Season of Songs and Dances

Coming of Age
Seianthi, the goblin matriarch, has camped out at Delemont village in the old keep - she inhabits a walled garden where the old Trollkoenig once lurked. She lets Yiuri know that she has plans for young Marcus. Not only is he about to become an adult in the eyes of his fellow goblins - but she wants to make him a candidate for power, someone her kind hasn't seen since the Desh fell about 200 years ago.

Saying that "A prince needs his allies", she offers gifts to the party who accompanied Marcus to Lago. Elek gets an unusual candle, made of a material so pure that you can faintly see the wick inside it. It is cold to the touch. Seianthi instructs Elek to use it as a focus to train his fire magic. Yiuri is offered the chance to undergo a strange, bloody ritual involving eating a mysterious totem fashioned from offal. He will get 'a quick path to power" (a stat increase to a single stat of his choice) but he will owe Marcus and his goblin people a favour. Roquette is given a select invitation to a goblin-only fighting ring, with a champion's reward and the allyship of goblin groupies if she wins the grand prize.

From there, the social season moves on to the season of Dances. Individuals get rewarded for vulnerability and intrigue. Factions have a chance to boost their Influence.

Seianthi wants to show off Marcus, mostly among his own people. She plans to place him at the vanguard of a great goblin rights protest, with the goal to get goblins their own district in Piedamonte. Now that the goblins in Lago have had a taste of autonomy, they will be ready to rise up and possibly riot.

Itria LeLouche has other ideas. She would prefer to introduce Marcus to the high society of the elven Cartel. Seianthi wouldn't be a fan of this but she might be persuaded of the benefits.

The Flower of Youth
There is a struggle over the succession to Tribune, as Itria's lover is clearly starting to show his age.

The Castile and d'Arcourt families are both vying for the title. The current Bebe, Leu Septime Rivet is the nephew of distillery magnate Sieu Auguste Rivet - Auguste has no viable heir and is presumably desperate about that, as well as the power he will lose when Septime is kicked out.

Sieu Damon Castile, owner of the elves-only club and orphanage patron, is offering up his daughter Felicienne for the title. She's cute, of mixed blood and quite naive and idealistic. She often sneaks out to help in the orphanages. Sieu Damon's cashflow is... mysterious to say the least.

Sieu Jimy d'Arcourt is the current Papa and Dora Edilia is the current Maman. The d'Arcourts are landed gentry with big holdings in the Fertile Swathe. Sieu Jimy has chosen to support his son Athos as the next Tribune - many Cartel affiliates think this would give too much power to the d'Arcourts - Sieu Jimy would have to step down to make this palatable. Dora, a terrifying dowager, has so far not chosen any preferred successor or candidate for Tribune.

Candidates for the new Papa: Ozile Neanmoins (the smuggler king), Sieu Auguste Rivet, Sieu Damon Castile, Etienne Clavier. If LeLouche Pere was found to be alive, he'd claim the title.

Candidates for the new Maman: Mam Itria LeLouche, Dedalera LeLouche, Mireille Fuller (nouveau-riche family, elf who employs a lot of goblins)

Candidates for the new Bebe: Felicienne Castile, Athos d'Arcourt, Marcus (by adoption)

They Need A Dance Partner
DomNa Pepito de Carros is on the hunt for a spouse. They're holding a big party, sponsored by the de Carros family of Cartel Cimmaron but also bankrolled by the Rio Copos corporation. Pepito is also hunting for trade deals and labour to help rebuild Lago, on the quiet.

For the first time in Ladinh history, goblins are invited as honoured guests to a Dance of Dances. DomNa Pepito was especially insistent that Unata, the new head of his guard and Mistress of the Toll, be present. Since Lago's full of holes, Piedamonte will host.

Fioca, Laura and Marcus are all invited as Delemont Tribunes, to meet and dance with the young heir.

Pre Party
The party ends up hosting the de Carros retinue for 'pre-drinks' in Delemont, there's quite a bit of carousing and flirting from DomNa de Carros, and Roquette and de Carros end up sleeping together. The next morning de Carros reappears transformed; they are immaculately dressed, collected and exuding professionalism. It's clear that they used the Delemont drinking session as a last chance to cut loose before they return to family obligations and courtly politics. Fortunately, Roquette made a good enough impression on Unata that she accepts her patron's tryst - she even comments "this is the happiest I've seen them for a while". Unata is still struggling to get her head around Pepito's pronouns (not super surprising since Two are rare among goblins and not a big part of goblin culture).

