Revelia Carnivale - 2021-07-17 - Carnivale Concert (log)

Performances (and door prizes) from the Revelia Carnivale Concert, held 17 Koaratos 5121 (July 17, 2021), hosted by House Aspis and House Paupers.

Opening and Welcome

[Den of the Dragon]

Some open curtains of heavy, dark green velvet drape the vast stage, and argent tenting protects it and the closest from the elements without ruining the view of the rest of the audience. Globes of ethereal, magical lights hang overhead, beaming their glows in strategic directions controlled by a series of overhead ropes and pulleys that disappear behind the dark, backstage curtains. A shiny silver plaque adorns the front of a podium to the right of the stage and a walkway leads up and out.

Obvious exits: none

You see Chatelaine Traiva Verethundi the Incantress.
She appears to be an Aelotoi of the Mrae'ni Clan.
She is petite in stature and has an hourglass figure. She appears to be in the prime of life. She has smoldering, viridian-flecked dark hazel eyes and rose-tinted ivory skin. She has hip length, softly curled deep cordovan hair with a pair of plum-tipped alabaster roses woven into the strands. She has a heart-shaped face and high cheekbones. She is inked with a dancing flames pattern upon her arms. She has a pair of jade-veined elongated emerald wings.
She has a knotwork and dragonfly tattoo on her neck, a wispy dancer tattoo on her foot, and a pair of silver-wrapped amethyst earrings in the ridges of both her ears.
She is in good shape.
She is wearing a trilliant-cut amethyst necklace, a dress of fluid amethyst marbrinus whorled with silver, and an emerald-set gold wedding ring.

You see Argent Herald Allyria Dawnfire the Sorceress.
She appears to be a Dark Elf.
She appears to be very young. She has long-lashed violet eyes and fair skin. She has waist length, curly silver hair loosely styled with some oval-cut glinting water sapphires scattered throughout. She has a trail of pale silver powder lightly dusted across her cheekbones.
She has a golden scroll tattoo on her wrist.
She is in good shape.
She is wearing an engraved argent circlet, some triple-set diamond earrings, a silver filigree oval locket, a silver fox fur cape, a pure silver Aspis pin, a translucent spidersilk backpack, an off-shoulder misty rose silk dress with a woven silver corset, a slim silver charm bracelet with leaf-shaped links, a gold filigree ring, a silver dwarven wand belt, a silver etched scroll case, a pearl-trimmed silver mesh pouch, a rose-carved bright silver anklet, and a pair of silver kidskin pumps.

Traiva recites:

   "Please start to settle down. We will begin shortly."

Traiva recites:

   "In the spirit of Dremerie and Bardfests past, please take a moment to silence any animals and such that may have stowed in with you.
    It is not easy to get up on stage for some, and distractions can be, well, distracting!"

Allyria recites:

   "Welcome to the Den of the Dragon as we celebrate Cholen's Eve and Revelia Carnivale"

Allyria recites:

   "In the spirt of Bardfests past, we have invited folks to perform in concert to appease the Dragon."

Allyria recites:

   "And without further ago, I turn this over to Chatelaine Traiva of House Paupers"

Traiva recites:

   "Welcome all!"

Traiva recites:

   "We have a wonderful concert for you tonight, with performers you will recognize from Bardfests past..
    And new performers to the stage!"

Traiva recites:

   "Before I duck out momentarily and hand things back to Allyria, I want to thank everyone who has attended the Revelia Carnivale events.
    I hope you have enjoyed them as much as we have all enjoyed hosting!"

Traiva recites gleefully:

   "Revel Revelia!"

Allyria recites:

   "To start things off tonight is our own Chatelaine Traiva of House Paupers"

Traiva Performs

The backstage curtains part slightly, and Traiva steps out onto the stage. A glimpse of the shadowy backstage is briefly visible before the curtains close behind her.

(Traiva steps from behind the curtain as the theater lights dim to a pale gold centering on her. Her hips sway gently from side to side as she makes her way to the front of the stage, her bare feet falling flat onto the wood boards with each deliberate step.)

Traiva recites melodically:

    "Beneath notice she slips behind the curtain swaying low -
     No one pays that one a mind, lacking such a wispy glow.
     The one who's noticed not is one who'll shine most bright,
     Like the diamond long forgot at last brought up to light."

(Traiva draws the lily-etched kaskara from her side to hold it in front of her, both hands clasping the hilt as the blade points down, her gaze fixed steadily on you.)

Traiva recites measuredly:

    "The blade hangs by her hip as she moves to center floor.
     Not for defense she'll now equip - it has much more in store."

(Traiva's eyes seem to sparkle as the corner of her mouth curves upward in a slight smile. The soft song of a flute punctuated by the quiet thump of a bass drum begins, and the stage lights are snuffed completely as the spotlight turns a fiery red.)

Traiva recites silkily:

    "The music starts, she is the flame as it flickers in the night -
     It starts slowly, just the same, until the strength takes flight."

(Traiva tilts the blade to the left, her torso curving to follow with it. She loosens her grip to tilt the weapon to a spin over her left hand, her body moving sinuously to follow the arc of the blade.)

Traiva recites seductively:

    "She weaves with measured movement, sure, as one with blade as with skin,
     Yet like a Siren with a call to lure you to the danger found within."

(Traiva takes hold of the kaskara with her right hand and raises it to swing in a series of graceful swirls above her head, her hips and torso swaying in counter-balance as she weaves across the stage.)

Traiva recites melodically:

    "Blade Dancer's mesmerizing grace becomes the only thing you know:
     All are lost in time and space within the wispy candle's glow."

(Traiva lowers her arm and gives the lily-etched kaskara a solid spin around her extended limb. As if in response to her words, the fiery spotlight flickers, casting a smoky shadow on the curtain behind her.)

(Traiva catches the kaskara just as it starts to slow, grasping the hilt with her hand and drawing it across her body to rest by her side.)

Traiva recites measuredly:

    "As all things must it comes to end, and blade and dancer still.
     Stunned and silenced, you work to mend your longing, aching will."

(Traiva slowly draws back both hands to clasp the kaskara's hilt behind her as the spotlight retreats into the golden glow of the returning stage lights. She begins to back toward the curtain, her hips swaying with each slow toe-to-heel step.)

Traiva recites smoothly:

    "Blade and Dancer clear from sight - if they were even there at all
     As now intrudes cruel blinding light ..."
      
      
     The theater lights suddenly brighten to their full glow as Traiva stands just before the curtain.
      
      
     "Yet still you hear the Siren's call."

Traiva retreats through the backstage curtains, vanishing from sight.

The backstage curtains part slightly, and Traiva steps out onto the stage. A glimpse of the shadowy backstage is briefly visible before the curtains close behind her.

Traiva sinks into a deep curtsy.

(Traiva nibly steps down from the stage into the pews.)

(Traiva stands at the bottom of the stage and turns toward the audience.)

Traiva recites:

   "As stage veteran Meril gets ready to take the stage..."

Traiva grins slowly.

Traiva recites:

   "We need Door Prizes!"

Traiva recites:

   "Who has the door?"

Traiva glances around the room.

Traiva asks, "Really?"

Traiva exclaims, "All the time in this theater and even Aurien forgot the door!"

Traiva says, "Very well then."

Traiva removes a gold-veined cobalt sapphire from in her multihued satchel.

Traiva recites:

   "A special Revelia Carnivale sapphire will have to do!"

Traiva places her illthorn leaf pin flat on her palm and gives it a brisk spin. The illthorn leaf pin twirls around in a blur for a few seconds before coming to rest pointing directly at Fahlo. Fahlo wins!

Traiva offers Fahlo a gold-veined cobalt sapphire.

Speaking to Traiva, Fahlo exclaims, "Thanks!"

Speaking to Ceyrin, Traiva says, "The sapphires were specially made for the Carnivale."

Fahlo accepts Traiva's cobalt sapphire.

Traiva recites:

   "If you have been to Bardfest before, our next performer is no stanger to this stage.
    With what is sure to be a delightful song. . .
     
    Meril!"

Meril Performs

The backstage curtains part slightly, and Meril steps out onto the stage. A glimpse of the shadowy backstage is briefly visible before the curtains close behind her.

You see Meril.
She appears to be a Sylvankind.
She is average height.  She appears to have come of age.  She has hardened, piercing forest green eyes and fair skin.  She has waist length, flowing auburn hair interspersed with strands of grey.  She has a delicate face and slightly downswept pointed ears.
She is in good shape.
She is holding a gold-accented ebonwood mandolin in her right hand.
She is wearing a translucent amber doe symbol suspended from a strand of hazelwood, a subtly traced moss silk surcote fastened with serpentine bloodstone toggles, a lightly boned verdant corset patterned with swirling leaves, an asymmetric forest green satin skirt overlaid with sheer chiffon, a cord-stitched suede mandolin case with an oak toggle latch, a soft ebon suede bag secured with a pale silver leaf, and a pair of silver satin slippers with black cord laces.

