[Game Thread] A Game of Peril

[ElectricSheep]

For three hundred years the Game of Masks has been played by the nobles of the city of Coronus. Here there settle their petty squabbles, ruin their enemies, or even take out their competition permanently. Any deaths are ruled tragic accidents and everyone goes about their business as usual. Except this year's game seems to be different. More intense and with a malevolent force behind it. Rumors persist that the Mallencourt family are finally making their big power play to take the city, but these are just rumors. What is known is that the largest and previously most powerful family, the Aldenbreths were poisoned a week before the game's beginning while eating at their palatial estate. Eighteen of the Aldenbreths were killed in the heinous act and no suspects were ever found. Adding to this crime is the fact that the Council of Masks hired the Inquisitors of Hijarn to police and watch over the game. An unprecedented event in the game's long history. So now on the eve of the game, the great ball will play host to this year's players in what will undoubtedly be the greatest Game of Masks to date.

The Game of Masks: Ball Room As you enter into the ball room your name is announced in grand fashion by the court herald. All before you are masked and dressed in the highest fashion, with black being the dominant color. Some of the masks are elaborate and expensive, while others are plain, but still made of fine material such as silk. The game is to begin tomorrow evening, so tonight a banquet and ball will be held in honor of the participants. A record breaking one hundred and eleven are entered into the game this year and many are new faces. The air is thick with intensity, a foreshadowing surely of the events to come. Many of the older nobles are visibly nervous. Their hands shake slightly and they jump at the slightest provocation. It is almost as if you feel you are prey about to be hunted. DM Notes: Short introduction, but all my others were just too long for a mystery game like this one. I will be posting a map of the banquet area tomorrow, so you all just play nice and carouse with the other guests. There are too many people to list individually, but just approach someone and give a description of them and I'll take it from there. That way we all get to be a little creative. Only you know the motives behind your characters, so your conversation should reflect that. (Give physical descriptions and I'll provide names and backgrounds for the people you talk to.) Right now none of you have your main weapons, but if you wish to have a hidden one on your person, you won't be alone.

[Naresh]

Paror is dressed in his customary purple suit, he walks in, at ease with himself and the people around him, these were mostly his kind of people, young nobles eager to make a name for themselves... But not Paror, he was content to be here, to watch, learn, enjoy himself, play whim and fate like a fiddle and dance!

Paror migles, like water trickling down a pane of glass, he moves from one person to another, a few words here, a few there, charming and beguiling the women young and old alike. He tips his imaginary hat, winks, charms them with a smile. He cared little for the actual game, but the amusement it would bring was very tempting. He settles down in a corner of the large room, leaning against a pillar chatting to a lovely brunette in a flowing blue dress, he tells her old stories of lands long since gone, and poems of epic battles and deeds.

[moggthegob]

Alistair Roesch walked in his procession quietly. In line, he watched as each of the nobles progressed, some eager, some anxious in the line.

The game had not even begun yet and already they were in fear. This high society nonsense was eally a whirlwind wrapping it's maelstrom around Alistair's head.

He had been chosen for this assignment due to his ability to read people and he absolutely dreaded it. As a secret enforcer he had to play the game like the others, while still keeping a watchful eye. The priests had warned him that some nobles were looking to knock of their wealthy and influential competition. It's an odd place for an inquisitor to be. Most of the time we are kept out of the limelight and the ridiculously expensive clothes. Alistair was used to pursuing this city's external enemies while wearing a threadbare cloak and slinging arrows.

Today, his bow was carefully hidden and he wore an outfit a courtier might wear. It was awhite and silver affair,trimmed with a blue vest and sapphire cufflinks and a silver and sapphire pendant which also bore a charm depicting the holy symbol of Hijarn. He felt stiff in such formal clothing. True, he had been raised in the priest class and had basic training,but he much preferred slumming with militiamen to "conversing" with those who paid them. All for the greater good of the city and his most powerful Hijarn.

Alistair Roesch the herald announced and the slender half-elf stepped forward. It felt strange having himself "introduced" like this. Ah well. Just another role to play, part of an undercover operation. He's played woodsmen and porters to catch criminals before. Today was the same, so it was time to start looking the part.

He made his way into the crowd and began mingling quietly, attempting not to leave many impressions. Finally, he comes a cross a stronger looking man who beared his nobiltiy well, and made sure to have a pelt on him somewhere. If Alistair was to mingle successfully with anyone it would be one of this rich men who fancied himself an "outdoorsman" or " adventurer". Good day sir. I see you are quite the adventurer he says smiling and pointing to the pelt I fonly this game were like hunting, perhaps you or I would stand a fighting chance.