Yiuri gets to chat with Linda Gonsalves, meets her poguana and talks shop very enthusiastically (including possibly inventing a prototype for the gunpowder cartridge).

The Party Itself
The de Carros retinue and the Delemont invitees will most likely share the road north to get to the party. On the way, a harried-looking cat walker named Andre offers his greetings to Yiuri, Seianthi and Marcus and suggests that the goblins might join Yiuri's team for a visit to the Wedge, to get kitted out for the party in "some tasteful finery". Seianthi accepts grudgingly and grumpily at first, but once she goes into full Makeover Mode she cheers up quite a bit. Mam Itria and 'Domina Seianthi' seem to be slowly mending some bridges.

The party is hosted in the same location where Piedamonte held Wassail Day, the big banquet for Spring Torno. Mam Itria's pet panthers are prowling the perimeter, guarding the premises (maybe a precaution against assassination attempts, after the scandal the last time this venue hosted a knees-up). The panthers are not leashed but they wear heavy collars and short coats that seem to be imbued with magic. Elven embroidery reads SERVICE ANIMAL - DO NOT PET. The big cats stick to specific paths around the grounds. The party is advised not to play with the kitties while they are on guard.

The decor is different this time. Because Cartel Cachot no longer needs to be on standby for Spring War, the evac towers can get a more thorough makeover. Instead of trestle tables and braziers, the main floor of one of the towers has been cleared as a ballroom; the flagstones have been covered with a sprung floor, kept smoothly polished and clean with magic. An INT test will reveal this uses a combo of Cachot and Cimmaron specialities (Enchantment and Abjuration). The decor is a mix of tapestries, banners and garlands from various families: House Speranza has supplied blue textiles and some chalice-like drinking vessels, Cimmaron's crook and hammer crest adorns a few imposing but relatively minimalistic thrones set on a small apron stage / dais at the back of the ballroom. And the floor is decorated with a realistic-looking swamp scene, seething with frogs, fish, bugs, anaconda and Cachot's heraldic animal - crocodiles. The party swears they see the designs move and writhe very subtly. The finger food is very tasty and has a New Orleans theme, with lots of sweet choux pastries, the famous Poulaine pies, peppery spiced meat on sticks, some good cheese, and little flax 'boats' of fried shrimp, buttered snail and pickled vegetables. There is a lot of fortified wine, a big silver vessel of spiced Xocolatl (Parley booster if you share it with someone) and a large Spritz fountain (slightly flavoured, magically carbonated water).

The musicians play a mixture of smooth jazz and zydeco while people mingle, breaking into covers of more traditional standards like the Pavan and Volta for the more formal, courtly arts of the evening. There are segments where ballet dancers come out and hop around dressed like river nymphs and foresters. It's pretty twee.

Mam Itria is wearing an emerald green, figure-hugging gown with a boa-like scarf of what looks like rainbow feathers and deep green scales. It brings out the green in her eyes. Itria seems out of sorts - possibly because their lover is presenting themselves as one of DomNa Pepito's suitors.

Dedalera seems to have had a hand in creating the garlands for the ballroom - large tropical blooms in deep reds and yellows with green tendrils, matching the colour scheme of Cartel Cimmaron. Dedalera herself spends most of the evening lounging inside the large bloom that encloses her elven body, her roots in a large (spa pool sized) ceramic tub of fresh blood and bone fertiliser. The whole room smells intoxicatingly of honeysuckle and jasmine (though there aren't any of Dedalera's Charm spores in evidence).

DomNa Pepito is remarkably collected: they carry themselves upright in a dark red velvet doublet with starched neckcloth and wear a simple gold tiara set with a few large red and green gemstones. They ply the crowd with great diplomacy, ensuring every debutant and debutante at the party gets time with them. It seems Unata is doing all the emoting for them: an observant party member will notice that she is glancing around in all directions and never once locks her knees or settles in one place. Where she is required to be stationary she goes into military At Ease position, legs slightly apart and unlocked, hands never too far from the ancestral goblin blade at her hip. She's wearing a more utilitarian version of DomNa Pepito's doublet, but the neckcloth at her throat is unstarched and the fit of her clothing is looser so she can run or fight if she needs to.

