Elanthian Vogue/Winter 5121 (Part II)

Editor: Rohese Bayvel

Editor's Thoughts

As promised, we're back with the second installment of our bumper winter edition delving into adventures after dark! I hope you enjoyed our exclusive interview with the delightful Goblyn and Cruxophim and that we sparked your curiosity enough to spend time with them on Caligos Isle. Did you also manage to guess who kindly shared their thoughts on the Ebon Gate Festival at the end of Part I? If not, don't worry, all will be revealed shortly.

As mentioned in the earlier edition, this one will be exploring Elanthia's night life in general and the opportunities available to those who are looking for people to meet, places to go, and fun things to participate in. We will also look at day-into-night fashion and how easy it is to make the switch with just a few key wardrobe pieces.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in again because there are only a few festival days left!

As always, don't forget to send us your comments on any of the articles in this month's publication or suggestions for future editions!

Editor

Night Life for Night Owls

Some time ago, I was shown a flyer for an event called "Ladies Night!" and it started me wondering about what happened in Elanthia when the sun went down. Needless to say, I am not overly familiar with such things but I did learn that there are events and entertainment venues that host performances, parties and other social gatherings for those that prefer to be out and about late at night. You just have to know where to look. The collective term for such entertainment is "night life" and it includes taverns, bars, concerts, theatre and sometimes even informal gatherings to just sing songs and share stories.

Despite perceptions, not all "night life" entertainment is adult-oriented. A lot of pleasure can be had by simply spending time socialising with your fellow "night owls" in various locations around town. Inns are always popular spots for adventurers. Perched in the northwest corner of the Wehnimer's Landing Town Square, for example, is the Raging Thrak Inn, both a rowdy gathering place for a rousing song and a mug of ale, and a spot for a quiet conversation. Just outside the North Gate is the Wayside Inn, another popular spot for gathering. If you something a little more out of the way, try Frith's Inn which just happens to be situated right next to Beldrin's Gaming Hall if you fancy a spot of gambling.

The town of Icemule Trace also boasts some great places to socialise after dark. The Silvermule Gaming Hall is an excellent place to meet with friends and play some games of chance and the aptly named Nightowl Pub is good for quiet conversations with friends.

Solhaven residents and visitors have a number of options too. The Cafe Dumont stays open all night serving tea and coffee or the more adventurous might be willing to take the risk of visiting the Wage and Dagger in South Haven but be warned, the streets aren't safe after dark.

The towns and cities in the Elven Nations aren't short of places to gather either. The Gentlemen's Leaf in Ta'Illistim has a lounge with a dartboard and refreshments or why not simply visit the Moonglae Inn rooftop for a spot of romantic stargazing.

The two inns in Ta'Vaalor are popular with the fortress residents. On the southwest side of town is Malwith's with a bar, a buffet and cozy tables. Casu's Coffee within also has a public stove and stocks a generous supply of tea.

On the north side of town is the Legendary Rest where you can gather friends around a table, order some food or just enjoy the courtyard and its beautiful fountain.

For those seeking entertainment of a theatrical nature, a visit to the Theatre Andaire is worthwhile. Why not consider putting on a little impromptu play or musical soiree yourself and draw the night time crowds as the theater features a stage with dressing rooms, working curtains and lights.

It is also worth noting that all of the Premium Halls in town have BlackDrake tables for those that enjoy dice games in more exclusive surroundings.

Last, but by no means least, it is worth taking the opportunity to catch a game of GHOUL while visiting Caligos Isle. Sometimes hosted by the delightful Goblyn – as featured in our last edition - it is a great way to spend a few hours in the company of friends old and new with the added bonus of having the chance to win some amazing prizes!

Cheapshots and Cheapseats

"I hope you made it through all the riffraff on the way here without a brick to the head. Those south end folks aren't too inviting. It’s a bit rough getting in, but once here I find it one of the most quaint and relaxing bars in the lands. The drinks aren't half bad either. I think rough and tumble yet warm speaks to my soul."

