2016 Ball Highlights

I rarely start these threads, but man, I have to for this one.

First, as always, the food was amazing. People really outdid themselves this year. Thank you to everyone who brought such delicious things. Personal highlights (beyond my own food): Lamb and Venison Curry, Lamb Stew, the stuffed dates, the Edamame Salad, the home made mints, and of course, popping Wink's Balls in my mouth.

Second: Everyone looked so amazing. I think everyone was absolutely stunning, and congrats to the contest winners. I'm sorry I was unable to watch the line up due to plot stuff, but I heard the names, and am proud of everyone.

Third: MY SISTER! My friend Dara has wanted to come into play as our sister for a long time, but the scheduling just never worked out. So glad she got to meet everyone and can't wait for her to be in a full KR event (fingers crossed for December)

Fourth: Card Plot - Dark Sorcery? Maverick Souls trapped in cards? ACE OF SPADES? its like all the things Caldor hates... and Jason loved every minute of it. It was such an awesome plot, and I'm glad I got to interact with so many people on it. Special thanks to Everyone who went out into the dark and cold to look for them, and those who really went all out and put everything on the line, including Alice, Dara, Joe H. Onca and other players i'm forgetting right now.



Had a fantastic time!

Food was great. I'm still pissed.

Hey, guys, it's Chloe! (Aka, Rowan the Satyr). I had SUCH a great time at my first KR event and I can't wait to come back in January with Sam/ Ferryn, and my boyfriend Alex as his halfling character too! (And no, it didn't take wiggling and winking to convince him. I told him how awesome you all were and he was excited to get his character together and join in! He's been LARPing longer than I have)

1) Meeting everyone was so much fun! Especially through the "Haaaaaaaaaaave you met Ferryn?" game! Throwing Sam at the Count was my crowning achievement of the night xD I apologize to anyone who I traumatized with my character's antics!

2) THE FOOD. The food was delicious. Dear god.

3) The roleplay was so awesome guys. I loved my conversations with Edwin, Fenri, the druid and ranger who helped Ferryn and Rowan to have a place to live in Kaladonia, and everyone else I spoke to last night (I don't remember everyone's names I'm sorry!), charades with Captain Blackjaw, oh man guys, you have me hooked. The only reason I can't come back in December is because of a conference where I'm a clinician, or I'd be back ASAP.

4) The discussion about bowing and curtsying, and everyone's reactions to my character saying she was perfectly okay with bowing even though, well, boobs. I was glad I could make everyone laugh

I haven't done a public recap in a long while. However, given how much I thoroughly enjoyed the ball, I feel like now is as good a time as any.

Even though I didn't have everything ready for it costume-wise and there was some hiccups with music preparation on my end (Thanks Philly's power grid!), I was blown away by the event.

Here are some highlights:

• Conversing with Aldric and Bob as we discussed their ideas regarding a certain plan to unify the faiths made for some great RP.
• Trying to make sure Grim had a nice time with his lady friend.
• Cylite's amazing dance instruction.
• Burkheart's wedding announcement and following ceremony
• Our amazing Master of Ceremonies. Seriously, Steven Amore was fantastic and made the event very engaging.
• The Guard's sit down and toast with the Baron, something I hope will be a more regular occasion.
• Captain Blackdaw. That was fantastic, Bendin, even if your date didn't fully appreciate it!
• Dear god the massive amount of food and drink! It was such a wide range of dishes. Many thanks to those who brought warmers to keep their dishes piping hot for the evening.
• Talks with the homunculi, specifically getting pulled by our new Baronial Clerk to discuss various concepts with Able.
• Seeing Lord General Magnus again and then getting annoyed at Oren for not telling us that he was still alive.
• Fenri's entrance and the ramifications that will ensue IG.
• The silent auction's amazing turn out. We learned some things that we are hoping to impose the next time the Black Serpent Trading Company decides to open the vault again which should lead to a much more engaging auction for those while smaller pocketbooks.

