Yasmine Champagne has taken a keen interest in stepping into the business of agriculture – specifically the experimentation and creation of new food crops that are both nutritious and delicious for consumers, as well as equitably sustainable for the producers with an excellent yield and turn around. House Champagne has no shortage of wealth, influence and connections among the Compact to see this done; however, they lack the lands to do so.

In order to rectify this and cultivate new trade relations within the fealties, Yasmine has hand-picked several noble houses situated upon lands with unique and challenging conditions to base her work upon.

From the Crownlands: It is perhaps rather symbolic that Yasmine approached a house with an ancestry rooted in creating something substantial from nothing. With their penchant for being the most industrious lot Yasmine has come across, Yasmine partnered with Count Orrin Seliki to try and bring them a new food crop.

From the Northlands:Yasmine approached House Clearlake and brokered an agreement with Baroness Acantha Clearlake and Lord Ringvald Clearlake to utilize their lands to experiment with root vegetables that will prosper in the cooler climate regions and be delicious despite the lack of reliable sunlight when the winter months are long and dark. (Think swiss chard, and similar dark greens.)

From the Oathlands: Baroness Brigid Moore and Lady Katherine Moore gave their consent to allow House Champagne use of their lands. Given that they were once the breadbasket of the Oathlands, Yasmine wants to help revitalize their reputation with the careful implementation of new cereal grains and legumes that will attract new lifeblood into the area as the Moores seek to rebuild what they lost in recent tragedies.

The Mourning Isles: From the Isles, Yasmine has brokered a deal with House Stormbreak to make use of their flatlands that may be suitable as a site of new crops. She knows there’s going to be a challenge there with it being so far flung north of the Isles that brutal winters will be a worry, so she knows that cold-resistant and hardy is the way to go.

There are more houses that Yasmine has struck deals with and who’ve agreed to lend a helping hand in the experimentation, guarding, and other fairly important tasks that she hopes will further their successes beyond her initial massive investments into the respective lands.

Harlex Valtyr hasn't been a farmer since he left home at the age of seventeen. But here he is, aiding in the spreading of these agricultural plans. Not as an expert, of course. He remains the business partner of Yasmine Champagne, deciding to not only join her as a personal bodyguard, but also to make sure she doesn't get in over her head. Certainly looking scary is a good way to dissuade anyone from at least not hearing her out. Other than that, he provides the assurance that she couldn't be safer than in his company. Lets make some money moves.

Ringvald, being an economic mind is going to be actively overseeing proceedings that take place in Clearlake hold. His main contribution will be overseeing the beauracracy involved in the matter, and ensuring that should the plan come to fruition, it will be adequate for the surrounding area.

Baron Stormbreak will provide Yasmine with the necessary parcels of land to be used and tended by the colonists of Whitefrost. Those farmers who put their land up for volunteer will get a stipend to offset their costs and ensure that they suffer no hardships going into the winter for their own households. The Baron will also take responsibility for overseeing all logistics and economic concerns for his part of the project, as well as be ready to assist any others whose requries it or with whom he will need to coordinate.

If there is anything the lands of Estroch Isle might have, it's ample amounts of fertile soil. She sets some agriculturally vyable land aside for Yasmine's project and contributes some of her wealth to clearing it and preparing it for farming.

That's about as much of farming as Iseulet knows, unfortunately. But she can help in other ways! As the founder of the Empyrean Route, she can make sure that things get to where they need to go quickly and what needs to be sold gets there and the right ears hear tell of the new crop and all of its benefits.

On behalf of Duchess Cambria Mazetti, her Voice will be seeing to this proposed project. Arrangements in the city-state of Ostria will be made to set aside arable land for this project. On account of the fact that it will prove useful in increasing the stockpiles of food for the people under the protection of House Mazetti and that it may prove financial beneficial for the household, the project is given the full support of the Hydra. In addition to this Duke Hadrian Mazetti stands prepared to aid in stretching out the investments into the project as far as they can possibly go. Putting business talents garnered from the First Bank of Ostria, Port Valerio, the refurbishment and reinforcement of Stone Keep, House Mazetti's recent construction of three caravels, and more to good use. House Mazetti stands prepared to give its full support to the efforts on their land at the request of Yasmine Champagne.

Baroness Brigid Moore, with no small amount of cautious excitement decided to accept the offer for it would be a foolish thing for a decimated house to disregard - especially since Yasmine Champagne comes highly regarded by both the Marquis and Marquessa Keaton but the acceptance came with warnings and stipulations. The full scope of Acorn Hill is as follows: it’s soil has been corrupted by the foul forces that snuffed out all life on the barony and its surrounding woods are haunted with not a living thing remaining as even the Abandoned have fled marking it as cursed.

Once a cleansing has been done and a way found to be rid of troubles past, the parcels shall be open for Yasmine’s profitable experimentation.The Baroness herself will personally find hands to help work the land, acquire horses to help plow even if her own warhorse must be put to use, dig out the agricultural knowledge of Acorn Hill past, and use her own hands to see it done.

It's not easy, but the tremendous investment in time, effort and funding yields fruit. Not quite literally, since it's mostly vegetables for the different fealties, but still.

In the Crownlands, House Champagne and Seliki are able to develop a type of greens based off of an edible (and pretty delicious) seaweed that grows in their waters. Seliki Greens could be grown in most of the calmer coastal areas of the Crownlands in fairly large quantities. It becomes quite a popular vegetable to mix in dishes at Pearlspire, and has started to spread throughout the Crownlands.

At Clearlake Hold, it's a matter of experimentation with different root vegetables, and finding ones that are more hardy and can be grown on land that has brief periods of thawed ground and is not quite to the line of permafrost. Mixing some of the more hardy vegetable roots from more arid regions works well, as they respond well to the portracted sunlight during the thawing months and damp ground, and are able to be harvested still as the ground cools. Clearlake Roots are a hit, and are durable enough that they can provide a staple throughout the land just short of the Everwinter.