Meril clasps her hands in a reverent gesture.

Meril carefully opens her case and flips open the lid, taking care not to jostle the contents.

Meril recites warmly:

   "Fair evening, everyone."

Meril removes a gold-accented ebonwood mandolin from in her silk surcote.

Meril recites thoughtfully:

   "The stage is a familiar one, but the theme is a little different, I gather. Still, it is a celebration of song and music, so I am bound to bring you a song, and so honor our generous hosts."

Meril taps a gold-accented ebonwood mandolin, which is in her right hand.

Meril recites softly:

   "This evening I would like to share a story I heard from a time when there were wartorn cities in the lands, where order was kept by the spears of the conquerors."

(Meril strikes up a quiet melody on her mandolin. There is a definite melancholy to it, but every now and then a sparkle of bright notes breaks up the gloom. Overhead, the stage lights turn dim and reddish, the color of twilight obscured by smoke.)

Meril sings:

    "The Thief awoke to an early dawn shrouded in a heavy mist,
     Filled with a smell of smoke and death that he struggled to resist.
     The crows pecked at his window, scattering as he went outside,
     And in many indignant voices they gathered and cawed and cried."

Meril sings:

    "He thought of his missing partner, who he lost while the city burned--
     Looking for a way out, she had said--but she never returned.
     Perhaps she was dead in the chaos, perhaps somewhere nearby,
     Or perhaps she had only left him, and never told him why."

Meril looks lost in thought.

Meril shakes her head.

Meril sings:

    "He passed by a ruined market with its long-abandoned stalls,
     Where even the straw had been picked clean beneath the broken walls.
     With the people gone or hiding from the ruin, the only sounds
     Were the croak of scavenging birds and the whimper of famished hounds."

Meril glances around, her eyes falling briefly on each aspect of her surroundings.

Meril sings:

    "And there, where the city's shadows stretched long over the street,
     He saw for the first time, awaiting him, the man he had paid to meet.
     The Hunter sat crouched in the half-light, like a cat ready to spring,
     And shifted, watching the Thief approach to see what he might bring."

(Meril weaves a second layer into the melody with a lower and persistent thrumming.)

Meril sings confidently:

    "The Thief raised a hand in greeting with a casual enough salute,
     And came up to the Hunter carefully, gauging his repute.
     'I've heard you have knowledge for a price, as steep as is the rate--
     A way to leave these streets behind and pass the city gate."

Meril sings with measured tones:

    "'You cut straight to the point,' the Hunter replied with a nod.
     'And you've paid well, so I gather that your skills are not a fraud.
     Then you must know there are no secret tunnels whence to steal--
     To leave, you must present the guardsmen with a ducal seal."

Meril sings with measured tones:

    "'And it happens I know of one pilfered some time ago,
     Doubtless by some conniving rogues who would not just lie low.
     They have been caught, or so I've heard, and the papers were never found,
     Left in a hideout somewhere that the guards could not impound.'"

Meril sings smoothly:

    "'And you need my skills,' the Thief replied, giving it some more thought,
     'To find a stash in the hideout that your eyes alone could not?
     I might have some insight to what they could use to conceal,
     But the papers are mine to keep, if you will agree to our deal.'"

Meril sings sternly:

    "'Just so,' the Hunter shrugged at him, 'take them for all I care,
     But leave whatever else you find, that seems only fair.
     We'll go together to be sure, that neither of us can cheat,
     And it is safer this way too to walk these infested streets.'"

(Meril strikes a sudden discordant note on her mandolin as the stage lights flash a sickly green.)

Meril surveys her surroundings warily.

Meril sings:

    "And as they spoke, there came a shuffling around the market square,
     Followed by growls of scavengers as they became aware
     Of the mangled speech of prowling ghouls that waited there to feed
     On any unlucky living thing that had the misfortune to bleed."

(Meril quickens the pace of the melody as she circles the stage, watching both sides warily.)

Meril sings:

    "The Hunter jumped up to his feet, steel blade out in a flash
     As the ghouls rushed in with hissing cries and wicked claws to slash.
     The Thief defended with a mace, smashing one against a wall--
     But the ghouls were gathering fast, and soon they could not fight them all."

Meril sings loudly:

    "'We must go now!' the Hunter cried, and taking off his pack
     He flung it where the ghouls were thick--and they halted their attack
     To fight over the food within as over spoiled meat--
     Letting the two of them have time to make a quick retreat."

Meril sings:

    "They fended off a few more on the way, but found the hideout at last,
     And the Thief searched through the shelves as the Hunter held the doorway fast.
     There was nary a sign of treasure, but behind a dusty stand
     He found a coded journal page written in a familiar hand--"

Meril furrows her brow.

Meril's expression is thoughtful, but her furrowed brow indicates she's working something out for herself.

(Meril lets the melody return to a more gradual pace, now weaving in a third flowing pattern to the music, subtler than the first two.)

Meril sings with a warm alto:

    "'If you are reading this, be warned, for someone out there knows--
     The city's hounds have caught my trail, and even now draw close.
     I have had to leave the papers behind, yet I am followed still--
     But the address I have placed herein, in the house beneath the hill.'"

Meril sings hesitantly:

    "The Hunter watched expectantly, waiting outside the room,
     And frowned as the Thief shook his head, looking back into the gloom.
     'There's not much here,' the Thief answered, then paused a moment in thought--
     'But we should keep going a little farther, for I might know the spot.'"

Meril sings:

    "The streets were clear, the ghouls had gone as much as they could see,
     And they found the small abandoned house where the note said it would be.
     It had long been cleared of valuables, and all the shelves were bare,
     But for the secret space within the walls he knew was there."

Meril observes her surroundings with an almost excruciating slowness.

Meril sings:

    "The Hunter stood over his shoulder, watching him ply his skill,
     Keeping an expectant silence and holding tense and still
     As the Thief peered into the shadows, inspecting room and hall,
     Knocking on wood until he found a hollow in the wall."

Meril sings:

    "He pried it open carefully and pushed the opening wide,
     Then reached into the dusty space and felt a scroll inside.
     He unrolled it for them both to see, and there the ducal seal
     In wax beneath the lettering to prove that it was real--"

(Meril strikes the discordant note again, then continues with sudden urgency as the stage lights dim further, flickering between shadowy red and utter darkness.)

Meril sings:

    "He saw the blade almost too late--it struck a glancing blow--
     And he threw himself back and away as the Hunter lunged at him low.
     The strikes came quick again, he dodged--but felt the wounding scrape--
     And now he was backed into a corner with no hope of escape."

Meril narrows her eyes.

(Meril begins to back away into the left corner of the stage.)

Meril sings:

    "There in the shadows of the house the two fought for the prize,
     The Thief knew he was losing fast, there was death in the Hunter's eyes--
     He raised his arm desperately then to fend off another attack--
     But then a *twang*--and the Hunter fell with a bolt lodged in his back."

(Meril strikes a sudden chord, waiting for the sound to fade fully before stepping back towards the center of the stage. The melody has returned to its first incarnation, with its soft melancholy tempered by a periodic rise of hope.)

Meril sings:

    "The Thief blinked through the battle-haze as he saw his partner appear,
     Raising her crossbow carefully once more as she came near.
     The Hunter spat a muttered curse, but she spared no time to gloat--
     A second bolt snapped through the air--and was buried in his throat."

Meril sings with a warm alto:

    "'You took your time,' she said with a sigh, but he could see her relieved smile.
     'I knew you would find me with those clues, though it might be a while.
     The Hunter knew who I was, I think, and kept a watch on you--
     I couldn't tell you about the plan, but I am glad you saw it through.'"

Meril gazes hopefully at her surroundings.

Meril sings warmly:

    "They stepped out into the street together, to a miasmic afternoon.
     'Well, with the papers now,' he said, 'we can go none too soon.
     But you've had them hidden all this time, if you'd have me believe--
     Had you not ever had the chance to steal away and leave?'"

Meril sings tenderly:

    "'Maybe there was,' she laughed at that, 'but it never came to mind,
     As much as I have wished to leave the city far behind.
     Maybe I could have shaken the hunt, and maybe he'd yet pursue,
     But if there's one thing you'd believe, I stayed to wait for you.'"

(Meril plays the simple melody of the ballad once more, then lets the music drift into silence.)

Meril clasps her hands in a reverent gesture.

Meril recites:

   "Thank you all for coming to listen once more!"

Meril bows.

Meril retreats through the backstage curtains, vanishing from sight.

Traiva recites:

   "Thank you Meril!"

Traiva recites:

   "I told you all you were in for a treat!"

Leifa places a hand over her heart.