I want to thank everyone who attended and helped in the planning; you all made the event quite the spectacular and something I will remember for a very long time. Now, I am going to go collapse in my bed for the next several hours.

~ Joe G.

Hmmm....

Ball highlights!

-Food
-All the compliments on my attire. This was the debut of my Prince Charlie jacket/vest set for formal occasions. The Brazen Vestments were a last minute touch... thank you one and all for the kind words.
-food...
-A legendary poker game that was far more than it appeared, discovered after the fact. While there was a winner and a prize, I am not so certain the true winner and the true prize are what was thought. At least Angrin won the card game...
-more food....
-Winning KR Prom. When the winners for male and female 1st place were announced as a couple, I was like "Who came in as a couple?"... Thanks you guys!
-last minute foods....
-Plotting and theories... All the theories and plotting. From Guilds to Operation F*ck Tha Guy, just all the plotting.
-hot cider (bet you thought this was gonna be food...)
-Discussions over the witchwoodcorpsetreething... and Birgitta's Mic Drop on the subject.
-glorious food...


December is going to be an interesting month, I think. See everyone then!

I am quite proud of my extortion skills.

Kudos to James for greenlighting the homunculi guests and Matt M. for pushing for the idea. If Ludwig at the Ball is any indication, Nalick may have stiff competition for "biggest wallflower of Travance."

Thanks are in order:
Alice B. for letting me use some of her makeup and helping me become whiter than usual.
Geoff Schaller for letting me borrow Carlos' garb. It was far noisier than Ludwig would've liked, but Jeff had a fun time.

Able was reasonable and while not swearing off eating other homunculi, at least preferring diplomacy. Eden didn't exactly share his perspective, which led me as Ludwig to blurt out this line:

"I will not come to a bargaining table with a knife and fork."

Banter and little moments are always some of my favorites at events, like chatting with Prometheus while we waited on line or my chat with Lady Kleidin by the dessert table.

Kestrel needing advice, going off course and then remedying it the only way Ludwig knew how. Hayley, thanks for being a good sport!

Talks with Magistrate Bob about... interesting subjects (no pun intended. Honestly).

Learning how to play chess from Tessa and Ludwig's analogy to help him better understand.

Bill H.'s reactions when Ludwig tried to ferret out the truth.

Zelretch's head-desk that wasn't my fault for once, and the discussion there at the table.

Philosophical discussions with Haroldson.

Learning the hard way that small talk is not one of Ludwig's specialties. Nor is asking someone to dance. Or the act of dancing itself.

Being a judge in the storytelling and singing competitions, was fun! As for the singers, wow. Matt C., I'd say you definitely improved over last year and it was good to see you up there again. Sasha, I did so many double-takes over to Greg when you started singing. You were great. As for the nerve-wracking feeling from singing in front of the whole town, I've been there. You hid it amazingly well and I'll have to find out your secret!

Ludwig giving Valanye words of encouragement while she anxiously awaited the singing competition, except in clunky bits of logic and reason.

Playing a man of massive intellect was interesting, especially one relatively new to town who could be curious about everything. That led to some fun roleplay--a short scene with Oren comes to mind--throughout the night.

Trisana. Jen, I never have a bad time RPing with you as any character I play. Thanks. :)


Getting to hang out with people out of game after the Ball wound up, was fun as well. The last three, I drove home afterward, but I think splitting a room will be my new tradition.

Seeing everyone so nicely kitted out at the ball is always a pleasure. And for the second time, actually having something new to wear as Grim. I like the wolf holding a torch heraldry for him, and hope that it will be a thing for him going forward.

The unexpected presence of Lilith in the line at the ball, and grim politely offering to escort her, which sort of snowballed into various things. This arc has done unexpected things to Grim, and made him make conclusions about souls and other things he might not have before.

Gunnar with excellent Rp about souls and spirits, and apparently solving a heargen family feud with intense roleplay.

A very personal conversation with Maralas

Drinking with the Baron.