In the Oathlands, Acorn Hill is cleared and the lands are used for experimentation with legumes. Some of the ground seems unusually fertile as House Champagne and Moore experiment with it- a possible side effect of the atrocity that happened there. The new Moore Legumes make an excellent complementary addition to the harvests, and can grown as an excellent rotation crop that greatly increases the wheat and rye yields so popular throughout the Oathlands and beyond.

The cooler lands near Whitefrost often have had crops damaged by particularly bad storms, and the newly developed Mourning Beets are extremely resistant to storms and flooding that have often badly damaged harvests. In addition, they are an excellent source of sugar, which is markedly popular.

House Champagne requires a reputation under Yasmine Champagne as one of the foremost investors in the Compact in developing new food sources and specifically in fighting against any dangers of starvation from difficult times. Trade is brisk after the first harvests, particularly for Ostria, Clearlake Hold, Whitefrost, Acorn Hill and the Empyrean, with many domains clamoring to try the newly developed crops. More importantly the Compact has a strong bulwark against starvation.

Lady Evonleigh Whitehawk has penned a tragic drama of star-crossed love entitled "A Wager of Hearts," to be staged in the Bard's College. To bring the tale of woe to life, she has pulled together an amazing cast and crew, showcasing the talents of Arx's finest actors, as well as painters, costumers, and musicians. Evonleigh herself will be acting as well as directing.

The synopsis: Perris is the youngest son of Marquessa Rowanworth -- no one expects much of the playboy lord. Delphine is the daughter of an ennobled former knight, Count Lafoy. The two meet at a ball, with Perris instantly falling for the sweet and beautiful Delphine. She is skeptical of his admiration, but the two begin a friendship. Delphine uncovers hidden depths of the young man -- who is in fact a skilled poet and philosopher with deep emotions hidden behind the facade of the nonchalant playboy.

Perris requests to speak with the Count, to formally court her, and Delphine at first declines, disbelieving his sincerity, but Perris makes a bet with Delphine that he will be seen with no other woman on his arm for a month, while challenging her to be escorted by several different suitors in the same time -- because he doubts he truly is worthy of her affections and wants her to be as sure of him as he is of her. This causes both some awkward, comedic moments as it also reveals the true feelings of Delphine and Perris.

When the month is up, Perris is granted permission to speak to Count and Countess Lafoy, who happily approve of the match -- but Marquessa Rowanworth does not. She rejects the betrothal and instead tells Perris to marry Princess Sylpha, a woman of great beauty but one who is spoiled and prone to temper tantrums. Delphine, though brokenhearted, swears she can never hate Perris and that he should do right by his family, and Perris reluctantly agrees to the match.

The courtship period passes with Delphine disappearing from the social scene and from Perris' life. As the wedding day draws nearer, Perris becomes more and more distraught, until on the stormy day of the wedding he can take it no longer. While his household prepares for the marriage ceremony, he sneaks out after a discussion with his sisters Maitea and Amaryllis, who tell him love is more important than rank and propriety, and to follow his heart. The runaway groom rushes through the terrible storm to the Lafoys. Disaster strikes, in the form of lightning, causing the lord's horse to buck in terror, throwing him from the saddle. It is Delphine who finds him in the woods nearby, but his wounds are too grievous and the two whisper their last goodbyes and vow to find one another in another life.

Tabitha has extensive experience with designing and painting set backgrounds, props and other dressings for Prince Niklas and Princess Sabella's plays. Now it's time to put those well-refined skills to work to bring exactly the right mood to Evonleigh's first drama. She's going to work tirelessly to get everything just right, from the elegant ballroom where the lovers meet, to the mournful wood where their love comes to die. Tabitha will also be talking up the play and promoting it whenever she can, because of course she will! It's her cousin's play, after all! She'll be painting beautifully tasteful and evocative posters to advertise A Wager of Hearts, and placing them in the venues where they'll be seen by the sort of people who will best enjoy the theatrical production at hand. (OOC: 500 econ and 20,000 silver added to the action, to be distributed in any way that'll increase chances of success.)

Sabella is more than happy to play the role of one Countess Lafoy, lending her sparkling spirit and infectious joy to the role -- a mother that only wishes the best for her daughter? She's certain she can manage to capture the essence of such a character. She is also very keen on talking up the show to any and all that will hear her, and puts forth her social might in ensuring that the evening should be a smashing success!

Prince Lorenzo Redrain is positively delighted that his protege Lady Evonleigh has taken on such a creative and dramatic project, and he will spare no effort in promoting it. He will use his social connections to chat up friends and acquaintance, nobles and commoners, to ensure that this upcoming play is the talk of the city. He also buys up a block of tickets for opening night and get them into the hands of the movers and shakers of Arx's society, proving that this event is seen by everyone as the place to be. (adding 200 social and 100 economic)

Inspired to assist her husband's protege after reading the play, Gwenna offers to act in the production. Taking the role of Lady Amaryllis, one of Perris' sisters, she will hopefully bring life to the part. Lady Amaryllis is kind, sweet, and believes in love above all, which Gwenna hopes to convey convincingly in the production!

Aerwyna, with her experience in sewing and tailoring has been invited as costumer and will be making the appropriate clothing for the actors in the play. She will be taking measurements of the cast and sewing together the outfits then having fittings and doing adjustments til everything is perfect and to Lady Evonleigh's standards. She will also assist in any other areas that her eye for design is needed and cloth is involved such as any curtains and drapery for the stage. She also donates some silver to help with materials.

Lord Eddard Clement will be taking on his first role in Evonleigh's play. As Count Lafoy, the father of Lady Delphine whom he wishes to find a good match and happiness in marriage. This shouldn't be too hard. To pretend to be Baron Norwood Clement but nicer. And less gruff. And less strong. Acting seems to come easy to him, he foresees no problems in being amazing.

Lord Dariel Bisland has vast experience of acting back home in Pridehall but in Arx he's not had so much work. Even so, he feels it's only natural he'd be getting the role of Lord Perris. Perhaps a playboy Lord isn't too far from Dariel himself, though he having to have to make sure the he is a little more sympathetic.

