The Heron Queen’s EncoreQueen Tuonetar’s festival is a triumph!
Curtains close on the Maddox theatre festival, bringing two months of festivities to an end. Despite a Xocrian plot nearly interrupting the celebrations, the festival ultimately ended up being successful, giving visitors from across the Realm a new appreciation for Padwell’s culture and people.
Behind the scenes, Padwell has taken three Xocrian agents prisoner after putting a quick end to their plot to take the life of Queen Tuonetar. Over the weeks that follow, they arrange an exchange of prisoners with Xocrium, using their captives to bring lost Redwings agents home.
Table of Contents
Event Summary Event Ending Participants Prizes Lore Updates Aftermath of THB What’s Next?
Through December 506 and into January 507, the city of Maddox hosted a large festival to celebrate Padwell’s beloved tradition of theatre. Queen Tuonetar Padwell sent invitations to powerful figures across the country and to foreign leaders whom Padwell wished to curry favour with, seeing it as an excellent opportunity for alliance-building.
On top of her regular duties as Queen and Aateli representative for Maddox, Tuonetar spent much of her spare time during the festival attending major performances and speaking with visitors. Her daughter and heir, Rutinas Aava Padwell, assisted her mother by taking up some of her usual duties, and making her own effort to form bonds with visiting dignitaries. Her husband Prince Rhys, also attended the festival, minding their children and putting on a charm offensive for anyone interesting he met. The most anticipated performers at the festival were Xochipilli Heikkilä’s Flower Players, who were scheduled to put on the “Siege of the North” at the Prince Ohtli Hall early in 507, a play inspired by events in Dutoria the winter before. Xochi was a deeply respected playwright - famous for their tragic retelling of Prince Ohtli’s life and death, as well as the popular comedy the Joust. Major members of the Flower Players included the actors Pasha and Fabia Van Alphen, and their seamstress, Arvi Laine. Among the more minor acting groups was an eclectic band with ties to Dutoria, made up of Glyn Froste, Aitla Greyrose, and Sun the sundrake. Though freshly-founded, they were enthusiastic for the opportunity to perform in the same venues as such venerated troupes. While the festival attracted many visitors to Maddox, the most notable were: Empress Usva Kesatuuli of Ilma, representative of High Heart’s people; Princess Caelia Concido, a Merosian ruler; Haffligiensis Ex Nihilo, a former Perigee member and now representative of the Southern League; Valdemar Greenbrier, a diplomat who represented Dutoria; Marin Daskalov, a pale-eyed representative of Ironbrook; and lastly, a trio of sundrakes who were at the heart of recent unrest in the Tyr Kingdom - Jasper, Asp Daybreak, and Moonstone. All these visitors from abroad had the Redwings deeply worried. They feared not the guests themselves, but those with ill intent who might have slipped in along with them - put plainly, agents of Xocrium. To ensure that the festival would run smoothly and that everyone could enjoy it in safety, a number of major Redwings agents flocked to the city to bolster its security. These included Veera Nieminen, acting leader of the Redwings; Toivo Aalto, founder and now-retired leader of the order; Atl Mixcoatl, commander of the border patrol; and lastly, Eleuia Kangas, an experienced healer. THB Part 1
Maddox’s theatre festival began in early December 506. Its streets came alive with colour and music as dozens of street performers took their turns, and smaller shows began to open at the major playhouses in the city.