Intense roleplay with Annora

Caldor asking Grim if he wanted to be Lady of Ostcliff.

Giving Red Kestrel a hard time, and getting my comeuppance as she retaliated in kind later.

Getting in a shouting match with cousin, then watching him get married.

Giving a gift to a homonculi.

Swearing an oath, and making a decision which may have repercussions for the future of a plot.

Roleplaying intensely with Dirge and Midori.

Bouncing a bit off Prometheus and Ludwig.

Dancing poorly and deciding with Lilith that yes, dancing sucked.

Enjoying the mental duel between Jackdaw and Eden.

Finding out the various reactions of people to finding out there is -another- heargen clan member in town.

Playing off Dara, but mostly enjoying that we accepted at one of our own without being intensely different in our behavior. We're normal, we're family, we're having fun and meeting new people.

A conversation with Rudolf about the Homonculi.

Grim enjoying being off duty.

Rook making fun of Grim for losing track of Lilith.

All the delicious food of course.

Oh, and lest we forget. Fenri Kantaris with the best introduction ever at Winterdark. I think -everyone- laughed.

Did I mention what a great MC Sindarion was?

I dont normally do highlights, but the Ball inspired me in so many ways...

The costuming that you all worked on so hard for months, wow. The attention to detail and creativity just blows me away at KR and this Ball is always where it shows the most.

Roleplay in an environment which is all roleplay is neat, and a change of pace.

"What Ball?" I wound up spending it on advancing, refining and blowing my own mind, on developing plot. Everyone is dancing, eating and having a good time, Aldric was running from person to person all night.

On developing plot, I am gratified that players can be heard and accommodated when they explore their own direction for plot. As a GM I have often had to channel PCs when they start to go off book, but it didnt feel that way here. I do appreciate that staff gave options and raised new directions from where to go with my crazy ideas, instead of funneling me down a specific path.

Overall it was a wonderful night, and I look forward to the next one!

The ball weekend was a mix of highs and lows for me- between finding out right before ball one of my best friends has cancer, and then dealing with a really bad series of panic attacks after the ball, I came off this weekend feeling pretty blah. However, the ball itself was amazing- (the setting was beautiful and everyone looked phenominal) and the rp was on point. Well done everyone.

Some of my highlights:

Belegchand. Just... Belegchand. Seriously, you have shaped rook as a character a lot in the last few events, especially in the last month, and getting that letter from you re a past conversation has left a lot of questions and thoughts in rook's head. Also being the person to find rook post panic attack and comfort her.

Jackdaw finding out after 5 months that rook is a squire. That proceeding fallout

Pretty outfit! Rook may have hated every moment but I'm so thrilled with how my outfit came out. I designed the concept back in may and I've worked on it for a month and it came out as well as I could have hoped. Thank you to everyone who oog and ig commented on it. I was super nervous about doing an outfit like that for rook and trying to hold on to the core of the character but it worked out.

People finally realizing after 5 months that rook and annora are a couple. The super awkward "it's fine, we've had couples like you before in travance" comments. The awesome ones from people who ship dragonbirb

Fenri- best way to get announced at the ball. Rook proceeding to announce to the waiting crowd "introducing Fenri, escorted by his humongous ego". Also, stealing the hat and mask st different times and getting chased around. Probably one of my top highlights of the event. So much fun.

Lurking up on the catwalk with Oren watching the dancing.

Sitting off to the side watching the dance floor and suddenly having the Baron notice me alone and grabbing me to dance. Probably a the best first dance ever? Thank you for putting up with my fake bad dancing, it was weird having to pretend I wasn't a dancer for half my life XD that was the other highlight of my event, and was so much fun.

General shenanigans with caelven, Elric, and a bunch of other people

The count's special banana pillow.



Thank you all for a phenomenal event and I look forward to seeing you in December.

Dragonbirb <3

The Count's special banana pillow.