Dariel is committed to the production. Talking to friends, family and those who stand still long enough. Investing some of his own money as well. Much of this could be down to the fact that he really is get his name out there and become as famous in Arx as he feels he should, though what's an actor without a successful play?

Place Holder: Sapphira would be honored to assist in anyway, be it as a actor/performer or however she can support Evonleigh.

Gesa joins the cast as Princess Sylpha. She attempts to add some comedy to the tragic play by making the Princess's temper tantrums as comedic as possible.

Mikani is playing the Villian ... Marquessa of Rowanworth. While this entertains her that the part is different from herself. She enjoys that she gets to throw herself into the roll. And throw herself in with two feet she does. Mika uses her experience as a child growing up with more traditional families to know the type of woman she is playing. Eager for the adventure to play the villian she readies herself to hit the stage.

Yasmine has been cast to play the leading role of the Lady Delphine, one which she assumes with enthusiasm and grace. She brings to life every emotion invoked within the story of ill-timed lovers, channeling from experiences in her meteoric rise to fame and the many tribulations along the way. Of course, as an actress of the Blackrose Theater, she does more than her fair share of spreading the word among various spheres she frequents, building up anticipation for its premiere.

If there's one thing Mailys is good at, it's playing a seductress! She'll take the part of Lady Laguna, one of the many women trying to steal Perris' attention from Delphine.

Saro is putting her practical skills in woodworking to use by helping to produce platforms, furniture, and any other wooden props that might be needed to help set the stage for the play. It may not be the most glamorous role in the production (yeah, all right, it's probably about the /least/ glamorous role), but she's not one to shy away from practical work. Some of those pieces of prop furniture might end up with some entirely unnecessary highly decorative flourishes, though.

Lady Azolla was offered the role as Lady Murrietta who is one of the ladies that is trying to get the attention of Perris who has currently sworn off other women. This is her first role in a play and she hopes to do well., so she dedicates herself to learning the lines and rehearsing in order to prepare for the show.

Haptenna has been invited aboard as part of the musical accompaniment. Being multitalented and capable of playing a few different instruments, she will be on both the lute and the harp at alternating intervals where necessary for various scenes, or simply confine herself to one if the musical section is filled out enough. She's fine with that. Either way, the young troubador will be in attendance, putting her talntes god good work. Ideally.

The play titled "A Wager of Hearts" has become widely praised in Arx and beyond, an immensely popular performance that has left an impression due to its deft social commentary and sympathy towards neo-nobles in the Compact. Produced by Lady Evonleigh Whitehawk, the play tells the tale of Lord Perris Rowanworth, with Lord Dariel Bisland in the role. Lord Perris' tragic love with the Lady Delphine LaFoy, portrayed brilliantly by Yasmine Champagne, calls upon the common themes of love warring with noble duty, and particularly of the lack of regard given to neo-nobles as old houses consider marriage alliances, as Perris attempts to win Delphine while being pursued by rivals such as Lady Laguna (charmingly played by Mailys Corsetina), and ultimately wins a betrothal from the count and countess LaFoy (as played by Eddard and Sabella respectively). Much of the audiences enjoy the light satire of the fragility of certain marriage pacts and associated negotiations as portrayed by Gesa Whisper playing the comically spoiled Princess Sylpha, who wins a marriage pact with Lord Perris with the approval of Mikani as Marquessa of Rowanworth, negating all the efforts of Perris and showing the crushing burdens of duty placed upon nobles to do well by their family. Lady Evonleigh herself plays Perris' sister Maitea Rowanworth, who along with his other sister Amaryllis (played by Princess Gwenna), give a stirring speech on in the play detailing the struggles of nobles in sacrificing love for duty, and how they should be forgiven for pursuing their hearts, and that neo-nobles are worthy of matches. The tragic death of Perris at the end of the play, thwarting his family and trying to win Delphine at last, is a hotly debated message by much of the Compact, with traditionalists particularly in the Oathlands and Mourning Isles seeing it as a morality play showing that Perris failed to uphold his obligations to his family and was punished for it, while less conservative elements in the Lyceum see it as a criticism of the institutions that doomed the star crossed lovers. Fortunately, the play is good enough where individuals mostly argue with each other and firmly believe that the play supports their own biases. There's widespread recognition for all the cast, and even for the crew, with Aerwyna as costumer, Tabitha's props, Haptenna's music, Saro's set construction, and Lorenzo's advertising.

As a result of "A Wager of Hearts", traditionalist antipathy towards neo-nobles softens ever so slightly. This is a fragile thing, likely to not last if there's more ennoblements, but it makes life easier for current neos.

When news reached Yasmine that there were massive purges happening against the prodigals who called the Oathlands their home, the Ravashari dancer was aggrieved and incensed for her people, the Ravashari, who were among those being hunted down and eradicated by houses who blame them for dark and terrible things.

She later came across the information that the purges were happening in part because of a few members of the Ravashari clan happened across information of some kind that they attempted to use to blackmail different leaders from Houses such as Beaucage, one of the loudest voices who are lobbying for their extermination in hopes for wiping out any evidence. She knows the Ravashari were hired to help track things down for a specific individual, who traded for old house secrets going all the way back to the reckoning. Little puzzle pieces, to find things; ancient rings or weapons, or something along those lines.

Yasmine enacts a plan to secure the most direct routes leading from Arx to the Oathlands along the Great Roads under the auspices of House Champagne, hiring out mercenary groups to bolster protection of exports and imports vital to Arx. She also employs Ravashari prodigals with generous coin to negotiate and barter immunity from hostile shav'arvani where the roads cut through their territories. While all this is done to expand the name of House Champagne as a premiere merchant house, it is also to ensure these routes will be safe to evacuate prodigal survivors fleeing for their lives can be safely transported away from the Oathlands into the Crownlands with hopes that the clan members of the Ravashari who were employed by the Prodigal might be among them, and willing to share their information with promise of safety and immunity from House Beaucage and others who sought to snuff them out.