Speaking to Nazarr, Delindra says, "Indeed. A truly beautiful performance."

Traiva recites:

   "Now..
     
    Did anyone find a door yet?"

Delindra gazes in wonder at her surroundings.

Darksin giggles.

Obelin searches around for a moment.

Missoni casually observes her surroundings.

Meliyara glances around the room.

Traiva snaps her fingers.

Aurien asks, "How bout a doormat ?"

Traiva recites:

   "You all will know better for next year, I am sure."

Rmalie grins at Traiva.

Traiva takes off a vaalin-swept illthorn leaf pin.

Traiva recites:

   "I suppose then..."

Traiva looks lost in thought.

Traiva removes a porcelain carnival mask from in her multihued satchel.

Traiva raises her carnival mask skyward!

Traiva recites:

   "This will have to do!"

Traiva places her illthorn leaf pin flat on her palm and gives it a brisk spin. The illthorn leaf pin twirls around in a blur for a few seconds before coming to rest pointing directly at Luxelle. Luxelle wins!

Traiva turns to Luxelle and cheers!

Traiva offers Luxelle a porcelain carnival mask.

Traiva recites:

   "A carnival mask for Revelia Carnivale, just in time for the Topsy-Turvy Masque tomorrow!"

Rmalie applauds Luxelle.

Traiva glances at Luxelle.

Traiva teasingly asks, "Are we sure she is not looking for our door?"

Traiva starts chortling.

Traiva puts on a vaalin-swept illthorn leaf pin.

Traiva says, "Hmm..."

Traiva says, "I will make sure she gets it."

Speaking to Traiva, Ceyrin asks, "You keep asking for someone to show you the door. Do you want to leave that badly?"

Traiva nods once.

Ceyrin smirks at Traiva.

Aurien says, "She an elf they have lots of time.....they can afford to wait forever to accept a prize."

Corlyne gives Ceyrin a series of teasing little prods along the spine.

Traiva recites:

   "Because we have another treat ready to take the stage!"

Rmalie beams happily at Traiva!

Traiva recites:

   "If you have been in the Landing at all this spring, you should well know this pirate.."

Traiva recites:

   "Coming to the stage now is Lady Urpy, the Eloquent!"

Urpy Performs

The backstage curtains part slightly, and Urpy steps out onto the stage. A glimpse of the shadowy backstage is briefly visible before the curtains close behind her.

Traiva lets out a cheer!

Traiva sits down next to Tolwynn.

Urpy raises her black flag high into the air for all to see.

(Urpy walks into the center of the stage, lights dimming until there is only one, focusing on her.)

You see Lady Urpy the Eloquent.
She appears to be a Human from Seareach.
She is taller than average. She appears to be in the spring of life. She has dark feather-lashed steel grey eyes and seashell white-tinted skin. She has shoulder length, straight cranberry red hair swept back from the temples. She has a narrow waist.
She has a wavy bladed dagger tattoo on her wrist, and a faceted ruby stud in her right nostril.
She is in good shape.
She is holding a haon tambourine in her right hand and a black flag with a cracked white skull over a ruby stripe in her left hand.
She is wearing a porcelain carnival mask, a tiny gargoyle earring, a crystal amulet, a silver-bladed dagger medallion, a dark ivory bead and suede choker, a knee-length brushed ebon suede coat lined with claret silk, a dark leather cowl, a tiny pirate ship trinket, a bolt-crested sleek finger tab, a blue feather-shaped charm, a small golden Paupers pin, a ruby-eyed black skull pin, an onyx-inlaid black leather thigh-sheath, a pair of black suede gloves, a brass Mist Harbor militia badge, a turquoise-bound rat hide badge, a wooden shield, a riveted thick leather knapsack, some brigandine armor, a stitched black leather wrist-sheath, a bright gold ring, an onyx scarab band, a pouch-lined matte black leather belt studded with scarabs, a large black leather sack, a studded black suede belt pouch with a silver-edged flap, a small invar lockpick case, some jet black leggings, a note-embossed dark leather band, and a pair of dark suede boots.

Urpy recites melodically:

   "On yer feet, land lubbers! Time to rabble rouse!
    Here's the story of how me crazy Uncle Koul got to be the man he is today."

Urpy taps her black flag on the ground before her in a slow, rhythmic beat, drawing attention to herself.

Urpy grins slowly.

Urpy tests her tambourine with a gentle thump, then raises her head with a smile and begins a rapid beat.

Urpy sings brightly:

    "He was a nice young sailor lad, as green as green could be
     When he first chose to join our crew for a life of piracy
     When a storm nearly capsized us, he was thrown from the ship
     Stranded on Kharam Dzu, right there on the western tip!"

Urpy stomps her feet in a steady rhythm.

Urpy builds a dizzying rhythm with her tambourine, all quick breaths and fluttering pulses as the beat escalates.

Urpy sings brightly:

    "When the crew next saw him they could not believe their eyes
     There was little left of the young man that one could recognize
     His hair was long and braided, and he looked ready for war
     But he smiled and said " Hello mates. I'm your new bokor! "

(Urpy smiles and waves, mimicking the bokor.)

Urpy plays a quick rhythm on her tambourine, her toes tapping along.

Urpy sings eerily:

    "Now he wears more tattoos than clothes
     With a ring on every finger and bone in his nose
     When he starts his chanting we don't always understand
     But we always listen to him, cause he's our voodoo man!"

Urpy stomps her feet in a steady rhythm.

Holding the tambourine lightly in her hand, Urpy builds a rapid rhythm, rising and falling with drama and emotion.

Urpy sings brightly:

    "The captain said "Now listen boys, I think we should turn back
     There's a storm a brewing and that beast is building fast."
     The bokor said "Just wait a minute and Captain keep your course"
     And he went back to his cabin but the storm it just got worse!"

Urpy gazes heavenward.

Urpy plays a quick rhythm on her tambourine, her toes tapping along.

Urpy sings eerily:

    "We heard howls, and moans, and a bang, and a crash
     We saw thick black smoke and a fiery flash
     We could smell the lighting and we just stared at his door
     And when we started to relax, it started up once more!"

(Urpy widens her eyes in a look of shock.)

Cleverly using hands, elbows, shoulders, hips and feet to create a dizzying rhythm, Urpy is fairly dancing with her tambourine!

Urpy sings brightly:

    "He rushed out and said "We'll need every inch of sail."
     And a swath of clear blue sky split the monstrous gale
     The wind filled every sail and tightened every line
     As we passed we saw the storm crashed back in behind!"

(Urpy glances behind her with a look of horror.)

Cleverly using hands, elbows, shoulders, hips and feet to create a dizzying rhythm, Urpy is fairly dancing with her tambourine!

Urpy sings eerily:

    "Now he wears more tattoos than clothes
     With a ring on every finger and bone in his nose
     When he starts his chanting we don't always understand
     But we always listen to him, cause he's our voodoo man!"

Urpy stomps her feet in a steady rhythm.

Urpy grins.

With small, deft movements of her wrist and arm, Urpy shapes a rapid beat with her tambourine.

Urpy sings brightly:

    "While hunting down a merchant ship around the rocky shore
     We came around the island to a massive Man o' War
     The captain said " Now listen boys, we're about to meet our doom."
     And the bokor shouted "Never fear" and he ran down to his room!"

Urpy shudders.

Cleverly using hands, elbows, shoulders, hips and feet to create a dizzying rhythm, Urpy is fairly dancing with her tambourine!

Urpy sings eerily:

    "We heard howls, and moans, and a bang, and a crash
     We saw thick black smoke and a fiery flash
     We could smell the lighting and we just stared at his door
     And when we started to relax, it started up once more!"

(Urpy widens her eyes in a look of shock.)

Cleverly using hands, elbows, shoulders, hips and feet to create a dizzying rhythm, Urpy is fairly dancing with her tambourine!

Urpy sings brightly:

    ""Fire two shots!" he shouted and they went off right on cue
     Both shots found their target and their powder hold it blew
     The Man o' War bust into flames and it began to pitch
     And we stole enough from her to make sure we were rich!"

(Urpy moves her arms apart to symbolize a huge explosion.)

Urpy sings eerily:

    "He still wears more tattoos than clothes
     With a ring on every finger and bone in his nose
     When he starts his chanting we don't always understand
     But we always listen to him, cause he's our voodoo man!"

Urpy winks.

Urpy sings melodically:

    "We always listen to him, cause he's our voodoo man!
     We always listen to him, cause he's our voo-doo man!"

Urpy slowly raises her tambourine and begins to tap out a slow, soothing beat.

The music moves slower and slower until finally, with a last hovering beat, it fades away. Urpy looks up from her tambourine and smiles.

Urpy roars!

Urpy bows.

Urpy tests her tambourine with a gentle thump, then raises her head with a smile and begins a rapid beat.