I will put more in here later, but:

-Food!
-Sindarion's introductions even though one of them nearly got me killed!
-Weddings!
-Games with Homunculi and others (I FOUND THE MISSING TILE!)
-Plans and schemes!

It was so great to see you all fantastic individuals in your full fabulous glory <snap snap>.

Seeing everyone from the other side of the hall for the first time was really something special for me, Angeliana was nervous as hell but felt comforted standing next to the Count and Magnus, then joined by the Lords and Ladies. All of your entrances were fun to watch and greet.

Sindarion, good job for having such energy and being such a wonderful spark, lighting up the room.

A-nonymus delivery of a black rose with purple glitter on it... This made my night. <3 you know you.

The Baron making it in the nick of time, or as he said it: "Exact time he needed to be there." Angeliana was worried he wasn't going to make it in time for his entry, scrambled to escort him down to the court.

Following the Baron around and welcoming people, introducing some newer folk to him and seeing their reactions were truly a highlight. People also finding out how much of a true gentleman the man behind the title is, was touching.

All the food was great, we ate last to make sure everyone got food but what we had was great. Especially people's balls and Angry's ham

The card plot and the poker game were both epic. Angeliana was going to enjoy it and then let someone else take the gold towards the end, but then she found out the real story behind what was going on. Had to find a way to save the souls after all and when the 10 of spades never turned up, she opened the veils and searched the spirit realm for it. The soul was trapped behind a large clear 10 barrier, calling for help, so she shattered it, the soul escaped into her and in the process and killed her. Caldor's reanimation was great. I have plants inside me now?

One final poker hand against black sorcery and evil. At stake? 5 souls, no big deal... We won. Had to anty the King's gold to entice the entity for the game though. Angrin I'm so sorry man. <3 you. I will repay you what you lost.

Congrats to all the winners, everything well deserved.

And I will not forget this highlight, my top. New sister, came to my rescue, without even meeting me or knowing who I was. My shoes were about to snap due to being a little big and heels weak, not having extra holes on the strap. She gave me her own boots out of the goodness of her heart. She was rewarded with a perfect cut diamond. Her glowing face was adorable. <3

It was great seeing you all again, can't wait until the next time. Stay amazing KR family!

Angeliana wrote: I have plants inside me now?

So I shouldn't cast germinate on you? Or should I? I don't know...

Allyce's Formal Report of "The Ball"

-She hated it lol. It was alright though- she just channeled all of the awkwardness into doing work for the Guard. Who needs a relaxing night? With that said, I think the Baron himself has ordered me to relax and enjoy myself on no less then 3 occasions....

-Chats. All of the chats. I felt like everytime I turned around, there was someone else who wanted to "chat."
-"Talking" with Tobias. Hahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
-Swallowing my tongue after saying something to the Baron. Not dying. Nearly fainting after. And then getting chided gently by Lord Pyre later for being overly subtle and tactful and to just "say things straight out." Allyce was soooo relieved. She really CAN do politics. I even got complimented on it! Its just....annoying. So many people to please....
-Getting asked after the ball why I spent the entire Ball working. People do not understand Allyce at all.
-Having the drink with the Baron. Trying to act casual about certain topics and then getting more and more terrified that I had committed a faux pas and went literally RUNNING to Lois. I then realized that Lois is becoming the person Allyce goes to the most to ask social questions. I have no real idea whether to pity her or be thankful.
-"Why do people put color on their lips when it doesnt stay? Its been about 20 years since I did this and I was just learning THEN!"
-Having Magnus give us a very interesting idea on how to handle an issue that I would NEVER have thought of. That involves "Genetic Engineering." Which I have, OOG, trained in. Which amused the hell out of me.

So. There was a ton of awesome food. Tons of awesome people. A bit of frustration. I got compliments!!! And just....work. A lot of prep work for this next event. And hopefully it works.

I was there for Magnus' mad scientist lesson. As he explained it, I just watched Allyce slowly pan her vision to the left... and there sat Lois. The light in her eyes as she saw the Seneschal....