Fioca's appearance: Resolutely practical. Fioca has decided to mirror Yiuri's style of dress in some respects: she wears a floor length surcote for the ballgown look, but there are splits between the panels to reveal she has slim trousers and formal leather boots on underneath. Fioca looks elegant and a little fierce, she's done her hair in a long, loose braid and almost certainly has a weapon concealed somewhere on her person.

Laura's appearance: full Rococo Disney princess. She heard the words "grand ball" and got excited. She's improvised an incredibly pouffy shepherdess skirt out of materials that look suspiciously like Delemont trade goods. Inspired by Francois or perhaps Dedalera, she's woven an entire flowering epiphyte plant into her hair instead of a hat. She persuaded a group of the local fey to do some embroidery - the result is a startling pastel kaleidoscope, featuring applique depicting alpacas and sequin-covered mountains. She is even accessorizing with a pastel pink shepherd's crook with a ribbon on it. Laura has transcended whimsy and somehow come out the other side with maximalist wearable art. Is this... is this fashion? A lot of extravagant elves start to congregate around her.

Marcus's appearance: since he's very recently come of age he can wear a toga virilis to the ball: however for dancing he will wear a mid-length tunic, some knee-high woven sandals and a garland of silk flowers in his hair. The fabrics themselves are simple but he's got some glamours from Itria and Dedalera. He looks fresh and inspiring, like the Duende of old - Dedalera comments that he resembles a fresco of a handsome forest deity that she saw on her travels.

Naughty Boy!
There's a side plot involving Peludo, a pedigree poguana that gets loose at the party. His owner is Dona Linda Gonsalves, a minor landed noble from Cartel Cimmaron who sells fireworks and is organising the display at the party, is very anxious that her reputation could be ruined by her naughty pet. The party can use Peludo as a diversion, entertainment for Pepito or to get favours out of Dona Linda.

Dona Linda Gonsalves (in dark green with md length sleeves) rustles her way anxiously up to Yiuri and lets him know that her poguana has got loose. She last saw her little Peludo heading into the ballet's dressing room for males - and she can't go in pursuit without offending someone's modesty. Peludo can be found noisily copulating with a fluffy white tutu somewhere in the dressing rooms. He will resist capture (he is quite bitey) and take Yiuri and co on a chase through the kitchens, plus some backrooms where Yiuri may well witness some elven dalliances or overhear various racist comments about goblins from grumpy Cimmaron retinue. Peludo will go up someone's skirt.

The Rivals
Who else is making a play for the young DomNa?

Y'd representative - Mamselle Rachel Guidry, heiress of Three Pentacles Savings Bank, Central Division. She's here because if Goblins can go, why not some dwarves? Strong Jewish-Italian princess vibes as befits someone from a banking dynasty. She's wearing a sort of boxy Chanel tweed hoop dress, tasteful makeup, large hair and a LOT of diamonds.

Mamselle Felicienne Castile, daughter of Sieu Damon Castile (owner of the orphanages and elves-only club). A candidate for Bebe. Slender and blonde, she is wearing a filmy overdress with many delicate layers - a picture of innocence, some might say to offset her dad's sleaze. Under the gossamer dress she wears seafoam-green leggings, ankle boots and arm wraps, a bandeau top and a short wrap-around underskirt.

Maistre Athos D'Arcourt (esquire), son of Sieu Jimy D'Arcourt (big landowner, current Papa of Cartel Cachot). A candidate for Bebe. Pale and slim with dark hair, he seems to wither in his father's shadow: though he's in his early 20s he feels younger than Marcus, both in physique and in experience. He's managed to coincidentally dress a lot like Elek - Athos likes to match his blacks - and he seems far more interested in magic and travel than in farming.