Urpy recites melodically:

   "Thought I was done?"

Urpy winks.

Urpy sings merrily:

    "Dear Dwi and I at the Thrak Inn, were playing knuckle bones one night
     When in the room Locklyer rushed, his face all chalky white
     'What's up?', says I 'Have you seen a ghost? Have you seen your Admiral?'
     'Well, me Admiral be buggered', says he, 'The whole bath house's on fire!'"

Cleverly using hands, elbows, shoulders, hips and feet to create a dizzying rhythm, Urpy is fairly dancing with her tambourine!

Urpy sings amusedly:

    "'On fire?' says Dwi, 'What a bit of luck! Everybody follow me!'
     'Lock the door, hop o'er the bar, we'll have a rare old spree'
     So we all went after dear old Dwi and the booze we could not miss
     And we weren't there five minutes or more 'till we was all half-pi-"

Urpy coughs.

Holding the tambourine lightly in her hand, Urpy builds a rapid rhythm, rising and falling with drama and emotion.

Urpy sings rollickingly:

    "And there was Dwi, next to me, licking up the whiskey off the floor.
     'Booze, Booze!' the militia cried, as they came knocking at the door.
     'Don't let 'em in till it's all soaked up,' somebody shouted 'No un's hyre!'
     And we all got blue-blind paralytic drunk while the old bath house caught fire."

Urpy stomps her feet in a steady rhythm.

Cleverly using hands, elbows, shoulders, hips and feet to create a dizzying rhythm, Urpy is fairly dancing with her tambourine!

Urpy sings merrily:

    "Then Locklyer went over to the ol' grog cask and gave it a few hard knocks
     He started taking off his pantaloons, likewise his shoes and socks.
     'Hold on,' says I, 'we can't have that, you can't do that in here.'
     'Don't go washing your boys in the ol' grog cask, when we've got all this beer.'"

Urpy winks at Locklyer.

Urpy sings rollickingly:

    "And there was Dwi, next to me, licking up the whiskey off the floor.
     'Booze, Booze!' the militia cried, as they came knocking at the door.
     'Don't let 'em in till it's all soaked up,' somebody shouted 'No un's hyre!'
     And we all got blue-blind paralytic drunk while the old bath house caught fire."

Urpy stomps her feet in a steady rhythm.

Cleverly using hands, elbows, shoulders, hips and feet to create a dizzying rhythm, Urpy is fairly dancing with her tambourine!

Urpy sings merrily:

    "Well, then there came an awful crash, half the north wall gave way.
     We were drowned in the wizards' spells, still we were going to stay.
     So we got some tacks and our old wet slacks, and we nailed ourselves inside
     And we sat there swallyin' pints of stout till we had all half-died."

Urpy recites melodically:

    "Everyone sing along"

Urpy builds a dizzying rhythm with her tambourine, all quick breaths and fluttering pulses as the beat escalates.

Urpy sings rollickingly:

    "And there was Dwi, next to me, licking up the whiskey off the floor.
     'Booze, Booze!' the militia cried, as they came knocking at the door.
     'Don't let 'em in till it's all soaked up,' somebody shouted 'No un's hyre!'
     And we all got blue-blind paralytic drunk while the old bath house caught fire."

Urpy stomps her feet in a steady rhythm.

Urpy plays a quick rhythm on her tambourine, her toes tapping along.

Urpy sings:

    "And we all got blue-blind paralytic drunk when the old bath house caught fire!"

The air suddenly stills as Urpy halts her whirling rhythm as suddenly as she began, silencing her tambourine.

Urpy suddenly stumbles for no apparent reason.

(Urpy grins as the lights dim to black. When they come back on, she's standing by the pews.)

Urpy sits down next to Delindra.

Allyria recites:

   "As a thank you to our performers we have a gift and small keepsake. I'll be passing them out after each performance"

Allyria says, "Meril."

Allyria offers Meril a particolored suede keepsake portfolio.

Meril accepts Allyria's suede keepsake portfolio.

Allyria removes a particolored suede keepsake portfolio from in her etched scroll case.

Meril glances at Allyria and clasps her hands in a reverent gesture.

Allyria says, "And Urpy."

Aurien asks, "That was not the last was it?"

Allyria offers Urpy a particolored suede keepsake portfolio.

Urpy accepts Allyria's suede keepsake portfolio.

Speaking to Aurien, Traiva exclaims, "Not at all!"

Aurien lets out a cheer!

Traiva merrily exclaims, "The night is still young, and there are songs to be sung!"

Speaking melodically to Allyria, Urpy says, "Thank you."

Speaking to Aurien, Allyria says, "No, I'm just passing out the portfolios to keep them straight."

Traiva removes an etched cobalt glass wine-bowl inlaid with gold leaf from in her multihued satchel.

Traiva recites:

   "I think we need another door prize that is not a door!"

Traiva raises her cobalt glass wine-bowl skyward!

Traiva recites:

   "The wine-bowls have been all the rage for drinking in the East, so it seems."

Traiva takes off a vaalin-swept illthorn leaf pin.

Traiva slowly says, "So let us see..."

Traiva places her illthorn leaf pin flat on her palm and gives it a brisk spin. The illthorn leaf pin twirls around in a blur for a few seconds before coming to rest pointing directly at Cyar. Cyar wins!

Traiva raises her voice in merry laughter.

Traiva exclaims, "Perfect!"

Traiva offers Cyar an etched cobalt glass wine-bowl inlaid with gold leaf.

Cyar accepts Traiva's cobalt glass wine-bowl.

Speaking to Cyar, Traiva whispers aloud, "Get Corlyne to show you how it works."

Traiva winks at Cyar.

Traiva puts on a vaalin-swept illthorn leaf pin.

Cyar grins at Traiva.

Traiva recites:

   "Who is ready for another performance!"

Traiva glances around the room.

Traiva removes a porcelain carnival mask from in her multihued satchel.

Traiva offers Luxelle a porcelain carnival mask.

Luxelle blushes a light pink shade at Traiva.

Luxelle accepts Traiva's carnival mask.

Traiva shakes her head.

Traiva recites:

   "I cannot hear you!"

Urpy lets out a cheer!

Delindra turns to Traiva and cheers!

Meliyara turns to Traiva and cheers!

Urpy roars!

Vaikhen throws his head back and howls!

Cyar lets out a cheer!

Leifa hoots.

Locklyer hoots.

Emmisive lets out a cheer!

Speaking to Traiva, Kothos exclaims, "We're ready!"

Traiva recites:

   "I said.. 
     
    Who is ready for another performance?"

Rmalie yells, "MORE!"

Allyria roars!

Dendum lets loose a full-throated roar, sounding exactly like a sabre-tooth tiger!

Rmalie applauds.

Malota says, "I am ready. Please."

Speaking loudly to Traiva, Kothos exclaims, "Me!"

Arenglae applauds politely.

Darksin turns to Traiva and cheers!

Nazarr lets out a cheer!

Delindra exclaims, "MORE!"

Urpy recites melodically:

   "Make some noise you dogs!"

Meril applauds.

Nazarr lets out a cheer!

Rmalie hoots.

Kothos applauds.

Vaikhen hoots excitedly!

Urpy roars!

Emmisive lets out a cheer!

Ceilia throws her head back and howls!

Rmalie squeals.

Dendum growls ferociously, sounding exactly like a grizzly bear!

Rmalie roars!

Rmalie throws her head back and howls!

Delindra giggles.

Darksin applauds.

Aurien pounds some heavy wooden pews with his fist, causing it to shake and tremble.

Kothos starts chortling.

Leifa squeals, "Bring on the dancing girls!"

Vaikhen hoarsely says, "I'm not used to all this yelling."

Delindra beams happily at Rmalie!

Rmalie starts chortling.

Leifa bounces around happily.

Cyar lets out a cheer!

Traiva recites:

   "We have a newcomer to Elanthian stage tonight, that is well known to us all -
     
    Despite attempts to stay in the shadows."

Traiva recites:

   "We may not all be of Aspis, but this is the Den of the Dragon.
     
    Roar for Yardie!"

Traiva roars!

Traiva sits down next to Tolwynn.

Yardie Performs

You see Yardie.
He appears to be a Faendryl Dark Elf.
He is average height and has a trim build.  He appears to be young.  He has piercing violet eyes and black skin.  He has very long, straight blue-black hair with a white streak running down the length of his part.  He has a narrow face, a flaring nose and full lips.  He has a puckered, raised scar on the back of his left hand that forms a perfectly symmetrical spiderweb.
He has a tattooed leaping rogue silhouetted against a silver-inked moon on his arm, and an inked crimson crest depicting a crossed quill and rose on his wrist.
He is in good shape.
He is holding a particolored suede keepsake portfolio in his right hand.
He is wearing a knotted white mesh pouch, an enameled onyx night sky pendant, a wide brass spiral etched with rolling waves, an ebon-sheened silvery lor quill tucked behind one ear, a suede-backed sapphire silk vest over a pressed obsidian silk shirt with a tapered hem, a wide gold ring, a twisted gold ring, a midnight black leather belt, a bloodstained leather survival kit, a slim mithril keyring, a deep indigo eel skin pouch, a polished silver pocket watch with a fine silver chain, a pair of soft midnight blue trousers, and a pair of shiny black leather shoes with steel aglets.