Iskandr's greeting on my arrival sums up the location for our interview. Whilst friendly and well appointed, The Inn of the Krawling Kraken is situated in one of the less salubrious parts of Solhaven. The walk along the Crooked Way should not be considered alone after dark or you run the risk of suffering a few cheapshot manoeuvres from the local denizens. (I took the precaution of having a chaperone.) The entrance can be found down a dark alley that snakes behind a ramshackle warehouse but watch your footing as the cobblestones are littered with broken glass and refuse.

You see Squire Legionnaire Iskandr Tamarack the Forestwalker.
He appears to be a Vaalor Elf.
He is taller than average.  He appears to be very young.  He has sparkling hazel eyes and tanned skin.  He has shoulder length, wavy chestnut hair with lighter streaks.  He has a delicate face, a classical nose and high cheekbones.  He is wearing a hunter green silk pennon emblazoned with a jungle samoyed that juts over his shoulder.
He is wearing a forest green leather cloak with ivory accents, a polished blonde ash biwa incised with a gilt-clawed wyvern, a rugged hunter green backpack covered in dirt and blood stains, a weathered leather harness made from a multitude of straps, some weathered brigandine, a long-collared dark green cotton shirt, a pair of polished crimson and gold bracers, some threadbare gloves, a leaf-embossed dark leather belt, a bloodstained leather survival kit, a shaggy dark grey wolf fur satchel, some supple centaur hide pants, some padded grey woolen socks, and some tall ebon leather boots buckled with vaalorn.

I am courteously escorted to a table of deeply polished mahogany in the bar and relax somewhat as I observe the barkeeper merrily ensuring everyone gets a fair share of his attention. With notebook and quill in hand, I begin by asking Iskandr to tell me a little bit about himself and I am somewhat shocked by his initial response.

"Would it be too risqué if I took of my shirt to start the interview?"

With a confident half smile in my direction, while also briefly turning to shrug to the barkeep who sighs in resignation – I am guessing that what is about to unfold has happened before - he proceeds to remove his cloak, unfastens his armor, and unbuttons his shirt. I add a quick note to the margins of my book to ensure that I ask that all future interviewees stay dressed.

"I know we’ve just met, but I feel this is the easiest way to ‘paint a picture’ if you will. I apologize for being forward, my blood is wholly Vaalor but my upbringing was, well, tainted by the West a bit, eh?"

He speaks in common, which – as he explained to me later - affords him the opportunity to speak more loosely and informally than in his native Elven. He turns around to reveal a tattoo that covers the entirety of his back.

a clifftop cottage tattoo
The focal point of this piece is a quaint cottage nestled within a grove of beach pines on a striking cliff overlooking the sea at sunset.  Stretching out across the entire back, warm inks add a comforting glow to the light pouring from the home, and a smoking chimney indicates a lively hearth.  The coziness of the abode contrasts sharply with cold blue and black inks framing the outer edges.  On the horizon, darkly inked warships appear poised to shatter the idyllic scene.

"You might recognize the Landing's Coastal Cliffs in the artwork. Early on, a few decades after the founding of the Landing my mother and father ended up there. They told me they were merchants…"

Pausing, quite dramatically I might add and with a notable gleam in his eye, he switches to a smiling whisper to add "...but I think they might have been Vaalor spies." With a quick shrug, he continues to tell me about his early years.

"Anyway, I was raised in and around the Coastal Cliffs and the Landing itself from such an early age that I at one point thought I was born there. Was getting into all kinds of fun trouble as I grew into adolescence."

Again, I catch a brief twinkle in his eyes as he appears to be recalling those juvenile transgressions.

"Needless to say, the Krolvin came..."

He briefly taps the warships tattooed on his back.

"...my parents, that idyllic cottage, they were all gone. So instead of becoming an even more troublesome adolescent on the streets of the Landing, I decided to reconnect with my roots, go back East, join the Legion, see the world, kill far away things in epic wars, and learn how sound less like a yokel when speaking Elven. One-hundred years later, I've finished my time in the Legion regulars and here we are in the West, where I mostly reside once again. Maybe I'm a spy too!"

