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faderiftooc2016-11-15 11:02 am
faderifting) wrote in faderiftooc2016-11-15 11:02 am
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MOD POST ↠ THE WINTER PALACE
THE WINTER PALACE
WHAT'S GOING ON
The War of the Lions has gone on for over a year now, and everyone's sick of it. Celene and Gaspard have been in a stalemate for months, fighting back and forth across the same few miles of the Exalted Plains, with neither able to gain any decisive victories. Neither side is prepared to give up, but with winter nearly here and the drain on the Empire and their personal resources reaching catastrophic proportions, both have been convinced to give peace talks a chance.
They will meet at the Winter Palace in Halamshiral, where a grand ball has been planned by Gaspard's sister Grand Duchess Florianne de Chalons. Despite its hostess having been recently captured and imprisoned by the Inquisition on charges of conspiring with Corypheus, it's been decided that the party will proceed. Too much effort has been put into bringing the major players to the table to postpone and plan a new occasion, and no one can afford to wait until the spring if there's any chance of ending the war now.
The Inquisition has been invited to attend in a vague intermediary role. They're not officially negotiators or mediators, and they have no authority to decide an outcome. Technically, they're just guests. But they're guests who have been welcomed in large numbers and asked to provide manpower to assist in guarding the palace. There have been no direct threats on the event, but everyone is more concerned with trouble coming from within than without, for good reason. It's not been said explicitly, but it's clear that the Inquisition presence is meant to provide a buffer between Celene's supporters and Gaspard's, and to prevent brawls--or open battle--from breaking out mid-party.
The canon NPCs from the game, including Celene, Gaspard, and Briala, are away behind closed doors preparing for and engaging in the talks everyone has come here for. In their absence and to help flesh out the atmosphere, below in the comments you'll find a list of NPCs with brief descriptions. Like we did with the soiree at Skyhold, these are available for you to use in your tags, and some may also be played by our helpful NPC mods. There won't be top levels for NPCs, but they might drop into threads here and there for brief interactions. This is to help make sure that as many different people as possible get a chance to play with them, though we still can't guarantee we'll get to everyone. This can of course be opted out of! Just mark in your subject line if you'd like to stay closed to PCs only.
HOW WE'RE PICKING A "WINNER"
Since a lot of our plans for determining the outcome of the Orlesian civil war didn't work out, that decision will instead be based on this log and Winter Palace Part II (to be posted later this month). To simplify things, we're going to use characters' involvement in these logs as a proxy for how involved they have been in the Inquisition's efforts in Orlais. Tell us who your character would support in the Orlesian power struggle, and we'll tally your comments in the IC log as points in that person's favor. Only comments posted before 11:59pm EST on December 15 will be counted.
To clarify, this is not a measure of the influence your character is exerting just during the ball itself. We assume that people will know better than to try to persuade the Orlesian nobles in attendance that Briala should be in power. It's more retroactive: if you comment 50 times here and your character supports Briala, we'll say that your character's actions in Orlais since the Inquisition arrived, prior to the ball itself, have helped garner 50 points' worth of support and bargaining power for Briala to bring into the negotiations.
As leaders of the Inquisition, the advisors obviously have the final say as to who the organization officially puts its support behind, and we'll be letting them make that call here, too. On December 16th, we'll inform the advisors of what the political landscape looks like, taking into account the relative strength levels of the three major players as determined by the comment count results. They'll then get to decide what they ICly want to do. If they choose to openly throw their support behind one candidate, that person will gain substantial leverage in the negotiations. Looking at their decision and the comment counts, we'll then determine whose leverage will be enough to prevail, and whether they'll be able to force the other two to submit to their rule or if a more complex situation will result.
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE
Everyone is welcome to participate in both logs. For PART I, we're including options for characters who would be invited to schmooze the nobility and characters who would not. Those who would not be welcome in the ballroom can hang out with the palace servants, who are celebrating no longer having to cook or prepare, or can be on guard duty/patrol in the areas around the palace. Even some non-combat characters might be tagged to help with guard duty, as their role there is as much to provide eyes and ears and a buffer between Celene's men and Gaspard's as anything else. Characters who hate fun or Orlais and would not willingly attend can be ordered to; this is a military organization, not a volunteer corps. All comments will count toward your chosen individual, regardless of whether your character is in the palace itself or not.
Please exercise good judgment when deciding where to put your character during Part I -- nonhumans and mages aren't barred from participating in the ball, but they will need to be particularly well-behaved and able to graciously accept poor treatment. Those with a history of outbursts or inherently controversial reputations likely would not be permitted to attend. Anyone who causes a scene in any portion of the log may be discreetly asked to leave by an Inquisition NPC. But don't despair! PART II will allow opportunities for characters who were not invited to come inside anyway.
TL;DR
1. Tell us who your character supports.
2. Participate in the logs. PART I, covering the first half of the night, is up now; PART II will cover the second half of the ball and will go up later this month. Comments to both parts posted before midnight EST on December 15, 2016, will count toward deciding the ultimate outcome of the war.