Yardie takes a deep breath.

Yardie carefully removes his silvery lor quill from behind his ear.

Yardie removes a small white suede notebook from in his white mesh pouch.

(Yardie glances around nervously, bowing slightly for a moment. With quill and book in hand, he begins to write his thoughts on his notebook, as he does so, he begins nodding his head to an unheard rhythm.)

Yardie recites softly:

    "Hello quill and parchment, seems like we meet again.
     It feels at times you're the only one I can care a friend.
     Bet it seems that words may cause me so much trouble,
     Until the day that luck runs out when I am forced to meet my end."

(Yardie rises to his full height and turns his attention to the audience, his quill twirling deftly between his fingertips.)

Yardie recites firmly:

    "These are the thoughts of the Panicky Phantom-
     Give a glimpse of my secrets
     So you can hold them for ransom.
     A trip back into a year plague with much of joy and strife,
     In the world of misadventure known to all as Elanthian Life."

Yardie recites silkily:

    "Blanketed by shadows, move between the realms undercover
     With two men, we share no blood
     But we bond as brothers.
     Surrounded by deception, thus can alter one's perception...
     Upon further inspection, all much to my recollection"

Yardie recites softly:

    "Hello quill and parchment, seems like we meet again.
     It feels at times you're the only one I can care a friend.
     Bet it seems that words may cause me so much trouble,
     Until the day that luck runs out when I am forced to meet my end."

Yardie recites softly:

    "Hello quill and parchment, seems like we meet again.
     It feels at times you're the only one I can care a friend.
     Bet it seems that words may cause me so much trouble,
     Until the day that luck runs out when I am forced to meet my end."

Yardie recites:

    "Begin the lesson, the growth for better or worse,
     The blissful days of rejoicing, hellish nights we bound to curse.
     The twisted mind of the one tormented by demons
     To scour on forth in search of meaning."

Yardie recites wistfully:

    "So I take time to pen this quaint love letter,
     Glimpsing in the past, hoping that the future poses something better."

(Yardie begins moving his head in tempo with his words, hands flowing to the rhythm.)

Yardie recites softly:

    "Survival at all cost is what we try to live by
     But when doubt begins to creep in and I don't know why,
     I scribe and pour out all my thoughts, let my brain spill,
     Let the ink bleed all these words from my deranged quill."

Yardie recites quietly:

    "Survival at all cost is what we try to live by
     But when fears seeks to creep in and I don't know why,
     I scribe and pour out all my thoughts, let my brain spill
     Let the ink bleed all these words from my deranged quill."

Yardie recites pensively:

    "What does one do when nearly consumed by the demons?
     It's back to scheming--stagnation never leads to meaning.
     I wonder why I place myself on trial,
     Been a slave to my trade, guess I'm living life in Dhe'nial."

Yardie recites reflectively:

    "I couldn't tell you where all of the madness first began,
     Guess we'll start upon the day I ran.
     All alone, made a home
     Always feeling out of place,
     Born again in Icemule, but disappeared without a Trace."

Yardie recites:

    "Smothered in the snow, cause of death notwithstanding--
     Found breath in Wehnimer's, but couldn't stick to the Landing
     Not understanding Mordos' son cooking up a recipe of disaster,
     And up in arms without a direction to what he was after."

Yardie recites:

    "Meanwhile, stuck to training
     The gaining,
     The maintaining,
     Igaesha predictions burst in flames, the future causing stress and straining
     The battles from the Harbour to the Rest
     Enclave loyalty to profess, relationships causing duress"

Yardie recites firmly:

    "Wage war with manticores, battle krolvin up by scores
     New tales set into lore--for those who never heard before
     And what is more, each encounter strengthens the meek,
     So even near defeat, I battled up to my feet."

(Yardie traces a finger over the veins of his forearm, clenching the muscles fiercely, thinking of a painful memory.)

Yardie recites coldly:

    "Poison runneth its course, set sail a new course
     I warn if I must perforce
     Adversaries get no remose"

Yardie recites coldly:

    "It won't appear an accident--
     The gift of gab and jab are accurate.
     Immaculate.
     Allies I pledge my word I have your back a bit."

Yardie recites plainly:

    "For while the future still hold no certain answer,
     This quill will pen the tale of the Faendryl Shadowdancer."

Yardie recites softly:

    "Survival at all cost is what we try to live by
     But when doubt begins to creep in and I don't know why,
     I scribe and pour out all my thoughts, let my brain spill,
     Let the ink bleed all these words from my deranged quill."

Yardie recites quietly:

    "Survival at all cost is what we try to live by
     But when fears seeks to creep in and I don't know why,
     I scribe and pour out all my thoughts, let my brain spill
     Let the ink bleed all these words from my deranged quill."

(Yardie begins to shift the tempo, relying the speed of his words to jump between his lines.)

Yardie recites quickly:

    "Battles out there scar and plague a man with chills,
     No matter how much they grind or struggle to acquire skills.
     But for this Faendryl
     The pain still
     Remains til
     My veins spill
     Away all these words from this strange quill."

Yardie recites:

    "And with each the burden moves to shake another's will,
     Tears from the ones we lost flow forth, like rivers that begin to spill.
     But for this Faendryl
     The shame still
     Remains til
     The chains spill
     Away all these pains from this strange quill."

(Yardie slows his tempo, calmly weaving the final series of rhymes for maximum impact, returning to his seated position, finishing his writing.)

Yardie recites pointedly:

    "From this deranged quill,
     With this estranged will."

Yardie recites confidently:

    "With this insane skill,
     To let these veins spill."

Yardie recites calmly:

    "To make these chains ill,
     And makes these pains still."

Yardie recites thoughtfully:

    "Unless the shame kills,
     Or lest the fame will."

(Yardie glances around, then lets out a long exhale, giving the quill one last glance before moving to tuck it behind his ear.)

Yardie carefully tucks his silvery lor quill behind one ear.

Allyria removes a particolored suede keepsake portfolio from in her etched scroll case.

Allyria offers Yardie a particolored suede keepsake portfolio.

Yardie accepts Allyria's suede keepsake portfolio.

Allyria says, "With our thanks, Yardie."

Traiva recites:

   "Thank you Yardie!"

Traiva removes a square bottle of Revelia Reserve from in her multihued satchel.

Traiva recites:

   "You all saw the wine-bowl, now how about something that could fill it?"

Traiva raises her Revelia Reserve in a toast!

Traiva recites:

   "A special drink, created just for Revelia Carnivale!"

Traiva takes off a vaalin-swept illthorn leaf pin.

Speaking to her violet sapphire pin, Traiva says, "Behave yourself in choosing the owner."

Traiva pokes awkwardly at her illthorn leaf pin, staring at it in an oddly expectant manner.

Traiva places her illthorn leaf pin flat on her palm and gives it a brisk spin. The illthorn leaf pin twirls around in a blur for a few seconds before coming to rest pointing directly at Meril. Meril wins!

Traiva turns to Meril and cheers!

Meril blinks.

Traiva offers Meril a square bottle of Revelia Reserve.

Meril accepts Traiva's Revelia Reserve.

Traiva recites:

   "Next up, we have a pair of dancers!"

Traiva recites:

   "One thing about Bardfest - I never did get to see much dancing on this stage."

Traiva recites:

   "Shall we have some now?"

Traiva recites:

   "Then I turn the stage over to. . . 
     
    Rendena and Angellos!"

Rendena and Angellos Perform

You see Angellos the Master of Foxhounds.
He appears to be an Elf.
He is average height. He appears to be very young. He has starburst-lit midnight blue eyes and tanned skin. He has short, golden hair swept up into a star-like halo of spikes, the oily sheen causing a reflective shine.
He has a knight portrait tattoo inked with an air of dominance on his wrist.
He is in good shape.
He is wearing a slim leather duelling mask with curled feather edges, a patinated silver locket, a blown glass replica bay bauble, a black silk cloak held at the throat by an intricate toggle, a set of layered suede pauldrons banded with hammered bronze channels, a silver moon pin, a luminescent silvery white rose, a matte black kelyn sword symbol edged in silver, a backpack, an ebon-bottomed surcoat splashed with a black shine, a chain-linked shirt cut diagonally with a drape of dark blue silk, some reinforced boarhide leathers, a set of music note-bound rings, a belt of medallion-impressed leather with a miniature crystalline sword, a leather sheath, a small cogged clock backed in silver, a sword-etched sleek silver case, some double-lined pants that flow in shifting shades of grey, and some silver iron-plated boots with lion's head-shaped toes.