Noting my raised eyebrow, he gives me a sarcastic grin and takes a swig from his mug of hearty golden ale without bothering to put his shirt back on. I attempt to avoid further embarrassment (on my part) by moving swiftly on to ask about his infamous gatherings; keeping my eyes on my notebook at all times. I am particularly keen to understand why night time events are different to those held in the day.

"Well, for one thing, I just LIKE the night. It feels very comfortable to me. Perhaps this is because I was trained to move around in it during my service, but I think I always enjoyed it. But honestly, I've been all over these lands, and everywhere there’s some people over in one place talking down about some other people from somewhere else. But all people everywhere like to relax, have a drink, tells funny jokes, regale folks with grand stories, listen to bawdy songs, and so on. I'm not sure having a keg or two is going to change the world and make dwarves and elves get along better, but I can get them hugging and singing the same song about that lost love or laughing at a lewd limerick for at least the time they're with me.  Maybe they can take a bit of that back with them beyond that time."

He slips a cigar out from his harness and, with it, his cigar cutter. He cuts the tip off his cigar before bringing it to his lips and lighting it with the cutter's drakar element. He takes a good puff and exhales before continuing with the occasional chuckle.

"In regard to what's different? There's just a freedom and looseness to the night. There are famous bards who show up and wow us with festival classics, but there are people who get up there and tell a tale for the first time, and then there are just avid watchers and listeners who love to see what might happen next. Night has less rules and formality. I had enough of all that during my Legion 'hundred.'"

"I don't even really have a format, and what happens changes on the whim of whatever odd thoughts his me when I wake that very day. Sometimes we tell grand tales, sometimes we fish, and sometimes we race ships across the seas for sport. Anything can happen. It's refreshing that way, and I'm willing to let the participants take it in other directions even I wasn’t expecting, though this of course usually requires and exceedingly charismatic and good-looking master of ceremonies to guide the whole affair."

I glance up from my notes to be rewarded with a brief wink. So I quickly ask about his thoughts on Ronan and whether he has any connection with him at all, or any other Arkati for that matter.

"It's interesting that you ask that, as I see my night events as less related to Ronan than perhaps his brother Phoen. I worship neither, but I DO offer a light in the darkness, a bit of a shining beacon that the other miscreants of the night can find comfort in, so perhaps Phoen is bothering his brother with my shenanigans. Phoen's also got a hand in fertility, and well, yes, I think our events send people off together in a good mood to finish the night however they see clever. If we were all paying Ronan heed, I feel we'd all be well-rested dreaming nappers, though perhaps I'll do that some night. We can all take a good nap for a few hours."

He ponders a few more things briefly before continuing.

"This all being said, I am a Vaalor elf, and I think by and large the idea of worshipping the Arkati has always been a bit much for many of us. Of course..."

He taps his left arm to indicate the tattoo covering the entirety from shoulder to wrist.

an Imaera Tattoo
The centerpiece of this work of art is clearly Imaera.  The Arkati stands poised against the entirety of the upper arm, with her head overlaid across the broad muscle of the shoulder, and trailing downward in a gentle cloak of greenery towards the elbow.  Delicate mahogany inks have been used to portray a gorgeous doe nestled into the crook of Imaera's arm, which extends somewhat onto the forearm before dissolving into a swirl of green and grey inks.

"...this Lady has saved my life more than once out there in the wilds, so she can claim a bit of space on my shield arm. Is that worship or just a good luck charm? I lean toward the latter. Besides, she has to share my body with this guy..."

He points to his right arm, where another sleeve covering its entirety.

a jungle samoyed tattoo
This image is crafted primarily from ivory and viridian hues, and depicts a beautiful jungle samoyed against a lush jungle background.  The creature's countenance is serious, but clever use of shading creates a nearly whimsical look in its eyes as it gazes into the distance.  Its musculature is clearly defined beneath its gleaming white coat, and everything about its stance speaks to a steady, unwavering alertness.  The mighty beast is clearly ready to strike at a moment's notice, should the need arise.

"That dog there, Captain Foofamaloo, has kept me alive more than once, so he gets some space on my sword arm. I haven’t asked Imaera how she feels about sharing the space on my body with my animal companion, but I’ll remember to do that if she ever stops by for a keg pour."