[Aosaw]

Zata had laughed at him when he opened the partition in their room. "If that is a disguise, then I am a natural-born dragon."

"We don't make jokes about dragons," Elemin had replied. But it was true; he was dressed all in green, as was his custom, and his costume was embroidered gold in the style of his family's crest. If anyone was there who knew Elemin, all they would have to see was the yellow dragon claws stitched into his shoulders. Not much of a disguise; but he didn't have any clothing at his new home that was disguise-worthy, and when he returned to the Academy for help, this was the best he could come up with.

Coming down the stairs at the ball, he didn't feel so out of place. Everyone, it seemed, was wearing something to reflect their personalities. He lowered his masque - a dragony thing, magicked with the assistance of his old roommate so that smoke trailed out of the nostrils. Not very subtle; anyone who didn't think he was on fire would recognize him as a magic user.

He approached a young woman, and struck up a conversation. She was dressed in suggestion of a swan, but her feathers were all yellow and blue. "Lovely engagement, isn't it?"

[ElectricSheep]

Paror's lovely brunette is none other than Laurel Estmore, daughter of Lord Wilhelm Estmore, who is on the Council of Masks. "Paror, I do so enjoy all of your many songs, and stories. You remind me of your father who used to visit our summer home in Valdana and tell such stories. He was always the traveler on the hunt for new business investments and trade partners. How is your father? We have not heard from him in quite some time."

The outdoorsman looking noble turns to Alistair and smiles widely beneath his red and gold fox mask. "I would mark you as right sir. Nothing like a good pheasant or fox hunt to get the blood flowing. I don't believe I caught your name. I am Helfdan Odoin, originally of Danark. And what is it that you hunt? Wealthy widows?" He laughs heartily at his own joke, grabbing his considerable belly while doing so. His mask slips down a little revealing several thick white scars on the left side of his face before he adjusts it back.

The swan-like young woman turned to Elemin and looked him up and down. She didn't frown or turn her nose up at him like many noble women would, but instead she seemed curious. "I hope that is sarcasm and not a feeble pass at my good graces sir. I'm afraid that I cannot waste time in the presence of a foolish dandy. And if I may ask, why did you turn your sights on me? Were there not enough wealthy beauties to approach?" The young woman speaks in a sigh that shows her obvious boredom at such events and that she probably obligated to go either as a date or as a player in the game.

[Naresh]

Paror sighs as if bored by the conversation "Come, do not talk of Him! You have heard of Bornhold yes? The kingdom and city that died in but one night? I was there... a beautiful place, much like this, with political games and mysteries... Bornhold... the kingdom that died beneath the sky a thousand years ago..." Paror thinks back, through time, possibly bloodlines and history itself to Bornhold... his place of birth, many simply took this as a sign of his poetical rambling, how could he have been born there? His "father" was nothing more than lower class noble, no more a father than Laurel was his sister. For some reason Michael believed he was Paror's father, through some hunting accident falling off a horse and hitting his head most probably... The lie suited them both. Michael gained a charming son who was all to happy to tell him tales and "carry on his line" after his wife had died and he promised not to touch another woman out of respect the chance of an heir became exceedingly slim. Paror gained an alibi, another trivial reason for people to latch on, to conspire and amuse themselves with...

"I am afraid good Sir Michael is ill, he has been bed ridden for three days at least and cannot even find the energy to play the flute, you know how fantastic he is on his flute, no? The birds themselves can only compare!" Paror laughs as he plays the game, amusement, he decided, was to be tonights main attraction "I hear your mother plays the Lyre, why, when Sir Michael is better we should introduce them, hold a soiree of some sort, I hear they are all the rage across the sea right now" how could people enjoy such tedium? "The dark sky looms over head like guilt over the sinner... the moon rises like the glimpse of hope and reconciliation for the blind man who took too much... and the young boy who loved as such... The rain washes away fears and hurt, from the greedy scars of wanting more, and the young boy, heart broken, shattered upon the floor... Those who love hold highest respect..." he takes Laurel's hand and kisses it, before tipping his imaginary hat "But was it love, in circumspect?"

[moggthegob]

Alistair gives a sly smirk to the hunter and utters Large game is my quarry, good sir. From 100 feet with a solid arrow, stalking my prey Playing the predator gives one a rush that is scarcely recreated anywhere else. This was a half truth. You certainly wouldnt consider orcs or criminals small game after all and you did haveto stalk them and corner them if youever hoped to apprehend.

He gives a bow to the noble instinctively " My name is Alistair Roesch. A minor noble from our fair city here. Though sir, I admit if I see any well-endowed widows, I'd certanly take up the quarry. He says with a wink and a laugh.