You see High Lady Rendena the Vanquisher.
She appears to be a Giantman.
She is toweringly tall. She appears to be young and sprightly. She has silver-moted deep blue eyes and youthful, glowing golden skin. She has very long, sleek soft brown hair partially concealed by a shredded black leather hood caught with a chain of ivory fangs. She has a gentle red flush across her classically sculpted face, a gently curving nose and countenance that is born to smiles. She carries herself with a patrician posture that is at odds with her delicate features.
Her right wrist is pierced with a white-point star diamond.
She has a half-face tattoo of ice-like sparks traced by filigree roses, a trail of paw prints tattooed on her neck, a tattoo of a silver-touched rose inked to glisten while curling gracefully around her wrist, a mist-covered sword tattoo the shade of moonlight across the back of her left hand, a tattoo of an intricate arcane sigil smoothed above the brow, a swirl of frozen blue flame details on her ankle, a small dark shard-shaped mark on her neck, and a tiny glowing crescent moon tattoo on her right cheek.
A tiny iridescent fairy hovers above her left shoulder, flittering its silvered wings as it twirls around.
Miniature shimmering stars spiral outward from her before fading away.
She has a fractured and bleeding right hand, and some minor cuts and bruises on her right leg.
She is wearing a star-adorned silver visored greathelm, a half-crescent choker forged from smoke-colored glass, a Ronan medallion, a silver-based sleek crystal sphere, a scratched mithglin aventail, an ancient ruby-dusted longcoat, an iridescent glass fairy relic with thin silvered wings, a small rose embellished with a pale pink frosted cupcake topped with a candied rose petal design, an etched brass deckhand's whistle, a pale jade windflower nestled in silver filigree leaves, a golden griffin pin, a chased mithril alloy pin, a round silver pin reading, "R.", a delicate frost-hued dragon symbol rimmed with crystals, a hammered silver trefoil set within a disc of ashen modwir, a sleek-scaled black lizard, a luminescent silvery white rose, a glistening silver timepiece, a silvery owl-carved harp, a molded nubuck sword case painted to mimic patinated copper, a backpack, a long-line corset of navy and vanilla bourde with a low open back, a suit of rolaren field plate accented by subtle green hues, an iridescent silk dress caught with strands of freshwater pearls, a vine-etched aranthium armlet, a rune-carved thick glaes bracer trimmed with shards of quartz, a sun-etched gold ring, a black ora ring, a bloodstained leather survival kit, a vultite wave-crested water cannon holster, an archaic kelyn dodecahedron, a carved maple cricket box, and some delicate crystal slippers with gossamer ankle ties.

(Rendena Lights up a sparkler, its light dancing in the pool of blue eyes looking back at you.)

(Rendena Twirls a sparkler in the air. it circles in a loop for half a dozen times as it falls into Rendena's waiting hand. That must of took alot of practice!)

(Rendena dances around Rendena with a joyful expression, clenching his fists over his heart, then flinging his hands wide open in her direction.)

(Angellos dances around Rendena with a joyful expression, clenching his fists over his heart, then flinging his hands wide open in her direction.)

(Angellos Pauses for a moment, tapping one foot as if waiting for Rendena. Then offers her his arm and begins to sashay around the stage with her!)

(Angellos gazes fondly at Rendena as he draws a big heart shape with his sparkler and points the sparkler at her. He does a bit of fancy footwork as he makes his way over to where she stands.)

(Angellos removes his mask and holds it to the side of his face, rather mysteriously and waltzs in a circle with his hand held out with the mask.)

(Angellos Act Then his face lights with joy and begins to waltz with her! Higher and higher they dance like wings beneath their feet.)

(Angellos waltzes around the stage with Angellos, a beautiful aura of happiness about her. You've heard of a person that can light a room right?, well this area is lit by a few.)

(Rendena waltzes around the stage with Angellos, a beautiful aura of happiness about her. You've heard of a person that can light a room right?, well this area is lit by a few.)

(Angellos brings the waltzing to a finish, with a deep bow to Rendena's curtsy. He pretends to remove a flower from air and with a grin, and hands the invisible flower to Rendena.)

Speaking to Rendena, Allyria says, "Thank you for a lovely performance."

Allyria offers Rendena a particolored suede keepsake portfolio.

Rendena accepts Allyria's suede keepsake portfolio.

Traiva recites:

   "Thank you Rendena and Angellos!"

Speaking to Angellos, Allyria says, "And thank you as well."

Traiva removes a gold-veined cobalt sapphire from in her multihued satchel.

Allyria offers Angellos a particolored suede keepsake portfolio.

Angellos accepts Allyria's suede keepsake portfolio.

Traiva recites:

   "While they catch their breadh and our next performer prepares. . .
     
    Prize time again!"

Traiva takes off a vaalin-swept illthorn leaf pin.

Traiva gives her pin a little prod with the tip of her finger.

Traiva places her illthorn leaf pin flat on her palm and gives it a brisk spin. The illthorn leaf pin twirls around in a blur for a few seconds before coming to rest pointing directly at Urpy. Urpy wins!

Traiva offers Urpy a gold-veined cobalt sapphire.

Urpy accepts Traiva's cobalt sapphire.

Traiva recites:

   "Our next performer coming to the stage took a bit of time off, as I have heard..."

Traiva recites:

   "But performing is like swimming: you never truly forget!"

Traiva recites:

   "Welcome back to the stage -
    Missoni!"

Missoni Performs

The backstage curtains part slightly, and Missoni steps out onto the stage. A glimpse of the shadowy backstage is briefly visible before the curtains close behind her.

You see Missoni Sabretache Faendryl the Witch.
She appears to be a Dark Elf.
She is shorter than average.  She appears to have come of age.  She has long-lashed chimerical viridian eyes and richly toned, olive brown skin.  She has waist-length, glossy black hair drawn back from her face and bound in place by an interlocking silver ring circlet set with an argent-hazed sky opal.  She has a pinched face, a sharp and severe nose and a prominent collarbone marked by a tiny mole.  Her pointed chin and delicate bone structure contribute to the waifish appearance of her visage.
She has a winged lark-shaped mark on her leg, an eight-tined star tattooed in lapis ink on the top of her right hand, some inked whorls of mist on her arm, and an oval blood red eye tattoo on her neck.
She is in good shape.
She is holding a round-bellied light maple mandolin with bone tuning pegs in her left hand.
She is wearing a pair of frost opal cluster earrings bound with shimmering silver thread, a gauzy niveous tulle gown draped from a collar of sky opal cabochons, a pale blue faille chemise with seed pearls bleeding from the hemline, a lor signet ring, and a pair of backless alabaster moire slippers.

Missoni flashes a quick grin.

Missoni carefully places a shaggy white angora blanket on the floor.

Missoni says, "Tonight I would like to tell you of a lich who tried to take over Wehnimer's Landing and Icemule not so long ago." Missoni pauses for a moment to observe the faces in the audience before continuing, "Some here may remember how we banded together to release him from his torment and avoid the plight of eternal winter."

A rose-etched silver music stand scampers in, hurries up to Missoni, and plops itself down nearby.

Missoni signals to a rose-etched silver music stand, which hops a bit closer to her.

Missoni taps a rose-etched silver music stand in an admonishing fashion. The silver music stand wiggles briefly before settling down and performing an excellent imitation of an ordinary music stand.

Missoni sits down next to a rose-etched silver music stand.

(Missoni settles herself on the blanket and arranges her skirts around her. She positions the mandolin on her lap, her fingers over the strings, then begins a wandering melody of minor chords in the middle ranges of the instrument, her voice entering the song with a clear soprano.)

Missoni sings with a soaring soprano:

    "In the forests northeast of Icemule,
     Where wind keens past mountain peaks,
     The Wsalamir Clan lives in seclusion,
     Separated from the world by a journey of weeks.
     Even the most seasoned traveler
     Rarely finds there what he seeks."

Missoni sings with a soaring soprano:

    "To those lands traveled a human
     To study the magic of ice and water.
     He lived happily with his golems,
     Until the day when he saw her
     Lying face down, half-covered in snow,
     Near-death, this victim of slaughter."

(Missoni closes her eyes briefly, her voice dropping into its lower ranges and softening to a hush.)

Missoni sings softly:

    "You will hear them keening in the night.
     See their shadows lurking by moonlight.
     You try to ignore their shrill wail,
     But it is not a mere winter storm's gale."

Missoni smiles faintly, her viridian eyes sweeping the area as she continues the song at a moderate pace. Her strumming takes on a smooth legato style and her voice echoes richly.

