doing good, Garryn. Your father would be proud." She stated, squeezing his shoulder again.
"And remember, you're not alone up here. I'm here, your brother, your sister—" Though Elene was hardly the Aeducan boys' sister, Moira and Bhelen had raised her as their own. [b]"—Most of my children are still around too. You have a wide-and-varied group of people supporting you as king." Her words were quiet.
"Go give your gift, Your Highness. Then, come give me a dance." She offered a bright smile towards the young king, "I'll come with you, just in case you need me." She promised, though she'd hang back and only step in if things looked truly dire.
Weddings were always an exciting time, they were also a merchant's dream to secure too. Before the barrier had formed, sealing Tevinter away she had made a fortune on providing one of a kind pieces for the Elite to fight over. Serene had not come as a merchant seeking patronage though, rather had come to celebrate the occasion alongside one of her friends.
The Campana’s had been generous when she began navigating the Antivan market and while the party was an excuse to show off some of her quality wares, business was not at the forefront of her mind. At least it shouldn’t be. Yoshi had encouraged her to take it easy, to ‘let her hair down’ though such a thing would never happen. There were still contracts sitting on her desk, waiting to be signed. The procurement of a new residence in Denerim to be finalised and notarized. There were things that required her attention, yet, here she was intent on enjoying the evening.
Osha, her maid, followed her a few feet behind, always ready to serve despite being told to enjoy the festivities. She had told Yoshi to do the same but as of yet Serene had yet to come across her. Serene would sometimes wonder if they had their own lives at all with how they refused to accept their given freedom. She would have no slaves in her household, not now, not ever. Each servant was paid generously and every worker assured of employment if honest and hard working.
Her gift for the couple was equally tailored, carefully packaged in a box carried in Osha’s possession. Pausing her gentle stride, Serene glanced around hoping to see either or a place where she could have Osha safely deliver it. However, neither seemed close by though her search was not without a most pleasing result. Approaching the pair, Serene let her gaze divide equally between the two Royals offering a deep curtsey to the two.
[color=#0074d9]“Your Majesties I had hoped to see you both here. How do you find the celebrations?” [/color]
This kind of party wasn't exactly this scene, but nevertheless Rorick felt that he needed to be here to support his brother, King of Orzammar. Garryn needed people he trusted at his side, but he currently wasn't. Rory had decided to mingle with the other guests, catching up on the latest happenings and even rumours. From what he had heard so far, if things didn't go to shit at some point tonight, he would be very surprised.
That, and maybe even a little disappointed, as between all this pomp and ceremony, some of these people were as stiff as the dress outfit he wore and so much wanted to take off. As in, to dress in something more comfortable. He hadn't had enough drinks for the alternative!
Speaking of drinks, he noticed Garryn and Moira by the refreshments and made his way over. Just as his brother left to present their gift to the King of Ferelden. He had been kind enough to gift them the land on which they now resided, so it made sense to keep well within his good graces.
"Guess I'll have to find my own dance partner, then", he quipped as he approached his stepmother, a grin flashing across his face which then faded a little as he glanced toward the two rulers.
"How's he holding up?", he asked with a hint of concern. Not that he should be, as they both had their father' blood in their veins. Still though, they were yet run and had much to learn about the schmoozing game.
Moira was listening in on the dwarven king, as he tried his hand at chatting with royalty. When Rorick spoke to her, she grinned, turning to face him. "Oh? There's enough left in me for a dance with both my boys." She teased, reaching out to squeeze the younger Aeducan's shoulder.
"He's... he's doing alright, he reminds me of your father, really." She'd known the late king during his early years, fresh-faced to the position, like the son behind of her. "He'll be alright, though. He didn't drink too much." She joked, softly.
Neither of Bhelen's boys looked like him, at least, neither of them had inherited their fathers' hair; something she'd be forever saddened by. "How're you holding up, Ro?" She kept up with all of her children, and though she lived with her dwarven sons in the dwarven stronghold, she travelled to see the rest, frequently. Her travels would take her all over Thedas, were she not resting after escaping the Deep Roads.
Garryn smiled warmly as Serene approached, it was always nice to see a familiar face, and someone he actually liked at that. Like many of the people that Garryn knew, he'd first met back when he was still just a prince and his father had been king. Serene had always been nice to Garryn, and had been especially supportive the last couple of years since Garryn had become King and been forced to evacuate his people to the surface.
Serene! Are you here for business or pleasure? Or both, I suppose both is also an option. I haven't had my private audience with the king yet, kinda nervous about that. Always afraid I'm going to say the wrong thing and fuck it all up.... Hopefully he likes the helmet I had made for him.
Serene smiled warmly, rising elegantly from her deep curtsey. It was always a blessing to attend a function where like-minded company could be found and she had always thought of Garryn fondly.
King Garryn! It is always a blessing to see you. Princess Franziska and her family were very generous to me when I first decided to invest in Antiva. I came to offer a gift and my congratulations on her approaching wedding.