This was my first event back after two years absent, and it was so good to see everyone. I brought along my cousin for her first ever Larp event and want to thank everyone who reached out to RP with her, even briefly. you're all wonderful.

Just a few points:

-Sindarian, excellent job as Master of Ceremonies, you were born for this.

-Captain Ironjaw - i have no idea who you are under that mask, but damn were you entertaining. The best tree pantomime I've ever seen.

-Ferryn and Rowan - I can not wait to RP with the both of you again. I loved your chemistry together and ability to converse in character. I hope to be victim of your future misadventures.

-Magnus - Glad you aren't dead. Sorry you died a few times in my absence.

-Valanye - Now I've met you. that's important. But really - you have a great grasp of your character. cant wait to fight with you.

-Lorelei- good to see you again. Thank you for updating me regarding the Homunculi (sp?) and a few other important events from the past year.

-Food - Good lord. The food. To everyone that brought something, thank you thank you thank you.

-All of your costumes were fantastic. Everyone looked great.


I had and still have a lot of catching up to do with story from the past two years. i hope to be at one or both of the next two events, so i'll be sure to check out the chronicle. Again, thank you everyone for a wonderful evening. I wish i could have stayed the entire time, but the two and a half hour drive home demanded me to depart early.

Thank you all again. See you soon.

What a fantastic evening! Thank you everyone for the compliments on my dress and crown I ended up sewing in a time crunch and had to abbreviate some things and leave out the pauldrons, but I had a great time designing something fancy to suit Kestrel and running around as her trying to figure out how to navigate such a long and delicate dress. And then being delighted and moving more gracefully when she was finally given an opportunity to dance and discover that the dress moved as fluidly as her beloved ocean currents. Thank you everyone who pointed out that it moved like water! I was really hoping that would come across, and am honored that I placed in the best dressed contest <3

Speaking of dancing, it was quite a shock to Kestrel when she ended up dancing next to/ with the Baron. While the conversation may have begun with a matter of bee suspicion, it turned into a surprisingly polite and pleasant exchange that has further sent Kestrel's previous opinion of the Baron into question. Thank you for RPing with me and throwing Kes for such a loop with a simple conversation and an offer to teach her lol. And thank you Clytie for leading the dancing!

Speaking of dancing, it was lovely being taught to waltz by Red Kestrel! Sharing a Purple Kes dance was great fun, and I only wish we'd had more time for more dancing! It took 9 months to come out in game, but Blue Kes loves to dance and is very excited to get to dance with her other half again in the future :3

This ended up being a very role play heavy evening, with a number of very important conversations taking place in the open and off in the darker corners.

I loved that Red Kes and Blue Kes got to spend quite some time strolling the catwalks and discussing ways in which our respective groups could better work together in battle. It was fantastic to actually have time to speak tactically (even better in ball gowns against the backdrop of a fancy party) and bond personally. They really are two sides of the same coin - sunrise and sunset. Hayley you are amazing! I hadn't expected Blue Kes to open up or be willing to answer those questions, but you played that scene perfectly - offering trust when asking to be trusted - and caused Blue Kes to remember all the times Red had proven herself to be of similar mindset and worthy of trust. I'm super excited we got to have that backstory!bonding moment, and very happy that Red Kes has joined the ranks of Magnus as the only PCs to have that information. Lastly, I'm honored. Beyond honored. And excited to continue to walk our paths.

Captain Blackjaw! You know why :)

Had a very nice time eating dinner with Prometheus and getting to speak a bit. That was quite interesting and I hope I get to RP with you more in the future! It was fun connecting over how silly formal manners are and discussing magic.

Holy crap Aaron, way to throw me for another big loop as Abel! I really was not expecting to relate so closely to Abel, but how you played him at the ball and those conversations that we had definitely set Kes on the road to make some very big life decisions. Kes learned so much about Abel and was made to reflect on so much about herself, it inspired her to take some significant actions. Thank you for taking the time to RP with me so much! I promise, grapes really do taste better than my eyes.