Captain Harlex Valtyr along with Scarlet Company of the Crimson Blades set out to establish safe trade routes for these merchant caravans, dissuading hostile shav'arvani from raids and dealing with them if their presence isn't enough of a deterrent. The mercenary-captain is well aware of the subtle attempt to ensure these routes lead to safe evacuations of prodigal survivors fleeing the Oathlands and special care is taken to help them blend in until sanctuary can be reached until that auspice of making sure the import and export business of Arx is not disrupted by the on-going crisis along the Great Road.

Violet has assigned Harlex to front this effort, but she is still there going over maps. Reviewing reports. And sending suggestions or orders she feels are appropriate. Indeed she sends extra units to make sure that the roads, but more importantly the people, are kept safe. The borders around House Beaucage have random patrols and scouts set. This is to allow their units reaction time via trained messenger birds. They are to keep their eyes and ears open for information, and carry bribe money and items on them, for the Shav in the area. The Shav, unless threatening or directed by Rivenshari, are left alone and diplomacy is always tried first in encounters.

It's remarkable how much House Champagne is able to accomplish under Yasmine with the sellswords she hires. The Crimson Blades are able to secure most of the roads around Riva and leading from there to Pridehall, with an immediate drop off in violence. At least three separate times, the Crimson Blades encounter raiders who were almost certainly Beaucage men looking to ride down prodigals, but back off when challenged by the Blades, and in one notable occassion, the hired sellswords that Yasmine employed actually rescue a group of knights of solace beset by raiders, winning immense approval from the Faith of the Pantheon.

In addition, Ravashari go to work for Yasmine in talking down different Abandoned groups and buying them off, and attacks almost stop entirely between Pridehall and Riva. That might not hold true in the long term, but many associate House Champagne as their one friend in the Compact. Some information flows back, about Marcel Beaucage and his son, Trevor Beaucage, who was 'killed by Abandoned' that started the purges. Apparently, Trevor had hired Ravashari to find a place called 'the Vault of Thorns' which legend held was filled with treasure, dealt with Abandoned extensively to access it, and murdered many of the individuals that helped him find it including a Scholar of Vellichor to help cover his tracks. They aren't sure how Trevor died exactly- it was assumed he died due to Abandoned, particularly the tribe called the Keepers of the Thorns near that vault, but they were all massacred by his men who were found dead with some ancient tomb open and empty.

Aurora has been working with local merchants, notable people in the city, and the Keaton goat herders to create something fashionable to wear within the cooler months. With their help, and her legendary abilities in working with fabrics, she has created a new type of wool; goat fibers mixed with seasilk to fashion an extremely durable, yet super soft fabric with a shimmering shot through quality. Considering the materials, the name Aurora has been calling this is Seatouched Cashmere (Or Seatouched Wool if Cashmere is too modern and specific region).

This new material will be somewhat expensive, as it uses a very specific goat to create, and hopefully with the material incorporating seasilk as an ingredient, it will raise the price of seasilk to where it once was as it is being used beyond for clothing.

Who better than the merchants of House Champagne to take hold of this fabulous new invention of the legendary seamstress and peddle it to esteemed clients of the Peerage and other well-to-do echelons of society? Yasmine, for her part, extols on the virtues of such a lovely and luxurious new fabric. Look how beautiful the seatouched cashmere (or wool) can be when worked into such a comely piece of clothing! How it shimmers in the light, and doesn't itch on the skin. Cold? Not her! It's as warm as it's luxurious!

New opportunity you say? A chance to fund a project with her two proteges you say? Keaton Cas... er Seatouched Wool you say?? Count Reigna in! She KNEW those goats were going to be a hit! And now there is a chance to utilize them beyond their current Pets or Food (and leather!) fates! She's all on board for this project and has JUST the place in mind to sell it, when the Acheron market opens. Reigna does love her money and has gotten pretty damn good at learning how to make the most out of the opportunities it presents her with. She'll be working her Economic Mojo and contributing some of her accumulated debts owed into making sure this project gets off the ground and is successful.

Aurora has approached and Josephine is more than glad to help a fellow crafter and merchanter. It's an interesting concept but been proven to have worked for that Lycene house. Neodynium and Silk, gods it's so noisy, she avoids it where she can. Josephine however is thrilled at the idea of this sea-touched wool. So while Lore strives to work the markets, josephine goes to barter and haggle with the various enclaves that harbor and guard the secret to making seasilk. Ahhh clam lip hair, who doesn't love clam lip hair! She'll even get on a boat. An actual boat. Take note.

With goats, she works to source herds of the little bleating things, champion breeders and for a good price to be given to the keatons so they can begin their breeding program while working with Lore to see to some of the already marketable goat fur to be procured and delivered to aurora for testing and creation. If someone needs to barter or haggle, josephine is there, taking the time to travel and do so.

A new fabric, you say? With seasilk, you say? Something both decadently delicious to the touch yet warm enough to ward off the interminable chill of these cold northern months, you say??? Lore is eager to get in on the ground floor of such an amazing and needed new invention!! She will happily work her magic with the markets to ensure that Aurora has all the seasilk and goat fibers that she could possibly need to make such a wonderful thing happen! Further, while she gathers materials up in bulk, Lore will start dropping hints of this wonderful new fabric to start generating hype and buzz to help create a demand in the market for its debut.

As winter wanes, a new winter line is suddenly rumored amongst the fashionable set. And the biggest rumors are bubbling up about a potential new material from the legendary tailor Aurora. Made from the hair of a particular goat bred by House Keaton farmers, this new "seatouched wool" is soft like a cloud, gentle on the skin, and flows like fine silk while providing the warmth of good wool. Does it sound too good to be true? Maybe it is and maybe it isn't. Certainly Marquessa Reigna seems to think it's the fashion, as she's talking about it at every opportunity. Others - Mistress Josephine Arcuri, Mistress Yasmine Champagne, and Mistress Lore Artiglio are also talking about it, having either seen it themselves or, as more rumors would have it, been instrumental in the creation of this new luxury fabric. The buzz is real - but will the product live up to the hype, or will this be a single-season fad? Only time - and the fashionistas - will tell.