Many people arrived in Maddox to enjoy the festivities. The half-Xocrian siblings, Edith and Annis Blakewood, travel to the city to see the festival and meet Princess Taika Padwell and her familiar Reticence, who spend time scouting out potential helpers for patrolling the city for trouble. Princes Xipil and Uolevi Padwell, and the familiar Quetzalcoatl, return to Padwell from adventures in Dutoria. Xipil skips out on the welcome party (and lecture) awaiting him on his return, and takes some time to enjoy the festivities. Claude Brunwine and Mirabile Visu Indattoria travel to Maddox to enjoy the theatre festival, there to celebrate Mirabile’s recent promotion and to catch up with Claude’s family. Later, they enjoy a dance together. Redwing Tozi Ameyalli and her familiar Champion welcomed Borealis Prima Luce and Rey Ukonilma into the city. Later, Borealis visited the festival grounds’ markets and gave flowers to curious children. Meanwhile, the stormherald merchant Terminus Welsummer spends time in the city markets, and the northern shipwrecker Blue enjoys the waters with a new, froggy friend. The familiar Sizzle enjoys the festival after recently returning from the far north… and enjoys even more the chance to cause mischief during it. The travelling springsinger Mockingbird catches up with Jasper, Moonstone and Asp, spending an evening watching a play together. While all the major performances were arranged in advance, it was a longtime custom for small-time performers to take to streets in festivals and put on a show of their own. Maddox’s citizens welcomed any attempts, though their applause was not guaranteed. The familiar Champion took to the stage, and filled-in at the last minute as Lady Pane during a performance of The Joust, a popular comedy in Padwell. The moonworm traveller Opalus Memento Vivere offered portraits to clients on the street, painting them as different creatures. Beneath the colourful decorations and performances, the practical purpose for the festival persisted. Queen Tuonetar has dedicated her life to ensuring the survival of her country, and sees alliance-building as one of - if not the most - important way of doing that. She, as well as many of Padwell’s citizens, were eager to make a good impression on guests. Psychopomp ad Astra de Morte and his brother Prometheus shared dinner with the Padwells in their home. They told stories of their experience on the 506 Aurora Expedition, and regaled the family and their other dinner guests with tales of the wonders and terrors of the Frozen Gates. The sundrake Ganymede takes a moment to spend time with Jasper, Asp and Moonstone. Edith Blakewood is introduced to Rutinas Aava and Prince Rhys, and they have an opportunity to commiserate on the difficulties of being part of families with both Padwellan and Xocrian roots. The Redwings work hard throughout the festival to ensure it runs smoothly and safely. With the influx of guests from across Theavia and beyond, concerns have grown that agents of Padwells enemies might have slipped in amongst honest party-goers. The organization looks to its own, as well as trustworthy volunteers, to patrol the city and investigate issues. Taika collected a group of volunteers - Edith and Ganymede - to aid her work, and first investigate the ruined Xocrian fort at the edge of Maddox. Later, with additional help from Poika, Xipil, Tozi, and their familiars, they investigate reports of strange tracks at the outskirts of the city. They came across an immense dragonling that had hidden in the marsh, but despite pursuing, were unable to catch up with them. Poika and Ceri teamed up to help patrol the markets. On their route they came across a suspicious stranger and gave chase. Though they got away, they left an intriguing trinket behind. Later, the pair help Prince Xipil investigate reports of a thief. While they managed to track down the suspect, they used a potion to set a fire as a distraction. They escaped while the trio stopped to put it out. Later, when Poika watched over the city from the forest canopy, he received a ‘friendly’ hello from the dragon Meridian Moonlily, who decided to poke her head up and see what was going on. Tozi and Champion investigated the concerns of Arvi Laine, the Flower Player’s costume maker, regarding lost materials. They searched through their studio together and were unable to find the missing goods… at least, until Arvi discovered them in a forgotten corner of the studio a few days later. Lastly, the stormherald Havoc volunteered to help with security at the festival. He chased down a pair of troublemakers in an alley, thinking he’d caught onto something serious, but found they were only a pair of kids up to minor mischief. THB Part 2
Celebrations continued unabated into January 507 and reached a fever-pitch with the start of the new year! Maddox’s guests gathered at the city’s most esteemed playhouses, such as the Prince Ohtli Hall, to view the most awaited performances of the festival.
