TheDarkDM
2022-05-18, 03:13 AM
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Welcome, to the Exquisite Gala! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEWCCSuHsuQ)
The glittering miasma that shrouded Senja Bersinar swirled in the wake of furious activity, every volcanic plume echoing distant laughter, every strand of glowing algae radiating the afterimage of wanton joy. Such was the energy radiating out from the glittering jewel of Indah's Rise, its light blazing through the murk like a knife through jellied flesh. The twining dwellings of thousands of kucen radiated out in a dazzling array of colors and patterns from the city's grand center, where the palace of the founding mother herself reached up as if to seize the unseen stars. A marvel of woven coral and spun glass, the kaleidoscopic waterfall was studded with numerous balconies and open galleries, all radiating upwards from the yawning entryway of the grand arch, blazing with light. The approach to Indah's palace was awash with music from bells and drums, a cacophony that somehow ascended into an improbable harmony around the representatives of the green waters.
Within the central hall, a polished mosaic floor depicting the whole of Senja Bersinar swept towards the towering throne of Indah opposite the entryway, a plinth of stone so black and smooth it would have been a mirror if not for the innumerable flecks of color that glittered in its depths like the fabled "sky." Atop it sat the most magnificent of all kucen thrones, an open bowl of black stone and whale ivory surmounted by an opalescent pearl the size of an adult kucen's skull. It was a throne that had sat empty since the departure of Indah, and would remain empty until one mistress held enough power to stand undaunted against all others. The competitors for that coveted title spread around the base of the plinth like eager scavengers, their own thrones humble only in comparison to Indah's imperial glory. At the right hand of the departed empress sat the Lucent Mistress Adiratna, her indigo scales flickering with magenta highlights, a ceremonial crown atop her head that rose higher and prouder than the headdresses of her fellows. At her left was the young upstart, the Auroran Mistress Intan, bone white scales aglow with dull gold light. Around them were seated the Glistering Mistress, emerald Kirana, and the Radiant Mistress Lintang, Fulgent Mistress Roro, and Argent Mistress Mentari. All wore smiles of welcome, and all were surrounded by entourages of lesser sirens that spared them the clear sight of their rivals in triumph.
Spiraling off from the main hall were two galleries that wove through the exterior of the palace, one dominated by the polished, gaping maw of a megalodon. The beast had been recently hunted to serve as the centerpiece for the Gala itself, and preening herself in its shadow was the newly-appointed Rubicund Fist, Netra. The young general beamed with pride at her triumph, as well as the thought of the power such prestige would grant her. Everywhere, female kucen servants swam, each implanted with a specialized gland that allowed them to direct schools of flatfish bearing open shells containing delicate hors d'oeuvres prepared in styles from across the civilized sea. Through the palace's open windows, the festive atmosphere of the city faded to a pleasant roar to compete with the tide, but far closer were additional diversions - a long bowl had been erected directly north of the palace, and racing dolphins had come from every stable in the Syndicate to compete for the Rotala Wreath. To the south, sand had been cleared for a sparring field, where the pride of the newly-constituted Syndicate army prepared to compete in single combat for the glory of their Mistresses.
Dolphin Racing
The ten most illustrious competitors from across Senja Bersinar will complete three circuits around the elliptical track carved in the sand outside the palace. Representatives of the bank of Indah's Fall are on hand to arrange for any betting, and the action is already fierce! The odds are as follows:
Name
Seed
Owner
Bonus
Odds
Bright Victory
1
Glistering Mistress Kirana
+10
9-5
Mother of Pearl
2
Lucent Mistress Adiratna
+9
5-2
Sure Thing
3
Fulgent Mistress Roro
+9
5-1
Riptide
4
Radiant Mistress Lintang
+8
10-1
Platinum Whisper
5
Auroran Mistress Intan
+7
12-1
Prophet
6
Argent Mistress Mentari
+6
15-1
Virtuous Path
7
Hierophant Abyasa
+6
15-1
Ambush
8
Rubicund Fist Netra
+6
15-1
Lost in the Churn
9
The Silboljan Stables
+5
20-1
Seabiscuit
10
The Palau Stables
+4
30-1
Any guest may bet Syndicate talons on the results (one talon is equivalent to a day laborer's daily wage), with the bank willing to loan out money to noble representatives on minimal collateral. Once the bets are in, each race dolphin will roll 2d6 plus their listed bonus - ties go to lower-seeded dolphins. Who doesn't love an underdog?
The Melee
Warriors may entertain one-on-one duels at their leisure in the melee field, rolling military against one another.
The main attraction, however, is the grand melee, which any participant may join. The base melee will roll 2d6+3 five times to determine the prowess of the unnamed kucen combatants, and foreign dignitaries are free to enter, rolling 2d6+ either their kingdom's full military if it is the leader participating and the leader is judged to be particularly puissant in personal combat, or half the kingdom's military score in all other cases. Victory in the grand melee guarantees nothing, save glory and the rush of battle!