Missoni sings resonantly:

    "He took her back to his cottage.
     He watched her until she was warm.
     So striking, this giantess' beauty,
     Her grey eyes the color of storm.
     Tethala. Her name a soft whisper.
     While outside the wind howled, forlorn."

(Missoni plays a series of ascending and descending slides, her fingers slipping along the strings in a sound akin to howling winter wind.)

Missoni sings resonantly:

    "He suddenly knew what he lacked,
     A wizard locked in with his tomes.
     A gentle companion to warm him
     Despite the north wind's cold drone.
     But Tethala could not remain there.
     Her clan stole her away, left him alone."

Missoni sings softly:

    "You will hear them keening in the night.
     See their shadows lurking by moonlight.
     But do not fear their shrill wail,
     For I will return to you without fail."

(Missoni digs into the fretboard, her tempo increasing as she crescendos. Smattered with short slides and trills, her melody takes on the unpredictability of a blizzard.)

Missoni sings with a soaring soprano:

    "Though the Wsalamir forbade their union,
     Tethala returned to her love.
     They planned to run o'er the peaks,
     Through the towering mountains above.
     But each night the howling grew stronger,
     Fostering a terror she could not be free of."

Missoni sings with a soaring soprano:

    "He promised that he would protect her,
     But Tethala's terror could not be soothed.
     He promised his golems could fight them,
     But she felt none could, clawed or toothed.
     Each night, more frantic, she listened,
     As his hands her ebon hair smoothed."

Missoni sings gravely:

    "I can hear them keening in the night.
     See their shadows lurking by moonlight.
     My blood freezes at their wail.
     They will destroy us without fail."

(Missoni leans forward fervently, the shadows from the dim lighting playing across her face and her brow furrowed in concentration.)

Missoni sings with a soaring soprano:

    "Late one night, he awoke on the pallet,
     But the blankets to his left were ice cold.
     He leapt to the window, opened the shutters
     Where the gale blew fearsome and bold.
     He swore he would find her, whatever the price."

Missoni grimly intones, "And it was his soul that he sold."

(Missoni finishes the verse with a quintet of descending double-stops. She lifts her hands from the strings, pausing briefly to reach out toward the tattered journal that sits on the music stand. She begins the next verse on the up-beat in a swirl of minor arpeggios.)

Missoni sings resonantly:

    "He had in his notes a dangerous procedure
     That could make a man one with the frost.
     The very ice would warm and protect him,
     As he searched for his gentle love lost,
     But as he performed the complicated ritual,
     The Wendigo came upon him and heightened the cost."

Missoni sings softly:

    "He heard them keening in the night.
     Saw their shadows lurking by moonlight.
     The mana flows wavered at their wail.
     A lovestruck monster arose from the gale."

Missoni sings resonantly:

    "His agonizing death lasted for centuries,
     As the blood became thick in his veins.
     He cut out his heart and kept it safe in a cave,
     Wandering the land in his magical chains.
     He forgot his own name and dubbed himself
     Frigid, for no humanity in him remained."

(Missoni shakes her head slightly, her fingernails striking a number of diminished chords in an upward rasgueado movement on the strings. After each eerie chord, her fingers fan out with a flourish.)

Missoni sings resonantly:

    "He pledged to find Tethala, and find her he did,
     A spectre herself, and stricken with grief.
     She had died in the grasp of the winter.
     The warmth the two felt would be brief.
     Frigid gathered an army to freeze the whole land.
     Eternal winter for every bud, tree, and leaf."

(Missoni lays her hands across the strings, stifling the sound and resting the mandolin in her lap. She reaches over to lift the crystalline tear off of her music stand and raises it overhead until it catches the stage lights, where it casts a multitude of prismatic rainbows over the faces of the audience. With the tear lofted, she sings the chorus a cappella.)

Missoni sings soulfully:

    "Hear her keening in the night.
     Translucent form swirling by moonlight.
     Each tear a drop of crystalline ice.
     Her soul trapped to pay its price."

(Missoni sets the bit of crystal down and resumes the whirl of minor arpeggios on her mandolin, her eyes looking forward and her voice carrying a bit of vibrato.)

Missoni sings with a soaring soprano:

    "In the Fall of 5106,
     He marched to the gates of the Landing.
     With the hope that in his wake,
     No citizen would be left standing.
     The temperature turned to freezing,
     And the battles became more demanding."

Missoni sings with a soaring soprano:

    "One afternoon, as they raged at the gates,
     And eternal winter seemed nigh.
     The ghost of Tethala appeared to defenders,
     And led them into the mountains high.
     In a cavern she revealed the heart of a monster,
     Thumping with mortality he could no longer deny."

(Missoni adds a series of thumps to her melody, slapping the body of the mandolin quickly in between chords. The rhythmic noise resembles a beating heart.)

Missoni sings with a soaring soprano:

    "The defenders hurled fire at the frozen heart,
     Dodging an onslaught of icy blasts.
     The ice began to melt slowly away,
     Until only rotting flesh remained, at last.
     Frigid touched the shuddering heart,
     And died with a whisper of regret for the past."

(Missoni lengthens each note, letting it hang in the air as her voice takes on a breathy tone.)

Missoni sings softly:

    "Fear not the wail that keens in the night.
     Fear not the shadow that lurks by moonlight."

Missoni breathes almost without making a sound.

Missoni sings softly:

    "Fear only the terror it breeds in your heart,
     For terror tore Frigid and Tethala apart."

(Missoni strums a final, slow arpeggio, allowing the note to fade naturally. Her eyes close as she listens to the dying sound for a long moment, then she bows her head.)

Missoni stands up.

Missoni picks up a shaggy white angora blanket.

Missoni taps a rose-etched silver music stand in an admonishing fashion. The silver music stand wiggles briefly before settling down and performing an excellent imitation of an ordinary music stand.

Missoni bows.

Missoni nudges a rose-etched silver music stand lightly. The silver music stand responds by scampering in a little circle around her before returning to stand nearby.

Missoni retreats through the backstage curtains, vanishing from sight.

Traiva recites:

   "A wonderful return!"

A rose-etched silver music stand scampers away, moving with the same clumsy grace as a puppy despite its gangly shape.

Speaking to Missoni, Allyria says, "With our thankgs."

Missoni graciously says, "Thank you."

Allyria offers Missoni a particolored suede keepsake portfolio.

Missoni accepts Allyria's suede keepsake portfolio.

Traiva recites:

   "Now, I am sure no one is ready for tonight's concert to be over. .
     
    Am I right?"

Traiva raises an eyebrow.

Vaikhen cautiously asks, "Is this a trick question?"

Allyria nods at Vaikhen.

Traiva removes an etched cobalt glass wine-bowl inlaid with gold leaf from in her multihued satchel.

Traiva recites:

   "Of course not!"

Traiva recites merrily:

   "Revel Revelia!"

Traiva places her illthorn leaf pin flat on her palm and gives it a brisk spin. The illthorn leaf pin twirls around in a blur for a few seconds before coming to rest pointing directly at Darksin. Darksin wins!

Traiva offers Darksin an etched cobalt glass wine-bowl inlaid with gold leaf.

Darksin accepts Traiva's cobalt glass wine-bowl.

Traiva puts on a vaalin-swept illthorn leaf pin.

Traiva recites:

   "Take just a moment to catch your breath, as our next performer readies hers."

Traiva recites:

   "Another treat for us all tonight -
    Coming to the stage now is Delindra!"

Delindra stands up.

Delindra smiles.

Delindra Performs

You see Delindra the Wingless Steward of the Dragonfly.
She appears to be a Sylvankind of the Lassaran D'ahranal.
She is tall and has a muscled, but soft physique.  She appears to be young and untried.  She has silver-flecked crystal blue eyes and fair skin.  She has waist length, ringleted platinum hair meticulously styled beneath a black iron-forged mournbloom inset with obsidian petals.  She has an angular face, a crooked nose and long, slender legs.
She is in good shape.
She is holding a polished blonde ash biwa incised with a gilt-clawed wyvern in her right hand.
She is wearing some ruby earrings, a faceted bloodjewel pendant caged in strands of gold, a mulberry silk linen gown laced with ebon grosgrain ribbons, a gold-hearted cobalt blue aster, a ruby-inlaid white suede harness, a dragon's-tear ruby band, a gold-trimmed gossamer silk satchel, some sheer cobweb-lace leggings, and some ruby panne velvet yatane.

(Delindra rises and glides over to the stage, mounting the steps quickly and striding to the center, head held high as she adjusts the harness holding her biwa across her bare shoulder.)

Delindra clears her throat.

Delindra smiles tentatively, gazing out at the audience as she takes a deep, calming breath.

Delindra runs her hand down the front of her silk linen gown, discreetly re-arranging the drape.