"And yes, I did say his name was Captain Foofamaloo. That's what he told me it was when we met. Perhaps you can ask him more about it in a future issue? He’s not very fashionable though."

I can't help but be amused by this rather disarming elf and since he has brought up the subject of fashion, I cannot resist the temptation to inquire if he is interested in it at all and what his wardrobe choices might be – despite the current lack of clothing on display!

"My day-to-day fashion is, well, as you see before you, mostly utilitarian and covered in some amount of blood stains and grime. As a scout in the Legion, our regs were a bit looser, eh? You often just got around to using what ‘worked best’ for getting the job done, so this is all cobbled together with necessity as the focus. I do keep my Legion bracers on to remember where I came from, despite how woefully they clash with even my utilitarian designs."

"Here's the secret though..."

He leans into the table a bit to emphasize his point causing me to drop my quill and – in the process of trying to retrieve it with as much dignity as I can muster – lose my grip on my notebook. It takes a little time for me to compose myself again but I am able to catch up and make a note of his...secret.

"...if you're confident, you'll make even utilitarian shine. It becomes 'classically rugged' or some such. Being quite good looking also helps, but confidence will sell any outfit if YOU believe it looks good.

"I DO dress to the nines for a good function though. I'll put all this bloody, weathered stuff in a locker for a bit, hit the bathhouse, soak out all this grit, and select the finest clothes I can find from a good festival or Ta'Vaalor's own clothing boutiques. I assume you already know that Ta'Vaalor has some of the finest clothing shops in the lands? Us martial folks are more into clothes than most people think. I have entire clothing lockers in various House Paupers annexes devoted solely to clothes and I'm looking forward to the upcoming festival because I will buy entire wardrobes of new apparel. I've heard that the Rakish Raven has a pink and mint hued silk shirt or some such, and I'll tell you right now I'm excited to pull that off at a ball..."

He pauses briefly for a moment and smiles once again, gesturing to his shirtless self. "...not this literally of course."

In my haste to leave the Bar, I think I managed to mumble my appreciation for giving me the interview so in case I failed to do so, I would like to thank Iskandr for a very enlightening insight into his personal adventures after dark and his thoughts on the Ebon Gate Festival shared in the last edition!

Tea with Talinvor

My second interview turns out to be equally as unsettling – if not more so - but at least it was held in more familiar surroundings and I have the comforting presence of Galieca to ensure there is no more shirt removal or tattoo exposure!

My guest has arrived early and is brewing tea. Talinvor may have a reputation for certain unappealing attributes but no one can ever accuse him of not being a gracious host. I am invited to take a seat with a simple incline of his head as he rolls up the sleeves of his shirt to toss another piece of wood into the stove, presumably to keep the kettle hot while we talk.

He allows me some time to settle myself down and gather my writing utensils together before pouring me a proper cup of tea, something with rose and bergamot judging by the delicious aroma, and adds a dollop of honey before placing it gently on the table in front of me.

This is quite an auspicious start and I find myself already warming to someone I have often thought to be disagreeable. He has come without wearing his armor, though I imagine a simple song would fix that if needed and his longcoat has been draped over one of the extra chairs. He's clearly going for comfort and no one can claim he isn't polite when he wants to be.

Pouring his own tea, he strides over to the nearby couch and lowers himself into it, leaning back to blow the steam from his cup. The cups are nothing fancy, just ceramic glazed cups but the blend is his own apparently. I note that he doesn’t bother rolling down his sleeves and, seeing that the tea is still too hot to drink, he sets his on the table and glances over at me.

The subtle smirk on his face makes me wonder if he caught me watching him the whole time. I hope he didn't think I was checking him out! I was merely interested in his attire as I was keen to share it with our readers.