The Good Duke of Gemecitta, a musical comedy by Prince Niklas Grayson

It's time for another Niklas Grayson SPECTACULAR!

With the help of Nightingale Gianna Whisper, Niklas has put together an entirely new form of theatrical entertainment. They've taken one of his older plays, his first real hit, a comedy called The Good Duke and have rewritten it so every scene is a song, every line is a lyric and the entire play is an extravaganza of dancing, singing, acting and (in some cases) fighting. With extensive choreography, music from a number of popular genres and an all star cast, this reimagining, called The Good Duke of Gemecitta, is set to be a genre defining event.

Almost as important as the play itself is the fact that it will be the first theatrical performance held at the Bard's College, meant to demonstrate the worthiness of the College as a venue for all sorts of entertainment. That the show (which Niklas has termed a 'musical', so as to keep it separate from the somewhat artsier 'opera') contains such a mix of performances will allow the auditorium at the Bard's College to show its versatility.

Niklas also pulled together a cast made up of some of the city's most well known singers, dancers and actors. Backstage are legendary and famous artists putting together sets and wardrobes. As well as a veritable army of PR people out there hyping the whole thing. As Niklas has said in his humble and low key manner, this will either be the greatest spectacle in the history of the Compact, or the biggest disaster since the city burnt down. Either way, worth the cost of a ticket, right?

And finally, this is meant to be a big charity event. Once the commoner participants are paid all other funds will go toward Princess-Consort Alarissa Thrax's Thursday's Child project. But wait, what about paying the venue?! Well, it turns out that when you're Assistant Nightingale of the Bard's College you can cut yourself a 100% discount. So every last silver that doesn't go to pay (commoner) cast and (commoner) crew will go toward helping to pay off the debt of thrall children. Given that his brother freed hundreds of thralls, but did so in the dumbest way possible, this is something about which Niklas is actually quite passionate.

There will be no event and as such no specific plot writeup. In a highly general sense the musical is about a conflict between (the wholly made up) Duke Enzo Rubino and Duke Giacomo Zaffria which gets farcically out of control when they schedule weddings for their heirs to occur on the same day. Lady Giulia Igniseri (Sorrel) is betrothed to Lord Stefano Rubino (Alejandro) and Lady Carina Zaffria (Yasmine) is engaged to wicked Prince Marco (no house name, Lumen) and wants out as she and Lady Alessandra Rubino, Stefano's older sister (Bliss) are in love. And of course Lady Eleonora Zaffria (Evonleigh) is in love with Lord Stefano. Marco's sister, Princess Valentina, (Sabella) isn't in love with anyone except herself, but she acts as the narrator and routinely breaks the fourth wall to address the audience directly, generally to make humorously unkind comments about the people on stage. There's humorous lyrical dialogue, some of that broad physical comedy from the second act of The Playwrights, three dramatic sword fights (including a three way fight between done to a jaunty saltarella) and a couple of love stories. There's drama, but since this is Nik, there's a happy ending for most characters and only the jerk prince (whose house is never named) ends up getting killed due to his own shittiness as a person. (Note: though his marriage contract allows him to keep publishing as Niklas Kennex, he's decided his old family is full of nerds, so he's going to be Prince Niklas Grayson for purposes of this show.) And while the show gets a lot of comedic mileage out of the unique setup of Gemecitta's duel dukes, the show is respectful toward the city itself, including the intro song sung by Princess Valentina that talks about how great, if weird, Gemecitta is.

Gianna helped write the songs and is providing the stage - the Bard College's Performance Hall - as well as some of the talent, some funding from the College's account, and using the bards to spread word of mouth and up the hype. The problem with all this involvement is that she has a personal stake in how good the singing is, and she is highly critical and determined to make sure the songs are flawless, even if that means people have to learn to sing better. She can show them what they need to do, and she will, but she will not be pleasant to work with. She probably has to be removed from the process at some point. Good thing Niklas has a really high Diplomacy skill! Seriously, there are good reasons she has instructors that aren't her at the College.

Sabella is simply thrilled to take the stage for the very first time acting in her husband's musical as Princess Valentina, wicked Prince Marco's sister and narrator to the story that often breaks the fourth wall to interact with the audience and make fun of the other players. Not only will she eat nothing but lettuce in the months leading up to the production to make sure she looks her best for the role, she will throw herself into learning the lines and the songs and practicing her improv so that this is the very most amazing show that ever existed! BEST PLAY EVER!

Ah, the theater! Princess Elgana is enthused there is to be another play put on but the fact that it is a production by Prince Niklas is just the icing on the cake. How could she ever dream of saying 'no' to a chance to promote his latest work? There is an all-star cast! Music! Drama! Laughter! It has everything and she's going to bend the ear of anyone who stands still long enough around her to get the word out about this production and how amazing it is going to be and how anyone who is ANYONE in this city ought to be there on opening night.

Berenice has agreed to help promote Niklas's newest production, but she's taking a very particular spin on it: she's talking up her interest, certainly, dropping it in conversation about how excited she is for opening night, but more than that, she's going to be flexing her wiles to get all sorts of people competing for the honor of escorting her to opening night. Will it involve duels? It might, you never know. Will Berenice _encourage_ people to duel over getting to take her to the theater? One hundred percent absolutely. She's going to make an absolutely delightful game of the whole thing. Who will actually take her to opening night? THAT'S NOT IMPORTANT. Hopefully there will be tears and fights and DRAMA before the curtain even opens.

Once again, and to her great excitement, Tabitha will be lending her efforts to any tasks that require the skills of an artist: painting sets, creating props, applying stage make-up and so forth. She'll happily work with the team of artists as a whole, as well as on her own when appropriate. She's an organised busy bee who likes to get get along with others to help a project reach its full potential, so she'll be at her smiling and enthusiastic best among like-minded people of a creative bent.