3. Make good choices and don't say your character was permitted to attend the fancy ball if they're at obvious risk of causing a brawl on the ballroom floor.
4. Mark in your subject line if you don't want NPCs to potentially pop into your thread.
NPCs
Comtesse Simone Farjeon, 58. Inveterate name-dropper with ties to the Council of Heralds that she is extremely proud of. Tells very long, very dull stories and is almost inescapable once a conversation has begun. Still cares more about who is supporting which side than any sort of principle or mission. Will have lots of gossip about who is secretly prepared to shift their allegiance, but is mostly interested in trying to weasel out info about who the Inquisition is throwing its support behind. Doesn't express any personal preference between Celene and Gaspard.
Duchess Laurentine Trellier, 32. A loud supporter of Celene because of her commitment to arts and learning. Renowned patroness, never goes anywhere without a gaggle of extremely attentive young artists about her singing her praises (often literally). Thinks the war is a silly waste of time that has turned everyone's poetry depressing. Aghast to hear that there is no corps of artists in the Inquisition producing material about them, thinks they'd be an excellent subject and wants to talk about the possibilities of sending people. Has no real interest in their actual work, just in the stories that can be told about it.
Marquise Bernadette Charbonnier, 26. Odette's identical twin. Vivacious and charming, but with a cruel edge to her humor. Constantly condescending to her sister but pretends she's joking. Still skeptical of the Inquisition and their involvement in Orlais. Not impressed with their efforts so far on many fronts, but drilling down, her primarily grievance is that they haven't made the roads any safer for commerce and she's concerned about her finances. Prefers Gaspard because Celene's inability to put this down faster doesn't say much for her ability to keep the empire stable and secure long-term.
Lady Odette Charbonnier, 26, Bernadette's slightly younger identical twin, delights in telling provocative anecdotes about sex with a qunari that she claims are about her sister whenever she's out of earshot. Relishes the disgust they evoke. Still disappointed that her latest attempt to assassinate her didn't work out. Prefers Celene just to spite her sister, hopes that if Celene wins she can get Bernadette executed for treason.
Baroness Marie-Delphine Comeaux, 35. Desperately in search of a husband with serious money, desperate enough to be looking at foreigners and even non-noble merchants. The war has hit her lands very hard, hard enough that if it continues much longer her wealth may be unrecoverable. She is trying to keep up appearances, but is very anxious for reassurance that these negotiations will end the war and that the Inquisition will do whatever it takes to ensure that. Does not have a strong preference between the candidates, just wants whatever solution can be reached fastest.
Marquis Arnot Vaillant, 43. Spends the whole night waxing rhapsodic about Celestine, the love of his life. As he goes on and on it will only gradually become clear that he is talking about a hunting dog. Wants to hear about the Inquisition's run-ins with dragons and other creatures and little else.
Duke Hugues Pelletier, 20. Earnest, devout Andrastian who will ask sincere questions about the Inquisition's activities and about the religious beliefs of his company. Probably a virgin. Massive crush on Cassandra, will get blushy and shaky if he can even see her and panic if offered an introduction. Lent the Inquisition his estate outside Halamshiral as an encampment, and is shyly eager to hear that people liked it and are grateful. Especially Cassandra. Prefers Celene because she had the blessing of the late Divine, but worries that the duration of the war signals the Maker's displeasure with her reign or with the direction of the Empire as a whole. Hopes that the Inquisition can provide spiritual guidance, even in the absence of the Herald.
Comte Benoît Daucourt, 53, political nonentity but swimming in money and likely to donate if no one punches him in the face. Likely to try to get people alone for quiet conversations where he is overly familiar and possibly overly tactile, but won't outright harass anyone, probably. Literal skeletons in his literal closet vibe. Even worse about elves than everyone else. Afraid of nugs. Does not like the Inquisition at all. He'll claim it's because they're a dangerous rogue heretical force beholden to no one interfering in national affairs, but it's really because Leliana keeps so many nugs. Prefers Gaspard because he'll reassert Orlesian dominance and work to expand the empire, but isn't in any rush for the war to end because he's turning a profit selling armor.
Staff
Gervaise, 34, manservant to Duke Pelletier. Also a devout Andrastian, much less earnest than his master. Very clever with numbers and strangely knowledgeable of the latest fashions in Val Royeaux; keeps Duke Pelletier in good fashion despite the duke’s devout interests. Less inclined to be forthcoming with donations or charity, less certain of the merits of the Inquisition, but highly obedient and would never oppose an order from the Duke. Cares a great deal for Duke Pelletier, prone to be cutting and defensive on his behalf. Doesn't really care about politics, has snide remarks about everyone.
Aloisa, 17, maid to Lady Charbonnier. Pretty, golden-haired, fairly careless in life - if this doesn’t work out, she will not be starving - but also good at her job. Excellent with hairstyles especially. Daughter of a merchant who was sent to work for the Charbonnier household in order to increase her contacts and potentially secure herself a husband. Embellishes Lady Charbonnier’s tales to a ridiculous degree and spreads them among the servants as much as possible. Hates sweets and dogs, loves flowers and watching tourneys. Highly suggestible; supports Gaspard because Lady Charbonnier supports Gaspard.