Welcome, to the Exquisite Gala! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEWCCSuHsuQ)
The glittering miasma that shrouded Senja Bersinar swirled in the wake of furious activity, every volcanic plume echoing distant laughter, every strand of glowing algae radiating the afterimage of wanton joy. Such was the energy radiating out from the glittering jewel of Indah's Rise, its light blazing through the murk like a knife through jellied flesh. The twining dwellings of thousands of kucen radiated out in a dazzling array of colors and patterns from the city's grand center, where the palace of the founding mother herself reached up as if to seize the unseen stars. A marvel of woven coral and spun glass, the kaleidoscopic waterfall was studded with numerous balconies and open galleries, all radiating upwards from the yawning entryway of the grand arch, blazing with light. The approach to Indah's palace was awash with music from bells and drums, a cacophony that somehow ascended into an improbable harmony around the representatives of the green waters.
Within the central hall, a polished mosaic floor depicting the whole of Senja Bersinar swept towards the towering throne of Indah opposite the entryway, a plinth of stone so black and smooth it would have been a mirror if not for the innumerable flecks of color that glittered in its depths like the fabled "sky." Atop it sat the most magnificent of all kucen thrones, an open bowl of black stone and whale ivory surmounted by an opalescent pearl the size of an adult kucen's skull. It was a throne that had sat empty since the departure of Indah, and would remain empty until one mistress held enough power to stand undaunted against all others. The competitors for that coveted title spread around the base of the plinth like eager scavengers, their own thrones humble only in comparison to Indah's imperial glory. At the right hand of the departed empress sat the Lucent Mistress Adiratna, her indigo scales flickering with magenta highlights, a ceremonial crown atop her head that rose higher and prouder than the headdresses of her fellows. At her left was the young upstart, the Auroran Mistress Intan, bone white scales aglow with dull gold light. Around them were seated the Glistering Mistress, emerald Kirana, and the Radiant Mistress Lintang, Fulgent Mistress Roro, and Argent Mistress Mentari. All wore smiles of welcome, and all were surrounded by entourages of lesser sirens that spared them the clear sight of their rivals in triumph.
Spiraling off from the main hall were two galleries that wove through the exterior of the palace, one dominated by the polished, gaping maw of a megalodon. The beast had been recently hunted to serve as the centerpiece for the Gala itself, and preening herself in its shadow was the newly-appointed Rubicund Fist, Netra. The young general beamed with pride at her triumph, as well as the thought of the power such prestige would grant her. Everywhere, female kucen servants swam, each implanted with a specialized gland that allowed them to direct schools of flatfish bearing open shells containing delicate hors d'oeuvres prepared in styles from across the civilized sea. Through the palace's open windows, the festive atmosphere of the city faded to a pleasant roar to compete with the tide, but far closer were additional diversions - a long bowl had been erected directly north of the palace, and racing dolphins had come from every stable in the Syndicate to compete for the Rotala Wreath. To the south, sand had been cleared for a sparring field, where the pride of the newly-constituted Syndicate army prepared to compete in single combat for the glory of their Mistresses.
Dolphin Racing
The ten most illustrious competitors from across Senja Bersinar will complete three circuits around the elliptical track carved in the sand outside the palace. Representatives of the bank of Indah's Fall are on hand to arrange for any betting, and the action is already fierce! The odds are as follows:
Name
Seed
Owner
Bonus
Odds
Bright Victory
1
Glistering Mistress Kirana
+10
9-5
Mother of Pearl
2
Lucent Mistress Adiratna
+9
5-2
Sure Thing
3
Fulgent Mistress Roro
+9
5-1
Riptide
4
Radiant Mistress Lintang
+8
10-1
Platinum Whisper
5
Auroran Mistress Intan
+7
12-1
Prophet
6
Argent Mistress Mentari
+6
15-1
Virtuous Path
7
Hierophant Abyasa
+6
15-1
Ambush
8
Rubicund Fist Netra
+6
15-1
Lost in the Churn
9
The Silboljan Stables
+5
20-1
Seabiscuit
10
The Palau Stables
+4
30-1
Any guest may bet Syndicate talons on the results (one talon is equivalent to a day laborer's daily wage), with the bank willing to loan out money to noble representatives on minimal collateral. Once the bets are in, each race dolphin will roll 2d6 plus their listed bonus - ties go to lower-seeded dolphins. Who doesn't love an underdog?
The Melee
Warriors may entertain one-on-one duels at their leisure in the melee field, rolling military against one another.
The main attraction, however, is the grand melee, which any participant may join. The base melee will roll 2d6+3 five times to determine the prowess of the unnamed kucen combatants, and foreign dignitaries are free to enter, rolling 2d6+ either their kingdom's full military if it is the leader participating and the leader is judged to be particularly puissant in personal combat, or half the kingdom's military score in all other cases. Victory in the grand melee guarantees nothing, save glory and the rush of battle!