Turning to her side, Serene indicated Osha and the box, the servant stepping forward and offering her own low curtsey. I did wonder where to put this but,she grinned slightly, if you don’t find it presumptuous of me, may I join you? She had never met the King of Ferelden personally and was unsure if her connection with the Campana's would be enough. Seeking to reassure him Serene offered her own opinion. I would argue that I should be the one who should be nervous. King to King is a matter of two equally powerful lions conversing, I am but a mere merchant. A lion could easily eat me.
"I'd be honoured if you joined me, might take some of the pressure off." He paused as he thought about her last words, about how she had more to be nervous about than he did. Perhaps that would have been true had it been Bhelen standing there, but Garryn was far less confident than his father had been.
"True, but staying on good terms is a bit more important now that we are living on land he's granted us. I can't help but feel like there are twenty-two ways I can fuck this all up and leave hundreds of dwarves homeless."
07-17-2022, 02:36 PM
Rorick Aeducan
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Rorick grinned as his stepmother assured him that she had plenty of dance in her both himself and his brother. Of course, he had been speaking in jest, but for all of Moira's many children and grandchildren, she was still willing to make time for him.
"Good to know!", he piped up as the older woman squeezed his shoulder. He looked up to her, both figuratively and literally, as the only mother he had ever known. He had been just a few years old when he passed, though he was told that she had been casteless, and had exceptionally red hair. He often wondered why both he and Garryn had such dark hair, when it seemed neither of his parents possessed such traits.
The conversation then changed to his elder brother, and it seemed that Moira was under the same impression that he was. That he was muddling through, but at least being very dignified about it. That was more than what he could probably accomplish, hence why, despite the assumption that he wished to somehow usurp his brother for the crown, he really didn't want his job. Neither had Garryn, but he seemed to be handling it with more grace than he could muster.
"Ha, give him time!", he then snickered at the remark about him not drinking too much. "So long as he doesn't do or say something stupid that gets us kicked out of Ferelden, we'll be fine. If he does, then so long as he let have some fun too.", he then added with a mischievous smirk.
"Seriously, once he's finished with King Byron and the looker in antivan robes, I'll talk to him.", he then spoke a little more seriously. Well, somewhat. Definitely lacking in the grace department.
[b]"As for me, I'm doing okay. Still feeling a little out of place, and like I need more to drink, but I kind of promised best behaviour, so...how's the rest of the family?" he trailed off, wondering just how his myriad of adoptive siblings were. Had he even met all of them? He couldn't remember, but perhaps that was simply a case of he'd had enough to drink already. Oh well.
Moira chuckled softly, If he messes up, I'll smooth it over. Don't worry, she chimed the promise, glancing over her shoulder to the two kings, and their Antivan companion. Bhelen would've had everyone laughing. It was such a serious event, despite the strange oddities and tricks being performed every-which way she looked.
The youngest Aeducan continued to speak, and she grinned, Well, if this were a dwarven party, the ale would be flowing. You should enjoy yourself, Ro. As for feeling out of place, well... I suppose that may get better with more time? But your father never quite managed to feel like he belonged up here, either.
When the topic of her other children came up, she sighed, studying the youngest. Well, Ellis sent word that they're travelling through some Fade-land. Sent some interesting drawings back. No word from Aes. As she mentioned her daughter, whom had disappeared when the Veil had come down, she caught sight of the youngest member of the family at just ten.
Elene Aeducan — though she knew Moira and Bhelen had been her grandparents, they'd been the only parents she'd ever known. The young girl had dressed nicely enough, and as she appeared in front of her grandmother and uncle, she beamed upwards, delicate elvhen features clear in the light of the torches that lit the event. "Ma! There's a fire-breather! D'ya see him?"
Moira laughed quietly, reaching to tousle the girls' hair. I didn't see the fire-breathers, why don't you take us over that way? She inquired, reaching for a glass of wine as she let the half-elvhen girl pull her away from the refreshments table, and further from Garryn.
Maker, she hoped he didn't screw everything up.
07-29-2022, 08:00 PM
Serene Alba Olor
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Serene smiled, tipping her head gracefully in thanks.[color=#1e92f7] “Thank you, my mind is more at ease knowing I have a friend by my side.” [/color]Reassuring the young King came naturally to the merchant. His father might have more confidence socially, indeed, Serene remembered the generosity Behlen had showered her in when the Swan had came looking for opportunities. Access to the Tevene market and tentative relations with the other Dwarven City had proved fruitful for both parties. Though, with her homeland cut off and the blights ravaging, friends and solid partners were a lifeline to victory and survival.
[color=#1e92f7]“You have his strength,”[/color] she said, her smile growing. Reaching for his arm, Serene patted it gently. [color=#1e92f7]“Also you’re mother’s level head. Do not doubt yourself young King. Honesty is how I run my business and so far it has only benefited me. Just be straightforward and forthright.” [/color]
Bhelen was put at some ease knowing a friend would be on the sidelines of his audience with the king, as well as his mother. Looking around for the clock, and then glancing at the direction they needed to go in order to have the audience with the king, Bhelen decided they should probably start heading that way.
How about we head over now, sooner we get it over with, sooner we can get back to the party!