Also holy crap, Matt. A pair of NPCs that you made may permanently alter my character's life in a huge way. Can't wait to see what happens XD

Jackdaw's story! Loved that it was audience participation.

Puppet Starling! Jackdaw's date was still lovely in miniature lol and omg Justin you did an awesome job XD

Hilarious awkward date between Magnus and Red Kes lol Attempting to make it less awkward by turning it into a double date with Jun and Blue Kes. That turning into yet another awkward conversation between Jun and Blue Kes about whether or not they're a thing, it getting closer than before, but once again devolving into them agreeing that feelings are dumb and love sucks/ wtf even is it. At least I wasn't trying to keep you from losing consciousness and bleeding out this time!

Seeing Magnus again was great! I wish I'd tracked you down more to speak to him.

Lilith, as always, was amazing! Really enjoyed how excited she was that I was blue again and our greeting exchange of "Oh! The blue one!" And "The very white one!" While moving forward to investigate each other lol. Her amusement at Jackdaw being in trouble with the Father was adorable XD Don't worry, I will continue, apparently with the Count's amused support, to investigate this bees in power situation.

The Count's statue of Kes lol Still glad it's a free standing one and not shoved into a wall.

Thank you everyone who helped with Jackdaw and Kestrel's mission to free their kidnapped crewmates (Crane and Nightingale)! A rival pirate band didn't like how chummy we've gotten with Kormyre and took them hostage right before the ball. Starling had to go oversee negotiations while we acquired the ransom. We didn't know it until later, but Jun got us even more than what we needed early on in the night lol Thank you Mary Beth for taking the time to run a little side quest for Kes and Jackdaw! That was fantastic!

Food! Esp dates!! Esp lamb curry!!

Costumes! So many beautiful fabrics and masks as always. Wish more people had come.

Sadly RP was pretty Scarce for me. Every time I tried to engage people others came up and swept them away or events happened like the dancing.

Food was great though.

The Cards thing was intriguing. Sadly I don't play well enough oog to even sit at that table. From reports glad I didn't try.

Food was awesome.

Maralas is and always will be awesome. Glad you got to talk to someone who can help your issue.

Birgitta the Facilitator...

My first ball was amazing. It was such a good time to be able to roleplay with some amazing people. The food was fantastic, I just wish my stomach had been sitting better so that I could truly eat like a halfling.

-Showing up to the ball dressed as plain as ever and with no mask. Ergos didn't understand what a masquerade ball was, but he knows for next year.

-Short talk with Valanye about surnames

-Eating

-Really being able to get into Ergos' childish mindset without him being on alert about things needing healing

-Talks with Kardin

-Talks with Midori. Bover sounds delicious.

-Talks with Lillith

-Talks with Ostcliff

-Talks with a lot of people, really

-Dessert

-Learning about love

Overall, the ball was a blast and I hope to be able to make it back next year for it, too! Thanks to everyone who helped run such a great event!

Haha, Thanks Jeff! It's scary, but I have this competitive streak that forced me to get up there once I found out there was a prize involved...it's my mortal flaw.

KindaMermish wrote: Haha, Thanks Jeff! It's scary, but I have this competitive streak that forced me to get up there once I found out there was a prize involved...it's my mortal flaw.

When I first started coming, I never imagined singing in front of a handful of people, let alone a roomful. It'll get easier.

Ball...costume malfunctions...the struggle bus was too real.

Getting to have a wonderful conversation with Kamei over the delicious food was a welcomed treat.
Small conversations to keep appearances.
Watching the extortion going on at the silent auction and laughing.
Making new plans, expanding old plans, goal is nearing completion.
Sitting down and conversing with Birgitta in a moment of peace. Long time in coming.
Sitting with A Chronicler, and talking large and heavy topics of the future and past events. I wish I had a story with more interest in it for you...maybe next year.

Good Ball. See ya in December.