In the background, a deadly game of cat-and-mouse began; through lots of hard work, the Redwings discovered and put a stop to a Division plot to assassinate their Queen. But they had yet to apprehend the trio of would-be assassins - Aitla “Greyrose”, Glyn Froste, and “Sun” - who disguised themselves as actors to slip into the city. With more minor performances out of the way, the Prince Ohtli Hall prepared to host one of the most anticipated events of the festival; the first showing of the famed playwright Xochipilli Heikkilä’s new play, the Siege of the North! It told a (dramatized and slightly inaccurate) version of events in Dutoria earlier in 506, with a distinctly Padwellan flare. Characters were dressed in Padwellan fashion with motifs that evoked popular folk heroes, while the extras who played ice monsters wore costumes of gossamer star lily silk, giving them an ethereal appearance. A large audience gathered on opening night, and several familiar faces were seated in the front rows; Hans Eline-Levitsky, Rey, Filip Abadjiev-Zhivkov, Sizzle, Tozi and Champion. They enjoyed an evening at the theatre together. As the festival neared its end, the biggest and most anticipated performances began to grace the stage of the venerated Prince Ohtli Hall. While the major roles in the plays were all long casted, opportunities came up to play an extra on short notice. Anna Rybakov was scouted as the ideal replacement for a minor but important role in a play after its original actor, a marsh-blessed Redwing, was called back to work. With the support of her friends and crew, Anna takes to the stage, and puts on a memorable performance. The most esteemed of Maddox’s visitors have enjoyed the festivities and mingling with other party-goers. In that time, some of them have made new acquaintances - be those future friends or business connections - or reconnected with old allies, and wish to spend more time together. Borealis spent some time with young Moonstone, gifting the little hatchling some of the flowers that grow on her back. Ceri sought out the Southern League diplomat Mirabile to warn him about the presence of Division agents in the city. Lastly, Taisia Goryachiy-Agafonov and Marin went on a walk through the city together to discuss life back in Ironbrook… though things went wrong when Taisia made an attempt to assassinate the Talons agent. Marin survived, though was displeased about his soaked clothing. The Division of Feathers scheme during the festival was found out and stopped before it could even happen. These agents and their allies now simply try for damage control - to escape Maddox and return with what intel they gathered during their time in Padwell. Glyn, Dame Aitla “Greyrose” (who was actually a noble from House Bauldry), and Wendel Feverfew (who had been disguised as “Sun the sundrake” using runes) scattered and searched for allies - or anyone who could be bribed or threatened - to help them get away. After witnessing Prince Uolevi use harvest magic in private, Dame Aitla blackmailed him into giving the trio of Division agents shelter for the evening, and hiding their presence from their pursuers. They depart with several pieces of clothing from his wardrobe to better blend in. Another Division agent, Reshava the Hound, provided a safe place for the Division agents to lie low, and gave Glyn a place to rest for a few hours. To keep their charge safe, Reshava killed a Redwing agent who got too close to the safehouse, and hid the body where it would not be immediately discovered. Though they had discovered the Division plot, the Redwings had yet to apprehend the individuals responsible, and a great number of agents and volunteers were mobilised to stop them leaving the city: The Redwing canal guard agent, Anura Anguis Pyrrhic, tracked the Division agents at the edge of the marsh, lurking within the trees to make sure no one escaped through the thick wilds of Padwell’s natural landscape. Ceri and Poika teamed up again to go after the Division agents. Their encounter with their quarry went wrong, however; Poika was badly wounded, though Ceri was able to salvage the situation and allow them to escape to a nearby hospital. The day after getting injured, Poika woke to find that Prince Uolevi watched over him. The two did not get much peace (or bickering in) for long, however; Dame Aitla Bauldry had snuck into the hospital to steal medical supplies for her fellow agents. She decided to take the two captive, after having noticed the Prince and his half-brother were there alone. The two managed to work together and escape a few hours later, but in the meantime gave their family quite the alarm. Princess Taika, Reticence, Edith and Ganymede tracked the Division agents to the edge of the city. A fight broke out and they had another encounter with their mystery dragonling - revealed to be the Division agent Thomas Cardon. Thomas managed to hold off the quartet long enough for the others to escape, and though they failed to capture him, he was injured and forced to flee Maddox. Mockingbird encountered Glyn Froste in Maddox’s market. Thinking him a common thief, they help him escape from the city guard when he draws their ire. Ceri saw them run off together, and decided to warn the dragon of just who they were helping. After being told that Glyn was a Division agent, Mockingbird decided to team up with Ceri to track him down. After hearing of the Division agents in the city, Tozi and Champion are determined to find and capture them. They track Dame Aitla down to the edge of the marsh and get into a fight with her, one that nearly ended badly for them both. Tozi came out on top in the end, and while Aitla got away, she did so sporting several new injuries. While on a walk through Maddox’s less-frequented side streets, Psychopomp witnessed the trio of Division agents kidnapping Prince Xipil and Quetz - only to be taken captive as well. Over the next few hours, the agents attempted to use their hostages to bargain for safe passage out of the country. Their plans were cut short by the intervention of Redwings Atl, Tozi, and their familiars Shimmer and Champion, who freed the captives. Though the Division agents managed to escape before the group could capture them, they did not get away without injury. Lastly, a few other visitors to Maddox helped the Redwings in their own way. Havoc volunteered his time again, and was assigned to watch over some of the festival’s more esteemed guests so more Redwings could be sent after the Division agents. The darkling doctor Auspice Moonlily encountered an injured Redwing while out discussing herbal remedies with Eleuia Kangas. They worked together to give first aid and then brought them back to Kingscrest Command for expert medical attention.