Delindra deftly removes a polished blonde ash biwa incised with a gilt-clawed wyvern from her white suede harness.

(Delindra strums a few chords as she speaks in a clear, earnest tone, hands deftly, instinctively tuning the strings of her biwa as she talks.)

Delindra recites:

   "As some of you know, I came to this part of the realm when the Ravager first started terrorizing the lands under Kyjani's control."

Delindra recites:

   "Terrifying as it was, it was also the first time I had witnessed such heroism and courage in the face of such a threat."

Delindra recites:

   "It inspired me to write this song. It is offered in Tribute to my Patron, Lord Cholen, and to the people who worked together to keep our realm safe."

(Delindra sets her hands to her instrument, focusing on it intently. Her fingers tremble for just a moment, then launch into a steady, marching tune.)

Delindra sings hesitantly:

    "In IceMule Trace, our tale begins
     A town of snow and chilly winds
     A trail of steel and blood and death
     A whiff of smoke and fiery breath
     Though none could tell what secrets dwelt
     In icy peaks and snows unmelt."

(Delindra takes a deep breath, daring a glance upward before looking back to her instrument. Her voice grows stronger as she continues, plain but clear.)

Delindra sings earnestly:

    "Through Olbin Pass, the trail would lead
     All caution did the townfolk heed
     But many knew the hopelessness
     Would never cease, so on they pressed
     And there within, they found the lair
     The Ravager with iron glare."

Delindra sings with measured tones:

    "A hov'ring shadow blots the sun
     And steady hearts may be undone
     But fear not, Elanthia fair
     For this threat, we all shall bear."

(Delindra finally peels her gaze away from her hands, looking out toward the audience with wide blue eyes, her expression somber.)

Delindra sings grimly:

    ""Monstrosity," the people cried
     "A folly borne of gnomish pride!"
     And now their names, preserved and fixed
     For history shall not forget
     Gnomes Hauptwhistle and Fiddlestix."

Delindra sings grimly:

    "For profit, offered at Moot Hall
     The Ravager, desir'd by all
     Some for conquest and some for greed
     And some who wished the world to bleed
     But as the bidding thus progressed
     From without, cries of great distress"

Delindra sings resonantly:

    "A hov'ring shadow blots the sun
     And steady hearts may be undone
     But fear not, Elanthia fair
     For this threat, we all shall bear"

(Delindra looks down at the ground as she proceeds to the next verse, brow furrowed as if in fear, the music taking on a darker tone as the song continues.)

Delindra sings hauntingly:

    "Kyjani, she of Krolvin kind
     Stole Ravager, and blood to bind
     The Manticore to her cruel whim
     The fate of all now dark and grim
     And terror wrought from coast to coast
     The world could hear the Krolvin boast."

Delindra sings somberly:

    "All fought bravely, side by side
     Together hoped to turn the tide
     No one was spared Kyjani's wrath
     From Wehnimer's, she'd hew a path
     Through Elven Nations, River's Rest
      And Teras Isle, she sought to best."

Delindra sings resonantly:

    "A hov'ring shadow blots the sun
     And steady hearts may be undone
     But fear not, Elanthia fair
     For this threat, we all shall bear"

Delindra sings rhythmically:

    "With all their eyes fixed to the skies
     It took some time to realize:
     With gnomes begun, with gnomes to end
     So to the streets, the seekers send
     Whispers, rumors, clumsy trails
     Until at last, the hunt prevails."

(Delindra lifts her chin as if in defiance, the music spilling forth with an air of determination and pride.)

Delindra sings grimly:

    "With captive gnomes, a trap is set
     The Krolvin think there is a threat
     Clever ruse, of Talliver's make
     Ensnares Kyjani in its wake
     To lure and trap beneath Icemule
     While up above, as chaos rules."

Delindra sings resonantly:

    "A hov'ring shadow blots the sun
     And steady hearts may be undone
     But fear not, Elanthia fair
     For this threat, we all shall bear"

Delindra sings flowingly:

    "And so entrapped, is justice done
     The Ravager, to its cave runs
     And there entombed shall it remain
     Its shadow will the stars not stain
     Held fast in rock and fi'ry wake
     Witness the power of the Drake."

(Delindra stands straight and tall as her hands dance over the strings, bringing them to a crescendo, then softening the tune as she sings the final verse.)

Delindra sings confidently:

    "To those who would our forces rout
     This warning stands the world throughout
     Through greed, through fury, dark despair
     Fear you not, Elanthia fair
     For such threats, we all shall bear"

(Delindra plays one final, inspiring variation on the tune's theme before allowing the notes to ring out to silence.)

Delindra carefully straps her blonde ash biwa to her white suede harness.

Delindra smiles.

Delindra holds the sides of her silk linen gown outward and performs a graceful curtsy.

Allyria removes a particolored suede keepsake portfolio from in her spidersilk backpack.

Delindra says, "Thank you."

(Delindra only stumbles a little as she descends the steps from the stage and resumes her seat in the pews, her cheeks flushed but a happy smile on her features.)

Allyria offers Delindra a particolored suede keepsake portfolio.

Delindra smiles.

Delindra accepts Allyria's suede keepsake portfolio.

Traiva recites:

   "Thank you Delindra!"

Speaking to Delindra, Allyria says, "Thank you."

Traiva removes a square bottle of Revelia Reserve from in her multihued satchel.

Traiva takes off a vaalin-swept illthorn leaf pin.

Traiva recites:

   "As our next performer prepares, I think it is time for another drink!"

Traiva raises her Revelia Reserve in a toast!

Traiva recites:

   "Who can sweet-talk my pin into giving them this lovely bottle?"

Traiva says, "You all are quiet tonight."

Traiva says, "That last song left you a little breathless it seems."

Malota primly says, "I do not sweet talk pins. My husband would have words for me."

Traiva giggles at Malota.

Speaking sagely to Malota, Traiva says, "That is likely a wise course."

Allyria raises her voice in merry laughter.

Traiva recites:

   "But I know many of you here, and I would attest that not all are so wise."

Traiva winks and flashes a sly grin.

Traiva glances at a vaalin-swept illthorn leaf pin in her hand.

Traiva places her illthorn leaf pin flat on her palm and gives it a brisk spin. The illthorn leaf pin twirls around in a blur for a few seconds before coming to rest pointing directly at Allyria. Allyria wins!

Traiva raises her voice in merry laughter.

Traiva recites:

   "She deserves it tonight, no?"

Traiva offers Allyria a square bottle of Revelia Reserve.

Allyria says, "Pass it on, please."

Allyria winks at Traiva.

Traiva calmly flutters her wings at Allyria to an unheard rhythm.

Traiva recites:

   "Let us try again."

Traiva places her illthorn leaf pin flat on her palm and gives it a brisk spin. The illthorn leaf pin twirls around in a blur for a few seconds before coming to rest pointing directly at Yairra. Yairra wins!

Traiva offers Yairra a square bottle of Revelia Reserve.

Yairra accepts Traiva's Revelia Reserve.

Traiva recites:

   "Now that my pin has behaved, let us welcome our next performer."

Traiva recites:

   "He is no stranger to this stage at all, having performed many times over the years."

Traiva recites:

   "Returning is none other than. . .
     
    Nazarr!"

Nazarr Performs

The backstage curtains part slightly, and Nazarr steps out onto the stage. A glimpse of the shadowy backstage is briefly visible before the curtains close behind him.

You see High Lord Nazarr Csaba Faendryl the Master Rogue.
He appears to be a Dark Elf.
He is strikingly tall.  He appears to have come of age.  He has piercing grey-green eyes and vibrant, black skin.  He has shoulder length, straight bone white hair drawn away from his face into a braided half-bun skewered by some nacred fel dancer-tooled hairsticks.  He has an angular face, a slightly crooked nose and classically elegant, chiseled high cheekbones.
He has a tattoo depicting a silvery circle of interlocked Faendryl sigils on his neck.
He is in good shape.
He is holding a flame maple harp etched with a vine and leaf pattern in his left hand.
He is wearing a tooled blue sapphire earring, an elegant garnet necklace, a crimson velvet cloak edged with golden musical notes, a dark red vaalorn lute symbol accented with gold, a gilt-patterned alabaster porcelain half-mask, a point-hemmed dark blue silk doublet slashed with gold, a glacial white smooth glaes armband, a blood red teardrop-etched scarab ring, some tailored pewter plumille trousers embroidered with locks and musical notes, and some soft sea green boots.

Nazarr recites:

   "This is a tale of a legendary bard, some greedy soldiers, and an unexpected theft. I performed a version of it last year, but this one...I added a few words, changed the music a tad. But the title is still the same:  Skullduggery. "

Nazarr smiles and, with a toss of his head, Nazarr places his hands on his harp. Then, with a wink and a grin, he leaps into a jaunty, lighthearted tune.