Jeronimus, 30, palace bard. Tall, very hairy. He has written a lot of strange songs which he will sing throughout the night, some of which might sound like deep political commentary and are rumored to be so - but are in fact just bizarrely straightforward songs about fruit and golden rings and beautiful ladies. Has no political aspirations or feelings. Claims to be highly distrustful of Fereldans but very seriously courted a Ferelden before she robbed him. Will conspicuously guard his pockets if a Fereldan comes near. Supports Gaspard because he will go to war with Ferelden.
Bertho, 28, palace bard. Shorter than his fellow bard Jeronimus; slighter, somewhat elfin but not an elf. Tends to look very dazed. He accompanies Jeronimus; if given enough ale, he will mention that he is thinking of going out on his own but will never do it because he feels that he is too thin to truly make it as a bard. Has no political aspirations or feelings. Also highly distrustful of Fereldans, and can't tell the difference between non-Orlesian accents so assumes anyone else is Fereldan. Likes fruit, a lot. Supports Celene because she won't go to war with Ferelden which means nobody will have to set foot in Ferelden or come near a Fereldan.
Mahieu, 14, palace dog boy recently pressed into cupbearing. Talks too much to be good at his job. Spills wine a bit too often; if he slops the wine over his fingers, he has a tendency to idly lick them clean. He was sleeping out with the dogs just two weeks ago and misses them a great deal. He spends the whole night talking about Celestine, the love of his life. The more he is engaged in conversation the clearer it becomes that Celestine is actually one of the hunting dogs. When he isn’t talking about dogs, he is asking for details of dragons and other creatures, without any real awareness that he might be risking punishment for impudence - though he does have the good sense not to pester anyone outright and can take a hint if people want to be left alone. Tends to blush a lot, especially when talking to handsome men. Thinks going hunting with Gaspard would be the dream of a lifetime.
Madame Guillaume, 43, head of the pastry chefs in Halamshiral’s kitchens. Formidable, hawkish, a master of custards. Widowed fourteen years, she has three sons, all of whom serve in the military in various positions of mid-low rank. Devout Andrastian; considered joining the Chantry before she married her husband. Supports Celene and is not afraid to talk about it, especially not if she’s had enough sweet wine - and she indulges often.
Colette, 26, a junior captain of Halamshiral’s guards. Dark-haired, grim, tells a lot of deadpan jokes but is difficult to amuse in return. Highly distrustful of the Inquisition. She never obeys direct orders but she is content to be a nuisance, and makes clear the fact that she is watching the Inquisition's representatives, and has instructed those under her command to do the same. She's Celene's woman to the core, but is more suspicious of the Inquisition than of Gaspard's forces. At least they're Orlesian and she knows who they really answer to.
Lazare, 38, senior stablehand. Wiry, salt-and-pepper haired elf with prominent scar across one eye. Has helped train the royal horses for decades. Admires Gaspard for his horsemanship, his kindness to the animals, and his professionalism and honor as a chevalier. Likes that he's more straight-forward than Celene and thinks he'll get Orlais back to the basics instead of focusing on making everything so fancy.
Marcatrude, 24, a laundress. Thin, smiley, curly-haired. Knows everything about everyone who is staying in Halamshiral and everything about anyone who has ever stayed in Halamshiral based on the sheets that she has washed and the gossip she has overheard. Actually, this is true; Marcatrude knows a great deal of secrets. She also claims to be a minor fortune teller by the Maker’s grace and will read your tea leaves for you. This is not, she maintains, any sort of magic, but a holy gift. Claims that the leaves have foretold dark days for Orlais, and that both Celene and Gaspard have fallen out of Andraste's holy light.
Estelle, 37, a chamber maid. Blonde, low-key matronly elf - more inclined to listening than speaking. The talent of being present without always being seen, both terribly useful and terribly alarming a trait in one whose role so frequently has her in close proximity to nobility staying in the Winter Palace. Rumoured to have been sought out by more than one visiting noble to the Palace who wished to take her on in the more esteemed position of lady’s maid, but supposedly refused to leave the service of the Valmonts. Won't hear a word spoken against Celene.
Monsieur Rainier, 59, game keeper. Gently Brian Blessed-ish, which is to say giant and human and so much beard. Very concerned about the state of things for the peasants - no, sorry, that was pheasants. Doesn’t mind elves so long as they know their place. Feels like more and more good Palace work is being given to them non-human sorts, and it doesn’t sit entirely well with him. Very protective of his precious hunting birds, and rather hopes all this unpleasantness is sorted out so that Gaspard and Celene can go on a hunt together. Inclined to talk if coaxed with wine.
QUESTIONS
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if that's too open i can think of more specifics, just feeling around for opportunities and stuff to rp about! if this is more closed off i can say she has been too remote via being inquisition for too long.
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Re: QUESTIONS
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(also do you get paid for that???)
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and despite my jokes, her songs will be strictly neutral. she doesn't want to get run out of halamshiral by an angry mob.
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Please please please please please.
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