As the two stop laughing , Alistair points inquisitively at the man's face May I inquire as to what happened to your face?

[Aosaw]

Elemin smiled at the young woman. "I chose you because, like me, you seem to be out of place here. I'm only here because I was invited and because I have a suspicion something will happen tonight that may require my skills. I am a Wizard, madame; I hope this does not offend you." He offered the lady a slight bow; but already he suspected too that she was not a mere noblewoman there to socialize.

[ElectricSheep]

"I'm sad to hear of such sad news Paror. I hope Sir Michael makes a swift recovery. Now, enough simple banter. I have a room upstairs if you are interested, I'd love a more intimate display of your legendary skill." Laurel's breathing gets heavier and the twinkle in her eyes hints at more in mind than a display of bardic talent.

Helfdan's demeanor becomes very serious and he doesn't speak for nearly a minute. When he does, his voice is less robust. "A coward tried to have me assassinated at my daughter's wedding five years ago. They succeeded in killing my family and the family of my daughter's would be husband, but I was left alive to suffer their losses. I was maimed, but not dead and that was their mistake. In the time after I have found out through my many contacts that the coward could possibly be found in the next Game of Masks. So here I am to find and slay the one who took from me my family. Dark business, but as a hunter I will not fail. What brings you here hunter? You don't seem the type to participate in such a thing as this. You seem to possess more integrity than that."

"Well wizard. Do you have a name or should I just call you whatever passes into my mind?" Before Elemin can answer, she changes the subject, becoming colder as if in her jest she forgot her purpose. "You are wrong wizard. My place is here." The swan maiden turns back towards the dancing in the middle of the floor, her eye brows furrowed and her lips pursed.

[Naresh]

"My my, the finely fettled flesh is infused with such heated passions that the satiated hearts must yell and bequeath another few..." He winks at Laurel "you are a fine and pretty woman of all the hearts intent... but what of this game and of the other socialites? I am not one to bed such a beautiful and talently lady so lightly." He kisses her hand and smiles warmly "Do you dance my lady?" Paror bows deeply and tips his imaginary hat to Laurel

[moggthegob]

Crap! Alistair exclaims to himself I was thinking I could like this man and he does seem to be justified. It is my job to protect people in this game...but a large part of me wants him to succeed.

He ponders it for a moment and decides to reveal who he is in a whisper Who is this coward? I assume you know his identity. I have...connections that may be able to help. My purpose in this game is a bit different than most others if you get my meaning. I...empathize with your loss and it is a true tragedy. I will catch this perpetrator and I promise justice will be served.

[Aosaw]

Elemin was used to being brushed off; but this was the only person he could think of to converse with at the ball, and so he persisted. "You asked me my name," he said. "But you did not tell me yours." He let the implicit question linger a moment, then turned his own attention to the dancing.

"You must think all wizards are stuffy academics with nothing better to do than read old tomes and make up spells and potions." He reflected on this briefly. "You'd be mostly right, at that."

[ElectricSheep]

Laurel batts her eyes girlishly and lets out a squeal of pleasure. "To think that the Paror is asking me to dance. Oh yes, I do dance sir." With a burst of girlish energy Laurel snatches Paror's hand and drags him onto the dance floor. She was well known in the inner circles of the noble houses to be very impulsive and brash. She was also known for her skill in bedroom entertainment, but this was less talked about for obvious reason. "Lord Paror, don't you think we inhabit the greatest city?"

Helfdan releases a growl and crosses his arms over his chest. "I know the coward alright. He's there in the red cloak and demon mask." Helfdan points to the table where the council is seated. The man he refers to is none other than the Chief Councilman's son Aldair Covenarte. A man with a reputation a mile long, but protected by his well connected father and "friends" in the city guard and militia.

"You don't give up do you? What is it that you want, so that I may have peace? As for my name, I will only say that you may call me Orchid if you wish. As for wizards, I have known my fair share. I come from a notorious family of them after all, but I myself chose a different path." Orchid, as she wishes to be called, never looks at Elemin. She seems to be looking inward at some memory or inner conflict and whatever it is eats at her.

[Aosaw]

"Orchid, eh?" Elemin smiled. "A lovely name. And for that you can have my father's name, and call me Elemander." He bowed to the lady. "Well; we are here, after all, and for the moment at least you're stuck speaking to me. What is it that you do occupy yourself with, if it isn't magic?"

[Naresh]

"I have been to many... I doubt it can be called the greatest, but it is fine. The people are some of the... most socially adept I have ever met." He twirls her around as the continue to talk, showing off some of his fine dancing skill

OOC: I'm ill... I can't do alot