Sorrel being the Bladesong is a triple threat: an incredible soprano, an excellent dancer, and a swordswoman of some note. She's set to play Lady Guilia Igniseri, the Rubino-Zaffria vassal, in a stylish, charming way. She's quite involved in training the actors and actresses for the show, and she and Bliss are working out choreography for when Lady Alessandra Rubino and Lady Guilia bring swords into their squabble over who should get the world's most useless and undeserving prince, before making up and singing a brilliant duet about how neither of them need that particular man. Sorrel is mainly concerned with helping to showcase the talents of commoners whose livelihood she would like to boost with this all-star cast and in training those with less experience to have more confidence.

Yasmine will be bringing her formidable skills as an actress, singer, and dancer to the role of Carina Zaffria, the apple of her father's eye, yet not without considerable cunning of her own. In the part, the Ravashari embodies the dual characteristics of the 'stereotypical Lycene' by being both sweet and relatable to the audience while also conducting machinations to attempt to assert her own will. On the stage, Yasmine beguiles, whether with her ability to fully embody whatever role she plays, her rich contralto voice, or her expert dancing.

Lumen will be embodying the wicked Prince Marco, intermingling her on-brand impishness with the debonair stylings of a highness entirely lacking in moral high ground. This is not Lumen's stage debut. She portrayed a man in Lord Niklas Kennex's The Playwrights.

Delilah might be a pretty ornament to the stage, but her real threat originates in the province of the pen. Prince Niklas has scored the masterpiece for the stage, and she will be lending the ghostly weight of ink and inspiring words to seed excitement and interest far and very, very wide indeed. Given the Lycene flavour of things, she is gently applying a particular impression to build fascination or interest. That means scattering tidbits to the right people. Influencing the right sorts to carry on the word, to build up a buzz (even if they weren't all that aware before, they sure will be now...). She sends breathless excerpts into the Hundred Cities, stitching and building a train of anticipation about how good things are. Sentiments peppered with the taste of mysteries and drama on the stage, the historical wonders, the *intrigues*. Did we mention intrigues? Possibly scandal? The things that sell tickets and cement the memory are a grand tradition of developing stories, and she will spin one about the tireless playwright, the dashing and debonair actors, the brilliance waiting to be seen like a cut diamond until it's basically Hamilton 2.0 of Arx.

Alejandro takes his talents to the stage for a second time in this new production, playing the role of Lord Stefano Rubino. While his life's focus has typically been in music, he possesses enough natural charm and performing ability to once again handle an acting role. Putting his all into his performance, he focuses his time and practice mostly on the swordfighting aspects he may be called upon to perform. It's probably more a dance than a fight, so he feels comfortable enough. Alejandro works hard, devotes himself to the role, and attempts to put on a good performance.

Initially getting involved in this only for a lark, more or less, Tikva's largely present as a very dramatically loud _voice_ -- there are many actors and musicians in the city who she has no interest in intervening in the livelihoods of, but what weight she can lend to Niklas by putting her showmanship to use here, she does, cheerfully and with great embrace of absurdity.

Lady Evonleigh Whitehawk will be performing in Prince Niklas' play as one of the actresses, of course! She's been trained to do it all -- singing, dancing, comedy, tragedy... Though let's be honest: it's a good thing it's a musical comedy. While Evon's singing voice is sweet and on key, she has not the depth or richness of tone nor the range of a proper vocalist. Any songs she performs in are "sold" by virtue of her acting ability and her charm. The acting, she has the chops for, whether a comedic or dramatic scene, and she will do her best to win over the audience with every line, smile, or sob.

As a lover of the arts, and a tremendous fan of Gianna Whisper and her patron Prince Niklas, Countess Carita is very proud to support Prince Niklas' talents as a playwright and the Bard's College's very first theatrical performance by donating from her own personal funds. That the cast will be a group of people she has come to know well for their musical talents has made Carita dig deep in to her pockets to support them, adding 5000 silver to help ensure the production's success.

Aurora was the costumer the first time this performance was put on, and will reprise her role this time. The costumes don't change too much, just because its a musical this time doesn't mean there is a dramatic shift, though tailoring is done to ensure that the costumes fit their new wearers. More have had to be added too, to include the chorus and other stand ins on the stage.

Playing the role of Lady Alessandra Rubino, Bliss emerges onto the stage in her element - or at least, hopefully so. This role was practically written for her, and whether it's the swordfights, the speaking parts, or the saltarella, the Champion Whisper is more than able to keep up. Indeed, she's going to bring a high level of exuberance to the role, and while the swordfight will of course display skill with the weapon - it's not really about the speed of movement, is it? No, it's about how flashy and entertaining she can make it. Tricks that would never see the sands are going to come out in the show - movements of the blade meant to awe and impress. Hopefully no one gets too hurt, and if they do? Hey, that can be part of the show as well. Maybe even just having her name on the billing will bring in a certain type of fan, as well, that will increase the name recognition of the show. We can only hope.

Rook is, as ever, the hypeman. Patron of the arts, magnate, and philantropist. It's his duty to encourage people towards the burgeoning shows within Arx, and for those that aren't politely within his company simply to get something, they normally even listen to his suggestions. Utilising his extensive contacts within and outwith the Peerage, such as the merchant rungs, Rook targets high profile individuals for putting bums on seats for this event. For those that know his lovely partner, of course, Yasmine will be involved! For the royalists, oh by the Pantheon, House Grayson's own has authored it! It simply cannot be missed.

Caspian is the stunt trainer. He is showing the actors how to perform various stunts and choreographed fights and makes sure everything is nice and polished for when the curtains rise and the show begins.

Liara, with all her customary cheerfulness and passion, talks up the production no end, particularly among the more junior nobles of the Crownlands and of Arx with whom she so often associates. They simply must see it! Or so she says. She even sends a few letters back home to try and wrangle up visitors from Bastion, assuring them that it will be an unmissable spectacle.

