Guests canât help noticing the evening is nearing its close without incident, a situation unprecedented in the last few years. Some begin to relax, some notice the council are huddling together in pairs or groups, murmuring among each other and disappearing from view. Fifteen minutes to the strike of ten, a bell rings through the gala and a voice murmurs quietly from every corner of the grounds announcing the galaâs last dance and last call. Some return to the ballroom, eager to see the grand finale from the galaâs orchestra, or celebrating what seems to be an almost lackluster evening.
The music swells in a crescendo, and when the last note fades, the lights flicker out like candles in a wind. Applause meets this ending, and a sigh of relief echoes from most, until the lights continue to stay off. Murmurs start, and then cries of worry as the darkness continues. The only light, guests soon learn, is provided by a fire that somehow began in the library and has begun its venture down the hall and into the ballroom. Delilah Sarkissianâs voice echoes through the ballroom, urging a calm that is felt by none. Guests are encouraged to follow their council person to safety, each species separated and tucked into a separate areas of the ballroom far from the expanding flames as a safe exit is sought out. Security combs the ballroom for the arsonist suspects who have, finally, made their move. Those who find themselves outside of the ballroom at this time will find themselves trapped in whatever area they lingered in when the candles turned on. Those inside the ballroom find the doors locked, unable to leave until security can verify no arsonist hides among them.Â
Those stuck in the ballroom: There is a palpable worry in the air that peaks to panic at the sight and smell of smoke. Some fight among themselves, and find themselves silenced by their council member or security. The council and security are conducting a headcount of their people, using the list of invitations activated to determine everyoneâs location. Those unchecked off from the list will face further scrutiny until their whereabouts are confirmed. Throughout the room, you see security leaving and entering, the only ones capable of exiting the room.
Those stuck in the maze: You find the exit mysteriously gone. You are positive it was there before, but perhaps you made a wrong turn. Faintly, you can hear an announcement from the ballroom, but you hear and see nothing to tell you what is wrong, only a sense of foreboding as the hedges shiver with worry. Proceed with caution in the maze, for those who try to hurt the hedges in their attempts to leave might find themselves swallowed whole.
Those stuck in the gardens: You see the lights of the manor flicker out from the gardens, and if you stare at the building long enough, you see figuring darting in some of the windows. Delilahâs voice hits you, trying to ensure tranquility, but any attempts at entering the ballroom once more are met with a small jolt of electricity, enough to thwart any attempts to try again. Worse, the gates to leave the manor are shut tight, and you cannot touch the bars to hoist yourself free, as though a barrier is coating the perimeter.
Those stuck on the balconies: You see the lights go out behind you, and the doors for the balcony close with a wave of magic. Opening them hits you with a jolt, stronger the harder you hold on. Your options include waiting here, listening to the events occurring inside, or finding a way over the railings into the garden below. The air quickly begins to reek of smoke.
Those who have left the gala already: They may be none the wiser to what occurs, but if they attempt to approach again, they find themselves touching a barrier around the perimeter. Attempts to break it are meant with a magical backlash.Â
It is up to each of you where you would like your character to be when this occurs, but please read each of the options as the dynamic for each is different. If you play a council character, please have a reason for why your character might not be in their station during this time. As stated above, characters are unable to leave the area they were in when this occurred (the only exception is people on the balconies, who may either stay on the balconies or drop into the gardens) except those who are daring enough to try an escape from the ballroom on their own terms. If your characters have left the grounds, they will be unable to return.
This will be our final admin post regarding the event â it is up to you as to how your characters escape. As a reminder, please tag all your posts with lethe: gala 2021.Â