You see High Lord Talinvor the Loremaster.
He appears to be a Dhe'nar Dark Elf.
He is strikingly tall and has a hard-muscled physique.  He appears to be youthful.  He has piercing stormy grey eyes and ebon skin.  He has very long, straight jet black hair pulled into two chain-bound braids over each shoulder, the rest left loose beneath a blackened silver headband.  He has an angular face, a straight nose and strong, chiseled features.  He has a faded x-shaped scar on his right temple.
He is wearing a silver-set black star sapphire, an ebon leather silver-buckled longcoat, a black silk silver-threaded sash, a rich indigo brushed silk shirt, a silver blonde braided hair bracelet, an obsidian-set silver signet band, a black spidersilk pouch clasped with a small skeletal dragon carved from ivory, some black pants front-laced with black leather, and a pair of tall black leather boots side-fastened with silver buckles.

an ebon leather silver-buckled longcoat
Crafted of supple black leather the color of a moonless night, the longcoat is made to fall in elegant ripples around the wearer's ankles.  Soft, deep blue silk lines the inside, the vivid color a striking contrast to the richness of the surrounding leather.  Silver buckles adorn the cuffs of the coat, polished to a flawless shine, while blackened silver filigree clasps serve to open and close the garment.

The temptation to throw my cup at him lingers for a moment but that would be a waste of the tea. There is something about this elf that brings out the worst in me and I endeavour to hide my shame until I notice that he is now unbuttoning the top of his shirt and I glance over at Galieca to see if she will step in if the disrobing process continues.

I decide it's time to get this interview out of the way as quickly as possible, with the reassurance that my chaperone is just outside should the need arise for a hasty departure. I begin by asking Talinvor to tell me a little about himself.

He stalls for a moment by taking a sip of his tea and answers thoughtfully.

"I was born in Sharath along with my twin Surion. I cannot say what year, as such things are not celebrated. I suspect I am at least several hundred years of age as the elves calculate such things, yet both my brother and I have always been told we look younger than we are. A result of careful breeding, I suspect. I am a poet, a songwriter, a storyteller and a playwright. All the things a bard is expected to be."

It's a moment before I realise that he has stopped talking and has wandered over to the window where I notice a signet band on his hand as he presses the window open to let in the evening breeze. I later asked him to show it to me show I could share it with you.

an obsidian-set silver signet band
The band is made of silver and has a design of a raptor talon grasping a thorned rose engraved into its face.

He chooses to remain standing, leaning on the sill against and patiently watching me as I finish making a few notes.

"My style may be considered seductive and maybe a little primal, drawing out the audience to embrace the emotion I wish to entice. Overall, I simply enjoy the challenge of creating something that influences others with the simple mastery of words."

"As the theme is 'night', I will give one of my earlier works called, "Night's Symphony" where night is actually personified."

Every movement he makes is slow and steady - almost languorous - and I am left wondering if he deliberately intends to make me feel uncomfortable by positioning himself close-by at every opportunity. It takes all my effort to meet his gaze but as I do so, he begins his rendition.

"NIGHT'S SYMPHONY Come to me – a place of auld Beneath forgotten skies Where only dreams can take you And only I have called. A whispered shadow singing Beneath quadruple moons What path ahead awaits you Where I have set the tunes. Music is a melody Beneath the silver stars Who else can surely guide you And set your life anew. Come to me – forsake virtue Beneath the black of night There, destiny will lead you My symphony pursue."

Talinvor's tenor voice is purposely enticing as he practically sings the poem in a soft velvety whisper without musical accompaniment. There is an awkward silence after the last words of his poem as I ponder what to write next. My quill remains poised over the notebook and I deliberately avoid trying to react in anyway although I am conscious that a flush has probably colored my cheeks. He probably thinks I'm about to throw my teacup at him – a tempting proposition but professionalism gets the upper hand. I opt instead to ask more specifically about his business ventures as I am reminded of the flyer entitled, "Ladies Night," that prompted this edition in the first place.

I am offered another cup of tea before he paces the room and, with a long, drawn-out sigh, places a hand against the wall, with his gaze lowered to the floor. Whilst much about Talinvor remains a mystery, his body language can often be quite telling.

"My organisation is The Black Iron Chalice, which is a performance troupe that was based out of Solhaven. Due to losses of key membership, busy schedules and the more recent loss of incentives for such concerns - it is currently on hiatus."