There is no acting, no singing, no performances from Alarissa with regards to the latest production of Prince Niklas Grayson. Not in the least. Anyone who thinks they might see her get on a stage and act is going to be disappointed. But what she does do is promote the hell out of the production. She has a good reason to given the deal Niklas struck with her in exchange for applying her social weight. And so when she is out and about, at parties, fluttering a fan, sipping tea, eating with friends and perusing stores for the latest and greatest of trends, she's encouraging people to go see this latest production. Likely to be the talk of the town, filled with notable of society both noble and less than noble, prancing about the stage and giving their all. Shouldn't they go and support their fellow blooded? She thinks so, she's even going to be front row - well, up in a box and away from the rabble of course - and watching. And it's a way to help say you were -there- when this happened, and to indirectly support Thursday's Child in the process. Charity -and- entertainment all in one? Besides, it's bound to be entertaining in some fashion yes? Yes? Probably.

Prince Niklas Grayson is at it again. Or Lord Niklas Kennex? Something about the marriage contract and he's writing under his original name but then he's also Princess Sabella's husband and everyone knows Princess Sabella so now it's suddenly confusing. So they just start calling him The Playwright, and it sticks - and now no one has to remember surnames and contracts not their own.

In any case he's written a new play, calling this one not an opera but a musical. But the names have the starry-eyed among the theater in awe. Princess Sabella acts in her first title role as Princess Valentina, her turn both hilarious and touching. Her humor makes people gravitate toward her, and she is widely hailed as a resounding success in her inaugural role.

Princess Sorrel Thrax, Bladesong and Singer of Heroes, takes a break from astounding the Compact with her own work to perfom someone else's - and she too is a hit. In fact more people than usual come just to see her perform - can you really blame them? Of course not.

Yasmine Champagne, popular model, fashionista, and not-quite-as-scandalous-as-she-used-to-be Prodigal acts, sings, and dances her way across the stage. She reminds everyone why she is so often the talk of the town with another stellar performance.

Bliss Whisper plays a part too, and where her exceptional enthusiasm is, can the Nox'alfar be far away? The entire second floor is bought out opening night by a Nox'alfar delegation, who come en masse to see Bliss perform. They're only a little disruptive of course - their cries of BOO! every time Bliss leaves the stage, and the standing ovation that grinds everything to a halt when she enters gradually stop - about fifteen minutes before the end of the play.

Lumen, Radiant of the Whisper House herself, plays the lead in a performance by turns dark and witty. Sometimes both in the same turn. She outdoes herself and shows why she is so highly sought after in the Whisper house.

Princess Tikva, Alejandro Rossetti, and Lady Evonleigh join this all-star cast. Maybe some are taking it more seriously than others but this musical has it all - ranging from the dramatic to the comedic, there's a part to play for everyone and everyone has their part to play.

And where there is music, is the Nightingale very far behind? No she is not - Gianna Whisper wrote the music herself for this play. Sets are by the incomparable Lady Tabitha and they veritably take one's breath away. Aurora, the legendary seamstress, provides unbelievably beautiful costumes. Caspian trains the actors in their stunts, the Grandmaster of the Champions Guild helping make sure the fight scenes are entertaining indeed. It's like he's done this before.

Princess Elgana, Princess Berenice, Lady Delilah, Countess Carita, Princess Liara, Princess-Consort Alarissa, and the Redoubtable Rook all publicize the event. They're all going to opening night, and to random nights thereafter - and that's enough to ensure that this new play by The Playwright (who might be a Kennex or might be a Grayson or might be both but it doesn't matter) is a roaring success.

Let's put on a show!

After some dawdling, it is finally time for Niklas Kennex to have his debut at the Black Rose Theater featuring his comedy The Playwrights, a play about two (somewhat familiar) playwrights, and their growing rivalry during a royal playwright contest. The final synopsis of the play can be found in the The Playwrights - Final Version book (Other The Playwrights objects are of a draft and are owned by people who refuse to junk them because they are dust addicts, not that I'm talking about anyone in particular, Bastien.) and in a black journal to be posted 6/18/18. Niklas and his entourage will be working tirelessly to drum up excitement for his debut.

The following PC actors are being invited to participate in the action. (Most have been confirmed as participating. Other roles will be portrayed by NPC BRT actors.)

Lumen Whisper as Master Ashby Ravelin
Alejandro Rossetti as Lord Eduard Planchard
Yasmine Rovashani as Mistress Bailey
Jareth as Sir Miles Gloriosus

Direction by Bastien, set design by Mailys Corsetina (carpenter) and Lady Tabitha Whitehawk (painting), costume design by Aurora Thornburn, music by Nightingale Gianna and general hype by Princess Sabella Grayson and Rook Grayward.

And no, Lumen! Eduard and Ashby don't kiss!

Bastien is...grudgingly directing. But even though it was not his first choice of project to work on, he never works with anything less than total focus and dedication. The play is not his particular style, but he hones the comedy til it's sharp enough to cut -- if not in style, then at least in precision and timing. The actors likely get very tired of hearing "Pick up your cues!" but by the time the show opens, it has the pace it needs for the comedy to thrive.

Ashby and Eduard do /not/ kiss in the play. However, he will grudgingly allow the production to at least skim across a moderate amount of sexual tension. IF HE MUST.

Jareth looks forward to returning to the stage with the debut of a young protege playwright, Lord Niklas. An elder of the Black Rose Theatre, the lithe and charming actor will bring his usual flair and dedication to his craft in hopes of whooing the audience and holding them into the palm of his hand even when not the lead.

Yasmine Rovashani has made a name for herself by playing secondary characters in many of Arx's most popular productions. The Ravashari's natural comedic timing and, let's face it, ability and experience in working with Bastien, bring the character of Mistress Bailey to life in a way that makes the character relatable and yet does not detract from the performances of the leads. She'll also leverage her current popularity as a dancer and model to hype up the play and, hopefully, lure in the audience that it so richly deserves.

How does one do justice to a man as complicated and deeply, deeply, deeply feeling as Bastien--err... ASHBY. Lumen is bringing the brand of demure preciousness she's best known for to this all-around lovable grump! The whisper hides the tender, longing heart of Lord Eduard's best friend forever behind a protective armor of condescension, theatrical arm-crossing, and childlike pouting fits --- but not so thoroughly that the audience won't see the genuine man beneath, longing for others to reach out to him for unsolicited companionship!