Leu Septime Rivet, current Bebe and nephew of Sieu August Rivet (the childless booze magnate). Also Itria's lover. They seem... a little not so fresh compared to all the young suitors, but here they are, entering the race. Itria is Not Pleased about it. They're wearing a classically-derived chiton and cape ensemble in purple, with a little gold-leaf laurel wreath for a tiara. A random elf mutters that the tiara's there to disguise Septime's thinning hair. Marcus wore it better :D

Santiago and Constanza, Knights Paladin of the Hueste di Ladinh (the national standing army). As Knights Paladin they take on holy names and formally surrender any family ties they might have had. They are both physically impressive specimens and look very shiny in their formal dress uniforms (which bear the Ladinh Coat of Arms: a silver quatrefoil on blue to represent the elven Cartels, and three gold towers on red representing the three federated human Houses). Pepito probably does enjoy a person in uniform, but these two are from Cimmaron lands and... not very exotic

A Wee Spar
In the middle of the courtship ceremonies is a chance for some courtly feats of arms. The idea is that marriage prospects can show off their skill and physique, and this can also be a formalised opportunity to air some grievances between nobles.

Sparring is limited to light side swords and batons. Each weapon is inspected by Cartel mages and the blades enchanted with a spell that negates most of the damage they do. Courtly duels do, however, leave 'touches' for a point of damage, and can leave small scars, bruises or nicks.

While the duels of honour are going on, Elek will be approached by a silver hared human who refers to himself only as Prospero. He is a Storm Reader (combining divination and the Tempest cleric domain) affiliated with Cartel Vilaverde, and it is clear from his conversation that he has ties to the los Gatos, Thierry the Tavern's old gang of privateers and smugglers. Prospero wants to buy Elek as an informer. He's been fascinated by the party's antics ever since Cachou, and mostly wants dirt on Mam Itria and family. In return, he offers divination services and connections to help Delemont maintain its independence. As a show of good will and his talents, Prospero has information to share about the Roma/Grey Elves, if Elek is curious about what his descendants have been up to. "Oh yes... you have a family after all. Especially the sculptor. He's got your... eyes". Burning Gaze shows Elek just that - a pair of Drow eyes gazing right back at him with the distinctive fire of Dajbog, set in a suspiciously familiar face.


 * The Kinights Paladin go through some sword forms to start out - an elegant but unexciting display, since they're both trained in a similar style. They do use some divine magic - Constanza favours Atina, Santiago favours Tyche the goddess of luck.
 * Felicienne Castile challenges Alain the Tanner on the matter of "effluviant miasma" in the river, which is endangering the safety of the giant river otter population. Alain is quite well muscled and it's suddenly a serious combat. Felicienne seems much too frail to stand up to him but bravely starts getting ready... till Brolga steps in as her champion.
 * Seeing that Felicienne is pouting at not getting to fight, Fioca gamely offers to have a spar with her and they have quite a bit of fun! Fioca's had less formal training so her style is more chaotic, but not as quick. Felicienne gets a swift, precise lunge in under Fioca's guard, and Fioca will get a point after executing an acrobatic manoeuver that looks oddly similar to a wrestling move. They have a big hug at the end and go off giggling, to drink xocolatl and eat pastries. BFFs!


 * Morom Abel Guidry, investment banker and Justice of the Peace in Cachou, challenges Yiuri Grigorovich. If victorious, Abel will insist that Yiuri brings Delemont "into the fold" of Three Pentacles Savings Bank and that a branch be set up in the village. Yiuri is welcome to name a favour "of equivalent price" in the event that he wins. Mam Itria tries to speak out in protest: Morom Abel replies that Yuri is not 'made' nor officially part of the Cartel, and as dwarven nobility he is honour bound to settle things dwarf to dwarf. Abel equips a pair of simple leather gloves and no weapon. He's a middle aged dwarf, older than Yiuri with a shaved head and cropped beard. His martial arts style sits somewhere between krav maga and Wing Chun - he has the dexterity to flow around Yuri's moves, and a very no-nonsense, speedy approach to his offense. He goes for quick takedowns. If Yiuri goes for a firearm, he will counter with a brutal, snapping disarm and redirect that leaves Yuri's pistol pointed at his own temple. If Yiuri starts flashing shashka, Abel won't be distracted and will seek to come right in with speed to grab Yiuri's lapel and go for a throw. Abel's main weakness is his daughter Rachel.
 * Unata invites Roquette to a "friendly bout" as she is curious to witness her legendary skills for herself. The match turns out to be slightly less friendly than advertised - is it a test, or something else? Unata is fast and can see through a lot of Roquette's bullshit. DomNa Pepito will definitely get a visceral response out of the display at some point, and they may intervene if the duel becomes too violent or intense.