Curtains closed on Maddox’s winter theatre festival, and two months of festivities finally came to an end. The reception of the event was all that Queen Tuonetar could have hoped for and more; her guests, both local and international, came away with a new appreciation for Padwellan culture, and were impressed with her country’s ability to put on a good show.
While no new trade agreements or alliances were signed within the span of the festival, no doubt other lands will have a touch more respect for the country in future dealings. Many of Padwell’s most skilled performers received attention from foreign patrons, the Flower Players amongst them. While Xochipilli Heikkilä remained adamant that their troupe should not forget its roots, they are not wholly opposed to their plays being performed abroad… or the possibility of an international debut for their Flower Players. Xocrium’s scheme to use the festival as a way to weaken Padwell ended in bitter failure. Three agents of the Division of Feathers, Aitla Bauldry, Glyn Froste, and Wendel Feverfew (disguised as a sundrake named “Sun”) slipped into the Padwellan capital, claiming to be nothing more than a new acting troupe from abroad, eager for the chance to perform on the big stage. Their true goal was nothing less than to take the life of Queen Tuonetar at the height of the festival. With the influx of so many foreign guests, they did not immediately raise the alarm, but through the diligent efforts of Redwings agents and volunteers, they were discovered halfway through the event… …and after several weeks of hard work, searching, and aborted confrontation, the Redwings were successfully able to apprehend all three enemy agents before they could escape the capital. The Redwings brought them to Kingscrest Command in Maddox, where their wounds were treated and they were quartered in separate sections of the fort. They were questioned on their intentions in the capital, and if any other Division agents remained unapprehended. During the remainder of their stay in Padwell, they were treated neither with great cruelty nor significant compassion. After they had finished with their questioning, Padwell entered into negotiations with Xocrium to discuss an exchange of prisoners, using the Merosian city-state of Concido and Dutoria as intermediaries respectively. After several weeks of bargaining, it was arranged for the three Division agents to be traded for four Redwing captives; Onni Xochipepe, an original Redwing held captive for four decades, disaster relief agent Letti Ranta and the familiar Ozymandias, and the healer Völund Dogwood. The exchange was conducted in Acies Ferro in mid-March. For now, peace remains between Padwell and Xocrium… but each has been reminded of the bitter edge of their grievances against one another.
The following characters took part officially in The Heron’s Ballad event. Please @ an admin in the RoS server if you believe anyone is missing!
To reflect the aftermath of the The Heron’s Ballad event, a number of areas have received an update:
A big thank-you to everyone who participated in RoS’ 2023 events! We’ve got a lot of things to look forward to with the new year.
Our first major event of 2024 will be the Sweet Challenges, replacing the Spooky Challenges as our annual challenge-based event. The Sweet Challenges will be themed around character development and storytelling rather than creating additions to official lore - while we’ve loved seeing everyone’s submissions to the Stories of the Realm and Bestiary pages, those sections of the site are starting to get pretty full! We hope people will be excited to have a more character-centric set of challenges this year instead. The Sweet Challenges will also see the release of a new ☠ slot! And our first story event of 2024 will be Steel Talons, Iron Wings, set in the windwyrm Baronies. Fear not if you don’t have a ferocious feathered friend, though - there will be opportunities for characters from across Cyr to take part in STIW. Read more about the event premise below:
Still seething from their humiliation at the Isle of Ghosts in 504, the windwyrms seek a way to impress their might upon the rest of Cyr and show that they haven’t grown soft. A controversial suggestion roots itself in the Tempest’s heart, and this summer they invite delegations from Ironbrook, the Republic of the Spire, and Hovell’s northern city-state to attend the famous Royal Bitterpeak Tournament*.
The Royal Tourney is the most anticipated and famous bloodsport hosted in the Bitterpeak Kingdom. Every year spectators flock from across the Baronies to watch contestants duel for the honour of becoming the Champion of the Crown. While some are eager to show off windwyrm strength before an even larger crowd, others are offended by the idea of any foreign presence in their Kingdom… and yet more factions plan to put their own machinations into play during the Tourney.
* Note that although lore-wise the Royal Tourney spans only one month in-universe, STIW will last longer than that out of character.
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