Turning around, he then leans himself against the wall folding his arms over his chest as he faces me again.

"Our projects included the simple things, like a wine and chocolate tasting to the more extravagant, such as our aerial acrobatics performances, fire dancing and our flagship musical play called "The Depths of Aberdeen." We've performed stage acts for great houses and entertained elven nobility, which is partly how I was drawn into the Illistim court."

Part of me wishes to ask him more about this as I find the whole idea of this form of entertainment to be fascinating, as I'm sure many of our readers do too, but sadly time is against me, as is printing space, so I change the subject to that of Ronan and connections with the Arkati.

Still maintaining his measured approach to my enquiries, Talinvor finishes his tea but I notice he has deliberately left a little in the bottom of the cup as he sets it back on the table in front of me. Curiosity gets the better of me and I can’t help but peek into it to see if the remaining tea leaves reveal something as yet undiscovered about this elf. But before I can form an opinion as to its revelations, Talinvor speaks and I resume my notetaking.

"I can give you an academic answer, but like any Arkati - I have no special thoughts about it.  As Dhe’nar are taught to learn from all the Arkati, we see that each one has their own particular sphere - so we do not limit ourselves to any particular one."quote"

He is seated on the couch again now, his elbows resting on his knees. With his shirt open, his sapphire swings freely from his chest. A fleeting thought crosses my mind that here is another gregarious individual with preferences for nocturnal activities that also has a predilection for exposing skin, especially of the tattooed variety.

sapphire
Dark as a midnight sky, the sapphire is a large, lustrous specimen. Strung from a simple black leather cord, it rests in the curve of a silver talon to form an amulet. A streak of brilliant white erupts from its depths, spreading across portions of the surface into a six-pointed star.

a Dhe'nari Caste Tattoo
Intricate details in black ink decorate the flesh over the left pectoral muscle.  A raptor's talon of metallic silver clasps a thorned black rose central to concentric runed rings, identifying the wearer as one of the Warlock Caste.  Markings in Dhe'narsi of names and places have been carefully scribed within the rings."

"However, we can specialize in specific traits of various Arkati. I have learned tendencies toward domination, which is a trait of Eorgina.  Also pain in receiving and in the giving, which is influenced by Mularos."

Throughout his response, he barely pauses so I let him continue as I make my notes … until he mentions Mularos; it's all I can do not to scratch that name out but I sense he is watching me still, no doubt through half-lidded and that signature wry smile curling his lips.

"Finally, seduction - that lust, desire and passion which is within the realm of Ivas and a favorite of mine as a bard. All three for me work in harmony, and reflect my personality."

One last question and I can politely excuse myself. I really shouldn't leave the most relevant question to last; relevant in the sense that this is a fashion publication and I know our readers like to hear about other's wardrobe choices and whether they consider style to be important.

The clink of chains in Talinvor's hair is an immediate clue to his thoughts on the matter as he chuckles and shakes his head.

"I would have to say 'no', not in the same way that you do.  Though I do have an opinion about cravats though. I don’t understand them."

His fingers rub at his bare throat and tug at his shirt's neckline a little more.

"They seem more useful as some sort of fancy bib, to keep food from falling into one’s shirt. Ridiculous waste of cloth."

With the interview drawing to a close and the tea kettle emptied, Talinvor pulls out a bottle of wine and a black iron chalice. Pouring himself a glass, I am relieved that he doesn't offer me a glass. Three sips in, he indicates that he has more to add.

"What opinions I have about fashion is about what I don't wear. I do have a more relaxed style where comfort is key, clearly. I can easily slide these off after a long day. [indicating his current attire] No one sleeps in their pants and boots. I also stick with black and muted colors with a simple design. Too much drama in the clothing turns it into a costume, and hides the person wearing it much like a mask."

I am sensing boredom now as he merely glances at me while swirling the wine in his cup so I endeavour to assemble my notes and politely make my excuses but not before he manages a final jibe, albeit veiled in a compliment.

"Fashion also gives people something to talk about, when they have nothing else to discuss.  Some people, gratefully, are capable of deeper discourse and interests."