Dedalera will award the Rose of Valour to whichever contestant distinguishes themselves with the most gallantry on the night. She doesn't reveal herself fully but a very elegant, bare arm will emerge from her protective petals to award the Rose to the combatant.

The Big Fight
Time for Roquette's Roadies to join a gaggle of goblin civil rights marchers, prize fighters and Elders at the Big Fight in Piedamonte!

This year's a special occasion: to make the event 'extra', Seianthi wants to approach the Gopniki in les Pyramides, to use one of the old pyramid catacombs as the venue for an even bigger Big Fight than usual. Her vision? To unite the Gopniki and Duende peoples in Cachot territory in search of a common goal. They both need more secure lodgings and a real place as part of the city in Piedamonte. Duende already have the Goblin Quarter in lo Marais, and Lago has given hope to the local goblins that their cause will get traction. Perhaps, together with Gopniki protesters, both communities can improve their living conditions.

"As Er-Kle led his people south to new lands, let us lead our people down a better path. Trasgu, castoffs no more: it is time we remembered who we are. We are Duende, our claim is as strong as the Alfen and our dealings are more noble."

The barriers to understanding: Duende religion is polytheistic and most Gopniki are monotheistic.

Seianthi's offer: let the peoples unite over their common ground in ritual magic. Seianthi plans to raise a Trash Golem in a musical ceremony and make it dance for the dwarves. She's willing to share some of her people's knowledge with the Gopniki (who used their own singing-based divine Art in similar ways, back when the Dwarven nations were still mighty). It's a clever appeal to the more traditionalist Gopnik canonarchs and cantors. (names for Gopnik spellsingers: Rector Glagolyev, Canonarch Grigorovich (F), Vasily the Redeemer)

The Big Fight has a brutal MMA or Pankration style aspect to it. Goblins are famously tough and strong (though a little top heavy), with an 'in-boxing' style. They also use Trasgu magic to create nasty improvised gauntlets out of old nails, metal fragments and other septic junk. They bind their fists or brows in strips of cloth with runes drawn or woven on, and the junk accretes along the binding strips. It's a perfect workaround for a community that, much like the Y'd, is not technically meant to have a standing army and that is even more restricted in its use of weapons technology.

Gladiator names: Priscus and Verus (tag team), Flamma, Crixus (super-heavyweight). Depending if the Gopniki join in, Kyrill will probably have a hoon. Kyrill's bootleg technique is to douse himself in vodka and set his large, hairy back on fire (intimidating, and potentially disruptive to the goblins' magic bindings).

Magic Dance
House Speranza has declared itself the winner of the Season of War, for reasons that it will apparently announce when it finances and hosts the first ever Grand Masque on its home turf! Does this mean that the mysterious, isolationist Forteressa Speranza will be open to outsiders? So far, only select guests have received fancy magical invitations, and of those few, some were disappointed to find their invitations wilted when opened. Whatever can it mean?

Invitees include: Etienne Clavier from the Ministry of Affairs, Itria and Dedalera, Seianthi Wolfmother the Kindly One and Marcus Neandros, Moonfire of the Pines; Ser Elek Kontos And Party, Alcolyte Maria, Aelaf Elsson, Dukessa Juana de Carros, Laerzio Otranto but NOT Clodoveo his brother, Sabeo Francisco de la Plata, Carabosse and Pomeranius (the last two are surprising indeed, given Speranza's plot to kill Carabosse!). There are also invites going out to many Ningalu, Morning and Janjarri delegates as well as to a few select Y'd and Goblin representatives.

On the way, the party will run into a gaggle of rogue mages, led by Sette and Otto (a classic fire and ice teamup). They wear a motley of tattered robes and light armour robbed from dead soldiers and the odd victim of Spring War. A bit of searching will indicate that they used to run with House Speranza but appear to have gone totally rogue. They target anyone wearing an Invitation Bloom, including Maria (who might recognise them). It seems not everyone likes Speranza's decision to welcome guests to the Forteressa.