...and then they kiss, right?

Aurora Thornburn, the prized tailor for the Mummers, creates each costume worn by the actors in the performance. She takes into consideration color, detail, and the importance of clothing in being able to portray the right feel within each scene. She wants the clothes to shine in their own right, creating emotions and bonds between stage and audience.

Almost any play is improved by having a good set and props. Therefore Tabitha will lend her skills as a painter to help out with the creation of both of these things, and maybe also with stage make-up should it be required. She'll also be mentioning the play whenever she can, talking up Niklas and the rest of the cast and crew; but really, her main task is to take care of the artistry. How fun!

It's Gianna's first time providing instrumental accompaniment for a play. Thankfully, she realizes she is providing support here and not trying to steal the show. Various musicians associated with the College will be helping her out.

Princess Sabella has been waiting her WHOLE LIFE to be able to talk up a protege like Niklas! And she will do so at every opportunity! Don't you want to be there for Lord-maybe-Prince-by-then Niklas' debut at the Black Rose? Have you seen any of his other plays? Well, this one is even better and incredibly hilarious! He's such a brilliant playwright and no party, tea party, quiet passing in the street or at the market will go without her brightly and cheerfully trying to ensure all of those seats are filled opening night and beyond!

Rook's a hype man, it's true, he can make a dozen well connected people get all very excited over one thing and obsess over it for weeks. In regards to Niklas' play, since Rook's own proteges are both acting in it and designing the costumes, it only makes sense that Rook is stirring up a craze here too! He's going to push the angle of two of the most prestigious commoners having a hand in the show; Mistress Aurora Thornburn is one of the most famous crafters within the city and Yasmine is known as one of the most well known models as well. The courtier's approach is going to focus on the upper echelon, clientele and investors he works with daily, hopefully to get some real money-movers and influencers in the house that evening.

Two of Calista's protege's are involved in the production of this play and this truly makes her one happy Duchess. She supports Alejandro and Jareth completely in all their endeavors. The Duchess of Roses adores the theater and as such offers additional 'hype' for Niklas' efforts as well as silver so that the newly crowned Prince playwright can pay his actors, stagehands, and crafters. Calista has a broad circle of influential people and she makes certain they all hear about the upcoming play.

Though acting is not his main strength, Alejandro has been recruited to take the role of Lord Eduard Planchard. He throws himself into studying the lines and the delivery of said lines, relying on his hard work and natural talent to help him perform as best he can. Being in front of a crowd like this will be new for him but he's not particular nervous. Just focused on getting it right.

In the long winter months, what is there to stop people from losing their minds with boredom? Why art, of course! And Playwright Niklas Kennex means to deliver! He takes his troop of Mummers out to the further ends of the Compact and starts debuting his play. At first, it is decently received, but as the troop gets more and more comfortable with their parts, and starts making each part their own, the audiences become more and more appreciative.

The closer they get to Arx, the greater the acclaim, until it seems all of Arx itself - or at least all those interested in the theater - are holding their breaths in anticipation of Opening Night at the Blackrose Theater. Direction by Master Bastien? Jareth not in the lead - but still playing a supporting role? Audiences do love him, and he's known for hamming it up. Yasmine, character actor and dancer? Lumen Whisper as a... man? Alejandro in a lead role?

Even the setup is amazing - Legendary seamstress Aurora making the costumes, music by Gianna, set and prop painting by Tabitha? This could be a changing point in the Black Rose history - or at least an exceptionally amusing play.

Certainly they're finding support from the haute monde, as it were. Lady Calista, Princess Sabella, and Rook all actively promoting their proteges and talking about the upcoming comedy. They plan to LAUGH and CRY and TALK ABOUT IT WHILE USING EXCITEMENT AND WILD GESTICULATIONS.

And as opening night approaches, the theater-philes of Arx are eagerly in line for tickets and ready to make it a night out on the town!

Master Rook Grayward, Mistress Yasmine Rovashani and Mistress Aurora Thornburn teamed up for a fashion show and auction for three outfits in high quality linen, silk and seasilk respectively. The proceeds brought in were for profit but there's a propagandist movement to espouse their names and reputations as a courtier, celebrity entertainer and legendary seamstress. Rook's circulating rumour and encouraging people to speak highly of the efforts to keep fashion alive in the Compact. Winners of the auction were courtiers Radiant Selene Whisper, Mistress Mirari Corsetina and craftswoman Mistress Petal Penrose.

At the request of Rook Grayward, Aurora opened the doors of her shop to his needs, providing unrestricted access to her assistance as well as her eye for detail. Each piece of clothing not leaving her shop less than in excellent condition with some pieces appearing even touched by the Gods themselves (divine quality 4 piece of common cloth outfit). The fashion show was well attended, and many praises shared in regards to the clothing, the modeling, and the planning.

Serving as the model for these exquisite garments, Yasmine Rovashani dances. She struts. She stalks. She does everything in her power not just to charm the audience, but also convince them to bid for the clothing on her back. Many of the designs themselves were based off of more traditional Ravashari clothing, so she finds it easy to throw herself into play the part of model. Given Rook's other goal in the evening, Yasmine also plays it up to the audience in effort to make it a memorable evening.

Master Rook Grayward, Mistress Yasmine Rovashani and Mistress Aurora Thornburn teamed up for a fashion show and auction for three outfits in high quality linen, silk and seasilk respectively. It is well attended and goes over well amongst the fashion-minded crowd, with Radiant Selene Whisper, Mistress Mirari Corsetina and craftswoman Mistress Petal Penrose winning the auctions for the outfits.

Of particular note is Aurora's incredible attention to detail, and Yasmine's phenomenal way of finding the light and moving just so, all the better to accentuate and show off the divine garments. Surely these were inspired by Jayus himself!

It's an enjoyable evening that people continue to talk about well into the latest season. Such fashion!

Wow!