Day Into Night

Style is all about how you put fashion together to create your own personal look. If you have some staple pieces that you are looking to turn into a stylish evening look, then you might be interested in the following tips from our Style Team:

The Black Gown A classically simple black gown is one of the best daytime fashion pieces that can easily transition into a night look with just a few tweaks. You can pair it with a tailored coat or pelisse and sensible shoes during the day, and switch to furs and heels or chopines for the evening.

The Skirt Skirts have long been a staple of every fashionista’s wardrobe. They come in a range of styles, from full and bustled to a more fitted option. Wear with a matching jacket for as an everyday outfit for riding or hunting, and when you’re ready to be a “night owl,” you can pair it with a ruffled or lacy blouse and fitted corset to give it a chic aesthetic. For added flare, lace in a petticoat or underskirt and add a pair of strappy shoes or sandals to create a stylish after-hours outfit.

The Silk Blouse or Shirt Sleeveless, collared, or off-the-shoulder, a silk blouse is one of the most versatile pieces you can have in your wardrobe. For a day look, you can wear it with trousers or a long skirt and drape a simple wrap over your shoulders. At night, pair the blouse with some beautiful jewelry or a bold statement piece, like an artistically crafted case.

Shirts are equally as versatile. Wear open-necked during the day and add a cravat with a fancy pin to take you through the night. Adorn with cufflinks for a finishing touch.

Pants As daywear, wear pants with a tunic, coat and boots. For a night look, change the tunic to a silk blouse or shirt and switch out the boots with some flattering shoes to be ready for date night or a dinner with friends.

While the Ebon Gate Festival is going on, the team have put together a couple of suggested wardrobe basics for you and where they can be found on Caligos Isle.

• a cropped black twill coat with long split tails, only 7,500 silvers from Beck and CallBeck and Call
• an atramentous ramie silk gown flared at the ankles, 50,000 silvers in Good Mourning
• a bustled smoky velvet coat, a Fancy Coat for 100,000 silvers from Whimiscal Wares with additional adornments for the evening
• a pair of high-heeled strappy ebon silk slippers, perfect for dancing and only 50,000 from Fancy That
• a navy plumille skirt paling to periwinkle at the tulip hem, 45,000 silvers and also from Good Mourning or an indigo flyrsilk skirt patterned with pale roses, 50,000 silvers in Island Finery. Why not fill out those skirt with a range of petticoats or underskirts available for 50,000 in Petti Little Knitpicker
• a long-sleeved off white silk blouse and an off-shoulder creamy silk blouse are both 65,000 silvers each from Wrap Yourself
• a crisp sapphire linen shirt cuffed with mithglin studs, only 15,000 silvers, again from Good Mourning
• a pastel pink silk shirt with tonal mint green stripes, something bold for only 25,000 in Rakish Raven. It comes complete with cufflinks, collar and suspenders
• a loose white cotton shirt with an open collar, 90,000 silvers will buy you an "enchanting" shirt with earthy flares. Available in Tranquility Plaza
• a loose ivory cotton shirt with billowing sleeves, a line by Joola that allows for the option of adding gemstone buttons and is only 25,000 silvers from Wench Wear
• a pristine long-sleeved cream linen shirt, a designer piece by Yansio for 65,000 from Wrap Yourself
• some crisply pleated raven black trousers, another Yansio classic for 65,000 silvers, again from Wrap Yourself.
• a pair of laced black leather shoes with narrow toes, also by Yansio for 50,000 silvers, available in the same establishment

Lastly, some finishing touches. Nail polish is available for 25,000 silvers from Made to Measure and cosmetics for 50,000 silvers in Draped in Death. Alternatively, a polished blonde oak cane with a brass handle can be yours for 75,000 silvers from Wrap Yourself or a rippled black eel skin case framed in alum for 75,000 from So Eely in the Morning and a twisted metal charm necklace dyed a pale indigo hue for 1,000 seashells from Turn on the Charm. Add additional charms for a little extra flourish.

With only a few days left of the festival, make sure to grab them while you can.